A clinical study of the relationship between crowding of teeth, plaque and gingival condition

A clinical trial was undertaken to assess whether crowded teeth were more likely to accumulate plaque and develop gingivitis than non-crowded teeth. A tooth was considered crowded if it was displaced by 2 mm and/or rotated 15 degrees or more from the normal position in the arch. The material consisted of 50 dental students aged 21 to 32 years. An initial examination comprised assessment of Plaque Index, Gingival Index and pocket depths. After this examination the subjects refrained from using interdental cleaning aids but continued with their normal toothbrushing for 40 days. After re-examination they were instructed in the effective use of dental floss. A final examination was carried out after 140 days. At the start of the trial no difference was found in regard to the Plaque Index between crowded and non-crowded teeth. The Gingival Index for growded front teeth, but not for crowded premolars, was somewhat higher than for the corresponding controls. The cessation of interdental cleaning resulted in a similar increase in plaque accumulation and gingival inflammation in both non-crowded and crowded teeth. The use of dental floss for approximal tooth cleaning resulted in a similar decrease in the Plaque- and Gingival Indices for both types of teeth. The results demonstrate that in a group of young adults, crowding of teeth (1) did not favour plaque accumulation on approximal tooth surfaces and (2) influenced the degree of gingival inflammation only to a minor extent.     

Orientation of handle for successful prosthetic treatment in patients with an anatomic compromise after a maxillectomy

This clinical technique provides a key procedure for successful prosthetic treatment in patients with an anatomical compromise after a maxillectomy. When making a preliminary impression, the clinician must keep the handle of the stock tray parallel to the patient's interpupillary line extraorally to maintain the correct position of the tray and to make a record of the inclination of the occlusal plane. This simple consideration during this first step of making a preliminary impression can be an important guide for both dentists and dental technicians. Information about the correct positioning of the tray and the inclination of the occlusal plane obtained by using a stock tray handle will greatly reduce the stress experienced by dentists, dental technicians, and patients during the fabrication of the prosthesis and will ultimately lead to successful prosthetic treatment in patients with anatomic compromise resulting from a maxillectomy.