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Biomedical subjects

F M Burke

Publications and source records attributed to F M Burke.

17 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Quality of root canal fillings performed by undergraduate dental students on single-rooted teeth.

INTRODUCTION: Root canal therapy is an accepted and successful form of tooth conservation. Educational guidelines require dental schools to ensure that their graduates are competent on graduation at performing root canal therapy. The aim of this investigation was to assess the technical quality of root canal fillings placed by undergraduate students in single-rooted teeth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 100 radiographs of root canal fillings placed by undergraduate students in single-rooted teeth were examined under even illumination in a darkened room using x2 magnification. These were graded as 'adequate', where the root canal filling was within 2 mm of the radiographic apex, 'under-filled', where the root canal filling was >2 mm from the radiographic apex, and 'over-filled', where the root canal filling was extruded beyond the radiographic apex. The presence of voids, fractured instruments, and root perforations were also noted. RESULTS: All teeth were obturated with gutta-percha and sealer (Roth Cement), using a cold lateral condensation technique. Of 100 teeth, 10% (n = 10) had voids. Of the remainder, 70% (n = 63) were judged to be 'acceptable', 21% (n = 19) were 'under-filled', and 9% (n = 8) were 'over-filled'. There was no evidence of fractured instruments or root perforations in any root filling examined. CONCLUSIONS: The quality of root canal fillings placed in single-rooted teeth by undergraduate dental students at the University Dental School and Hospital, Cork was acceptable (63% of root fillings placed in single rooted teeth were graded as 'adequate'). The probable reasons for this are multi-factorial, but may be linked to the amount of pre-clinical and clinical teaching in endodontics at the University Dental School and Hospital, Cork. It should be remembered that factors other than radiographic quality/evidence must be considered when determining the outcome of root canal therapy.

Bicuspid↗
PubMed2006

Fluoride-containing restorative materials.

Dental practitioners are exposed to an increasing number of dental materials, which claim the benefits of fluoride release. The purpose of this paper is to critically review the literature of these materials. Glass ionomers, resin modified glass ionomers, compomers, resin composites, fissure sealants and amalgam are discussed. It is clear that a long-term measurable release of fluoride can be observed from certain restorative materials, in vitro, particularly glass ionomer cement, resin modified glass ionomer cement, fluoridated cements, fluoridated dental amalgam and certain fissure sealants. In general, the rate of fluoride release is not constant but exhibits a relatively rapid initial rate, which decreases with time. However, the fluoride release profiles may be dependent on specific formulation and on experimental design and sampling methods. These materials may feature greater longevity, a reduced incidence of marginal failure, an elevated concentration of fluoride in contingent plaque, together with an antibacterial action when compared with non-fluoride releasing materials. In addition, fluoride-releasing materials may perform better in caries inhibition in artificial caries model studies than non-fluoridated materials. While any, or all, of these anti-cariogenic effects may be associated with fluoride release, a direct relationship between fluoride release profiles and such effects has not been determined in vivo.

Cariostatic Agents↗
PubMed2006

The strengthening mechanism of resin cements on porcelain surfaces.

All-ceramic crowns bonded with resin cements have increased performance, and two theories have been proposed. Marquis (1992) suggested that the resin modified defects by crack healing, while Nathanson (1993) proposed that resin polymerization shrinkage strengthened porcelains. Both theories imply a sensitivity of strengthening to defect size. The hypothesis tested was that resin strength enhancement is independent of defect severity. We ground 200 porcelain discs to remove imperfections and indented 120 to create a large defect. Discs were tested dry, wet, and after being coated with 75-100 microm of resin cement in bi-axial flexure. Disc strength with and without indentations was increased significantly when coated with 2 resin cements. Both cements significantly increased the strength independent of defect population, and the hypothesis was accepted. It is proposed that the combination of surface pre-treatment and cement moved the fracture origin from the porcelain/cement interface to the cement surface, consistent with resin strength enhancement independent of defect severity.

Acid Etching, Dental↗
PubMed2005

Use of dental service data to inform research and policy.

Data collected routinely in dental care delivery systems could be used to inform research and policy. Projects in which data were collected with the help of general dental practitioners are outlined. In an EU-funded project, six partners collaborated to develop a methodology designed to establish links between characteristics of a health care system and health outcome, and to determine the characteristics of oral health care systems which promote oral health and those which are detrimental to oral health. The results indicated that the data collected in the different systems investigated varied enormously, and they could not be easily adapted to help in developing policy. A theoretical model was developed in which the production of oral health care was considered separately from the production of oral health. In the second example, the longevity of the restorations in a dental care delivery system in Ireland was investigated by routine service data.

Data Collection↗
PubMed2005

Microbial contamination of dental unit water systems.

INTRODUCTION: Dental unit water systems (DUWS) may serve as a reservoir for biofilms that contribute to high numbers of bacteria in the water used during dental treatment. These microbes are predominantly harmless but potentially pathogenic organisms can also be present in the biofilm. This may pose a potential health risk for patients and dental personnel. AIM: to determine the microbial levels of DUWS in dental practices. MATERIALS AND METHOD: A cross-sectional study of water and tubing samples from 30 general dental practices (15 health board and 15 private surgeries) was undertaken as part of a pan-European investigation of the microbial qualitative and quantitative aspects of DUWS. RESULTS: Microbial loads ranged from 100 to 104 cfu ml-1 and exceeded the European guidelines for drinking water in many cases. The available evidence suggested the presence of isolates most likely belonging to families of aquatic and soil bacteria. It was not possible to draw distinct conclusions correlating microbial loads with dental unit parameters, including age of the unit, water source and chemistry and presence or absence of anti-retraction devices. Opportunistic or true pathogens were not detected. Yeasts were observed in samples from three units although further analysis confirmed that these were not Candida albicans. A decontamination strategy applied to one of the units eliminated the yeasts completely. CONCLUSIONS: Dental practitioners must be knowledgeable regarding microbial contamination and biofilm formation in dental unit waterlines. There is a need for development of European evidence-based guidelines and reliable control regimes for microbial contamination of DUWS.

Biofilms↗
PubMed2005

Attitudes of Irish and European dentists to water quality of dental unit water systems.

BACKGROUND: Dental unit water systems (DUWS) are used in dental practices to provide water to irrigate the oral cavity. Dental surgeries across the European Union (EU) use DUWS that may be prone to microbial contamination. OBJECTIVES: To determine Irish dental practitioners' attitudes to perceived risk from working with DUWS and their protocols for the management of biofilm in their DUWS and compare these with other European dentists. DESIGN: A questionnaire was used to determine DUWS types in use, practitioners' attitudes to risks associated with using DUWS and their DUWS management protocols. RESULTS: There were six different types of DUWS, 40 per cent of which were > 5 years old, 42 per cent of DUWS were fed by purified or distilled water. Only four per cent of practitioners carried out microbiological analysis on their water, but 38 per cent indicated that they cleaned or disinfected their DUWS. One-hundred per cent of practitioners were not aware of national/international guidelines for microbial contamination of DUWS but 77 per cent were concerned about DUWS water quality. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of practitioners were working with equipment that is < 5 years old. The majority of DUWS were not treated but practitioners were concerned about dental unit water quality and would welcome regular microbiological water tests and clear advice on cleaning/disinfection of the water supply in their dental units. Practitioner attitudes and behaviours were broadly similar in the other European countries studied.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗
PubMed2003

Associations between self-reported dental status and diet.

The purpose of this study was to develop a battery of dental, nutritional and psychological health survey measures and to use this survey instrument to explore links between age, tooth loss and dietary risk. The survey was undertaken in a dental school and hospital. Forty-nine consecutive patients (age range 25-74 years) participated in this pilot study and completed the health survey instrument. A quarter of the patients reported changing dietary habits due to dental problems, 56% reported difficulty in chewing as a result of problems with their teeth or dentures, and 36% reported having to interrupt meals due to dental difficulties. Tooth number was associated with MNA scores (0.35, P=0.03, Pearson's correlation coefficient) and reported number of foods eaten (0.33, P=0.04, Pearson's correlation coefficient) from the questionnaire checklist. Lower MNA scores were associated with age (F=6.54; d.f.=1, 46; P<0.01) indicating that older adults were more at risk of poor nutritional status. Overall health was not rated as an important factor influencing food choice, and only 14% of the sample felt that they had nutritional problems. Poor diet and impaired food choice was associated with declining numbers of teeth and increasing age. Older adults may require dietary advice to increase awareness of the importance of a healthy diet.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Incomplete tooth fracture following root-canal treatment: a case report.

AIM: To demonstrate the need for proper restoration of root-filled teeth. SUMMARY: Tooth fracture can be a sequel to root-canal treatment. It is associated with the removal of excessive amounts of the tooth substance during the instrumentation phase, the use of unnecessary force during obturation, or inadequate planning of the design of the eventual coronal restoration to include appropriate cuspal protection. Rarely, a fracture may be present in a tooth before treatment commences, but remains undetected. A case describing incomplete vertical tooth fracture of a root-filled mandibular first molar is presented.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Progressive changes in the pulpo-dentinal complex and their clinical consequences.

With changes in the age structure and oral health in the population, changes in the pulpo-dentinal complex are becoming more relevant clinically. Age-related changes in the structure of dentine and pulp are reviewed. The influence of these changes on restorative dentistry are considered with particular emphasis on endodontics and the use of adhesive restorative materials.

Adult↗
PubMed1995

Chemomechanical caries removal.

A system for the removal of caries by Chemomechanical means is reviewed. Its development, mode of action, safety, efficacy, advantages and disadvantages are considered.

Aminobutyrates↗
PubMed1995

Molecular mechanisms of the bleaching actions associated with commercially-available whitening oral health care products.

An increased public awareness in dental aesthetics has resulted in the wide availability of techniques of tooth bleaching, both in the dental chair and at home. This article reviews the aetiology of tooth discolouration both at the clinical and the molecular level, together with methods of alleviating such discolouration. Much of the therapeutic and aesthetic actions of commercially-available tooth whiteners, gels, oral rinses and other dentifrices are predominantly dependent on their ability to act as oxidants. A novel method of evaluating these aspects of dentifrice activity is also described: high resolution proton nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is a virtually non-invasive, multi component bioanalytical technique that can be employed to study oxidation/reduction reactions at the molecular level and is utilised here to investigate the mechanisms of action of a newly developed dentifrice (Ultrawhite Opal, Janina International). Such methodology also offers much potential for studies concerning the numerous chemical reactions occurring within the oral environment.

Dentifrices↗
PubMed1994

Glass polyalkenoate bond strength to dentine after chemomechanical caries removal.

The bond strength of a glass polyalkenoate cement after chemomechanical caries removal of dentine with or without the use of a conditioning agent and the mode of bond failure using scanning electron microscopy was examined. Forty extracted carious human teeth were divided into four groups of ten. Conventional caries removal was carried out on two groups and chemomechanical caries removal on the other two groups. Surface conditioner was applied to the dentine in one conventionally treated and one chemomechanically treated group. Glass polyalkenoate cement was applied via a metal holder to the dentine. The samples were stored for 7 days in a moist environment at 37 degrees C. The samples were subjected to a shearing-type stress at a cross-head speed of 0.5 mm min-1. The mean bond strength for each group, in MPa (standard deviation), was: conventional caries removal alone 1.32 (0.51), conventional caries removal and conditioner application 2.43 (0.47), chemomechanical caries removal alone 2.47 (0.99) and chemomechanical caries removal and conditioner application 2.76 (0.96). Mean bond strengths for both the chemomechanically treated groups and the conventionally treated group, coupled with the use of the conditioning agent, were significantly greater than for the conventionally treated groups alone at the 0.05 level. There was no significant difference between the chemomechanically treated groups or the group conventionally treated with conditioner application. SEM examination revealed a combination of cohesive and adhesive bond failure. Different morphologies between the conventionally and chemomechanically treated surfaces were also evident.

Acrylic Resins↗
PubMed1990

Depth of cure of light-cured glass-ionomer cements.

The depth of cure of three light-cured glass-ionomer cements was examined immediately after polymerization under the curing light and 12 hours after polymerization. The duration of illumination was also varied among groups to determine its effect on the depth of cure. Light-Cured Zionomer showed a greater immediate depth of cure than did either Vitrabond or XR Ionomer. All three materials demonstrated greater depth of cure 12 hours after application of the light source, indicating that they possess dual-curing characteristics. Increasing the duration of illumination from 30 to 60 seconds significantly (P less than .05) increased the depth of cure for all three materials.

Glass Ionomer Cements↗
PubMed1989

In vitro and in vivo evaluation of a bondable compact for the prolonged delivery of triamcinolone acetonide to the oral cavity in patients with lichen planus.

Compacts weighing 40 mg and containing triamcinolone acetonide 70-90% and polyhydroxybutyric acid (PHB) 30-10% or poly (DL-lactic acid) 20% with a diameter of 5 mm were bonded onto the side-wall of molar teeth. In vitro dissolution studies showed the compacts to release 12% of drug in 30 days with an initial burst effect. Drug loading or polymer matrix type had little effect. In vivo studies in dogs showed that compacts containing 80% drug in PHB produced salivary levels of triamcinolone acetonide for 30 days. When evaluated in five patients with lichen planus resistant to conventional therapy, these compacts produce a slight clinical improvement in three subjects. Differential scanning calorimetry studies confirmed that the drug and polymer were present as a physical mix in these compacts.

Adolescent↗