Frequently asked questions in direct pulp capping of permanent teeth.

UNLABELLED: Direct pulp capping is a proven method of preserving tooth vitality of a mature permanent tooth in cases of pulp exposures. The indications for this treatment, treatment modalities and materials are discussed in this paper. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This paper answers many of the frequently asked questions by general practitioners, dental students and specialists about direct pulp capping.

Assessing Dental Light-curing Units' Output Using Radiometers: A Narrative Review.

INTRODUCTION: This review aimed to describe dental radiometers and discuss their effectiveness compared to other light-testing devices. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The search for light-curing units (LCUs), radiometers, and other light-measuring tools available on the market was accomplished on data found on PubMed, Wikipedia, and Google. RESULTS: LCUs are prone to deterioration due to several reasons such as the light's limited life span, the worsening of the LCU's filters, light guide, and light tip end; consequently, decreased photopolymerization and insufficient resin conversion may occur. A regular light output assessment is highly recommended in dental daily practice as well as before any new LCU purchase to make sure the light features meet the factory specifications delivered by the manufacturer and they remained stable through time. DISCUSSION: Irradiance values reported by radiometers do not match accurately with those delivered by laboratory power meters. Therefore, dental practitioners as well as dental students are advised to control regularly every LCU by using the same handheld radiometer.

Four-Year Follow-up of Increased Vertical Dimension of Occlusion using Resin Composites.

The objectives of this case report were to treat a severe loss of the vertical dimension of occlusion with indirect composite and to evaluate the durability of the restorations. A 55-year-old male complains from severe wear of teeth, leading to a change in normal occlusal plane. Two major treatment modalities were proposed to this patient; a conventional invasive crown placement with root canal treatments or a minimally invasive approach relying on adhesion. The latter was adopted and used to treat this patient. This paper describes a step-by-step approach of the different treatment phases starting with teeth preparation, then provisional prostheses, and ending with the placement of indirect anterior veneers and posterior onlays, all made with laboratory resin composite. Satisfactory clinical results were observed over the 4-year follow-up, with minimum failures limited to one partial fracture of inlay treated with direct adhesive repair.