Quintessence International, 06/1995

A case report of an unusual root resorption reaction associated with a graft of hydroxyapatite particles is presented. The hydroxyapatite particles were grafted to treat vertical infrabony defects at the distal aspect of the maxillary left canine and on the mesial side of the mandibular right first molar. The graft sites were monitored at maintenance visits. Root resorption was observed radiographically 9 to 10 months after grafting. The lesions were restored with a light-cured glass-ionomor cement and/or a resin composite. Possible etiologic factors associated with this condition are discussed.

A 14-year-old boy had an allergic reaction to nickel wires used in an orthodontic appliance. The allergy was confirmed through patch testing.

Remarkable improvements in the early detection of proximal lesions and the development of new restorative materials warant a reassessment of traditional cavity design. A protocol that utilizes a new cavity design in conjunction with resin-modified glass-ionomer cements to treat proximal carious lesions is described.

The present article introduces a rubber dam system developed for the simultaneous isolation of teeth and gingival tissues. The rubber dam device is fabricated from simple, easy-to-find, and inexpensive materials, such as iron-core elastic tube, latex sheets, expanding screws, dental acrylic resin, and glue. Measurements of the dimensions of the maxillas and mandibles of 100 patients indicated that three prefabricated sizes of the device (small, medium, and large) can be applied in the majority of individuals.

Computed dental radiography is a filmless system of dental x-ray imaging. It features multiple sensors with receptive areas and image quality that approach the size and resolution of film. The system is able to match the utility of film on levels such as multiple-sized images and printing output. It approaches film in quality of image and diagnostic capacity. In features such as speed of image acquisition, reduction in radiation dose, retrieval of data, and organization and storage of images, the computed dental radiography system surpasses traditional x-ray film.

Exodontia of extremely carious teeth leads to a significant risk of osteoradionecrosis in patients who have undergone radiotherapy. In these patients, endodontic treatment could be an alternative. Successful root canal therapy in a girl who had been irradiated for head and neck neoplasms is reported. The results indicated that use of calcium hydroxide to obturate the root canals is a viable method of postirradiation endodontics in primary teeth.

Patients with think nonresilient mucosa, poor ridge morphology, chronic xerostomia, and acquired or congenital defects are candidates for soft denture liners. Soft denture liners may be placed during fabrication of the new denture or during relining of the existing dentures. Soft mandibular denture liners are ideal for senior patients with resorbed mandibular ridges who need replacement of existing dentures to correct excessively closed vertical dimension of oclusion and for patients who have maxillry complete dentures and mandibular natural teeth, severe loss of maxillary ridge, and clenching habits. Soft denture liners should be used only when needed because of their short service life. However, for those patients who cannot tolerate hard denture bases, soft liners are an appropriate alternative treatment.

In the second part of a two-part study on the necessity for subgingival crown placement, photographs of 527 Saudi citizens (285 men and 242 women) with natural and exaggerated smiles were made. The photographs revealed that a substantial percentage of the participants did not exhibit the gingival tissue of their posterior maxillary teeth (41.7% to 70.2%) and mandibular teeth (92.8% to 98.5%) during a natural smile. A comparison of the posterior tooth visibility of male and female subjects revealed statistically significant differences in the following situations: the gingival section of maxillary first molars, the occlusal section of the mandibular first molars, and the occlusal section of the second premolars during a natural smile, and the occlusal section of the mandibular first and second premolars during an exaggerated smile. Therefore, an analysis of each individual's smile should be included among the factors considered when placement of coronal margins is determined.

A patient who had a Class I malocclusion with maxillary insufficiency and anterior crossbite is described. A 14-year-old girl with limited growth potential had an impacted permanent maxillary canine. The permanent mandibular first molars had been extracted previously. Treatment included extraction of the maxillary first premolars and comprehensive edgewise orthodontic therapy.

Nine noncarious human molars were extracted and stored in saline solution. Three standard occlusal cavities with beveled enamel margins were prepared on each tooth and etched with the etching solutions of three dentinal adhesive systems: (1) 37% phosphoric acid solution, (2) 4.3% oxalic acid and 2.6% aluminum salts solution, and (3) 10% maleic acid solution. Scanning electron microscopic analysis revealed that all the etching solutions affected the enamel surface morphology. The solution of oxalic acid and aluminum salts removed primarily the prism core material and partially the periphery of the prisms, but did not affect the nonbeveled enamel surface. Phosphoric and maleic acids removed both prism core materials and prism periphery; these specimens also showed areas in which no prism morphology could not be detected. These two acids also removed apatite crystals from the prism core of the intact enamel surface.