A Conservative Approach for Restoring Anterior Guidance: A Case Report

Pre-orthodontic restorative treatment of microdontia diastema teeth using composite injection technique with a digital workflow-Case report

Restorative treatment of microdontia teeth is often considered as the final step of post-orthodontic treatment. Based on digital workflow, this clinical report presents pre-orthodontic reshaping of anterior teeth in the smile disharmony of a young patient using bilayering composite injection technique. Transparent silicone indexes for dentin and enamel fillings were fabricated from three-dimensional-printed models of the digital wax-up. This noninvasive, simple and straightforward injection technique was able to provide semipermanent reversible aesthetic restorations while awaiting for adulthood and definitive prosthodontic solution. Closure of diastemas before orthodontic treatment were carried out to restore functional contact point and to guide future teeth movements.

[The value of an occlusal adjustment: why?, how?, and when? case report]

The aim of optimal dentistry is to stabilise the stomatognathic system (teeth, periodontium, muscles and temporomandibular joint). All of these must work in harmony, as together they provide optimal care from diagnosis through planning to treatment. However, many clinicians currently give little importance to the identification of premature contacts and/or interferences prior to any dental treatment, which should be taken into account to provide improved stability in mandibular closure, correct anterior and canine guidance in mandibular movements.This clinical case describes the treatment of a patient with a diagnosis of functional occlusal disorder due to premature contact, whose treatment consisted of an occlusal adjustment by selective wear, following the technique described by the author Klineberg, with the aim of preserving the dental structure as much as possible while maintaining control during the occlusal adjustment and returning the greatest number of symmetrical and pointed contacts.

Coronal Restorations and Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) Dysfunction: A Survey Among General Practitioners of the Town of Abidjan

Background:

The paper surveyed the knowledge of general practitioners to coronal restorations and temporomandibular dysfunction. The specific aim of this study was to evaluate the knowledge and therapeutic approaches of the general practitioners in terms of restoring occlusion, aesthetics and function after restorative treatments in other to make recommendations to prevent potential dysfunction of the temporomandibular joint.

Methodology:

A cross sectional descriptive survey was used. It was carried out on 86 dentists out of the entire population size of 152 dentists practicing within Abidjan’s center municipality, randomly selected from the database provided by the National College of Dental Surgeons of Ivory Coast. A structured questionnaire was administered to collect data, which was subsequently collated and analysed.

Results:

The majority of the practitioners (95.4%) knew how to diagnose TMJ dysfunction. The etiological factors were stress for 55.2% of the practitioners and amalgam overhang for 49.4% of them. The precautions used to avoid TMJ disorders consisted of good control of the occlusion after having performed a restoration (55%) and taking into account the occlusal morphology (32%) at the time of shaping. Fifty-four percent of the practitioners systematically reevaluated the restorations undertaken.

Conclusion:

Impairment of occlusion results in improper muscular responses and leads to changes in pressure at the level of the temporomandibular joint. This study revealed that the general practitioners of the town of Abidjan have a good level of knowledge of the consequences of poorly carried out restorations on the initiation of masticatory apparatus disorders.

Polymerization shrinkage, microhardness and depth of cure of bulk fill resin composites

The present in vitro study assessed the polymerization shrinkage/PS, Knoop microhardness/KHN and depth of cure/DC of 9 different resin composites : Filtek Bulk Fill Flowable (FBF), Surefill SDR flow (SDR), Xtra Base (XB), Filtek Z350XT Flowable (Z3F), Filtek Bulk Fill Posterior (FBP), Xtra Fill (SF), Tetric Evo Ceram Bulk Fill (TBF), Admira Fusion Xtra (ADM), and Filtek Z350XT (Z3XT). PS was assessed with a µ-CT machine, scanning 64 mm³ samples (n=8) before and after 20 s curing. KHN and DC were performed with a microhardness tester (n=8 for each group) right after 20 s light curing, with 3 readings per depth at every 0.5 mm. Low viscosity resin composites showed lower KHN values when compared with high viscosity resins. Z3XT showed the highest microhardness among the tested resin composites. Z3XT and Z3F showed lower DC when compared with bulk fill resin composites. All bulk fill resin composites presented depth of cure higher than 4.5 mm and similar or lower PS than conventional resin composites.

Minimally Invasive Adhesive Rehabilitation for a Patient With Tooth Erosion: Seven-year Follow-up

Tooth wear is a multifactorial condition of growing concern. In clinical practice, it is often a challenge for prevention and treatment since many etiological factors may be involved. This case report describes an esthetic rehabilitation of a young patient presenting tooth wear due to erosion. The etiological factor of this case was the patient sucking on lemons, an acidic fruit. The main complaint of the patient was the appearance of short maxillary incisors. The treatment involved orthodontic and restorative dentistry techniques. First of all, an orthodontic device was used to increase the vertical dimension of occlusion and create an adequate space for the direct restorations. The posterior teeth were restored with two direct composite resin techniques; the anterior teeth were then restored using a balanced occlusion. The seven-year follow-up of the case is presented. Replicas of the restorations were made and visualized under scanning electron microscopy up to the 12-month evaluation. In the clinical follow-up at seven years, maintenance of the results and restorations can be clearly seen.

Sleep bruxism: challenges and restorative solutions

Bruxism is a parafunctional activity related to clenching or grinding the teeth and tooth wear can be a consequence of sleep bruxism (SB). Management of severe tooth wear due to SB is a challenging situation because of the common reduced amount of remaining dental structure and loss of vertical dimension of occlusion. Rationale for the planning of oral rehabilitation of patients with SB presenting severe tooth wear should rely on evidence-based approaches; however, few studies have discussed properties of dental materials for SB rehabilitation and how to cosmetically manage severe tooth wear. This review aimed to provide an overview into bruxism cosmetic rehabilitation and how this can be implemented with good outcomes for the patient.

Conservative Restoration of Worn Mandibular Anterior Teeth Combining Gingival Repositioning and a Template Matricing Technique

Conservative resin composite restoration of worn mandibular anterior teeth may offer an alternative option to full-coverage restorations for the patient. Assessment of the occlusal condition is critical because alterations in occlusal vertical dimension may not always be possible. By exposing additional coronal tooth structure, periodontal crown-lengthening procedures can serve to increase clinical crown height when adequate attached gingival tissue is present and supra-eruption has likely occurred. Fabrication of a custom template made from a diagnostic mock-up with proximal stainless steel matrices helps contribute to a predictable restorative result and improves chairside efficiency for the dental practice. By combining gingival crown lengthening, bonding of resin composite material, and selective occlusal adjustment; a short to medium-term, conservative option can be made available for the patient.

Occlusal wear and occlusal condition in a convenience sample of young adults

OBJECTIVE

To study progression of tooth wear quantitatively in a convenient sample of young adults and to assess possible correlations with occlusal conditions.

METHODS

Twenty-eight dental students participated in a three-year follow up study on tooth wear. Visible wear facets on full arch gypsum casts were assessed using a flatbed scanner and measuring software. Regression analyses were used to assess possible associations between the registered occlusal conditions 'occlusal guidance scheme', 'vertical overbite', 'horizontal overbite', 'depth of sagittal curve', 'canine Angle class relation', 'history of orthodontic treatment', and 'self-reported grinding/clenching' (independent variables) and increase of wear facets (dependent variable).

RESULTS

Mean increase in facet surface areas ranged from 1.2 mm2 (premolars, incisors) to 3.4 mm2 (molars); the relative increase ranged from 15% to 23%. Backward regression analysis showed no significant relation for 'group function', 'vertical overbite', 'depth of sagittal curve', 'history of orthodontic treatment' nor 'self-reported clenching. The final multiple linear regression model showed significant associations amongst 'anterior protected articulation' and 'horizontal overbite' and increase of facet surface areas. For all teeth combined, only 'anterior protected articulation' had a significant effect. 'Self reported grinding' did not have a significant effect (p>0.07).

CONCLUSIONS

In this study 'anterior protected articulation' and 'horizontal overbite', were significantly associated with the progression of tooth wear. Self reported grinding was not significantly associated with progression of tooth wear.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE

Occlusal conditions such as anterior protected articulation and horizontal overbite seem to have an effect on the progression of occlusal tooth wear in this convenient sample of young adults.

Effectiveness of two physical therapy interventions, relative to dental treatment in individuals with bruxism: study protocol of a randomized clinical trial

Background

Bruxism is a parafunctional habit characterized by grinding and/or clenching of the teeth. It may happen while awake (awake bruxism) or while sleeping (sleep bruxism). In adults, the prevalence is 20% for the awake bruxism and 8% for the sleep bruxism. Peripheral, central, and psychosocial factors influence the disorder, which may predispose to pain in the masticatory muscles and neck, headache, decreased pain thresholds in the masticatory and cervical muscles, limitation mandibular range of motion, sleep disorders, stress, anxiety, depression, and overall impairment of oral health. The aim of this study is to compare two distinct physical therapy interventions with dental treatment in pain, mandibular range of motion, sleep quality, anxiety, stress, depression, and oral health in individuals with bruxism.

Methods/Design

Participants will be randomized into one of three groups: Group 1 (n = 24) intervention will consist of massage and stretching exercises; Group 2 (n = 24) will consist of relaxation and imagination therapies; and Group 3 (n = 24) will receive dental treatment. The evaluations will be performed at baseline, immediately after treatment, and at 2-month follow-up. Pain intensity will be assessed using the visual analogical scale, while pain thresholds will be determined using dolorimetry. Mandibular range of motion will be assessed using digital pachymeter. Sleep quality will be assessed by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, anxiety by the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, stress by the Perceived Stress Scale-10, depression by the Beck Depression Inventory, and oral health will be assessed using the Oral Health Impact Profile - 14. Significance level will be determined at the 5% level.

Discussion

This project describes the randomization method that will be used to compare two physical therapy interventions with dental treatment in the management of pain, mandibular range of motion, sleep quality, anxiety, stress, depression, and oral health in individuals with bruxism. The study will support the practice of evidence-based physical therapy for individuals with bruxism. Data will be published after study is completed.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT01778881