Tapinder Kaur Ghuman

• London School of Economics and Political Science

Regular readers will note that we depart from our normal Critical Appraisal format in this issue of the Journal. This particular Critical Appraisal resembles an expanded Ask the Expert feature and addresses the topic of self-adhesive resin cements through a series of brief reviews of several clinically relevant issues.

Objectives: To measure and compare wear of occlusal enamel opposing three ceramic materials. Methods: Enamel styli (n=10) were prepared from caries-free maxillary premolar cusps. After wet polishing with a series of 400-, 600- & 1200-grit SiC paper, styli were mounted on the UAB Chewing. Flat rectangular ceramic blocks (n=10) (IPS e.max CAD/Ivoclar...

Flowable composite materials are less filled than traditional composites. By decreasing the proportion of filler, flowable composites adapt to small cavity preparations. They adapt better to the prepared tooth surface but increases the polymerization shrinkage and contact wear of flowables. While the wear resistance of flowable composites is a clin...

Post fracture is a frequently reported failure for restored endodontically treated teeth. Current reports suggest that the rigidity of the post should be equal or close to that of the tooth structure in order to distribute the occlusal forces along the length of the root. OBJECTIVE: To determine and compare modulus of elasticity and flexural stre...

Innovative composite materials with monomers that reduce shrinkage and/or shrinkage stress are needed for clinically acceptable restorations. OBJECTIVES: To compare wear, polymerization shrinkage and shear bond strength of low-shrink or low stress composites to a commercially available composite. METHODS: Wear Composite disks (t=4mm) were light...

OBJECTIVE: To measure and compare cement shear bond strength to enamel, dentin, zirconia and feldspathic porcelain. METHODS: Enamel & Dentin: Teeth were trimmed and wet ground (320-grit SiC paper) to obtain flat enamel (80) and dentin (80) surfaces and randomly divided into 4 groups for enamel and dentin (n=10). Cercon: 40 discs (d=10mm/thickness...

Objective: To compare flexural strength, elastic modulus in two curing modes and crown retention of four cements Methods: Flexural strength and elastic modulus: Seventy specimens (27mmx2.5mmx2.5mm) were prepared using a Teflon split-mold following manufacturers' instructions. Thirty specimens (n=10) were light-cured and 40 were chemically-cured...

Esthetic composite restorations easily lose gloss and marginal integrity. Liquid polishing systems have been introduced to counter these limitations, but the longevity of the layer subjected to toothbrush and dentifrice abrasion has not been measured. OBJECTIVES: This in vitro study evaluated the wear of liquid polishing systems using a toothbrus...

Seven patients with nystagmus underwent large retroplacements of the four horizontal rectus muscles. Nystagmus was horizontal in all seven patients, but three had a vertical component. The horizontal nystagmus improved in all seven patients. All improved at least one line for distance and from three to five lines for near. Retroplacement of the fou...