Shorter Mandibular Length is Associated with a Greater Fall in AHI with Weight Loss.

Rationale: Obesity is a major risk factor towards the development of obstructive sleep apnea, while significant weight loss (both conservatively managed and surgically assisted) has a variable effect upon its severity. Differences in the effect of weight loss on obstructive sleep apnea may be due to underlying craniofacial characteristics.

Objectives: To determine whether craniofacial characteristics can predict OSA treatment response to significant weight loss.

A comparison of Er:YAG laser and mechanical debridement for the non-surgical treatment of chronic periodontitis: a randomized, prospective clinical study.

Aims: To compare a monotherapy of Er:YAG laser debridement (ERL), wavelength 2940 nm, with mechanical scaling and root planing (SRP) for the treatment of chronic periodontitis using clinical and patient-centred outcomes.

Methods: Twenty-eight participants had two randomly assigned quadrants treated with ERL and two with SRP. Full-mouth plaque index, probing depth, bleeding on probing, clinical attachment level and gingival recession were recorded at baseline and 6- and 12-weeks post therapy.

Effect of the smear layer on a pulp proximity-indicating instrument.

The purpose of the study was to determine the effect of removing or modifying the smear layer on the indication provided by the Prepometer pulp proximity-indicating instrument. Third molars were prepared to produce flat surfaces in the coronal dentine, and control Prepometer LED readings were made. Group E was treated with 18% EDTA and Group T with Tubulicid.

A novel instrument to determine pulp proximity.

The aim was to determine whether extracted teeth could be used to test the Prepometer instrument, which indicates pulp proximity with green/amber/red light emitting diodes. Third molars were reduced to a plane in dentine and Prepometer readings made. Dentine was removed in 0.

Appropriate electrode placement site for electric pulp testing first molar teeth.

Twenty volunteers with first molars free of restorations and caries were recruited. One molar from each arch was selected, and rubber dam was applied. Seven sites on each crown were electric pulp tested 4 times with an Elements Diagnostic Unit, and lowest threshold responses were recorded.

Prevalence and risk of traumatic gingival recession following elective lip piercing.

The aims of this study were to evaluate the prevalence, risk and odds ratios of gingival recession defects associated with elective lip piercing and wearing of stud jewelry, and to attempt to identify risk factors that might permit the incidence of recession and its severity to be predicted, using Miller's classification. Ninety-one subjects with lip piercing and labrets were evaluated with regard to gender, age, smoking history, orthodontic history, and labret characteristics. An age-matched group of 54 individuals without peri-oral piercing provided the control.

Radiographic recognition and distribution of approximal carious lesions in New Zealand undergraduate dental students.

Bitewing radiographs are widely used to detect caries on the approximal surfaces of teeth. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of approximal caries in an educated young adult (New Zealand dental student) population, and to compare the diagnostic decisions of students and university teachers. A total of 123 students aged from 18 to 25 years (mean age 21 years) participated, having given their informed consent.

Altered jaw posture and occlusal disruption patterns following mandibular advancement therapy for sleep apnea: a preliminary study of cephalometric predictors.

Purpose: Reports of irreversible alteration in jaw posture and destructive occlusal contact relationships in individuals using mandibular advancement devices for obstructive sleep apnea are beginning to appear. This study sought cephalometric means of identifying such individuals before commencing therapy.

Materials And Methods: Cephalograms of 34 obstructive sleep apnea sufferers who had worn mandibular advancement devices for 2 years were compared retrospectively with baseline films taken at commencement of therapy and analyzed for signs of morphologic changes in jaw position and occlusal relationship.