Adrian Lussi1, Otmar Kronenberg, Brigitte Megert. 1. Department of Operative, Preventive and Paediatric Dentistry, School of Dental Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland. adrian.lussi@zmk.unibe.ch
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To determine the amount of damage to adjacent surfaces during cavity preparation of approximal box-cavities by using either no magnification or an individually adapted surgical telescope. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nine dentists prepared in a mannequin head 4 approximal (class II) box-cavities without magnification using a high speed handpiece with lighting from a dental unit. At least 2 months later the test was repeated with a surgical telescope system with integrated light. The degree of damage the 72 adjacent surfaces suffered was determined. RESULTS: The average time needed to prepare one cavity was 14.9min without and 18.3min with magnification (p=0.01). Altogether, 29.7% of adjacent area were damaged when no surgical telescopes were used and 34.5% when surgical telescopes were applied (p>0.05). When the mesial-facing and distal-facing surfaces were analysed independently a statistically significant increase of damage was found on distal surfaces (p=0.03) when using surgical telescopes. Seventy surfaces (=97%) had a preparation trauma. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical telescopes do not decrease damage of adjacent tooth surfaces.
OBJECTIVES: To determine the amount of damage to adjacent surfaces during cavity preparation of approximal box-cavities by using either no magnification or an individually adapted surgical telescope. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nine dentists prepared in a mannequin head 4 approximal (class II) box-cavities without magnification using a high speed handpiece with lighting from a dental unit. At least 2 months later the test was repeated with a surgical telescope system with integrated light. The degree of damage the 72 adjacent surfaces suffered was determined. RESULTS: The average time needed to prepare one cavity was 14.9min without and 18.3min with magnification (p=0.01). Altogether, 29.7% of adjacent area were damaged when no surgical telescopes were used and 34.5% when surgical telescopes were applied (p>0.05). When the mesial-facing and distal-facing surfaces were analysed independently a statistically significant increase of damage was found on distal surfaces (p=0.03) when using surgical telescopes. Seventy surfaces (=97%) had a preparation trauma. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical telescopes do not decrease damage of adjacent tooth surfaces.