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Biomedical subjects

G Z Wright

Publications and source records attributed to G Z Wright.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1999

The safety and efficacy of treatment with air abrasion technology.

AIMS: To evaluate patient and operator exposure to respirable particulates following the use of air abrasion in tooth preparation, and to compare the microleakage of pit and fissure sealants after conventional, bur and air abrasion preparation of the pits and fissures. METHODS: To examine air abrasion safety, sampling data were collected using a physical model of the upper torso of a patient. Previously extracted bovine incisors were prepared using an air abrasion instrument. Patient and operator exposure samples were collected. The variables examined included the size of the alumina oxide particles, the speed of particle delivery and the method of dust collection. To assess the efficacy of air abrasion, 36 extracted human molars were divided into three groups. The groups were prepared by conventional acid etching, opening the pits and fissures with a round bur, or by air abrasion. To simulate oral conditions, sealed teeth were immersed in artificial saliva and thermocycled. Teeth were immersed in a 1% solution of methylene blue and sectioned to assess the microleakage associated with each sealant. CONCLUSIONS: (1) Dust from the KCP 1000 is insufficient to be a health hazard to patients or operators, (2) chair-side suction can be used as an alternative to the KCP 1000 suction, (3) superior sealants were obtained when tooth surfaces were prepared by a bur, compared to air abrasion and conventionally prepared surfaces, and (4) air abrasion tooth surfaces demonstrated less microleakage than conventionally prepared tooth surfaces.

Aerosols↗
PubMed1997

Bond strengths of two ceramic brackets using argon laser, light, and chemically cured resin systems.

The present study compared tooth-bracket bond strengths using two types of ceramic brackets and three methods of polymerization: argon laser, conventional light, and chemical. Ninety extracted human premolars were prepared for bonding with pumice and gel etchant. Using single crystal alumina brackets with silanated bases, three groups of 15 teeth were bonded with one of the three polymerization methods. Similarly, three groups of 15 teeth were bonded with polycrystal alumina brackets with nonsilanated bases. Each bonded bracket was tested on an Instron tensile testing machine in shear mode to determine shear debonding strength. Fracture sites were recorded. Results demonstrated that (1) all combinations produced shear bond strengths greater than those considered clinically acceptable, (2) the mean shear bond strengths of the single crystal alumina brackets with silanated bases were significantly higher than those of the polycrystal alumina brackets with nonsilanated bases, and (3) no enamel fractures were found on debonding the chemically cured brackets while the light and laser groups exhibited a 10% rate of enamel fracture on debonding.

Acid Etching, Dental↗
PubMed1997

The management of premolar supernumeraries in three orthodontic cases.

This paper reviews the incidence, etiology and location of supernumerary teeth with emphasis on premolar supernumeraries and examines the management of supernumerary premolars of three patients undergoing orthodontics. These cases demonstrate that the management of premolars is assessed individually and treatments based on potential complications, which may occur during the orthodontic and surgical management of the dentition. Progress and posttreatment radiographs are recommended for the assessment of late forming supernumerary teeth.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1990

A survey of sealant use by Canadian dental practitioners.

Although there are reports on the use of fissure sealants in the United States, little information is available about the extent to which this preventive measure is used in Canada. This study reports the results of a survey of sealant use. Based upon the responses from 589 Canadian dental practitioners, it was found that 84.8% used sealants in their practices. There was no statistically significant difference in sealant use between dentists in fluoridated and non-fluoridated areas. However, usage increased with the number of dental auxiliaries in the practice. There also was more use of sealants in patients covered by dental insurance. Sealant usage declined the longer dentists had been in practice. Light-cured, tinted sealants appeared to be the most popular types.

Canada↗
PubMed1989

Correlating Streptococcus mutans with dental caries in young children using a clinically applicable microbiological method.

The present study used a clinically applicable microbiological method to correlate Streptococcus mutans counts and dental caries prevalence in young children. The study population consisted of 37 subjects, between 16 and 60 months of age. Using a sterile tongue depressor, samples of unstimulated saliva were obtained from subjects and inoculated onto elevated agar plates containing a selective medium. Plates were incubated anaerobically at 37 degrees C for 48 h. chi 2 and multiple regression analyses gave highly significant relationships (p less than 0.01) between dental caries prevalence and the number of S. mutans colonies.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed1978

Space control in the primary and mixed dentitions.

Space control has been distinguished from space maintenance. The difference is not a semantic one. Space control calls upon the dentist to apply his knowledge of occlusal development to the patient's condition. It infers assessment and re-evaluation. Space maintenance, unfortunately, sometimes becomes a routine or mechanical placement of appliances. This article has reviewed some of the variables to be considered when effecting space control: the factors that dictate appliance selection and some of the more common appliances used for space control today. No formula has been recommended for the application of appliances. Rather, the dentist has been urged to review the variables and re-evaluate his decisions according to the dynamic development of the patient's dentition.

Acrylic Resins↗
PubMed1978

Principles of design of active and removable appliances.

Removable orthodontic appliances, perhaps more than any other form of mechanical therapy for the movement of teeth, are applicable to general practice. Far too frequently, however, the clinician limits his appliance design to a selective number of appliances with which he is conversant and attempts to modify any one of them to fit a specific situation. This article suggests a different approach. A specific appliance has not been recommended for a specific situation. Instead, the principles of removable appliance design have been elaborated upon according to an established plan. Adherence to the principles should enhance the clinician's ability to provide a more effective and efficient service for his young patients.

Activator Appliances↗
PubMed1977

Effect of interdental flossing on the incidence of proximal caries in children.

A clinical study was designed to evaluate the effect of frequent interdental flossing on the incidence of proximal dental caries. School children from a fluoride-deficient area were studied after clinical and radiographic examinations. Each child had at least one contralateral pair of intact, contacting proximal tooth surfaces between the distal surface of the primary cuspid and the mesial surface of the first permanent molar. Randomly selected test surfaces were flossed each school day with unwaxed dental floss by researchers. The contralateral surfaces served as controls. Flossing was done for eight months, discontinued for four months, and reinstituted for another eight months. A significant reduction in the incidence of proximal caries resulted.

Child↗