David T. Brown

A comparative study of temporomandibular symptoms following mandibular advancement by bilateral sagittal split osteotomies: Rigid versus nonrigid fixation

Rigid fixation to attach proximal and distal segments during bony healing of osteotomy sites has become increasingly popular. The effects of rigid fixation on the temporomandibular joints have been questioned. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of rigid fixation after bilateral sagittal split osteotomies on temporomandibular dysfunction symptoms. Forty patients who had mandibular advancement surgery were evaluated for temporomandibular joint dysfunction. Twenty had received rigid fixation, and twenty had received nonrigid fixation. It was determined that there was no statistically significant difference in temporomandibular signs or symptoms between patients who were treated with rigid internal fixation for bilateral sagittal split osteotomies for mandibular advancement and those patients who were treated with nonrigid wire fixation.

Recent graduates' and current dental students' evaluation of their prosthodontic curriculum

This survey of recent graduates and third- and fourth-year dental students at Indiana University School of Dentistry determined whether the prosthodontic curriculum adequately prepared students for the prosthodontic portion of dental practice and whether there was material that should be added to or omitted from the prosthodontic curriculum. The survey evaluated 106 topics in the prosthodontic curriculum and areas related to prosthodontics. On the basis of their importance to the respondents, 59.4% of the topics were considered adequately emphasized, 2.9% of the topics were overemphasized and should be reduced in emphasis or eliminated, and 37.7% of the topics were underemphasized, which indicated the need to increase time devoted to these topics. Most of the underemphasized topics dealt with new materials, alternate techniques, private practice and its management, and the prosthodontic needs of special types of patients.

The effect of sucralfate on the growth of cariogenic streptococci

Sucralfate, an aluminum salt of sucrose octasulfate, has been shown to be effective in reducing the discomfort of radiation therapy-induced oral mucositis. This study was done to determine whether sucralfate could be used as a nutritional source for dental caries-producing organisms. Three Streptococcus strains were cultured in a defined medium. Sucralfate powder was evaluated for its ability to be used as a carbohydrate food source by these organisms. The addition of sucralfate alone did not stimulate the organisms growth. The addition of sucralfate and glucose resulted in less growth than the addition of glucose alone. Increasing the sucralfate concentration from 1% to 10% in the glucose-containing cultures resulted in statistically significant growth inhibition (p less than 0.02). Sucralfate appears to have no cariogenic potential and may have some cariostatic potential.

Prosthodontic Rehabilitation for a Patient with Down Syndrome: A Clinical Report.

Patients with Down syndrome can present with a variety of oral manifestations such as hypodontia, periodontal disease, premature tooth loss, reduced salivary flow, crowding of teeth in both arches, and decreased occlusal vertical dimension. The intellectual ability of people with Down syndrome varies widely. They present with a mild-to-moderate intellectual disability that restricts their ability to communicate and adjust to their environment, which can add complexity in the overall dental treatment. There is little information in the literature regarding the prosthodontic rehabilitation for patients with Down syndrome in combination with dental implant placement. An implant-assisted removable partial dental prosthesis can be a cost-effective treatment alternative for carefully chosen patients with Down syndrome. This article presents the treatment of a 44-year-old male patient with Down syndrome and a moderate intellectual disability who presented with congenital and acquired tooth loss with significant occlusal discrepancies. The treatment included a prosthodontic approach that used a single dental implant, which will be described and illustrated in this article.

The influence of delayed light curing on the degree of conversion and polymerization contraction stress in dual-cured resin luting agents

Abstract The aim of the study was to assess the effect of delayed photo-initiation on the polymerization contraction stress (PCS) and degree of conversion (DC) of a dual-cure resin-luting agent. Thirty-five disk (6 mm × 1 mm) samples (n = 10 each group) of dual cure resin luting agent for PCS assessment were fabricated and polymerized using two illuminated quartz rods. Based on the delay in photo-initiation, 30 disks were divided among six groups [group A-0 min (min) delay, group B-2 min, group C-4 min, group D-6 min, group E-8 min and group F-10 min]. A non-photoinitiated group (group G – chemical cure – n = 5) was included as control. The PCS for all specimens was assessed using a Tensometer. For DC evaluation thirty-five specimens were divided into seven groups with delays in photo-initiation (group H-0 min, group I-2 min, group J-4 min, group K-6 min, group L-8 min and group M-10 min, group N-chemical cure). DC was assessed using attenuated total reflectance spectroscopic technique. Statistical comparison among groups was performed using analysis of variance (α = 0.05). The maximum and minimum PCS and DC values with delayed photo-initiation was observed in group-C (3.34 MPa) & group-F (2.44 MPa); and group-M (0.78 MPa) and group-H (0.55 MPa) respectively. Chemically cured samples showed the least PCS (group-G, 1.94) and DC (group-N, 0.53) values in their respective categories. PCS significantly decreased with delayed photo-initiation. A significant increase in DC was noticed when photo-initiation was delayed in the dual cure resin luting agent.

A comparison of three methods for preparing reversible hydrocolloid duplicating material

This study compared the effects of repeated microwave oven and double-boiler liquefactions and prolonged autoduplicator storage on four physical properties of one reversible hydrocolloid duplicating material. No significant differences were observed between the linear dimensional change and detail reproduction of the three liquefaction techniques. Tear strength differences most clearly distinguished the techniques and effects of aging. Fifteen double-boiler remeltings produced tear strength values lower than those recorded for material stored in an autoduplicator for 2 weeks. Thirty microwave melting cycles still produced tear strength values equivalent to that of the autoduplicator material. After 30 melting cycles the compressive strengths of the microwave and double-boiler materials were inferior to that of the stored autoduplicator material.