Quintessence International, 12/1998

This article is the second in a series that describes the development, physical properties, and clinical applications of fiber-reinforced composite materials. The development of fiber-reinforced composite technology has opened new avenues for fabricating direct tooth replacements and splints that are esthetic and simple in design and execution and have the potential for excellent durability. Splinting techniques for hypermobile dentitions or postorthodontic retention and the replacement of anterior and posterior teeth using a groove preparation, a denture tooth, and a fiber-reinforced composite framework will be described.

Objective: Recurrent aphthous stomatitis is a very common condition, currently treated with anti-inflammatory agents, which palliate the symptoms. The purpose of this clinical trial was to compare a medication commonly used to treat recurrent aphthous stomatitis, Kenalog-in-Orabase, and a newer agent, Debacterol. Method and materials: Sixty patients diagnosed with recurrent aphthous stomatitis were enrolled in the study. Twenty patients were assigned to each of the two treatment groups, and 20 age- and sex-matched patients were assigned to the control group, which received no treatment. After the diagnosis was made, clinical examinations and ulcer measurements were performed, and a subjective evaluation of symptoms (100-mm visual analog scale) was completed by each subject. The subjects did not use any other medications. Both agents were applied topically (the frequency varied depending on the group of subjects) at specified intervals. Ulcer measurements and subjective evaluat ions were made at days 0, 3, 6, and 10 for all subjects. Results: In both treatment groups, by day 10, 100% of the ulcers had clinically healed and were no longer causing pain. Patients in the Debacterol group reported a significantly greater decrease in pain at 3 days (> 70%) than did subjects in the other groups (< 20%), although the size of the ulcer did not differ significantly in any of the groups. After day 6, 80% of the ulcers in the Debacterol group had clinically disappeared and no longer caused symptoms, as compared to about 30% in the other group Conclusion: Patients subjectively reported significantly greater relief from symptoms with Debacterol than with Kenalog-in-Orabase or no treatment. The relief of symptoms ass ociated with recurrent aphthous stomatitis may or may not correspond to clinical improvement, and these two topical medications may affect signs and symptoms of the lesions differently.

Objective: Easy handling of materials is essential to the production of good clinical results. The handling properties of a new compomer material and its novel primer/adhesive-dispensing system were tested in clinical us Method and materials: Ten general dental practitioners used the new material and dispenser for 3 weeks and completed a questionnaire regarding the handling, esthetics, and ease of use. They were asked to compare the new material to the compomer, resin composite, and glass-ionomer materials normally used in their own practice. Results: The material scored a mean of 4.4 for dispensing convenience on a linear scale of 1 (inconvenient) to 5 (convenient) and 4.6 for ease of use (5 = easy to use, and 1 = difficult to use). The dispensing system achieved a high rating of 4.9 for convenience (5 = convenient, and 1 = inconvenient). Conclusion: The new material received ratings that were superior to those of the glass-ionomer and compomer materials normally used by the evaluators and similar to ratings of the resin composite normally used.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare a single-use, disposable, presterilized light activation probe with an equivalent autoclavable probe. Light output, heat generation, and depth of cure were investigated. Method and materials: Ten disposable and two reusable probe tips were tested. Three maximum light output readings for each tip were recorded with a radiometer. Heat genertion at the probe tip was recorded, at 30-second intervals over a five-minute period, with a thermocouple probe placed under a 3-mm-thick glass slide. After light-activated compomer was placed in a sectional two-piece stainless steel mold and cured, depth of cure was evaluated using the scrape technique. Results: With respect to light output and depth of cure, there were no statistically significant differences between probe types, but the disposable probe generated significantly less heat. Conclusion: The disposable probe performed clinically as well as an autoclavable counterpart with respect to light output, heat generation, and depth of cure.