A clinical and microbiological study of approximal carious lesions. Part 2: efficacy of caries removal following tunnel and class II cavity preparations.

A randomized controlled clinical study was set up to assess caries removal following tunnel preparation (test group) and class II cavity preparation (control group). Sixty approximal lesions in adult posterior teeth, visible in the outer third of dentine on bite-wing radiographs, were referred for operative treatment. Initial dentine samples were taken on entry to the lesions in both groups.

A clinical and microbiological study of approximal carious lesions. Part 1: the relationship between cavitation, radiographic lesion depth, the site-specific gingival index and the level of infection of the dentine.

A clinical study was carried out to assess relationship between the presence of approximal cavitation, the radiographic depth of the lesion, the site-specific gingival index and the level of infection of the dentine. Adult patients assessed as needing operative treatment and presenting with approximal lesions visible in the outer third of dentine on bite-wing radiographs were included in the study. Direct lesion depth measurements were recorded from the radiographs and the site-specific gingival index adjacent to the lesion was noted.

Development of a vaccine tracking system to improve the rate of age-appropriate primary immunization in children of lower socioeconomic status.

We conducted a randomized, controlled trial to determine the effectiveness of an immunization tracking system designed to increase the number of infants of lower socioeconomic status who receive their primary series of vaccinations at age-appropriate times. By 7 months of age, 91% (274/301) of the infants in the intervention group were up-to-date on their primary series of vaccinations versus 72% (214/296) of the infants in the control group (p < 0.0001).

The effect of restorative materials on the wear of human enamel.

The wear of human dental enamel against amalgam, Concise composite, SR-Isosit Inlay/Onlay composite, Vitadur-N glazed porcelain, unglazed IPS Empress ceramic, and enamel (control) was investigated by use of a modified stress cycling machine. Testing was carried out in water and in citric acid (pH 4) and the enamel-material couples were subjected to 25,000 cycles of wear with a maximum load of 40 N. Tooth profile reduction was measured at baseline and at 5000 cyclic intervals with a computer image analysis program.