[Superior fourth with supernumerary root]. / Quarto superiore con radice sovrannumeraria.

Description of a fourth superior with an over-numbered root and the problems that follow, mostly relating to the endodontic level treatment, are presented.

[The advantages and disadvantages of root canal measurement technics. The contribution of electronics]. / Vantaggi e svantaggi delle tecniche di misurazione canalare. Il contributo dell'elettronica.

The paper stresses that the difficulties of canal measuring are based on the extreme anatomical variation of the apical zone. Following an overall assessment of the main techniques currently used, the importance of supplementing traditional techniques with electronic devices is emphasised. If used correctly, the latter now represent the most accurate and reliable instruments available to the endodontist.

[Misoprostol in oral surgery. 112 clinical evaluations]. / Misoprostol in chirurgia orale. 112 valutazioni cliniche.

The efficacy of misoprostol in protecting gastric mucosa during postoperative NSAID therapy was assessed in a sample group of 112 patients of both sexes suffering from gastric pathologies for which they had undergone oral surgery. The analysis of the results confirms the therapeutic efficacy of misoprostol which enabled these patients to conclude the recommended treatment.

[Caries receptivity: a modern diagnostic protocol. II. The most important tests]. / Cariorecettività: un moderno protocollo diagnostico. Parte II: I test più significativi.

In this, the second part of the paper, the main clinical tests available today for carrying out early diagnosis of carioreceptivity are reviewed. On its own, measurement of the DMF-T index can classify an individual as carioactive or evaluate his "experience of caries", but it does non determine with any degree of certainty the probability of future caries. Measurement of stimulated salivary flow is important only when this is greatly reduced, as happens, for example, in xerostomy, but the finding of an almost normal flow is not on its own sufficient to make a diagnosis of carioreceptivity certain. Assessment of salivary pH is not a reliable parameter for the screening of carioreceptivity although it may be an indicator of diseases (e.g. diabetes) or bad habits (e.g. heavy smokers) in the patient in question. So examination with very sophisticated methods is of little importance. The buffer potential of saliva, assessed with a colorimetric test, is the most reliable parameter as it measures an important property of saliva at individual level: the capacity to protect from local acidity. Some studies seem to point to the validity of the combined evaluation of DMF, pH, salivary flow and buffer power of saliva in the prediction of caries at the level of groups of individual, but this has little or no validity in the screening of individual carioreceptive subjects. Specific microbiological cultures for cariogenic microorganisms are the most reliable tests for the diagnosis of carioreceptivity, particularly Dentocult for the search for Streptococcus mutans which is the most important factors in caries. The search for lactobacilli also identifies bad hygienic and dietary habits in the patients.

[Sutures and suture technics. Current trends and our method in oral surgery]. / Fili e tecniche di sutura. Attuali orientamenti e nostra metodica in chirurgia orale.

Suture techniques are a fundamental aspect of surgical practice in terms of the successful outcome of the operation. Even in dentistry it is important to have a clear idea of the method and the type of thread used. This paper lists the types of suture threads most commonly available today, the main techniques used and, on the basis of the authors' personal experience, explains a method used for oral surgery.

[Black's class II: a critical analysis of 278 fillings]. / II classe di Black: analisi critica di 278 otturazioni.

The aim of this study was to make a critical and statistical assessment of Black's class 2 fillings. The study was based on a critical examination which evaluated the material used for the fillings, morphology, periodontal conditions and oral hygiene.

[Caries receptivity: a modern diagnostic protocol. I. The parameters to be considered]. / Cariorecettività: un moderno protocollo diagnostico Parte I. I parametri da considerare.

In the first part of a larger study, the authors describe the concepts of caries activity and caries receptiveness. They analyse the numerous etiological factors involved in caries disease, together with the major clinical parameters which allow it to be diagnosed.

[A case of nickel-induced stomatitis]. / Un caso di stomatite da nickel.

Some patients with prostheses or dental material containing nickel have been diagnosed as suffering from stomatitis. These lesions of the oral mucosa are sometimes difficult to interpret since allergies are not always taken into consideration. The paper reports a case of stomatitis due to nickel allergy and describes the diagnostic procedure [correction of iter] followed in order to diagnose the true nature of the pathology.