[Dentinal hypersensivity after vertical stripping of enamel]

INTRODUCTION

Vertical stripping of enamel in patients with minor or moderate crowding of teeth and Angle's class I is an effective method which supplements orthodontic treatment. Stripping is an alternative to tooth extraction or to extension of alveolar arches which carries the risk of recurrence of crowding and further periodontal difficulties. Stripping also shortens considerably the duration of treatment. Apart from unquestionable advantages, enamel reduction may lead to complications such as caries or hypersensitivity of interproximal surfaces of stripped teeth. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of hypersensitivity and to measure the intensity of pain.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We performed a verbal and visual assessment of pain in a group of 32 patients who underwent stripping during the recent few years as part of orthodontic treatment.

RESULTS

According to verbal assessment, the highest percentage (46.9%) of patients rated their pain as 1 (gentle pain) which corresponded to 1-3 cm on the 10 cm Visual Analog Scale. 37.5% of patients reported no pain.

CONCLUSION

None of the patients described their pain as very strong and discouraging from further treatment. All symptoms subsided without recurrence. The patients found this method to be more effective than alternative ones.

[Response of dental pulp to self-etching adhesive systems used in indirect capping. A literature review]

OBJECTIVE

To review the literature on dental pulp responses to self-etching adhesive systems used in indirect capping.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Many studies in vitro and in vivo focused on biocompatibility of the self-etching adhesive system used in deep defects. Clinical and radiographic findings from animal and human studies are compared and discussed.

RESULTS

Self-etching adhesive systems may be useful when applied to dentin. The results in animal studies cannot be extrapolated directly to humans. Many studies in vitro have shown that components of self-etching adhesive systems exhibit cytotoxic effects in contact with cell cultures.

CONCLUSIONS

The reaction of dental pulp to self-etching bonding agents depends on the depth of defect, type of agent, and method of application.

[Long-term evaluation of filling from selected composite materials and their effect on tooth pulp]

The aim of this work was to assess the long-term performance of several composite fillings and the reaction of the dental pulp. The study group consisted of 102 patients treated at the Department of Conservative Dentistry, Pomeranian Academy of Medicine, and at the dentistry office of the author. Altogether, 155 restorations were done with Herculite, Pertac Hybrid, Valux Plus and Heliomolar materials. The patients reappeared for follow-up after 1, 3 and 5 years and the restorations were examined clinically using the quality criteria of Ryge for surface, shape and marginal adherence of the restoration. Marginal shunt was studied with extracted teeth and malachite green under conditions resembling those of the oral cavity. Electrical excitability of the pulp was determined with the Vitality Scanner apparatus. Opinions of the patients were sought with a questionnaire. The results were subjected to statistical analysis. No statistically significant differences between the composite materials used were found on the basis of Ryge's criteria, except for Pertac Hybrid which revealed deterioration of surface quality and adherence. Significantly worse marginal adherence with all composites was noted for class I defects according to Black. Electrical excitability of the dental pulp was uniformly reduced after five years from placement of the filling. The reduction was most evident for class I and II defects. A minor marginal shunt was found for all composite materials. Most of the patients were satisfied with the quality of the fillings.