Ethnobotanical, ecological and health risk assessment of some selected wild medicinal plants collected along mafic and Ultra Mafic rocks of Northwest Pakistan.

The current study investigated wild plant resources and health risk assessment along with northern Pakistan's mafic and ultramafic regions. Ethnobotanical data was collected through field visits and semi-structured questionnaire surveys conducted from local inhabitants and healers. Six potentially toxic elements (PTEs) such as lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn) were extracted with acids and analyzed using atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AAS, Perkin Elmer-7000) in nine selected wild medicinal plants. Contamination factor (CF), pollution load index (PLI), estimated daily intake (EDI), target hazard quotient (THQ), and hazard index (HI) were used to determine the health risk assessment of the studied medicinal plants. The results showed that the selected medicinal plants were used for the treatments of cough, joint swelling, cardiovascular disorders, toothaches, diabetes, and skin pimples by the local inhabitants due to their low-cost and easy accessibility. The concentrations of Pb (3.4-53 mg kg-1), Cd (0.03-0.39 mg kg-1), Ni (17.5-82 mg kg-1), Cr (29-315 mg kg-1), Mn (20-142 mg kg-1), and Zn (7.4-64 mg kg-1) in the studied medicinal plants were found above the safe limits (except Zn) set by WHO/FAO/USEPA (1984/2010). The Pb contamination factor was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in A. modesta (7.84) and D. viscosa (6.81), and Cd contamination factor was significantly higher in C. officinalis (26.67), followed by A. modesta (8.0) mg kg-1. Based on PTE concentrations, the studied plants are considered not suitable for human consumption purposes. Pollution load index values for A. modesta, A. barbadensis, A. caudatus, A. indica, C. procera (2.93), D. viscosa (2.79), and C. officinalis (2.83), R. hastatus (3.12), and Z. armatum were observed as 1.00, 2.80, 2.29, 2.29, 2.93, 2.79, 2.83, 3.12 and 2.19, respectively. Hazard index values were in order of R. hastatus (1.32 × 10-1) ˃ C. procera (1.21 × 10-1) ˃ D. viscosa (1.10 × 10-1) ˃ A. caudatus (9.11 × 10-2) ˃ A. barbadensis (8.66 × 10-2) ˃ Z. armatum (7.99 × 10-2) ˃ A. indica (6.87 × 10-2) ˃ A. modesta (5.6 × 10-2) ˃ C. officinalis (5.42 × 10-2). The health risk index values suggested that consumption of these plants individually or in combination would cause severe health problems in the consumers. Pearson's correlation results showed a significant correlation (p ≤ 0.001) between Zn and Mn in the studied medicinal plants. The current study suggests that wild medicinal plants should be adequately addressed for PTEs and other carcinogenic pollutants before their uses in the study area. Open dumping of mining waste should be banned and eco-friendly technology like organic amendments application should be used to mitigate PTEs in the study area.

NMR and LC-MSn coupled with pharmacological network analysis for the assessment of phytochemical content and biopharmaceutical potential of Carapa procera extracts.

The methanolic and water extracts of Carapa procera leaves and stem barks were screened for their phytochemical content using a multi-technique approach. The extracts were also assessed for their in vitro antioxidant capacity along with their anti-diabetic (α-amylase, α-glucosidase), anti-tyrosinase, anti-elastase and anti-cholinesterase (AChE, BChE) activities. Furthermore, antibacterial and antifungal effects were determined against several bacterial and fungal strains. Data Integration Analysis for Biomarker discovery using Latent components (DIABLO) integrative analysis was conducted on collected data to determine the influence of extraction solvents and plant parts on phytochemical content, antioxidant properties and enzyme inhibitory properties of C. procera samples. Additionally, the major identified compounds were screened as modulators of multiple pathways involved in human diseases via Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis. Results showed that methanolic stem bark extract exhibited the most potent ABTS scavenging, Cu2+ and Fe3+ reducing power, total antioxidant capacity and Fe2+ chelating power and displayed the highest total flavanol content. Methanolic extracts of leaves and stem barks were abounded with phenolics and had the greatest anti-AChE, anti-BChE, anti-tyrosinase and anti-elastase activities. A significant antifungal activity was observed, with the lowest minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum fungicidal values of 0.07 and 0.15 mg/mL, respectively. DIABLO integrative analysis suggested that the phytochemical content and biological activities varied significantly within the plant parts and were influenced by types of solvent used. GO enrichment analysis on the main bioactive compounds showed modulation of multiple pathways associated with cancer. Obtained results demonstrated that stem bark and leaves of C. procera can be considered as promising sources of bioactive molecules with high pharmacological values.

[Development of an expert assessment of the quality of dental care]. / Razrabotka ekspertnoi otsenki kachestva stomatologicheskoi pomoshchi.

The article proposes a methodology for creating an assessment of the quality of dental care based on the use of the method of analysis of hierarchies and the theory of fuzzy logic. Approbation of the methodology was carried out on the assessment of the quality of dental services for the manufacture of metal-ceramic crowns. When conducting a new assessment, you can achieve a reduction in the time of its conduct by 6 times, increasing the number of evaluation criteria by 2 times and get results with a confidence factor (p=0.95). Evaluation allows you to combine existing descriptive, quantitative, radiological, functional assessments into a system and rank their significance for the final result. This allows assessing the quality of treatment more objectively.

In Vitro Assessment of Retention and Resistance Failure Loads of Teeth Restored with a Complete Coverage Restoration and Different Core Materials.

PURPOSE: To investigate in vitro the retention and the resistance form, as well as the failure modes of maxillary premolars restored with cast metal crowns and different core materials. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty human extracted maxillary premolars were selected according to their size and were embedded in PMMA resin blocks. After removing a part of their clinical crowns, the teeth were randomly divided into 3 groups of 20 teeth and were either left unrestored, or they were restored with amalgam or composite resin. All teeth were prepared for a cast metal complete coverage restoration. The restorations were cemented on the prepared teeth with a resin-modified glass ionomer luting agent (GC Fuji Plus). All specimens were subjected to static loading at 1 mm/min by a universal testing machine, until failure. Half the specimens of each group were subjected to tensile loading along the long axis of the teeth. The other half were subjected to compressive loading at a 30° angle. Failure loads and failure modes for each tooth were recorded. The statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, one-way ANOVA, and Tukey's HSD test. RESULTS: One-way ANOVA revealed statistically significant differences among the 3 tested groups (p < 0.05) for both tests. The group of teeth with no core material presented the highest failure loads for both the tensile and the compressive loading tests, with mean loads of 381.02 Ν and 741.21 Ν, respectively. Mean tensile and compressive failure loads for the amalgam group were 277.34 Ν and 584.75 Ν, while the composite resin group presented the lowest tensile and compressive failure values, which were 250.77 Ν and 465.78 Ν, respectively. The compression loading test resulted in the same failure mode for all specimens, which included unfavorable fracture of the teeth in combination with detachment of the cast metal complete coverage restorations. The tensile loading test resulted in different failure modes between the groups that used a core material and the group with no core material. CONCLUSIONS: Teeth that lost more than half of their coronal structure presented better retention and resistance form if no core material was used, provided that a minimum of 2-mm axial wall height was present at the missing part. Teeth that have lost more than half of their coronal structure and were restored with amalgam core presented better retention and resistance form than those restored with composite resin. Catastrophic fractures, extending to the root, were associated with compression forces but not with tensile forces.

Preliminary assessment of metal-porcelain bonding strength of CoCrW alloy after 3wt.% Cu addition.

In this work, a novel Cu-bearing CoCrW alloy fabricated by selective laser melting for dental application has been studied. For its successful application, the bonding strength of metal-porcelain is essential to be systematically investigated. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the metal-porcelain bonding strength of CoCrWCu alloy by three-point bending test, meanwhile the Ni-free CoCrW alloy was used as control. The oxygen content was investigated by an elemental analyzer; X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) was used to analyze the surface chemical composition of CoCrW based alloy after preoxidation treatment; the fracture mode was investigated by X-ray energy spectrum analysis (EDS) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Result from the oxygen content analysis showed that the content of oxygen dramatically increased after the Cu addition. And the XPS suggested that Co-oxidation, Cr2O3, CrO2, WO3, Cu2O and CuO existed on the preoxidated surface of the CoCrWCu alloy; the three-point bending test showed that the bonding strength of the CoCrWCu alloy was 43.32 MPa, which was lower than that of the CoCrW group of 47.65 MPa. However, the average metal-porcelain bonding strength is significantly higher than the minimum value in the ISO 9693 standard. Results from the SEM images and EDS indicated that the fracture mode of CoCrWCu-porcelain was mixed between cohesive and adhesive. Based on the results obtained in this study, it can be indicated that the Cu-bearing CoCrW alloy fabricated by the selective laser melting is a promising candidate for use in dental application.

Assessment of Posterior Teeth Preparations for Metal-Ceramic Crowns.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate teeth preparation designs for metal-ceramic crowns in private dental practice in Jordan. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One-hundred and seventy two dies were included. Different aspects of tooth preparations were quantified, analyzed and compared with the recommended guidelines. RESULTS: Almost 64% of preparations finish lines were positioned subgingivally. Shoulder finish lines were observed in 74.4% where-as 22.7% showed chamfer finish lines. Total occlusal convergence angles were 29.8 degrees in BL plane, 247 degrees in MD plane. CONCLUSIONS: Dental practitioners in private practice in Jordan did not fully adhere to the recommendedguidelines for tooth preparations for MCRs.

Students' self-assessment: a learning tool and its comparison with the faculty assessments.

OBJECTIVE: This study compared the student's self-grades versus the examiners grades, inter examiner grades and grades of anterior with posterior teeth in a preclinical prosthodontic course. METHODS: 75 students and 2 examiners participated in the study. The students prepared one anterior (upper central incisor) and one posterior (lower first molar) teeth for full veneer crowns in allocated time of 2 hours and 30 minutes. After the preparations, the students self-graded their preparations based on criteria-based evaluation forms. The examiners also completed the grading for the prepared teeth. All the grades were recorded, comparisons were made using SPSS version 21 and results tabulated. RESULTS: The means of grades (8.32) by the students themselves were found to be higher compared to the examiners grades (7.3) for the anterior as well as posterior teeth. Comparison of the grades for the anterior/posterior teeth and the overall grades showed a statistically significant difference (p=0.000). A moderate correlation (0.399) and a strong correlation (0.601) were found between the grades of the faculty and the students for the anterior and posterior teeth respectively. The overall grading for the anterior and posterior teeth by the two faculty members showed no statistically significant difference (p=0.053) and a very strong correlation (0.784). The results of the test showed a significant difference (p=0.001) between the overall grading for anterior and posterior teeth. CONCLUSION: Students tended to grade their teeth preparations higher compared to the examiner grades, inter examiner variation in the grades existed and the grades of the anterior teeth were higher compared to the posterior teeth.

Digital data acquisition for a CAD/CAM-fabricated titanium framework and zirconium oxide restorations for an implant-supported fixed complete dental prosthesis.

This dental technique report describes a digital workflow with digital data acquisition at the implant level, computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing fabricated, tissue-colored, anodized titanium framework, individually luted zirconium oxide restorations, and autopolymerizing injection-molded acrylic resin to fabricate an implant-supported, metal-ceramic-resin fixed complete dental prosthesis in an edentulous mandible. The 1-step computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing fabrication of titanium framework and zirconium oxide restorations can provide a cost-effective alternative to the conventional metal-resin fixed complete dental prosthesis.

Dental technology services and industry trends in New Zealand from 2010 to 2012.

OBJECTIVE: To provide a snapshot of the New Zealand dental technology industry and influencing factors. BACKGROUND: Developing an understanding of the commercial dental laboratory environment in New Zealand can provide insight into the entire dental industry. METHODS: A web-based survey was the primary method for data collection, with separate questionnaires used for dental laboratory owners and dental technician employees. RESULTS: The mean net income for dental laboratory owners in New Zealand was similar to that of the United Kingdom, at $40.50 per hour. Clinical dental technicians are the highest paid employees, with a mean of $33.49 per hour. The mean technical charge for complete dentures was $632.59; including clinical services, it was $1907.00. The mean charge for a porcelain-fused-to-metal (PFM) crown was $290.27. Dental laboratory owners expressed fear about the possibility of losing dental clients to overseas laboratories due to the availability and cheap charge of offshore work. Only 25.4% of dental laboratories surveyed had computer-aided design (CAD) facilities, and even fewer (7.9%) had computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) systems. CONCLUSION: Clinical dental technology appears to be prospering. The dental technology industry appears to be adapting and remains viable, despite facing many challenges.

[Quantitative assessment on artifacts of dental restorative materials in cone beam computed tomography].

OBJECTIVE: To quantitatively evaluate the artifacts appearance of eight kinds of common dental restorative materials, such as zirconia. METHODS: For the full-crown tooth preparation of mandibular first molar, eight kinds of full-crowns, such as zirconia all-ceramic crown, glass ceramic crown, ceramage crown, Au-Pt based porcelain-fused-metal (PFM) crown, Pure Titanium PFM crown, Co-Cr PFM crown, Ni-Cr PFM crown, and Au-Pd metal crown were fabricated. And natural teeth in vitro were used as controls. These full-crown and natural teeth in vitro were mounted an ultraviolet-curable resin fixed plate. High resolution cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) was used to scan all of the crowns and natural teeth in vitro, and their DICOM data were imported into software MIMICS 10.0. Then, the number of stripes and the maximum diameters of artifacts around the full-crowns were evaluated quantitatively in two-dimensional tomography images. RESULTS: In the two-dimensional tomography images,the artifacts did not appear around the natural teeth in vitro, glass ceramic crown, and ceramage crown. But thr artifacts appeared around the zirconia all-ceramic and metal crown. The number of stripes of artifacts was five to nine per one crown. The maximum diameters of the artifacts were 2.4 to 2.6 cm and 2.2 to 2.7 cm. CONCLUSION: In the two-dimensional tomography images of CBCT, stripe-like and radical artifacts were caused around the zirconia all-ceramic crown and metal based porcelain-fused-metal crowns. These artifacts could lower the imaging quality of the full crown shape greatly. The artifact was not caused around the natural teeth in vitro, glass ceramic crown, and ceramage crown.

Recreating an esthetically and functionally acceptable dentition: a multidisciplinary approach.

Patients today demand a youthful, attractive smile with comfortable functional acceptance. The complete oral rehabilitation of patients with a functionally compromised dentition frequently involves a multidisciplinary approach and presents a considerable clinical challenge. To a great extent, proper patient selection and careful interdisciplinary treatment planning, including acknowledgment of the patient's perceived needs, reasons for seeking services, financial ability, and socioeconomic profile, can govern the predictability of successful restorations. This clinical report describes a successful interdisciplinary approach for the management of a severely worn dentition with reduced vertical dimension of occlusion. Treatment modalities included periodontal crown lengthening procedures, endodontic treatment followed by post and core restorations, and prosthetic rehabilitation for severe tooth surface loss and reduced vertical dimension of occlusion comprising metal-ceramic restorations in esthetic zones and full-metal restorations in posterior regions.

Maximum dislodging forces of mandibular implant-assisted removable partial dentures: in vitro assessment.

PURPOSE: The initial retention of implant-assisted removable partial dentures (IARPDs) is unknown. The purpose of this in vitro study was to compare maximum dislodging forces of distal extension mandibular IARPD with two different attachments and three clasp designs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A simulated class I partially edentulous mandible was prepared with two screw-type 3.75 × 12 mm implants in the first molar regions and 2 metal-ceramic crowns on distal abutments. Fifteen bilateral distal extension frameworks were conventionally fabricated in three clasp designs (suprabulge, infrabulge, no clasp). Locator attachments were connected to the 15 denture bases with autopolymerized resin. Each specimen was subject to four types of retention pulls (main, anterior, posterior, unilateral pull) five times with a universal testing machine. Locator attachments were replaced with O-ring attachments, and the same procedure was performed. Therefore, the study groups included: IRPD with Locator attachment and suprabulge clasp (group 1), IRPD with Locator attachment and infrabulge clasp (group 2), IRPD with Locator attachment and no clasp (group 3), IRPD with O-ring attachment and suprabulge clasp (group 4), IRPD with O-ring attachment and infrabulge clasp (group 5), IRPD with O-ring attachment and no clasp (group 6). Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA, two-way ANOVA, and Tukey tests. RESULTS: The highest mean value was 22.99 lb for prostheses with a Locator attachment and suprabulge clasp. The lowest retentive values were recorded for IARPDs with O-ring attachments. CONCLUSION: The results of this in vitro study suggest that the precise selection of attachments with or without clasp assemblies may affect the clinical success of mandibular IARPDs.

Assessment of convergence angle of full-coverage porcelain fused to metal crowns in clinical practice.

BACKGROUND: Full-coverage porcelain fused to metal crowns is commonly recommended for restoration of extensively damaged teeth. Ability of the dentist to adequately prepare teeth is fundamental to success and longevity of these restorations. AIMS: This study was designed to compare recommended convergence angle and taper values of tooth preparation with clinically practiced values and to assess the factors such as tooth position, operator experience, vitality, and restorative status on convergence angle of prepared teeth. SETTING AND DESIGN: It was a descriptive, cross-sectional study design and held at The Aga Khan University Hospital, Dental Section, for a period of 1 year. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A minimum of 197 crown preparation models of molar and premolar teeth prepared by residents and specialists were collected in order to achieve the objectives of the study on the basis of convenient sampling technique. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: One sample t-test used to compare the mean practiced convergence angle values with its recommended values. Independent sample t-test and one-way ANOVA was used to see difference in the convergence angle values of the teeth prepared by different operators, tooth type, vitality status, and restorative status of teeth. RESULTS: Mean reported convergence angle and axial wall taper values were 23.7° ± 8.9° and 11.3° ± 7.8°, respectively, which is significantly greater (P<0.001) than the recommended values. Convergence angle values were greater for molars as compared to premolars. CONCLUSION: There was a considerable disparity between the convergent angles values recorded in this study and the recommended guidelines and are affected by tooth type, vitality, and restorative status of tooth.

Clinical evaluation of fixed partial dentures made in Sweden and China.

The aim of this study was to compare the quality of fixed partial dentures (FPDs) made in a Chinese dental laboratory with corresponding FPDs made in Swedish dental laboratories. Twenty-one patients were fitted with FPDs between March 2007 and December 2008. Single crowns and prostheses of up to seven units were made. All dentures, gold and CoCr alloys covered with ceramic, were produced in duplicate: one by a dental technician in China and the other by a dental technician in Sweden. The dentures were blind-tested with regard to marginal integrity, anatomic form and color, approximal and occlusal contacts, and time taken for adjustments. The composition of dentures was analyzed, and the material used, framework weight, compliance of the laboratories, and costs (material and labour) were recorded. There was no difference in the quality of marginal integrity, anatomic form, color, approximal and occlusal contacts, or in the time taken for adjustments. The bridge frameworks made in China were thinner and lighter (p<0.01) than those made in Sweden. Three FPDs from China showed elastic deformation when tested clinically and were considered too thin for clinical use. In 11 out of 14 orders from the Chinese laboratory, the gold alloy specified was not delivered and the cobalt-chromium alloy contained small amounts (0.19%) of nickel.The prostheses with gold-alloy frameworks from China cost 47% of those from Sweden (p<0.01) and those with cobalt/chromium frameworks 44% (p<0.01). In conclusion, the quality of the FPDs made in Sweden and China was comparable, with the exception of the dimension of the Chinese bridges, which in some cases was considered too weak. The gold alloy ordered from the Chinese laboratory was often not the alloy delivered and the CoCr alloy contained small amounts of nickel. FPDs from China cost less than half the price of those from Sweden.

An in vitro assessment of a ceramic-pressed-to-metal system as an alternative to conventional metal ceramic systems.

PURPOSE: This article reviews a press-on metal (POM) ceramic versus a conventional veneering system regarding marginal gaps, fracture resistance, microhardness, and surface roughness. This was done to provide clinical recommendations for its use. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty crowns were constructed and divided into two main groups according to the metal coping design. Group 1: Twenty metal copings with metal margin extending to the axiogingival line angle. Group 2: Twenty metal copings with metal margin 1 mm occlusal to the axiogingival line angle. The specimens of each group were further subdivided into two subgroups (A and B) according to the veneering porcelain used. The vertical marginal gaps of the crowns were measured after veneering placement. For fracture resistance testing, the crowns were subjected to compressive load to failure. Representative samples of the two main groups were selected to measure surface roughness and microhardness. RESULTS: No statistically significant difference was evident regarding the vertical marginal gap distance in relation to the margin design of both tested groups (p= 0.249, p= 0.815); however, the POM veneer group with metal porcelain margin showed statistically lower marginal gaps than the conventional ceramic veneer group (p= 0.043). Fracture resistance values did not show statistically significant difference regarding the margin design (p= 0.858, p= 0.659) or type of the ceramic veneer material (p= 0.592, p= 0.165). Both groups showed no significant difference in their mean roughness values (p= 0.235). Conventional ceramics showed statistically significantly higher mean microhardness values than POM did (p= 0.008). CONCLUSION: This study showed superior marginal adaptation, decreased microhardness, and similar load to failure and roughness values of the POM ceramic system. Moreover, considerable ease and speed of fabrication of this system were evident. The high variation in range values of some tested groups is among the limitations of this study, along with the lack of clinical trials to test the system in vivo.

[How up-to-date are metal-based resin-bonded fixed partial dentures in the era of full-ceramics and dental implants? A case report]. / Wie aktuell sind metallkeramische Adhäsivbrücken im Zeitalter der Vollkeramik und der Implantologie? Ein Fallbericht.

Regardless of the success of preventive measures the replace¬ment of missing teeth in young patients with caries-free dentitions is a daily challenge for the clinician. The decision-making process concerning the different treatment options is difficult, based on several equivalent solutions. Thereby the significance of minimal invasive approaches is steadily increasing. In indicated cases, resin-bonded fixed partial dentures which were introduced in the last century still represent a well documented and minimally invasive procedure, even in the era of dental implants. In this article, clinical aspects of a conventional, metal-based resin-bonded fixed partial dentures are discussed according to the current literature and the clinical steps are presented in a clinical case.

Cost-effectiveness of endodontic molar retreatment compared with fixed partial dentures and single-tooth implant alternatives.

INTRODUCTION: One of the most challenging situations in dentistry is a failed root canal treatment case. Should a failed root canal-treated tooth be retreated nonsurgically or surgically, or should the tooth be extracted and replaced with an implant-supported restoration or fixed partial denture? These four treatment alternatives were compared from the perspective of cost-effectiveness on the basis of the current best available evidence. METHODS: The costs of the four major treatment modalities were calculated using the national fee averages from the 2009 American Dental Association survey of dental fees. The outcome data of all treatment modalities were retrieved from meta-analyses after electronic and manual searches were undertaken in the database from MEDLINE, Cochrane, ISI Web of Knowledge, and Scopus up to April 2010. The treatment strategy model was built and run with TreeAge decision analysis software (TreeAge Software, Inc, Williamstown, MA). RESULTS: Endodontic microsurgery was the most cost-effective approach followed by nonsurgical retreatment and crown, then extraction and fixed partial denture, and finally extraction and single implant-supported restoration. CONCLUSIONS: The cost-effectiveness analysis showed that endodontic microsurgery was the most cost-effective among all the treatment modalities for a failed endodontically treated first molar. A single implant-supported restoration, despite its high survival rate, was shown to be the least cost-effective treatment option based on current fees.