bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Recruitment and standardization of a group of Australian dentists for a multipractice study on dental caries prevention
Authors: Curtis B. , Evans RW , Sbaraini A. , Schwarz E. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract
Background
: This introductory paper details the recruitment and standardization of a group of dentists participating in a clinical trial. The trial is being undertaken to determine the cost‐effectiveness of a structured preventive programme compared to standard care within private dental practices. We recruited private dental practitioners from a variety of locations in New South Wales (NSW) and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). We sought to quantify the diagnostic reliability of dentists involved, and to define, quantify, and analyse standard care.
Methods
: This is a multi‐centre, clustered randomized controlled trial, where dentists are allocated to an intervention preventive or control group. Recruitment was facilitated with the support of key stakeholders and included oral presentations at divisional meetings of the Australian Dental Association, NSW Branch (ADA). A detailed time‐in‐motion study of 426 dental procedures was undertaken in order to define the parameters of standard care. The reliability study involved each dentist reading a set of 12 pairs of bitewing radiographs that had been produced and reviewed under standardized conditions. The reliability analysis was undertaken blind to allocation status of the dentist.
Results
: Recruitment ceased three months into the planned six‐month recruitment period, 31 practices having approached the researchers. Eight suburban, five Central Business District (CBD), five rural (in fluoridated communities), and four rural (in non‐fluoridated communities) practices have been recruited. Standard care did not differ significantly between intervention and control practices (Mann‐Whitney U: z =‐0.50; P = 0.6). Diagnostic reliability was substantial (Kappa = 0.79 [range 0.73–0.81] and 0.78 [range 0.72–0.82]) in relation to the intervention and control practices, respectively; P = 0.6.
Conclusion
: The involvement of private dental practices in research is feasible and well supported by the profession. Standard care does not differ significantly between intervention and control practices. Inter‐and intra‐observer reliability was substantial, and not statistically different between the two arms of the trial.
Volumetric contraction in some tooth‐coloured restorative materials
Authors: Bryant RW , Mahler DB 
Published: March 2008

Abstract
Background
: Much of the concern about the setting contraction of tooth‐coloured restorative materials has been focused on the composite resins. This study investigated setting contraction of a range of glass‐ionomer materials and included, for comparison, products from other groups of restorative materials.
Methods
: A deflecting disk method was used to determine the volumetric contraction of three conventional (non‐light cured) glass‐ionomer cements (GICs), two restorative, one “lining” consistency and one adhesive/lining consistency resin‐modified glass‐ionomers (RMGIs), two resin adhesives, three restorative composite resins and two compomers. The influence of powder:liquid ratio on two hand‐mixed materials was also examined.
Results
: The light‐cured materials (including RMGIs) showed substantially greater per cent contraction at 5 minutes than did the three conventional GICs (not light cured) and a substantially greater proportion of the 30‐minute contraction had occurred at 5 minutes for these light‐cured materials. Their further contraction after 1 hour was generally less than 5 per cent of the 1 hour contraction.
Conclusion
: Although the conventional GICs contract more slowly in the first 5 minutes, by 30 minutes the current restorative GICs and RMGIs exhibit a volumetric setting contraction that is comparable with the composite resins and compomers and is generally in the range of 2–3 per cent.
Antimicrobial action of calcium hydroxide, chlorhexidine and their combination on endodontic pathogens
Authors: Ballal V. , Kundabala M. , Acharya S. , Ballal M. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract
Background
: The common recovery of Candida albicans and Enterococcus faecalis from failed root canals of teeth in which previous treatment has failed is notable. These organisms have been shown to be resistant to antimicrobial action of calcium hydroxide but are sensitive to chlorhexidine gluconate. The aim of the present in vitro study was to investigate the antimicrobial efficacy of calcium hydroxide paste, 2% chlorhexidine gel and their combination against Candida albicans and Enterococcus faecalis.
Methods
: Inoculae of these organisms were used to make lawn cultures on Sabouraud's dextrose agar and blood agar plates. Wells were prepared with these lawn cultures and filled with calcium hydroxide paste, 2% chlorhexidine gel and their combination. The agar plates were kept overnight for incubation at 37°C and the zone of inhibition was examined after 24 and 72 hours.
Results
: The results suggest that 2% chlorhexidine gel alone is more effective at 72 hours than calcium hydroxide paste alone or in combination with 2% chlorhexidine gel against both the organisms, even though calcium hydroxide showed better antifungal efficacy against Candida albicans at 24 hours.
Conclusion
: In failed root canal treatments, 2% chlorhexidine gel may be a more effective intracanal medicament than calcium hydroxide paste or their combination against Candida albicans and Enterococcus faecalis.
Caries experience among 45–54 year olds in Adelaide, South Australia
Authors: Brennan DS , Spencer AJ , Roberts‐Thomson KF 
Published: March 2008

Abstract
Background
: Middle‐aged adults are an important focus of dental policy with increasing retention of teeth and use of dental services. The aims of the study were to describe the caries experience of 45–54 year olds by dental visit pattern, dental behaviour, socio‐demographics and socio‐economic status.
Methods
: A random sample of 45–54 year olds from Adelaide, South Australia was surveyed by self‐complete questionnaire during 2004–2005 with up to four follow‐up mailings to non‐respondents (n = 879, response rate = 43.8 per cent). Oral examinations were performed by calibrated dentists on 709 persons (completion rate = 80.7 per cent).
Results
: The mean number (95% CI) of decayed teeth was 0.39 (0.31–0.47), with 5.25 (4.92–5.58) missing teeth, 11.0 (10.62–11.32) filled teeth, and DMFT was 16.61 (16.21–17.01). Multivariate regressions of caries experience by dental visit pattern, dental behaviour, socio‐demographics and socio‐economic status found: time since last visit of less than 12 months was related (P < 0.05) to fewer decayed teeth (β= ‐0.40), more filled teeth (β= 1.55) and a higher DMFT (β= 1.24); a last visit for relief of pain was related to more decayed teeth (β= 0.56); tooth brushing 8+ times per week was related to fewer decayed (β= ‐0.36), and missing teeth (β= ‐1.13), and lower DMFT (β= ‐1.58); not cleaning between teeth was related to more missing teeth (β= 0.94); males had fewer missing teeth (β= ‐0.76); having a diploma/degree was related to fewer missing teeth (β= ‐1.07) and lower DMFT (β= ‐1.27); card holder status was related to more missing teeth (β= 1.26); and household income of $80 000+ was related to fewer missing teeth (β= ‐0.96) and a lower DMFT (β= ‐1.35).
Conclusions
: Dental visit pattern, dental behaviour, socio‐demographics and socio‐economic status were all related to caries experience. Overall DMFT was lower for those who brushed more frequently, had higher levels of education and higher household income.
Contemporary Class II orthodontic and orthopaedic treatment: a review
Authors: Tadic N. , Woods M. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThe 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. The conclusions of numerous articles highlight the fact that many approaches to treatment can be successful in correcting Class II malocclusions. Findings reported in recent literature also now show that the extractions of premolar teeth, for instance, as part of Class II treatment, do not necessarily lead to direct soft tissue effects. If lip profile changes do occur, it seems that they are far more likely to be positive aesthetically, than negative.
The survival of vital and non‐vital deciduous molar teeth following pulpotomy
Authors: Hill MW 
Published: March 2008

Abstract Background: 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. Methods: All pulpotomies performed at 20 school dental clinics over a period of 15 months were reported together with date of birth, gender, tooth treated, presenting signs and symptoms, pulp status and date and method of treatment. Operators performed the treatment according to their usual procedures. Data were analysed statistically using Statview 5.0 (SAS Institute). Results: The outcome of pulpotomy of 465 deciduous teeth in 403 patients was evaluated. The mean age of the patients was 7.4 ± 0.1 years. Two hundred and seventy‐two teeth were vital and 193 were non‐vital. One hundred and ninety‐six teeth were treated with the one‐step formocresol method and 269 with the two‐step formocresol method. The age and gender of the patients did not differ between the vital and non‐vital groups. There was no influence of mode of treatment on the asymptomatic survival of the teeth in the mouth. The median survival times were significantly longer in vital (32.7 ± 1.4 months) than non‐vital teeth (20.4 ± 3.0 months; p < 0.0001). The only factors significantly influencing the survival of pulpotomized teeth were the age of the patient (p < 0.0001), the non‐vitality of the pulp (p < 0.0001) and the presence of a radiolucency (p=0.031). Conclusion: Both vital and non‐vital teeth were able to survive for extended periods following pulpotomy but the presence of an associated radiolucency or a non‐vital pulp at the time of treatment is negatively associated with time of survival.
Incidence and progression of approximal carious lesions among school children in Western Australia
Authors: Arrow P. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract Background: 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. Methods: Bitewing radiographs of children enrolled with the School Dental Service in Western Australia were scored for the occurrence and progression of enamel caries using established criteria. Time to lesion occurrence was estimated by the use of the Kaplan‐Meier analysis, bivariate tests of survival functions were undertaken using the log rank test and the influence of the measured factors were tested using the multivariate Cox proportional hazard model. Results: The median time to occurrence of enamel caries was 6.1 months; median time to dentine caries was 77.7 months. Multivariate analysis shows gender (hazard ratio, male 0.65), baseline permanent tooth caries experience (hazard ratio 1.15) and time at risk since eruption (hazard ratio 0.88) were important factors in the initiation of enamel caries while time since eruption (hazard ratio 0.87), clinician's rating of risk (hazard ratio, moderate risk 2.78, high risk 5.00) and residence in fluoridated area (hazard ratio, fluoridate 0.44) were all statistically significant for enamel caries progression. Conclusions: Time to occurrence of enamel lesions in approximal surfaces is relatively rapid while progression into dentine is relatively slow. Clinicians were able to assign the risk of lesion progression in a child. Residence in a fluoridated area has a marked retarding effect on enamel lesion progression but not on initiation of enamel lesions. These factors may be useful in developing a schedule for timing and frequency of radiographic examinations among children in Western Australia.
Aesthetic management of severely fluorosed incisors in an adolescent female
Authors: Ng F. , Manton DJ 
Published: March 2008

Abstract Background: 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. Methods: A 13 year old girl presented with severely discoloured maxillary central incisors. Initial aesthetic management of these teeth was conservative, including in‐office tooth whitening, microabrasion and take‐home whitening. Results: Dark brown to black staining of the teeth was reduced successfully without the need for gross mechanical preparation of the enamel. Further improvement of aesthetics was achieved with composite veneers. Conclusions: Conservative treatment options such as tooth whitening and microabrasion can dramatically improve severely discoloured fluorosed teeth. This can provide a satisfactory interim outcome or minimize the removal of discoloured enamel and dentine prior to the provision of composite veneers. The use of casein phosphopeptide‐amorphous calcium phosphate (CPP‐ACP™) may enhance remineralization and decrease postoperative sensitivity following tooth whitening and microabrasion procedures in hypomineralized teeth.
Geographic location and indirect costs as a barrier to dental treatment: a patient perspective
Authors: Curtis B. , Evans RW , Sbaraini A. , Schwarz E. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract Background: The recently published National Survey of Adult Oral Health 2004–06 indicated that tooth loss, mean decayed and number of DMF teeth were all higher outside capital city locations. In addition, dental attendance patterns were worse in terms of frequency, reason for visit, and continuity in rural and remote locations, but there was no difference by geographical location in terms of financial barriers to dental care. The objective of this research was to identify, quantify and analyse some of the non‐treatment costs associated with dental treatment from the perspective of the patient and to determine whether the perceived impact of those costs may limit access to dental care. Methods: This cohort study was nested within a clinical trial. Patients had been allocated to treatment arms within clusters dependent on the randomization status of the dental practice they usually attended, classified as major city, regional or remote. A questionnaire was developed from a series of focus groups in which patients were asked to identify the domains of non‐treatment costs associated with a dental visit that were important to them and to quantify those costs. Factor analysis was used to reduce these items to four core scales. These scales were assessed for reliability and validity. Regression and ANCOVA was used to explore differences in DMFS scores between the three groups and a predictive model developed to adjust for potential confounders. Results: Two core scales were identified as key drivers on the perceived impact of indirect costs associated with dental visits; travel impact and family impact. Patients living in remote locations incurred significantly higher indirect costs associated with dental treatment and higher mean DMFS scores. Conclusions: Patient perception of the impact of travel costs and impact on family life are major drivers restricting access to dental services for people living in remote locations in New South Wales. Further research using outcomes directly related to access is required to validate the claim that patients living in regional and remote locations suffer both perceived and real financial barriers to dental care.
Effect of remineralization/demineralization cycles on mineral profiles of Fuji IX Fast in vitro using electron probe microanalysis
Authors: Ab‐Ghani Z. , Ngo H. , McIntyre J. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract Background: There have been concerns about the dissolution of conventional glass ionomer cement (GIC) and its possible degradation when exposed to an acidic environment over time. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of exposure of Fuji IX Fast to the simulated acidic aspects of the oral environment in terms of any changes in the elemental composition of strontium (Sr), phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca) and fluorine (F) which resulted at the surface of this material. Methods: Sixty‐five cylindrical blocks of Fuji IX Fast were prepared using split moulds. The demineralizing solution was an acetate buffered demineralizing solution at pH 4.3. The remineralizing solution was a buffered solution containing 1.5 mM Ca, 0.9 mM P and 10 ppm F at pH 7. The blocks of Fuji IX Fast were subjected either to two‐day alternating cycles of remineralization and demineralization for up to 24 days (test); 6 two‐day cycles of demineralizing or remineralizing solution separately, or deionized distilled water alone (controls) or were left untreated (base line control). Mineral profiles of Ca, P, Sr and F within 100 μm of the material surface were assessed following 8, 16 and 24 days of treatment (test); 4, 8 or 12 days (controls) or for baseline control samples, using electron probe microanalysis (EPMA). Results: There were significant changes in mineral profile in the test specimens in terms of Sr and Ca concentrations. A molecule for molecule exchange of these elements resulted between GIC and eluant solutions. Fluoride loss from the GIC occurred to the level comparable with uptake levels recorded in eluant solutions from previous studies. The ionic exchanges appeared to be the result of dissolution followed by an equilibrium‐driven diffusion. These exchanges were superficial though substantial. Conclusions: Simulated exposure of Fuji IX to the oral environment resulted in an exchange of Ca from the bathing solutions into Fuji IX to replace any Sr which was lost to the GIC. Fluorine loss from the GIC followed previously described patterns. The possible clinical significance of this exchange was discussed.
Effects of pulsed electromagnetic field vibration on tooth movement induced by magnetic and mechanical forces: a preliminary study
Authors: Darendeliler M Ali , Zea A. , Shen G. , Zoellner H. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract Background: This study was designed to determine whether or not high‐frequency and low‐magnitude vibration affects orthodontic tooth movement caused by magnetic or/and mechanical forces. Methods: Forty‐four 7‐week‐old Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups, with each group further divided into experimental and control subgroups. Neodymium‐Iron‐Boron (Nd‐Fe‐B) magnets and Sentalloy closed coil springs were placed between maxillary or mandibular first molars and incisors to activate tooth movement. The animals of experimental subgroups were exposed to the vibration induced by pulsed electromagnetic fields (PEMF) whilst the control subgroups were under normal atmosphere. The experiment lasted for 14 days and all of the animals were sacrificed for examination. The changes in the space between the molar and incisor were measured to indicate the amount of tooth movement. Results: The coil springs, either with sham or active magnets, move molar much more than magnets alone, regardless of absence or presence of PEMF (p < 0.001). Under PEMF, the coil spring moved significantly more amount of tooth movement than that of coil‐magnet combination (p < 0.01), as did the magnets compared to sham magnets (p < 0.019). Under a non‐PEMF scenario, there was no significant difference in tooth movement between coil spring and coil‐magnets combination, nor was there difference between magnets and sham magnets. Conclusions: It is suggested that the PEMF‐induced vibration may enhance the effect of mechanical and magnetic forces on tooth movement.
Dental caries experience in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in the Northern Peninsula Area, Queensland
Authors: Hopcraft M. , Chow W. 
Published: March 2008

Abstract Background: A survey of dental caries experience in children was undertaken in five Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in the Northern Peninsula Area of Queensland prior to the introduction of water fluoridation. Methods: Data were obtained from screening dental examinations conducted by the Australian Army as part of a community assistance programme between May and September 2004 from 486 children aged 4–15 years. The clinical examinations were performed in a dental van using a dental chair, light, mirror and probe by a single calibrated examiner. Results: Caries experience was high with a mean 6‐year‐old dmft of 6.37 and a mean 12‐year‐old DMFT of 3.50. The 6‐year‐old dmft Significant Caries Index (SiC) for the third of the population with the highest caries experience was 11.65 and the 12‐year‐old DMFT SiC was 7.08. Only 15.3 per cent of 6‐year‐old children had dmft=0 and 28.9 per cent of 12‐year‐old children had DMFT=0. Conclusions: Dental caries was a significant problem for these remote communities. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children from the Northern Peninsula Area of Queensland had more than four times the caries experience of Australian children for both 6‐year‐old dmft and 12‐year‐old DMFT.
Implant or the natural tooth—a contemporary treatment planning dilemma?
Authors: John V. , Chen S. , Parashos P. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractAn assessment of whether to rehabilitate a tooth requiring endodontic treatment or to replace it with a dental implant can often involve a challenging and complex decision‐making process. This paper reviews the literature pertaining to both treatment modalities and identifies key issues that need careful consideration in planning the most appropriate course of care in a given clinical situation. A need to appreciate advances across both disciplines is highlighted, allowing the development of effective interdisciplinary evidence‐based treatment strategies to maximize treatment outcome.
Treatment planning the endodontic case
Authors: Yeng T. , Messer HH , Parashos P. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractFollowing a definitive diagnosis of the need for root canal treatment, the treatment planning stage should be straightforward if a logical sequence of decision‐making is followed. Very few contra‐indications exist for providing root canal treatment, but the planning must include several aspects. Firstly, is root canal treatment best for the patient to maintain a functional dentition long term? Secondly, who should provide the treatment? Thirdly, what are the restorative options that will ensure the best long‐term prognosis? The sequencing of root canal treatment generally occurs early in a typical treatment plan, and prompt restoration after treatment is crucial to long‐term survival of the tooth.