Melbourne Dental School - Theses

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    The saliva- a functionally active body juice
    Douglass, Arthur. (University of Melbourne, 1937)
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    The microscopical pathology of pyorrhoea alveolaris
    Ellis, David, Ph. D. (University of Melbourne, 1935)
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    Factors affecting fracture susceptibility of tooth root: a laboratory and finite element analysis (FEA) study
    SATHORN, CHANKHRIT ( 2004-11)
    From a fracture mechanics viewpoint, structural defects, cracks or canal irregularities are likely to play a major role in fracture susceptibility of the roots, because stresses can be exponentially amplified at these sites. By incorporating defects into a smooth round canal using rotary NiTi, theoretically the roots could be strengthened. The aims of the study were to determine whether rotary NiTi canal preparation strengthens roots, and whether the fracture pattern can be predicted by finite element analysis (FEA) models. 25 teeth were prepared using hand file and another 25 using rotary NiTi. After obturation, all teeth were subject to loading until fracture; load and patterns were recorded. Four FEA models were created from fractured roots. No significant difference of fracture load between the two techniques was found. Mesio-distal fracture occurred more often in the rotary NiTi group. Stress patterns in three of the four FEA models correlated well with the observed fracture patterns. The aim of the subsequent study was to determine the extent to which canal size, radius of curvature and proximal root concavity influence fracture susceptibility and pattern. A standardized cross-section of the mid-root region of a mandibular incisor was created by averaging the dimensions of ten extracted teeth, and the basic FEA model was created. By varying canal diameter, shape and proximal concavity, these factors could be examined for roles in fracture susceptibility and pattern. The factors all interact in influencing fracture susceptibility and pattern, with dentine thickness not the only determining factor. The removal of dentine does not always result in increased fracture susceptibility.
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    An analysis of the effectiveness of a continuing professional development (CPD) program for dentists in Victoria
    Sethi, Bikram ( 2009)
    Periodontitis is a common condition resulting in destruction of periodontal tissues and eventually tooth loss. Every patient requires appropriate diagnosis and treatment by their dental practitioner. Periodontics has undergone many innovations in recent years. It is the onus of the treating dentist to keep abreast of developments in order to provide quality care to their patients. Unfortunately there is literature indicating that some Victorian dentists may not be following appropriate clinical practice in the identification and management of the periodontal needs of their patients. To address this, the School of Dental Science, the University of Melbourne, began conducting a Continuing Professional Development course titled ‘Periodontics via Distance Learning’. The course was composed of a mixture of hands on, distance learning and didactic components. This study assessed changes in clinical practice of course participants via the use of a delayed impact on practice questionnaire. All those who participated in the course in 2005 and 2006 were sampled. A response rate of 85% was recorded. Overall, an increase in practitioner confidence in periodontal diagnosis and periodontal treatment was reported and with many respondents indicated changes in their clinical practice had occurred. However, the reported changes recorded were not universal to all participants. Further research is required to determine how best to structure a dental CPD course.