Melbourne Dental School - Theses
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ItemDynamic properties of nickel-titanium instruments( 1997)Root canal preparation in narrow, curved canals is a challenge even for experienced endodontists. Recently nickel-titanium (NiTi) hand files have played an important role in root canal preparation, particularly in curved root canals. Nickel-titanium endodontic instruments were first investigated in 1988 by Walia et al. who found that NiTi files have two to three times more elastic flexibility in bending and torsion, as well as superior resistance to torsional fracture compared with similar stainless steel files.
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ItemOral health status and treatment needs of the institutionalised elderly population in Melbourne( 1996-12)The purpose of this study was to determine the oral health status and treatment needs of elderly persons living in residential institutions in Melbourne. A total of 175 elderly persons aged 65 years and over were selected from 20 hostels located within a 10 km radius of the Melbourne GPO. A two stage field design was used to collect data. First, subjects were interviewed using a standard questionnaire, then clinical examinations were performed using a fiber optic light, plane mouth mirror, dental probe and periodontal probe. Coronal caries (DMFT), root caries (R-DF), periodontal status (CPITN), denture status, and treatment needs were assessed. The mean age of the subjects was 83.7 (sd 7.2) years. Eighty per cent were female and 20% were male.
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ItemAustralian weightings for the PAR Index( 1994)Critical review of orthodontic treatment results is a necessary procedure in the quest for quality control in orthodontic treatment provision. In order for valid information to be collected in such a review, a reliable method must be utilised. Traditionally, occlusal indices have been the method of choice. The index employed should however be reliable and utilised specifically for the purpose it was designed. This has not been the case in the few early attempts at assessing treatment standards. The PAR Index is an occlusal index designed specifically to fulfil such a purpose. The occlusal features comprising the components of the PAR Index have been weighted to reflect British and American orthodontic opinion. This study validates the PAR index using contemporary Australian orthodontic opinion in terms of the degree an occlusion deviates from the ideal. The resultant weightings may be used to allow valid data collection in quality control studies conducted in Australia.
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ItemA longitudinal cephalometric study of the polar growth phenomenon and craniofacial proportions( 1990)Throughout the orthodontic and anthropological literature, craniofacial growth, in the absence of criminal intervention, has been the subject of numerous longitudinal and cross-sectional investigations. Historically, the assessment of craniofacial growth using longitudinal cephalometric data was initiated by Broadbent (1931), who instigated the first major longitudinal growth study, the Bolton study. Since this development, some investigators have measured the craniofacial growth rates and increments (Brodie, 1941; Nanda, 1955; Bishara, Peterson and Bishara, 1984), while others have focused upon growth accelerations (Bambha and Van Natta 1963; Hunter, 1966; Bjork, 1967; Pileski, Woodside and James 1973; Houston, 1977; Lewis, Roche and Wagner, 1982; Ekstrom, 1982; Lewis et al., 1985; Kreig, 1987). The direction of growth of various craniofacial landmarks, relative to a basal reference area has also been the subject of research (Hellman, 1935; Downs 1948; Bergensen, 1961; Ricketts, 1971a, b). Similarly, the dimensions of various craniofacial proportions with growth have been investigated by different workers (Steiner, 1953; Ricketts, 1971a, b; 1981; Anderson and Popovich, 1983; Kerr and Hirst, 1987). All of the above studies have relied upon the use of various references, both anatomical and constructed, in the vicinity of the cranial base, to show entire facial changes with growth, presuming a stability of this reference area. The present study will be directed towards the method adopted by Ricketts (1971a, b) who has advocated the use of the Pterygoid Root Vertical (PtV) and Frankfort Horizontal (FH) reference planes, in conjunction with the reference point, CF (the point of intersection of these planes) to study the craniofacial pattern of the individual, presupposing a constancy in growth direction of various facial landmarks radiating outward from CF Point (the Polar Growth Phenomenon). Ricketts (1971a, b; 1981), in keeping with the concept of constancy with growth, has also suggested that various craniofacial proportions exhibit gnomonic growth, implying maintenance of angular dimensions with growth. To date, the Polar Growth Phenomenon and the concept of gnomonic growth of craniofacial proportions have not been investigated in the literature, yet these form part of the basis of growth forecasting methods of Ricketts as these relate to growth and treatment changes in the individual (Ricketts, 1972a; 1975a, b).