Effects of preparation and luting system on all-ceramic computer-generated crowns.

PURPOSE: Computer-aided design/computer-integrated machining (CAD/CIM) allows defect-oriented custom-shaping of the inside surfaces of all-ceramic crowns. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of inside crown form on fracture strength of cemented and bonded crowns. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four preparation types were used: (1) "classic" with a butt shoulder of 1.2 mm, abutment height of 4 mm, and 6-degree convergence, (2) like type 1 with mesio-occlusodistal cavity, (3) like type 1 with height reduced by 50%, and (4) like type 1 with abutment reduced by 100% plus a pulp chamber cavity. Crowns were CAD designed on preparations 1 to 4 using identical outside morphology. Machined crowns were placed on abutments (a) without any media as controls (n = 15), (b) cemented (n = 15), and (c) bonded (n = 15), and were loaded until fracture. RESULTS: Zinc phosphate-cemented crowns (1b, 2b, 3b, and 4b) showed significant (P < 0.001) increase of fracture load values compared to uncemented control crowns (1a, 2a, 3a, 4a). Fracture load values of bonded crowns (1c, 2c, 3c) were significantly (P < 0.001) higher than those for cemented crowns. Bonded crowns with thick occlusal dimensions (3c and 4c) showed the highest fracture load values. CONCLUSION: Bonded all-ceramic CAD/CIM crowns with defect-oriented inside morphology and increased occlusal dimensions showed high fracture load values.

Fentanyl citrate analgesia during labor.

Fentanyl citrate is a potent short-acting narcotic reported to cause less nausea and sedation than morphine or meperidine hydrochloride. The purpose of this prospective investigation was to determine whether a safe but adequate intrapartum dosing schedule is possible. A total of 137 women with uncomplicated term pregnancies were offered a standard intravenous dose (50 mcg or 100 mcg hourly as needed) of fentanyl citrate during active labor. Temporary analgesia and mild sedation were apparent in each case. The cumulative dose varied in accordance with maternal needs (mean, 140 +/- 42 micrograms; range, 50 mcg to 600 micrograms). Apart from a brief decrease in fetal heart rate variability that lasted 30 minutes, no worrisome pattern was apparent from exposure to fentanyl citrate. Pediatric examinations were performed without knowledge of analgesic therapy on infants exposed to fentanyl citrate and those not exposed to analgesics. No differences were found in frequencies of newborn depressed respirations, low Apgar scores, or neurologic and adaptive capabilities at two hours and 24 hours postnatally. With the use of the described dosing schedule, fentanyl citrate was helpful during labor and did not cause immediate or prolonged hazards to the mother and unborn infant.