Digital photography vs. clinical assessment of resin composite restorations.

PURPOSE: To compare direct clinical and indirect digital photographic assessment of resin composite restorations. Ninety-two posterior resin composite restorations were classified using World Dental Federation (FDI) criteria by two different clinical examiners (C1 and C2). In the same appointment of clinical assessment, intraoral high-quality digital photographs were taken and posteriorly two different digital examiners (D1 and D2) classified the images of each restoration. Restorations of each patient were assessed once by C1 and C2 independently. D1 and D2 assessed the digital images from different locations and in different time. Data were analyzed using the Cohen's kappa coefficient, Kruskal-Wallis non-parametric test and Dunn's multiple shared test, with 95% confidence. Agreement levels varied from very good (0.81-1.00) to fair (0.21-0.40). Statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) between assessments were found for surface lustre, staining, color match and translucency, esthetic anatomical form, fracture of material and retention and marginal adaptation. The classification of the resin composite restorations varied significantly according to clinical or high-quality digital photographic assessments. Overall, clinical assessment detected more demand for repair or replacement.

The effect of electronic cigarettes on dental enamel color.

OBJECTIVE: The use of electronic cigarettes (ECIGs) has recently increased as an alternative to conventional smoking tobacco products. The literature is scarce on the effects of ECIGs on dental and oral structures. Therefore, the objective of this study was to observe whether ECIG aerosol could alter the color of dental enamel. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-three bovine enamel specimens were randomly separated into groups (n = 7) and treated with aerosols with different e-liquid flavors (neutral, menthol, and tobacco) and nicotine content (0, 12, and 18 mg). The initial color assessment was performed using a spectrophotometer (Easy Shade-Vita). Dental enamel was exposed to 20 cycles of ECIG aerosol in a smoking machine, and the final color was measured. The color change was evaluated using ΔEab, ΔE00, and Whiteness Index (WID ) formulae. Differences in L* a* b* coordinates were calculated, and data were analyzed (two-way ANOVA, uncorrected Fisher's LSD post hoc test, α = 0.05). RESULTS: Luminosity (ΔL) was reduced by aerosols with almost all levels of nicotine content and neutral and menthol flavors. Flavored e-liquids caused more color change (P < .05) according to ΔEab and ΔE00. ΔE values from both formulae exceeded the thresholds for perceptible visual alterations of color. WID increased after ECIGs exposure for menthol and tobacco and decreased for neutral flavors. CONCLUSIONS: ECIG aerosol from e-liquids with different nicotine contents and flavors altered enamel color. Menthol and tobacco e-liquids may alter the enamel color decreasing the yellowness of the enamel compared to neutral e-liquid. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Electronic cigarettes can cause perceptible changes in tooth color, altering dental esthetics.

Clinical, double blind, randomized controlled trial of experimental adhesive protocols in caries-affected dentin.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical performance of posterior resin composite restorations regarding experimental and regular adhesive protocols in caries affected-dentin (CAD). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 92 class I and class II cavities with carious lesions were selected and randomly assigned to the following groups: (1) bioactive glass-ceramic powder/two-step etch and rinse system, (2) control/two-step etch and rinse system, (3) bioactive glass-ceramic powder/two-step self-etching system, and (4) control/two-step self-etching system. Two operators carried out the adhesive protocols and restored the cavities with a nano-hybrid resin composite. Participants were followed up at 1 week and 6, 12, and 18 months for clinical evaluation performed by two blinded examiners and calibrated according to FDI criteria. Data were analyzed using Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn tests with a confidence of 95%. RESULTS: The clinical performance of resin composite restoration was not affected by the experimental use of an adhesive protocol including a bioactive glass-ceramic powder for 18 months post-procedure. However, there was a significant difference between group 2 and group 4 (p < 0.05) for marginal adaptation (18 months). Group 2 was significantly different from group 3 (p < 0.05) for fracture of material/retention (18 months) and marginal adaptation (1 week); group 2 showed a better performance. CONCLUSION: Adhesive protocols can alter the clinical performance of posterior restorations in terms of marginal adaptation and the fracture of material/retention in CAD. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Adhesive protocols may influence the success of resin composite restorations in CAD; this is important because failure can lead to caries, re-incidence, and/or clinical re-work.