Antimicrobial efficacy of iodoformized zinc oxide-eugenol sealer on micro-organisms of root canal.

Iodoformized zinc oxide-eugenol was tested for its antibacterial effect against the aerobic and anaerobic bacteria obtained from the root canals of deciduous teeth; the bacteria were staph aureus, strep viridans, strep faecalis, bacteroides melaninogenicus and also mixed culture obtained from infected non-vital anterior teeth. The sensitivity was checked on BHI- agar plates employing well-method. Iodoformized zinc oxide eugenol paste was found to be effective for both the aerobic and anaerobic bacteria of the root canals of deciduous teeth with maximum sustaining period of 10 days; staphylococcus aureus was found to be the most susceptible, while Streptococcus faecalis the most resistant.     

Clinical implications of the response of enamel and dentin to masticatory loads

The success of restorative procedures is dependent on comprehension of the responses of enamel and dentin, including responses to masticatory forces. The regional variation resulting from masticatory forces is critical because clinically it relates to the thickness of enamel and dentin occlusogingivally. Three-dimensional finite element models of an intact mandibular molar were developed to analyze stresses in enamel and dentin occlusogingivally, buccolingually, and mesiodistally. There were dramatic regional variations in the magnitude and character of different stresses caused by masticatory forces, and despite being organically "bonded," enamel and dentin responded independently. This unique behavior with regional variations of these tissues could have serious clinical implications during restorative procedures.     

Daily variations in occlusal contacts

In this study the location and severity of occlusal contacts in the morning and evening on 3 separate days were recorded for 10 women. Biofeedback therapy was used after evening recordings to encourage muscle relaxation. The findings suggest that occlusion and occlusal contacts change throughout the day and depend on the physical state of the masticatory muscles and the mental state of the patient. Although this conclusion is understandable, its effects on the philosophies of occlusal rehabilitation are questionable. Further studies are needed to evaluate the significance of the contact variations in occlusal restorations placed at different times.     

Intraoral myxoid nerve sheath tumour

A case of an intraoral myxoid nerve sheath tumour of the dorsum of the tongue in a 73-year-old Caucasian male is reported. This case describes the oldest patient with this pathology to date. Immunoperoxidase staining for neuron-specific enolase (NSE) and epithelial membrane antigen (EMA) expression demonstrated the perineural origin of the lesion.     

Feeding obturator appliance for an infant with cleft lip and palate

Clefts of the palate, alveolus and lip are some of the most frequently encountered anomalies of the face. This article presents a case report of a neonate with cleft lip and palate in whom a feeding obturator was delivered. This article demonstrates the indications, construction, and benefits of a palatal obturator in an 11-day-old infant with a bilateral cleft lip and palate.     

In vivo crevicular leucocyte response in humans to a chemotactic challenge. Effects of periodontal diseases

An in vivo assay was recently developed to monitor the crevicular leucocyte response to chemotactic agents, e.g., casein and N-formyl peptides. This method was used to monitor humans with little or no gingival disease (C group), gingivitis (G group), chronic periodontitis (CP group) and localized juvenile periodontitis (LJP group). Casein (0.2 microliters, 2 mg/ml) was placed into an isolated gingival crevice of each subject with a calibrated wire loop and the time recorded (t = 0). Leucocytes were counted in crevicular washes (10 microliters) 15 minutes later and every 5 minutes thereafter up to t = 50 minutes. This protocol was repeated for the crevice of an adjacent tooth except that the crevicular fluid flow response to the chemotactic challenge was monitored. The C, G and CP subjects showed a similar pattern of response to the chemoattractant with a single "peak" of leucocytes at approximately t = 25 minutes. However, the peak cell count was much greater in the G and CP groups than in the C group. LJPs showed an abnormal pattern with two leucocyte peaks, one at approximately 25 minutes and the other at 45 minutes. Both peaks tended to be higher than the single peak seen in Cs but were significantly lower than that in Gs or CPs, even at similar levels of inflammation. In addition, the peak leucocyte response (to casein) in LJPs did not increase with increasing leucocyte counts in the unchallenged (resting) crevice, whereas a positive relationship was seen in the other groups of subjects. These data suggest that this new assay may provide important diagnostic information on in vivo neutrophil migration in the gingival crevice and on susceptibility to periodontal disease.