The purpose of this study was to determine the wear and compressive strength of a calcium hydroxide liner after exposure to different kinds of dentin primers for different periods of time.

The calcium hydroxide used in this study was Dycal™. It was mixed according to the manufacturer's instructions and placed in plastic rings of 0.5 mm x 5 mm and allowed to set at 37°C for 15 min under 500 gm load. To determine erosion, the height for each sample before and after application of primers was recorded using a Digital Height Measuring Instrument “Digmar” 817. Compressive strength specimens were also prepared.

Calcium hydroxide treated with Optibond (alcohol based) or Syntac (acetone based) for 1 min or 5 min had the highest erosion values and the lowest compressive strength values. Gluma CPs (water based primer) had the least effect on calcium hydroxide values.

El-Araby A, Al-Jabab A. The Influence of Some Dentin Primers on Calcium Hydroxide Lining Cement. J Contemp Dent Pract 2005 May;(6)2:001-009.

In menopausal women many physiological changes take place, most of which are due to decreased estrogen production. It is known estrogen influences oral health in a number of ways and saliva undergoes variations depending upon the levels of this hormone.

The study was designed to evaluate the relationship of menopause, hormone replacement therapy (HRT), alendronate (ALN), and calcium supplements on salivary flow rate, saliva pH, and electrolytes. A group of a group of 14 osteoporotic women in menopause with an age average of 50.7 and 14 non-menopausal women with an age average of 42.4 and were selected as subjects. The oral status of the subjects was determined using the Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs (CPITN), the Decayed, Missing and Filled Teeth (DMFT) and the Decayed, Missing and Filled Surfaces (DMFS) indicies.

The non-stimulated whole saliva samples were subsequently collected from the women in both the control and experimental groups and then analyzed biochemically. The women comprising the experimental group received HRT supplemented with ALN and calcium; saliva collecting and analyzing procedures were repeated at the third and sixth months of the treatment.

The most significant oral discomfort in women in the menopausal period was oral dryness, and this symptom was relieved after HRT with ALN and calcium supplements. The oral status of the nonmenopausal women was better than the women in menopause. The salivary flow rate was decreased in the menopausal period and increased after HRT, ALN, and calcium supplementation. The saliva pH values were not affected by menopause and HRT with ALN and calcium supplementation. The level of Na⁺ was increased with menopause and did not change with HRT supplemented with ALN and calcium, whereas the K⁺ level decreased in the menopausal period and remained constant after HRT with ALN and calcium. The Cl^- level was not affected by menopause and the HRT supplemented with ALN and calcium. The Ca⁺⁺ level was not different in the two groups of women and did not change after HRT supplemented with ALN and calcium.

HRT with ALN and calcium supplementation affected some factors in saliva positively.

Yalcin F, Gurgan S, Gurgan T. The Effect of Menopause, Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT), Alendronate (ALN), and Calcium Supplements on Saliva. J Contemp Dent Pract 2005 May;(6)2:010-017.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of at-home (Opalesence/Dr. kit 15%, Ultradent, Products, Inc. South Jordan, UT, USA) and in-office (Superoxol 35%, Sultan Chemists, Inc., Englewood, NJ, USA) bleaching on the surface hardness of the following tooth colored restorative materials: composite resin, Point-4 (P4), Kerr Corporation, Orange, CA, USA; ormocer, Admira (AD),VOCO, Germany; compomer Dyract AP (DY), Dentsply DeTrey GmbH, Germany; and resin modified glass ionomer cement, Fuji II LC (FL), GC Corporation, Japan.

Sixty specimens were prepared; 15 specimens of each material (each group n = 5, control after 15 days, at-home and in-office). All specimens were stored in distilled water at room temperature for 24 hrs before testing. A universal testing machine (Micromet 2100 series micro hardness testers) was used for testing Vicker's surface hardness for the three groups for every tested material. All results were statistically analyzed with one way analysis of variance (ANOVA), Post hoc Tukey HSD tests (P<0.05), and percentage changes for Tukey.

All the tested materials showed an increase in Vicker's surface hardness between base line (24 hrs) and the control group after 15 days storage in distilled water except DY which showed a decrease in surface hardness. All tested materials showed a decrease in surface hardness from control group after 15 days and both at-home and in-office bleaching agents except DY which showed increased values.

At-home as well as in-office bleaching agents have a softening effect on some tooth colored restorative material, and the patient must be aware before using them.

Taher NM. The Effect of Bleaching Agents on the Surface Hardness of Tooth Colored Restorative Materials. J Contemp Dent Pract 2005 May;(6)2:018-026.

Isik F, Sayinsu K, Arun T, Ünlüçerçi Y. Bone Marker Levels in Gingival Crevicular Fluid During Orthodontic Intrusive Tooth Movement: A Preliminary Study. J Contemp Dent Pract 2005 May;(6)2:027-035.

Hashim HA, Al-Ghamdi SAF. Tooth Width and Arch Dimensions in Normal and Malocclusion Samples: An Odontometric Study. J Contemp Dent Pract 2005 May;(6)2:036-051.

Al-Jasser NM. Cephalometric Evaluation for Saudi Population Using the Downs and Steiner Analysise. J Contemp Dent Pract 2005 May;(6)2:052-063.

To evaluate dentists’ prescription writing patterns and their appreciation of the characteristics of antibiotics.

Evaluation of drug prescriptions written over a six-month period.

Dental Hospital, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.

Retrospective analysis of 313 prescriptions written by dentists attending to outpatient dental patients.

The total number of drugs on one prescription ranged from one to seven with Penicillins being the most commonly prescribed drug. Some prescriptions were found to be incorrect with regards to dose, frequency, and duration. Instructions as to the best time of administering drugs with regards to meals were not stated in any prescription.

Improvement through continuing education is desired on the part of prescribers to ensure a good standard of care and avoid practices that may increase antimicrobial resistance. Drug information services including side effects and drug interactions for professionals and consumers at the hospital is highly desirable.

Ogunbodede EO, Fatusi AO, Folayan MO, Olayiwola G. Retrospective Survey of Antibiotic Prescriptions in Dentistry. J Contemp Dent Pract 2005 May;(6)2:064-071.

Keyf F, Yalcin F. The Weight Change of Various Light-Cured Restorative Materials Stored in Water. J Contemp Dent Pract 2005 May;(6)2:072-079.

Foloyan MO, Otuyemi OD, Esan TA, Adeleke AA, Adedigba MA. Pattern of Dental Extraction in Children in a Nigerian Tertiary Hospital. J Contemp Dent Pract 2005 May;(6)2:080-090.

Udoye CI, Oginni AO, Oginni FO. Dental Anxiety Among Patients Undergoing Various Dental Treatments in a Nigerian Teaching Hospital. J Contemp Dent Pract 2005 May;(6)2:091-098.

Bamber MA, Vachiramon A. Surgical Wafers: A Comparative Study. J Contemp Dent Pract 2005 May;(6)2:099-106.

Walters PA. Dentinal Hypersensitivity: A Review. J Contemp Dent Pract 2005 May;(6)2:107-117.

Anand PS, Nandakumar K. Management of Periodontitis Associated with Endodontically Involved Teeth: A Case Series. J Contemp Dent Pract 2005 May;(6)2:118-129.

Martins WD, Fávaro DM. Aneurysmal Bone Cyst of the Coronoid Process of the Mandible: A Case Report. J Contemp Dent Pract 2005 May;(6)2: 130-138.

Sedon CL, Breault LG, Covington LL, Bishop BG. The Subepithelial Connective Tissue Graft: Part II. Histologic Healing and Clinical Root Coverage. J Contemp Dent Pract 2005 May;(6)2:139-150.

Covington M, Breault LG, O'Brien JJ, Hatfield CH, Vasquez SM, Lutka RW. An Innovative Tobacco Use Cessation Program for Military Dental Clinics. J Contemp Dent Pract 2005 May;(6)2:151-163.

Naylor WP, Muñoz-Viveros CA. The Art of Scientific Writing: How to Get Your Research Published! J Contemp Dent Pract 2005 May;(6)2:164-180.