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PURPOSE To report a comprehensive description of dental implant system selection practices among dentists practicing implantology worldwide. MATERIALS AND METHODS An online questionnaire was designed and sent to members of 15 dental implant organizations. The survey questions addressed: dental implant system selection criteria, implant design variables, dentists' perspective to implant quality stamps, and dentists' satisfaction with their implant system(s). Responses were compiled and analyzed to determine correlation of responses using the chi-squared test (level of significance α ≤ 0.05). RESULTS Out of 4264 invitations sent, a total of 2001 (response rate = 46.9%) dentists participated in the survey. Approximately half of survey respondents (48.7%) were general dentists. More than two-thirds of the survey respondents (72.5%) were performing both the surgical and prosthetic implant phases. Implant-abutment connections were the most important dental implant system selection criterion (84.7%), followed by scientific evidence available on the implant system (82.8%), and simplicity of prosthetic steps (81.4%). Patient preferences (19.8%) were rated as the least important aspect. Sandblasted large gritted acid etched implant surfaces (SLA) were the most commonly used implant surfaces (75.8%); fluoride coated surfaces were the least commonly used (15.4%). CONCLUSION According to the results of this survey, most survey respondents practiced both surgical and prosthetic phases of dental implantology. The majority of survey respondents agreed on the importance of implant-abutment connections, scientific evidence available on implant systems, and simplicity of prosthetic steps when selecting implant systems.

Background Molar bonding procedures need continuous improvement to be widely accepted clinically and eventually replace molar bands. Material and methods The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of enamel micro-abrasion and silane coating of the base of molar tubes on shear and tensile bond strengths of orthodontic molar tubes. A total of 200 third molars were randomly allocated into five groups of 40 teeth as follows: group 1: molar tubes bonded to etched teeth (37% phosphoric acid gel; control group); group 2: molar tubes bonded to etched teeth (37% phosphoric acid) with the addition of silane to the base of molar tubes; group 3: molar tubes bonded to teeth pre-treated with 18% hydrochloric acid and pumice (micro-abrasion); group 4: molar tubes bonded to teeth pre-treated with microabrasion with the addition of silane to the base of molar tubes; group 5: molar tubes bonded to teeth pre-treated with microabrasion before conventional acid etching combined with the addition of silane to the base of molar tubes. The bond strength testing was performed using a computer control electromechanical universal testing machine. Results The highest mean shear and tensile bond strengths were recorded in group 5 (13.81±2.54MPa and 13.97±2.29 MPa, respectively). Micro-abrasion alone (group 3) and the combination of enamel micro-abrasion and the addition of silane (group 4) produced bond strength values comparable to the control. Conclusions Enamel surface pre-treatment (micro abrasion) before conventional acid etching combined with the addition of silane to the base of the molar tube produced the highest bond strengths among all tested groups. Key words:Molar, shear strength, tensile strength, orthodontic appliances.

Aim The aim of this study was to investigate the fracture resistance of two types of ceramic crowns cemented with two different cements. Methods and Materials Forty premolar crowns were fabricated using lithium-disilicate (IPS Empress-2) and glass-infiltrated aluminium-oxide (In-Ceram) ceramic systems. The crowns were divided into four groups (n=10) with Group 1 (IPS Empress-2) and Group 2 (In-Ceram) cemented with glass ionomer cement. Group 3 (IPS Empress-2) and Group 4 (In-Ceram) were cemented with resin cement. Crowns were tested in a universal testing machine at a compressive-load speed of 10 mm/min. Fracture modes were grouped into five categories. One way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Bonferroni post-hoc tests were used to detect statistical significances (p Results The mean (SD) fracture resistance (Newtons) for Groups 1 to 4 were: 245.35 (82.69), 390.48 (67.03), 269.69 (10.33), and 418.36 (26.24). The cement type had no statistical significant effect (p>0.05) on fracture resistance within each ceramic system tested. In-Ceram crowns cemented with either glass ionomer or resin cements exhibited a statistically significantly higher fracture-resistance than IPS Empress-2 crowns (p Conclusion Fracture resistance of IPS Empress-2 and In-Ceram crowns was not affected by the type of cement used for luting. Clinical Significance Both In-Ceram and IPS Empress-2 crowns can be successfully luted with the cements tested with In-Ceram exhibiting higher fracture resistance than IPS Empress-2. Citation Al-Wahadni AM, Hussey DL, Grey N, Hatamleh MM. Fracture Resistance of Aluminium Oxide and Lithium Disilicate-based Crowns using Different Luting Cements: An in vitro Study. J Contemp Dent Pract 2009 March; (10)2:051-058.

This study was undertaken to measure the shear bond strength (SBS) of stainless steel brackets bonded to different ceramic surfaces, to compare the SBS of the different ceramics with each other and with conventional ceramo-metal porcelains, and to determine the mode of failure for each group following debonding. A total of 60 ceramic crowns were constructed on extracted teeth and divided into three equal groups as follows: In-Ceram ceramic crowns, IPS-Impress ceramic crowns, and conventional ceramo-metal porcelain. Standard edgewise metal premolar brackets were bonded to the prepared porcelain surfaces. After bonding, all samples were tested in shear mode on an Instron universal testing machine. Statistical analysis was undertaken using analysis of variance, LSD, and chi-squared tests. The results showed that the SBS for the ceramo-metal and the In-Ceram groups were comparable, with mean values of 80.54 +/- 13.44 N and 78.87 +/- 13.47 N, respectively. The IPS-Impress group showed the weakest SBS which averaged 67.40 +/- 8.99 N. This was significantly lower than that of the conventional ceramo-metal porcelain (P < 0.001) and the In-Ceram surface (P < 0.01). The mode of failure in the ceramo-metal group was between the porcelain surface and adhesive and in the other two ceramic groups, between the brackets and adhesive (P < 0.001). The SBS of orthodontic brackets to the three tested ceramic surfaces were adequate for orthodontic use.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the periodontal response to the presence of all-ceramic crowns (IPS Empress) in general practice patients. Methods: The convenience sample included 82 IPS Empress crowns placed in 64 patients. These crowns had been in place for an average of 16.27 (SD 9.26) months and ranged from 6.2 to 48.87 months at the time of clinical examination. Periodontal health status (as determined by dental plaque, gingival health status, periodontal pockets) was assessed around all crowned teeth and around matched contralateral teeth by one calibrated examiner. Periodontal indices utilized included the Plaque Index (PI), Gingival Index (GI) and pocket depth (PD) with calibrated probes graduated in millimetres. Plaque, gingival and PD values for crowned teeth were compared with those for control teeth using Wilcoxon signed-rank test for each clinical parameters. Chi-square was used to test the significance of the difference in their distribution between crowns and control teeth. Results: Statistically, PI (0.35), GI (0.41) and mean PD scores (1.42) of IPS Empress crowned teeth compared less favourably with scores of the control teeth (0.27, 0.23 and 0.86 respectively). Conclusion: Teeth with IPS Empress crowns had poorer periodontal health and more clinically evident plaque than uncrowned teeth.

AimThe objective of this study was to radiographically assess and compare the quality of post-retained crowns fabricated at the Dental Health Centre of the Jordan University of Science & Technology (JUST).Methods and MaterialsStudy data were collected in 2002 from existing dental records for all patients receiving treatment with post-retained crowns between October, 1997 and June, 1999. The posts were assessed radiographically to evaluate various aspects of the quality of post-retained crowns. All 129 posts were fabricated in the dental school.ResultsThe most-frequently restored teeth were the maxillary incisors (38.8%). Sixty-two percent of the posts were tapered, while 38% were parallel-sided. The mean length of the posts was 0.95 mm (SD 0.41) with a range between 0.22-2.85 mm. Caries was diagnosed radiographically in 10.8% of cases with lesions located on root surfaces in 64.3% of them, while 35.7% of lesions were within the root canal. Three posts (2.3%) were deviated from the line of the root canal in the mesio-distal plane. No evidence of root filling was found in 2.3% of the cases. In the remainder of teeth 15.5% had gutta percha extended to the radiographic apex of the tooth, while 59.7% fell 0.5-1 mm short of the radiographic apex. Gutta-percha was extruded beyond the apex in 22.5% of the teeth. Space between the end of the post and the root filling was found in 22.2%. The percentage of canals with apparently completely healthy periapical tissue was 51.2%. In the rest of the cases 34.8% had areas of radiolucency at or near the root apices and 14% demonstrated widening of the periodontal space around the root apex. Root resection had been completed in 2.3% cases. Signs of external resorption were apparent in one case (0.78%).ConclusionThe standards of the treatment of the endodontically treated teeth made at the dental hospital were satisfactory but could be improved by a controlled academic supervisory environment and a strict scientific approach to fixed prosthodontics within the dental school.CitationAl-Hamad KQ, Al-Omari M, Al-Wahadni A, Darwazeh A. Radiographic Assessment of Post-retained Crowns in an Adult Jordanian Population. J Contemp Dent Pract 2006 September;(7)4:029-036.

Summary. Objective. The aim of this study was to examine the arch dimensions of Jordanian patients with β-thalassaemia major in comparison with an unaffected control group. Methods. The sample consisted of 24 patients who suffered from β-thalassaemia major (mean age = 13·9 ± 3·1 years) and an unaffected control group (mean age = 13·5 ± 2·9 years) matched for dental age, sex, and incisor and molar relationships. The unaffected control group was randomly selected from four public schools in the Governate of Irbid-Jordan. Alginate impressions were taken of the maxillary and mandibular dental arches of all participants. All measurements of the arch dimensions were made on the casts using an electronic digital sliding calliper. Results. In the mandibular arch, when compared with the patients with thalassaemia, the unaffected control group subjects showed a (statistically) significantly larger incisor width, larger arch depth, and larger left and right anterior arch lengths (1·18, 2·58, and 1·85 and 1·12 mm, respectively). In the maxillary arch, there was a statistically significant difference in the mean incisor width (± 2·16 mm), arch depth (± 3·14 mm), inter-molar width (± 1·21 mm) and in the left anterior arch length (± 1·97 mm). The canine widths, premolar widths, left and right posterior arch length, and curve of Spee of both arches showed no statistically significant differences between the two groups. Conclusion. When compared to unaffected subjects, patients with β-thalassaemia major exhibited: a narrower maxilla; a shorter maxilla and mandible; and smaller incisor widths for the maxillary and mandibular arches.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the shear bond strengths of two adhesives, Panavia-21 and a composite resin (Transbond XT), with different enamel pre-treatments, acid etching (37 per cent phosphoric acid) and grit blasting (50 microm aluminium oxide particles). The mode of bond failure was also assessed using the modified adhesive remnant index (ARI). Ninety freshly extracted non-carious human premolar teeth were randomly divided into the following groups: (1) Transbond XT, acid-etched enamel surface; (2) Panavia-21, acid-etched enamel surface; (3) Transbond XT, grit-blasted enamel surface; (4) Panavia-21, grit-blasted enamel surface; (5) Transbond XT, acid-etched enamel surface with grit-blasted brackets; (6) Panavia-21, acid-etched enamel surface with grit-blasted brackets. All groups had stainless steel brackets bonded to the buccal surface of each tooth. An Instron universal testing machine was used to determine the shear bond strengths at a crosshead speed of 0.5 mm/second. Statistical analysis was undertaken using analysis of variance and the Tukey test. The mean bond strength values were as follows: group 1, 135.7 +/- 23.0 N; group 2, 181.5 +/- 18.4 N; group 3, 38.4 +/- 27.5 N; group 4, 59.1 +/- 24.1 N; group 5, 106.7 +/- 21.5 N; group 6, 165.3 +/- 21.4 N. Panavia-21 with the acid-etched enamel surface had a significantly higher shear bond strength than the other groups (P < 0.001). This was followed by the composite group with the acid-etched enamel surface. This group differed significantly from the composite and Panavia-21 groups with the grit-blasted tooth surface (P < 0.001) and from the composite and Panavia-21 groups with the acid-etched enamel surface and grit-blasted brackets (P < 0.01). The current findings indicate that Panavia-21 is an excellent adhesive and produces a bond strength that is clinically useful. Enamel surface preparation using grit blasting alone results in a significantly lower bond strength and should not be advocated for clinical use.

summary A total of 21 immediate resin-bonded bridges were inserted under controlled and standardized clinical conditions and evaluated over a period of 35 months. During the evaluation period, two bridges debonded (9·5%). The debonded bridges were re-cemented successfully. This low incidence of debonding indicates that this simple alternative procedure for the immediate replacement of a single unsaveable tooth was satisfactory. The subjects included in this study expressed their satisfaction with this form of treatment.

The aim of this study was to compare differences in oral health behavior between dental students and dental technology/dental hygiene students in Jordan. One hundred and five dental students and seventy-eight dental technology/dental hygiene students were recruited into this study. All subjects were recruited from the students who were receiving training at the clinics and laboratories that belong to the Faculty of Dentistry, Jordan University of Science and Technology. The Hiroshima University-Dental Behavioral Inventory (HU-DBI) was used to assess the oral heath behavior of the subjects. Significant differences were found between students from different disciplines. Dental students were found to worry more about visiting their dentist, to be less aware of bleeding gums when brushing and were less bothered by the color of their gums compared with dental technology and dental hygiene (DT/DH) students (P < 0.05, P < 0.001 and P < 0.05, respectively). Dental students tended to be more professionally educated about brushing and to have a belief that they cannot clean their teeth well without using toothpaste (P < 0.01 and P < 0.001, respectively). Most of them did not feel they have brushed well unless they brush with strong strokes (P < 0.05). A logistic regression model showed that it might be possible to distinguish dental students from DT/DH students by using three items of the HU-DBI and the level of dental education. The difference in the HU-DBI scores was not a major feature. There were significant differences in oral health attitudes/behavior between dental students and DT/DH students. The findings might reflect differences in students' training experience and education between different specialties. (J. Oral Sci. 46, 191-197, 2004)

Background: Several studies have reported an association between smoking and periodontal destruction in young adults. Aims: To investigate the effects of cigarette smoking on the periodontal condition of young Jordanian adults. Methods: A case-control study of young adults between the ages of 20 and 35 years who were attending a dental hospital in Jordan for routine dental treatment. A group of 100 subjects who had smoked for at least 2 years were compared with 100 age- and sex-matched never smokers. Clinical measurements of plaque, bleeding on probing and probing depth were recorded and interproximal bone levels related to molar teeth were assessed from bitewing radiographs. Results: The smokers had higher levels of plaque, more sites which bled in response to probing and a greater mean probing depth than never smokers. The unadjusted odds ratio for smoking to be associated with the presence of more than 10 pockets which were ≥4 mm was 3.08 (95% confidence interval 1.58–6.03). The proportion of measurable surfaces in smokers (22.7%) which had bone levels ≥3 mm below the cementoenamel junction was significantly higher (P

– Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine whether β-thalassemia major is associated with an increase in the severity of periodontal disease and dental caries. Methods: A total of 61 thalassemia patients and 63 healthy controls (age range = 6–18 years) were examined for plaque deposits, gingivitis, periodontitis and dental caries using Silness and Loe plaque index (Pl.I), Loe and Silness gingival index (GI), probing pocket depth (PPD) and DMFT, respectively. Results: There were no significant differences in Pl.I, GI and PPD scores between both thalassemia patients and healthy control groups (P > 0.05). Dental caries was significantly higher in thalassemia patients group (P

Background Patient satisfaction with the shade match of restorations has not been appraised carefully in the dental literature. This study compared patients' and a prosthodontist's satisfaction with the shade of existing porcelain-fused-to-metal, or PFM, restorations. Methods The authors selected a convenience sample of 212 patients for this study. Patients and a prosthodontist were asked independently, under standardized conditions, to express their satisfaction with the shade match of the patient's restoration. Kendall's tau-b statistic was used to measure the strength of the association between the shade satisfaction rating of the patient and that of the prosthodontist. The authors also examined patient satisfaction with respect to sex, treatment location and clinician. Results The prosthodontist was less satisfied than the patient with the shade match in a significant number of cases. The authors found no difference in patient satisfaction with respect to sex. They did find that patients were more satisfied with the shade match of restorations placed by a prosthodontist or placed under the supervision of a prosthodontist than they were with restorations placed by general practitioners. Conclusions Patients were more satisfied with the shade match of their PFM restorations than was the prosthodontist. Patients also were more satisfied with restorations placed by a prosthodontist or placed under the supervision of a prosthodontist in a hospital or academic setting. Clinical Implications Patient satisfaction with shade match is important when constructing or replacing a restoration, and the level of satisfaction might be different from that of the clinician. When selecting restoration shades, clinicians should take into consideration the opinions of their patients.

Background: Dentine hypersensitivity (DH) is a common painful condition which affects a significant proportion of the adult population. Aims: To investigate the relationship between DH and factors such as gingival recession, oral hygiene practices and smoking in Jordanian adults. Methods: A case control study was performed on dental attenders in the Irbid region of Jordan. A DH group was composed of 126 subjects with a history of sensitivity who also reported discomfort of least two non-carious teeth after an air blast. Each case quantified their personal perception of the severity of pain associated with sensitivity by making a mark on a visual analogue scale The presence and extent of gingival recession was measured on plaster models. An age- and sex-matched control group of 134 subjects who complained of no discomfort was recruited. Results: Independent predictors of DH in multivariate analysis were whether an individual had noticed their teeth getting longer (P = 0.01), infrequent (less than once per day) toothbrushing (P = 0.001), smoking (P = 0.0006) and the presence of recession ≥ 3 mm (P = 0.0005). Within the multivariate analysis, the odds ratio for recession of ≥ 3 mm to be associated with sensitivity was 2.80 (confidence interval 1.57–4.99). The number of teeth which responded to an airblast was significantly higher in males (P = 0.0004), smokers (P

Patients with significant craniofacial asymmetry may have functional problems associated with their occlusion and aesthetic concerns related to the imbalance in soft and hard tissue profiles. This report details a case of facial asymmetry secondary to left mandible angle deficiency due to undergoing previous radiotherapy. We describe the correction of the bony deformity using computer aided design/computer aided manufacturing custom-made titanium onlay using novel direct metal laser sintering. The direct metal laser sintering onlay proved a very accurate operative fit and showed a good aesthetic correction of the bony defect with no reported complications postoperatively. It is a useful low-morbidity technique, and there is no resorption or associated donor-site complications.

This study investigated 84 cantilevered resin-bonded bridges (CRBB) in 60 patients. These CRBB (single retainer, single pontic) had been in place for an average of 43.6 months. Periodontal health was assessed on abutment teeth and contralateral control teeth. Periodontal indices utilized were Plaque Index (PI), Gingival Index (GI), Bleeding Index (BI), Pocket Depth (PD) and mobility. The marginal adaptation, the gingival extension of the retainers and the presence or absence of caries around each retainer margin were also assessed. Information about the history of debonding was collected and a success rate of 93% was reported. PI, GI and mean PD compared statistically significantly, less favourably, with scores of the control teeth. Marginal adaptation of the retainers was of a high standard and caries did not appear to be a problem.

The aims of this study were to evaluate the shear bond strength (SBS) of metal and ceramic brackets bonded to two different all-ceramic crowns, IPS Empress 2 and In-Ceram Alumina, to compare the SBS between hydrofluoric acid (HFA), phosphoric acid etched, and sandblasted, non-etched all-ceramic surfaces. Ninety-six all-ceramic crowns were fabricated resembling a maxillary left first premolar. The crowns were divided into eight groups: (1) metal brackets bonded to sandblasted 9.6 per cent HFA-etched IPS Empress 2 crowns; (2) metal brackets bonded to sandblasted 9.6 per cent HFA-etched In-Ceram crowns; (3) ceramic brackets bonded to sandblasted 9.6 per cent HFA-etched IPS Empress 2 crowns; (4) ceramic brackets bonded to sandblasted 9.6 per cent HFA-etched In-Ceram crowns; (5) metal brackets bonded to sandblasted 37 per cent phosphoric acid-etched IPS Empress 2 crowns; (6) metal brackets bonded to sandblasted 37 per cent phosphoric acid-etched In-Ceram crowns; (7) metal brackets bonded to sandblasted, non-etched IPS Empress 2 crowns; and (8) metal brackets bonded to sandblasted, non-etched In-Ceram crowns. Metal and ceramic orthodontic brackets were bonded using a conventional light polymerizing adhesive resin. An Instron universal testing machine was used to determine the SBS at a crosshead speed of 0.1 mm/minute. Comparison between groups was performed using a univariate general linear model and chi-squared tests. The highest mean SBS was found in group 3 (120.15 +/- 45.05 N) and the lowest in group 8 (57.86 +/- 26.20 N). Of all the variables studied, surface treatment was the only factor that significantly affected SBS (P < 0.001). Acid etch application to sandblasted surfaces significantly increased the SBS in groups 1, 2, 5, and 6. The SBS of metal brackets debonded from groups 1, 3, and 5 were not significantly different from those of groups 2, 4, and 6. All debonded metal brackets revealed a similar pattern of bond failure at the adhesive-restorative interface. However, ceramic brackets had a significantly different adhesive failure pattern with dominant failure at the adhesive-bracket interface. Ceramic fractures after bracket removal were found more often in groups 1-4. No significant difference in ceramic fracture was observed between the IPS Empress 2 and In-Ceram groups.

Objectives The objective of this study was to investigate fracture resistance and mode of failure of teeth restored with different prefabricated post systems. Study design Thirty teeth were collected, sectioned 15 mm from the apex, root canal prepared, and randomly allocated into 3 groups as follows: glass fiber posts (group 1), carbon fiber posts (group 2), and Radix-Anchor titanium posts (group 3). Teeth were then restored with a composite core and tested using a universal testing machine at 10 mm/min cross-head speed. Mode of failure was identified as either reparable or irreparable (catastrophic). Results Mean values of fracture forces (N) for teeth restored with Radix posts (571.6) were statistically significantly higher than teeth restored with either carbon fiber (420.6) or glass fiber posts (393.9). There were 86.67% of fractures that were catastrophic in nature. Conclusions Teeth restored with Radix-titanium posts were more resistant to fracture than those restored with either carbon or glass fiber posts. Most of the fracture modes were catastrophic in nature.

Aim To investigate the fracture resistance and fracture patterns of teeth restored with composite cores supported by different pre-fabricated post systems and different heights of remaining coronal dentine. Methodology Four groups of 30 single rooted teeth were used. Each group was divided into three subgroups of 10 teeth each and restored with carbon fibre, glass fibre, or Radix titanium posts luted with dual cure resin cement. The control group A had no retained coronal dentine. Groups B, C and D had 2, 3 and 4 mm of retained buccal and lingual coronal dentine, respectively. Teeth were tested to failure using an Instron Universal Testing Machine. Subsequently, the fracture mode of specimens was recorded. Results Teeth with retained dentine were more resistant to fracture (P = 0.001). Tooth fracture resistance was not significantly different between groups B, C and D. Within group A, titanium posts were associated with higher fracture resistance than fibre posts. Within the other groups, tooth fracture resistance was not related to post material. Within groups C and D, fracture resistance of teeth restored with carbon fibre posts was significantly higher than those restored with glass fibre posts. The dominant fracture mode in group A was core and vertical oblique root fracture whilst a combination of core, coronal dentine and root fracture occurred in the other groups. Conclusions Fracture resistance of teeth increased with the presence of retained coronal dentine. The use of glass and carbon fibre posts did not improve the fracture resistance or the fracture pattern of teeth when compared with metal titanium posts regardless of the presence of retained coronal dentine. The dominant fracture pattern of teeth was not related to the amount of retained dentine if it was >2 mm high.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate any association between irregular teeth and periodontal breakdown among children who attend dental clinics regularly. Methods: The subjects were 80 children (39 females and 41 males) with a mean age of 12.38 ± 0.75 years. Each subject had an alginate impression in the mandibular arch, periapical radiographs for the lower incisor teeth and clinical examination for periodontal health. Plaque accumulation, gingival condition and probing depth, bone level and status of lower incisor teeth contact areas were recorded. Spearman correlation test was used to observe any relationship between the clinical variables. Results: The average probing depth, gingival index and plaque index scores in the subjects studied were 1.3±0.25, 0.99±0.28 and 1.17±0.52 respectively. The average number of sites with labiolingual displacement with mesiodistal overlap was 1.81±1.30 and those without mesiodistal overlap was 1.39±1.10. The average number of contact areas with spacing was 0.59±1.23. The correlation observed between irregularity and periodontal health indicated no association between the number and type of displacement and plaque accumulation, gingivitis, attachment loss and alveolar bone level. Conclusion: There was no association between irregularity of teeth and periodontal diseases in presence of good oral hygiene.

Objective To determine the levels of periodontal disease and dental caries in subjects with cleft lip and palate and to compare them with matched noncleft control subjects. Design A total of 32 subjects with cleft lip and palate, ages 10 to 28 years, and a similar number of noncleft control subjects were examined for plaque biofilm deposits, gingivitis, periodontitis, and dental caries by using the Silness and Löe plaque index (PI), Löe and Silness gingival index (GI), probing pocket depth (PPD), and the decayed-missing-filled-teeth (DMFT) index, respectively. Setting Faculty of Dentistry, Jordan University of Science and Technology, and Prince Rashed Hospital, Royal Medical Services, northern Jordan. Results Scores for PI, GI, PPD, and DMFT were significantly higher in subjects with cleft lip and palate than in control subjects. Conclusion Subjects with cleft lip and palate are at an increased risk for dental caries and periodontal disease when compared with a noncleft population.

SUMMARY The purpose of this study was to investigate cephalometrically the uvuloglosso-pharyngeal dimensions in subjects with β-thalassaemia major. The subjects were 15 thalassaemic patients (eight males, seven females) with a mean age of 14.13 ± 1.06 years. The variables measured on the lateral cephalograms were tongue height and length, soft palate length and thickness, superior, middle and inferior pharyngeal airway space, and hyoid bone position. The thalassaemic group was compared with a normal control group matched for sex and age using a t-test. The results showed that thalassaemic patients had a smaller tongue size (length P < 0.05, height P < 0.001), shorter soft palate (P < 0.001), smaller upper (P < 0.001) and middle (P < 0.05) pharyngeal airway spaces, and a shorter vertical pharyngeal length (P < 0.05). The hyoid bone in thalassaemic patients was closer to the mandibular plane (P < 0.001).

AIM This study aimed to examine the fracture resistance of teeth restored with cast post and partial cores supported by different heights of coronal tooth structure. METHODOLOGY Four specimen groups were prepared. Group A was the control and consisted of 10 single-rooted teeth restored with post and cores cemented in dowel channels with no retained coronal dentine.The test groups, B, C and D differed in the amount of retained buccal coronal dentine having 3, 4 and 5 mm, respectively. All groups were tested to failure using an Instron Universal Testing Machine, Model 1195. The mode of failure for representative specimens for each group was recorded photographically. RESULTS Specimens in group B where the remaining dentine core was 3 mm in height fractured at a higher force than specimens in the control group (P = 0.0239). There were no statistically significant differences in the forces required to fracture teeth with retained buccal coronal dentine cores of 4 and 5 mm when compared to the control. There was no statistically significant difference between forces required to fracture groups B and C or groups B and D. CONCLUSION In this in vitro study, 3 mm of retained coronal buccal dentine improved fracture resistance of teeth restored with partial post and cores when compared to teeth without retained coronal dentine.