Considering the methodology used and the results obtained, the direct impression technique with squared transfer copings with acrylic resin splints sectioned and welded after setting had better results than the other techniques studied.

Lower convergence angle combined with shoulder and a low-consistency luting cement is preferable to cement metal copings.

ObjectivesThis study investigated the possible interactions between three addition silicone materials (Express®, Aquasil Ultra® and Adsil®), three hemostatic agents (ferric sulfate, StatGel FS®; aluminum sulfate, GelCord®; and aluminum chloride, Hemostop®) and gingival retraction cords previously handled with latex gloves to determine whether direct contact with medicaments or indirect contamination by latex in conditions similar to those found in clinical practice inhibit or affect the setting of the impression materials. Material and MethodsA portable device for the simultaneous test of several specimens was specifically developed for this study. Polymerization inhibition was analyzed by examination of the impressions and the molded surface. Ten trials were performed for each addition silicone material used in the study, at a total of 240 study samples. ResultsAll the samples tested (N=240) were nonreactive regardless of the type of combination used. ConclusionsAluminum sulfate, ferric sulfate and aluminum chloride hemostatic solutions did not show any inhibitory potential on the addition silicone samples under study, and there were no changes in polymerization as a result of contact between addition silicone and retraction cords handled with latex gloves.

This study examines the possible correlation between the prevalence of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) and different head postures in the frontal and sagittal planes using photographs of undergraduate students in the School of Dentistry at the Universidade de Brasília -UnB, Brazil. In this nonrandomized, cross-sectional study, the diagnoses of TMD were made with the Research Diagnostic Criteria (RDC)/TMD axis I. The craniovertebral angle was used to evaluate forward head posture in the sagittal plane, and the interpupillary line was used to measure head tilt in the frontal plane. The measurements to evaluate head posture were made using the Software for the Assessment of Posture (SAPO). Students were divided into two study groups, based on the presence or absence of TMD. The study group comprised 46 students and the control group comprised 80 students. Data about head posture and TMD were analyzed with the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, version 13. Most cases of TMD were classified as degenerative processes (group III), followed by disk displacement (group II) and muscle disorders (group I). There was no sex predominance for the type of disorder. No association was found between prevalence rates for head postures in the frontal plane and the occurrence of TMD. The same result was found for the association of TMD diagnosis with craniovertebral angle among men and women, and the group that contained both men and women. Abnormal head postures were common among individuals both with and without TMD. No association was found between head posture evaluated in the frontal and sagittal planes and TMD diagnosis with the use of RDC/TMD.

This study observed the prevalence of different types of residual ridge inclination in free-ends of mandibles and reported possible correlative factors that may affect resorption. For this purpose, periapical radiographs and individual data collected from a sample of 64 hemiarches were used. Two radiographs were taken of each free-end, and tracing was employed to determine the angles formed by the resorption configuration in the area of the 1st mandibular molar. The following conclusions were drawn: 1). the great majority of alveolar ridges were distally descending; 2). the average angle was wider for users of mandibular removable partial dentures; 3). the results obtained suggest that the type of opposing maxillary arch affects the inclination of mandibular ridges; 4). greater inclination was observed when the 2nd bicuspids of the mandible were the abutment teeth; 5). no significant correlation was established between age, sex and residual ridge resorption.