The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of etching time on the depth of demineralization using scanning electron microscopy. Twenty dentin discs were obtained after sectioning with a diamond disc from extracted human molars. The specimens were divided into 4 different etching time groups (n = 5), etched with 37% phosphoric acid, fixed and scanned under scanning electron microscope using 5000x magnification. Mean depth of demineralization for an etching time of 5s was 0.9mm, for etching time of 15s mean depth was 1.64mm, 2.34mm and 2.98 mm for 35s and 45s respectively. The results were analysed with ANOVA followed by Duncan’s test at 5% level of significance. An increase in etching time caused an increase in the depth of demineralization. Etching time and dentin demineralization were not proportional to each other.

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Discoloration of the teeth is one of the most frequent reasons for patients seeking dental care. Trauma, endemic fluorosis, tetracycline stains, post endodontic treatment and developmental defects are some of the common causes of tooth discoloration. Increase in fluoride concentration in drinking water to more than 3ppm causes patchy brown discoloration of enamel, which is esthetically unappealing. Cosmetic rehabilitation of these patients has been open to a variety of treatment options and one such is the use of direct composite veneers. An 18-year-old girl presented with severe discoloration of teeth due to fluorosis. The aim of the treatment was to restore satisfactory esthetics by using direct composite veneers.

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The short term fluoride release of a conventional GIC (Fuji II), resin modified GIC (Fuji II LC), polyacid modified resin (Compoglass) and composite (Tetric Cream) were evaluated and compared over a period of 28 days in three different media i.e. double distilled water (pH=7), artificial saliva (pH=7), Lactic acid (pH=4). Five discs of each material were prepared and suspended individually in 7ml of each studied solution at 37oC. Measurements for fluoride release were taken at intervals of 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, 14, 21 and 28 days and solution was changed before each measurement. Data was analysed using ANOVA and post HOC test. The fluoride release was highest in lactic acid followed by water and least in artificial saliva. The pattern of fluoride release was similar for all the materials with greatest release occurring during first 24 hours. Fuji II released greatest amount of fluoride followed by Fuji II LC and Compoglass and least by Tetric Cream. The data suggest that the comparison of fluoride released from dental materials is dependent on both the materials and the medium used in the evaluation.

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The development of glass fibers and reinforced composite technology has created a new era in metal free, adhesive dentistry. Conservative bridges can be fabricated by acid etching enamel and bonding a pontic to adjacent natural teeth structure. These bridges are a viable alternative to conventional fixed bridges, especially where the edentulous space is no wider than one or two teeth. This article describes in detail the construction of conservative bridges using glass fibres with case reports.

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In the restoration of severely mutilated vital teeth requiring cuspal coverage, pin retained amalgam and composite restorations were studied as long term alternatives to cast restorations. Since pins have some inherent disadvantages, glass ionomer-composite bilayered restorations were also studied as alternatives for cusp buildups. The study concluded that bilayered restorations exhibited the maximum fracture resistance, followed by pin retained composite. Pin retained amalgam showed the least fracture resistance. All the three materials/techniques behaved satisfactorily as regards the clinical performance over a period of nine months.

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Adhesive dentistry in the last few years has been a dramatic transformation due to radical changes in technology, innovation and techniques. From partial etch to total etch techniques and now self-etching agents to Nano-Bond systems are just the latest buzzwords in this sea of change. The objective of this presentation is to highlight the concepts of SEPs adhesive, which will surely, radically transform the way the restorative dentistry is practiced today.

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