A quantitative measurement of bacteremia and its relationship to plaque control.

Despite the improvement in the patients' oral hygiene, there was no significant decrease in the frequency of bacteremia. There was no significant difference in bacteremia between brushing, flossing, or deplaquing either before or after initial periodontal preparation and plaque control in 21 healthy subjects. Utilizing more sophisticated bacteriologic techniques for the cultivation of obligate anaerobes, a relatively high frequency of anaerobic bacteremia was found.

TMJ arthroscopy--a preoperative and postoperative rehabilitation protocol.

The purpose of this paper is to familiarize the specialist with surgical arthroscopy of the temporomandibular joint and to present a preoperative and postoperative rehabilitation protocol for patients undergoing this increasingly popular procedure. Clinical uses of arthroscopy are listed, and the criteria for arthroscopic intervention are described. The rationale for a comprehensive rehabilitation program is discussed in view of anatomic, neurologic, and functional relationships between the craniomandibular and craniocervical regions. Next, a preoperative and postoperative rehabilitation protocol is presented along with therapeutic goals for each phase of care. The timing and sequence of the protocol is intended to be a general guide, since modifications will be necessary depending on the extent of disk and supportive ligament damage as well as individual responses to rehabilitation.