Effect of two antibacterial mouth sprays and dentifrices on dental plaque and gingivitis in beagle dogs.

Plaque inhibition by dilute mouth sprays and dentrifrices containing benzethonium chloride and chlorhexidine gluconate was compared in beagle dogs. Agents with chlorhexidine gluconate produced less plaque than their benzethonium chloride or placebo counterparts, but the differences were not significant when compared to mean control scores registered during interexperimental recovery periods.

Strength determination of periodontal splints fabricated from acid-etched retained materials.

Six systems (one polycarboxylate, one polymethyl methacrylate, one unfilled BIS-GMA resin, two combinations of methyl cyanoacrylate and polymethyl methacrylate, and one combination of unfilled BIS-GMA and filled composite resin) were evaluated for in vitro retention to acid-etched human enamel. Also tested were one unfilled-filled resin combination backed by perforated orthodontic band metal and another unfilled resin backed by stainless steel wire mesh. Significant differences in retention were found. Results show that retention depends pril surface and to resist subsequent chemical degradation.

Oral disease prevention--its implications and applications: summary of proceedings.

It would seem that "tried favorites" are currently the preferred application methods, not that the futuristic technology is unimportant. Pragmatism must prevail, however, and simple self-care, associated with high quality organization, is the order of today. Isolation and treatment of risk groups will become common courses and test methods of Brathall and others will come into their own. Immunization, laser beam treatment, and other sophisticated methods will develop and future conferences will probably hear of their use. It would appear pertinent, because of the importance of oral health promotion, to recognize the weaknesses shown in that area and suggest a research conference to examine the subject of oral health education of the dentist and the public. Could this be the subject for the Ninth conference?

Summary of symposium on dental perspectives--International Year of the Child.

Children's dental health needs, an oral health index, the importance of communal fluoridation, and manpower distribution were discussed.

The responsibilities and role of universities in dental manpower.

Although other educational facilities are needed for developing the oral health manpower team, universities have the primary role in educating the dentist. The need for a curriculum based on fundamental research which is responsive to the needs of society is essential for the future development of the profession. Oral health manpower plans should be dependent upon the type of service designed for a country and an appropriate mix of manpower should be developed. By the collection, monitoring and interpretation of epidemiological data, universities have a major role to play in the forecasting of trends. Relevance of programmes within universities in health matters must be made more apparent to the community, especially when financial restriction in both health services and higher education are being felt. A national planning programme, centrally managed to include national associations, government, universities and interested parties, is essential if the relevance of oral health manpower is to be maintained.

Inhibitory effect of benzethonium and zinc chloride mouthrinses on human dental plaque and gingivitis.

In a double-blind study the plaque- and gingivitis-inhibiting capacities of three aqueous mouthrinse solutions of benzethonium chloride, zinc chloride, and benzethonium chloride combined with zinc chloride were compared to those of a placebo mouthrinse. Forth-three adults with clean teeth and healthy gingiva were randomly assigned to the treatment and control groups. All participants received an initial prophylaxis. Assessments of plaque and gingivitis were made before and after a 10-day test period. During this time the subjects suspended oral hygiene procedures and rinsed daily with 20 ml of their respective rinse solutions. According to the measurements made before and after the test period, the mouthrinse containing benzethonium chloride produced 42 to 42.9% less plaque than any of the other three formulations. The differences were statistically significant ( P smaller than 0.05). Gingivitis scores of the four groups did not differ significantly. These findings indicate that benzethonium chloride is a moderately effective antiplaque agent.

Clinical evaluation of spiramycin and erythromycin in control of periodontal disease.

Two studies are reported. Each was double-blind in which Spiramycin was compared to Erythromycin and a placebo, to determine the value of Spiramycin as a therapeutic agent in the control of periodontal disease. In Study 1, 48 adults with varying degrees of periodontal disease were randomly assigned to treatment and control groups. Assessments of gingival index, plaque height, pocket depth, crevicular fluid volume and wet plaque weight were made. During this 4-week clinical trial, the patients maintained their usual oral hygiene. The medication was administered systemically for 5 days, starting at the conclusion of week 2. Spiramycin significantly reduced the scores for the five parameters recorded. When comparison were made, the greatest recorded effect with Spiramycin treatment was found in patients with advanced periodontal disease. The indication of this trend favouring Spiramycin led to an extension of this clinical trial involving only patients with advanced periodontal lesions. This second study comprised 54 adults. The same parameters were measured over the same time period as in Study 1. Spiramycin again was responsible for the greatest reduction in the recorded scores. For example, average pocket depth was decreased by approximately 30%, whereas Erythromycin produced a reduction of 15%. It would appear that Spiramycin is of definite benefit in the management of periodontal disease, especially in the more advanced cases.

Partial-mount recording of plaque and periodontal pockets.

Plaque ananand pocket depths were recorded in milimetres from the tissue margin, coronally or apically, respectively. Plaque and pocket depths were recorded by examining only a segment of the dentition using eight different combination of teeth. These results d the results obtained from full-mouth examinations in the same individuals were compared. All eight methods of partial-mouth recording gave results that were good in terms of both relative and absolute value when compared to the total-mouth index. The results were valid irrespective of the method chosen. The anterior tooth index was preferred because this segment of the dentition was the easiest to examine. It eliminated the difficulty of making the decision of which teen to substitute when any of the other teeth were missing and produced results for plaque scores and pocket scores that were very good estimates of the total-mouth index.

Investigation of possible oncogenic action of zinc polycarboxylate cement by implantation in mice and hamsters.

Powdered, sterilized zinc polycarboxylate was implanted subcutaneously in 56 young hamsters and 54 mice, using equal numbers of each sex, with 24 sham operated hamsters and 26 mice as controls. The hamsters were sacrificed after 15 months and the mice after 12. Implant material was recovered from one of 42 surviving mice and from 16 of 43 surviving hamsters. Benign adenomas of the gut, thyroid, sebaceous glands and ovary were found in 3 experimental mice and in one control. Benign adrenal adenomas were found in 3 experimental hamsters and in one control. One control hamster developed a rhabdomyosarcoma in a limb. One experimental hamster developed a leiomysarcoma in close relation to an implant.

The effects of spiramycin and/or scaling on advanced periodontitis in humans.

It has long been questioned whether antibiotics, used as a supplement to traditional therapy, provide any lasting benefit in the treatment of chronic periodontitis. This study was designed to evaluate Spiramycin as an adjunct to scaling and root planing in the treatment of advanced chronic periodontitis. In total, 193 patients with advanced periodontitis were recruited in seven centres using selection criteria previously described. After undergoing thorough scaling and root planing, all patients randomly received either Spiramycin, 1,500,000 international units, twice per day (IU, bid) for 14 days (96 patients), or a visually-identical placebo capsule (97 patients). The clinical parameters measured were plaque index, crevicular fluid level, probing depths, bleeding on probing and attachment level changes. Data was recorded at baseline, two-, eight-, 12- and 24-weeks visits. A total of 189 patients completed the study (96 placebo, 93 Spiramycin). Statistically significant differences in probing depth, favoring Spiramycin, were seen at two weeks (p < 0.0125), eight weeks (p < 0.0020), 12 weeks (p < 0.0032) and 24 weeks (p < 0.0075). Spiramycin also produced a significant improvement in attachment level at 12 weeks (p < 0.0146). All other clinical parameters showed no difference between drug and placebo. This study shows that Spiramycin, as an adjunct to thorough scaling and root planing, provides a statistically significant improvement in probing depths for up to 24 weeks when compared with scaling and root planing alone. Both longer studies and microbiologic evaluations are necessary to determine whether a more lasting benefit is possible.