Psychometric analysis of a measure of acceptance of new technologies (UTAUT), applied to the use of haptic virtual simulators in dental students.

BACKGROUND: The aims of this study are (a) to assess the psychometric quality of an instrument of acceptance of new technologies adapted from the UTAUT model, (b) to validate the UTAUT model as a valid measure to be applied in dental education, and (c) to determine which factors of the UTAUT model predict the behavioural intention of using a haptic virtual simulator (HVS). METHODS: A cross-sectional design study with a sample of 265 dentistry students was carried out. RESULTS: Using structural equation modelling, confirmatory factor analysis verified the adequacy of four-factor model, although the only factor that directly predicts behavioural intention is performance expectancy. Internal consistency coefficients of each factor ranged from 0.800 to 0.969. DISCUSSION: These findings, as well as the predictive power of performance expectancy on behaviour intention, are in line with previous evidence found in the literature. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that the UTAUT scale has adequate reliability and construct factorial validity; therefore, UTAUT model could be a valuable approach to assess haptic virtual simulator acceptance in dental education.

Canting of the occlusal plane: perceptions of dental professionals and laypersons.

OBJECTIVES: To determine if canting of the occlusal plane influences esthetic evaluation of the smile among orthodontists, dentists and laypersons. STUDY DESIGN: A frontal photo of a smile with 0 occlusal plane canting in relation to the bipupillary plane was modified using Adobe Photoshop C3 (Adobe Systems Inc, San José, California) to generate two images with occlusal plane inclinations of 2 and 4 . The three images were evaluated esthetically by orthodontists (n=40) general dentists (n=40) and laypersons (n=40). Each image was awarded a score as follows: 1=esthetically acceptable; 2=moderately acceptable; 3=esthetically unacceptable. Evaluators also placed the three images in order in preference. Data were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis (p<0.05) and the Mann-Whitney tests, applying the Bonferroni Correction (p<0.016). RESULTS: No significant differences (p> 0.05) were found between the three groups for 0 and 2 cants (median for orthodontists=1; general dentists=1; laypersons=1). Orthodontists (median score=3) made evaluations of the image with 4 occlusal plane that were significantly different from general dentists (median=2) and laypersons (median=2). All three groups put the 0 image in first place in order of esthetic acceptability, the 2 image in second place and the 4 image in third place. Orthodontists placed the 0 image in first place with significantly greater frequency (p<0.016) than laypersons. CONCLUSIONS: Occlusal plane canting of 0 and 2 were evaluated as esthetically acceptable by the three groups. The 4 occlusal plane cant was evaluated more negatively by orthodontists than by general dentists and laypersons. All three groups placed the 0 image in first place of esthetic acceptability, 2 in second place and 4 in third. Orthodontists put the 0 image in first place with significantly greater frequency than laypersons.

In vitro study of force decay of latex and non-latex orthodontic elastics.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the force decay of two brands of orthodontic elastics, both offering latex and non-latex products. Samples were subjected to continuous stretching, measuring force at 5 seconds, 8 hours, and 24 hours in both dry and wet conditions. Five hundred samples were used, GAC® and Lancer® 0.25 inch and 4 oz, divided into testing sample sizes of n = 25 per group. For the dry test, elastics were kept stretched to three times their internal diameter for 5 seconds (initial force), 8 hours, and 24 hours; for the wet test, they were stretched for 8 and 24 hours. Both brands showed initial forces significantly greater than those specified by the manufacturers (P < 0.05). Comparing wet/dry conditions, there was a greater force loss in the wet medium than the dry. As for elastic composition (latex or non-latex), the only significant difference found was between Lancer elastics with and without latex in dry conditions, force loss being greater for latex-free elastics. Comparing brands, there was greater force loss with GAC than with Lancer. Comparing elastic force at the eight-hour mark and the twenty-four hour mark to the initial force (only in wet conditions), GAC latex and non-latex and Lancer latex elastics showed significantly less force at eight and twenty four hours than initially. On the other hand, Lancer non-latex was the only type of elastics that did not show a significant decrease in its initial elastic characteristics at eight hours in wet conditions. Nevertheless, Lancer non-latex did show significantly less force in wet conditions at twenty four-hours than the forces observed initially and at eight-hours.

The effects of two soft drinks on bond strength, bracket microleakage, and adhesive remnant on intact and sealed enamel.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of Coca-Cola and Schweppes Limón on bond strength, adhesive remnant, and microleakage beneath brackets. One hundred and twenty upper central incisor brackets were bonded to bovine incisors and divided into three groups: (1) Control, (2) Coca-Cola, and (3) Schweppes Limón. The teeth were submerged in the drinks three times a day for 15 minutes over a 15 day period. Shear bond strength (SBS) was measured with a universal testing machine, and adhesive remnant evaluated using image analysis equipment. Microleakage at the enamel-adhesive and adhesive-bracket interfaces was determined using methylene blue. One hundred and eight teeth were used for scanning electron microscopy to determine the effect of the drinks on intact and sealed enamel. SBS and adhesive remnant data were analysed using the Kruskal-Wallis test (P < 0.05) and microleakage using the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests applying Bonferroni correction (P < 0.017). No significant differences were found in SBS and adhesive remnant between the groups (P > 0.05). Microleakage at the enamel-adhesive interface for groups 2 and 3 was significantly greater than for group 1 (P < 0.017). At the adhesive-bracket interface, microleakage was significantly greater in group 2 than in group 1 (P < 0.017) while microleakage in group 3 did not differ significantly from either group 1 or 2 (P < 0.017). The drinks produced enamel erosion, loss of adhesive and microleakage. Coca-Cola and Schweppes Limón did not affect the SBS of brackets or the adhesive remnant.

[Frequency and clinical outcome of odontogenic cervicofacial infection]. / Frecuencia de infección cervicofacial odontógena que requiere hospitalización.

OBJECTIVE: To measure frequency, mortality, hospitals stay and the requirement of attention in the intensive care unit (ICU) of patients with cervical infections. METHODS: A descriptive, observational and transversal study was carried out. We analyzed the database of patients admitted to Emergency Room of High Specialty Hospital, with cervical and facial infection with odontogenic origin, during a year period. RESULTS: In three cases were ambulatory and 19 where hospitalized; only three required ICU attention. The average of hospital stay was 6.3 days and the mortality of 8.3%. CONCLUSIONS: The mortality is significant in patients who require ICU and whose age is older than 60 years. Therefore this group of patients required a rapid multidisciplinary care to improve their expectations for survival expectancy.

Daily accumulation rates of marine litter on the shores of Rapa Nui (Easter Island) in the South Pacific Ocean.

Large amounts of floating litter accumulate in the subtropical gyres, and the shorelines of oceanic islands in the vicinity of these accumulation zones receive large amounts of litter. The dynamics of marine litter arrival were evaluated on a small pocket beach on Rapa Nui (Easter Island) between November 2016 and June 2017 over a total time period of 190 days. Plastics dominated the stranded litter, with the majority of the items showing indications to come from the high seas fisheries operating in the South Pacific. Litter accumulation rates varied between 0 and 1.90 items m-1 day-1, and were highest following days of strong winds from northern directions. The results indicate that the shores of Rapa Nui are exposed to continuous input of plastic litter from the contaminated waters of the subtropical gyre, which is intensified during strong onshore winds.

Melatonin stimulates the growth of new bone around implants in the tibia of rabbits.

This study evaluated the effect of the topical application of melatonin in accelerating bone formation associated with implants 2 months after their application to the tibiae of rabbits. Twenty New Zealand rabbits were used. Twenty implants treated with melatonin and 20 control implants without melatonin were placed in the proximal metaphyseal area of each tibia. Studies of new bone formation were subsequently made at 15, 30, 45 and 60 days. Cortical width and cortical length of new bone formation were measured. Following implantation, an anteroposterior and lateral radiologic study was carried out. Collected samples were sectioned at 5 µm and stained using hematoxylin-eosin, Masson's trichromic and Gordon-Switt reticulin stains. After a 60 day treatment period, melatonin increased the length of cortical bone (95.13±0.42%) versus that around control implants (62.91±1.45%). Related to the perimeter of cortical bone of the tibiae, melatonin induced new bone 88.35±1.56% versus 60.20±1.67% in the control implants. Melatonin regenerated the width and length of cortical bone around implants in tibiae of rabbits more quickly than around control implants without the addition of melatonin.

Effect of saliva contamination on bracket failure with a self-etching primer: a prospective controlled clinical trial.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate in vivo the effect of saliva contamination at different stages of the bonding procedure on the bond failure rate and the adhesive remaining on teeth after debonding brackets bonded with a hydrophilic self-etching primer (Transbond Plus self-etching primer [TSEP], 3M Unitek, Monrovia, Calif). METHODS: This was a prospective controlled clinical trial. The sample consisted of 46 patients with similar treatment plans and mechanotherapies. Stainless steel brackets (n = 531) were bonded with TSEP. The patients were divided into 2 groups: contamination with saliva before TSEP application and contamination with saliva after TSEP application. In both groups, saliva was applied in a split-mouth design. Diagonally opposite quadrants were allocated to either the contaminated group (contamination before [153 teeth] or after [115 teeth] TSEP application) or to the uncontaminated control group (263 teeth). Recording of failed brackets involved only first-time failures, and the observation period was a minimum of 6 months. RESULTS: The chi-squared test showed no significant differences (P = 0.11) in bracket failures between the groups. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis detected no significant differences in the survival rates between the 3 groups (P = 0.51). Most bond failures occurred during the first 3 months. In all 3 groups, the adhesive remaining on teeth after debonding tended to be less than half. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that saliva contamination before or after application of self-etching primer does not increase the clinical risk of bond failure.

The in vitro effect of repeated bonding on the shear bond strength with different enamel conditioning procedures.

The aims of this study were to evaluate the effect on shear bond strength (SBS), adhesive remnant, and enamel surface of repeated bonding of new brackets on the same tooth using different methods of enamel conditioning. One hundred and thirty-five bovine incisors were used. Brackets were bonded to enamel using one of the following conditioning procedures: (1) 37 per cent phosphoric acid, (2) 37 per cent phosphoric acid (prior to first bond but not for further bonds), (3) Transbond Plus Self Etching Primer (TSEP), and (4) non-rinse-conditioner (NRC). Brackets were sequentially bonded and debonded three times following the same conditioning procedure with the exception of group 2 where 37 per cent phosphoric acid was not reapplied prior to the second and third bonding sequences. SBS and adhesive remnant were evaluated for each debond. Scanning electron microscopy observations were made for each conditioning sequence. Statistical analysis was undertaken using ANOVA, Mann-Whitney, and Kruskal-Wallis tests. Bond strength and adhesive remnant values were similar across the four groups for the first and second bonding sequences. At the third sequence, SBS was significantly less (P < 0.008) for group 2 (5.71 +/- 1.56 MPa) than for group 1 (9.42 +/- 2.75 MPa) and the adhesive remnant was significantly lower (P < 0.008) for group 2 (6.93% +/- 3.34) than for the other groups (group 1: 16.95 +/- 4.99 per cent, group 3: 14.40 +/- 5.11 per cent, and group 4: 14.60 +/- 5.33 per cent). When comparing the SBS and adhesive remnant of the three bonding/debonding sequences within each group, both the SBS and adhesive remnant for group 2 (SBS: 5.71 +/- 1.56 MPa and adhesive remnant: 6.93 +/- 3.34%) at the third sequence were significantly less (P < 0.017) than at the first (SBS: 10.44 +/- 3.55 MPa and adhesive remnant: 13.81 +/- 5.59%) and second (SBS: 9.23 +/- 2.69 MPa and adhesive remnant: 15.32 +/- 6.85%) sequences. Enamel changes were similar across all groups. TSEP and NRC produced bonds that were similar to acid etching. When acid etching is used, it is possible to avoid etching for a second bond but not for following bonds.

Effect of water contamination on the shear bond strength of five orthodontic adhesives.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the shear bond strength and site of failure of brackets bonded to dry and wet enamel. STUDY DESIGN: 50 teeth were divided into ten groups of 5 teeth each (10 surfaces). In half the groups enamel was kept dry before bonding, and in the other half distilled water was applied to wet the surface after etching. The following groups were established: 1) Acid/Transbond-XT (dry/wet) XT; 2) Transbond Plus Self Etching Primer (TSEP)/Transbond-XT paste (dry/wet); 3) Concise (dry), Transbond MIP/Concise (wet), 4) FujiOrtho-LC (dry/wet); 5) SmartBond (dry/wet). Brackets were bonded to both buccal and lingual surfaces. Specimens were stored in distilled water (24 hours at 37 degrees C) and thermocycled. Brackets were debonded using a Universal testing machine (cross-head speed 1 mm/min). Failure sites were classified using a stereomicroscope. RESULTS: No significant differences in bond strength were detected between the adhesives under wet and dry conditions except for SmartBond, whose bond strength was significantly lower under dry conditions. For all the adhesives most bond failures were of mixed site location except for Smartbond, which failed at the adhesive-bracket interface. CONCLUSIONS: Under wet conditions the bonding capacity of the adhesives tested was similar than under dry conditions, with the exception of SmartBond which improved under wet conditions.

Evaluation of different flowable materials for bonding brackets.

PURPOSE: To compare the shear bond strength and the adhesive remnant on the tooth after debonding of brackets bonded with a traditional orthodontic resin (Transbond XT), a flowable composite (X-Flow), a flowable compomer (Dyract Flow) and a flowable giomer (Beautifil Flow). METHODS: 105 extracted human premolars were used. They were divided into four groups: (1) Transbond XT, (2) X-Flow, (3) Dyract Flow, and (4) Beautifil Flow. Shear bond strength was measured using a universal testing machine with a cross-head speed of 1 mm/minute. The adhesive remnant on the tooth after debonding was quantified using image analysis. RESULTS: No significant differences were found between the shear bond strengths of the different groups evaluated (P > 0.05). Transbond XT left significantly more adhesive on the tooth than the three flowable materials, and among the flowable materials, X-Flow left significantly less adhesive than Beautifil Flow (P < 0.008).

Water and saliva contamination effect on shear bond strength of brackets bonded with a moisture-tolerant light cure system.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of water and saliva contamination on shear bond strength of brackets bonded with a moisture-tolerant light cure system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Brackets were bonded to 240 bovine lower incisors divided into 12 groups. Four bonding procedures were evaluated, including (1) TSEP/Transbond XT, (2) TMIP/ Transbond XT, (3) TSEP/Transbond PLUS, and (4) TMIP/Transbond PLUS, each under three different bonding conditions: without contamination, with water contamination, and with saliva contamination. Shear bond strength was measured with a universal testing machine. The adhesive remnant on the teeth was quantified with the use of image analyzing equipment. RESULTS: Without contamination, bond strengths for the four procedures were similar (P > .05). TSEP/Tranbond PLUS and TMIP/Transbond PLUS left significantly less adhesive on the teeth after debonding than TSEP/Transbond XT and TMIP/Transbond XT (P < .008). Bond strength and adhesive remaining for TMIP/Transbond XT contaminated with water or saliva showed significantly worse performance than the other procedures evaluated (P < .008). Contamination (with water or saliva) did not affect either bond strength or adhesive remaining on the teeth for TSEP/ Transbond XT, TSEP/Transbond PLUS, or TMIP/Transbond PLUS (P > .017), although for TMIP/ Transbond XT, both variables showed significant reductions after contamination (P < .017). CONCLUSION: TSEP/Transbond PLUS, TMIP/Transbond PLUS, and TSEP/Transbond XT showed greater tolerance to wet conditions than was shown by TMIP/Transbond XT.

Third molar agenesis and craniofacial morphology.

OBJECTIVE: To test the null hypothesis that agenesis of wisdom teeth is not related with any particular craniofacial morphology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ninety-seven patients (aged 13-19 years) were selected and divided into three groups: (1) bilateral agenesis of maxillary third molars, (2) bilateral agenesis of mandibular third molars, and (3) control group without agenesis. Presence or absence of third molars was determined using ortopantomographs. Cephalometric analysis was carried out from lateral teleradiographs, which included linear, angular, and proportional measurements. When data obtained were distributed normally it was analyzed by means of single-factor variance analysis and the Scheffé test (P < .05). When data did not show normality, the Kruskal-Wallis test (P < .05) and the Mann-Whitney test were applied using Bonferroni correction (P < .017). Multivariance discrimination analysis was also carried out. RESULTS: Values obtained for the mandibular plain of Groups 1 and 2 were significantly lower than those of the Control Group (P =.00 and P =.00, respectively). For Group 2 lower face height was significantly less than for the control group (P =.01), whilst the mandibular arch and the articular angle were significantly greater than in the Control Group (P =.000 and P = .02, respectively). Multivariance discrimination analysis obtained a correct classification in 58.8% of cases. CONCLUSION: The hypothesis is rejected. Agenesis of the maxillary third molars was related to a reduced mandibular plane angle. Patients with agenesis of the mandibular third molars showed a diminished lower third and a mandibular morphology characteristic of the brachyfacial pattern.

Microleakage beneath brackets bonded with flowable materials: effect of thermocycling.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of thermocycling on microleakage beneath brackets bonded with an orthodontic composite and different flowable materials. Brackets were bonded to 200 bovine incisors divided into five groups: (1) Transbond XT, (2) X-Flow, (3) Dyract-Flow, (4) Admira-Flow, and (5) Beautiful-Flow. Half the teeth in each group were thermocycled. The specimens were dyed with 1 per cent methylene blue for 24 hours to determine the percentage of microleakage into the enamel-adhesive and adhesive-bracket interfaces using image analysis equipment. Data were analysed using the Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U-tests (P < 0.05), applying Bonferroni correction when required (P < 0.005). Without thermocycling, microleakage at the enamel-adhesive interface was significantly greater for Admira-Flow than for X-Flow (P < 0.005). At the adhesive-bracket interface, there were no significant differences (P > 0.005). After thermocycling, microleakage of Beautiful-Flow at the enamel-adhesive interface was significantly less than for the other materials tested (P < 0.005), while at the adhesive-bracket interface, Admira-Flow and X-Flow showed significantly more microleakage than Beautiful-Flow and Transbond XT (P < 0.005). Analysis of the effect of thermocycling on each material showed that microleakage increased significantly at the enamel-adhesive interface with Transbond XT (P < 0.05), decreased with Beautiful-Flow (P < 0.05), increased significantly at both interfaces with X-Flow, but not to a statistically significant level with Dyract-Flow and Admira-Flow (P > 0.05). The giomer, Beautiful-Flow, demonstrated the best performance after thermocycling, while composite resins and, in particular, the flowables showed a poorer performance.

Influence of an etchant and a desensitizer containing benzalkonium chloride on shear bond strength of brackets.

PURPOSE: To evaluate whether the application of an enamel etchant (Etch-37 BAC) and a desensitizer (PrepEze desensitizer) which contain the antibacterial agent benzalkonium chloride (BAC) affects the bond strength of the orthodontic resin Transbond XT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty-five extracted premolars were used. They were divided into four groups: 1. Transbond XT, 2. Etch-37 BAC/Transbond XT, 3. PrepEze/Transbond XT, 4. Etch-37 BAC/PrepEze/Transbond XT. Shear bond strength was measured using a universal testing machine with a crosshead speed of 1 mm/min. The adhesive remnant on the tooth after debonding was quantified using image analysis equipment. RESULTS: No significant differences were found in shear bond strength when Transbond XT was bonded with the conventional etchant or with Etch-37 BAC (p > 0.008). PrepEze decreased the shear bond strength and the amount of adhesive remnant on the tooth after debonding significantly (p < 0.008). The amount of adhesive remnant on the tooth surface diminished significantly when the enamel was etched with Etch-37 BAC (p < 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: The bond strength values obtained with the application of Etch-37 BAC are similar to those obtained with a conventional etchant. However, the application of PrepEze significantly decreased the bond strength of Transbond XT.

The use of a flowable ormocer for bonding brackets.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness of the ormocer Admira Flow for bonding brackets. METHODS: 45 extracted human premolars were used. They were divided into two groups: (1) Brackets cemented with the traditional resin orthodontic bonding system Transbond XT, and (2) Brackets bonded with Admira Flow. Shear bond strength was measured with a universal testing machine with a cross-head speed of 1 mm/minute. The adhesive remnant on the tooth after debonding was quantified using image analysis equipment. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed in bond strength for Transbond XT and that of Admira Flow, nor were there significant differences in the quantity of adhesive remnant left on the teeth after debonding (P < 0.05).

Shear bond strength of precoated and uncoated brackets using a self-etching primer.

OBJECTIVE: To test the hypothesis that there are no significant differences in the shear bond strength or the adhesive remaining on the tooth after debonding between precoated and uncoated brackets using a self-etching primer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: APC Plus precoated brackets and uncoated brackets were bonded with Transbond XT adhesive using the self-etching primer Transbond Plus Self-Etching Primer (TPSEP). The brackets were bonded to extracted human premolars and categorized into two groups: (1) TPSEP/Transbond XT and (2) TPSEP/APC Plus. Shear bond strength was measured with a universal testing machine. The adhesive remnant on each tooth after debonding was quantified with image analysis equipment. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) observations of enamel surfaces treated with TPSEP were also carried out. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed in the shear bond strengths for the two groups evaluated (P < .05). TPSEP/APC Plus left significantly less adhesive on the tooth after debonding than did TPSEP/Transbond XT (P < .05). It was observed that SEM left a porous and potentially retentive surface. CONCLUSIONS: There was no significant difference in the bond strength of the two systems tested, but there was a significant difference in the percentage of area of adhesive remaining on the tooth.

Direct bonding with precoated brackets and self-etching primers.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the shear bond strength and the adhesive remnant on the tooth after the debonding of APC Plus precoated brackets, when conditioning the enamel with phosphoric acid and Transbond Plus Self Etching Primer (TSEP), in comparison with uncoated brackets bonded with Transbond XT. METHODS: The brackets were bonded to extracted premolars, which were divided into three groups: (1) Acid/Transbond XT, (2) Acid/ APC Plus and (3) TSEP/APC Plus. Shear bond strength was measured using a universal test machine. The crosshead speed was 1 mm/minute. The adhesive remnant on the tooth was quantified using an image analysis equipment. RESULTS: No significant differences were found in the bond strengths of the three groups evaluated (P> 0.05). The two groups in which APC Plus system was used left significantly less adhesive on the tooth than Transbond XT. TSEP/APC Plus left significantly less adhesive than Acid/APC Plus (P< 0.017).

Effect of surface treatments on the bond strength of brackets bonded with a compomer.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness of the compomer Dyract AP for bonding brackets when conditioning the enamel with phosphoric acid and a non-rinsing conditioner (NRC), in comparison with a control group in which the resin orthodontic adhesive system Transbond XT was used. METHODS: The brackets were bonded to extracted premolars which were divided into three groups: (1) Acid/Transbond XT, (2) NRC/Dyract AP and (3) Acid/Dyract AP. Shear bond strength was measured with a universal testing machine. The crosshead speed was 1mm/minute. The adhesive remnant on the tooth after debonding was determined using image analysis equipment. RESULTS: The bond strength of Acid/Transbond XT was significantly higher than bond strengths of Acid/Dyract AP and NRC/Dyract AP (P< 0.017). No significant differences were observed between Acid/Dyract AP and NRC/Dyract APBond strength values (P> 0.017). Acid/Transbond XT left significantly more adhesive on the tooth than Acid/Dyract AP and NRC/Dyract AP, whereas NRC/Dyract AP left significantly less adhesive than Acid/Dyract AP (P< 0.05).