The results of a study to investigate the effectiveness of a propolis-containing mouthrinse in the inhibition of de novo plaque formation are presented. Subjects used a propolis-containing rinse, a negative control and a positive control in a double-blind, parallel, de novo plaque formation study design. The chlorhexidine mouthrinse was significantly better than the others in plaque inhibition. The propolis-containing rinse was marginally better than the negative control, but this difference was not significant.

The provision of well-fitting, functional provisional restorations is important for a wide variety of reasons, including maintenance of the stability of inter- and intra-arch relationships and positional stability of prepared teeth, and the preservation of occlusal function of anterior provisional restorations by providing appropriate protrusive and lateral guidance. Provisional restorations should be of sufficient strength to resist the forces of occlusion and should be luted with a cement that will resist the forces of removal, yet allow easy removal at the fit appointment without leaving a residue on the prepared tooth. This paper describes the use of provisional restorations in indirect restorative dentistry and suggests some specific techniques for clinical use.

Most of the information available to guide the clinician in making occlusal records focuses on the clinical techniques and methods involved. There is little objective information regarding the use of the more recently introduced elastomeric materials which are growing in popularity in the clinic. Much of the published work relies on the clinical experience of the authors rather than the properties of the material to be used to make the occlusal records. This paper aims to review the materials currently available to clinicians for use in occlusal registrations. The materials are discussed with regard to their suitability for the task and suggestions given regarding their use. Setting aside considerations of technique, it is suggested that there would be value in basing the selection of materials for occlusal registration on objective research. However, it may well be that the technique, as with many other things in dentistry, is as important as the specific properties of the materials used.