Fiber-reinforced composite restorations are resin-based restorations containing fibers aimed at improving their properties. It is reported that the bonding of the fibers within the composite to the polymer matrix and fracture resistance is perfect. In this review paper, types of fibers used in dentistry, their current clinical dental applications, the factors that effect the physical and mechanical properties of the fiber-reinforced composites, as well as factors to be considered in clinical applications are discussed in order to provide a source for scientific research.

The esthetic dental treatments have become inevitable for dentists because of the patients’ request, interest and the newness in the dental companies’ products. Tooth bleaching which is used often is a more conservative procedure than the conventional restoration procedures to treat tooth discolorations result from different reasons. Different agents are used with different techniques in different concentrations for tooth bleaching. It is possible to have good results and avoid possible adverse effects in favorable situations.
The aim of this overview is to research the literatures related to the changes bleaching agents in different concentrations form on tooth structure and how can these be prevented and examine the results.

Improvements in adhesive technology have fostered attempts to use adhesive material and techniques while obturating root canals. Total-etch adhesives have been tested with resin cements as alternative root filling materials. Self-etching primers have also been used for bonding to root canal dentin. However, these techniques were hampered by the lack of copolymerization between the methacrylate-based dentin adhesives, the conventional root canal sealers, and gutta-percha. The use of resin cements alone for root canal obturation results in difficulties during application and retreatment, lack of radiopacity. The recent introduction of thermoplastic synthetic polymer core material Resilon (Resilon Research LLC, Madison, CT, USA), as an alternative root filling material, offers the promise of adhesion to root dentine when used in conjunction with a dual-cured resin type sealer such as Epiphany Root Canal Sealant (Pentron Clinical Technologies).
The aim of this article is to review the contemporary studies evaluating the mechanical, biological behaviors and biocompatibility of Resilon.

OBJECTIVE: To compare liquid crystal display (LCD) monitor with cathode ray tube (CRT) monitor for the detectability of low-contrast details before and after application of various processing algorithms.
METHODS: Digital radiographs of an aluminum test object containing holes with sizes ranging from 0.5 mm to 1.5 mm were exposed at 9 time settings ranging from 0.05 to 3.2 sec using storage phosphor plates. Images were enhanced and displayed in color-coded, contrast and brightness enhanced, histogram equalized and negative modes. Eight observers evaluated all images on CRT and LCD screens. The object detail with the lowest perceptible contrast was recorded for each observer and each monitor type. Modified perceptibility curves (PCs) were plotted according to the mean observer data. Repeated-measures ANOVA was used to compare the PCs and the perceptible number of details in original and enhanced images for each exposure (p=0.05). Bonferroni/Dunn test was used to identify statistical differences among the groups (p=0.05).
RESULTS: No significant difference was found among CRT and LCD monitors regarding the perception of details for all exposures and processing algorithms (p>0.05). The PCs for all processing algorithms were basically the same for two monitors (p>0.05). Histogram equalization showed the maximum number of perceptible details in the lowest optimal exposure time and in the widest exposure range (p>0.05).
CONCLUSION: From the perceptual point of view, performance of LCD monitor was found to be equivalent to CRT monitor for all the processing algorithms studying the recognition of low contrast details.

OBJECTIVE: Dental plaque is accepted as the primer etiologic agent for periodontal diseases and carries. Tooth brushing is known as the common and most effective method for plaque removal. It is often recommended that toothbrushes should be replaced in every 3 months. The aim of this study was to compare the amount of plaque removed by new and 3 month- used toothbrushes.
METHODS: 25 volunteers (16 male, 9 female) were recruited from Ege University School of Dentistry 4th and 5th grade students. Similar toothbrushes and toothpastes were given to all volunteers. Volunteers instructed to brush their teeth twice every day for three months by modified bass technique with the brushes and toothpastes given. For each volunteer 12 teeth were measured including 1 incisor, 1 premolar and 1 molar tooth in each quadrant. At the beginning (t0), and at 3rd month (t2); probing pocket depth (mm) and plaque score (Quigley –Hein) were measured and recorded. At the second month (t1) only plaque score was measured and recorded. 25 volunteers attended the clinic on three occasions following 48-h periods of no oral hygiene and than first plaque index taken (plaque index before brushing). Following plaque scoring, subjects brushed for 120 s without looking mirror with the brushes given and plaque was than rescored (plaque index after brushing).
RESULTS: For every teeth measured plaque index before tooth brushing was statistically higher than the plaque index after brushing at t0, t1, t2. (p=0.01) The reductions in plaque index scores achieved with the new brushes for incisor,molar and total all teeth were not statistically different from those achieved with the 3 month old brushes (p>0.05). There was statistically difference for premolar teeth (p<0.05).
CONCLUSION: This study found that 3 month old toothbrushes were no less effective than brand new toothbrushes in removing 48 h plaque. Within the limitations of this study, it is not necessary to change tooth brushes after 3 months usage.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to test the physical performance of Digora Optime storage phosphor plate system and to compare it with F-speed film.
METHODS: A homogeneous 10-mm-thick aluminum block with a pattern of holes varying in depth and diameter was
used as the test phantom. The image plates and F-speed films were exposed at 65 kVp and 10 mA with 16 different exposure
times ranging from 0.08 to 3.20 sec. For each system sensitivity curves, response to noise ratio, perceptibility, contrast resolution
and exposure range were determined and compared.
RESULTS: In the exposure range 0.08 to 0.125 sec., gray values decreased almost linearly for storage phosphor plate images, but
for higher exposures gray level decreased exponentially. For film images density variations of 0.08 to 0.16 sec. exposure range
was very low however, small changes at later exposures caused large changes in density. Perceptibility reached its maximum
value at 0.10 sec. for the digital images and maintained this value while film images reached the same value at 0.25 sec. and
decrease was observed after 1.60 sec. of exposure. Contrast increased with increasing exposure in digital images while decline
was observed for film images. Exposure range of phosphor plates was wider than F-speed films.
CONCLUSION: Although each system has its own specific properties, storage phosphor plate system has lower optimum exposure
level and higher contrast resolution than F-speed films and exhibits its specific properties over a much wider exposure range.

Class 2 skeletal jaw dysplasia is one of the most common skeletal jaw discrepancies observed among orthodontic patients. The
etiology may be due to the differential growth discrepancy between both jaws and orthopedic forces can be applied by means of
functional therapy to correct the malocclusion in growing patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the skeletal and dental
effects of the maxillary orthopedic splint on dentofacial structures. Two patients with Class II malocclusions (due to maxillary excessive
growth) were treated by maxillary orthopedic splints. Successful correction of the skeletal malocclusion was obtained. Maxillary
orthopedic splints are effective appliances for correction of Class II malocclusions mainly caused by maxillary excessive growth.