The tooth and the composite restoration can undergo a change in color after the restorative procedure over time. The purpose of this randomized clinical trial was to evaluate the color difference (ΔE) of two types of composite resins and remaining tooth structure over a period of 28 days. A total of 40 teeth in 30 patients with Class IV caries or EllisClass II fracture in maxillary incisors were randomized into two groups based on the type of composite resin used for restoration: IPS Empress (n=20 teeth) and Filtek Z250 (n=20 teeth). Shade selection was done using a spectrophotometer. Restorations were performed using an anatomical layering technique, and finishing and polishing was done after 48 hours. Baseline spectrophotometer color values for the remaining tooth structure were measured before isolation and for composite restorations, 10 minutes after light cure. Further color evaluations using a spectrophotometer for the remaining tooth structure and composite restorations were done at 48 hours (both before and immediately after finishing and polishing), 7days, 14 days, and 28 days, and color difference (ΔE) from baseline values for remaining tooth structure and restorations and ΔE between remaining tooth structure and restorations were calculated. Descriptive statistics including mean, standard deviation, and frequencies were computed. Mann-Whitney U test was done to compare spectrophotometer values. There was a significant reduction in mean color difference (ΔE) from baseline values for both tooth (p<0.05) and composite restoration (p<0.05) at all evaluation periods in both groups. Filtek Z250 showed significantly lower mean ΔE between the tooth and the composite resin restoration than IPS Empress at 48 hours (before and after finishing and polishing), 7 days and 14 days (p<0.05). At the 28 day recall, mean ΔE value of IPS Empress restorations to tooth structure was 3.5, while the mean ΔE value of Filtek Z250 restorations to tooth structure was 3.6, which was not statistically different (p>0.05). The remaining tooth structure as well as the composite restorations showed color changes at all evaluation periods, compared to baseline values in both the composite resin groups. Filtek Z250 exhibited less ΔE with remaining tooth structure at 48 hours, 7 days, and 14 days, when compared to IPS Empress. The composite restorations of both the groups reached clinically acceptable color match (mean ΔE<3.7) with the remaining tooth structure 28 days after the procedure.

Postgraduate Program Director, Advanced ProsthodonticsAdvanced Prosthodontics ProgramDepartment of Restorative DentistryUniversity of Illinois at ChicagoCollege of DentistryThe University of Illinois Chicago College of Dentistry (UIC COD) invites applications for a full time faculty to serve as the Program Director for the Advanced Education Program in Prosthodontics. This position is Open Rank either in Tenure or Non-Tenure Track in the Department of Restorative Dentistry. This is an exceptional opportunity to lead a team of outstanding residents, faculty and staff in a state of the art Prosthodontics facility.We are seeking an experienced academic leader in prosthodontic education, who will build upon our established educational foundation and continue the mission of the Department and the College. Additionally, the individual should possess excellent organizational and interpersonal skills, experience in mentoring and leadership, and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.The selected individual will have primary responsibilities in the recruitment, training, and supervision of postgraduate students specializing in prosthodontics. The Program Director will also oversee strategic planning, curriculum organization, financial management and ensure that the program complies with the Commission on Dental Accreditation standards.Candidates must have earned a DDS/DMD (or equivalent) degree, be eligible for licensure in Illinois, must have completed a formal training program in prosthodontics at a CODA accredited institution and must be a diplomate of the American Board of Prosthodontics. Preferred candidates will have experience/formal training in dental implant surgery; experience/formal training in digital dentistry, experience teaching in an advanced prosthodontics program, experience as a research mentor at the advanced prosthodontics level and evidence of national leadership in advanced prosthodontics. Academic rank and salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience.The position is available immediately. Confidential review of materials and screening of candidates will begin in January of 2022 and continue until the position is filled. For fullest consideration, please apply by February 1, 2022 through the university website at: https://jobs.uic.edu/job-board/job-details?jobID=158102 (tenured) or https://jobs.uic.edu/job-board/job-details?jobID=158094 (non-tenure) including cover letter, curriculum vitae, license, and the names and contact information of four professional references. Inquiries regarding this position may be addressed to Dr. Stephen Campbell, Search Committee Chairperson at stephend@uic.edu.The University of Illinois at Chicago is an affirmative action, equal opportunity employer, dedicated to the goal of building a culturally diverse and pluralistic faculty and staff committed to teaching and working in a multicultural environment. We are committed to equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, Veteran, or disability status.Offers of employment by the University of Illinois may be subject to approval by the University’s Board of Trustees and are made contingent upon the candidate’s successful completion of any criminal background checks and other pre-employment assessments that may be required for the position being offered. Additional information regarding such pre-employment checks and assessments may be provided as applicable during the hiring process.The University of Illinois System requires candidates selected for hire to disclose any documented finding of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment and to authorize inquiries to current and former employers regarding findings of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment. For more information, visit: https://www.hr.uillinois.edu/cms/One.aspx?portalId=4292&amp;pageId=1411899University of Illinois faculty, staff and students are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. If you are not able to receive the vaccine for medical or religious reasons, you may seek approval for an exemption in accordance with applicable University processes.

The aim of this study was to investigate how the polymerization shrinkage forces of composite resins change with change in deflection. Five composites, SDR (Dentsply Caulk, Milford, DE, USA), EcuSphere-Shape (DMG, Hamburg, Germany), Tetric N-Ceram Bulk Fill (Ivoclar Vivadent, Schaan, Liechtenstein), CLEARFIL AP-X (Kuraray Noritake Dental Inc., Sakazu, Kurashiki, Okayama, Japan), and Filtek Z350 XT (3M Dental Products, St Paul, MN, USA), were tested in this experiment. The polymerization shrinkage forces of the composites were measured using a custom-made tooth-deflection-mimicking device and software (R&B Inc, Daejon, Korea). In all measurements, six modes were tested: maximum-deflection, zero-deflection, and four deflection-controlled modes. For each deflection mode, the shrinkage forces were recorded continuously every 0.1 second for 180 seconds. Polymerization shrinkage and flexural modulus were also measured. Eight specimens of each material were allocated for each test. For each material, six groups of shrinkage force values were compared using one-way ANOVA and Tukey post hoc tests at a 95% confidence level. The polymerization shrinkage force of each material in each of the six deflection modes was analyzed with 95% confidence using one-way ANOVA and Tukey post hoc tests. The relationship between the force measured in the six deflection modes and the linear polymerization shrinkage and flexural modulus was analysed with 95% confidence using Pearson correlation analysis. For each material, the following held true: the shrinkage force was highest in zero-deflection mode, the force decreased as deflection increased, and the smallest force appeared in maximum-deflection mode (p<0.05). There was a high negative correlation between allowable deflection and shrinkage force in all materials.

This study aimed to evaluate the success of computer-aided design-computer-aided manufacturing (CAD-CAM) endocrown restorations of endodontically treated teeth (ETT) performed by supervised undergraduate students. The study also intended to identify possible factors that may lead to failures. This observational open cohort study was based on clinical data from endocrown restorations performed by residents and undergraduate students in their 4th, 5th, and 6th year from July 2011 to May 2018. The presence of a tooth with an endocrown on the arch was the main criteria used to calculate the survival rate of restored teeth. The quality of the remaining endocrowns was evaluated referring to the FDI criteria. The cases of failure were categorized into either favorable or unfavorable. A total of 343 ETT were restored with endocrowns in 315 patients. Among them, 199 patients encompassing 225 endocrowns were followed during a 56 ± 26 month period. The survival rate of restored teeth was found to be 81.8%, the estimated Kaplan-Meier survival rate being 71.8% at 9 years. Among the 41 failed cases, 32 were favorable (debonding and/or ceramic fractures) and 9 were unfavorable. Endocrown restorations of posterior ETT using CAD-CAM technologies could be carried out by undergraduates with a low risk of failure. Teacher supervision could be reinforced, covering all steps of each endocrown procedure in order to avoid failures due to insufficient thickness or loss of retention.

This study aimed to evaluate the filler contents (FCs), flexural properties, depth of cure (DOC), wear resistance, and handling properties of different low-viscosity bulk-fill resin composites (LVBRCs) and to determine the correlations between the tested parameters. Six LVBRCs, Beautifil-Bulk (BBF), Bulk Base Hard (BBH), Bulk Base Medium (BBM), Filtek Bulk-Fill Flowable Restorative (FBF), G-ænial Bulk Injectable (GBI), and SDR flow+ Bulk-Fill Flowable (SDR) were used. The DOC and flexural property tests were conducted according to the ISO 4049 specifications. The flexural strength, elastic modulus, and resilience were determined in 12 specimens that were obtained from each of the 6 materials. Sliding-impact-wear testing was conducted by evaluating the wear facets of the specimens using a noncontact profilometer and by confocal laser scanning microscopy. The handling properties of the LVBRC was assessed via extrusion force and thread formation measurements. The DOC for the majority of the LVBRCs was approximately 4 mm. Although the FCs and mechanical properties were material dependent, some LVBRCs exhibited excellent flexural properties and wear resistance. The LVBRCs demonstrated a wide range of extrusion force and thread formation. Regarding the correlations between the tested parameters, extremely strong negative and positive correlations were observed for the DOC versus extrusion force, flexural strength versus elastic modulus, maximum depth versus volume loss, and maximum depth versus thread formation. In addition, strong correlations between FCs and DOC, resilience, wear resistance, and extrusion force were observed.

This study determined the mechanical performance of bioactive restoratives in cariogenic environments and compared the flexural properties of various bioactive materials. The materials evaluated included a conventional resin-based composite (Filtek Z350 [FZ]) and 3 bioactive restoratives, namely an alkasite (Cention N [CN]), a giomer (Beautifil-bulk Restorative [BB]), and an enhanced resin-modified glass ionomer (Activa Bioactive Restorative [AV]). Beam-shaped specimens (12 x 2 x 2 mm) were produced, randomly allocated to 4 groups (n=10), and conditioned in deionized solution, remineralizing solution, demineralizing solution (DE), or pH cycled for 14 days at 37°C. After conditioning/pH cycling, the specimens were subjected to 3-point flexural testing. Flexural data were subjected to statistical analysis using analysis of variance or Tukey's test (α=0.05). Mean flexural modulus and strength ranged from 3.54 ± 0.33 to 7.44 ± 0.28 GPa, and 87.07 ± 8.99 to 123.54 ± 12.37 MPa, respectively. While the flexural modulus of the bioactive restoratives was not affected by cariogenic/acidic conditions, flexural strength usually decreased, with the exception of CN. The strength of BB was significantly reduced by DE and pH cycling, while that of AV was lowered by DE. For all conditioning mediums, AV had a significantly lower modulus than the other materials. Apart from conditioning in DE, where differences in flexural strength was insignificant, FZ and AV were generally significantly stronger than BB and CN. The effect of cariogenic environments on flexural strength was found to be material dependent, and aside from the alkasite material (CN), cariogenic conditions were observed to significantly decrease the strength of bioactive restoratives.

The anticaries potential of restorative ionomeric materials should be evaluated under a pH-cycling regime that simulates the caries process of demineralization and remineralization. Ten glass ionomer cement (GIC) materials and five resin-modified glass ionomer cement (RMGIC) materials were evaluated. A resin composite was used as a negative control. Six discs of each material were immersed for 6 and 18 hours each day in demineralizing (De-) and remineralizing (Re-) solutions, respectively. The solutions were changed daily over 12 days, during which the fluoride concentration was determined using an ion-specific electrode. The results were expressed as (1) the daily fluoride concentration in the Deand Re- solutions (μg F/ml), (2) the amount of fluoride released daily in the De- + Re- solution per area of specimens (μg F/cm2/day), and (3) the cumulative release over the 12-day period (μg F/cm2). During the first days, all materials showed a surge in fluoride release, followed by a gradual decline; however, three distinct patterns were observed, specifically: (1) greater fluoride release in the De- solution compared to the Resolution during the study period; (2) an initial higher release in De- solution; and (3) a similar release in both solutions over the whole period. The materials differed statistically (p<0.05) with respect to daily and cumulative fluoride release. One GIC (Maxxion R) and one RMGIC (Resiglass R) had the highest and lowest ability to release fluoride, respectively. In conclusion, the GICs and RMGICs evaluated exhibited distinct qualitative and quantitative patterns of fluoride release under conditions simulating the caries process, which might reflect their anticaries potential.

Rehabilitation of an extensively compromised single anterior tooth represents an intriguing challenge for dentists, particularly when the rehabilitation involves esthetic, psychosocial, and functional requirements. The success in rehabilitating a patient with a conservative approach depends on a critical evaluation of the remaining structures, precise treatment plan, systematic treatment strategies, and patient compliance. In this case, the patient's chief complaint was the undesirable appearance of the maxillary right lateral, caused by the displacement of the post and crown. Clinical examination revealed a remaining tooth with coronal fracture, severe loss of tissue due to caries, and absence of ferrule effect. Radiographic examination revealed that the fracture margin was located subgingival. This case report describes a single-tooth rehabilitation involving a combination of root displacement via orthodontic extrusion and crown lengthening. The rehabilitation was followed by post-and-core restoration using a prefabricated glass fiber post associated with a disilicate lithium crown. The clinical decision making and combined effect of both treatment strategies are explained in this report. The treatment required three months, including recovery times after surgery and the placement of the provisional crown. The patient was esthetically and functionally satisfied with the restoration. Patient follow-up examination was performed 24 months after the treatment. This clinical report contributes to the clinical practice and exemplifies the possibility of rehabilitating the natural tooth using combined techniques, which may offer particular advantages regarding prognosis and invested efforts.

To measure and compare the effect of operator experience in their ability to place composite in increments that are 2 mm thick. Fifteen volunteers from each class of freshmen, sophomores, juniors, and senior dental students and 15 clinical faculty (total number of volunteers = 75) were asked to restore a Class I preparation that was 5 mm in diameter and 8 mm deep from the cusp tips using three increments of composite that were each to be 2 mm thick. Once completed, the models were sectioned, and the thickness of each increment was measured. A repeated-measures analysis of variance (pre-set α=0.05) was used to compare the mean increment thickness with respect to operator experience level and increment sequence number. In addition, the proportion of operators placing clinically acceptable increments (between 1.75 and 2.25 mm thick), as well as the proportions from each group who placed increments that either were thinner or thicker than this range, was determined using nonparametric analyses. Overall, there was an increasing trend for groups with a higher experience level to provide mean incremental thickness values close to 2 mm. However, the likelihood of placing an increment that was thicker or thinner than the manufacturer-recommended thickness was not significantly different. Regardless of the increment value, only about one-third of the increments placed fell within the desired range of 1.75 to 2.25 mm. Operator experience had no overwhelming significant influence on the ability to place increments of composite that were between 1.75 and 2.25 mm thick. An operator has only about one chance out of three to place a composite increment within this clinically acceptable range when using no external measurement system.