Evaluation of some oral postradiotherapy sequelae in patients treated for head and neck tumors

The aim of this study was to evaluate the oral sequelae of radiotherapy in patients treated between 1999 and 2003 for head and neck tumors. One-hundred patients (24 women, 76 men) ranging in age from 30 to 83 years (mean 59.2 years) were examined. Time since radiotherapy ranged from 1 to 72 months (mean 28 months). The total mean radiation dose received by the patients was 5,955 cGy. The evaluation protocol included anamnesis, intraoral and extraoral examination, measurement of stimulated salivary flow and salivary pH. Symptoms reported by the patients included dry mouth (68%), dysphagia (38%), and dysgeusia (30%). In 64% of the patients, the mean stimulated salivary flow rate was less than 0.7 ml/min. The mean salivary pH was 6.97 (+/- 0.714). Stimulated salivary flow increased with increasing postradiotherapy time (p < 0.05). The prevalence of mucositis was associated with higher radiation doses (p < 0.05), and the prevalence of atrophic candidiasis was related to a longer post-treatment period (p < 0.05). Two cases of recurrence of the primary tumor were detected during the study. The main effect of radiotheraphy in the head and neck region was a reduction of the salivary flow rate, even though our study demonstrated that there was a modest late improvement of the salivary flow.     

Fungi lesions of maxillary sinus and comparative estimation of chlorhexedine bigluconate and Biopag antimicrobial action

Having bacteriological assay of the material from maxillary sinuses the authors confirmed the presence of fungus infection. There were picked out and identified fungi Aspergillus niger, Candida albicans and Actinomyces israelii. Aspergillus niger can imitate on roentgenograms the picture of foreign body presence in maxillary sinus. Comparison of bactericidal activity of chlorhexedine bigluconate and Biopag showed the advantages of Biopag preparation.     

Anterior disc displacement with reduction and symptomatic hypermobility in the human temporomandibular joint: prevalence rates and risk factors in children and teenagers

AIMS: To assess the prevalence rates and risk factors of anterior disc displacement with reduction (ADDR) and symptomatic hypermobility in a large sample of children and teenagers. Prevalence rates were also established in samples of young adults and adults. METHODS: Children from 7 Dutch primary and secondary schools (n = 1,833) aged 4 to 18 years (mean age +/- SD 10.8 +/- 3.9 years), 220 dental students aged 19 to 30 years (mean age +/- SD 21.9 +/- 3.6 years), and 100 dental school employees more than 30 years old (mean age +/- SD 43.5 +/- 9.8 years) were examined. The presence of ADDR or symptomatic hypermobility was scored using well-defined clinical criteria. For the children only, an additional standardized oral history and clinical examination were performed to assess possible risk factors. Odds ratios (ORs) were calculated with the use of logistic multivariate regression analysis. RESULTS: The prevalence rate of ADDR in at least 1 of the 2 joints increased during childhood and adolescence and stabilized into adulthood at about 26.6%. In children and teenagers, besides age (OR = 1.06 for boys, OR = 1.23 for girls), risk factors for ADDR were a history of orthodontics (OR = 1.57), an increasing overbite (OR = 1.15), and protrusion (OR = 1.12). In children and teenagers, the prevalence rate of symptomatic hypermobility was higher for girls (13.8%) than for boys (8.2%). Besides gender (OR = 2.07), risk factors for symptomatic hypermobility were race (OR = 2.61 for non-Caucasians), masticatory muscle pain (OR = 1.95), and increasing maximum mouth opening (OR = 1.08). CONCLUSION: In children and teenagers, ADDR and symptomatic hypermobility have different prevalence rates and risk factors.     

Determination of the occlusal plane using a custom-made occlusal plane analyzer: a clinical report

In fixed prosthodontic procedures, when it has been determined that restoration of all or most of the posterior teeth is necessary, the use of the Broderick occlusal plane analyzer provides an easy and practical method to determine an occlusal plane that will fulfill esthetic and functional occlusion requirements. However, several manufacturers of semiadjustable articulators offer no such occlusal plane analyzers for use with these instruments. This article demonstrates the use of a custom-made Broderick occlusal plane analyzer with a semiadjustable articulator to determine the correct curve of Spee for the occlusal plane.     

Hydrolysis of functional monomers in a single-bottle self-etching primer--correlation of 13C NMR and TEM findings

Self-etching primers/adhesives that combine acidic methacrylate monomers with water in a single bottle are hydrolytically unstable and require refrigeration to extend their shelf-lives. This study tested the null hypothesis that one year of intermittent refrigeration of a 4-MET-containing simplified self-etching primer does not result in hydrolytic changes that are identifiable by transmission electron microscopy and (13)C NMR spectroscopy. Human dentin was bonded with UniFil Bond immediately after being unpacked, or after one year of intermittent refrigeration at 4 degrees C. Fresh and aged primers were analyzed by NMR for chemical changes. Ultrastructural observations indicated that there was an augmentation in etching capacity of the aged adhesive that was not accompanied by resin infiltration or effective polymerization. New NMR peaks detected from the aged ethanol-based primer confirmed that degradation occurred initially via esterification with ethanol, followed by hydrolysis of both ester groups in the 4-MET. Hydrolysis of functional methacrylate monomers occurs despite intermittent refrigeration.