BACKGROUND Amalgam that is used for dental fillings contains approximately 50% elemental mercury. During dental student training, amalgam is often removed by drilling without the use of water spray and suction, which are protective measures in preventing mercury aerosol. In this study we measured mercury vapor levels in ambient air during amalgam removal as is typically performed in dental trai...

Preparation of new polymer (polyurethane)+ceramic nanohybrids for filling dental cavities is reported. Short curing times (below 10 min) are achieved. Some tribological properties are determined and compared with those of commercial dental materials. The new materials provide scratch resistance as well as good adhesion to dentin and enamel, low toxicity and high chemical resistance; additionall...

Lateral canals establish connection between the main root canal and periodontal ligament. The necrotic tissues and bacteria residing in the lateral canals are difficult to remove by mechanical and chemical cleaning and this influences filling the root canal efficiently and the outcome of the root canal therapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the filling of artificially prepared lateral c...

INTRODUCTION This study was carried out to evaluate the technical quality of root canal treatment (RCT) performed by undergraduate dental students at the Islamic Azad University in Tehran, Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS Four-hundred records of patients who had received RCT at faculty of dentistry, between the years 2004-2006 were evaluated. For each treated tooth at least three periapical x-rays...

Zinc oxide-eugenol (ZOE) is usually applied clinically as dental filling material for thermal insulation and temporary restoration. The objective of this study was to use ZOE as a composite matrix and low melting-point polyester fibers or fabrics as reinforcement. The added fibers or fabrics increased the composite materials’ compressive load by 250 N and 290 N, respectively. Fiber length and t...

Several European countries have guidelines suggesting that women should not receive mercury-containing dental amalgam fillings during pregnancy. One concern raised by several studies is that mercury exposure during pregnancy may lead to decreased birth weight. A population-based, case-control study was designed to investigate whether placement of mercury-containing fillings in 1993-2000 during ...

Glass ionomer cements (GICs) are clinically attractive dental materials that have certain unique properties that make them useful as restorative and luting materials. This includes adhesion to moist tooth structures and base metals, anticariogenic properties due to release of fluoride, thermal compatibility with tooth enamel, biocompatibility and low toxicity. The use of GICs in a mechanically ...