Parkell Online Learning Centre

For these courses you'll need to register with Parkell but are then free to view the course, do the test and get immediate credit. Parkell programs have PACE and CERP recognition

Meeting the Challenge of the Class II Composite Resin Proximal Contact

by Howard Strassler, DMD; and Erin Ladwig, BS
2CE credit hours

In recent years, there has been a trend away from the use of dental amalgam for the placement of posterior restorations to the use of adhesive composite resin. A major challenge when placing any Class II restoration is the establishment of an anatomically shaped and positioned proximal contact.1 For composite resins, this challenge is greater because of the handling characteristics and physical properties of composite resin. Development of an anatomically correct proximal contact is critical to success of a Class II composite resin restoration. This article discusses a technique for achieving predictable proximal contacts and illustrates the technique in a clinical case report.


Using Cavity Liners with Direct Posterior Composite Restorations
by Jose-Luis Ruiz, DDS; and Sumita Mitra, PhD
2CE credit hours

Cavity liners have traditionally been used in direct and indirect restorations for purposes such as promoting reparative dentin and neutralizing acids.1 Today, liners are used when resin composites are used as the restorative materials on the posterior teeth, but for a different reason. Clinically, liners are considered to decrease sensitivity and wet the cavity better than restorative composites because of their flowability, adaptation to the dentinal surface, and adhesion. As bonding systems and composite materials continue to improve and become better understood, so do the techniques for placing composites. This has led to the reassessment of the clinical relevance and function of liners. Some clinicians don’t use cavity liners, assuming they are a thing of the past; some use composite liners, and others use resin-modified glass ionomer liners. Additionally, there is not a clear agreement over the function of liners, such as when and why they should be used or what type of liner material would provide the best performance for a particular clinical situation. This article attempts to clarify some of the confusion surrounding the use of liners by reviewing the available literature on the subject and attempting to give evidence-based rationale for the use and protocol for the clinician.



The Impact of Systemic Disease-Associated Gingival Enlargement on Pediatric Patients
by Hessam Nowzari, DDS, PhD; and Sandra K. Rich, MPH, PhD
2CE credit hours

This article provides an analysis of pediatric systemic disease and the corresponding prescribed medications for selected physical and mental health conditions. The focus is on pediatric oral health, specifically the drugassociated side effect of gingival enlargement. A simple and logical analysis of current pediatric health trends reveals that gingival overgrowth is evident in societies worldwide as a serious epidemic. This article describes the morbidity and risks that are related to drug-associated gingival overgrowth, and proposes a framework of action for treating the side effects of chronic diseases and conditions in pediatric patients.