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Objectives: To compare the clinical performance of four commercial ultraviolet light‐cured composite materials, and to evaluate curing‐system effects on long‐term wear resistance of Class I and II restorations. Materials and Methods: Approximately 32 samples of each of four different ultraviolet light‐cured composites (n = 130) were inserted into conventional Class I and I1 cavity preparations by two clinicians. Cavosurface margins of the preparations were not beveled. Enamel walls of the preparation were etched, and the respective bonding agent was applied. Each restoration was evaluated by two clinicians at 5, 10, and 17 years. Direct evaluations were performed using modified United States Public Health Service (USPHS) criteria. Indirect evaluations were performed using the Leinfelder cast evaluation method. Results: After 17 years, 65% of the restorations were recalled and pooled direct evaluations were conducted for color matching (94% alfa), marginal discoloration (100% alfa), marginal integrity (100% alfa), secondary caries (92% alfa), surface texture (72% alfa), and anatomic form (22% alfa). Mean occlusal wear from indirect evaluations at 5, 10, and 17 years was 197 ± 85 pm, 235 ± 72 μm, and 264 ± 80 μm, respectively. For direct and indirect evaluations there were significant differences (p±.05) between the baseline and 5‐year recall evaluations.

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Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the 2‐year effectiveness of a carbamide peroxide at‐home bleaching gel used to provide tooth lightening treatment. Material and Methods: Twenty‐nine patients participated in the original study, during which they treated their maxillary teeth with a 10% carbamide peroxide gel nightly for 2 weeks. Shades were determined before and after treatment by comparison with a Vita shade guide. Twenty‐four patients (a recall rate of 83%) were recalled for evaluation 2 years after the initial bleaching treatment. The shade of the maxillary incisors was evaluated and compared with shades before, immediately after, and at 6 months and 2 years after initial treatment. Data were analyzed using a repeated‐measures analysis of variance. Results: At 2 years after bleaching with a 10% carbamide peroxide gel, the median shade was D2, a six‐increment difference from the baseline median of D3. Twenty of 24 patients (83.3%) had a shade change of two or more units, which is the threshold value for bleaching efficacy using American Dental Association guidelines. The lightening result remained statistically significant (p <.0001) at 2 years.

This study compared the diagnostic efficacy of four imaging modalities for the detection of artificially induced recurrent caries: intraoral film, direct digital bitewing images, tuned apertuce computed tomography (TACT^TM) slices and iteratively restored TACT^TM images using an in vitro model. Twenty-four posterior teeth were prepared for MOD inlay restorations. These were then restored with different restorative materials (amalgam, Herculite and Durafill). Lesions were simulated in half the number of surfaces studied. These lesions were created either at the intersection of the facial or lingual walls and the gingival floor or on the gingival floor midway between the facial and lingual walls in the proximal boxes of the MOD restorations. Analysis of observations from 8 observers using ROC curve reveal the superior diagnostic efficacy with TACT^TM iteratively restored images (A_z for TACT^TM iteratively restored images = 0.9171, TACT^TM slices = 0.7052, Film = 0.6608, direct digital images = 0.5979). ANOVA revealed significance with respect to the imaging modality used (p < 0.0001). The results suggest that TACT^TM images hold promise as a more effective imaging modality than film or direct digital systems for detection of recurrent caries.