Nano-hydroxyapatite (nHAP) particles are a new generation of materials reported to remineralize enamel lesions. The purpose we aimed was to compare the in vitro effects of fluoride gel, sodium fluoride toothpaste, and homemade nHAP paste on remineralizing artificial early enamel caries. Methods: Incipient caries were induced in 21 extracted, sound premolar teeth by storing each specimen in a demineralization solution for 72 hours, followed by pH cycling. The samples (n= 7, each) were then treated with 2% neutral fluoride gel, 0.25% sodium fluoride toothpaste, or homemade nHAP paste, comprising a mixture of nHAP powder and olive oil. After demineralization and remineralization, the results were compared using the DIAGNOdent pen (KaVo, Germany). The data were statistically analyzed using paired t-tests and a one-way ANOVA test. Outcomes: The degree of demineralization in each of the three groups (fluoride gel group, 15.71; sodium fluoride dentifrice group, 15.28; nHAP paste group, 16.71) was significantly elevated compared to baseline (3, 2.5, 2.28, respectively); however, no significant difference was observed between the remineralization readings in each of the three groups (6, 7, 5.5, respectively) (p > 0.05). In conclusion, we concluded that the homemade nHAP paste had a beneficial effect on the remineralization of initial enamel caries lesions.
The dental school curriculum is based on theoretical and practical courses. Before real patients, students practice on secure environments like typodonts or simulators to manage the functional and aesthetic properties of tooth restorations. This study aimed to evaluate the quality of class IV aesthetic restorations prepared by undergraduate dental students across different years of training, in terms of surface gloss, anatomic form, marginal adaptation, and proximal contact. Four consecutive classes of dental students (n = 15) were tasked with restoring a class IV cavity on a typodont tooth. Restorations were performed using a universal adhesive and nanohybrid resin composite. Evaluations were performed using the modified FDI criteria. Data were statistically analyzed by Kruskal–Wallis one-way analysis of variance, along with a t-test. The FDI scores for restorations by second-, fourth-, and fifth-year dental students were not significantly different. Third-year students had less success than others only in terms of incisal marginal adaptation. Forty-seven of the 60 (78.3%) restorations were clinically sufficient in all of the evaluated criteria. There were no statistically significant differences between the restorations performed by female and male students. The two-year preclinical training along with theoretical and practical education is sufficient for students to acquire basic restorative skills needed in clinical practice.
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