Comparative evaluation and patient satisfaction with an electrical impedance-based device versus digital radiography in the estimation of remaining dentin thickness in carious posterior permanent teeth: (Diagnostic accuracy study).

BACKGROUND: Accurate assessment of remaining dentin thickness (RDT) is paramount for restorative decisions and treatment planning of vital teeth to avoid any pulpal injury. This diagnostic accuracy study compared the validity and patient satisfaction of an electrical impedance based device Prepometer™ (Hager & Werken, Duisburg, Germany) versus intraoral digital radiography for the estimation of remaining dentin thickness in carious posterior permanent teeth. METHODS: Seventy patients aged 12-25 years with carious occlusal or proximal permanent vital posterior teeth were recruited. Tooth preparation was performed to receive an adhesive restoration. Pre- and post-excavation RDT were measured radiographically by two calibrated raters using the paralleling periapical technique. Prepometer™ measurements were performed by the operator. Patients rated their satisfaction level with each tool on a 4-point Likert scale and 100 mm visual analog scale (VAS). Inter and intragroup comparisons were analyzed using signed rank test, while agreement between devices and observations was tested using weight kappa (WK) coefficient. RESULTS: the intergroup comparisons showed that, before and after excavation, there was a significant difference between measurements made by both techniques (p < 0.001). After excavation, there was a weak agreement between measurements (WK = 0.2, p < 0.001), whereas before excavation, the agreement was not statistically significant (p = 0.407). Patients were significantly more satisfied with Prepometer™ based on scales and VAS (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Prepometer™ could be a viable clinical tool for determining RDT with high patient satisfaction, while radiographs tended to overestimate RDT in relation to the Prepometer™.

Clinical Performance of Direct Anterior Composite Restorations Using Esthetic Dual-Shade versus Polychromatic Natural Layering Technique: a split mouth randomized controlled clinical tria / Avaliação clínica do comportamento de desgaste do esmalte humano e lascamento da zircônia de cobrimento contra a zircônia monolítica (ensaio clínico randomizado controlado)

Objective: to evaluate the clinical performance of the dual shade layering and polychromatic resin composite layering techniques using a randomized controlled trail. Material and Methods: 42 participants (84 restorations) of class IV or class III through and through within a pair of anterior contra-lateral teeth were randomly allocated into two groups according to technique of composite restoration placement: control "polychromatic layering" and intervention "dual-shade layering". Follow-up was done at 1 month (baseline) and 1 year. Restorations were evaluated using Visual Analog Scale (VAS), restoration color shade match using Vita Easyshade V ®, and blinded assessor using FDI criteria for assessment of dental restorations measuring (aesthetic properties). Chi-square test was used to compare between restorations of both techniques. Results: There was no statistically significant difference between restorations of both techniques for patient satisfaction outcome, restorations color match outcome, and for all tested FDI outcomes except surface luster with 100% success. Conclusion: Bothdual-shade layering and polychromatic natural layering techniques, exhibited acceptable clinical and esthetic performance (AU)

Objetivo: Avaliar o comportamento de desgaste do esmalte humano e lascamento de zircônia de cobrimento e monolítica para restaurações posteriores de cobertura total. Material e métodos: Trinta e quatro restaurações de zircônia de cobertura total (dezessete em cada grupo) foram fabricadas. Os pacientes foram divididos em dois grupos de acordo com o tipo de zircônia utilizada; grupo 1 (grupo comparador) coroas com zircônia de cobrimento e grupo 2 (grupo de intervenção) coroas únicas de zircônia monolítica. Todas as coroas foram fabricadas e polidas em laboratório. Para medidas de desgaste de dentes opostos, foi utilizado um perfilômetro 3D sem contato, onde réplicas de resina epóxi foram construídas para o arco oposto imediatamente após a cimentação das coroas, três, seis e doze meses. O lascamento da restauração foi medido usando critérios modificados dos Serviços de Saúde Pública dos Estados Unidos (USPHS). Resultados: Todas as restaurações foram relatadas como alfa sem lascamento. Não houve diferença estatisticamente significativa entre (Grupo 1) e (Grupo 2) para o teste de desgaste. Conclusão: As restaurações monolíticas e de cobrimento revelaram propriedades mecânicas satisfatórias sem lascamento após um ano de uso clínico. O desgaste do esmalte oposto foi clinicamente aceitável para ambos os materiais (AU)