Dental students' experience and perceived confidence level in different restorative procedures.

PURPOSE: Graduating confident students who are able to flourish and develop in their future careers is an importance outcome of the dental education. This study aims to evaluate self-perceived level of confidence of fifth-year dental students in different restorative-related tasks and the relationship between their clinical training and its corresponding confidence. METHODS: Fifth-year graduate dental students (n = 202) were asked to fill a questionnaire that rated their level of confidence in different clinical restorative dentistry tasks. Additionally, they were asked about the number of times they performed tasks prior to attempting the equivalent competency and in which sub-specialty they felt the most confident. RESULTS: Completed responses were received from 120 students giving a response rate of 59%. Students felt the most prepared and confident in direct restorations and simple endodontic treatment, and they seemed less confident in indirect restorations and complex endodontic treatment. Regarding the steps of indirect restorations, students expressed least confidence in crown preparation compared to impression making and try-in procedures (P < .05). Students rated their confidence highest in operative dentistry, followed by endodontics and lastly fixed prosthodontics. CONCLUSION: The results highlight the areas in which students exhibit the least confidence. Enhancement of student clinical skills and directed exposure is necessary to raise the level of perceived confidence which will reflect positively on their current and future professional performance.

Dental extraction for patients presenting at oral surgery student clinic.

The aim of this study was to examine the reasons for dental extraction and to determine the pattern of tooth loss in patients seeking care at the oral surgery teaching clinics in the Faculty of Dentistry of the University of Jordan, Amman, Jordan, over a 3-year period. Data pertaining to the dental extractions of 2435 patients were analyzed. The results showed that 63.8% of the teeth included in this study were extracted because of dental caries, 22.9% because of periodontal disease, and 11.0% for prosthetic reasons. Pericoronitis, orthodontic treatment, trauma, and eruption problems accounted for 2.4% of the reported extractions. The upper premolars were the teeth most commonly extracted, and the lower first and second molars were the teeth most commonly extracted because of dental caries. The logistic regression test revealed that extraction because of dental caries occurred mostly in the group aged 21 to 30 years (P < .001). Periodontal disease was not likely the cause of extraction in patients younger than 40 years. Mandibular incisors were the teeth least likely extracted because of dental caries (P < .001), but they were the teeth most commonly extracted because of periodontal disease (P < .001). Extraction for orthodontic reasons mostly involved the premolars (P < .05) and occurred in patients 20 years of age or younger (P < .001). Men were less likely to lose teeth because of caries and periodontal disease (P < .05 and P < .001, respectively) and were more likely to lose teeth for prosthetic reasons and trauma. The information gained from this study is useful to shift oral health planning toward emphasizing the importance of maintaining natural dentition and preventing dental disease.

A palladium-free gallium-based alloy: analysis of composition and microstructure.

OBJECTIVES: To study the microstructure of a palladium-free gallium-based alloy (Galloy) before and after mixing to identify the metallic phases produced by the setting reaction and assess the quantitative elemental analysis of the phases present. METHODS: The Galloy powder was analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the particle size distribution was determined using a high resolution particle size analyzer. Cylindrical test specimens were mechanically condensed in accordance with ISO 1559: 1986 for XRD, energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and SEM analyses of the set alloy. Disc shaped specimens were prepared by manual condensation to compare the width of the reaction zone with specimens condensed mechanically. RESULTS: The Galloy powder consisted of spherical particles varying between 0.1 and 40 microm in diameter which contained a network of grooves and clefts extending deep within the substance of the particles. The reaction zone appeared 'grainy' and 'fragmented' compared with the well defined reaction zone previously observed for Pd-containing gallium-based alloys. The student t-test indicated the width of reaction zone varied significantly (P<0.001) with method of specimen fabrication.Significance. The significantly larger reaction zone in the manually condensed specimens was possibly due to failure of the condensation technique to force out excessive liquid alloy present in the triturated mass. The surface topography of the Pd-free Galloy powder particles could be responsible for the characteristically fragmented and ill-defined reaction zone observed in the set material compared with the well defined reaction zone previously observed for Pd-containing gallium-based alloys.

The effect of thermocycling on microleakage of several commercially available composite Class V restorations in vitro.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM: Microleakage is a major factor contributing to the occurrence of secondary carious lesions around composite restorations. PURPOSE OF STUDY: This in vitro study investigated the effect of thermocycling on microleakage of several composite Class V restorations. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One hundred twenty molars were randomly distributed into 6 groups of 20 teeth. Class V preparations were made in the buccal and lingual surfaces of each tooth and restored in bulk by use of 6 composites (Arabesk, Silux-Plus, Solitaire 2, Durafill VS, Charisma, and Renew) according to the manufacturers' recommendations. The teeth were stored in distilled water at room temperature for 24 hours. The teeth in each group were divided randomly into 2 subgroups: (a) thermocycled for 500 cycles between 5 degrees and 55 degrees C with a dwell time of 30 seconds, (b) no thermocycling treatment. All restored teeth were immersed in 1% methylene blue dye for 4 hours and sectioned buccolingually with a diamond wheel. Dye penetration was scored by use of a stereomicroscope at original magnification x4. The generalized linear models statistical analysis was used (alpha=.05). RESULTS: The preparation margins (enamel/dentin) and thermocycling had a significant effect on microleakage (P=.0351, P<.0001, respectively); the type of material had no significant effect (P=.1689). CONCLUSIONS: Thermocycling significantly increased the microleakage (P<.0001). The overall microleakage at the enamel margins was significantly less than at the dentinal margins (P=.0351).