Biaxial Flexural Strength of Different Monolithic Zirconia upon Post-Sintering Processes

Objective Different post-sintering processes are expected to be a reason for alteration in the strength of zirconia. This study evaluated the effect of post-sintering processes on the flexural strength of different types of monolithic zirconia. Materials and Methods A total of 120 classical- (Cz) and high-translucent (Hz) monolithic zirconia discs (1.2 mm thickness and 14 mm in Ø) were prepared, sintered, and randomly divided into four groups to be surface-treated with (1) as-glazed (AG); (2) finished and polished (FP); (3) finished, polished, and overglazed (FPOG); and (4) finished, polished, and heat-treated (FPHT) technique (n = 15). Biaxial flexural strength (σ) was determined on a piston-on-three ball in a universal testing machine at a speed of 0.5 mm/min. Statistical Analysis Analysis of variance, and post hoc Bonferroni multiple comparisons were determined for significant differences (α = 0.05). Weibull analysis was applied for survival probability, Weibull modulus (m), and characteristic strength (σ0). The microstructures were examined with a scanning electron microscope and X-ray diffraction. Results The mean ± standard deviation value of σ (MPa), m, and σ0 were 1,626.43 ± 184.38, 9.51, and 1,709.79 for CzAG; 1,734.98 ± 136.15, 12.83, and 1,799.17 for CzFP; 1,636.92 ± 130.11, 14.66, and 1,697.63 for CzFPOG; and 1,590.78 ± 161.74, 10.13, and 1,663.82 for CzFPHT; 643.30 ± 118.59, 5.59, and 695.55 for HzAG; 671.52 ± 96.77, 3.28, and 782.61 for HzFP; 556.33 ± 122.85, 4.76, and 607.01 for HzFPOG; and 598.36 ± 57.96, 11.22, and 624.89 for HzFPHT. The σ was significantly affected by the post-sintering process and type of zirconia (p < 0.05), but not by their interactions (p > 0.05). The Cz indicated a significantly higher σ than Hz. The FP process significantly enhanced σ more than other treatment procedures. Conclusion Post-sintering processes enabled an alteration in σ of zirconia. FP enhanced σ, while FPOG and FPHT resulted in a reduction of σ. Glazing tends to induce defects at the glazing interface, while heat treatment induces a phase change to tetragonal, both resulted in reducing σ. Finishing and polishing for both Cz and Hz monolithic zirconia is recommended, while overglazed or heat-treated is not suggested.

Psychometric Characteristics of Different Versions of Vocal Tract Discomfort (VTD) Scale: A Systematic Review

Background: This review compare different Vocal Tract Discomfort (VTD) versions. This comparison is based on their validity and reliability parameters in the translation and adaptation process. We aimed to prepare numerical evidence to prove the validity of this easy screening tool. VTD is able to perform an accurate diagnosis of voice discomforts, particularly in primary stages. Methods: Articles were selected from databases including Google Scholar, PubMed, Science Direct and Scopus. Our relevant papers were gathered by searching the phrase: VTD in titles, abstracts, and keys. Studies not followed an adaptive procedure were excluded. Based on the selection criteria, out of 23 collected articles, eight were studied in this review. Results: Standard psychometric protocol steps were followed in all selected articles and simultaneously high reliability and validity were reported in their translation procedure. Such analogous results may confirm the efficacy of this research tool. Conclusion: This review affirms VTD, perceptual patient-based scale, as a valuable evaluation tool to investigate the occurrence of voice disorders. Based on its structure and performance, VTD can work as a quick and precise source for predicting vocal discomforts. Moreover, this capability can help professional therapists to plan more efficient treatment procedures. The other important advantage of VTD is its diagnostic and prognostic capacity to inform patients about their current and future conditions so that they would be motivated to follow treatment procedures more consistently.

Preventive and Interceptive Orthodontics Treatment

Preventive orthodontics is that part of orthodontic practice which is concerned with patients and parents education, supervision of the growth and development of the dentition and cranio-facial structures. The diagnostic procedures undertaken to predict the appearance of malocclusion and the treatment procedures instituted to prevent the onset of malocclusion. Interceptive orthodontics has been defined as that phase of science that can recognize and eliminate potential irregularities and malpositions of the developing dento-facial complex. Many of procedures are common in preventive and interceptive orthodontics, but the timings are different. Preventive procedures are undertaken in anticipation of development of a problem, whereas interceptive procedures are taken when the problem has already manifested. Orthodontic problems in children can be divided conveniently into non skeletal and skeletal problems, which are treated by tooth movement and by growth modification. Such treatment may take place in deciduous or transitional dentition and may include redirection of ectopically erupting teeth, slicing or extraction of deciduous teeth, correction of isolated dental crossbites of recovery of minor space loss.

Hands-On Training Courses for Cervical Cancer Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment Procedures in Low- and Middle-Income Countries

In 2018, there were approximately 570,000 new cases of cervical cancer worldwide. More than 85% of cases occurred in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), primarily because of poor access to screening and a limited number of medical providers trained to diagnose and treat cervical precancerous lesions. Our objective was to provide locally arranged, hands-on training courses for medical providers in LMICs to learn to perform cervical cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment procedures. The courses included didactic lectures and hands-on training stations using low-cost simulation models developed by bioengineers and students at Rice University in Houston, TX, United States, and the Malawi Polytechnic in Blantyre, Malawi. The hands-on training stations included visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA), colposcopy, cervical biopsy, endocervical curettage, loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP), and thermal ablation. Provider pre- and postcourse confidence levels in performing the procedures were evaluated. From February 2017 to January 2020, we arranged 15 hands-on training courses in seven cities across six countries (El Salvador, Mozambique, Trinidad and Tobago, Lesotho, Malawi, and Nepal). Overall, there were 506 participants. The average number of participants per course was 38 (range 19-92). The participants included doctors, nurses, and midwives. The course duration varied from 1 to 3 days. Increased confidence in performing VIA, colposcopy and cervical biopsy, ablation, and LEEP was reported by 69%, 71%, 61%, and 76% of participants, respectively. Our findings suggest that locally arranged, hands-on cervical cancer prevention training courses in LMICs can improve provider confidence in performing cervical cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment procedures. These courses are part of a larger strategy to build local capacity for delivering and improving cervical cancer prevention services in LMICs.

Post Pandemic Era – Adopting Tele-dentistry

Dentistry, the field of medicine where the communication sets standards for success. A continuous patient and dentist as well multidisciplinary dental communication leads to accuracy in diagnosis, increased efficiency as well as better patient satisfaction and long term positive outcomes. However the COVID-19 has brought a hindrance in the regular dental practice. The dental work demands a close proximity between the dentists with the patient which pitches them at a higher risk of being affected by the virus. Hence, international as well as national policy making associations and organizations have suggested only emergency and minimal aerosols generating treatment procedures. The dentists have almost been in hibernation, along with the waves of the pandemic and the constant lockdowns, carrying out free consultations for regular patients of their practices, through the phone and even chats. Can this be an opportunity to include tele-communication tools in routine dental practice?

The Relationship of Dental Anxiety, Behaviour, Temperament and Dental Caries in Children

The first dental examination is a major step that is affected by many factors and determines the dental treatment process. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the association of child temperament with child dental anxiety, parental dental anxiety, dental behaviour and dental caries. The study consisted of 100 children aged 3 to 6 who were attending their first dental examination and their accompanying parents. The Facial Image Scale (FIS), Frankl’s Behaviour Scale (FBS), Corah’s Dental Anxiety Scale (CDAS) and the Short Temperament Scale for Children (STSC) were used for assessment. The DMFT (decayed, missing and filled teeth) score of each child was recorded. Children who exhibited negative behaviour on the FBS had the highest rhythmicity scores (p = 0.008). The mean DMFT score of children in the rhythmicity temperamental dimension was relatively high (p = 0.008). The parents of children defined as negative on the FBS had high dental anxiety levels on CDAS (p < 0.001). Children whose parents had higher dental anxiety levels showed higher dental anxiety (p = 0.007). The success rate of dental treatment procedures may be increased by improving dentists’ knowledge of dental anxiety related to the child’s temperament and integrating parental support to reduce dental anxiety.

Is the Prevalence of Coronary Artery Anomalies Different in Countries with Small Populations? – A Retrospective Study in Northern Cyprus

Background: Although the prevalence of coronary artery anomalies (CAA) is due to accidental and rare discoveries, it varies between different countries or geographies. CAA are rare congenital disorders having various clinical definitions. Its prevalence varies in angiographic and autopsy series in adult populations and is approximately 1% in average. While the incidence ranges from 0.2% to 5.64% in coronary angiographic (CAG) studies, it is around 0.3% in autopsy series. We aimed to estimate the frequency of CAA in our patient population. Methods: The coronary angiographic data of 4099 consecutive adult patients, who underwent CAG between January 2019 and December 2020, were analyzed and retrospectively studied. Results: The mean age of the total patients who underwent CAG was 61.59 ± 13.67 years (range, 18-98 years). CAA were found in 76 patients (1.85% incidence), origin and course anomaly in 62 patients (81.6%), and coronary artery termination anomaly in 14 patients (18.4%). Separate exits of the left anterior descending (LAD) and left circumflex (LCX) coronary artery from the left sinus of Valsalva (LSV) were the most common anomalies (36.84%). Coronary artery fistulas were seen in 14 (18.42%) patients. Abnormal origin of left circumflex artery (LCX) from the right coronary artery (RCA) or right sinus valsalva (RSV) was seen in 13 (17.11%) patients. Outflow anomalies from the contralateral coronary sinus were detected in 10 (13.16%) patients. Conclusion: The incidence and pattern of CAA in our patient population showed similarity with previous studies. Physicians should be aware of CAA that may be associated with potentially serious cardiac incidents, because recognition of these CAA is important for the decision of treatment procedures.

Physical factors in medical rehabilitation of children with spinal osteochondropathies

The article is devoted to a targeted search of scientific literature sources aimed at compiling a review of data on the use of physiotherapy methods in the medical rehabilitation of children with spinal osteochondropathy. One of the most urgent and socially significant issues of modern medicine is the widespread prevalence of orthopedic pathology, among which the leading positions are taken by diseases of the spine. Recently, in the population of children and adolescents, there has been a steady increase in pain syndromes of a vertebrogenic nature, leading to impaired physical functioning. According to various population studies, the prevalence of this nosological form ranges from 0.42 to 37% among the child population. The prevalence of Scheuermann — Mau disease in the general population of children and adolescents ranges from 0.4–8.3%. This pathology is the most common among all children osteochondropathies. To date, the etiology of spinal osteochondropathy is still unclear. Due to the asymptomatic course, the disease is not always diagnosed in the early stages of development, which creates certain difficulties in diagnosing and prescribing an effective treatment for the disease. Medical rehabilitation of children with osteochondropathy of the spine is aimed at preventing further progression of deformity, improving posture, respiratory function and cardiovascular system and includes: a rational exercise regime and nutrition, bracing and cold water treatment procedures, conservative orthopedic measures (wearing a corset, staying in a plaster bed), active correction of deformity (kinesiotherapy), hydrokinetic therapy, massage, passive correction of deformity (treatment by position), physiotherapy (electrical muscle stimulation), sports (skiing, swimming).