Mechanical removals in decayed teeth have been performed using drill and sharp hand instruments. These methods have some disadvantages such as pain, local anesthesia and overextended cavities. Therefore chemo-mechanical excavation of dentin carious lesions has been introduced. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of traditional mechanical methods using burs and chemo-mechanical methods (Carisolv) of caries dentin.

Mechanical caries removal was carried with low speed round bur. Chemo-mechanical caries excavation was performed with Carisolv (Medi-team), using the Carisolv hand instruments. The mean time to remove caries with two different methods was evaluated and the data analyzed with SPSS software (ver 11.5) by t-test (p < 0.05). For histomorphometry of caries removal were also carried with mechanical or chemo-mechanical (Carisolv) methods from 20 extracted caries permanent molars. Complete caries removal was verified with a #23 sharp explorers, Caries Detector (Kuraray Co. Japan), and standard apical radiography.

1. Chemo-mechanical method was taken more times than mechanical method (1.5 fold) (p < 0.05).

2. Excavation for caries took more time for molar lesion than premolar lesion, and the least time was taken to remove the caries in incisor lesion (p < 0.05).

3. There were no significant differences to remove the caries between the maxilla and mandible (p > 0.05).

4. The remaining carious dentin was detected after the chemo-mechanical removal of the carious dentin, and no smear layer were seen after the mechanical and chemo-mechanical removal of the carious dentin.

This study was done to evaluate the shear bond strength between light-cured glass ionomer cement (GIC) base and resin cement for luting indirect resin inlay and to observe bonding aspects which is produced at the interface between them by SEM.

Two types of light cured GIC (Fuji II LC Improved, GC Co. Tokyo, Japan and Vitrebond™, 3M, Paul, Minnesota, U.S.A) were used in this study. For shear bond test, GIC specimens were made and immersed in 37℃ distilled water for 1 hour, 24 hours, 1 week and 2 weeks. Eighty resin inlays were prepared with Artglass® (Heraeus Kultzer, Germany) and luted with Variolink® II (Ivoclar Vivadent, Liechtenstein).

Shear bond strength of each specimen was measured and fractured surface were examined. Statistical analysis was done with one-way ANOVA.

Twenty four extracted human third molars were selected and Class II cavities were prepared and GIC based at axiopulpal lineangle. The specimens were immersed in 37℃ distilled water for 1 hour, 24 hours, 1 week and 2 weeks. And then the resin inlays were luted to prepared teeth. The specimens were sectioned vertically with low speed saw. The bonding aspect of the specimens were observed by SEM (JSM-5400®, Jeol, Tokyo, Japan). There was no significant difference between the shear bond strength according to storage periods of light cured GIC base. And cohesive failure was mostly appeared in GIC. On scanning electron micrograph, about 30 - 120 µm of the gaps were observed on the interface between GIC base and dentin. No gaps were observed on the interface between GIC and resin inlay.

This study was conducted in order to assess whether the form of the shade guide affects in deciding the color of the teeth using the shade guide.

Eight shade light cured composite resins (Esthet-X, Dentsply, Milford, USA) were used in this study. Shade guides including the model of maxillary central incisors, teeth-form shade guide, doughnut form shade guide, and shade guide with perforated gray shield were prepared with eight shade composite resins and provided the codes randomly.

After arranging the models of teeth, 19 dentists working at the clinic of the Dentistry of Chonnam University Hospital and 65 students of college of dentistry, Chonnnam University selected the shade guides corresponding to the color of each tooth on the gray board under the D65 standard illuminant.

B1 shade showed highest accuracy of about 95% among all shade guides of 3 forms applied to the test and regardless of observer, tooth form shade guide showed the highest accuracy (p < 0.05), and the doughnut form showed the lowest accuracy (p < 0.05).

At the time of deciding on the color of the teeth using the shade guides as a result of above, the forms of the shade guides can affect the accuracy, and it suggests that the development of the diversified forms of shade guides, which may obtain more accurate results, is required.

This study was done to evaluate whether vital bleaching agents could influence on the translucency of the bovine enamel. The anterior bovine teeth that were extracted one day before and without any gross discoloration were obtained and then were preserved in physiologic saline. 6 mm cylindrical tooth specimens were fabricated with diamond puncher perpendicularly on labial surface of bovine tooth. After embedded in transparent acrylic resin with labial surface being exposed, they were cut to a thickness of 1.2 mm with low speed diamond saw (Isomat, Buehler Co., Lake Bluff, IL, USA). They were smoothly ground to 1 mm thickness of enamel with sandpaper. 24 specimens were randomly divided into 3 groups and control group respectively. Opalescence (10% carbamide peroxide, Ultradent, South Jordan, USA), Rembrandt (10% carbamide peroxide, DenMat, USA) and Opalescence F (15% carbamide peroxide with fluoride, Ultradent, USA) were applied on labial sides of the bovine enamel for 7 days (bleaching agents were reapplied every 24 hours) and the opposite surface was contacted to cotton that soaked in distilled water. The control group was soaked in distilled water. Three stimulus value X, Y and Z were evaluated with colorimeter (Color & Color Differencemeter, Model TC-6FX, Tokyo Denshoku Co., Japan) on the labial surface of all specimen three times on white and black background plate before the bleaching agents were applied and on 3rd, 5th and 7th day after applied. The degree of translucency was normally assessed by measuring the inverse property, opacity (contrast ratio).

10% Opalescence, 15% Opalescence-F, and control group showed no significant variation in the translucency of bovine enamel, However Rembrandt decreased the translucency of it (p < 0.01).

Intracanal separation of the rotary files is a serious concern in modern endodontic practice. The objective of this study was to compare the life span and fracture patterns of three NiTi rotary files in molar teeth.

Mesiobuccal roots of upper molar (n = 150) and mesial roots of lower molar (n = 150) were divided into three groups and each group was prepared with Profile, ProTaper, and K3 respectively. Every file was used until separation and/or deterioration of the cutting blade was happened, and then the number of canals to separation and/or unwinding were recorded. Radiographs and Scanning electon microscope (SEM) photographs were taken to evaluate the patterns of separation.

The results were as follows :

1. There were no significant differences in numbers of canals to separation and/or unwinding among the groups.

2. Comparing between flaring files, K3 showed significant lower numbers of canals to separation and/or unwinding (p < 0.05), and there was no significant difference between shaping files

3. Separations of instruments were occurred at the midpoint of curvatures within the canals.

4. In SEM observations, ductile fractures were seen in most of cases, characterized by shallow dimples.

Additional researches is needed to provide a new guideline that informs the appropriate number of times to use NiTi files.

The induction of the IL-8 and MCP-1 by the stimulation of Substance P and TNF-α (IL-8 agonist) and the specificity for SP using Spantide (SP antagonist) in the dental pulp tissues was measured quantitatively. In addition, the secretion of the IL-8 in the human dental pulp tissue 36 hrs after the stimulation of SP was observed after the stimulation of SP qualitatively.

According to this study, the results were as follows:

1. There was the significant IL-8 induction at 36 h after SP (10^-4M) stimulation of the pulp tissue comparing with the unstimulated dental pulp tissues (p < 0.05). IL-8 immunostaining was weakly detected along the periphery of the pulp tissue after Mock stimulation and IL-8 immunostaining was detected around the fibroblast in the pulp tissue 36h After SP (10^-4M) stimulation,

2. The secretion of MCP-1 from the dental pulp tissues comparing with Mock stimulation was induced at 36 hrs after TNF-α (40 ng/ml) stimulation, but no induction with SP(10^-4M). TNF-α (40 ng/ml) did not induce the IL-8 secretion from the pulp tissue, weak IL-8 immunostaining was detected along the periphery of the pulp tissue.

3. Spantide (10^-5M) inhibited IL-8 induction from the pulp tissues 36 h after SP (10^-4M) stimulation.

These results suggest that SP significantly induces IL-8 recruiting neutrophils in localized human dental pulp tissue. MCP-1 appears to be less involved in the early establishment of pulpal inflammation in response to irritation such as mechanical insult of dentin. SP may have positive relation with the inflammation of the human dental pulp tissues.

This study compared the microtensile bond strength (μTBS) and microscopic change of two 2-step and two 1-step self-etching adhesives to dentin according to storage times in distilled water.

Occlusal dentin was exposed in 48 human molars. They were divided to four groups by different adhesives: SE Bond group (Clearfil SE Bond), AdheSE group (AdheSE), Adper group (Adper Prompt L-Pop), and Xeno group (Xeno III). Each group was stored in 37℃ distilled water for 1, 15, and 30 days.

Resin-bonded specimens were sectioned into beams and subjected to μTBS testing with a crosshead speed of 1 mm/minute. For SEM observation, one specimen was selected and sectioned in each group after each stroage time. Resin-dentin interface was observed under FE-SEM.

In all storage times, mean μTBS of SE group was significantly higher than those of other groups (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference between mean μTBS of SE group and AdheSE group among all storage times, but significant difference between 1- and 30-day storage in mean μTBS of Adper group and Xeno group (p < 0.05). For 1-and 15-day storage, all groups showed the close adaptation between resin-dentin interfaces. For 30-day storage, resin-dentin interfaces showed wide gap in Adper group and separate pattern in Xeno III group.

It is common for clinicians to encounter endodontically treated teeth that contain posts within their roots. If endodontic treatment is failed, these posts must be removed to facilitate successful nonsurgical retreatment.

There have been many techniques such as ultrasonic instrument, Ruddle post removal system, Eggler post remover and Masserann kit developed to facilitate removal of posts from the root canal space. But these methods may be disadvantageous because long length of time required for post removal and fracture of post or teeth. In now days new post removal technique using ATD automatic bridge remover was introduced. Advantages of this method are simple and short time consuming compare to others.

This article served as a successful case report of post removal using ATD automatic bridge remover.