Effect of moisture and moisture-insensitive primer on bond strength of composite resin to enamel and dentin.

This article sought to compare the influence of moisture and the effect of moisture-insensitive primer (MIP) on shear bond strength (SBS). This study divided 160 extracted teeth randomly into 2 groups (n = 80): Group 1 (enamel) and Group 2 (dentin). Groups 1 and 2 were divided into 4 subgroups (n = 20), according to the surface treatment administered. Subgroup A samples were etched and primed, and received composite resin; Subgroup B samples were etched, contaminated with artificial saliva, and primed before application of composite resin; Subgroup C samples were etched, primed, and contaminated before application of composite resin. Subgroup D samples were etched, primed, contaminated, and primer was applied a second time before application of composite resin. All the specimens were stored in distilled water and thermocycled for 500 cycles; at that point, SBS was tested. According to Tukey's test, only the mean values in Subgroups A and C revealed statistically significant differences (P < 0.05). The use of MIP on contaminated etched tooth surfaces achieved comparable bond strength to noncontaminated tooth surfaces and might have a role in restorative dentistry cases where moisture contamination is inevitable.

Measurement and assessment of pain in children--a review.

Pain is a common experience during childhood. Despite the magnitude of effects that pain can have on a child, it is often inadequately assessed and treated. Numerous myths, insufficient knowledge among caregivers, and inadequate application of knowledge contribute to the lack of effective management. The pediatric pain experience involves the interaction of physiologic, psychologic, behavioral, developmental, and situational factors. Pain is an inherently subjective multifactorial experience and should be assessed and treated as such. Pediatric Dentists are responsible for eliminating or assuaging pain and suffering in children when possible. To accomplish this, we need to expand our knowledge, use appropriate assessment tools and techniques, anticipate painful experiences and intervene accordingly. As an assessment of pain which constitutes the foundation for all pain treatment, developing valid measures is both a clinical and research challenge. Clinicians and researchers should select measures with full knowledge of their psychometric strengths and weakness, as well as in keeping with their explicit conceptual model of pain. The purpose of this paper is to address potential sources of pain measurement, and responses to pain control and distractions based on the pediatric developmental stages.

Effect of toothbrush grip on plaque removal during manual toothbrushing in children.

Toothbrushing is fundamental to oral hygiene. Children differ in manual dexterity and their grip on toothbrushes. We videotaped toothbrushing sessions and observed the grip type, duration of brushing, and brushing technique used among 100 children aged 8-12 years. We then investigated the association between grip type and plaque removal, using plaque scores obtained at various time points. We further examined the effect on plaque scores of standardizing both brushing technique and duration among the same participants. The most common grip was the distal oblique, followed by the oblique; the spoon and precision grips were rare, and no child used a power grip. Mean brushing duration for most children was 1.43 ± 0.85 min, and the most common brushing technique was horizontal scrubbing. We conclude that grip preference is inherent and that the distal oblique grip was better than the oblique grip in removing plaque.