Dentinal hypersensitivity is a highly prevalent condition reported to affect a wide range of the population. The causes of sensitivity are well characterized as exposed dentinal tubules most commonly resulting from gingival recession followed by loss of cementum. The mechanism of action of stannous ions in reducing dentinal hypersensitivity has been found to be the precipitation of stannous compounds occluding the dentinal tubules and thus preventing stimulation of the nerves in the pulp cavity. The aim of this study was to measure the desensitizing benefits of an experimental stannous-containing sodium fluoride dentifrice versus a negative control.

Panoramic radiography has been an invaluable diagnostic tool for the dental profession. Some dental specialties like oral surgery and orthodontics rely almost exclusively on panoramic radiographs to obtain the majority of the radiographic information needed for diagnostic procedures. One common diagnostic use in oral surgery is the evaluation of third molars prior to surgical removal. Digital panoramic radiography offers certain advantages over film-based panoramic radiography including the opportunity to use various image processing tools. The purpose of this study was to compare digital panoramic images acquired for the presurgical assessment of third molars captured with a storage phosphor-based system with conventional film panoramic radiographs.

Public demand for tooth whitening, also referred to as dental bleaching, has increased in recent years. An in-office or power bleaching application by a dental professional is an appropriate treatment modality, especially in severe discoloration cases. In-office bleaching can be performed by using either chemically or photo-activated bleaching regimens. The theory behind using light is its ability to heat the bleaching agent to accelerate the breakdown of the peroxide to lighten the teeth more rapidly. The aim of this study was to investigate the additional efficacy of light-activated tooth whitening systems versus non–light activated controls in terms of tooth color change, color stability, dental sensitivity and patient satisfaction.

Endodontically treated teeth are widely considered to be more susceptible to fracture than vital teeth. Numerous studies have demonstrated coronal reinforcement of the tooth through bonded restorations. However, for a dental material to reinforce the tooth, the material must bond to dentin. Therefore, an essential attribute of a good dentin adhesive system is the adhesive’s ability to wet and infiltrate dentin. Similarly, bonding endodontic obturation materials could enhance the ability of endodontically treated teeth to resist fracture. The aim of this study was to compare the fracture resistance of teeth obturated with RealSeal^™ using two different chelating agents (EDTA and MTAD^™).

Dry socket is an uncommon condition following the extraction of erupted teeth other than mandibular third molars. Oral surgeries are considered to be clean-contaminated procedures due to the presence of a rich oral microflora. This environment poses a risk for an alveolar infection following single or multiple dental extractions, even in healthy subjects. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of dry socket, alveolar infection, and postoperative pain following the routine extraction of erupted teeth in realistic clinical conditions using favorable surgical techniques and to search for possible triggering factors for these conditions.

Bonding of orthodontic brackets represents one of the greatest advances in orthodontic treatment since it decreases the chair time required for bracket placement. However, accumulation of plaque and colonization of cariogenic bacteria can occur around orthodontic brackets and result in dental cares in these areas. Fluoride inhibits the progress of carious lesions by interfering with the demineralization dynamic of lesion formation. Thus, the aims of this study were to evaluate the prevention of enamel demineralization near the bond area using a polarized light microscope following demineralization and remineralization cycling and the shear bond strength of orthodontic brackets bonded with fluoride and no fluoride conventional and self-etching adhesives.

The most common periodontal indices currently used in epidemiologic studies all have limitations. The lack of standardization on definitions of periodontal disease in studies that investigated the possible relationship between periodontal disease and PTLBW and the use of measures without reliability analysis through microbiological assessment prompted the present study that aimed to develop a periodontal clinical measure termed the Periodontal Bacterial Load (PBL) that correlates with red complex bacteria that are associated with periodontal disease in postpartum women.

Plaque-induced gingivitis is one of the most frequent periodontal diseases, affecting more than 90% of the population, regardless of age, sex, or race. Mechanical plaque control is the most effective method of controlling plaque and gingivitis, but the lack of knowledge and ability among the normal adult population to adequately brush and floss their teeth has led to the search for chemotherapeutic agents in order to improve plaque control. Such chemicals, mainly triclosan and chlorhexidine, have been used as mouth rinses or added to dentifrices to prevent plaque formation and development of gingivitis. Copaifera sp oil presents antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and healing properties and is used for diverse diseases, such as throat and stomach ailments, in South America. The purpose of the present study was to assess the antiplaque and antigingivitis effects of this phytotherapic agent.

The preparation of multiple and parallel tooth surfaces is a difficult task, especially when posterior teeth are involved. An important first step in treatment planning is to determine the location and angle of two or more guiding planes of the abutment teeth to guide the path of insertion and removal of an RPD. The use of multiple parallel surfaces or guiding planes decreases the possibility of prosthesis dislodgment. The aim of the study was to assess the accuracy of a new intraoral paralleling device for creating proximal guiding planes for removable partial dental prostheses.

Methamphetamine is a very addictive, powerful stimulant that increases wakefulness and physical activity and can produce other effects such as cardiac dysrhythmias, hypertension, hallucinations, and violent behavior. Dental patients abusing methamphetamine can present with poor oral hygiene, xerostomia, rampant caries (“meth mouth”), and excessive tooth wear. Oral rehabilitation of patients using methamphetamine can be challenging. The aim of this report is to document a clinical case to make clinicians aware of “meth mouth” and the medical risks associated with this serious condition.

Multiple supernumerary teeth are uncommon and often found in association with various syndromes such as cleidocranial dysplasia, cleft lip and palate, or Gardner’s syndrome. It is rare to find multiple supernumerary teeth in individuals without any associated systemic conditions or syndromes. Radiographic imaging plays an important role in assessing the location and nature of supernumerary teeth. However, radiographs cannot provide complete information about the spatial relationship of the supernumerary teeth to surrounding structures, or to associated complications. Recently introduced, three-dimensional computed tomography (3D CT) software enables 3D visualization of the root portion of the teeth through use of a differential in the threshold level of bone and the teeth. The aims of this report are to present a rare case of nonsyndromic multiple supernumerary teeth involving both jaws in a young female patient and to discuss the value of 3D CT to evaluate the exact location and orientation of multiple supernumerary teeth.

Some patients have a tendency to bleed excessively after dental surgery for a variety of reasons, making oral surgical procedures more of a risk for these patients. Since hemorrhage can cause major morbidity and mortality, the identification of a novel, effective hemostatic agent could improve the management of excessive bleeding that occurs during dental procedures. Ankaferd Blood StopperTM is a unique medicinal plant extract that has been used historically in Turkish traditional medicine as a hemostatic agent. The aim of this report was to present clinical observations of the efficacy of the topical application of this hemostatic agent on hemorrhagic diathesis following dental procedures under different conditions.

In Part 1 of this two-part series, the focus was on the diagnostic potential of the images generated with a new intraoral LED camera. The principle employed is to analyze variations in fluorescence of a clinically suspicious carious area in relation to the fluorescence of a healthy area on the same tooth. Experimentation using a light-induced fluorescence evaluator for the diagnosis and treatment of dental caries based on the imaging and autofluorescence of dental tissues has continued into the treatment phase by using it to detect and remove the carious lesion after initial cavity preparation. The aims of this series of in vivo experiments are to compare and analyze the brightness variations of sound dentin and active and arrested carious dentin illuminated with an intraoral LED camera and to determine if this new device could be helpful in daily practice to discriminate between caries and sound dentin.