• Journal of the Institute of Electronics Engineers of Korea SC
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.61-68
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• 2004

Electric stimulation of teeth has been used for assessing pulp vitality. The principle is based upon the assumption that a subject feels the pain produced by electrical current stimulation of intradental nerve. Because of very high and wide range of impedance of the enamel, it is very difficult to determine stimulation levels regardless of teeth status. Most pulp testers adopt voltage stimulation method and thus, their stimulating threshold levels significantly depend on each individual. Therefore, a constant current stimulator is necessary to minimize the effect of wide variation due to different enamel thickness. And it is also necessary to test teeth vitality with a wide current range regardless of tooth impedance. In this study, we constructed a burst-wave type pulp tester to reduce the pain using a current stabilizing circuit with the maximum current of 150 uA.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.277-290
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• 1993

Dental caries is considered to be caused by demineralization by organic acid produced by microorganism. But the formation of subsurface lesion in initial caries make it diffcult to explain by simple demineralization. This study is carried out on the basis of thermodynamic concept proposed by Margolis and Moreno. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of acid concentration and pH of lactate buffer system on the artificial caries lesion progress. 160 teeth without any crack, defect or opaque enamel were used and coated with nail varnish except the window ($2{\times}3$ mm). Under the constant degree of saturation(D.S.). The teeth were divided into 8 groups according to acid concentration(10mM, 25mM, 50mM, 100mM) and pH(4.3, 5.0, 6.0). Each group was immersed in buffer solution for 3, 6, 9, 18 days under controlled temperature($25^{\circ}C$). After cutting through the window and grinding, the specimens, 100-150 um in thickness, were imbibed in water or air and examined using polarilizing microscope. The depth of the surface and subsurface surface lesion were measured. 1. In the constant pH and D. S. value, the subsurface lesion progresses more rapidly as the concentration of lactic acid increases. (0.01, 0.025, 0.05, 0.1) 2. In the constant acid concentration and DS value, the subsurface lesion progresses more slowly as the pH increases. (4.3, 5.0, 5.5, 6.0) 3. The width of surface lesion seems to be constant independant of pH and acid concentration.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.489-501
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• 1996

This study was to evaluate shear bond strength of fluoride-releasing sealant and nonfluoride releasing sealant to enamel surface of bovine tooth. 80 extracted bovine teeth were randomly assigned to four groups, and four kinds of sealants including Teethmate-A(Kuraray Co.), Teethmate-F(Kuraray Co.), Helioseal(Vivadent Co.), Helioseal-F(Vivadent Co.) were bonded to exposed enamel surfaces using silicon plate. Shear bond strength was determined in an instron universal testing machine at a crosshead speed of 1mm/min. Then, the fracture surfaces of test specimens were investigated with scanning electron microscope. The obtained results were as follows; 1. The shear bond strength decreased in the following order : Teethmate-A(18.31MPa), Teethmate-F(11.90MPa), Helioseal (11.74 MPa), Helioseal-F(10.64MPa). 2. The shear bond strength of Teethmate-A showed significantly higher than that of Teethmate-F(P<0.05), but Helioseal and Helioseal-F didn't showed statistically different(P<0.05). 3. According to the SEM, Teethmate-A group showed cohesive failure, and Teethmate-A group & Helioseal group showed mixed pattern of cohesive and adhesive failure and Helioseal-F group showed adhesive failure.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.309-323
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• 2009

In this study we evaluated the influence of both the thickness of residual enamel and the color of the composite resins applied to lingual surface on the labial surface color. Background plates were made by randomly (A1, A2, A6D, B1, B2, B3, C1, C2, C6D) selected colors of Filtek Supreme (3M ESPE, St. Paul, U.S.A.) composite resin. Crown portion of 9 maxillary central incisors were cut off and embedded with acrylic resin except labial surface. Samples of average thickness of 2.2 mm were obtained after cutting it in a thickness of 2.5 mm from the labial surface and sandpaper polish. The shade of composite resin background was measured using Spectrophotometer ($Spectrolino^{(R)}$, GretagMacbeth, Regensdorf, Switzerland). And CIE $L^{\ast}a^{\ast}b^{\ast}$value of 2.2 mm thickness tooth samples were measured on the 9 composite resin backgrounds. And then, the cutting side of tooth samples was ground to the extent of 1.9 mm, 1.6 mm, 1.3 mm, 1.0 mm and placed on composite resin backgrounds and measured $L^{\ast}a^{\ast}b^{\ast}$values with the same method. In all samples, $L^{\ast}$value and $b^{\ast}$value seemed to have a tendency of decreasing as thickness of tooth sample becomes thinner regardless of background colors (p < 0.05). But, $a^{\ast}$value didn't show the significant differences depending on the thickness.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.33 no.5 s.100
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• pp.381-389
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• 2003

Mutans streptococci is the major causative factor in dental caries. Especially, orthodontic patients with fixed appliance are a risk group for dental caries. Because fixed appliances attached on teeth may change the environment of dental plaque, the enamel decalcification or dental caries around the bracket and band is a major side effect of orthodontic treatmet. The aim of this study was to search plant extracts that have antimicrobial effect on mutans streptococci. Seed-extract of Casia torn were prepared with ethanol and CHMC-2032, the leaf-extracts from Camellia sinensis extract, was obtained extract, 2 type strains and 20 clinical isolates of mutans streptococci isolated from the interface between orthodontic brackets and tooth surfaces in the orthodontic patients were used in this study. The minimal inhibitory concentration of CHMC-2032 was 5mg/ml on the S. mutans KCTC 3065, S. sobrinus KCTC 3088, and 8 clinical isolates of S. sobrinus. However, there was no antibacterial effect of seed-extract of C. tora on mutans streptococci. These data suggest that green tea nay be more effective than the tea Prepared from C tora In the prevention of enamel decalcification or dental caries around brackets.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.32-39
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• 2000

The purpose of this study was to assess the cariogenic potential of five infant formulas in vitro. as compared with 10% sucrose solution and whole bovine milk. Buffering capacities were determined by the amount of 0.1 N lactic acid consumed to titrate the 50ml specimen solutions to pH 4.0. The pH of the specimen solution inoculated by Streptococcus mutans was measured by pH meter and the surface microhardness of primary tooth enamel immersed in the specimen solution was measured by the microhardness tester, before and after 48 hours incubation. Also, the solubility of calcium from synthetic hydroxyapatite was evaluated by atomic absorption spectrophotometer The buffering capacity of infant formulas was higher than that of sucrose solution and lower than that of milk, and there were significant differences among infant formulas(P<0.01). The average pH of infant formulas after 48 hours incubation was lower than that of sucrose solution and milk, and there was significant difference between infant formulas and milk(P<0.05). There were no signifiant differences among oops in the microhardness change of primary tooth enamel and in the amount of dissolved calcium ion from synthetic hydroxyapatite after incubation with Streptococcus mutans. In conclusion, infant formulas seemed to fulfill the basic requirments to cause dental caries in primary teeth, and there were significant differences of cariogenic potential among infant formulas. Cooperative efforts of dentistry and manufacturers to reduce the cariogenic potential of infant formulas would be necessary to prevent the early childhood caries in children.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.96-101
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• 2009

Regional odontodysplasia(ROD) is relatively rare localized developmental anomaly of tooth formation in which hard tissue is affected. The maxilla is typically affected than the mandible, and especially the maxillary left quadrant is the most commonly involved. Females are affected twice as often as males, and there is no association with race. Its etiology remains undetermined, but local circulatory disorders, somatic mutations, virus infections, local trauma, hyperpyrexia, irradiation, metabolic disturbances, and hereditary transmission are considered as possible etiologic factors. The affected teeth are likely to be small, hypoplastic, brown, and grooved. Eruption failure or delay is frequently seen as well as abscess or fistulae formation in absence of caries. Radiographically, there is a lack of contrast between the enamel and dentin, both of which are less radiopaque than unaffected counterparts. Moreover, enamel and dentin layers are thin, giving the teeth a “ghost-like appearance”. The pulp chambers and canals are large, the roots seem like to be short and indistinct. A 2-year-3-month old boy came to the department of pediatric dentistry, Yonsei University, with the chief complaint of delayed eruption and abnormal tooth shape on the lower left quadrant. He was diagnosed as regional odontodysplasia based on the clinical and radiographic findings.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.159-166
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• 2008

The dental caries can be recovered or worse depending on the velocity of de- and remineralization of tooth. It is possible to remineralize the lesions by fluoride agent, but the results can be distinguished according to one's salivary flow rate, quantity of ion contents, and pH of the saliva. This article presents good results after applying the CPP-ACP paste for the patients who have incipient enamel caries. We instructed the patients to apply the paste everyday in the customed tray. We observed the white spot lesions without getting worse and reducing the size of lesions. After applying the CPP-ACP paste for 6 weeks, we concluded that; 1. It was possible to remineralize the incipient caries without preparation of the teeth. 2. CPP-ACP paste was successful for recovery of the demineralized lesions, especially for mild and moderate caries lesions, not for the severe developemental defects or chronic lesions. 3. CPP-ACP paste was efficient for pediatric patients, and the custumed tray was very useful for patients to apply the paste. 4. The ability of the patients for caring their oral hygiene was improved by routine check up and instructions.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.401-410
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• 2006

Dental caries results from localized demineralization of tooth enamel by acids of bacterial origin produced from the fermentation of dietary sugars. A group of related oral bacteria, collectively known as mutans streptococci, are implicated as the primary etiological agents of human caries. Within this group, Streptococcus mutans has been known as a causative agent for dental caries. As well as acid production yielding the demineralization of tooth enamel, adherence and colonization of S. mutans to the teeth are also important for their virulence Cell-surface fibrillar proteins, which mediate adherence to the salivary pellicle are virulence components of mutans streptococci, and primary candidates for a human caries vaccine. Here we report that the AgI/II gene from S. mutans GS-5 were cloned by PCR amplification of the bacterial chromosomal DNA and the integrity of cloned genes were confirmed by nucleotide sequencing. Sequence analyses showed the sequence alignment of 280 nucleotides between the cloned AgI/II and the reported sequence of S. mutans GS-5 showed the perfect match The cloned genes which signal nucleotide was truncated, were transferred into bacterial expression vector and the recombinant proteins were purified as His-tag fusion proteins In order to generate polyclonal antibodies against the recombinant proteins, AgI/II mr, some $100{\mu}g$ of the proteins was injected into mice three times. It can be used for an effective vaccine production to prevent dental caries caused by pathogenic S. mutans.

• Restorative Dentistry and Endodontics
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.570-577
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• 1999

Intuitively, higher bond strengths should result in less leakage. However, the relationship between bond strengths and microleakage value is complex and not clearly understood. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between tensile bond strengths and microleakage values in the same restorations to understand the behavior of resin bonding to tooth structure. One-hundred and twenty enamel or dentin specimens from freshly extracted bovine mandibular incisors were used. The specimen was treated with 32% phosphoric acid for 15 seconds and rinsed for 20 seconds. the teeth were divided into four groups by means of wet bonding technique or dry bonding. One-Step$^{TM}$ adhesive were applied to the specimen. The specimens were immersed in 2% methylene blue solution for 7 days, and tensile bond strength and microleakage were measured. The results were as follows: 1. Significant negative correlation was found between bond strengths and micro leakage values. Hence, higher bond strengths seem to be associated with lower microleakage, and vice versa (r=-0 50, p<0.05). 2. The Enamel/Wet group showed significantly higher bond strength than Enamel/Dry one, and Dentin/Wet group showed higher strength than Dentin/Dry one (p<0.05). 3. Microleakage was significantly less ill wet bonding than in dry one at dentin (p<0.05), however, there was no significant difference between wet and dry bonding at enamel (p>0.05).