Metals and alloys play an important role in dentistry. These form one of the four possible groups of materials used in dentistry which include ceramics, composites and polymers. These are used in almost all the aspects of dentistry including the dental laboratory, direct and indirect dental restorations and instruments used to prepare and manipulate teeth. Although the latest trend is towards the "metal free" dentistry, the metals remain the only clinically proven material for long term dental applications.

Impression techniques and materials used in dentistry have come a long way since the early times, where it was just an attempt to record the tissues without the knowledge and appreciation of the anatomy, physiology and microbiology of tissues being recorded to a more scientific, well documented, biologic impression making followed today. Several authors and researchers have emphasized the need to understand the concept behind the number of techniques being used today. It could well be said that prosthodontics is one of the branches of dentistry where a good impression holds the key to a...

Man's long history of technologic development has been marked by a continuing search for improved materials. This effort has resulted in vast arrays of new materials which have affected nearly every aspect of contemporary life, including orthodontics.Today orthodontists move teeth using fixed appliances fashioned from metals, ceramics, and polymers. Stainless steel, cobalt-chromium, nickel-titanium, and b-titanium are the main alloys used to fashion arch wires. Stainless steel has been the workhorse for generations; despite its heat-treatment capabilities, cobalt-chromium has remained a...

Residual ridge resorption (RRR) is a major disease entity that results in functional impairment of stomatognathic system. The loss of bone following the extraction of teeth at the sight of edentulous ridge has been characterized as a long term, cumulative and irreversible process that often proceeds at an alarmingly rapid rate. Proportionally largest amount of bone is lost within the first 6 months and it continues till all the alveolar bone is lost.

The cleft lip and palate is a congenital defect with the presence of an oronasal communication, malformation or agenesis of the teeth close to the cleft and deficient sagittal and transverse growth of the maxilla. The increased knowledge in the nature of the defect and more normal participation in the community life has attracted various specialists to aid in their rehabilitation. This in turn has led to the development of different treatment philosophies. Cleft of hard and soft palates are treated with various surgeries. Initially cheiloplasty was performed in the first months and in later...