Guided tissue regeneration using a biodegradable barrier membrane for new attachment: a clinical, histologic, and histometric study in dogs.

Although nonbiodegradable barrier membranes have proven partially successful in achieving regeneration of lost periodontium through the principles of guided tissue regeneration, their use requires a second surgical procedure for their removal. The results of a study, in which a biodegradable collagen membrane was used to treat dehiscence defects in dogs, are presented. The membrane was an effective barrier to the downgrowth of gingival epithelium during the early stages of healing and tended to increase the regeneration of new cementum and connective tissue attachment. It was also biocompatible and biodegradable.

The effectiveness of the Titan-S sonic scaler versus curettes in the removal of subgingival calculus. A human surgical evaluation.

This study evaluated clinically the effectiveness of hand versus sonic subgingival scaling and root planing in the removal of calculus by visually examining the root surface at the time of periodontal flap surgery. Consideration was given to the method of instrumentation, probing depth, number of roots, and type of tooth surface. Eleven patients with moderate to advanced periodontal disease were evaluated. Four subjects were scaled and root planed with the Titan-S only, four with curettes only, and three with the Titan-S + curettes. At reevaluation 3 to 6 weeks after scaling and root planing, the decision to perform periodontal flap surgery was made based upon probing depth, bleeding upon probing, previous access to the root surface, furcation involvement, and the patient's level of oral hygiene. A full thickness mucoperiosteal flap was elevated to gain access to the root surface and measure the distance from the cementoenamel junction to the residual calculus. A total of 690 surfaces were evaluated surgically. The percentage of surfaces with residual calculus for each method of instrumentation was: Titan-S only (31.9%), curettes only (26.8%), and Titan-S + curettes (16.9%). Overall, 15.7% of the surfaces probing 0 to 3 mm, 29.3% of the surfaces probing 4 to 5 mm, and 44.4% of the surfaces probing 6 to 12 mm had residual calculus.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

A clinical comparison of the effect on the gingiva of the Prophy-Jet and the rubber cup and paste techniques.

This clinical trial compared the effect on the gingiva of the Prophy-Jet and the rubber cup and paste techniques of stain and supragingival plaque removal. Twenty-one human subjects with healthy gingiva or slight gingivitis participated. A split mouth design was used. The Prophy-Jet caused a statistically significant increase (P less than 0.05) in gingival irritation immediately posttreatment, but the differences were not deemed clinically significant. There were no statistically significant (P less than 0.05) or clinically significant differences in the effect on the gingiva between the two techniques at 7 and 21 days posttreatment. There was no lasting difference in gingival trauma between the two methods of stain and supragingival plaque removal in subjects with healthy gingiva or slight gingivitis.

Observations on dental caries in primary teeth after frequent fluoride toplications in a program involving other preventives.

The anticaries effect of repeated toplications with APF gel was assessed in the primary dentition of 2-6-year-olds after 8, 18 and 28 months. Frequent, but less than daily, topical fluoride therapy appeared to have little effect in pre-school children consuming water-borne fluoride and receiving other traditionally recommended modalities of prevention.