Use of orally administered diazepam in the reduction of dental anxiety

A double-blind randomized clinical trial of the effectiveness of orally administered diazepam in reducing dental anxiety was conducted. Forty-one subjects were assigned to a diazepam or placebo group and tested, using the Dental Fear Survey and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Diazepam was effective in reducing anxiety scores but not dental fear scores.     

Effect of tongue reduction on the orthodontic and surgical treatment of dysgnathia.

The results of reduction of tongue size in connection with orthodontic and surgical correction of prognathic anomalies of the jaws are presented. It is shown that reduction of the tongue size combined with orthodontic treatment arrests of tendency to prognathic growth when it is performed early. The results further indicate that the effect of prophylactic reduction of tongue size to check relapse following surgical correction of prognathism or open bite can only be confirmed in cases of genuine macroglossia. Since there was only one relapse in our cases without reduction of tongue size, the indication for preoperative prophylactic reduction of the tongue is limited. Personal results and experience have been compared with the findings published in the current literature.     

Electron immunoperoxidase stainings in sections of unfixed pure cultures of Streptococcus mutans

Unfixed as well as glutaraldehyde-fixed pelleted cells from pure cultures of Streptococcus mutans subspecies sobrinus (B13) were embedded in glycolmethacrylate. Ultrathin were sections immunoperoxidase labelled with rabbit anti-S. mutans sobrinus gamma-globulin. It was found that unfixed specimens became labelled as precisely and as distinctly as did the fixed specimens. All controls were negative.     

The progress of the periodontal syndrome in the rice rat

Several morphometric and cellular parameters were studied in the rice rat ( Oryzomys palustris ). When fed a soft, high carbohydrate diet, a severe periodontal disease occurred, with significant alterations in the morphometric and cellular endpoints observed. Weaned animals were placed on a high carbohydrate diet for periods of 6, 12 or 18 weeks. There was a linear, rapid loss of bone by 18 weeks, approaching a 75 % loss of original bone. Vascular spaces decreased as the remaining connective tissue became fibrotic in character. The percentage of the interdental test site which was destroyed by periodontal disease increased dramatically over the time of the experiment. The numbers of fibroblasts per mm of bone surface increased slightly at the 18 week period; osteoblasts were unchanged at any period. The numbers of osteoclast nuclei rose dramatically by 12 weeks, and these cell nuclei remained at increased levels at 18 weeks. Also, the numbers of inflammatory cells residing at the bone surface increased greatly by 18 weeks time. Finally, the numbers of ³H-TdR labeled periodontal ligament (PDL) fibroblasts increased significantly at both 12 and 18 weeks time. These cellular changes and their relation to the bone loss due to periodontal disease are discussed.     

Isolation of beta-lactamase-producing Bacteroides strains associated with clinical failures with penicillin treatment of human orofacial infections

Five patients with orofacial infection which failed to respond to penicillin therapy are described. In each instance, β-lactamase producing Bacteroides strains were found. All strains were resistant to penicillin but sensitive to clindamycin and tinidazole. In two cases, extended surgical treatment cured the patient, but in the other three cases additional clindamycin therapy was required.     

Dermatography, a treatment for sequelae after head and neck surgery: a case report.

Two patients with discolouration fo skin grafts after head and neck surgery, were treated with dermatography, a refined method of tattooing, and with intra-cicatricial keloidectomy, of which the results are described.