Effect of Thickness on Fluorescence of Some Clinical Dental Ceramics.

Objectives: This study aimed to develop a new method for measurement of florescence and compare the fluorescence of some clinical dental ceramics in different thicknesses. Materials and Methods: Forty-eight samples of feldspathic (Vita VM9, A2), IPS e.max (Ivoclar HT, A2), zirconia (Korox Zircostar, A2) and Enamic (Vita A2) ceramics were used in this study in 0.5 and 1 mm thicknesses. The fluorescence of the samples was measured by using a developed technique. The results were analyzed by two-way ANOVA and Duncan post-hoc test. P<0.05 was considered significant. Results: Enamic, feldspathic and e.max ceramics had significantly different fluorescence in descending order (P=0.000). Fluorescence of ceramics increased with an increase in their thickness from 0.5 to 1 mm (P=0.007). Conclusion: The results confirmed the applicability of the presented method for measurement of fluorescence of dental ceramics. While, the thickness of restoration determines the concentration of the fluorescent agent, some additional technical information is required for justification of the observed trend in the studied ceramics.

The effect of ceramic thickness on opalescence.

OBJECTIVES: Creating a tooth-like appearance by use of dental ceramics is still a challenge. Opalescence is a unique property of dental enamel, attempted to be mimicked by dental restorative materials. This study aimed to assess the effect of ceramic thickness on opalescence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-four discs were fabricated of feldspathic ceramic, IPS e.max, zirconia and Enamic ceramics with 10 mm diameter and 0.5 and 1 mm thicknesses (n = 12). The opalescence of ceramic specimens was calculated by measuring the difference in yellow-blue axis (CIE ∆b*) and red-green axis (CIE ∆a*) between the transmitted and reflected spectra. One-way ANOVA was applied to compare the opalescence of different ceramic specimens with variable thicknesses at .05 level of significance. RESULTS: The opalescence of feldspathic, IPS e.max, zirconia and Enamic ceramic specimens with 0.5 mm thickness was 1.06 ± 0.15, 3.39 ± 0.15, 1.98 ± 0.15 and 1.44 ± 0.15, respectively. By increasing the thickness to 1 mm, the opalescence of feldspathic, IPS e.max, zirconia and Enamic ceramics changed to 1.12 ± 0.15, 1.47 ± 0.15, 3.85 ± 0.15 and 2.00 ± 0.15, respectively. In all groups except for IPS e.max, the mean opalescence of 1-mm-thick specimens was higher than that of 0.5-mm-thick specimens. CONCLUSION: Type and thickness of ceramic affect its opalescence. The opalescence of all ceramic specimens tested in this study with 0.5 and 1 mm thicknesses was lower than that of the enamel.

Prediction of preterm labor by the level of serum magnesium using an optimized linear classifier.

Background: This study investigates the possibility of predicting preterm labor by utilizing serum Magnesium level, BMI, and muscular cramp. Methods: In this case-control study, 75 preterm and 75 term labor women are included. Different factors such as serum magnesium level, mother's age, infant's sex, mother's Body Mass Index (BMI), infant's weight, gravid, and muscular cramp experience are measured. Preterm labor is predicted by developing a linear discriminant model using Matlab, and the prediction accuracy is also computed. Results: The results show that each of the studied variables has a significant correlation with preterm labor. The p-value between BMI and preterm labor is 0.005, and by including the muscular cramp, it becomes less than 0.001. The correlation between serum magnesium level and the preterm labor is less than 0.0001. Using these three significant variables, a linear discriminant function is developed, which improves the accuracy of predicting preterm labor. Conclusion: The prediction error of preterm labor decreases from 31% (using only serum magnesium level) to 24% using the new proposed discriminant function. Based on this, it is suggested to use the optimized linear discriminant function to enhance the prediction of preterm labor, since the serum magnesium level cannot predict the preterm labor accurately.

Comparison of Tooth Color Change After Bleaching With Conventional and Different Light-Activated Methods.

Introduction: The demand for esthetic dental treatments is increasing in recent years mainly due to improved oral hygiene and better maintenance of oral health and teeth in older individuals. Bleaching of discolored anterior teeth is the most popular among esthetic dental treatments. Even individuals with sound teeth and adequate esthetics seek to have whiter teeth in the anterior region. The aim of this study was to evaluate tooth color changes following conventional in-office bleaching techniques compared to light-activated methods using different light sources. Methods: Seventy sound anterior teeth (devoided of caries and/or fracture), extracted for periodontal and orthodontic reasons were selected and allocated to 7 groups: (A) control, (B) conventional bleaching (C) LED-activated bleaching, (D) KTP laser-activated bleaching, (E) diode laser-activated bleaching, (F) Nd:YAG laser-activated bleaching and (G) CO2 laser-activated bleaching. Colorimetric evaluation was carried out before and after treatment using a spectrophotoradiometer. Data were analyzed by one- and two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) as well as multiple comparison methods. Results: The results showed that all bleaching procedures were effective in reducing the yellowness index. However, the KTP laser-activated bleaching was significantly more effective than the other techniques in 95% confidence level. It was also seen that CO2 laser activated method has outperformed groups E, F and G and the conventional bleaching without light activation was not effective at all and represented similar results with the control group. Furthermore, the groups E and G had almost the same results in decreasing the yellowness index. Conclusion: The results showed that all bleaching techniques were effective however, the KTP laser-activated bleaching was significantly more efficient, closely followed by the CO2 laser-activated bleaching technique.

Spectrophotometric analysis of crown discoloration following the use of silver nanoparticles combined with calcium hydroxide as intracanal medicament.

BACKGROUND: Optimal antibacterial efficacy of intracanal medicaments containing silver nanoparticles (Ag-NPs) has been well documented. However, concerns remain regarding the effect of Ag-NPs on tooth color. This study aimed to assess the effects of calcium hydroxide (CH) mixed with Ag-NPs as intracanal medicaments on tooth color. The effect of location of application of medicament on the degree of discoloration was evaluated as well. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty extracted single-rooted, single-canal human teeth with straight roots, no caries, no cracks or fractures were collected and accessed. After cleaning and shaping of the root canals, the teeth were randomly divided into two experimental groups (n=20) with CH and CH plus Ag-NPs as intracanal medicaments and a control group of saline (n=10). Experimental groups were randomly divided into two equal subgroups of A, where medicament was applied below the cemento enamel junction (CEJ) and B where the medicament was applied to the root canal and pulp chamber. Color change (ΔE) was assessed using a spectrophotometer in CIELAB system at five time points of beforemedicaments application (T0), immediately medicaments placement (T1), one week (T2), one month (T3) and three months (T4) after the application of medicaments. Data were analyzed using two-way and three-way ANOVA. RESULTS: Color change in Ag-NPs plus CH and CH groups was not significantly different at any time point (P=0.23). Increased exposure time in both groups did not increase the ΔE (P >0.05). Significant differences were noted in ΔE between subgroups A and B (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Addition of Ag-NPs to CH caused no significant change in tooth color compared to the application of CH alone. However, its use must be limited to the root canal space only. Key words:Silver nanoparticles, color change, calcium hydroxide, spectrophotometry, intracanal medicament.