Transferring Conditioned Partially Edentulous Ridge Form to a Master Cast.

Gingival conditioning techniques in prosthodontics aim to overcome bone and soft-tissue defects that often compromise the outcome of restorations in terms of esthetics, function, and biocompatibility. Whatever the technique used, it is essential to reproduce a regular concave gingival outline in order to recreate the natural aspect of the relationship between teeth and gingiva, eliminating black triangles. Transferring the details of the conditioned soft tissue to the laboratory technician with precision may be challenging. The authors hereby propose a novel technique to transfer the clinical aspect of the conditioned soft tissue to the master cast, using a customized metal framework to help ensure accuracy.

Assessment of acid neutralizing capacity in cola-based drinks and energy beverages by artificial saliva.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the pH of regular and light cola-based drinks and energy drinks, and examine the acid neutralizing capacity by the addition of artificial saliva. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten packages of each product purchased locally at different stores were evaluated. The pH was measured by a pH-electrode calibrated in standard buffer solutions. To assess the pH neutralizing capacity, 1 ml/min of artificial saliva was added until a pH of 5.5 set as a cutoff point was reached in the tested solution. The data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA), at the 0.05 significance level. RESULTS: The surveyed beverages had an initial acidic pH, ranging between 2.3 and 3.4. The average amount of saliva required to raise the pH of the cola-based drinks above 5.5 ranged between 6.0 and 6.8 ml. Energy drinks used volumes between 11.3 and 12.5 ml; however, it was not possible to achieve a pH of 5.5. CONCLUSION: According to the methodology used, it was concluded that: (1) All beverages analyzed showed an initial acidic pH. (2) There was no statistical difference between the initial pH level and acid neutralization by the addition of artificial saliva in both regular and light drinks. It was not possible to reach the appropriate pH, set as the cutoff point, for the energy drinks.

Histometric study of resorption on replanted teeth with enamel matrix-derived protein.

BACKGROUND: Enamel matrix-derived proteins (Emdogain) stimulate the proliferation of periodontal ligament cells, contributing to their regeneration. AIM: This study was to perform histometric assessment of root surface resorption in replanted teeth with the use of Emdogain®. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus), weighing 180 to 200 gm, were anesthetized, subjected to extraction of the upper right incisor tooth, which was then replanted into the alveoli with the following treatment: (a) control group--tooth with root canal filled with calcium hydroxide paste and (b) treated group--tooth with root canal filled with enamel matrix-derived protein. The animals were sacrificed 25 days after tooth replantation. The maxilla was processed to obtain thin sections (6 µ) and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. The resorption volume percentage of each dental element was calculated from the cementoenamel junction to the apex. RESULTS: Quantification of resorption revealed that Emdogaintreated teeth showed a lower percentage of resorption (31.58%) compared to controls (80.48%) (statistically significant values--t-test p-value=0.0431). CONCLUSION: It was concluded that Emdogain used as root canal filling has properties capable of showing a lower percentage of resorption in replanted teeth.

Vascular leiomyoma in the oral cavity.

The aim of this study was to examine a case report of vascular leiomyoma located in the oral mucosa of the oral cavity. Vascular leiomyoma is a benign tumor arising from smooth muscle. One factor that makes vascular leiomyomas in the oral cavity rare is that there is little smooth muscle in the mouth. The most common histological subtype in the oral cavity is the vascular subtype. The greatest difficulty in histological diagnosis of this entity is the similarity in morphology with other malignancies, particularly of neural or fibroblastic lineage. Wide surgical resection is the only treatment reported in the literature with good results. The recurrence rate is very low if complete resection is achieved. The study of rare or unusual lesions is very important for the clinical diagnosis of vascular leiomyoma.

Effects from exposure to dental amalgam on systemic mercury levels in patients and dental school students.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the systemic mercury levels in urine of patients and dental school students caused by exposure to silver amalgam. It is currently believed that occupational exposure shows the highest rate of potential for poisoning by mercury. Dental professionals are part of that quota, introducing concerns regarding the handling of dental amalgam. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study comprised 40 urine samples from 20 subjects, which were divided into four sampling groups: G1A (n = 10) composed of students before their first occupational contact; G1B (n = 10) composed of the same G1 students after their first contact; G2A (n = 10) composed of patients who needed to have dental restorations before amalgam removal; and G2B (n = 10) composed of patients who needed to have dental restoration after amalgam removal. Cold-vapor atomic absorption spectrophotometry (CVAAS) was used as the evaluation method. RESULTS: A statistically significant difference was found among dependent groups 1 and 2 (p = 0.0038), whereas mercury levels increased considerably after the first occupational contact of all subjects. CONCLUSIONS: Occupational exposure to dental amalgam poses a potential risk of increasing systemic mercury levels, although urine mercury levels in all the sample participants were below the limits of biologic tolerance.