Laura-Cristina Rusu

By Lavinia Ardelean, Cristina Maria Bortun, Angela Codruta Podariu and Laura Cristina Rusu

Thermoplastic materials such as polyamides (nylon), acetal resins, epoxy resins, polystyrene, polycarbonate resins, polyurethane and acrylic thermoplastic resins were introduced in dentistry as an alternative to classic resins, which have major disadvantages such as the toxicity of the residual monomer, awkward wrapping system and difficult processing.

Part of the book: Thermoplastic Elastomers

By Lavinia Ardelean, Lucien Reclaru, Cristina Maria Bortun and Laura Cristina Rusu

Alloys are used in various areas of dentistry. The field of dental alloys is a very extensive one, encompassing both the materials themselves as well as the manufacturing methods, which are constantly developing. Our chapter focuses on corrosion and biocompatibility assessment, using various methods. At present there is no perfect dental alloy. Superalloys for dental use are not yet available, and only few studies concerning the new generation of superalloy candidates for medical applications have recently been developed, with promising results.

Part of the book: Superalloys

By Lavinia Ardelean, Lucien Reclaru, Cristina-Maria Bortun and Laura-Cristina Rusu

Alloys are used in various areas of dentistry, but mainly in prosthetics. Their properties, behavior, and corrosion resistance are of great importance for the success of the prosthetic treatment. Among the investigations used for assessing dental alloys, in this chapter, we focus on metallographic observation, scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and present the ways we investigated several types of dental alloys. We obtained important data concerning their structure and corrosion potential that could explain certain shortcomings which appeared after luting of the fixed partial dentures.

Part of the book: Micro and Nanotechnologies for Biotechnology

By Lavinia Cosmina Ardelean, Cristina Maria Bortun, Angela Codruta Podariu and Laura Cristina Rusu

Acrylic resins dominated dentures technology for several decades. Due to their many disadvantages, new classes of resins, which promise better quality, constantly appear. Mechanical properties of acrylic resins, including fracture behaviour, water absorption and mechanical strength degradation caused by the exposure to saliva of classical heat-cured acrylic resins compared to alternative urethane-based light-cured resins, were carried out. The allergy potential of acrylic resins was evaluated by in vivo and in vitro tests. New choices of resins, like thermoplastic injected resins, light-cured or milled high-performance polymers, with better properties compared to acrylics, suitable for dental applications are being presented.

Part of the book: Acrylic Polymers in Healthcare

By Lavinia Cosmina Ardelean, Laura-Cristina Rusu and Codruta Victoria Tigmeanu

Traditionally, a denture base is manufactured using a heat-cured acrylic resin. This type of resin was first used in dental labs in 1936, being a great step forward. Because of the many disadvantages as increased porosity, high water sorption, polymerization shrinkage, allergenic potential and citotoxicity due to the residual monomer, awkward flasking and packaging, and difficult processing, alternatives were continuously searched. Monomer-free and high-impact acrylics were developed, and gold plating of the denture base was experienced, in order to provide an alternative to allergic patients. Once polymers developed, new types of resins, such as polyamides (nylon), acetal, epoxy resins, styrene, polycarbonate, vinyl, urethane, polyether ether ketone (PEEK), became available on the dental market, accompanied by modern technologies, such as injection. CAD/CAM milled and 3D printed denture bases represent the present state of the art in this domain. Our chapter aims to present these alternative materials, which are safe to use in cases of allergic patients and guarantee a healthy oral environment and a high degree of comfort.

Part of the book: Oral Health Care

By Laura-Cristina Rusu, Alexandra Roi, Ciprian-Ioan Roi, Codruta Victoria Tigmeanu and Lavinia Cosmina Ardelean

Dental caries is the most prevalent chronic oral disease, influencing the oral and systemic health of the individuals, being the result of the interaction of multiple factors, such as microbial agents, the oral environment, the salivary pH, and the host response. The main process that occurs in dental caries is the demineralization of the tooth enamel, process that is directly influenced by the salivary pH, exposing the dental structures to the action of pathological agents. The role of saliva in the etiology of dental caries is a major one, by influencing the homeostasis through the altering of its buffer capacity. The properties of saliva are influenced either by local pathogens or through a general mechanism with direct implications upon the salivary components. The alteration of the salivary pH, flow rate, and composition will further have repercussions upon the cariogenic activity, through a change of its physiochemical properties. Nevertheless, the salivary pH is strongly linked to the incidence of dental caries, any persistent imbalance due to various causes can be assessed as an indicator of the oral health status.

Part of the book: Dental Caries

By Laura-Cristina Rusu and Lavinia Cosmina Ardelean

Part of the book: Dental Caries

By Lavinia Cosmina Ardelean, Laura-Cristina Rusu, Daniela Elisabeta Jumanca and Codruta Victoria Tigmeanu

Human teeth play an important role in facial aesthetics. The modern society trends for more and more demanding aesthetics strongly reflect in teeth appearance. Perfect shaped, aligned, and white teeth are considered the business card of an appealing smile. Fixed prosthetics not only aim to restore the lost function of human teeth but also their aesthetics. The ideal in this matter is to provide an indirect restoration that perfectly matches the neighboring teeth or aims to improve the overall appearance of the patient’s teeth, depending on the situation. However, the choice of aesthetic materials and technologies has experienced a significant development in recent years. By far, dental ceramics are the state-of-the-art material when a high-quality indirect fixed prosthetic restoration is the goal. This chapter will provide information on this class of materials and their indications in fixed prosthodontics, focusing on novel manufacturing technologies, as well.

Part of the book: Human Teeth

By Alexandra Roi, Ciprian Ioan Roi, Mircea Riviș, Laura-Cristina Rusu, Lavinia Cosmina Ardelean and Codruța Victoria Tigmeanu

Oral cancer carcinogenesis is a complex process that outlines the implication of multiple mechanisms that lead to the development of this specific malignancy. The high heterogeneity of this disease is a key factor that controls the progression and treatment response, influencing the survival rate. The multifactorial etiology, the genetic alterations and the diagnosis in advanced stages are directly involved in the high mortality rate of this pathology. Currently, the gold standard for oral cancer diagnosis is represented by the tissue biopsy and its histopathological examination, procedure that in time revealed several disadvantages. Recent research focused on a non-invasive, fast and reliable diagnosis approach based on the use of saliva. Saliva through its components provides information regarding specific salivary molecules, proteomic and genomic changes linked to oral cancer occurrence and progression. By using saliva as a diagnosis tool, it offers an important perspective of the tumor environment, designing a complete molecular profile of the tumor by creating the concept of personalized medicine.

Part of the book: Molecular Diagnostics of Cancer