The aim of this study was to analyse the extent of polymerization of different adhesive films in relation to their permeability. One adhesive of each class was investigated: OptiBond FL; One-Step; Clearfil Protect Bond; and Xeno III. Adhesive films were prepared and cured with XL-2500 (3M ESPE) for 20, 40 or 60 s. Polymerization kinetic curves of the adhesives tested were obtained with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and data were correlated with microhardness. The permeability of the adhesives under the same experimental conditions was evaluated on human extracted teeth connected to a permeability device and analysed statistically. The results showed that the extent of polymerization obtained from DSC exotherms was directly correlated with microhardness. An increased level of polymerization after prolonged light-curing was confirmed for all adhesives. Simplified adhesives exhibited a lower extent of polymerization and showed incomplete polymerization, even after 60 s. An inverse correlation was found between the degree of cure and the permeability. This study supports the hypothesis that the permeability of simplified adhesives is correlated with incomplete polymerization of resin monomers and the extent of light exposure. These adhesives may be rendered less permeable by using longer curing times than those recommended by the respective manufacturer.

No abstract

The aim of this systematic review of the literature was to assess the scientific evidence for detectable correlations between the stomatognathic system and whole-body posture and to provide information on the relevance of posturography as a diagnostic aid in dentistry. A literature survey was performed using the Medline database, covering the period from January 1966 to May 2009, and using the medical subject headings. After selection, 21 articles qualified for the final analysis. Only one study was judged to be of medium/high quality, with all of the rest classified as of low quality design. Only two studies included follow-up of 28 days and 1 year. Overall, 14 of the studies reported detectable correlations between the stomatognathic system and body posture in at least one of the parameters used, although in four of these studies the authors suggested caution in the interpretation of their data. After a reappraisal of the data provided in 13 of the studies, a weak correlation that reaches biological, but not clinical, relevance is apparent. With limitations because of the poor methodological quality of the present published studies, conclusions are that a correlation between the stomatognathic system and whole-body posture can be detected, at least under experimental conditions; although posturography has little relevance in the monitoring of body posture responses to changes in the stomatognathic system (including temporomandibular disorders). While more investigations with improved levels of scientific evidence are needed, the current evidence does not support the usefulness of posturography as a diagnostic aid in dentistry.

As an adjunct to standard methods based upon radiographic parameters, the GCF ALP may be a candidate as a non-invasive clinical biomarker for the identification of the pubertal growth spurt in periodontally healthy subjects scheduled for orthodontic treatment.

The objective of this study is to analyse the diagnostic performance of the circumpubertal dental maturation phases for the identification of individual-specific skeletal maturation phases. A total of 354 healthy subjects, 208 females and 146 males (mean age, 11.1 ± 2.4 years; range, 6.8-17.1 years), were enrolled in the study. Dental maturity was assessed through the calcification stages from panoramic radiographs of the mandibular canine, the first and second premolars, and the second molar. Determination of skeletal maturity was according to the cervical vertebra maturation (CVM) method on lateral cephalograms. Diagnostic performances were evaluated according to the dental maturation stages for each tooth for the identification of the CVM stages and growth phases (as pre-pubertal, pubertal, and post-pubertal) using positive likelihood ratios (LHRs). A positive LHR threshold of 10 or more was considered for satisfactory reliability of any dental maturation stage for the identification of any of the CVM stages or growth phases. The positive LHRs were generally less than 2.0, with a few exceptions. These four teeth showed positive LHRs greater than 10 only for the identification of the pre-pubertal growth phase, with values from 10.8 for the second molar (stage E) to 39.3 for the first premolar (stage E). Dental maturation assessment is only useful for diagnosis of the pre-pubertal growth phase, and thus, precise information in relation to the timing of the onset of the growth spurt is not provided by these indices.