Three-Dimensional Surface Texture Analysis of Fluoride's Effect on Enamel Erosion.

Enamel erosion has become a common clinical finding that often impairs dental esthetics and function. In the current study, we aimed to implement the three-dimensional surface texture analysis (3DST) method to explore the protective effect of fluoride on surface texture prior to erosive conditions. For each of the 50 teeth used in this study, the polished buccal enamel surface was divided into three separate areas: the first area was untouched polished enamel, the two other surfaces were immersed in 0.3% citric acid for 30 s. One was treated with high-concentration (19,000 ppm) sodium fluoride (NaF) solution prior to acid attack, and the other had no treatment prior to acid exposure. Enamel surface texture and step height measurements were obtained using a high-resolution disk scanning confocal microscope, and SEM images were also acquired. Surfaces treated with fluoride showed fewer variations in 3-D surface texture parameters than the eroded surface compared to the control group (p = 0.001). This was in accordance with the SEM descriptive images. The findings indicate that pre-fluoridated enamel areas were less affected by the acid and showed similar features to the untouched enamel. Moreover, a protective effect of the fluoride treatment against irreversible enamel damage was noted as the surface loss (step-height) was significantly reduced (p = 0.03). The study showed that 3DST analysis is a valuable methodology for detecting and quantifying subtle differences between the surfaces. When exploring the combination of all surface texture parameters, it was revealed that the pre-fluoridated eroded enamel surfaces showed considerable similarity to the untouched enamel.

Effects of different irrigation protocols on dentin surfaces as revealed through quantitative 3D surface texture analysis.

The combination of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) and sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) has been advocated as an effective irrigation methodology to remove organic and inorganic matter in root canal therapy. Yet, it was suggested that both solutions might lead to structural changes of the dentinal wall surface, depending on the order of application which might affect sealer mechanical retention. This study aims to evaluate the effect of different irrigating protocols on dentin surface roughness using quantitative 3D surface texture analysis. Data stems from 150 human root dentin sections, divided into five groups, each prepared according to one of the following protocols: Negative control; 17% EDTA; 17% EDTA followed by 5.25% NaOCl; 5.25% NaOCl; and 5.25% NaOCl followed by 17% EDTA. Each dentin sample was examined for its three-dimensional surface texture using a high-resolution confocal disc-scanning measuring system. EDTA 17% and the combined EDTA 17% with NaOCl 5.25% showed considerably higher roughness properties compared to the control and to NaOCl 5.25% alone. However, the irrigation sequence did not affect the dentin roughness properties. Therefore, mechanical retention is probably not dependent upon the selection of irrigation protocol sequence.

Extended Maxillary Sinus Augmentation to the Apical Area of the Neighboring Teeth: Advantages and Limitations.

The extension of sinus floor augmentation beyond the edentulous area, apical to the adjacent teeth, has many therapeutic advantages, but the reliability and safety of the procedure has not been assessed in depth. The present study compares the gain of bone anterior and posterior to the edentulous area and evaluates potential advantages and limitations in the clinical setting. The maximum vertical bone height in the edentulous and extended maxillary sinus augmentation (EMSA) areas and the thickness of the sinus membrane of 65 patients were measured. Those measurements were analyzed using the t test and Pearson correlations. The average vertical bone gain was 11.98 ± 3.53 mm in the edentulous sinus area and 8.60 ± 3.89 mm in the EMSA area (P < .05). Minor perforations of the sinus membrane occurred in 4 patients. There were no postsurgical graft contaminations or periradicular changes during follow-up. EMSA is a reliable and safe procedure with a very low complication rate. This approach is effective and safe for patients who have lost part of their posterior dentition. It enables future implant placement while avoiding the need for sinus reentry and proximal teeth extraction.