Knowledge and practice of dentists in processing polishing points: A cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Adequately processing polishing points used to polish composite resin restorations is necessary for microbiological control in dentistry, but there is no specific protocol to guide professionals. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the knowledge and practice of dentists in processing these instruments. METHODS: This cross-sectional observational study included the application of an online questionnaire via Google Forms and social media promotion. The study evaluated the association of field of activity, time since graduation, age, and sex of professionals with processing practice. The statistical analysis was performed with absolute and relative frequencies and logistic and Poisson regressions at a 5% significance level. RESULTS: Overall, 473 questionnaires were analyzed. A rate of 51% of professionals reported using inadequate processing methods, and almost 68% claimed to have good knowledge of the topic. Both regression analyses were significantly associated, showing a direct effect of age and time since graduation on adequate processing practices. CONCLUSIONS: Although most professionals reported understanding the processing of polishing points, they do not perform it most adequately. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: An expressive number of dentists process polishing points improperly. The topic is significant for representing a semi-critical instrument extensively used in esthetic restorations.

Rapid prototyping and 3D-virtual models for operative dentistry education in Brazil.

Many dental students struggle for visual recognition when first exposed to the study of tooth cavity preparation in the operative dentistry laboratory. Rapid prototypes and virtual models of different cavity preparations were developed for the incoming first-year class of 2010 at the Dental School of Federal University of Uberlândia, Brazil, to help them to visualize the subtle differences in cavity preparations and are described in this article. Rapid prototyping techniques have been used in dental therapy, mainly for the fabrication of models to ease surgical planning in implantology, orthodontics, and maxillofacial prostheses. On the other hand, the application of these technologies associated with 3D-virtual models in dental education is waiting to be exploited, once they have significant potential to complement conventional training methods in dentistry.

Fiber post etching with hydrogen peroxide: effect of concentration and application time.

INTRODUCTION: Etching is necessary to expose the fibers and enable both mechanical and chemical bonding of the resin core to the fiber post. This study evaluated the effect of concentration and application time of hydrogen peroxide on the surface topography and bond strength of glass fiber posts to resin cores. METHODS: Fiber posts were etched with 24% or 50% hydrogen peroxide for 1, 5, or 10 min (n = 10). Posts without any treatment were used as a control. After etching, the posts were silanated and adhesive resin was applied. The posts were positioned into a mold to allow a self-cured resin core to be inserted. The post/resin assembly was serially sectioned into five beams that were subjected to a tensile bond strength test. Data were subjected to two-way ANOVA and Tukey test (α = 0.05). The surface topography was analyzed using scanning electronic microscopy. RESULTS: Non-etched post presents a relatively smooth surface without fiber exposure. Application of hydrogen peroxide increased the surface roughness and exposed the fibers. All experimental conditions yielded similar bond strength values that were higher than those obtained in the control group. CONCLUSION: Both 24% and 50% hydrogen peroxide exposure increased the bond strength of resin to the posts, irrespective of the application time.