Background: An accurate adaptation of the crown to the finish line is essential to minimize cement dissolution and to preserve periodontium in fixed partial denture cases. An accurate adaptation of crown is possible only when preparation details are captured adequately in the impression and transferred to cast. For these reasons, gingival displacement is necessary to capture subgingival preparation details.The aim of the present study is to measure in vivo the horizontal displacement of the gingival sulcus obtained by using three new cordless retraction materials (Magic Foam Cord®, Racegel and Astringent Retraction Paste) in comparison to medicated retraction cord. Materials and method: Thirty-two patients requiring porcelain fused to metal fixed partial denture for replacement of a missing maxillary posterior tooth (either one of thepremolars or the first molar). The patients are randomly divided into four groups of eight patients each according to the type of gingival retraction material used as follows: Group I: Medicated retraction cord (racemic epinephrine hydrochloride 0.3 ± 0.2 mg per inch of cord, #00), Group II: Magic Foam Cord® (expanding polyvinyl siloxane), Group III: Racegel (25% aluminum chloride gel) and Group IV: Astringent Retraction Paste (15% aluminum chloride paste). Three depth orientation grooves were prepared in the buccal and palatal surfaces of a maxillary premolar parallel with the long axis of the tooth, extending from the middle third to the gingival third with the level of the free gingiva using a flat-ended diamond fissure bur. Impression of the gingival sulcus was then made using monophase polyether impression material (Impregum™ Penta™ Soft, 3M ESPE, Germany), before and after gingival retraction with either of the aforementioned gingival retraction materials. The sulcus width, before and after gingival retraction was measured on the master cast (in µm), after its sectioning longitudinally bucco-palatally at the middle of the prepared grooves using a rotary diamond disc. The measurement carried out by using digital microscope (Dino-Lite)at a magnification of 230X. The horizontal gingival displacement (the distance from the end of each prepared groove to the crest of the gingiva) measured by subtracting the gingival sulcus width after retraction from that before retraction. Results: The findings of the present study showed that the highest mean of horizontal gingival displacement is recorded by Group IV (Astringent Retraction Paste) (250.7900 µm), whereas the lowest mean of horizontal gingival displacement is recorded by Group III (Racegel) (78.0988 µm). One-way ANOVA test showed statistically highly significant differences among groups (p< 0.01). Least Significant Difference test (LSD test) was also used to make multiple comparisons among groups and revealed a statistically highly significant difference between each two groups (p< 0.01). Conclusion: The two new gingival retraction pastes (Astringent Retraction Paste and Magic Foam Cord®) could be used for gingival retraction as alternatives to medicated retraction cord. They offer advantages of simplified placement technique and shorter application time with greater gingival retraction. Meanwhile, the use of Racegel alone is not recommended for gingival retraction since it provides the least gingival displacement.
Background: Polymeric composites have been widely used as dental restorative materials. A fundamental knowledge and understanding of the behavior of these materials in the oral cavity is essential to improve their properties and performance. The goal of this study was to measure water sorption of four composite resins containing different filler and resin matrix contents. Materials and method: Resin composite specimens giomer (Beautifil II) Filtek™ P90, Filtek™ Z350 XT, and Tetric N Ceram were prepared in a cylindrical mould of 3mm thickness and 6mm diameter (n=10) and light cured . All specimens placed in silica-gel desiccators at 37˚C for seven days, a constant weight was obtained. All samples were immersed in deionized distill
... Show MoreBackground: Orthodontic tooth movement is characterized by tissue reactions, which consist of an inflammatory response in periodontal ligament and followed by bone remodeling in the periodontium depending on the forces applied. These processes trigger the secretion of various proteins and enzymes into the saliva.The purpose of this study was to evaluate the activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in saliva during orthodontic tooth movement using different magnitude of continuous orthodontic forces. Materials and Methods: Thirty orthodontic patients (12 males and 18 females) aged 17-23 years with class II division I malocclusion all requiring bilateral maxillary first premolar extractions were randomly divided into three groups according to t
... Show MoreIntroduction: Articaine was developed in 1969, with reported advantages which are increased potency, increased duration of its anesthetic effect and superior diffusion through bony tissue. The effectiveness of using 4% articaine infiltration for extraction of mandibular molar teeth in comparison to 2% lidocaine inferior alveolar nerve block is not settled yet. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of using 4% articaine infiltration for extraction of mandibular molars by comparing it to the use of 2% lidocaine inferior alveolar nerve block in terms of success, the volume of local anesthetic agents and the pain experienced during the procedure. Materials and methods: A prospective randomized controlled study included
... Show MoreBackground: Proper cleaning and shaping of the whole root canal space have been recognized as a real challenge, particularly in oval-shaped canals.This in vitro study was conducted to evaluate and compare the efficiency of different instrumentation systems in removing of dentin debris at three thirds of oval-shaped root canals and to compare the percentage of remaining dentin debris among the three thirds for each instrumentation system. Materials and methods: Fifty freshly extracted human mandibular molars with single straight oval-shaped distal root canals were randomly divided into five groups of ten teeth each. Group One: instrumentation with ProTaper Universal hand instruments, Group Two: instrumentation with ProTaper Universal rotary
... Show MoreBackground: The aims of the study were to evaluate the unclean/clean root canal surface areas with a histopathological cross section view of the root canal and the isthmus and to evaluate the efficiency of instrumentation to the isthmus using different rotary instrumentation techniques. Materials and Methods:The mesial roots of thirty human mandibular molars were divided into six groups, each group was composed of five roots (10 root canals)which prepared and irrigated as: Group one A: Protaper system to size F2 and hypodermic syringe, Group one B: Protaper system to size F2 and endoactivator system, Group two A:Wave One small then primary file and hypodermic syringe, Group two B:Wave One small then primary file and endoactivator system, Gr
... Show MoreBackground: The ideal force-delivery system must: provide optimal tooth moving forces that elicit the desired effects, be comfortable and hygienic for the patient, require minimal operator manipulation and patient cooperation and provide rapid tooth movement with minimal mobility during orthodontic therapy, the elastomeric chains have the greatest potential to fulfill these requirements. Materials and Methods: This in vitro study was designed to determine the effect of three different mechanisms for canine retraction : (6-3 , 6-5-3 and chain loop ) on the load relaxation behavior of three types of elastomeric chains : (maximum clear , maximum silver and extreme silver) from the same company (Ortho Technology company) with two different bran
... Show MoreIn the present work the Buildup factor for gamma rays were studied in shields from epoxy reinforced by lead powder and by aluminum powder, for NaI(Tl) scintillation detector size ( ×? ), using two radioactive sources (Co-60 and Cs-137). The shields which are used (epoxy reinforced by lead powder with concentration (10-60)% and epoxy reinforced by aluminum powder with concentration (10-50)% by thick (6mm) and epoxy reinforced by lead powder with concentration (50%) with thick (2,4,6,8,10)mm. The experimental results show that: The linear absorption factor and Buildup factor increase with increase the concentration for the powders which used in reinforcement and high for aluminum powder than the lead powder and decrease with inc
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The current study aimed to identify the quality of health services provided by the Omani health sector through the comparison between public and private hospitals in Dhofar Governorate, Oman. A questionnaire has been developed to collect data from 360 patients who received health services in one public Hospital (Sultan Qaboos) and three private Hospitals (Badr Al-Sama, Lifeline, and Al-Hakeeim). The data were analyzed using independent samples T-Test and One Way ANOVA. The results of the study showed that the quality levels of health services offered in private hospitals were better than public hospitals. The study results also reveled that there are significant differences between public hospitals and private hos
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