Delmopinol - adsorption to and absorption through the oral mucosa.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the surface chemical changes in dynamic interactions of delmopinol on salivary films on oral mucosa in healthy participants after rinsing with an unbuffered water solution of delmopinol, and to examine the oral tissue disposition of delmopinol in rats after local administration. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The contact angle technique was used to monitor the interaction of delmopinol with the salivary film coating the upper labial mucosa of 10 healthy participants through a 4 h period. The tissue disposition of 14C-labelled delmopinol was examined in rats by autoradiography. RESULTS: Rinsing with delmopinol increased the polarity of the saliva coated mucosa during the time of observation. The binding of delmopinol was verified in the autoradiograms showing that radioactivity remained in the rat oral mucosa after 24 h. Delmopinol was however not irreversibly bound. CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicate that delmopinol interacts with the salivary film of the upper labial mucosa and affects its polarity. It appears that delmopinol assists in the maintenance of the hydrophilicity of the mucosal pellicle and thereby also reinforcing hydration of the mucosa. The rat autoradiograms, showed that radioactivity remains in the oral mucosa after 24 h, but diffuses through the mucosal membranes into the systemic circulation.

Prospective observation of a new bioactive luting cement: 2-year follow-up.

PURPOSE: A pilot study was conducted to determine the 2-year clinical performance of a new bioactive dental cement (Ceramir C&B, formerly XeraCem) for permanent cementation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The cement used in this study is a new formulation class, a hybrid material comprising calcium aluminate and glass ionomer. Thirty-eight crowns and fixed partial denture (FPD) abutments were cemented in 17 patients. Thirty-one of the abutment teeth were vital, 7 nonvital. Six reconstructions were FPDs comprising 14 abutment teeth (12 vital/2 nonvital). A two-unit fixed splint was also included. Preparation parameters and cement characteristics (dispensing, working time, seating characteristics, ease of cement removal) were recorded. Baseline and postcementation data were recorded for marginal integrity, marginal discoloration, secondary caries, retention, and gingival inflammation. Tooth sensitivity was assessed at pre- and postcementation time points using categorical and visual analogue scale (VAS) assessment measures. RESULTS: Mixing of the cement was reported as "easy." Clinical working time for this cement was deemed acceptable. Assessment of seating characteristics indicated all restorations were seated completely after cementation. Cement removal was determined to be "easy." Fifteen of 17 subjects were available for 1-year recall examination; 13 patients were available for the 2-year recall examination. Restorations at 2-year recall examination included 17 single-unit, full-coverage crown restorations, four 3-unit FPDs comprising 8 abutments, and one 2-unit splint. No retentive failures or sensitivity were recorded at 2-year recall. Marginal integrities of all restorations/abutments at 2 years were rated in the "alpha" category. Average VAS score for tooth sensitivity decreased from 7.63 mm at baseline to 0.44 mm at 6-month recall, 0.20 mm at 1-year recall, and 0.00 mm at 2-year recall. The average gingival index score for gingival inflammation decreased from 0.56 at baseline to 0.11 at 6-month recall, then 0.16 at 1-year recall, and 0.21 at 2-year recall. CONCLUSIONS: Two-year recall data yielded no loss of retention, no secondary caries, no marginal discolorations, and no subjective sensitivity. All restorations rated "alpha" for marginal integrity at the 2-year recall. After periodic recalls up to 2 years, the new bioactive cement tested thus far has performed favorably as a luting agent for permanent cementation.

Reflection photoelasticity: a new method for studies of clinical mechanics in prosthetic dentistry.

OBJECTIVES: This research was conducted to demonstrate the effectiveness of reflective photoelasticity as an in vivo technique for monitoring the strain/stress distribution in prosthetic devices during function. METHODS: Seven subjects were selected for this study and divided into three groups according to the design of the prostheses. The buccal surfaces of the experimental prostheses were coated with a birefringent resin 2mm thick. Using a reflection polariscope, fringe patterns were documented on video tape during standardized in vivo loadings. Strain and stress levels (gamma(max) and tau(max)) were calculated from isochromatic fringe order determinations. The intra-observer variability in counting fringe orders and the accuracy level of reflective photoelasticity as compared to strain gauge results were also studied. The strain results of in vivo loading of the prostheses were analyzed with ANOVA and Scheffés tests. The intra-observer variability was analyzed with the Friedman nonparametric test. Comparisons of photoelastic data and strain gauges were tested with Pearson's correlation. RESULTS: Coated areas accessible to normally incident light, produced comprehensive maps of strain distribution. Significant differences were found in the in vivo gamma(max) values for the prostheses designs (p<0.05). The test for intra-observer variability showed that no significant differences occurred in counting fringe orders. Strain values obtained with reflective photoelasticity showed a high correlation r=0.98 and 0.99) with values obtained at the same areas using strain gauges. SIGNIFICANCE: Reflective photoelasticity is a valid, reliable and accurate technique to be used for in vivo studies on the biomechanical behavior of prosthetic devices.

A novel sensor for bite force determinations.

OBJECTIVES: The clinical usefulness, accuracy and precision of a novel bite force sensor based on force sensing resistors were tested in six subjects wearing maxillary removable partial dentures retained by conical crowns. METHODS: The surfaces of the sensor were manufactured in a silicone material that had mechanical properties similar to those of tough foodstuffs. In two separate series of standardized bite force tests, submaximum force levels were recorded with the sensor and with a strain gaged bite fork. Subjects were assisted in the loading tests with visual feedback instrumentation. Reliability estimates for the bite force sensor were calculated in order to show their reproducibility. Strain gages attached to the prostheses were used to determine the pattern of force distribution during loading tests. The bite force results obtained with the new bite force sensor and with the bite fork were analyzed with ANOVA and Scheffés tests. The strain patterns registered with strain gages were analyzed with F-test. RESULTS: The bite force sensor and the bite fork transducer showed no statistically significant differences in respect of intra-individual bite force levels (range 50-300N). The bite forces registered with the new sensor were dependent on the loading position (p<0.05), sex (p<0.05) and test subject (p<0.05). The reliability of the new sensor for submaximum bite forces was calculated to be 93%. Strain gage results showed that the new sensor generated strain patterns of less variance (p<0.05) than the bite fork and therefore allowed for higher precision during biting tests. SIGNIFICANCE: The presented instrument has such clinical merits, as to favor its use in experimental clinical studies on the biomechanics of prosthetic appliances.

On the accuracy of some in vitro models for mechanical studies of maxillary removable partial dentures.

OBJECTIVES: Comparative in vitro/in vivo studies show wide differences in functional strain magnitudes and patterns of functional strain distribution in prosthetic devices. The aim of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of three in vitro models for biomechanical studies of prosthetic devices. METHODS: Strain gages were attached to the test RPDs of six subjects. In vitro maxillary models with simple (model A), intermediate (model B) and advanced (model C) features for the anatomical simulation of supporting structures were manufactured for each subject. The dentures were subjected to two separate series of standardized functional and laboratorial loading tests. The principal maximum strain value (epsilon (1)) obtained for each gage and experiment was used to calculate the intra-experiment variance and inter-experiment variance for the in vivo and in vitro experiments. The integrated strain gage difference value between the in vitro and in vivo data (Sigma(diff)) was calculated for every loading test and compared to the in vivo inter-experiment variance with ANOVA and Scheffés test. RESULTS: The bite forces recorded were similar for each subject and loading position and between the two loading sessions. The inter- and intra-experiment variance was found to be higher for in vivo loadings than for in vitro. Results showed that the (Sigma(diff)) values for model B and model C were significantly different from the in vivo strain inter-experiment variance (p<0.05). SIGNIFICANCE: This study showed that the anatomical simulation of in vitro models is insufficient to allow for accurate mechanical analyses of maxillary RPDs and that only simple verifications of the strain levels in prosthetic appliances can be attained in vitro.

Quality of fixed prosthodontics after twenty-two years.

After an observation period of 22 years, this study was conducted to clinically examine and interview patients who in 1984 and 1989 had participated in similar investigations regarding the quality, over time. of treatments with fixed partial dentures. The patients were examined by two standardized and experienced clinicians using thc California Dental Association quality rating system, their results indicating that after 22 years the overall survival rates were 46.5% and 41.1% for the originally placed crowns and pontics, respectively. However, a continuing decrease of the crown quality rating was noted during the more than 20-year-long observation period. Restorative treatments with common types of fixed partial dentures can therefore be regarded as both safe and reliable over long periods of time.

The effects of fixed and removable implant-stabilised prostheses on posterior mandibular residual ridge resorption.

This study investigated the change over time in the area of the posterior mandibular residual ridge in patients wearing either i) mandibular overdentures stabilised by two implants (Brånemark System; Nobel Biocare, Göteborg, Sweden) connected by a bar, or ii) mandibular fixed cantilever prostheses stabilised on five or six implants. Proportional measurements were made in order to compare the area of the residual ridge with an area of bone uninfluenced by resorption. Measurements were made by digitising tracings of panoramic radiographs that were taken shortly after implant insertion and up to seven years later. With the use of overdentures, the posterior bone area index reduced by a mean of 1.1% per annum, while a mean bone area index increase of 1.6% per annum was demonstrated in association with fixed prostheses. A multiple linear regression model was fitted to predict the change in posterior area from type of prosthesis, gender, age, years of edentulism and initial height of the mandible. The model was only significant for initial height of mandible (P = 0.04) and type of prosthesis (P = 0.0001). In conclusion, patients rehabilitated with implant-stabilised mandibular overdentures demonstrated low rates of posterior mandibular residual ridge resorption, while patients rehabilitated with implant-stabilised mandibular fixed cantilever prostheses demonstrated bone apposition in the same area.