Effect of a wear-resistant resin coat on the color stability of a resin-modified glass ionomer restorative material.

AIM: The purpose of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effect of the Equia Forte Coat on the color stability of Equia Forte Fil. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty discs of Equia Forte Fil were randomly divided into two groups. One group of 30 samples was treated with Equia Forte Coat according to the manufacturer's directions. The other 30 discs were not coated. All discs were continuously soaked in cola for 7 consecutive days. The color changes in the Equia Forte Fil samples were determined using a colorimeter. The color difference (△E) was calculated using the Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage L*a*b* coordinates. RESULTS: There was a significant difference in ΔE between the two groups (P < 0.0001). The group with Equia Forte Coat had significantly less color change than the group without the Equia Forte Coat. CONCLUSION: The application of the Equia Forte Coat significantly improved the color stability of Equia Forte Fil.

The clinical performance of chairside caries risk assessment kits.

OBJECTIVE: Caries risk assessment is an important component of clinical practice. The goal of this project was to evaluate the diagnostic performance of two commercially available kits (the Saliva-Check mutans and the Plaque-Check pH kit; GC-America) in distinguishing caries-active from caries-free individuals. The effect of following instructions not to eat, drink, or perform oral hygiene, prior to testing, was also investigated on the effectiveness of these kits. METHOD AND MATERIALS: The subjects included 26 caries-affected children and 20 caries-free adults. Plaque and saliva samples were collected for analysis by the two kits following the manufacturer's instructions. For 63 additional subjects, instructions not to eat, drink, or practice oral hygiene were omitted prior to sample collection. The sensitivity and specificity in distinguishing caries-free from caries-active subjects was calculated for both kits. RESULTS: The sensitivity (88%) and specificity (90%) of the Saliva-Check mutans kits were satisfactory in the subjects refraining from eating etc. In contrast, both the sensitivity and the specificity of this kit were reduced when subjects were tested without use instructions. When tested in subjects that followed instructions, the pH kit's sensitivity and specificity were 72% and 55% respectively. This modest diagnostic performance was reduced when pH values were measured in subjects not following use instructions. CONCLUSION: These kits, particularly the Saliva-Check mutans kits, can contribute to patient education by documenting microbial caries risk factors. Though difficult to implement in practice, subjects should refrain from eating or other activities that disturb the oral environment prior to sample collection.

Comparison of submandibular/sublingual salivary flow rates in children and adolescents.

PURPOSE: This study compared age related changes in submandibular/sublingual salivary flow rates in children and adolescents. METHODS: Twenty-nine children between the ages of 5 and 14 years were evaluated. A group of adults ages 18 to 39 years were also evaluated. No subject was taking medication which could have affected salivary flow rate. Salivary flow was stimulated using a single application of 3% citric acid during a 5-minute test period. A group of 12 children ages 5 to 9 years was compared to a group of 16 adolescents ages 10 to 14 years. RESULTS: Analysis using a Wilcoxon Rank Sum Test with a .05 level used for significance showed that the salivary flow rates of the 2 groups were not significantly different. CONCLUSIONS: No significant difference was found between the stimulated submandibular salivary flow rates of children ages 5 to 9 years and 10 to 14 years.

Comparison of powered and manual toothbrushes for plaque removal by 4- to 5-year-old children.

PURPOSE: This study compared the small head Oralgiene 60 Second Time Machine powered toothbrush, used for 60 seconds, with the Braun Oral-B Mickey Mouse powered toothbrush and a manual toothbrush (Oral-B Rugrats 20), each used for 2 minutes, for efficacy in plaque removal and reduction of gingival inflammation in young children. METHODS: Fifty-eight children, ages 4 to 5 years old, were randomly assigned to one of the 3 toothbrush groups. At visit 1, plaque and gingival indices were recorded for all subjects. Then, the children did not brush for 24 hours. At visit 2, 24 hours later, plaque indices were recorded, the children brushed with their assigned toothbrush, and plaque indices were recorded again. Six weeks later, plaque and gingival indices were recorded again. The data was analyzed to detect plaque reduction after a one-time use (visit 2, prebrushing and postbrushing) as well as plaque and gingival inflammation reduction after 6 weeks of use. RESULTS: The Oralgiene toothbrush removed significantly more plaque during the one-time trial and reduced significantly more gingival inflammation during the 6-week trial. The Braun Oral B powered toothbrush removed significantly more plaque than the other toothbrushes during the 6-week trial. However, no clinically meaningful differences were found between any of the toothbrushes with regard to plaque removal or gingival scores. CONCLUSIONS: There were no clinically meaningful differences found between any of the toothbrushes tested during either of the trials with regard to plaque removal or improvement in gingival health.

Prolonged bleeding following tongue piercing: a case report and review of complications.

The number of adolescents and young adults undergoing intraoral piercing is increasing in the United States. Numerous articles have documented complications following intraoral piercing. This article presents a case of prolonged bleeding and reviews other documented sequelae following intraoral piercing. The article may serve as a guide to dental professionals whose patients seek advice regarding these procedures.