Faculty Bibliography

Introduction/UNASSIGNED:. The present case series describe four cases in the esthetic zone that achieved hemostasis ablation without collateral damage to enhance gingival balance of definitive restoration. The gingivoplasty and gingivectomy modes are used to achieve efficient tissue ablation. Although there is no specific mode indicated in the FDA laser requirement for gingival depigmentation, the procedure could be safely performed with the dual-wavelength diode laser. Result/UNASSIGNED:All four patients revealed a good esthetic outcome and reported no pain postoperatively. Healing was uneventful, and definitive restoration was delivered within two to four weeks postoperatively. Conclusion/UNASSIGNED:Within the limitation of these case series, the dual-wavelength super pulsed diode laser has the capacity to deliver peak powers resulting in efficient cutting and less tissue charring and also as an alternative tool for removal of gingival pigmentation. Prospective clinical research with larger sample size is needed for conclusive results.

Pseudo class III malocclusion is reverse anterior occlusion or anterior cross-bite with first molars and canines in a class I relationship. It is very important to diagnose the pseudo class III from true skeletal class III. The combination of anterior displacement of the mandible, tooth wear, and loss of occlusal vertical dimension (OVD) in adults may result anterior cross-bite. The key factor in diagnosis of this malocclusion is an interdisciplinary approach with an orthodontist. Cephalometric images are essential for diagnosis of pseudo class III mal-occlusion. Most relevant publications on correcting this condition have recommended either full-coverage restorations or extraction and placement of implants to correct this malocclusion. Advances of material and technology may help dental practitioners to restore tooth wear and OVD with a conservative approach without removing more tooth structures. This clinical report shows the treatment of pseudo class III with minimally invasive treatment using partial coverage restorations fabricated with lithium disilicate.

OBJECTIVE:The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a shade-matching light (Rite-Lite-2, AdDent) and different viewing backgrounds on reliability in a test of shade tab matching. MATERIALS AND METHODS/METHODS:Four members of the Prosthodontic faculty matched 10 shade tabs selected for a range of shades against the shade guide. All raters were tested for color blindness and were calibrated prior to the study. Matching took place under four combinations of conditions: with operatory light or the shade-matching light, and using either a pink or a blue background. Reliability was quantified with the kappa statistic, separately for agreement of value, hue, and chroma for each shade tab. RESULTS:In general, raters showed fair to moderate levels of agreement when judging the value of the shade tabs, but could not agree on the hue and chroma of the stimuli. The pink background led to higher levels of agreement than the blue background, and the shade-matching light improved agreement when used in conjunction with the pink but not the blue background. CONCLUSIONS:Moderate levels of agreement were found in matching shade tab value. Agreement was generally better when using the pink rather than the blue background, regardless of light source. The use of the shade-matching light tended to amplify the advantage of the pink background.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: The mechanical-chemical technique and the use of a laser are methods for displacing the gingiva to make an accurate impression of the preparation for a complete crown. The tissue needs to be displaced and the hemorrhage controlled to capture the prepared finishing line in the impression. The degree of undesirable gingival recession after these displacement techniques is unknown. PURPOSE: The purpose of this pilot study was to clinically monitor and compare the regeneration of the gingival tissue by using 2 methods of gingival displacement in the same participant: the mechanical-chemical technique with double cords impregnated with aluminum chloride and the 810 nm diode laser (Odyssey; Ivoclar Vivadent AG). MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 6 participants needing 2 crowns on natural teeth were included in this study. At the first visit, the teeth were prepared with a 0.5-mm subgingival finishing line and interim crowns were fabricated. One of the teeth was randomly assigned to the double cord technique with 2 (# 000 and # 1) impregnated 5% aluminum chloride cords and the other to the 810 nm diode laser. An adjacent tooth served as a control. A device was made that would function as a fixed reference point for the measurements at different time intervals. A notch was created on the device to position the digital ruler between the occlusal notch and the free gingival margin to measure the distances. The measurements were recorded for each patient before displacement of the gingiva and at the time of cementation of the definitive crowns. The patients were followed at 1 week, 3 weeks, and 8 weeks after cementation of the definitive crowns. RESULTS: The amount of recession with the cord impregnated with aluminum chloride was 0.26 mm 8 weeks after cementation of the definitive crowns with a range between 0.00 mm and 0.72 mm. The diode laser showed an average recession of 0.27 mm with a range between 0.01 mm and 0.68 mm. CONCLUSIONS: This study found an average loss of gingival height of 0.26 mm for the double cord technique and 0.27 mm for the laser. The amount of recession was considered not clinically significant.

Implant-supported removable prostheses improve patients' satisfaction with treatment and quality of life. Improvements in the implant's surface and in attachment elements have made this treatment method very successful. However, some biological and mechanical complications remain. Mechanical complications associated with implant-supported overdentures and implant-supported removable partial dentures are loss of retention of attachment systems, the need to replace retention elements and to reline or repair the resin portion of the denture, and implant fracture. Despite their success, implant-supported removable prostheses require periodic maintenance.

Currently available ceramic systems offer a wide array of prosthetic advantages, including superior esthetics and enhanced physical and mechanical properties. The dental ceramic with the highest reported mechanical properties is zirconia. This clinical report describes a complete mouth implant rehabilitation with computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing technology and monolithic zirconia.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to survey program directors of postdoctoral prosthodontic programs in the United States regarding their programs' complete denture impression techniques. The key objectives of the survey were to identify the current trends in complete denture impression making and to determine which techniques and materials are taught in US postdoctoral prosthodontic programs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An online survey was sent to all program directors of US postdoctoral prosthodontic programs. The survey comprised two sections: preliminary impressions and final impressions. The survey contained 22 questions that would take approximately 5 minutes to complete. All responses remained anonymous throughout the survey. RESULTS: The response rate for the survey was 87%. A majority of the programs did not separately border mold the tray prior to making the preliminary impressions (82%). The impression material of choice for the preliminary impression was irreversible hydrocolloid (88%). Selective pressure was the predominantly used impression philosophy (80%). All programs border molded the custom tray, and 95% recorded the borders in sections. The material of choice for border molding the custom tray was modeling plastic impression compound (71%). The most commonly used impression material for the final impressions was polyvinylsiloxane (PVS) (42%), and the second most commonly used impression material was polysulphide (32%). The most common technique for locating the posterior palatal seal was marking intraorally and transferring onto the final impression (65%). Most programs routinely advised their patients not to wear their existing dentures for at least 24 hours before the final impressions were made (83%). CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results of this study, the following conclusions can be drawn: (1) The most commonly used material for the preliminary impression was irreversible hydrocolloid and for the final impression was PVS. (2) Modeling plastic impression compound was used by most programs to border mold the custom trays. (3) Selective pressure was the predominantly used impression philosophy. (4) A majority of the programs made a special consideration for excessive movable (flabby) tissue. (5) Most programs routinely advised their patients to not wear their existing dentures for at least 24 hours before the final impressions were made.

The purpose of this study was to compare the accuracy of casts made using three different impression techniques to obtain an accurate definitive cast for fabrication of multiple-implant prostheses. Twelve experimental groups were formed combining the following conditions: three impression techniques, two impression materials, and two cast materials. The main effects of the three factors were analyzed by three-way analysis of variance using the full factorial general linear model between factors. The results showed that there were no significant differences in mean values for the transferred dimensions between the control and experimental groups. None of the measurements in the horizontal plane of the definitive casts demonstrated significant differences among the impression techniques with different impression and cast materials (P > .01). Int J Prosthodont 2012;25:44-47.