Three-dimensional tomographic assessment of the upper airway using 2 different imaging software programs: A comparison study.

INTRODUCTION: Several imaging software programs with different tools are available for upper airway (UAW) analysis by means of cone beam computed tomography. Because of this wide variability, this study aimed to compare the reproducibility of two of the most used software programs on UAW segmentation, that is, Dolphin Imaging (Dolphin Imaging and Management Solutions, Chatsworth, Calif) and Mimics Research (Materialise, Leuven, Belgium). METHODS: The sample consisted of 50 scans of adult subjects with Class III malocclusion; pharyngeal volume and minimal cross-sectional area (mCSA) were assessed twice by 2 experienced evaluators using both software programs. Intra- and intersoftware and/or evaluator agreement were calculated using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). Bland-Altman analysis was used to visualize the intersoftware and interevaluator agreement. RESULTS: Using Mimics Research and Dolphin Imaging, the respective mean values of volume (cm3) were 27.1 ± 8.4 and 24.7 ± 8.1 (P < 0.05) and of mCSA (mm2) were 167.8 ± 95.5 and 176.5 ± 102.3 (P < 0.05). Although differences between software packages were observed on both the analyzed variables, the results showed a high intersoftware agreement, with ICC of 0.87 (volume) and 0.97 (mCSA) and mean bias of 24.6 (volume) and -8.8 (mCSA). A high intrasoftware agreement was also observed, with values varying from 0.83 to 0.99. Excellent intra- and interevaluator agreement was also obtained, with ICC values from 0.93 to 0.99. CONCLUSIONS: Dolphin Imaging and Mimics Research individually provide highly reproducible results, with clinically acceptable agreement between them for UAW segmentation, providing consistent values for volume and mCSA.

Effect of long-term water storage on etch-and-rinse and self-etching resin-dentin bond strengths.

This study sought to evaluate the long-term bond strength of etch-and-rinse and self-etch adhesive systems to dentin after one year of water storage. Crown fragments from the buccal surface of extracted bovine incisors were ground flat to expose dentin surfaces. Four etch-and-rinse and two self-etch bonding agents were used according to manufacturers' instructions. Bonded specimens were stored in water for either 24 hours or one year at 37 delete C. After elapsed storage times, specimens were tested for shear bond strength (SBS) at 0.5 mm/min. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey's tests (p < 0.05). Both evaluated factors (adhesive system and storage time) and their interactions were statistically significant. Single Bond produced the highest SBS regardless of the water degradation period. One-year water storage reduced the SBS of Prime & Bond NT and One-Up Bond F significantly; the other adhesives performed similarly. Long-term bond strengths of etch-and-rinse and self-etch adhesive systems are susceptible to hygroscopic and hydrolytic effects to varying extents, depending on their chemistry and structure. The presence of monomers with different properties might induce preferential degradation of specific adhesive polymer systems.

In vitro evaluation of caries inhibition promoted by self-etching adhesive systems containing antibacterial agents.

This study evaluated the cariostatic effect of antibacterial self-etching adhesive systems, by means of an in vitro bacterial caries model. Seventy-five prepared bovine slabs were randomly divided into groups (n=15): (1) unbonded composite, no carious challenge (UNB-NC); (2) unbonded composite, carious challenge (UNB-C); (3) Clearfil SE Bond, no antibacterial agent (CSE); (4) Protect Bond, containing MDPB and fluoride (PB); and (5) Reactmer Bond, fluoride-releasing (RB). All preparations were restored with Filtek Z-250. Groups (2)-(5) were submitted to a medium containing Streptococcus mutans (ATCC-- 25175) for 5 days, and Group (1) was kept in a noninoculated medium. Insoluble polysaccharides present in tooth biofilms were quantified, Knoop hardness (KHN) was measured on the enamel adjacent to restorations, and standard 35-mm polarized light photomicrographs were taken as illustrations. Polysaccharide and Knoop hardness results were analyzed with the use of ANOVA, with a split-split-plot statistical design for KHN. Except for Group (1), all groups showed similar caries formation. Biofilm over PB restorations showed the smallest amounts of polysaccharides (14.37 microg/mg), and CSE showed the highest amounts (20.87 microg/mg). All self-etching systems tested were unable to inhibit secondary caries in a bacterial model simulating a high caries challenge, even though there was reduced glucan synthesis provided by the adhesive system containing MDPB and fluoride.

Chemical or microbiological models of secondary caries development around different dental restorative materials.

This study evaluated artificial secondary caries around restorative materials, induced by means of chemical or microbiological models. The following materials were used randomly to restore 130 dental blocks: (1) zinc-oxide eugenol-free temporary filling: Coltosol (Coltène/Whaledent Inc.; n = 30), (2) silver amalgam: Permite C (SDI Limited, n = 20), (3) composite resin: Filtek Z250 (3M ESPE; n = 20), (4) glass-ionomer cement: Fuji II (GC America Inc.; n = 20), (5) resin-modified glass ionomer: Vitremer (3M ESPE; n = 20), and (6) polyacid modified resin: Dyract AP (Dentsply; n = 20). Ten specimens of Group 1 were kept in humidity, and had no carious formation (NC). Ten specimens of each group were submitted to pH cycling (CG, n = 60), and the others were immersed in a medium containing Streptococcus mutans and sucrose (BG, n = 60). Mineral content was determined by microhardness assessment, and lesion depth was measured in polarized light photomicrographs. In the chemical model (CG), mineral content values in the vicinities of restoration were high for Groups 5 (75.7 +/- 11.9), 4 (70.8 +/- 14.2), and NC (95.4 +/- 3.8); intermediate for Groups 1 (55.8 +/- 18.5), 6 (45.6 +/- 11.0), and 2 (44.3 +/- 11.2); and reduced for Group 3 (34.7 +/- 9.7). In the microbiological model (BG), results were similar to CG, although there was less demineralization. The highest lesion depths were found for Groups 3 (182.3 +/- 33.2) in CG and 6 (126.5 +/- 42.8) in BG, when compared to Group 5 (114.6 +/- 26.0 and 56.2 +/- 33.2, respectively). In both models of caries induction, ionomeric materials showed a superior cariostatic effect when compared to the other restorative materials.

Long-term bond strength of restorations subjected to thermo-mechanical stresses over time.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the long-term effect of thermal and mechanical cycling on dentin bond strength to cervical margins of Class II restorations. METHODS: Sixty Class II slot cavities were prepared in bovine incisors. The cavities were restored with Single Bond and Z-250 composite according to manufacturer's instructions. The teeth were then divided into two groups (n = 30): specimens that would receive thermo-mechanical load cycling (2,000 cycles 5-55 degrees C/100,000 cycles of 50 N loading) (TM) and the control (C). Fifteen specimens from each group were tested at baseline and the remaining 30 specimens were stored in distilled and deionized water at 37 degrees C and tested after 1 year. For microtensile evaluation, the restorations were sectioned perpendicular to the cervical bonded interface into 0.7 +/- 0.2 mm thick slabs. The slabs were further trimmed at the interface to 1.4 < or = 0.2 mm with a fine diamond bur to produce a cross-sectional surface area of ca. 1 mm2. Specimens were then subjected to microtensile bond testing. The bond strength data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA and Fisher's PLSD test (P < 0.05). Fracture mode analysis was performed using SEM. RESULTS: At baseline, bond strength of the TM group was significantly lower when compared to the C group (P = 0.012). However, after 1 year storage, a significant decrease in bond strength was observed for the C group compared to baseline. No significant differences were noted between the C and TM groups at 1 year. No interaction was observed between groups (C and TM) and storage time (P = 0.098). For the fracture mode evaluation, at baseline, mixed failure was predominant for the C group, and increased after TM. Decreased mixed failure was observed after 1-year storage, with a concomitant increase in interphase failure.

Effect of thermal and mechanical load cycling on nanoleakage of Class II restorations.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of thermal and mechanical cycling on the degree and pattern of nanoleakage on cervical margins of Class II restorations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty box-type Class II cavities were prepared on bovine incisors. The cavities were restored with Single Bond and Z-250 composite resin (3M-ESPE) according to manufacturer's instructions. The teeth were randomly assigned to 4 groups: G1, control; G2, thermal cycling (2000 cycles, 5 to 55 degrees C); G3, mechanical load cycling (100,000 cycles, 50 N); G4, thermal and mechanical load cycling group (2000 cycles 5 to 5 degrees C/100,000 cycles, 50 N). The specimens were then sealed leaving a 1 mm window around the cervical margin interface. Samples were immersed in a 50% w/v ammoniacal silver nitrate solution for 24 h, and exposed to a photodeveloping solution for 8 h. Specimens were sectioned longitudinally, embedded in epoxy resin, polished and mounted on stubs, gold sputter coated, and examined under SEM using backscattered electron mode. Silver particle penetration length was measured directly on the SEM monitor and calculated as the percentage of the total length of cut dentin surface that was penetrated by silver nitrate. The data were analyzed with ANOVA and Fisher's PLSD test (p < 0.05). RESULTS: The degree of nanoleakage significantly increased when thermal and mechanical cycling was performed on the same specimens, as compared to the other groups (p < 0.05). No differences were observed between the control, thermal cycling, and mechanical cycling groups. No difference in nanoleakage pattern was observed between the groups. CONCLUSION: Thermal and mechanical cycling combined adversely affected nanoleakage values. Simulation of the oral condition might be crucial to better evaluate and understand the performance of adhesive materials.

Reattachment of an autogenous tooth fragment in a fracture with biologic width violation: a case report.

An 11-year-old patient that fractured her maxillary left central incisor is presented. The fracture involved two thirds of the crown, compromising the pulp, and extended subgingivally on the palatal aspect, invading the biologic width. The procedure used to repair the fracture included flap surgery with a slight ostectomy and endodontic treatment. The reattachment of the tooth fragment and the restoration were performed with a bonding system and a resin composite. Examination 6 months after treatment revealed periodontal health, good esthetics, and normal function.

Efetividade de adesivos dentinários hidrofílicos no controle da microinfiltraçäo marginal / Effectiveness of hydrophilic dentin bonding agents in controlling microleakage

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar qualitativamente, através da penetraçäo de corante, a capacidade de adesivos dentinários hidrofílicos em controlar a infiltraçäo marginal. Apesar dos bons resultados, nenhum dos sistemas testados evitou totalmente a microinfiltraçäo