Digital Commons Network^™

Localization Of Gli1+ Expressing Cells In Adult Mouse Molars, Divya Puri

Master's Theses

Identification of the mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) population capable of giving rise to odontoblasts secreting dentin during growth (primary dentinogenesis)and repair (reparative dentinogenesis) is critical for the development of improved pulp therapy, regeneration of dentin and ultimately, the bioengineering of functional teeth. Recent lineage tracing studies have led to the identification of several new MSCs and their associated niche referred to as the neurovascular bundle, located at the apical end of the incisor. This newly identified niche contains several populations of MSCs including Gli1⁺(glioma-associated oncogene homolog 1), cells that are activated by Shh secreted by sensory nerves. Furthermore, …

Neural Correlates Of Native-Language Speech Perception And Non-Native Speech Sound Learning, Pamela Fuhrmeister

Doctoral Dissertations

Many studies of non-native speech sound learning report a great deal of individual variability; some learners master the sounds of a second language with ease, while others struggle to perceive and produce sounds, even after years of learning the language. Although some contributions of phonological, auditory, or cognitive skills have been found to predict non-native speech sound learning ability as measured by laboratory tasks, the field lacks a comprehensive understanding of where these differences originate from. Recent findings, however, suggest that individual differences in sleep duration may predict learning after a period of offline consolidation, though these findings are mixed. …

Reliability Of A Low Dose Cbct Protocol In Evaluating Sinus Pathology Associated With Potential Implant Sites: An Ex-Vivo Imaging Study, Armaghan Ahmad

Master's Theses

No abstract provided.

Effects Of Various Decontamination Protocols On The Surface Microbial Load Of Conventional And 3d Printed Surgical Guides For Dental Implants, David Remiszewski

Master's Theses

No abstract provided.

Alveolar Bone And Airway Changes In Different Maxillary Expansion Treatments: A 3d Cone-Beam Tomography Study, Dennis Wang

Master's Theses

Objectives: To evaluate the long-term effects on the airway and bone in patients that have undergone BA, TA and control with 3D cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) analysis. Materials and Methods: 180 CBCTs were analyzed for 60 patients at pretreatment (T1), post expansion (T2), and post-treatment (T3). Patients were divided into three groups, bone anchored expansion (BA), tooth anchored expansion (TA) and a control group. For the airway portion of the study, the nasal cavity, nasopharyngeal, oropharyngeal and laryngopharyngeal, and total airway volumes were measured. Total airway area, minimal cross-sectional area, maxillary intermolar, external maxillary and palatal widths were also …

Interprofessional Collaboration For Oral Health Education And Screening Of Children With Special Health Care Needs, Lamia Habib

Master's Theses

In 2016, National Survey of Children’s Health conducted by the U.S. Department (HRSA MCHB) identified 18.8% of children aged 0-17 years old with Special Health Care Needs (CSHCN). Of these children, 83.4% are not receiving adequate healthcare. It has been well established that oral health is an integral part of the child’s general health. Medical primary care physicians may play an important role in improving oral health outcomes through oral screening, referral, oral health education and promotion. CSHCN may be at an increased risk for oral health problems throughout their life which may negatively impact their quality of life and …

Microrna-29 Family: A Positive Regulator Of Osteoclastogenesis, Henry Hrdlicka

Doctoral Dissertations

Osteoclasts are large multinucleated bone cells of the myeloid lineage. Osteoclasts secrete proteases and create an acidic environment, causing bone resorption. Osteoclast differentiation, driven by MCSF and RANKL, is tightly regulated by numerous factors, including microRNAs (miRNAs, miRs). miRNAs are short non-coding RNAs that post-transcriptionally regulate gene expression by binding to complementary mRNA sequences, leading to mRNA degradation or destabilization. The aim of these studies was to investigate the function of the miRNA-29-3p family in osteoclasts both in vivo and in vitro.

We generated mice which globally express a miR-29-3p tough decoy which competitively inhibits miR-29-3p activity. The examination …

Evaluation Of Obturation Extrusion Of Guttacore With Varying Insertion Rates, John Barrett

Master's Theses

Abstract:

Introduction:The aim of this study is to determine whether the insertion rate of the Dentsply/Sirona Guttacore obturation product with Dentsply AH Plus sealer has an effect on 1. the extrusion amount of the obturating materials and 2. the extrusion probability of the obturating materials out of root canal apex.

Methods:Thirty root canal simulating plastic blocks were prepared with Waveone Gold nickel titanium rotary files to a size “primary” file. The prepared blocks were divided into three groups: group 1 was obturated using GuttaCore size primary obturator (analogous to the reciprocating file size) at a rate of 1 …

Efficacy Of 3d-Printed Guide Vs Conventional Method For Conservative Endodontic Access Preparation In Extracted Upper Molars, Manuel Sato

Master's Theses

Objective: This experimental clinical trial aims to evaluate the accuracy and efficacy of a computer designed / 3D printed endodontic guide to achieve a conservative endodontic access preparation on upper molars. As a secondary objective we will determine if the endodontic guide can assist the practitioner especially when comparing two operators with a different level of experience to achieve an endodontic cavity access in a reduced time and localizing all the canals thereby preserving more dental structure Materials and Methods: This study utilized 80 extracted maxillary molars and were divided into 2 groups of a conservative access and a CBCT …

Retrospective Evaluation Of The Survival Rate Of Buccal Mini-Implants And The Factors Associated With Their Survival, Ledjo Palo

Master's Theses

ABSTRACT

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate the success rate of common mini-implants used on the buccal side of both the maxilla and mandible for orthodontic purposes. All orthodontic mini-implants placed at the University of Connecticut residency from July of 2013 till April of 2020 by various residents and faculty. The location and outcome of the implant was measured as success if the implant was stable or if it failed.

Materials and Methods: Records of all mini-implants placed on the buccal aspect of both maxilla and mandible of patients receiving orthodontic treatment at the University of Connecticut …

Effects Of Various Sterilization Protocols On The Dimensional Accuracy Of 3d Printed Surgical Guides For Dental Implants, Collin Shuen

Master's Theses

No abstract provided.

Comparing The Outcomes Of Closed Vs. Open Surgical Exposure Of Palatally Impacted Canines: A Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial, Sina Banankhah

Master's Theses

No abstract provided.

Effect Of Endodontic Sealers On Dentin Strength, Philip Chang

Master's Theses

Introduction: The ideal endodontic sealer should be biocompatible, dimensionally stable, and have proper bond strength to dentin. The aim of this study was to apply a hoop stress to sectioned teeth discs which have been obturated with AH Plus sealer with no gutta percha, EndoSequence Bioceramic Sealer (BC Sealer) with no gutta percha, and Tetranite® with no gutta percha until fracture occurred and then compared the failure stresses.

Methods: Teeth were divided into three groups based on the sealer type used. The teeth were sectioned into 2 mm thick discs and load was applied using a piston until …

Examining Opportunity In The Dental Community To Identify Prediabetes, Kirsten S. Carew

Master's Theses

Abstract

BACKGROUND: In response to the growing epidemic of prediabetes and diabetes (type 2), the State of Connecticut passed Public Act 19-72 “An Act Concerning Dental Practitioners” effective July 1, 2019 allowing licensed dentists to administer an in-office blood screening test to consenting patients identified as having an increased risk for diabetes. The intent of this law is to expand the venues to screen, identify and inform those at-risk for disease.

METHODS: An anonymous online cross-sectional pilot study was conducted utilizing membership of major statewide dental societies to recruit licensed practicing dentists in the state of Connecticut. Participants completed a …

Exploration Of The Behavioral, Electrophysiological, And Psychometric Effects Of Kth Speech-Tracking Training In Noise In Normal Hearing Adults, Michael Kurth

Doctoral Dissertations

Looking at hearing loss through the WHO-ICD model for disability reveals that auditory interventions do not necessarily address all of the components of auditory disability. Auditory training has been proposed as a solution to address activity-level deficits. The purpose of this study was to examine structure- and activity-level changes as the result of auditory training for normal hearing individuals training in the presence of noise. Thirty adults with normal hearing were placed into three experimental groups: A group engaging in active auditory training in noise, a group listening to speech material in noise, and a control group that performed no …

Preparation And Characterization Of Collagen-Hydroxyapatite-Based Composites For Biomedical Applications, Le Yu

Doctoral Dissertations

Collagen, the most abundant protein, and hydroxyapatite, the main component in natural bone, are usually used as a biomimetic composite in many biomedical applications due to their excellent biocompatibility, great biodegradability, and flexible structural and compositional alterability. In this dissertation, a systematic study was conducted to design, develop and characterize collagen-hydroxyapatite-based (Col-HA-based) composite materials and explore their wide biomedical applications.

First, the biomeralization mechanism of collagen was investigated. The degree of intrafibrillar mineralization of Col-HA fibrils was enhanced by the employment of carboxyl-rich brushlike polymers, which is believed to be capable of replicating the sequestration functions of non-collagenous proteins (NCPs) …

Identification Of Factors That Influence The Cell Density Dependent Growth Of Porphyromonas Gingivalis, Archana Palakkal Meethil

Master's Theses

No abstract provided.

Influence Of Endodontic Sealers On Dentin Strength In Endodontically Treated Teeth, Andrew Fossum

Master's Theses

Introduction: Gutta-percha is not compressible and tooth fracture can be initiated when force is applied to the gutta-percha. The aim of this study was to apply a hoop stress to roots which have been obturated with either gutta-percha and no sealer, gutta-percha and AH Plus sealer, gutta-percha and EndoSequence Bioceramic Sealer, gutta-percha and Tetranite®, or Tetranite® and no gutta-percha until fracture occurred and then compared the failure stresses. Methods: Teeth were divided into five groups based on the sealer type used, no sealer used or only sealer used. The teeth were then sectioned into 2mm thickness discs and load was …

Meta-Research Of Periodontal Clinical Trials, Khadijeh Al-Abedalla

Master's Theses

No abstract provided.

Proportion Of Mb2 Canals Identified At Different Depths Of Excavation In Extracted Teeth And Comparison With Cbct Prediction, Anshul Mainkar

Master's Theses

Objective: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the depth of troughing needed to locate the mesiobuccal 2 canals in maxillary molars. Troughing the pulp chamber floor can locate hidden or calcified mesio-lingual canals. Materials and Methods: This study utilized 29 extracted maxillary first and second molars with mesiobuccal 2 canals confirmed by sectioning the mesiobuccal root in cross-section 5 mm coronal to the apex. A standard access cavity was prepared and mesiobuccal, distobuccal, and palatal canals were located. A groove was troughed palatal to the mesiobuccal orifice and slightly mesial to the line connecting mesiobuccal and palatal canal …

The Development Of An Online Survey And Screening Tool To Assess Toddler Feeding Behaviors In A Low-Income Connecticut Community, Lindsay Fenn

Master's Theses

No abstract provided.

Differences In Mandibular Dentogingival Exposure As A Function Of Age And Type Of Facial Expression, Alison Loewenstein

Master's Theses

Statement of Problem:The need to accurately and reliably assess the maximum mandibular dentogingival display is essential during the planning of dental treatment, and inaccuracies in capturing a patient’s genuine border movements in the mandible can result in a faulty treatment outcome.

Purpose: Maximum smile as an expression is a frequently used to establish the extent of dentogingival display in the dental practice. In this study, the facial expressions “maximum smile,” (MS) “eyes closed smile,” (EC) and enunciation of the word “church” (CH) was used to evaluate the effect of facial expression on mandibular dentogingival display, and to assess the …

Relationship Between Radiographic Misfit And Clinical Outcomes In Immediately Loaded Complete-Arch Fixed Implant Supported Prostheses In Edentulous Patients, Robert Slauch

Master's Theses

No abstract provided.

A Comparative Evaluation Of Translucency Of Emerging Glass Ceramics And Polycrystalline Ceramics, Michael Stangler

Master's Theses

No abstract provided.

“Stop! In The Name Of Civility”: Testing The Effectiveness Of An Intervention To Reduce Workplace Incivility, Corey Grantham

Master's Theses

Workplace incivility is a common problem within organizations. Recent data estimates that 96% of the total workforce population in the United States has experienced incivility at one time or another. Individual targets of incivility face detrimental effects to their psychological and professional well-being. Workplace incivility also leads to poor outcomes for workgroups and for organizations as a whole. Results are mixed for the use of formal training programs to curb incivility in organizations. A workshop designed to train employees on behaving in a civil manner in the workplace, as well as how to respond to workplace incivility, was implemented across …

Perceived Chewing Ability In Adults With Or Without Dentures, Mara Cuberos Guevara

Master's Theses

Background: Masticatory impairment impacts both oral health as well as general health. Self-perceived chewing ability can be a tool to assess denture satisfaction, food choices and quality of life. Objective: To describe the perceived chewing ability with or without use of dentures in adults of different ages and implications in food choices. Methods: Administration of a 20- question survey to adult patients at the Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) residency clinic at the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine. Results: Chewing ability and food choices were significantly impacted by denture status (p = 0.015). Denture status …

Characterizing The Role Of Psychological Stress In The Development Of Persistent Pain, Katherine M. Bernier Carney

Doctoral Dissertations

Persistent pain is a complex experience that can be difficult to treat if there is no obvious source. Nurses caring for patients with chronic pain may rely on pain severity to direct care, although this does not address the biopsychosocial factors that influence persistent pain states. Psychological stress is a potentially modifiable factor that has been proposed to influence the experience of pain, but the role of stress in developing persistent pain states remains undefined. The purpose of this dissertation was to examine stress-pain relationships by investigating how stress influences chronic pain trajectories. To address this query, three perspectives are …

Diagnostic Methods For Big Survival Data, Yishu Xue

Doctoral Dissertations

While studies of the proportional hazards model for big survival data mainly focus on speeding up computation and selecting features from a huge number of covariates, verifying the crucial assumption of proportional hazards (PH) has not been tackled for big data when the data size exceeds a computer’s memory. This dissertation summarizes methodological developments in statistics that address the diagnostics of the PH model, including the PH assumption, functional form, and outlying and/or influential observations. Specifically, an online updating approach with minimal storage requirement that updates the standard test statistic for the PH assumption in an online fashion is proposed. …

The Role Of Executive Function On Weight Loss And Maintenance In A Couples-Based Intervention, Katelyn M. Gettens

Doctoral Dissertations

Weight loss is reliably achieved through standard behavioral programs, yet weight loss maintenance (WLM) has proven to be an elusive goal and is one of the field’s most significant dilemmas. Given the complex and multifaceted nature of WLM, a specific subset of cognitive processes known as executive functions (EF) involved in high-order or top-down cognitive functioning, are likely among the most highly implicated neural systems in successful weight management. The complexity of weight loss maintenance is unlikely to exist solely due to individual-level factors, and likely involves the larger environmental context in which an individual is nested. This study examined …

Mechanical Properties Of The Intermetallic Compound Cafe2as2 At Small Length Scales, John Sypek

Doctoral Dissertations

Nanotechnology has paved the way for the research and development of new classes of materials and how we use them. With the desire to decrease the size of devices all while having advanced properties, research in this field and the development of small-scale experimental techniques has become significantly important. Materials can deform in elastically or plastically when an external load is applied. If elastically deforming a material, the material can then fully recover when unloading and there is no permanent damage to the shape or the structure of the material. When plastically deforming, this means that the materials shape cannot …