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The aim of this patient-based study was to assess the effect of fixed splinting of mandibular premolars having reduced alveolar support on load distribution in the periodontium. A patient's mandibular second premolar with considerably reduced alveolar bone height was restored using a metal-ceramic restoration splinted with the adjacent first premolar; an acceptable 3-year maintenance period was observed. A patient-based three-dimensional finite element model was constructed using the morphological measurements obtained from the diagnostic cast and radiographs. The model incorporated in vivo occlusal records and was used to analyze stress and strain in the periodontium for splinted and nonsplinted simulations. Modified models were also created to explore the effects of relative bone height on the stress and strain distributions. The maximum principal stress and strain on the periodontium of the second premolar were considerably higher before splinting than after splinting and were close to strain levels indicative of potential bone microdamage. In contrast, the stress and strain in the first premolar increased after splinting. The modified models showed that the increased vertical gap of alveolar height between the splinted teeth was another factor to increase the load in the first premolar. Since the prosthodontic procedure employed is not routinely used, the results cannot be generalized. However, it is suggested that fixed splinting can decrease the periodontal load on premolars with reduced periodontal support, but may increase the load on the splinted tooth.

The purpose of the present retrospective study was to evaluate the post-traumatic healing of the pulp and periodontium of 32 permanent teeth with horizontal root fractures. Twenty-nine patients, 8-48 years old, who presented at our department with a root fracture between January 2001 and April 2007, participated in the study. Root-fractured teeth with a loosened or dislocated coronal fragment were repositioned and splinted for 14-49 days (average: 34 days). In cases of severe dislocation of the coronal fragment, prophylactic endodontic treatment was performed. Follow-up examinations were conducted routinely after 1,2,3,6, and 12 months. For this study, follow-up took place for up to 7 years post trauma. Of 32 root-fractured teeth, 29 (91%) survived. 10 teeth (31%) exhibited pulpal healing; 13 teeth (41%) were prophylactically endodontically treated within 2 weeks of injury. At the fracture line, interposition of calcified tissue was evident in 6 teeth (19%), and interposition of granulation tissue was observed in 8 teeth (25%). The prognosis of the root-fractured teeth was good, and one-third of the teeth with root fractures possessed a vital pulp at the final examination.

Diagnostic and therapeutic interventions following dental injuries are not part of the routine practice in the dental office. Quite often, these patients are emergency cases who seek treatment after normal office hours. The objective of this and the future papers is to present the current treatment concepts in dental traumatology at the School of Dental Medicine, University of Berne. The fruitful cooperation in the field of dental traumatology between the Department of Oral Surgery and Stomatology, and the Department of Conservative Dentistry (including pediatric dentistry and endodontology), is based on the interdisciplinary approach that has been established four years ago. Following discussion and evaluation of such treated cases, and considering current clinical and experimental studies, the said concepts have been worked out. The present paper describes the therapeutic approach for root fractures.

The present paper describes the current treatment philosophy of dislocated or avulsed permanent teeth at our school. Splinting and medication (root canal treatment, systemic antibiotics, etc.) are targeted to minimize the initial inflammatory reaction and to reduce post-traumatic complications such as pulp necrosis and/ or external root resorption.

Tooth transplantations provide the option of replacing lost or missing teeth in a biological fashion. On account of their high success rates and primarily in Scandinavian countries, they are a popular alternative to orthodontic or prosthetic treatment--particularly in case of children or young people losing teeth in accidents. Success of the treatment is ensured by corresponding diagnosis and good preoperative planning. Tissue-conserving transplant collection and the corresponding conditioning of the transplant bed are of decisive importance for the regeneration of the pulp and the periodontium. The success of the therapy is also influenced by the type and duration of splinting. Depending on the surgical technique and the transplanted tooth, the success rates are between 78% and 96%. The success criteria of a transplantation are defined clinically and radiologically. The diagnosis for transplantation is made from an orthodontic, endodontic, traumatologic, periodontologic and cardiologic perspective. The present article provides an overview of literature and shows current plantation techniques.

The treatment of displacement injuries and fractures of permanent teeth is an important emergency therapy in the dental office. Due to new sport trends and various outdoor activities, the frequency of dental trauma of children and adolescents alike is steadily rising. The standard treatment of displacement or avulsion injuires of permanent teeth is repositioning or replantation with subsequent splinting. The dental trauma splint must be flexible to allow for the physiologic movement of the repositioned or replanted teeth in order to reduce the risk for ankylosis or external root resorption. Stabilization of a repositioned tooth with a flexible splint over a short time period optimises the rehabilitation of the periodontal tissues. In the literature various splinting techniques have been described. This paper presents a new splinting technique; the Titanium Trauma Splint (TTS), which is made of pure titanium and was specifically developed for the treatment of traumatically displaced or avulsed permanent teeth. The TTS-splint has certain advantages when compared to traditional splinting techniques. These advantages are beneficial both for the dentist and patient alike.

32 cases of narrow canine teeth were treated with an orthodontic splint similar to the Becker-splint (1965). The splints are either fixed only to one or two teeth using adhesive bone of to both canine teeth and incisors. They can be made simply within short time and may treat different orthodontic problems.

Transdental fixation, as closed implant, offers the most favourable preconditions of all dental procedures of implantation. Teeth where the root-crown relation is altered to the detriment of root length, which is held firm in bone, can with its help be made functional. Loosening and premature loss of teeth can be prevented. Further discussed is the indication for this procedure, especially in tooth fractures and luxations as well as the operative steps. Up to now transdental fixation has proved itself although the number of cases and the follow-up time are insufficient to allow final judgment.

Studies on the kind and the distribution of prothetic care. The present paper gives a survey of the achievements of the Prosthetic Service of the Stomatological Clinic at Jena during the years 1961-1970. The studies involved the number of patients who had presented for prosthetic treatment, the most frequent age groups and the kind and extent of prosthetic work.

After pointing to the hygienizing phase which must in any case precede, the author deals with the medicinal local and general treatment, the occlusal function diagnosis, the function analysis, and the fundamentals of the grinding therapy. Furthermore, the temporary splinting, the treatment of secondary malpositions and problems as well as methods of periodontal surgery are mentioned.

The use of the miniature plastic splint, manufactured by means of deep-drawing, is illustrated by some examples: immobilization of subluxated teeth, treatment of fractures in the maxillofacial region, wound protection.

Oral hygiene experiments with H2O2 and chlorhexidine rinsing were performed in 15 patients with dental splints for jaw fractures and intermaxillary wiring. To measure the various cleaning measures, Löe's plaque index (1967) was determined at the 7th, 21st, and 35th postoperative days. The 2% chlorhexidine gluconate was always by far superior to H2O2 as far as plaque inhibition was concerned. With chlorhexidine plaque reduction up to 69% and H202 reductions up to 22% were observed. After a test period of about 5 weeks, only slight side-effects were recorded, such as discolorations at the lingual side of the teeth and in few cases bad taste or dark coating of the tongue.

The authors, after discussing the general importance of the use of splints in parodontological therapy, give a detailed description of the manufacture of composite splints. The experience and results obtained after eighteen months of use of fifteen splints are discussed and compared with data reported in the international literature.