Indian Journal of Dental Education

 Objectives : To determine the effect of developer age and file thickness on diagnostic accuracy of E and F- speed films in position assessment of file tip to radiographic apex., Study design: Endodontic files size 10 and 15 were placed in mandibular first molar and second premolar up to the root apex or 1.5 mm shorter. Ten series of radiographs were made with two types of film: Kodak insight (F-speed film) and Ektaspeed plus (E-speed film) in different positions of file in apex or 1.5 mm short. The films of each series were processed manually on each day, using Champion chemicals. The films were assessed by four endodontists. They rated the position of file tip to radiographic apex using a 3-point confidence scale in the questionnaires (tip to tip, 1.5 mm under, can not diagnose). The diagnostic performance of observers was compared with true diagnosis., Results : Mean Az value of E and F-speed films, that shows the diagnostic accuracy is 0.986 and 0.983 for E and F-speed films respectively, that was not significantly different (P = 0.777). Also diagnostic accuracy of films processed during 10 days was not statistically different (P = 0.726). Assessment of files tip size 10 and 15 in lower molar and premolar canals was not significantly different (P = 0.712)., Conclusion : The performance of the F-speed film was not statistically different from E-speed for assessment of file tip to radiographic apex. Because of less required exposure, we suggest to use Kodak insight (F-speed film) in clinical examination.

Key words: Diagnostic accuracy, Intra oral radiographic film, Working length 

Because of their high esthetic qualities and mechanical stability in the oral environment, ceramic restorations are commonly used in daily dental practice. Due to the inherently brittle nature of porcelain restorative materials, failure of metal ceramic restorations under intraoral conditions is not uncommon. The majority (65%) of failures are observed in the anterior region (60% in labial, 27% in buccal, 50% in incisal and 80% in occlusal regions). Clinical studies show failure rates upto 90% for ceramic veneers. Because it is arduous to remove the ceramic restorations from the mouth, they are repaired intraorally, using a bonding system and composite resins. It is necessary to know the possible causes of fracture of porcelain, the various bonding systems and the composites resins used for repairing. The current review takes into account the majority of papers published in the last few decades concerning the issue of bonding composite resins to porcelains.

Key Words: Porcelain fracture, bonding agent, ceramic repair, composite.

India has a rapidly growing elderly (60 +) population of 77 million which is likely to rise up to 300 million by 2050. For the most of this rapidly growing geriatric population there are no specialized oral health services. The elderly suffer from multiple oral health problems. The Indian population in the 21st century requires an in-depth understanding of the co-relation between oral health and general well being.1 Viewing these issues through the lens of oral health care provider allows an analysis of current oral health care status of the elderly in India; understand the cause of their poor oral health, their attitudes and treatment needs. The unique combination of growing age, physical disability, personal habits, socio-economic status and our oral healthcare system presents challenges for appropriate oral health care.2 The present article highlights on the need to understand the shortfalls in its current oral heath status in elderly and formulate strategies to improve its oral healthcare structure as well as education policy in geriatric dentistry to help resolve problems of oral health care for the elderly in India.

Key words: elderly, oral healthcare, dental treatment needs, geriatric dentistry

Systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE) is a connective tissue disease in which organs such as liver, kidney and heart in addition to skin and mucosa are involved. Oral findings are one of the diagnostic criteria which can be presented with ulcer or red and white lesions. In this article we report a case of SLE that is diagnosed by oral medicine specialist on the basis of oral ulcers. A 16-year-old female was referred to oral medicine department with 3 months lasting oral ulcers. There was a history of transient artheralgia in review of systems. In extra oral examination a butterfly diffuse erythema was observed on nasal bridge and malar prominences. Oral ulcers had different forms and involved different parts of oral mucosa. Due to chronic oral ulcers , malar rash and history of artheralgia ,a presumably diagnosis of SLE was affirmed. She was referred and hospitalized to rheumatology department. Oral and skin lesions were improved significantly in follow up examination. Oral findings may be the first diagnostic presentation of SLE. It is important for dentists to pay attention to medical history and different systemic symptoms to achieve accurate clinical diagnosis.

Key words: Systemic lupus erythematosus, Oral ulceration, Case report, Oral Medicine, Iran