Laser-induced autofluorescence spectra of teeth irradiated by a 337 nm nitrogen laser were measured during in vitro caries formation through initial enamel demineralization and introducing of carious bacterial flora in the lesions developed. Spectra obtained from sound teeth consist of an intensive maximum at 480-500 nm and secondary maximum at 430-450 nm. In the process of caries formation, we observed an increase in the intensity at 430-450 nm and the appearance of two maxima in the red spectral region-at 590-650 nm. The intensity increase at 430-450 nm was related to the tooth demineralization. Bacteria presence and their metabolism products induced an increase in the absorption in the UV-blue spectral region at 350-420 nm and the appearance of a fluorescence signal in the long-wave spectral region at 590-650 nm. From the point of view of tissue optics, these results allow caries to be considered as consisting of two different phenomena-tissue destruction and bacterial flora and its metabolism products increase. The results could be used to obtain a more complete picture of caries formation on the base of its fluorescent properties.
A differentiation between initial tooth demineralization and early stages of caries could be made by the laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy method.
Occlusal splints are the most common devices for preventing bruxism and its consequences. Their application significantly reduces the pathologies of the dental and periodontal structures. Apart from the well-known technologies of manufacturing occlusal splints – thermo-vacuum forming, wax elimination and CAD/CAM machining, three-dimensional (3D) printing is a novel promising technique. It makes use of stereolithography, whereby the splint is built layer-by-layer through consecutive polymerization of a liquid photo-polymer by ultraviolet laser light. A very important stage in stereolithography following the 3D-printing is the post polymerization processing. It is a key moment in achieving biocompatibility and the final mechanical parameters – hardness, elasticity modulus, and strength. The process comprises two steps – washing with isopropyl alcohol (IPA) followed by post-curing in a polymerization device with an ultraviolet light source. The aim of the present study is determining the influence of the polymerization device’s light source on the mechanical characteristics of the occlusal splint.
The objective of this study is to analyze the distribution of the most common diagnoses observed in patients with chronic temporomandibular disorders, based on the new diagnostic criteria (DC/TMD) adopted in 2014. The previous Research Diagnostic Criteria (RDC/TMD) adopted in 1992, consisted of three main groups of eight diagnostic subgroups and is currently transformed into two main groups and twelve subgroups, respectively. All subgroups correspond to the nomenclature of the ICD-10. The new clinical diagnostic indices are also modifi ed. The analysis showed a prevalence of Pain-Related TMD compared with that of intra-articular disorders in ratio 57.89% to 42.10%. In Pain-Related TMD arthralgia was represented in 55% of cases; local myalgia -in 12%, myofascial pain -in 18%, myofascial pain with referral -in 14%, headache attributed to TMD -in 1%. In Intra-articular TMD disc displacement with reduction was found in 23% of the cases, disc displacement with reduction with intermittent locking -in 3%, disc displacement without reduction with limited opening -in 25%, disc displacement without reduction and without limited opening -in 8%. Degenerative diseases were found in 14.28%, and hypermobility and subluxations -in 26.98%. These analyzes differ and can only partly be compared with previous analyzes based on RDC system. The changes in the diagnostic criteria require new clinical studies in order to refi ne the picture of temporomandibular pathology in accordance with the modern views on the matter.
Bruxism is considered an oral parafunction of involuntary grinding and clenching of the teeth. Occlusal splints are the most common method of preventing bruxism and its consequences. Their application significantly reduces the pathologies of the dental and periodontal structures. Infrared thermography is a noncontact method of temperature measurement whereby the detector is pointed remotely at a single spot. The purpose of the study is registering by means of infrared thermography the changes in the muscular activity during the period of occlusal splint prophylaxis. In the presence of pathological changes, splint therapy aims to return the joint-muscular complex of the masticatory apparatus to normal, which is associated with the activation of the adaptive capabilities of the organism. This dynamic process is associated with a rise in temperature. When achieving balance after wearing the splints for one and three months, a decrease in the registered temperature is naturally observed due to the created preconditions for elimination of the inflammation of the joint and the overload of the muscles.
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