Musculoskeletal pain among Minnesota dental hygienists

Using a 33-item questionnaire, this study was conducted to determine the nature and prevalence of musculoskeletal pain in dental hygienists, and its effects on clinical practice. An 89% response was obtained from a random sample of 493 dental hygienists. Results revealed that 68% of the respondents reported having musculoskeletal pain in eight body locations the previous year. In addition, a large percentage of dental hygienists with a preexisting condition reported having musculoskeletal pain. Thirty-four percent stated that musculoskeletal pain had affected their clinical practice--forcing them to practice fewer days, decreasing their endurance, reducing speed and quality, and/or altering operating positions. The findings suggest that particular locations of pain could be related to dental hygiene practice. Further research is indicated to clarify specific patient-operator positions contributing to musculoskeletal pain so that prevention and early treatment become possible.     

Effect of whitening gels on the surface roughness of restorative materials in situ.

Peroxide gels are effective in changing tooth colour but their effect on restorative materials has been poorly studied. The purpose of this investigation was to assess the impact of a commercially available whitening gel containing hydrogen peroxide and a sodium percarbonate formulation on the surface of restorative materials. A total of 12 subjects participated in a double-blinded crossover study. Each wore an intra-oral appliance containing five bovine enamel blocks restored with amalgam, posterior composite, microfilled composite, glass ionomer cement and porcelain. Appliances were worn continuously for 14 days and whitening products were applied twice daily. After 14 days the appliances were removed and values for roughness (R(a)) were obtained using atomic force microscopy. Mean values of R(a) were assessed between baseline and 14 days, and although minor variations were seen, there were no statistically significant differences detected for any material or any whitening product.     

Fluoride varnish efficacy in preventing early childhood caries

To determine the efficacy of fluoride varnish (5% NaF, Duraphat, Colgate) added to caregiver counseling to prevent early childhood caries, we conducted a two-year randomized, dental-examiner-masked clinical trial. Initially, 376 caries-free children, from low-income Chinese or Hispanic San Francisco families, were enrolled (mean age +/- standard deviation, 1.8 +/- 0.6 yrs). All families received counseling, and children were randomized to the following groups: no fluoride varnish, fluoride varnish once/year, or fluoride varnish twice/year. An unexpected protocol deviation resulted in some children receiving less active fluoride varnish than assigned. Intent-to-treat analyses showed a fluoride varnish protective effect in caries incidence, p < 0.01. Analyzing the number of actual, active fluoride varnish applications received resulted in a dose-response effect, p < 0.01. Caries incidence was higher for 'counseling only' vs. 'counseling + fluoride varnish assigned once/year' (OR = 2.20, 95% CI 1.19-4.08) and 'twice/year' (OR = 3.77, 95% CI 1.88-7.58). No related adverse events were reported. Fluoride varnish added to caregiver counseling is efficacious in reducing early childhood caries incidence.     

Effects of Streptococcus mutans gtfC deficiency on mixed oral biofilms in vitro

The aim of this study was to examine the influence of glucosyltransferase-gene-negative (gtf-) Streptococcus mutans strains unable to synthesize water-insoluble or soluble glucan on the structure and macromolecular diffusion properties of in vitro grown mixed oral biofilms. Biofilms modeling supragingival plaque consisted of Actinomyces naeslundii OMZ 745, Candida albicans OMZ 110, Fusobacterium nucleatum KP-F2, Streptococcus oralis SK 248, Veillonella dispar ATCC 17748T and one of the S. mutans strains UA159, OMZ 966, OMZ 937 or OMZ 977. Biofilms were grown anaerobically on sintered hydroxyapatite disks for 64.5 h at 37 degrees C. To perform confocal laser scanning microscopy analyses, microorganisms were stained with Syto 13 and extracellular polysaccharides (EPS) with Calcofluor. Macromolecular diffusion properties were measured following timed biofilm exposure to Texas-Red-labeled 70-kDa dextran. Results showed that replacing wild-type S. mutans by a gtfC- mutant led to an increase in the volume fraction occupied by cells from 29 to 48% and a decrease of the EPS volume fraction from 51 to 33%. No such changes were observed when the S. mutans wild-type strain was replaced by a gtfB- or gtfD- mutant. The diffusion coefficient of 70-kDa dextran in biofilms containing the gtfC- S. mutans was 16-fold higher than in biofilms with the wild-type strain indicating a strong macromolecular sieving effect of GTF C-generated glucans. Our data demonstrate the influence of EPS on the structure and macromolecular diffusion properties of an oral biofilm model and uncover our still limited knowledge of the function of EPS in biofilms and plaque.     

The association between bronchial asthma and dental caries in children of the developmental age.

AIM: The aim of the study was to evaluate the dental caries experience of children suffering from bronchial asthma. METHODS: During the year 1998 a clinical dental examination was conducted in the northern part of Poland on children aged 3-15 years who had chronic bronchial asthma. The control group comprised 326 generally healthy children matched for age, sex and socioeconomic status. Both the controls and those with bronchial asthma underwent an assessment of their oral health condition measuring caries experience in both primary and permanent teeth using dmft/DMFT. RESULTS: At the ages of 10, 11 and 12 years a statistically significant higher average dmft values were observed in the children suffering from bronchial asthma as compared with their peers in the control group. In permanent dentition, the DMFT figures were significantly higher at 13 years of age with a value of 6.76 observed in asthmatic subjects compared with 5.06 in the controls. CONCLUSION: Children suffering from bronchial asthma appear to be at higher caries risk and should be provided with particularly intensive preventive dental programmes.     

Aneurysmal bone cyst of the jaw: Case report

A bstract — A case report of aneurysmal bone cyst of the mandible in a twenty-four year old woman is presented. Although uncommon, such lesions should be considered in the differential diagnosis of radiolucent lesions of the jaws. The occurrence of this lesion in the jaws has not been previously reported in the Australian dental literature.     

Modification of the muco-periosteal flap design in anterior maxillary osteotomies.

A modification of the mucoperiosteal flap planning for anterior maxillary osteotomy operations is suggested. This approach involves a total reflection of the labial mucoperiosteal flap, with the advantages of direct vision of the operative field thus providing easy and precise execution of the operative bony cuts, avoiding damage to the adjacent teeth and reduction of operating time. Sufficient blood supply to the mobilised segment is maintained through the palatal blood vessels. Corrective periodontal surgery may also be carried out at the same time.