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Aim: To evaluate the efficacy of triclosan (T)-based toothpaste formulations in the prevention and treatment of plaque-induced periodontal and peri-implant diseases., Methods: A review of the existing literature was conducted with a systematic approach in order to retrieve pertinent articles., Results and Conclusions: i) Compared with a control fluoride dentifrice, a fluoride dentifrice containing T formulations provides a more effective level of plaque control and gingival health in patients affected by gingivitis; ii) 0.3% T/2% copolymer/0.243% NaF formulation and 0.3% T/0.13% Ca glicerophosphate/1000 ppm F toothpaste in a natural Ca carbonate base seem the most effective T-based toothpaste formulations in controlling plaque and gingival inflammation in patients with gingivitis or mild/moderate periodontitis over a 6-month period; iii) 0.3% T/2% copolymer/0.243% NaF toothpaste formulation can reduce clinical attachment loss in young adolescents when compared with a 0.243% NaF toothpaste formulation, the magnitude of the difference being greater for patients with deep periodontal pockets at baseline; iv) 0.3% T/2% copolymer/0.243% NaF toothpaste formulation is either similarly or more efficacious in preventing the progression/recurrence of periodontal destruction when compared to a conventional fluoride toothpaste; v) 0.3% T/2% copolymer/0.243% NaF toothpaste formulation seems to be more effective than a fluoride toothpaste formulation in controlling the severity of mucosal inflammation, the incidence of mucosal bleeding as well as reducing probing pocket depth around dental implants.

Background: Spa therapy is frequently used in daily rheumatological practice, but its benefit remains to be evaluated. The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the effectiveness and tolerability of mud-packs and mineral baths with fluorurate radioactivity water from the thermal resort of Merano (Bolzano) versus short wave therapy in patients with osteoarthritis of the knees., Methods: Forty-eight patients were treated for a period of two weeks with mineral water baths and mineral mud-packs and twenty-four patients were treated with short-wave therapy for the same period. Assessment criteria were spontaneous pain ratings on a visual analogue scale (VAS), functional impairment (Lequesne's index), quality of life index (AIMS1), analgesic and/or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs consumption and patient and physician assessment of effectiveness and tolerability of treatments. These criteria were recorded at the beginning and at the end of the treatments and after 3 months., Results: A significant improvement (p < 0.0001) in the Lequesne's index, in the VAS and a significant decrease in analgesic consumption was achieved in both groups up to 15 days. The improvement remains to the end of the follow-up period only in the group treated with spa therapy., Conclusions: This study suggests that spa therapy has a prolonged, beneficial, symptomatic effect in osteoarthritis of the knees.

The objective of the study was to test the effects of inhalation crenotherapy using the radioactive, fluoridated oligomineral waters from the Merano Spa on both subjects with specific upper respiratory tract phlogosis and normal subjects. The double-blind study was performed on a population of 27 adults of both sexes treated with radioactive-fluoridated water (group A) and 20 subjects, suffering from the same chronic catarrh pathology, selected with the same criteria but treated with inhalation of steam and an aerosol using drinking water from the municipal water supply (group C). In addition, a group of 13 subjects--which in terms of age and sex were statistically comparable to groups A and C but who did not show any signs of acute or chronic upper respiratory tract pathologies (group B) were also treated with the radioactive-fluoridated waters. All subjects included in the study underwent the following tests before and after the cycle of crenotherapy: Objective E.N.T. examination. Computerized Active Anterior Rhinomanometry. Detection of the ciliary mucous transport (CMT) time. Nasal cytology. Physical and immunochemical examination of the nasal mucous. The results of this study--seen in the trend in some parameters monitored both before and after the cycle of crenotherapy using Merano Spa water--clearly show that that the crenotherapy studied had an effect on aspecific chronic phlogosis of the upper respiratory tract. In fact, among other things, group A showed decreased nasal resistance, increased nasal respiratory flow, normalized mucociliary transport, decreased bacterial flora and an increased number of plasma cells in the rhinocytogram. In addition there was an increase in the following values in the nasal mucous: Albumin, non-secretory Immunoglobulin and the secretory portion of secretory Immunoglobulin A. None of these variations are seen in the results from the control group treated with municipal drinking water. After treatment with Merano spa water, the pathology-free subjects showed variations in the parameters in line with those found for group A. This biological reality can most likely be attributed to the favorable response of the respiratory mucosa, promoting anti-infection defenses.

The preventive and therapeutical measures to be implemented the post-menopausal osteoporosis are varied, although there is no clear, single protocol of intervention. ESTROGENS AND PROGESTOGENS: It si verify that the administration of estrogens and/or progestogens prevents bone loss with an action on mineral components of bone and on collagenic metabolism. BIPHOSPONATES: Operate inhibiting mineralization and, particularly, bone reabsorption. At present its use, in low dosages, is reserved to "fast bone loser" patients. CALCITONIN: It increases bone mass and significantly reduces the frequency of fractures in comparison with only calcium, but its use is limited by high costs. IPRIFLAVONE: Anti-reabsorption effects has on bone and stimulates osteoblastic activity; besides, it seems to developed the effect of estrogens on the bone. FLUORIDES: Fluorides also operate on both components of bone turnover, with a most important action on bone formation. An interesting approach is the association of low doses of monofluorophosphate with calcium. However, further confirmation of the "quality" of neoformed bone is necessary. CALCIUM: Calcium supplementation is obligatory where the alimentary supply of calcium is lower then 1 g/die or where an osteomalacic component coexists; only dosages higher than 15 g/die can produce/pharmacological effects on bone turnover. CALCITRIOL: The use is still disputed. The calcitriol-calcium association seems convincing haveved. ORG: OD 14. The efficacy of this synthetic steroid to prevent bone loss is probably superimposable on the efficacy of classic estrogen therapy.

The Authors consider the etiology postmenopause osteoporosis and the drugs for a modern therapy of this disease. They also analyse the effectiveness and the unfavourable effects of these drugs and suggest a personal treatment for osteoporosis.

Fifty patients with advanced osteoporosis were treated for 2 years with calcitonin+fluoride using cyclic therapeutic regimens. We evaluated their efficacy in recovering bone loss and reducing the rate of vertebral crush fractures. Twenty-seven control patients were treated for one year with calcium+vitamin D supplements. In the 59% of patients who responded to calcitonin the gain in bone mass (dual photon absorptiometry) correlated inversely with urine calcium and hydroxyproline excretion and serum osteocalcin. In the 70% responding to calcitonin+fluoride it correlated positively with serum osteocalcin and alkaline phosphatase and inversely with urine calcium and hydroxyproline excretion. Compared to basal value both coherent regimens resulted in a significant increase (calcitonin: 1.92 +/- 1.8%, p < 0.01; calcitonin+fluoride: 3.7 +/- 1.4%, p < 0.0005) in spinal bone mass but no significant differences emerged between them. The rate of vertebral crush fractures (radiogrammetry) did not very significantly in any group. The gain in bone mass does not predict the risk of vertebral crush fractures.

The authors examine the effects of different drugs used in osteoporosis therapy for the primary and secondary prevention of fractures. They base their review on prospective randomized studies; retrospective studies are included only if a consistent number of subjects has been examined. Their methodological characteristics are illustrated, and results with significant levels and 95% confidence intervals are reported. Only hormone replacement therapy and salmon calcitonin have been demonstrated as able to prevent vertebral and non-vertebral fractures. Vitamin D and its analogues seem to be effective only in elderly patients, although conclusive data are lacking. With regard to bisphosphonates, only data on vertebral fractures are presently available. Results from fluoride studies are still very inconclusive, and, in fact, lead to the hypothesis of a fracture-promoting effect. At present, no data on ipriflavone are available. Considerably more research is necessary to define the efficacy of different treatment protocols for fracture prevention. Each therapeutic proposal for osteoporosis should be supported by data on its efficacy in reducing the incidence of fractures. Not always, in fact, is an absolute increase of bone mass followed by the effective prevention of fractures. At this time, only estrogens and calcitonin have been demonstrated as able to reduce fracture incidence.

The central role of Streptococcus mutans in the pathogenesis of caries is universally recognized. In this article we discuss bacterial metabolism relevant to plaque formation and enamel destruction, and review current methods and new prospects in caries prophylaxis: the use of fluorine, possible substitutes for sucrose, active and passive immunoprophylaxis, teeth colonization with non-cariogenic strains of S. mutans. No one of these methods can be considered a definitive solution for every caries problem, but short term major achievements can be reasonably attained by ongoing field research.

The prevalence of dental caries in the school children population in Rieti is very high, according to low levels of fluoride content in drinkable water, similar to those detected in other areas of Italy and Europe. The aim of our research is to propose a combined prevention protocol, utilizing fluoride tablets and dental therapy through structures already existing in the public health national organization. The application of this combined (profilaxis-therapy) protocol is expected to decrease the prevalence of dental caries to 50% in a five years period, at a very accettable cost. This protocol should find early application, possibly starting from maternal schools.

The authors schematically describe the possibility of specialistic sanitary intervention in prevention, primary secondary and tertiary. They, furthermore, discuss of the real possibility of dietetical and pharmacological prophylaxis with special regard to the proper use and on the mechanism of action of fluorine and other chemical antiplaque agents.

A controlled, double-blind trial on 42 children showed that a dentrifrice containing 0,25% fluorine clearly prevented caries when used continuously for 2 years. This effects was greater than that of a similar toothpaste containing fluorine. Tolerance was excellent.

A total of 60 pediatricians from the districts of Genova and Savona, randomly selected, responded to a survey designed to determine several aspects of their attitude toward the prevention of dental caries and particularly the use of fluoride supplement (table II). The survey demonstrated (table III) that 80% of the physicians prescribe fluoride without knowing the fluoride content in the water supply of their region. Therefore, the dosage schedule used by 56% of the physicians is higher than the optimal, 27.5% is lower and only 16.5% use the optimal dosage as recommended by the American Academy of Pediatric, Committee on Nutrition.

The aim of this study is to reveal level of knowledge of dental education of expectant parents. The group under observation is not sufficiently informed on this subject, particularly regarding the role of fluoride, on the correct pediatric technique of oral hygiene, and alimentation. In conclusion the authors hope for a better motivation on the part of expectant parents during the prenatal period.

The pattern of experimental caries was examined in rats treated with magnesium fluosilicate associated with manganese and a cariogenic diet. A 33.34% fall in the incidence of caries was observed with respect to a control series, whereas Mg fluosilicate and manganese administered alone caused 30% and 20% reductions respectively. It was also noted that a slight toxic action, expressed as a 3 g fall in body weight, was found with the Mg fluosilicate dose employed; this effect was attenuated by simultaneous administration of manganese.

The incidence of osteoporosis in the West is considerable and its complications are such as to make it a common and disabling problem. Recent developments in the classification, pathogenesis and diagnosis of the disease are reported. Certain laboratory techniques have recently been developed that can provide adequate information about the degree of demineralisation present. Furthermore the accurate in vivo assessment of bone density is made possible by the development of double beam photon osteodensitometry that measures bone mineral content (BMC) with sensitivity and accuracy. On the treatment side, the various drugs available are reviewed with particular reference to estrogen, vitamin D, anabolisers (recently reassessed in radiogrammometric and densitometric studies) fluorides and calcitonin. Finally certain treatment protocols for post-menopausal and senile osteoporosis are proposed that should produce good results in a reasonably short space of time.