A laboratory study to investigate the differentiation of pulp vitality in human teeth by temperature measurement

Under laboratory conditions it was found that in human teeth, pulpal circulation was more efficient than supporting tissue circulation in maintaining the temperature of the crown with respect to its local atmosphere. The findings present a scientific basis for the clinical diagnosis of tooth vitality by the temperature-measurement method.     

Acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis in a case of systemic lupus erythematosus

Presented is an unusually severe case of acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis (ANUG) in association with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), in which the patient was observed to slough a considerable amount of attached gingival tissues and eventually to lose a number of teeth and supporting bone. The usual limited and treatable nature of ANUG is reviewed, and attention is directed to the mechanisms by which SLE and therapeutic amounts of steroids can contribute to the increased severity of the oral disease.     

Augmentation of rat mandibular ridge with demineralized bone implants

Demineralized bone implants were placed as onlays in submucosal pockets on the edentulous segment of the rat mandible, between the incisor and posterior teeth. These implants, predictably, induced osteogenesis. The mass of induced bone and implant was united to the ridge by two weeks, and there was little or no resorption over a six-month follow-up period. This study suggests that demineralized bone implants may be useful for mandibular ridge augmentation.     

Removal of overhanging amalgam: A comparative study of three instruments

This study compared the effects on tooth surface of three power-driven instruments commonly used to remove overhanging amalgam. Comparisons of methods of instrumentation were made on enamel, cementum, and amalgam. Cavitron, Roto Pro, and EVA system instruments were used. Findings showed significantly more abrasion on all surfaces in EVA groups compared with other groups. All surfaces in Roto Pro groups appeared to be smoother than in other groups. There appeared to be little difference between treated surfaces and control surfaces in the Cavitron group.     

The pulpal response to topically applied citric acid

Citric acid is currently being used to aid in the reattachment of periodontal tissues to tooth roots which have become separated as a result of periodontitis. The present study examines the effect of topically applied citric acid on the dental pulp. Citric acid, pH 1, was applied for 3 minutes on instrumented premolar teeth in six dogs. As a control, saline solution was applied on similarly instrumented premolars. The teeth were removed 1, 6, 24, 48, 72, and 144 hours after citric acid application. After histologic preparation, the pulps were examined for inflammatory cell infiltrates, odontoblast displacement into the dentinal tubules, hyperemic capillaries in the odontoblast layer, hemorrhage, abscess formation, irregular dentin, and the thickness of the dentin remaining beneath the treated area. There was no statistically significant response to the citric acid over the saline controls. Nor was the pulpal response, as examined above, correlated to the thickness of the remaining dentin. The results suggest that citric acid, pH 1, when applied to tooth roots during surgical reattachment therapy, does not adversely affect the pulp.     

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.