Zissis A

Color stability of provisional resin restorative materials

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM Use of temporary crowns and fixed partial dentures is especially relevant when the treatment plan requires restorations for long interim periods, and the in-service discoloration of provisional restorative materials is a major drawback. PURPOSE This study evaluated the discoloration effect of coffee and tea on some materials that are commonly used in the fabrication of provisional restorations. MATERIAL AND METHODS Six commercially available provisional resins (Jet, Caulk TBR, Protemp Garant, Luxatemp Solar, Provipont DC and SR-Ivocron-PE) were evaluated after 1 day, 7 days, and 30 days of immersion in various staining solutions. Color measurements were obtained by using a Dr Lange Micro Color tristimulus colorimeter and color differences (delta E*) were estimated. RESULTS The 2 chemically activated resins (Jet and Caulk TBR) and the heat-cured resin (SR-Ivocron PE) exhibited the least color changes, whereas the Provipont-DC resin was the least color stable. After immersion for 30 days, the combination with the coffee solution resulted in unacceptable discoloration for all the tested materials. CONCLUSIONS Provisional restorative materials, staining solutions, and immersion time were significant factors that affected color stability. After immersion for 7 days, all materials showed observable color changes. The composite-based materials, especially light-curing composites, were the least color stable. The coffee solution exhibited more staining capacity than the tea solution.

Dimensional stability of dentures processed in boilable acrylic resins: A comparative study

An investigation was conducted to evaluate and compare the dimensional stability of three fast boilable denture resins with a conventional and a high-impact denture resin processed with a long-curing cycle. Although the boilable denture resins have been introduced to the dental profession and offer merits such as faster processing, saving time for the dentist, patient, and technician, reduction of energy costs, and dramatic increase in denture laboratory production without adding personnel or purchasing new equipment, the relevant dental literature is sparse. The results of this investigation indicate that all five denture resins produced dentures that shrink. Also measurements between certain teeth showed shrinkages. Linear shrinkages of denture bases and teeth distances were less than 1%. Flange-to-flange and molar-to-molar changes were less than 0.5 mm and 0.2 mm respectively. Maxillary complete dentures processed in boilable resins presented less distortion in the midpalatal area across the posterior section than dentures processed in the conventional heat-cured resin. Although linear changes reported in this investigation were thought to be clinically insignificant, clinical studies should be conducted to establish correlation with laboratory findings.

A Survey of Removable Partial Denture Casts and Major Connector Designs Found in Commercial Laboratories, Athens, Greece

PURPOSE This survey was conducted to study the prevalence of partial edentulism, the type of removable partial denture (RPD) support, the type of major connectors, and the frequency of their use in relation to the partial edentulism classes encountered, concerning patients in Athens, Greece. MATERIALS AND METHODS The material comprised 628 final casts for RPDs. Each cast was photographed in a way that would allow the number of existing teeth, the classification of partial edentulism, the RPD support, and the particular parts of the metal framework to be identified. Data collected were analyzed statistically using prevalence tables and the χ(2) test. RESULTS Two hundred seventy six (43.9%) casts were for the maxilla and 352 (56.1%) for the mandible. The most frequently encountered group was Kennedy class I for both arches, while class IV was the classification least encountered (p < 0.001). Of all RPDs constructed, 96.8% had a metal framework (tooth-borne and tooth/tissue-borne), while 3.2% of the RPDs were frameless (tissue-borne, acrylic dentures). The U-shaped palatal connector (horseshoe) in the maxilla and the lingual bar in the mandible were the most frequently used for all partial edentulism classes, at 55.2% and 95%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS Analysis of the casts revealed that the type of major connectors selected does not comply with the indications for their applications, considering the lack of dental history and clinical examination. This notes the need for further training dentists and dental technicians in aspects of RPD framework design.

Pregled retencijskih elemenata mobilnih djelomičnih proteza ovisno o vrsti bezubosti i zubima nosačima u komercijalnim laboratorijima u Ateni

OBJECTIVE The aim of this survey was to record removable partial denture (RPD) retentive elements and abutment teeth in partially edentulous patients, identified in commercial laboratories in Athens, Greece. MATERIAL AND METHODS 628 master casts with the corresponding cast metal frameworks used in the construction of RPDs were evaluated. Casts were photographed to identify the number and position of existing teeth, the partial edentulism class and the retentive elements. Prevalence tables and the x(2) test were used for the statistical analysis of the collected data (α=.05). RESULTS There were 276 maxillary (43.9%) and 352 (56.1%) mandibular casts. Maxillary edentulism entailed almost a total absence of right third molars in 96.7% and left third molars 96.0% of casts, with lower rates for the first and second molars. Edentulism in the posterior mandible presented a similar pattern. The most profound findings concerning retentive elements were: 91.9% of the retainers used were clasps and the remaining 8.1% were attachments. Of the clasps used, 48.9% were of the Roach Τ type, a finding more common in Kennedy Class I as compared to other Kennedy Classes (p<0.01). The circumferential clasps accounted for 19.3% of the total clasps used, and it was less frequently presented (8.8%) in Kennedy I Classes (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS Roach clasps were used in the majority of cases whereas RPI clasps and attachments were rarely used.

A Survey of Removable Partial Denture (RPD) Retentive Elements in Relation to the Type of Edentulism and Abutment Teeth Found in Commercial Laboratories, Athens, Greece.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this survey was to record removable partial denture (RPD) retentive elements and abutment teeth in partially edentulous patients, identified in commercial laboratories in Athens, Greece. MATERIAL AND METHODS 628 master casts with the corresponding cast metal frameworks used in the construction of RPDs were evaluated. Casts were photographed to identify the number and position of existing teeth, the partial edentulism class and the retentive elements. Prevalence tables and the x(2) test were used for the statistical analysis of the collected data (α=.05). RESULTS There were 276 maxillary (43.9%) and 352 (56.1%) mandibular casts. Maxillary edentulism entailed almost a total absence of right third molars in 96.7% and left third molars 96.0% of casts, with lower rates for the first and second molars. Edentulism in the posterior mandible presented a similar pattern. The most profound findings concerning retentive elements were: 91.9% of the retainers used were clasps and the remaining 8.1% were attachments. Of the clasps used, 48.9% were of the Roach Τ type, a finding more common in Kennedy Class I as compared to other Kennedy Classes (p<0.01). The circumferential clasps accounted for 19.3% of the total clasps used, and it was less frequently presented (8.8%) in Kennedy I Classes (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS Roach clasps were used in the majority of cases whereas RPI clasps and attachments were rarely used.

A Survey of Removable Partial Denture (RPD) Retentive Elements in Relation to Type of Edentulism and Abutment Teeth in Commercial Laboratories in Athens

OBJECTIVE The aim of this survey was to record removable partial denture (RPD) retentive elements and abutment teeth in partially edentulous patients, identified in commercial laboratories in Athens, Greece. MATERIAL AND METHODS 628 master casts with the corresponding cast metal frameworks used in the construction of RPDs were evaluated. Casts were photographed to identify the number and position of existing teeth, the partial edentulism class and the retentive elements. Prevalence tables and the x(2) test were used for the statistical analysis of the collected data (α=.05). RESULTS There were 276 maxillary (43.9%) and 352 (56.1%) mandibular casts. Maxillary edentulism entailed almost a total absence of right third molars in 96.7% and left third molars 96.0% of casts, with lower rates for the first and second molars. Edentulism in the posterior mandible presented a similar pattern. The most profound findings concerning retentive elements were: 91.9% of the retainers used were clasps and the remaining 8.1% were attachments. Of the clasps used, 48.9% were of the Roach Τ type, a finding more common in Kennedy Class I as compared to other Kennedy Classes (p<0.01). The circumferential clasps accounted for 19.3% of the total clasps used, and it was less frequently presented (8.8%) in Kennedy I Classes (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS Roach clasps were used in the majority of cases whereas RPI clasps and attachments were rarely used.