Biological interaction, esthetics, handling, and loss rate of temporary luting cements - a clinical single-blind randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate three temporary luting cements in terms of their restoration loss rates, biological interactions, esthetic properties, and handling characteristics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 75 adults requiring fixed prosthodontics voluntarily participated in a single-blind, randomized controlled trial. After preparation, temporary restorations were luted with a randomly selected temporary luting cement (either Provicol QM Plus (PQP), Bifix Temp (BT), or Provicol QM Aesthetic (PQA)). Clinical examinations were performed one to two weeks after cementation. The following criteria were evaluated: tooth vitality, percussion, hypersensitivity, gingival bleeding, odor formation, esthetics, cement handling, removability, cleanability, and retention loss. Antagonistic teeth served as controls. Statistical analysis was performed using the paired t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson's chi-square and Fisher's exact test, where appropriate. RESULTS: The overall loss rate of temporary restorations was 16.0%, showing no cement-specific differences. Postoperative hypersensitivity occurred in 8% of cases regardless of cement type. Esthetic impairment was reported by 31% of the PQP-fixed restorations, compared with 4.0% and 4.2% of the BT and PQA-bonded restorations. Cement application was reported to be easy in 100% of cases, excess removal in 88-96%, depending on the cement used. CONCLUSIONS: The choice of luting material affects the esthetic appearance of a temporary restoration and should be considered, particularly in restorations in esthetically demanding areas. No significant differences between the cements were identified regarding biocompatibility, handling, and loss rate. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Translucent cements can help to reduce color interferences, resulting in a more appealing appearance of the temporary restoration.

Utilization of dental services and health literacy by older seniors during the COVID-19 pandemic.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the utilization of dental services by older seniors during the COVID-19 pandemic and to evaluate their ability of finding, understanding, and using information on COVID-19. METHODS: At the end of February 2021, a survey addressing demographic characteristics of the participants, (pain-associated) utilization of dental services, worries regarding a potential COVID-19 infection, the individual use of protective masks, and difficulties regarding the access to information on COVID-19 (by using the modified European Health Literacy Questionnaire [HLS-EU-Q16]) was developed. It was sent to all patients of the Dental Clinic of University of Leipzig who were either 75, 80, or 85 years old (n = 1228). Participation was voluntarily and anonymously; questionnaires had to be returned within six weeks, no reminders were sent. RESULTS: Of the 439 replies (response rate 35.7%), twelve were excluded from data extraction due to disinterest, dementia, or lack of age information. Of the older seniors, 81.5% (n = 348) had utilized at least one dental examination and 54.2% of the dentulous patients (n = 199) had attended at least one dental hygiene appointment within the past year. Up to 55.8% of all participants said it was "difficult" or "very difficult" to find, understand, and use information on COVID-19, especially when judging reliability of information presented in the media, which was especially true for seniors with assigned care levels presenting odds ratios up to 5.30. CONCLUSIONS: The investigation revealed a frequent utilization of dental services by older seniors during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the older seniors encountered difficulties finding, using, and understanding information about COVID-19.

Arrest of root caries with an adjuvant chlorhexidine-fluoride varnish over a 12-months observation period: a QLF-analyzed, placebo-controlled, randomized, clinical trial (RCT).

This study aimed at evaluating the effectiveness of an adjuvant chlorhexidine-fluoride varnish (Cervitec F) for prevention and arrest of root caries on elderly participants using quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF). 23 participants with two or three non-cavitated root carious lesions were included and assigned to three groups of different varnishes (CF: Cervitec F, P: placebo, DP: Duraphate). Agents were applied once to root surface at baseline and in follow-up after 3, 6 and 9 months. The lesions were assessed clinically and with QLF. QLF-images were analyzed regarding fluorescence loss (ΔF), lesion volume (ΔQ) and bacterial activity (ΔR) before (t0), after 14 days (t1), 6- (t2) and 12-months (t3). CF showed a significant difference between t0 and t3: ∆F (- 12.51 [15.41] vs. - 7.80 [16.72], p = 0.012), ∆Q (- 2339.97 (20,898.30) vs. - 751.82 (5725.35), p < 0.001), ∆R (23.80 [41.70] vs. 7.07 [37.50], p = 0.006). Independently of the varnish application, preventive care seems positively influence the root caries progress. Although within CF group the strongest effect was observed, no superiority of a specific varnish application was confirmed over a 12-months QLF observation period. Extra topical fluoride can help remineralise dentin lesions and QLF can be used as a measurement method to determine changes in the dentin lesions.

Attachment of Respiratory Pathogens and Candida to Denture Base Materials-A Pilot Study.

Denture prostheses are an ideal and extensive reservoir for microorganisms to attach to their surfaces. The aim of the study was to elucidate interactions between materials for the fabrication of denture bases and the attachment of microorganisms, focusing on respiratory pathogens and Candida species. Specimens (6 mm × 1 mm) with a standardized surface roughness (Sa = 0.1 µm) were prepared from heat-pressed polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), CAD/CAM-processed PMMA, and CAD/CAM-processed polyether ether ketone (PEEK). The specimens were randomly placed in the vestibular areas of complete upper dentures in seven patients and were removed either after 24 h without any oral hygiene measures or after a period of four weeks. The microorganisms adherent to the surface of the specimens were cultivated and subsequently analyzed using mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF). The means and standard deviations were calculated, and the data were analyzed using a two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey post-hoc test where appropriate (α = 0.05). There was a significant increase (p ≤ 0.004) in the total bacterial counts (CFU/mL) between the first (24 h) and the second (four weeks) measurements. Regarding quantitative microbiological analyses, no significant differences between the various materials were identified. Respiratory microorganisms were detected in all samples at both measurement time points, with a large variance between different patients. Only after four weeks, Candida species were identified on all materials but not in all participants. Candida species and respiratory microorganisms accumulate on various denture base resins. While no significant differences were identified between the materials, there was a tendency towards a more pronounced accumulation of microorganisms on conventionally processed PMMA.

Tooth-Colored CAD/CAM Materials for Application in 3-Unit Fixed Dental Prostheses in the Molar Area: An Illustrated Clinical Comparison.

The aim of this study was to compare the clinical properties of tooth-colored computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing (CAD/CAM) materials for the fabrication of a 3-unit fixed dental prostheses (FDPs) in the same clinical scenario. A 53-year-old female patient was supplied with a 3-unit FDP to replace a second premolar in the upper jaw. Restorations were fabricated from 3 mol%, 4 mol%, and 5 mol% yttrium oxide zirconia, zirconia with translucency gradient, indirect composite resin, polyetheretherketone (PEEK), and polyetherketoneketone (PEKK). Milling time, weight, and radiopacity were investigated. Esthetics were examined following the US Public Health Service criteria (USPHS). The milling time for zirconia was twice as high as for the indirect composite resin, PEEK, or PEKK. The latter materials had a weight of 2 g each, while zirconia restorations yielded 5 g. Zirconia presented intense radiopacity. PEEK and PEKK required veneering and an opaquer was applied to the PEKK framework. All FDPs showed acceptable esthetics. PEEK and PEKK restorations were featured by a grayish shimmering. A variety of CAD/CAM materials are available to fabricate 3-unit FDPs with esthetically acceptable results. In the esthetic zone, PEEK and PEKK require veneering and an opaquer might be applied. Milling time, weight, and radiopacity were relatively high for zirconia FDPs.

Assessment of non-cavitated root caries lesions by quantitative light-induced fluorescence-An in vivo feasibility study.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the reproducibility of quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF) for the detection and assessment of demineralization states of non-cavitated root surfaces and to determine the correlation between visual inspection and QLF-analysis. METHODS: 46 exposed non-cavitated root surfaces of 12 participants were classified in three scores: sound (0), lesion ≤ 5 mm (1a), lesion > 5 mm in diameter (1b). Three examiners imaged every root surface three times using QLF (QRayCam) and measured fluorescence loss (ΔF) and lesion volume (ΔQ). The QLF-images were analyzed by three examiners. The intra- and interexaminer reproducibilities were calculated (intraclass correlation coefficient, ICC). The correlation between the scores of root caries and QLF-analysis was determined (rank correlation coefficient, Spearman-Rho ρ). RESULTS: Intra- and interexaminer reproducibility (ICC) was 0.98 and 0.95 for ΔF, 0.94 and 0.91 for ΔQ, respectively. A significant correlation was observed between the scores and ΔF (ρ = -0.53, p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: QLF as a reproducible diagnostic tool enables non-invasive detection and differentiation of non-cavitated root caries lesions on root surfaces in vivo. It can be recommended in addition to the clinical evaluation for prospective follow-up examinations of demineralization states of exposed root surfaces.