Search

The rotary electric toothbrush, Rota-dent, is often recommended and used as an alternative to the conventional toothbrush. The purpose of this short-term study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Rota-dent on plaque removal and gingival health in comparison to a conventional toothbrush. Twenty-four subjects were divided into two groups. For 6 weeks one group used the Rota-dent, while the other group used a conventional (Oral-B 40) toothbrush. Plaque and gingival indexes were evaluated each week. Results indicated that the Löe and Silness Gingival Index scores improved significantly for both groups. There was a significant improvement in plaque removal as measured by Turesky modification of the Quigley-Hein Plaque Index for the Rota-dent group, while there were no significant differences in the Silness and Löe Plaque Index for either group. Thus, both devices had a positive effect on gingival health, and the Rota-dent removed plaque better than a conventional toothbrush as measured by one but not another plaque index.

These studies demonstrate that a significant degree of remineralization of both natural and artificial lesions can be achieved in vitro. Changing the calcium concentration of the synthetic calcifying fluid had a significant effect on both the degree of remineralization achieved and the site of the lesion affected. When the calcifying fluid contained 3 mM calcium, remineralization occurred mainly in the superficial part of the lesion. When a 1 mM calcium calcifying fluid was used on adjacent halves of the same lesion, remineralization occurred throughout the entire depth of the lesion. Under these conditions there was a highly significant reduction in lesion size accompanied by an increase in orientated mineral crystals. The crystals were found to have diameters several times larger than those found in the sound enamel, most probably produced as a result of crystal growth. These results have significance in terms of both mechanisms of hard tissue repair and the possible eventual development of an agent for caries prevention.

Results of many trials have shown that fissure sealants can have a highly significant effect in the prevention of occlusal caries. The ultraviolet light cured materials appear to produce the most succesful and reproducible results. No evidence of caries or demineralization has been reported which could be related to acid etching of enamel. Several studies have shown that etched enamel, not covered by resin, will be remineralized on contact with oral fluid. There is evidence to support the argument that a small amount of undiagnosed caries at the base of the fissure would be arrested by the application of sealant. Larger carious lesions must be restored with a suitable material. Microleakage occurs at the margins of restorations as demonstrated in vitro by the use of an artificial caries technique in which 'outer' and 'cavity wall' lesions are produced. The incidence of cavity wall lesions is less if a composite material, rather than amalgam, is used. Microleakage may be decreased further by application of resin to the composite/enamel margins.

Using scanning electron microscopic techniques, we compared the surface topography and internal surface morphology of acid-etched caries-like lesions of enamel with those of sound enamel and caries-like lesions of enamel. The results indicated that acid-etching of caries-like lesions of enamel yielded etching patterns similar to those previously described for sound enamel. The internal morphology of the acid-etched lesion indicated that porosities were created which may allow access to the subsurface demineralized area of the lesion and could prove beneficial in facilitating remineralization.

In vitro caries-like lesion formation in F-containing tooth enamel (shark) showed a lower depth of penetration compared to that in human enamel (42 vs. 100%). After longer periods of exposure, the depth of penetration in shark enamel is only 33% relative to that in human enamel. The extent of dissolution in acetate buffer for powdered human enamel and for synthetic F-free calcium-carbonated-apatites was greater than for powdered shark enamel and for synthetic F-containing apatites. These results suggest that the cariostatic action of fluoride may be explained in terms of a combination of two effects: (a) the stabilizing effect against acid dissolution (caries) when fluoride is incorporated in the tooth mineral (apatite), and (b) a greater degree of remineralization (repair) in the presence of F solution.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of high frequency neural modulation as a substitute for traditional local anesthesia in various dental procedures. This double-blinded study was done to evaluate patient comfort and degree of satisfaction as well as manageability of pain control by the operator during the dental procedures. Procedures included restorations, tooth extractions, root planing, pulp extirpation, and temporomandibular joint therapy. In the experimental group, favorable responses ranged from 0.0% to 92.8%, depending on the procedures. An overall favorable rating of 71.8% was given by the experimental group, and an overall favorable response of 8.5% was given by the placebo group.

A clinical study to evaluate the analgesic efficacy of carprofen was conducted at the University of Colorado School of Dentistry. In a 6-month period, 248 patients underwent the surgical removal of wisdom teeth for analysis of postoperative pain relief.

Remineralization occurs naturally during the formation of a carious lesion in human dental enamel and is seen in the form of two of the four classical histological zones of the lesion. Exposure of small lesions to a synthetic calcifying in vitro results in a significant increase in remineralization of the lesion. The degree of remineralization achieved depends upon the presence of fluoride ions in the calcifying fluid and its degree of supersaturation. It appears that only low levels of fluoride are required to trigger the mechanism of remineralization; raising the fluoride level further does not result in a greater degree of remineralization. The calcium ion concentration of the calcifying fluid is critical with respect to determining which components are supersaturated and which in turn determines the degree of remineralization achieved. With levels of 3.0 mM calcium only the superficial region of the lesion is remineralized whereas with a calcium concentration of 1.0 mM, remineralization occurs in depth. It is hoped that studies on remineralization phenomena will provide further insight into the mechanisms of caries formation and be the basis for a more powerful and effective form of caries prevention.

The purpose of this in vitro study was to determine the effects of differing salivary contamination periods on the surface topography of etched enamel surfaces using SEM techniques. The results indicated that salivary contamination of etched enamel for 1 second or longer resulted in the formation of surface coatings that could not be removed by a water wash. It was concluded that should salivary contamination of an etched enamel surface occur, it would be necessary to repeat the etching procedure to ensure adequate bonding of a resin material.

Types of etching patterns and histological appearances were examined in acid-etched, NaF-treated caries-like lesions of enamel. Etching patterns similar to those for etched-sound enamel were found. Remineralization was limited to the surface zone and superficial portion of the body of the lesion following acid-etching of NaF-treated caries-like lesions.