Restoration of anterior teeth requires high precision in the shade selection of the restorative material due to its aesthetic appearance. Incorrect selection of shade for the restoration may result in patient’s dissatisfaction due to unaesthetic appearance. This study was conducted to determine the optimum lighting condition and preferable patient’s position that may influence the anterior tooth shade selection at the Faculty of Dentistry, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. One hundred dental students from the 4th and 5th year were randomly selected to perform the shade selection procedure on the maxillary central incisor of two selected subjects. The shade of the tooth was predetermined using an intraoral spectrophotometer machine and the result was used as reference for the visual shade selection procedure done by the students. Four different clinical situations were selected and the shade selected by the students’ was compared with the predetermined shade. The result showed that the shade selection for anterior composite resin restoration is more reliable using the first reading taken (46%) when the patient is in the upright position (35.5%) with dental chair light off (56%). As a conclusion, the patient’s position, lighting condition and number of readings taken does influence the result of the shade selection for the anterior tooth.
This study aims to determine the prevalence of hand-held ProTaper® files system among UKM final year dental undergraduates and to assess their perception in performing endodontic treatments.
Methods: 85 final year dental students from 2006/2007 academic session participated in the questionnaire survey. All students underwent didactic endodontic teaching of conventional stainless steel files throughout a 2-year course and a 2-day ProTaper® hand files seminar on canal preparation. Each student had a total of 6 months clinical period before the survey was distributed to the subjects and returned for data analysis.
Results: A 100% response rate was received. About 58.8% (n=50) used hand ProTaper routinely while 41.2% claimed themselves as non-users. Amongst the users, 52.5% were moderate users and about 33.6% were frequent users. Tooth type and size of canals were the selected criteria for file use. Majority of users used ProTaper® hand for posterior teeth and regarded it as user friendly. Although almost all users expressed concern of instrument fracture during use, very few did break. Procedural errors were not experienced by 51.3% users.
Conclusion: About 2/3rd majority of UKM undergraduate dental students use ProTaper® hand-held system as an alternative for canal preparation. Procedural errors were perceived to occur much less when using the NiTi files. The system can be initiated to novice users and can be taught as part of endodontic curricula.
Obturation technique may have an effect on the apical seal following post space preparation. This study aimed to evaluate the apical seal of single cone and cold lateral condensation obturation techniques after post space preparation at two different timing. A total of 120 decoronated, single-rooted human premolars were divided into two groups (n=50) based on canal preparation and obturation techniques; group A - hand ProTaper/ single cone and group B - modified double-flared/ cold lateral condensation. Each group was then subdivided into two subgroups (n=25) (subgroup I- post space preparation immediately after obturation; subgroup II- post space preparation 7 days later). The remaining 20 teeth served as positive and negative controls. The external root surface was coated with nail varnish, submerged in 2% methylene-blue dye and incubated at 37°C for 72 h. Each tooth was later sectioned apico-coronally at 1 mm interval and evaluated using dissecting microscope. The results revealed that obturation techniques do not affect the apical seal (p>0.05). Immediate post preparation groups achieved significantly better seal for both obturation techniques when compared with the delayed groups at the level 3 mm and above from the apex (p<0.05). Immediate post space preparation provides better apical seal regardless of obturation techniques used.