Australian Dental Journal

September 2007 - Volume 52 Number 3

REVIEW

Contemporary Class II orthodontic and orthopaedic treatment: a review The literature regarding the dental and facial soft tissue effects of various forms of contemporary Class II orthodontic and orthopaedic treatment is reviewed. Treatment outlined includes the use of headgear and functional appliances to attempt to modify the facial growth process and the extractions of premolar teeth as part of overall fixed appliance treatment.

N Tadic M Woods

ADRF RESEARCH REPORT

Laser-activated fluoride treatment of enamel as prevention against erosion Erosion is the loss of dental hard tissues from an acidic challenge, often resulting in exposure of dentinal tubules and hypersensitivity to environmental stimuli. Laser-activated fluoride (LAF) therapy with 488nm laser energy has been shown previously to increase the resistance of human enamel and dentine to acid dissolution. The aims of this study were to investigate the action spectrum of LAF in protecting tooth enamel from softening in response to an erosive challenge, and to examine for any temperature change with the treatment

J Vlacic IA Meyers LJ Walsh

SCIENTIFIC ARTICLES

The survival of vital and non-vital deciduous molar teeth following pulpotomy There is scant evidence supporting the criteria for establishing the suitability of a deciduous molar for a pulpotomy. Although some criteria, such as patient age, are logical the importance of other factors on tooth survival has not been established.	MW Hill
An in vitro investigation of marginal dentine caries abutting composite resin and glass ionomer cement restorations There are a number of studies citing the primary reason for replacing auto cure glass ionomer cements was due to recurrent caries. The purpose of this study was to use an in vitro model to measure caries at the dentine restoration interface of bonded composite resin and auto cure glass ionomer cement restorations and to measure the amount of surface degradation occurring in the restorative materials.	GM Knight JM McIntyre GG Craig Mulyani PS Zilm NJ Gully
An in vitro evaluation of the accuracy of Dentaport ZX apex locator in enlarged root canals The aim of this study was to examine the effects of root canal irrigants on the accuracy of Dentaport ZXTM® electronic apex locator (EAL) in enlarged root canals. Our previous study revealed that as the diameter of the root canal increased, the electronically measured length with small size files became shorter in the presence of blood. It is not known whether different canal irrigants would interfere with the reading accuracy of an EAL in enlarged root canals.	AK Ebrahim R Wadachi H Suda
Profile of the oral health among ambulant older Greek and Italian migrants living in Melbourne Over the last 50 years an increasing number of migrants have settled in Australia. These immigrants now constitute a large proportion of the Australian population, and some research suggests that they may be at high-risk for oral diseases.	R Marino H Calache C Wright M Morgan M Schofield V Minichiello
Demographic, health and lifestyle factors associated with dental service attendance by young adults The aim of this study was to describe the demographic and health and lifestyle factors associated with dental service attendance in the previous 12 months by young Australian adults (18–24 years).	LM Slack-Smith CR Mills MK Bulsara MJ O'Grady
An investigation into dentists' perceptions of barriers to providing care of dental trauma to permanent maxillary incisors in children in Victoria, Australia Perceived barriers in the treatment of dental trauma may influence the optimum management of dental trauma. Any hesitation that dentists might have in managing dental trauma is important to investigate. The aim of this study was to investigate dentists’ perceptions of barriers to providing care of dental trauma to permanent maxillary incisors in children.	T Yeng P Parashos
Incidence and progression of approximal carious lesions among school children in Western Australia An understanding of carious lesion behaviour is important in timing and frequency of radiographic examinations. The aim of this study was to examine the occurrence and behaviour of approximal enamel lesions in permanent teeth among children in Western Australia and test the effect of easily measured factors on the rate of lesion progression.	P Arrow
Attachment of periodontal fibroblasts to barrier membranes coated with platelet-rich plasma This study evaluated the attachment of human periodontal ligament (HPDL) and human gingival (HG) fibroblasts onto commercially available barrier membranes coated with platelet-rich plasma (PRP).	T Chang Q Liu V Marino PM Bartold

CLINICAL REPORT

Provisional restoration options in implant dentistry Unlike their use in conventional crown and bridge, provisional restorations during implant therapy have been underutilized. Provisional restorations should be used to evaluate aesthetic, phonetic and occlusal function prior to delivery of the final implant restorations, while preserving and/or enhancing the condition of the peri-implant and gingival tissues. Provisional restorations are useful as a communication tool between members of the treatment team which, in most cases, consists of the restorative clinician, implant surgeons, laboratory technicians, and the patient. This article describes and discusses the various options for provisionalization in implant dentistry. Clinicians should be aware of the different types of provisional restorations and the indications for their use when planning implant retained restorations.

RE Santosa

CASE REPORT

Aesthetic management of severely fluorosed incisors in an adolescent female Dental fluorosis is a condition of enamel hypomineralization due to the effects of excessive fluoride on ameloblasts during enamel formation. Delayed degradation of enamel matrix proteins or inhibited protein removal results in impaired and incomplete crystal growth, producing hypomineralized and porous enamel. Severely fluorosed teeth may undergo post-eruptive surface breakdown and post-eruptive dark brown to black staining.

F Ng DJ Manton

DATA WATCH

Dental caries experience in the Australian adult population This paper reports the prevalence and severity of dental caries experience in the Australian adult population in the 2004–2006 period. It also reports the trend of caries experience in the population during the preceding 17-year period.

Australian Research Centre for Population Oral Health, The University of Adelaide, South Australia

COCHRANE REVIEW

Complete or ultraconservative removal of decayed tissue in unfilled teeth The treatment of deep dental decay has traditionally involved removal of all the soft demineralized dentine before a filling is placed. However, this has been challenged in three groups of studies which involve sealing soft caries into the tooth.

DNJ Ricketts EAM Kidd N Innes J Clarkson

CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Self-assessment Quiz - September 2007