Evaluation of four modalities of periodontal therapy. Mean probing depth, probing attachment level and recession changes.

Eighty-two periodontally involved patients were treated in a split mouth design such that one quadrant received coronal scaling (CS), root planing (RP), modified Widman surgery (MW), and flap with osseous resection surgery (FO). The therapy was performed in three phases: Phase I: the teeth previously designated to receive RP, MW, and FO were thoroughly root planed and the teeth designated to receive CS were scaled with no subgingival instrumentation, plaque control was initiated and reinforced for the entire mouth; Phase II: the designated teeth received MW or FO surgery; and Phase III: maintenance therapy every three months. The CS teeth received coronal scaling and polishing during maintenance appointments, while RP, MW, and FO teeth received supragingival instrumentation, subgingival instrumentation and polishing. Clinical measurements were taken initially, four weeks post-Phase I, 10 weeks post-Phase II, and after each of two years of maintenance care. All therapy modalities resulted in a decrease of mean probing depth with the FO producing the greatest decrease followed by MW, RP, and CS. The deeper the initial probing depth, the greater was the mean reduction of probing depth. FO created a loss of mean probing attachment in the 1 to 4 mm category. RP and MW produced the greatest gain of mean probing attachment in the 5 to 6 mm category. RP, MW, and FO produced similar gains in the greater than or equal to 7 mm category. FO created the most gingival recession followed by MW, RP, and CS.

Degenerative joint disease. Part II: Symptoms and examination findings.

From a pool of 1,279 consecutive patients referred to the Parker E. Mahan Facial Pain Center for complaints of head/neck pain, a subset of 215 patients with the diagnosis of osteoarthrosis of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ-DJD) have been identified. Data regarding patient age and sex, reported symptoms and examination results are presented from this subset of TMJ-DJD patients. From this data, common signs and symptoms of TMJ-DJD are proposed.

Degenerative joint disease. Part I: Diagnosis and management considerations.

Degenerative joint disease, primarily in the form of osteoarthrosis, affects the temporomandibular joints (TMJs) with symptoms similar to those found in other body joints. These symptoms include stiffness, pain, restriction of movement, inflammation, crepitus and radiographic changes. Symptoms can occur in both males and females at any age, starting with pre-adolescent, but most often occur in females age 30 and over. Most symptoms will last nine to 18 months (followed by remission) and are managed using anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, occlusal splints and dietary changes. Major areas for consideration in this article include epidemiology, signs and symptoms, radiography, etiopathology and symptom management.

Comparison between saliva stimulants and a saliva substitute in patients with xerostomia and hyposalivation.

The purpose of this study was to assess patient preference and product efficacy of three non-prescription products for the symptomatic relief of xerostomia. The study group consisted of 80 individuals with a complaint of chronic (> six months) xerostomia and an unstimulated salivary flow rate of < 0.1 mL/min. The three products--a sorbitol/xylitol-sweetened chewing gum, a sorbitol-sweetened sour lemon lozenge, and a sorbitol/xylitol-sweetened artificial saliva substitute spray--were assigned in a permuted block randomization scheme. Each product was used for two weeks with an interval of one week between trials. The study did not identify any product to be statistically significant in terms of patient preference. Kruskal-Wallis testing revealed no statistical significance (P > 0.589) among the products. No product demonstrated marked efficacy in stimulating salivary output. ANOVA analysis followed by Tukey HSD testing revealed no significant difference between the baseline paraffin-stimulated mean flow rate and the gum- and lozenge-stimulated flow rates.

Atypical odontalgia: phantom tooth pain.

The findings in 30 cases diagnosed as atypical odontalgia are presented. The clinical characteristics of these cases are compared with other cases reported in the literature. Three cases are described in detail. Patient understanding and treatment with tricyclic antidepressants are discussed together with medication side effects and interactions. The importance of deferring invasive procedures is emphasized.

Temporomandibular joint disk position as determined by a simple recorder.

A method that will determine the condyle position necessary to keep the disk in place during splint fabrication has been described. The equipment used is simple and relatively inexpensive, and the entire procedure can be accomplished chairside in a matter of minutes. In those instances in which splint therapy does not result in significant improvement in symptoms, the Quick Set recorder can be used to repeat the initial condyle path recordings. A comparison of these sets of recordings can be used to determine whether the disk is in place. If doubt exists about the diagnosis, arthrography can be done to determine whether a closed locked disk position exists.

The early outcome of admission to an adolescent unit: a report on 100 cases.

Data are presented on the outcome of 100 adolescents after discharge from an adolescent inpatient unit. Outcome is recorded in terms of placement at home, day care provision, and partial or full-time residential care provision, relating this to diagnosis, sex, age, duration of admission and evidence of family pathology. Of these only duration of admission was significantly related to outcome. More than two thirds (69 per cent) of all patients are discharged home. At six months, of those traced, 82 per cent are at home. Stability of outcome is the norm. This reflects the bio-psycho-social approach of the unit and refutes the notion that psychiatric institutional care for adolescents merely predicts a continued need for therapeutic resources.

Percutaneous and mucous membrane exposure protocol in a southeastern dental school.

A southeastern dental educational institution formalized a Percutaneous and Mucous Membrane Exposure Protocol in 1990. This article outlines the development, implementation, and administration of the protocol including risk assessment and rationale for testing health care workers and source persons. Pretest and posttest counseling for HIV testing is also discussed.