The incidence of dry socket following the use of an occlusive dressing

One thousand and three patients were examined to assess healing following the extraction of teeth. Particular note was taken of the incidence of dry socket following these extractions, and a controlled trial using a soluble occlusive dressing (intra-oral adhesive bandage) over the extraction site was undertaken to monitor the effect on healing. Comparison with surveys from other parts of the world showed general agreement with the level of incidence of dry socket cases. Three groups of patients were compared. In the control group a bandage was not used, and the remaining patients in whom a bandage was applied were divided into those with a full socket after extraction and those with a less than full socket after extraction. The results were examined statistically by the χ² test and a significant reduction in the occurrence of dry socket was demonstrated for the last group.     

The pain dysfunction syndrome. Why females?

The sex incidence in the pain dysfunction syndrome, with a female to male ratio of 3:1, is questioned. It is suggested that the differential might be due to competing admission rates caused by more females than males seeking advice initially. Neurosis and anxiety are discussed and an alternative explanation, illness behaviour, is suggested.     

Studies of mandibular movements in speech

A method of transducing mandibular movements in speech using synchro-transmitters is described.

Incisal occlusion was shown to have an important part to play in the amount and direction of jaw movement.

Mandibular positions were shown to be precise and repeatable, especially for the ‘s’ sound. Insertion of intra-oral appliances of varying dimensions did not have a significant effect on this positional precision. It is anticipated that the precision of vertical dimension determination during full denture construction will not be influenced by the dimensions of the intra-oral appliances.