OBJECTIVETo determine densities of mineral drugs and their calcined products by using sealing wax densimetry, and to establish the testing method of crispness for calcined traditional Chinese medicine.

METHODTaking density as detection indicator, the accuracies of mineral drugs and their calcined products were investigated by sealing wax densimetry compared with direct densimetry, and the method of density determination was optimized.

RESULTThe density values measured by two methods investigated above were significantly different (P < 0.01), the density values of Pyritum, Haematitum, calcined Pyritum and calcined Haematitum measured by direct densimetry were increased 1.66%, 9.43%, 96.72% and 9.02%, respectively compared with that measured by sealing wax densimetry.

CONCLUSIONSealing wax densimetry is suitable for the density determination of mineral drugs and their calcined products with its high accuracy, whereas direct densimetry'is not suitable for the density determination of mineral drugs and their calcined products.

PURPOSE: Dental implants present several advantages over other tooth replacement options. However, there has been little research on masticatory function in relation to implant treatment. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the improvement of masticatory function two weeks after implant restoration. METHODS: Masticatory ability was evaluated with the subjective food intake ability (FIA) and objective mixing ability index (MAI) methods. Fifty-four subjects with first and second missing molars completed the study. The subjects were asked to complete a self-reported questionnaire about 30 different food items, and to chew wax samples 10 times both before and two weeks after implant restoration. A total of 108 waxes were analyzed with an image analysis program. RESULTS: Dental implant restoration for lost molar teeth on one side increased the FIA score by 9.0% (P<0.0001). The MAI score also increased, by 14.3% after implant restoration (P<0.0001). Comparison between the good and poor mastication groups, which were subdivided based on the median MAI score before implant restoration, showed that the FIA score of the poor group was enhanced 1.1-fold while its MAI score was enhanced 2.0-fold two weeks after an implant surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Using the FIA and MAI assessment methods, this study showed that masticatory function was improved two weeks after implant restoration. In particular, the enhancement of masticatory function by implant restoration was greater in patients with relatively poor initial mastication than in those with good initial mastication.
Dental Implants ; Diagnosis ; Eating ; Humans ; Mastication ; Molar ; Tooth ; Waxes

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the accuracy of the Root ZX in teeth with simulated root perforation in the presence of gel or liquid type endodontic irrigants, such as saline, 5.25% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), 2% chlorhexidine liquid, 2% chlorhexidine gel, and RC-Prep, and also to determine the electrical conductivities of these endodontic irrigants. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A root perforation was simulated on twenty freshly extracted teeth by means of a small perforation made on the proximal surface of the root at 4 mm from the anatomic apex. Root ZX was used to locate root perforation and measure the electronic working lengths. The results obtained were compared with the actual working length (AWL) and the actual location of perforations (AP), allowing tolerances of 0.5 or 1.0 mm. Measurements within these limits were considered as acceptable. Chi-square test or the Fisher's exact test was used to evaluate significance. Electrical conductivities of each irrigant were also measured with an electrical conductivity tester. RESULTS: The accuracies of the Root ZX in perforated teeth were significantly different between liquid types (saline, NaOCl) and gel types (chlorhexidine gel, RC-Prep). The accuracies of electronic working lengths in perforated teeth were higher in gel types than in liquid types. The accuracy in locating root perforation was higher in liquid types than gel types. 5.25% NaOCl had the highest electrical conductivity, whereas 2% chlorhexidine gel and RC-Prep gel had the lowest electrical conductivities among the five irrigants. CONCLUSIONS: Different canal irrigants with different electrical conductivities may affect the accuracy of the Root ZX in perforated teeth.
Chlorhexidine ; Edetic Acid ; Electric Conductivity ; Electronics ; Electrons ; Peroxides ; Root Canal Irrigants ; Sodium Hypochlorite ; Tooth ; Urea ; Waxes

PURPOSE: The purpose of this in vitro study was to compare the marginal adaptation of a ceramic-pressed-to-metal restoration with traditional metal-ceramic restoration. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Duplicating the prepared resin tooth, 20 metal dies were fabricated. Twenty metal copings of 2 groups which were metal ceramic restoration and pressed to metal restoration were fabricated. The marginal opening of each coping was measured with Microscope (BX 60M-36E 41D(R): Olympus, Japan). After porcelain build-up, the marginal opening of metal ceramic restoration and pressed to metal restoration (PoM(R): Ivoclar vivadent., Liechtenstein) were also evaluated in the same method. The measurements were analyzed using Wilcoxon Signed Ranks test and Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: Within the limits of this study, the results were as follows. 1. Metal-ceramic restorations in coping state (64.93 +/- 12.48 microm) in compared with Metal ceramic restorations after porcelain build-up (63.43 +/- 12.86 microm) had no significant difference in marginal adaptation. 2. Pressed-metal-ceramic restorations in coping state (50.00 +/- 12.28 microm) in compared with Pressed metal ceramic restorations after porcelain build-up (56.72 +/- 13.80 microm) had no significant difference in marginal adaptation. 3. Metal-ceramic restorations in compared Pressed-metal-ceramic restorations had no significant difference in marginal adaptation. CONCLUSION: Pressed-metal-ceramic restorations have the advantage of being technically less change through using of the lost-wax technique and this allows for the convenience of a full-contour ceramic wax-up as opposed to the more technique-sensitive layering method. Pressed-metal-ceramic restorations may be considered in clinic on the basis of the result of this study and the advantage of this system.
Acrylic Resins ; Ceramics ; Composite Resins ; Dental Porcelain ; Imidazoles ; Metal Ceramic Alloys ; Nitro Compounds ; Polyurethanes ; Tooth ; Waxes

BACKGROUND: Previous study suggested that beef tallow extract including cis-9-cetylmyristoleate was a safe and effective treatment for patients with osteoarthritis. We used extract of vegetable oils containing cetyl myristoleate. This study assessed the effect of this supplementation on knee pain and function in patients with osteoarthritis. METHODS: The 70 patients who manifested the symptoms and signs of osteoarthritis of knee were randomly assigned to placebo (36) and plant-fatty acids complex (FAC) group (34). Two capsules of placebo (corn starch 350 mg) and plant-FAC (12% cetyl myristoleate in 350 mg) were orally administered to placebo and plant-FAC group three times a day for 60 day, respectively. Visual analogue scale (VAS) and Korean version of Western Ontario and McMaster's Universities Osteoarthritis Index (KWOMAC) were assessed before and after the intervention and we monitored any adverse effects. RESULTS: The 6 of 36 patients (16.7%) in the placebo and the 5 of 34 patients (14.7%) in the plant-FAC group were missed due to low compliance. In the plant-FAC group, the VAS score was improved by mean 0.76 (P = 0.03) but the improvement was lower than that of placebo group. The KWOMAC was improved by mean 8.90 and 8.13 in the plant-FAC and placebo group, respectively. But the independent t-test showed no statistical significance (P = 0.47). CONCLUSION: We failed to show the superiority of plant-FAC to placebo on the pain and function of patients with osteoarthritis of the knee.
Capsules ; Compliance ; Fats ; Fatty Acids ; Humans ; Knee ; Ontario ; Osteoarthritis ; Osteoarthritis, Knee ; Plant Oils ; Starch ; Vegetables ; Waxes

BACKGROUND: Previous study suggested that beef tallow extract including cis-9-cetylmyristoleate was a safe and effective treatment for patients with osteoarthritis. We used extract of vegetable oils containing cetyl myristoleate. This study assessed the effect of this supplementation on knee pain and function in patients with osteoarthritis. METHODS: The 70 patients who manifested the symptoms and signs of osteoarthritis of knee were randomly assigned to placebo (36) and plant-fatty acids complex (FAC) group (34). Two capsules of placebo (corn starch 350 mg) and plant-FAC (12% cetyl myristoleate in 350 mg) were orally administered to placebo and plant-FAC group three times a day for 60 day, respectively. Visual analogue scale (VAS) and Korean version of Western Ontario and McMaster's Universities Osteoarthritis Index (KWOMAC) were assessed before and after the intervention and we monitored any adverse effects. RESULTS: The 6 of 36 patients (16.7%) in the placebo and the 5 of 34 patients (14.7%) in the plant-FAC group were missed due to low compliance. In the plant-FAC group, the VAS score was improved by mean 0.76 (P = 0.03) but the improvement was lower than that of placebo group. The KWOMAC was improved by mean 8.90 and 8.13 in the plant-FAC and placebo group, respectively. But the independent t-test showed no statistical significance (P = 0.47). CONCLUSION: We failed to show the superiority of plant-FAC to placebo on the pain and function of patients with osteoarthritis of the knee.
Capsules ; Compliance ; Fats ; Fatty Acids ; Humans ; Knee ; Ontario ; Osteoarthritis ; Osteoarthritis, Knee ; Plant Oils ; Starch ; Vegetables ; Waxes

PURPOSE: The aim of this in vitro study was to examine the curing efficiency of various resin-based materials polymerized through ceramic restorations with 3 different thicknesses. Curing efficiency was evaluated by determining the surface microhardness (VHN) of the resin specimens. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Four kinds of resin materials were used. Z350 (3M ESPE Filtek(TM) Z350: A2 Shade), Z250 (3M ESPE Filtek(TM) Z250: A2 Shade) and Variolink(R) II (VL: Ivoclar vivadent, base: transparent) either with or without a self-curing catalyst (VLC: Ivoclar vivadent, catalyst: low viscosity/transparent) were filled into the silicone mold (10 mm diameter, 1 mm thick). They were cured through ceramic discs (IPS e.max Press MO-0 ingot ivoclar vivadent, 10 mm diameter, 0.5, 1 and 2 mm thicknesses) by LED light-curing units for 20 and 40 seconds. Vicker's microhardness numbers (VHNs) were measured on the bottom surfaces by a microhardness tester. Data were analyzed using a 3- way analysis of variance (ANOVA) at a significance level of 0.05. RESULTS: The thickness of ceramic disc increased, the VHNs of all four resin types were decreased (P<.05). The mean VHN values of the resins light cured for 40 seconds were significantly higher than that of LED for 20 seconds in all four resin materials (P<.05). VLC showed significantly higher VHN values than VL regardless of other conditions (P<.05). Z350 and Z250 showed higher values than VL or VLC (P<.01). CONCLUSION: Thinner ceramic disc with increased curing time resulted higher VHN values of all resin materials. The use of a catalyst produced a greater hardness with all polymerization methods. Restorative resin materials (Z350, Z250) showed higher VHN values than resin cement materials (VL, VLC).
Acrylic Resins ; Ceramics ; Composite Resins ; Fungi ; Hardness ; Light ; Polymerization ; Polymers ; Polyurethanes ; Resin Cements ; Silicones ; Waxes

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the causes, clinical manifestation and treatment principles of frontal sinus tract after the frontal approach craniotomy. METHOD: The clinic data of 13 patients with frontal skin sinus tract after the frontal approach craniotomy were retrospectively analyzed. All of them were described in the clinical record to have undergone frontal sinus mucosa pushing down or shaving and bone wax filling in the frontal sinus during the surgery, of whom 3 cases had history of frontal abscess incision drainage. All patients were performed endoscopic frontal sinus surgery and forehead skin sinus tract excision and suture. RESULT: All of the patients successfully recovered after one-stage operation, and the frontal skin sinus tract was healed. CONCLUSION The frontal approach craniotomy with postoperative frontal sinus tract was related with the improper use of bone wax tamponade and sealing of frontal sinus. The treatment principles were to remove bone wax, remove inflammatory granulation tissue around the sinus tract, and to open frontal sinus and promote frontal sinus drainage.
Craniotomy ; methods ; Drainage ; Endoscopy ; Forehead ; Frontal Sinus ; surgery ; Granulation Tissue ; surgery ; Humans ; Palmitates ; Retrospective Studies ; Waxes

The purpose of the present study was to compare the influence of post-surface treatment with silane, hydrogen peroxide, hydrofluoric acid or sandblasting and to investigate the effect of silane in combination of the other treatments on the microtensile bond strength between fiber posts and composite resins for core build-up. Thirty-two glass-fiber posts (FRC Postec Plus, Ivoclar Vivadent, Schaan, Liechtenstein) were divided into eight groups according to the different surface pretreatments performed: silane application (S); immersion in 28% hydrogen peroxide (HP); immersion in hydrogen peroxide followed by application of silane (HP-S); immersion in 4% hydrofluoric acid gel (HF); immersion in hydrofluoric acid gel followed by application of silane (HF-S); sandblasting with aluminum oxide particles (SB); sandblasting followed by application of silane (SB-S). In control group, no surface treatment was performed. The composite resin (Tetric Flow, Ivoclar Vivadent, Schaan, Liechtenstein) was applied onto the posts to produce the composite cylinder specimen. It was sectioned into sticks to measure the microtensile bond strength. The data was analyzed with one-way ANOVA and LSD test for post hoc comparison (p < 0.05). Post pretreatment with sandblasting enhanced the interfacial strength between the fiber posts and core materials. Moreover, sand-blasting followed by application of silane appears to be the most effective method that can improve the clinical performance of glass fiber posts.
Acrylic Resins ; Aluminum Oxide ; Composite Resins ; Glass ; Hydrofluoric Acid ; Hydrogen Peroxide ; Immersion ; Lysergic Acid Diethylamide ; Polyurethanes ; Waxes

A case of delayed progressive extradural pneumatocele after microvascular decompression (MVD) is presented. A 60-year-old male underwent MVD for hemifacial spasm; the mastoid air cell was opened and sealed with bone wax during surgery. One month after surgery, the patient complained of tinnitus, and progressive extradural pneumatoceles without cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage was observed. Revision surgery was performed and the opened mastoid air cell was completely sealed with muscle patch and glue. The patient's symptoms were resolved, with no recurrence of pneumatoceles at 6 month follow up. Progressive extradural pneumatocele without CSF leakage after posterior fossa surgery is a very rare complication. Previous reports and surgical management of this rare complication are discussed.
Adhesives ; Decompression ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Mastoid ; Microvascular Decompression Surgery ; Middle Aged ; Muscles ; Palmitates ; Recurrence ; Tinnitus ; Waxes