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A study was conducted to examine the use of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) in pulp capping. A total of 40 patients accepted pulp-capping treatment after receiving a diagnosis no more severe than reversible pulpitis. Findings indicate that 97.96% of patients had favorable outcomes based on radiographic appearance, cold testing, and subjective symptoms.

This article presents the results of a controlled clinical trial evaluating a new at-home treatment to improve gingival health. Designed for overnight application at the gingival margins and in the interproximal spaces, the product is a mucoadhesive gel containing 0.10% cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) and 0.592% zinc gluconate (ZG). The authors assessed the efficacy and safety of the CPC/ZG gel in adults with low-to-moderate gingival and plaque index scores by comparing clinical and laboratory findings for subjects using the CPC/ZG gel with those for subjects using the control gel (0% CPC and 0.592% ZG). Clinical findings at 3 and 6 months showed statistically significant improvements in two of the three major indices of gingival health in the CPC/ZG group compared with the control group. The performance of the treatment gel was supported by results of microbial analyses of plaque samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluates artifacts generated by orthodontic brackets in CBCT images. METHODS: Cadaver heads with restoration free dentitions were prepared. CBCT scans with four orthodontic bracket materials utilizing thermoplastic carriers and a control were compared in three phases. RESULTS: Stainless steel brackets caused statistically significant (P<0.0001) differences from the control in the three phases. CONCLUSION: These observations support the hypothesis that metallic and nonmetallic orthodontic brackets interfere with the diagnostic quality of CBCT images. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Demineralized freeze-dried bone allografts (DFDBA) have been successfully used alone or in composite grafts for many decades. Little research has been done on the effect of retaining the mineral content of bone allografts. This study histologically and histomorphometrically evaluated a new mineralized bone allograft material placed in human atrophic maxillary sinuses. Seven partially edentulous patients requiring sinus grafts before implant placement were selected for this study. Their age range was 56 to 81 years {mean 67.7 years). Test grafts consisted of a mineralized solvent-dehydrated cancellous bone allograft, and control grafts were a composite of DFDBA and deproteinized bovine bone xenograft (1:1). Bilateral cases (n = 3) received both test and control grafts on opposite sides, and unilateral cases received either a test (n = 3) or control (n = 1) graft only. At 10 months, core biopsies were taken from each graft site, and dental implants were placed into the augmented bone. All bone grafts resulted in new bone formation and all implants osseointegrated. Test grafts resorbed and were replaced by newly formed bone significantly faster and in greater quantities than were control grafts. No complications with grafts or implants were noted. Both test and control grafts achieved excellent results. The faster bone formation observed with the test graft may be due, in part, to its smaller particle size compared with the bovine portion of the control graft. Test grafts were either replaced by new bone or displayed new bone-to-particle surface contact in higher percentages than did control grafts. No differences in osseointegration or graft stability were noted 2 years after the study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Manufacturing strategy reflects the goals of the business strategy and directs the manufacturing function in achieving them. In this study, we focus on two decision areas with crucial implications for manufacturing strategy: product planning and process design. Using mathematical programming models as a research tool, we test several conjectures in the manufacturing strategy literature regarding linkages between the two decisions. Our results show that a close integration between these decisions helps control the product offerings, stabilize process requirements, improve process technology choices, and increase net cash flows over time. Using the concept of environmental clusters, we found that a close linkage is more critical when the environment is more complex, less uncertain, and tighter. Based on these findings, we present some managerial implications and suggestions for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Statement of Problem: Although high success rates have been reported with immediately loaded implants, the peri-implant tissue response has not been well documented., Purpose: This study evaluated implant success and peri-implant tissue response of immediately loaded, threaded, hydroxyapatite (HA)-coated root-form implants supporting mandibular bar overdentures with opposing conventional maxillary complete dentures in humans., Material and Methods: Five patients (3 men, 2 women; mean age 61 years) each received 4 HA-coated endosseous root-form implants in the interforaminal region in the mandible. The implants were rigidly splinted with a metal framework within 24 hours. The final EDS clip prosthesis was placed 1 to 2 weeks thereafter. The implants and peri-implant tissues were evaluated clinically and radiographically 0, 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after prosthesis placement. Data were analyzed with a repeated measures 1-way analysis of variance (P<.05)., Results: All implants were stable at the end of the observation period (mean Periotest value = -5.9 +/- 1.4). No peri-implant radiolucencies were noted, and no implants were lost. The mean marginal bone changes were -0.42 plus minus 0.34, -0.84 +/- 0.55, -1.14 +/- 0.80, and -1.16 +/- 0.89 mm at the 1-, 3-, 6-, and 12-month follow-ups, respectively (P<.001). Significant declines in the rates of marginal bone changes at each time interval were noted (P<.001). In addition, there were significant decreases in probing depth (P<.001) and plaque index (P<.001) but no significant difference in the frequency of bleeding upon probing (P=.64)., Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study, the peri-implant tissue response of immediately loaded, HA-coated implants was favorable and comparable to that of conventional, delayed-loaded implants after 1 year.