Comparison of digital and visual tooth shade selection.

OBJECTIVE: In dental restorations, color determination is very important for achieving esthetic results. The aim of this study was to compare visual shade selection using digital methods and to assess the repeatability of the utilized intraoral scanners. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 31 probands, tooth color was determined on teeth 11, 13, and 16. Shade selection was performed visually by a dentist and digitally using Trios 3 and Cerec Omnicam. Three measurements were performed to determine the repeatability of intraoral scanners. Fleiss' κ was used for statistical evaluation of the repeatability and Cohen's κ was used for comparison of methods. RESULTS: The visual method showed only slight agreement with Trios 3 (Cohen's κ: 0.198) and Cerec Omnicam (Cohen's κ: 0.115). Moderate agreement was found between Trios 3 and Cerec Omnicam (Cohen's κ: 0.452). In terms of repeatability, Trios 3 scored higher overall than Cerec Omnicam (Fleiss' κ: 0.612 vs. 0.474). CONCLUSION: Intraoral scanners can facilitate the workflow in clinical practice. They are a good supplement for color determination, but should additionally be confirmed by the visual method. Clinical significance: The use of digital instruments is increasingly being preferred over conventional treatments. Therefore, it is essential to continuously improve the accuracy of intraoral scanners for color selection in order to offer an alternative to visual methods.

Clinical use of a novel audio pillow with recorded hypnotherapy instructions and music for anxiolysis during dental implant surgery: a prospective study.

A prospective, comparative study of a novel audio pillow with hypnosis text and relaxation music was conducted in 82 dental-implant surgery patients to relieve anxiety over a 6-month period. Visual analogue scales combined with the Aachen Dental Treatment Fear Inventory (AZI) questionnaire were used to quantify patients' subjective feelings of fear. Blood pressure, heart rate, and capillary oxygen partial pressure were measured before, during, and after surgery. The AZI scores decreased in the hypnotherapy group (n = 44) and increased slightly in the control group; scores were significantly different between the groups (p = .000). During surgery, the average diastolic blood pressure and heart rate decreased in the hypnotherapy group and increased in controls. Thus, this audio pillow with relaxation music showed anxiolytic effects in patients during dental implantation procedures.

Comparison of conventional therapies for dentin hypersensitivity versus medical hypnosis.

This study compared the efficacy of conventional treatments for dentin hypersensitivity (DHS) and hypnotherapy. During a 1-month period at an urban practice in a service area of approximately 22,000 inhabitants, all patients were examined. A total of 102 individuals were included in the evaluation. Values of 186 teeth were analyzed. The comparison of the different treatment methods (desensitizer, fluoridation, and hypnotherapy) did not show significant differences in success rates. However, a noticeable difference was observed in terms of onset and duration of effect. For both desensitizer and hypnotherapy treatments, onset of effect was very rapid. Compared to the other methods studied, hypnotherapy effects had the longest duration. In conclusion, hypnotherapy was as effective as other methods in the treatment of DHS.

Neurophysiologic and long-term effects of clinical hypnosis in oral and maxillofacial treatment--a comparative interdisciplinary clinical study.

This prospective comparative clinical study evaluated the effectiveness of clinical hypnosis and its long-term effect in oral and maxillofacial treatment. A total of 45 highly anxious and nonanxious subjects were evaluated by subjective experience and objective parameters. Parameters were EEG, ECG, heart rate, blood pressure, blood oxygen saturation, respiration rate, salivary cortisol concentration, and body temperature. During and subsequent to the operative treatment, hypnosis led to a significant reduction of systolic blood pressure, and respiration rate and to significant changes in the EEG. The subjective values of the parameters evaluated existing anxiety mechanisms and patterns and possible strategies to control them, whereas the objective parameters proved the effectiveness of hypnosis and its long-term effect.

Rapid induction of hypnosis by finger elongation: a brief communication.

This clinical pilot study on finger elongation for induction of hypnosis attempts to determine whether the observed response is a hypnotic phenomenon or a simple physiologic reaction. Sixteen volunteers participated in the 5-phase study, which measured relative and absolute changes in the length of each finger prior to and after each phase. A distinctive elongation was statistically significant for the hypnosis condition. In addition, findings suggest changes in the metacarpus. Further investigation is indicated to shed light on this apparent phenomenon.

Clinical fit of all-ceramic three-unit fixed partial dentures, generated with three different CAD/CAM systems.

In this study, the hypothesis was tested that the marginal and internal fit of CAD/CAM fabricated all-ceramic three-unit fixed partial dentures (FPDs) can be as good as in metal-ceramic FPDs. Twenty-four all-ceramic FPDs were fabricated and randomly subdivided into three equally sized groups. Eight frameworks were fabricated using the Digident CAD/CAM system (DIGI), another eight frameworks using the Cerec Inlab system (INLA). Vita Inceram Zirkonia blanks were used for both groups. In a third group frameworks were milled from yttrium-stabilized Zirconium blanks using the Lava system (LAVA). All frameworks were layered with ceramic veneering material. In addition, six three-unit metal-ceramic FPDs served as control group. All FPDs were evaluated using a replica technique with a light body silicone stabilized with a heavy body material. The replica samples were examined under microscope. The medians of marginal gaps were 75 microm for DIGI, 65 microm for LAVA and INLA and 54 microm for the conventional FPDs. Only the DIGI data differed significantly from those of the conventional FPDs. Within the limits of this study, the results suggest that the accuracy of CAD/CAM generated three-unit FPDs is satisfactory for clinical use.

A long-term therapeutic treatment for patients with a severe gag reflex.

"Hypnopuncture," a combination treatment of hypnosis and acupuncture, provides a therapeutic treatment plan for long-term therapy for patients with a distinctive gag reflex. The treatment is applied independently of the cause. In cases of emergency treatment in dentistry, the immediate compliance of a patient is of utmost importance. The long-term goal of any therapeutic measure is control of the gag reflex. A new treatment protocol is illustrated in the case of a 50-year-old patient with a severe gag reflex. After only 5 visits, dental treatment could be conducted without any auxiliary means. Hypnosis is applied in the form of hypnosedation (not as psychotherapy), while stereognosis occupies a central position for desensitization.

"Hypnopuncture"--a dental-emergency treatment concept for patients with a distinctive gag reflex.

The present case report describes a newly developed dental treatment concept for patients with a distinctive gag reflex. "Hypnopuncture" is a combination therapy of hypnosis and acupuncture. Its simple, fast, and effective application autonomous of the cause makes it a valuable tool for dental-emergency treatment procedures. Physiologic and psychological aspects of gagging are influenced at the same time. The protocol is illustrated in the case of a 76-year-old patient with a severe gag reflex who was successfully treated by this combination approach. Necessary and effective therapeutic measures from both acupuncture and hypnosis are portrayed.