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Latex allergy has become the epidemic of the 1990s for health care workers, as indicated by a remarkable increase in its prevalence. This literature review provides a brief background to the latex problem, strategies for prevention and management, a cost analysis of glove substitution in a clinical setting, and the implications for the military environment. Primary care providers must recognize the financial, medico-legal, occupational, and personal ramifications of latex allergy. Risk managers should realize that moving to a latex-free environment will reduce liability.

The effectiveness of combining in-office and at-home nightguard vital bleaching on tetracycline-stained teeth was evaluated. Grade 1 and grade 2 tetracycline stains were eliminated completely in two months by this combination approach. Grade 3 stains, the most severe, were lightened significantly with a reduction in the banding effect. The most common side effect was an increase in tooth sensitivity, especially to cold, while actively in treatment. All patients reported disappearance of the sensitivity after termination of the treatment phase.

The purpose of this study was to compare 10% carbamide peroxide to the combination of sodium perborate and water as intracoronal bleaching agents. Forty-four extracted teeth were discolored in vitro. Bleaching agents were placed intracoronally to the level of the cemento-enamel junction for 12 days; solutions were replaced after four and eight days. Standardized slides were used to rank color changes; a colorimeter was used to quantify color change. After 12 days, 65% of the discolored teeth in the 10% carbamide peroxide group and 67% of the discolored teeth in the sodium perborate group had lightened to their original shade or lighter. While there was no statistical difference between the two treatments, sodium perborate was easier to use.

The radiopacity of intermediate restorative materials should be sufficient to enable the clinician to distinguish the material from normal and decalcified tooth structure. The purpose of this study was to determine the relative radiopacities of intermediate restorative materials, including a newly introduced high-viscosity, self-cured, condensable glass ionomer material. Radiographs were made of six intermediate restorative materials: two reinforced zinc oxide-eugenol materials (IRM and Zinroc), a conventional glass ionomer material (Ketac-fil), a synthetic resin material (Cavit), a eugenol-free zinc oxide material (Tempit), and a new, general-purpose, condensable glass ionomer material (Fuji IX-GP). Optical density was measured using a densitometer. The optical density of dentin and enamel were used for radiographic comparison. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences among materials: Cavit = IRM = TempitZinroc = Fuji IX-GPKetac-fil = enameldentin (whereindicates a statistical difference at por = 0.05). Although not as radiopaque as some other intermediate materials tested, the radiopacity of Fuji IX-GP appears sufficient to aid diagnosis.

Body-piercing is growing in popularity. Intraoral sites are being selected more frequently for piercing. A case of a lingual barbell is described.