[Indications for the use of amalgam and the importance of cavity preparation]. / Die Indikation zur Amalgamanwendung und die Bedeutung der Kavitätenpräparation.

The range of indications for amalgam includes class I cavities, when the occlusal carious lesions do not permit "extended fissure sealing," and similar class II cavities. Amalgam is not usable for class III and IV cavities in visible areas of the anterior teeth for aesthetic reasons. The standard rules for the class V preparation are also unreservedly valid for the preferred use of composite filling materials. Cervical lesions are not treatable according to the principles of adhesive restoration, or only as an exception. The construction of amalgam crowns represents an attempt at temporary restoration. Inlays, onlays, or crowns are the best methods of treating larger defects.

[The historical development of amalgams]. / Geschichtliche Entwicklung der Amalgame.

Since the 7th C and certainly in the 16th C, metal mixtures were used to fill teeth in China and in Germany. Alchemistic symbols and recipes for amalgam are found in medieval texts. The development of this type of filling was influenced by the French and the English in the 18th C. By the 19th C, however, America had became the leader. Thanks to the work of many exceptional dentists and researchers at the turn of the century, amalgam was finally accepted as a filling material. The relevant literature should be consulted for special questions not dealt with here.

[Caries prophylaxis]. / Karies-Prophylaxe.

The extent of dental caries incidence has reached such proportions that it may no longer be kept under control by restorative methods alone. Parodontopathy is besides tooth caried the most wide spread ailment. Bacterial plaque can be considered as main cause and key-factor for caries incidence and parodontopathy. All other causes are co-factors. It follows that decrease of dental plaque must be the most urgent goal in prophylactic dentistry. The combination of all caries and parodontal prophylactic remedies and methods determines as a complex the fate of hard and soft tissues exposed to bacterial plaque.

[The caries-preventive effect of aluminum fluoride complexes and aluminum lactate in animal experiments]. / Uber die karieshemmende Wirkung eines Aluminiumfluorid-Komplexes und des Aluminium-Lactats im Tierexperiment.

To expand and substantiate earlier experimental studies of fluoride compounds (SnF2, NaF, Na2PO3F and amine fluoride) with animals, the effect of the compound aluminum-fluoride hydroxide AlFx(OH)y . zH2O and aluminum lactate A1 [CH3 . CH(OH) COO]3 individually, combined, and in various tooth paste bases on caries inhibition was studied in Osborne Mendel rats. The aluminum-fluoride hydroxide compound and its combination with aluminum lactate contributed to a signficant reduction in fissure caries when compared with other groupings and the control (placebo) group.

[Comparative studies on the removal of dental plaque by means of various dentifrices]. / Vergleichende Untersuchungen über die Plaqueentfernung durch verschiedene Mundpflegemittel

In order to demonstrate the cleaning effect of toothpastes which differed with regard to their percentage of polishing and wetting agents, we tested and compared different pastes ("W,X,Y,Z") to each other and with a placebo paste ("V") in 53 subjects. In a double blind trial, the Silness and Löe, Quigley and Hein plaque indices were determined, after establishing the initial values, and after two (interim measurement) and four weeks (final measurement) of application. Statistical evaluation showed that the toothpaste "w" with the components calcium phosphate, sodium laurylsulfate and sodium sulforicinoleate (in the given concentrations) cleans accessible dental surfaces from plaque and discolorations most intensively. All pastes were statistically significantly different from the control paste.

[The caries inhibiting action of fluoride gels in animal experiments]. / Zur Karieshemmwirkung von Fluorid-Gelen und -Gelée im Tierexperiment

In a short-term animal test, 70 rats were classified into five groups, two fluoride gel groups with and without phosphate addition, one Elmex Gelée group and one placebo gel group. Another group served as a control group. The results found in the active substance groups were statistically significant, as compared to the placebo and control groups. The question as to why the phosphate addition used inhibited caries more successfully, could not be answered.

[Clinical studies on fissure sealants of the Bis-GMA type]. / Klinische Untersuchungen mit den Fissurenversieglern vom Bis-GMA-Typ

In this study the effects of two fissure sealants were tested clinically, 50 teeth were sealed with Nuva Seal and 54 teeth with Epoxy-Lite 9075. Follow-ups were performed over a period of 15 months. In chi2 tests, a highly significant reduction in caries or restriction of caries was found in the sealed teeth as compared to the teeth of the control group.

[Clinical studies on a sodium monofluorophosphate toothpaste in school children]. / Klinische Prüfung einer Natriummonofluorphosphat- Zahnpaste an Schulkindern

Random tests made in school children of the Ludwigsburg district showed that after 3 years of uncontrolled use, the number of new DMF surfaces is smaller in children using Na2PO3F toothpaste and regularly cleaning their teeth than in the corresponding placebo groups. The caries-inhibiting effect was statistically significant (significance level p=0.05%). The increase in caries impact in school children regularly but insufficiently cleaning their teeth was also significant in the placebo groups.

[Clinical test of two toothpastes of different composition]. / Klinische Prüfung zweier Zahnpasten unterschiedlicher Zubereitung.

In two series of clinical tests, the effect of two toothpastes of differing formulation were examined in respect of their plaque removal efficiency and their influence on inflammatory reactions of the periodontal margin. The remarkable improvements in the oral health of a group of "non-dentists" compared to "dentists" are certainly attributable to personal motivation and instruction on oral hygiene with brush and toothpaste, but also to the formulation of the paste which may have influenced these results.

[Testing of various methods for the determination of processing time for amalgam]. / Prüfung verschiedener Methoden zur Bestimmung der Verarbeitungszeit von Amalgam.

Four different test methods for the determination of the processing time of freshly mixed amalgam pastes were examined with the view to their utility, using 9 commercial powder alloys of different setting speeds. The tests used were a schematised stuffing test, close to the procedure used in practise, the cutting test and the compressive strength test after 10 minutes, both of which are still quoted as alternatives in the provisional standard DIN 13904, as well as a Hg addition test described by Jørgensen. The compressive strength test proved to be the quickest and most accurate. It is therefore best suited for routine examinations and general control and is recommended for inclusion in the DIN. It is necessary to set up calibration curves with the help of the stuffing test in order to estimate the processing time. These have to be separately estimated for filing amalgam and globular amalgam. The cutting test proved to be relatively inaccurate. The Hg addition test, though giving usable values, consumed too much time and material.

[Animal experimental tests of a new filling material (Isocap)]. / Tierexperimentelle Prüfungen mit einem neuen Füllungsmaterial (Isocap).

An experimental investigation with animals (Rhesus monkeys) concerning pulp tolerance to two premeasured dosages of calcium hydroxide cement (Reocap and Reocap-E) as well as a pre-measured dosage of filling material (Isocap) in an injection capsule was carried out (78 class V cavities). As with the negative controls, a very slight reaction, or none at all, developed in response to the two calcium hydroxide cements and the new filling material, with and without application of capping material. When five other accidentally exposed pulpae were dissected, direct capping under the corresponding preconditions (punctate exposed pulpa, longer storage period for calcium hydroxide cement) showed the characteristic formation of reparative dentin.

[Tooth protecting chewing gum tablets for lessening caries risk]. / Zahnschonende Kaudragees zur Einschrankung des Kariesrisikos.

This study examines whether the regular use of sugar-free chewing gum can improve oral hygiene and therefore reduce the risk of caries. During a four-week test, twenty subjects chewed a piece of gum twice a day for thirty minutes after meals. At the start, after two weeks, and at the end of the test period, the plaque and gingiva indices were recorded and the buffer capacity and secretion rate of the saliva determined. At the end of the test, a substantial reduction in the plaque and gingiva indices, an increase in the secretion rate and an improvement in buffer capacity were found, in comparison with the start levels. The changes were statistically significant. Sugar-free chewing gum alone is no substitute for regular dental care, but its use can be recommended as a way of supplementing traditional methods of oral hygiene.

Vital fluorescence to assess in vitro and in vivo the antibacterial effects of amalgams.

The aim of the present study was to establish an alternative methodology for testing the antibacterial effects of different amalgams. The vitality of mutans streptococci grown in vitro on various amalgam surfaces was monitored with a vital fluorescence staining technique using fluorescein diacetate and ethidium bromide. The in vivo effect of amalgam-non-gamma 2 fillings on the vitality of dental plaque was assessed with the same method and compared with samples originating from enamel. The median in vitro vitality of mutans streptococci was estimated as 70% on glass, 50% on Amalcapnon-gamma 2 and Sybraloy, 20% on Amalcap F and 10% on Neo-Silbrin. In vivo plaque vitality on enamel varied from 60 to 70%. In contrast, plaque sampled from non-gamma 2-amalgam surfaces revealed significant reductions in vitality with a minimum value of 25% of one day old supragingival plaque. The vital fluorescence technique was shown as an easy and quick method to assess the bactericidal effect against biofilm bacteria of dental materials in vitro as well as in vivo.

[Composite filling materials in animal experiments]. / Komposit-Füllungsmaterialien im Tierversuch

The pulp tolerance of the composites "Estic" (Kulzer) and "Compocap" (Vivadent) and the polyacrylatecement "Bondal" (Vivadent) was tested in a total of 97 cervical cavities in rhesus monkeys. "Bondal" was well tolerated by the pulp. Both composites when used without cement base provoked slight to moderate reactions. This could be avoided by using "Bondal" cement bases.

[Dosage and cariostatic effect of mutanase in a rat experiment]. / Dosis und kariostatische Wirkung von Mutanase im Rattenversuch

In caries tests on rats, mutanase (mu-1,3-glucanglucano-hydrolase) was admixed in different quantities to a cariogenic diet. The animals were fed eight times a day with a feeding machine for 25 days. A highly significant inhibition of fissural caries was achieved by concentrations of over 50 MU per gram of diet. As a simultaneous plaque reduction was not observed, the effect of the enzyme appears to be due to reduced adhesion or colonization capacity of streptococcus mutans strains in the fissures.

[Clinical studies on the short term use of "Kavosan"]. / Klinische Untersuchung über die kurzfristige Anwendung von "Kavosan"

The inflammation and plaque-inhibiting effect of KAVOSAN was tested in 43 probands with gingivitis in two test series. Irrespective of the type of oral care, a statistically significant improvement in the degree of inflammation and a reduction of plaque were observed after application of the active agent when compared to a placebo preparation, both in cases where plaque was removed as well as cases where plaque was not removed.

Antibacterial effects of amalgams on mutans streptococci in an in vitro biofilm test procedure.

Conflicting data continue to be presented in the literature regarding the antibacterial potential of various amalgam alloy compositions. The aim of the present study was to compare the antibacterial effects of 4 different amalgam samples on mutans streptococci using two in vitro test procedures. Glass and bovine enamel served as negative controls. The first test, one commonly used, consisted of immersing freshly prepared disks of the six materials in culture broth inoculated with mutans streptococci. Optical density measurements of the broth served to evaluate bacterial growth. This was followed by a biofilm technique which provided more intimate contact between the bacteria and specimen surfaces. With the exception of one high-copper lathe-cut amalgam, the first test revealed no antibacterial potential of the samples whereas the second test with the biofilm design elucidated significant differences in antibacterial potential between the amalgam alloy compositions and the controls. The biofilm technique, used in an in vitro test procedure, reflects the conditions of the oral environment more accurately than conventional test designs.