Dental treatment concepts for pregnant patients--results of a survey.

AIMS AND METHODS: 702 dentists in private practices were surveyed about dental treatments of pregnant patients with an anonymous questionnaire. RESULTS: 61.3% of the dentists indicated that they treat pregnant patients, 35.5% postponed treatment to a postnatal time if possible and 3.4% referred these patients to dental clinics. The most frequently occurring treatments measures were pain and emergency treatments in 53.3% of the cases, followed by restorative treatments (42.9%) and oral hygiene measures (39.7%). Only 9.8% of the dentists performed all necessary treatments, 14% were against using an anesthetic during pregnancy. Less than 50% of the dentists indicated they would not perform a treatment in the first trimester and 8.5% said they would not treat in the second trimester. CONCLUSIONS: The present study shows that only 54.6% of the surveyed dentists felt they were sufficiently informed and educated about the treatment of pregnant patients.

Bone regeneration and tissue acceptance of human fascia lata grafts adjacent to dental implants: a preliminary case report.

The biologic principle of guided tissue regeneration (GTR) has been studied extensively in hopes of regenerating alveolar bone. Various materials have been utilized as regenerative membranes; however, all materials have disadvantages, and the ideal membrane material is yet to be identified. In this case report, human freeze-dried fascia lata strips were used as a regenerative barrier membrane in conjunction with the placement of endosseous root implants and demineralized, freeze-dried bone allograft. The major advantage in the use of human fascia lata for guided tissue regeneration is that a second procedure to remove the material is not necessary, and the fascia is accepted by the surrounding tissues without complication. There is acceptance of four endosseous root-form dental implants that were immediately placed into fresh extraction sockets and covered with demineralized freeze-dried bone allograft (DFDBA), with human freeze-dried fascia lata used to serve as a biocompatible, collagenous, regenerative augmentation membrane over the dental implants. The biologic concept of GTR is clinically applied to increase the dimensions of the edentulous, maxillary alveolar ridge with use of human freeze-dried fascia lata barrier membranes.

Support of removable partial dentures in situations with a unilaterally missing canine and a curved edentulous ridge.

The load and movement of abutments and removable partial dentures were examined in situations with a unilaterally missing canine and a curved edentulous ridge. These measurements were performed on a model adapted to intraoral conditions. In this simulation, removable partial dentures supported by incisors may result in failure. Spring rest support results in significantly reduced articulation vertically and horizontally when compared with solid rest support and avoids periodontal overloading.

Polymethylmethacrylate--a review.

Methylmethacrylate, an acrylic plastic used in dentistry, has recently been adapted as a cement in bone surgery. It has proved to be useful in implant surgery and total joint replacement, in malignant neoplastic fractures, and in the fixation of pins and screws in bone. However, problems such as recurring infections, thermal necrosis of tissue, depression of myocardial and hepatic function, and leakage of monomer may occur with the use of methylmethacrylate.

[Biometric studies on implanted and natural abutments]. / Biometrische Untersuchungen an implantierten und natürlichen Prothesenpfeilern.

The mobility of 50 osseointegrated implants, inserted for improvement of the support of dentures in edentulous lower jaws, was studied during a period of up to 3 years by means of mechano-electronic measurements. The results showed that 3 months after implantation osseointegrated implants have less quasi-static mobility than natural teeth without periodontal lesions. Under the stresses of mastication the mobility of osseointegrated implants continuously increases. After 2-3 years, implants show a similar mobility as natural teeth supporting comparable denture constructions. The Periotest readings of implants were significantly lower than those of natural teeth, largely independent of the date of mobility measurement. A prognosis of functional properties as well as predicting the impending loss of osseointegrated implants is possible with the aid of long-term mobility measurements.

Embryogenesis in cultured whole rat embryos after combined exposures to 3,3',5-triiodo-L-thyronine (T3) plus all-trans-retinoic acid and to T3 plus 9-cis-retinoic acid.

Retinoid-induced malformations of the jaw, ears, face, skull, eyes, and heart in humans and rodents are well known. Data on nuclear receptors and developmental toxicity bioassays indicate that thyroid hormones can modulate the biologic activity of retinoids. The present investigation concerned the potential for interactions of all-trans-retinoic acid (RA) with 3,3'5-triiodo-L-thyronine (T3) and of 9-cis-retinoic acid (9-cis-RA) with T3 in the morphogenesis of cultured whole rat embryos. Varying concentrations of retinoids or T3 were microinjected into the amniotic fluid or placed in the culture medium alone or in combinations of T3 with each retinoid. At 200 ng/ml, T3 increased the incidence of branchial arch defects produced by either RA or 9-cis-RA but did not elicit branchial arch defects alone except at concentrations significantly compromising survival (2,000 ng/ml; 32% mortality). Similarly high culture medium concentrations of T3 alone were associated with failure of neural tube closure in the rhombencephalon (rhombencephalic schisis). At this concentration, other dysmorphia were minimal and at 670 ng/ml T3, no dysmorphogenic or embryotoxic effects could be detected. Modulation of T3 effects by the yolk sac placenta was suggested by failure of microinjected T3 to elicit dysmorphia at very high amniotic fluid concentrations. RA (300 ng/ml) or 9-cis-RA (600 ng/ml) alone elicited no or minimal rhombencephalic schisis at the highest concentrations studied. RA plus T3 produced a much greater than additive effect on rhombencephalic schisis, whereas 9-cis-RA plus T3 produced a less than additive effect. Conversely, much greater than additive effects on anterior schisis were observed for 9-cis-RA plus T3 whereas combined effects of RA and T3 were approximately additive. For most other dysmorphia, the combined effects of each retinoid with T3 were greater than additive and were particularly striking for cephalic defects.