Materials Profile

Question 1

Why do teeth need to be restored?

Answer 1

Trauma
-RTA
-sports injuries
Tooth decay (caries)
Tooth loss
-caries (extraction)
-periodontal disease (bone loss)
Revision (failed restorations)

Question 2

Name 5 direct restorative materials

Answer 2

• Dental amalgam
• Glass ionomer cements
• Resin modified glass ionomer cements
• Resin composites
• Polyacid modified resin composites (compomers)

Question 3

From dentist’s perspective, what features are desirable for direct restorative materials

Answer 3

• command set
• simple procedure
• bulk placement technique
• easy to detect recurrent caries
• cost

Question 4

From a px’s perspective, what features are desirable for direct restorative materials?

Answer 4

• safe
• restore full function
• aesthetic result
• function indefinitely
• cost

Question 5

Name 5 indirect restorative materials

Answer 5

Removable
-full and partial dentures
Fixed
-metal crowns, inlays, onlays, bridges
-ceramic veneers, crowns and inlays
-metal-ceramic crowns and bridges

Question 6

Name requirements for dental materials

Answer 6

Fit for purpose
-every px is different
-easy to handle
-appropriate properties
-aesthetics
Clinically efficacious
Safe

Question 7

What constitutes evidence of safety?

Answer 7

Basic research (pre-market testing)
Clinical research (post-market surveillance)

Question 8

What is pre-market testing?

Answer 8

• Required by law for new biomaterials
• Tests based on ISO 10993 guidelines (International Standards Organisation)
• Exact tests determined by evaluation of risks associated with material and its clinical application

Question 9

Explain in vitro and in vivo pre-market testing

Answer 9

In vitro:
-cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, estrogenicity (organ/ tissue/ cell culture)
-microbial test
In vivo:
-implantation tests in animals
-systemic toxicity
-evaluation of sensitisation and irritation
-pulp studies

Question 10

How are devices awarded a CE mark?

Answer 10

Manufacturers work with a notified body to satisfy a competent authority that device is safe and fit for purpose
Enables goods to be sold throughout EEA (result of risk management not elimination)

Question 11

Types of adverse reactions

Answer 11

• Toxic (cytotoxicity, carcinogenicity)
• Irritant contact dermatitis
• Allergic contact dermatitis
• Oral lichenoid reactions
• Anaphylactoid reactions
• Contact urticaria
• Intolerance reactions

Question 12

What are the most common allergens in dental materials?

Answer 12

Nickel (25%), palladium, chromium, cobalt, stannum (tin)

Question 13

What are the aims of dental biomaterials adverse reaction unit?

Answer 13

-Implement national registry based on reports from health professionals
-offer clinical services to selected pxs with complaints/ disorders
-Supply info to health professionals and public about issues
(Number of reports around 100 per year)

Question 14

Who is most likely to suffer an adverse reaction to a dental material?

Answer 14

Technicians (3%) > dentists > nurses > patients (less than 1 in 1000)