Quintessence International, 12/1995

Lacrimo-auriculo-dento-digital syndrome, which has an autosomal-dominant pattern of inheritance, typically affects the lacrimal apparatus, ears, teeth and hands. More recent case reports have uncovered involvement of the kidneys and the respiratory and skeletal systems. Salivary gland malformation may also be a feature of the syndrome, leading to dry mouth. The characteristics of the syndrome vary among individuals, but dental anomalies seem to be prevalent. Microdontia and hypodontia occur, possibly with gray enamel, wear, and caries. This case report introduces a new three-generation family of six individuals affected with lacrimo-auriculo-dento-digital syndrome and concentrates on the dental presentation and management of two of the members.

Four commercially available electric toothbrushes (Sonicare, Braun Electric Toothbrush, Interplak, and Blend-a-Dent) were assessed both for their operating characteristics and their ability to remove a food debris medium. The Sonicare and Blend-A-Dent have a lateral vibratory action, while the Interplak and Braun produce a rotary movement of the brush head. The vibratory action of the Sonicare was susceptible to loading. All devices produced both stable-pulsating cavitation and acoustic microstreaming that was demonstrated in vitro using a suspension of particles in water. Their effectiveness in removing a food debris medium was assessed with and without water. Three of the brushes (Sonicare, Braun, and Blend-a-Dent) were similar in their ability to remove the plaque, and all were superior to the Interplak; its streaming forces removed no food debris. The results indicated that the Blend-A-Dent was the most effective brush design in vitro, although the differences between Blend-a-Dent and Sonicare were not statistically significant.

The objective of this study was to determine whether removal of calculus was enhanced when proSol PDs 22-4, an irrigating solution, was utilized during ultrasonic cleaning rather than a control (water). Thirty individuals with incipient-to-moderate generalized periodontitis who had not received previous root instrumentation were randomly divided into two equal groups. Baseline examinations included Plaque Index, Gingival Index, Retention Index, pocket depths, clinical attachment levels, bleeding on probing, and Discoloration Index. Immediately after treatment by ultrasonic scaling and the irrigation with either ProSol or water, and 2 weeks postscaling, the clinical parameters were reevaluated. Baseline mean Retention Index revealed no differences between experimental and control groups for any of the surfaces; however, immediately after instrumentation, significant differences were found between treatments in favor of the experimental condition.

With increasing incidence of glove wearing by dental health care workers, there are also increased reports of associated dermatological problems. Among these are Type IV allergic reactions, such as contact urticaria, and Type severe reactions. Patients may also be affected. Three cases of adverse patient reactions to latex or chemicals involved in latex manufacture are reported. Principal areas affected were circumoral and facial skin and the upper lip. A potential adverse reaction was avoided for a third patient following history taking, which identified an adverse reaction to a rubber swimming cap.

This article presents an alternative to the conventional swing-lock design of removable partial denture construction. It incorporates the principles of sectional as well as the swing-lock concept and overcomes some of the limitations of conventional swing-lock dentures. I-bar struts and stainless steel keepers form part of the first section of the denture. The second part of the denture consists of the denture base with the artificial teeth and magnetic retention units. This system has been used successfully in a number of patients whose situations were suitable for the conventional swing-lock design.

The purpose of this in vitro study was to examine the effect of various powder-liquid ratios of an experimental resin-modified glass-ionomer polymer cement on dye penetration when the cement was used as a pit and fissure sealant. Eighty extracted human third molars were randomly assigned to one of four pit and fissure sealant conditions; a resin-based sealant or one of three variations in powder-liquid rations (1.4:1.0, 1.8:1.0, and 2.0:1.0) of an experimental, light-activated, resin-modified glass-ionomer cement. After sealant placement the teeth were thermocycled and immersed in methylene blue dye. The teeth were sectioned, and the extent of the dye penetration along the sealant-enamel interface was measured linearly. The resin-sealed occlusal fissures showed statistically significantly less dye penetration than did the three powder-liquid ratios of the experimental resin-modified glass-ionomer-cement sealant.