Effects of 3 months frequent consumption of hydrogenated starch hydrolysate (Lycasin), maltitol, sorbitol and xylitol on human dental plaque.

Lozenges containing hydrogenated starch hydrolysate (Lycasin), maltitol, sorbitol or xylitol were consumed 4 times daily during 3 months by 4 groups of persons (in all 85 subjects). In the maltitol-, sorbitol- and xylitol-group the plque wet weights were of the same magnitude before and after the test period. In the Lycasin-group, a higher value was found after than before the 3-month period (p less than 0.01). The acid production in suspensions of dental plaque material from Lycasin, maltitol and sorbitol expressed as per cent of that from glucose was approximately the same before and after the test period. From xylitol no acid production could be demonstrated either before or after the 3-month period. There were no statistically significant differences between the plaque pH-changes induced by rinsing with 50% solutions of Lycasin, maltitol, sorbitol or xylitol before and after the test period. However, there was a tendency (p less than 0.05) towards lower pH-values induced by the maltitrol and sorbitol rinse after the 3-month period compared with before. No difference in the relative numbers of facultative anaerobic streptococci. Streptococcus mutans or facultative anaerobic lactobacilli before and after the test period was found.     

Systemic tuberculosis initially seen as an oral ulceration: report of case.

A 67-year-old white man was seen for the treatment of a painful oral ulceration. His medical history was highly suggestive of systemic disease. Radiographs of the chest and cultures of sputum were positive for tuberculosis. The incidence, appearance, and characteristics of oral tubercular lesions have been presented. The diagnosis of tuberculosis should be considered along with carcinoma, syphilis, fungal disease, and trauma whenever granulomatous ulcerations appear in the oral cavity.     

The effects of diphenylhydantoin and vitamin D deficiency on developing teeth in the rat.

The effects of short-term (21 days) and long-term (116 days) treatment with oral diphenylhydantoin (DPH, 6 g/kg diet) on the development of rat teeth was investigated. Long-term DPH reduced the size of the incisors and of all the molars except the upper first. There was also a reduction in tooth weight and both changes were shown to be independent of body weight. Short-term DPH reduced the size of the incisors and upper third and second molars only.The relationship of these lesions to the shortened tooth roots found in epileptics on chronic anticonvulsant therapy and the stunted root development seen in hypoparathyroidism is discussed. It is suggested that DPH may induce a state of “pseudohypoparathyroidism” by inhibiting the action of parathyroid hormone on bone and tooth. This complication would appear to be additional to the so-called “anticonvulsant-induced osteomalacia”.     

Comparative study of healing and remodeling in various bones.

The effects of normal physiologic stimuli on healing and remodeling in various bones of different embryogenic origin in the rabbit and dog were compared. The findings disclosed that the healing and remodeling of the tibia and mandible were consistent with the magnitude of the forces that act on these bones; namely, the tension created by muscle contraction and the compression exerted by body weight in the tibia, and masticatory compression in the mandible. The slower healing and remodeling in the maxilla was attributed to the selection of the excision of bone in the edentulous site with minimal masticatory compression and muscle-pull tension. The excision of the bone in the skull appeared to heal by fibrous tissue with no evidence of remodeling, which is consistent with the minimal external forces that act on this bone.     

Dental informatics for Australia

Dentistry is undergoing significant changes with need for the dentist to manage a larger body of knowledge and information. There will be increasing reliance on electronic information systems in education, research, and dental practice. Dental informatics is concerned with computer and information science and technology and communications. Goals, that could be adopted for Australia, were proposed in the USA in 1989. Specific action steps that could meet those goals are proposed for Australia.     

Effects of dietary fats on the fatty acid composition of enamel and dentinal lipids of rabbit molars.

The effect of dietary fats such as butter, lard, cottonseed oil, and hydrogenated cottonseed oil on the fatty acid composition of enamel and dentin lipids of rabbit molars was studied. The enamel and dentin of molars of all of the rabbits contained a variety of fatty acids, palmitic, stearic, oliec, linoleic, and eicosapentaenoic being the major ones. Enamal lipids were more unsaturated than dentinal lipids in all of the groups. A significant difference was noticed in the fatty acid composition of both the enamel and dentin between these four groups of rabbits. Linoleic acid content was highest in both the enamel and dentin lipids of rabbits fed cottonseed oil. There was no marked difference in the saturated-unsaturated fatty acid ratio in both the enamel and dentin among rabbits fed cottonseed oil, lard, and butter. It is concluded that tooth lipids are responsive to diets and are in direct equilibrium with dietary components.     

Studies of herpes simplex virus and interferon in human gingival cell cultures.

Cultures of human gingival fibroblast cells from patients with a positive or negative history of recurrent herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection were compared with respect to susceptibility to HSV infection and interferon activity. There was a possible inverse relationship between interferon sensitivity of gingival fibroblast cells and a clinical history of recurrent disease. No correlation was found between prior infection and other parameters of interferon activity or susceptibility of the cells to HSV.