The influence of the utilization time of brush heads from different types of power toothbrushes on oral hygiene assessed over a 6-month observation period: A randomized clinical trial.

Purpose: This randomized clinical trial investigated the influence of the utilization time of brush heads from different types of power toothbrushes [oscillating rotating (OR) and sonic action (SA)93; on oral hygiene (plaque accumulation and gingival inflammation) over a 6-month observation period.

Methods: 49 participants were randomly allocated into two groups: use of the same brush head over 6 months (NR: non-replacement) or replacement of brush head every 4 weeks over 6 months (R: replacement). Each group was subdivided into two subgroups according to kind of toothbrush (TB) used (OR and SA).

Influence of the utilization time of different manual toothbrushes on oral hygiene assessed during a 6-month observation period: a randomized clinical trial.

Background: The aim of this randomized clinical trial (RCT) was to investigate whether 6-month continuous use of different manual toothbrushes (TBs) influences plaque removal and the degree of gingival inflammation compared to short utilization periods of 4 weeks each.

Methods: In total, 96 participants were randomly allocated into two groups: continuous use during 6 months (non-renewal group) or a change in TB every 4 weeks during 6 months (renewal group). Each group was subdivided into four subgroups (groups A to H; n = 12 each) according to the head size (normal or short) and bristle hardness (medium or soft) of the TB used.

Effects of easy-to-perform procedures to reduce bacterial colonization with Streptococcus mutans and Staphylococcus aureus on toothbrushes.

It is well known that dental caries and periodontitis are the consequence of bacterial colonization and biofilm formation on the enamel surface. The continuous presence of bacterial biofilms on the tooth surface results in demineralization of the tooth enamel and induces an inflammatory reaction of the surrounding gums (gingivitis). The retention and survival of microorganisms on toothbrushes pose a threat of recontamination especially for certain patients at risk for systemic infections originating from the oral cavity, e.

Comparison of clinical and dental panoramic findings: a practice-based crossover study.

Background: Aim was to compare clinical findings with x-ray findings using dental panoramic radiography (DPR). In addition, type and frequency of secondary findings in x-rays were investigated.

Methods: Patients were selected on the basis of available DPRs (not older than 12 months).

Oral health status of patients with acute coronary syndrome--a case control study.

Background: The aim of this investigation was to assess the state of oral health of patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and to compare this with that of a provably healthy control group (H).

Methods: 33 patients who were receiving treatment as inpatients following acute myocardial infarction or unstable angina pectoris took part in the study (ACS-group). A healthy control group (H-group) made up of blood donors, was formed following matching for age, gender, and smoking habit with the study patient group.

The Orthodontic Plaque Index: an oral hygiene index for patients with multibracket appliances.

Adhesively bonded, fixed orthodontic appliances--so-called multibracket appliances--on buccal or lingual tooth surfaces can make oral hygiene difficult. This increases the risk of caries and gingivitis, and patients require closely monitored prophylactic care. Oral hygiene indices serve to assess the oral hygiene situation and evaluate oral health status.

Oral health of hemodialysis patients: a cross-sectional study at two German dialysis centers.

The aim of the study was to investigate the oral hygiene behavior and state of oral health of hemodialysis (HD) patients in Germany. HD patients attending two dialysis centers were asked to participate in the study. Anamneses and oral hygiene behavior were recorded in a questionnaire.

Dental care and oral health in solid organ transplant recipients: a single center cross-sectional study and survey of German transplant centers.

Aim of this study was to collect information about oral health of patients before and after SOT as well as information about center-based recommendations for dental care. In a single center cross-sectional study, the oral situation of 20 patients before and 20 after SOT were examined including dental (DMF-T), periodontal (PSR(®)/PSI), and oral hygiene findings (modified QHI). In a second project, a survey among 50 transplant centers in Germany was questioned regarding their recommendations for dental care of SOT recipients.

[Dental care of patients with organ transplants or prosthetic joints--a survey of specialty hospitals].

The aim of the investigation was to collect information from specialized hospitals regarding dental care before and after organ transplantation or replacement of prosthetic joints. 50 transplantation centres and 100 orthopaedic hospitals in Germany were chosen. A questionnaire was used to elucidate the following aspects: Is a dental examination carried out preoperatively? When the patient is discharged, is he or she recommended to have antibiotic prophylaxis before dental treatment? If so, which antibiotic is recommended? The response rate was 56% (n = 28) for transplantation centres.

Clinical periodontal and microbiologic parameters in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Background: A limited number of studies suggest a prevalence of periodontal pathogens in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA); however, results are inconsistent. The aim of this study is to investigate clinical periodontal and microbiologic parameters in patients with RA.

Methods: Sixty-six patients with RA, aged 49.

Long-term effects of tongue piercing--a case control study.

The aim of this study was to evaluate tooth and periodontal damage in subjects wearing a tongue piercing (TP) in comparison to matched control subjects without tongue piercing. Members of the German Federal Armed Forces who had TP (group TP) and a matched control group (group C) volunteered to take part in the study. The time in situ, localization and material of TP were documented.

Initial periodontal screening and radiographic findings--a comparison of two methods to evaluate the periodontal situation.

Background: The periodontal screening index (PSI) is an element of the initial dental examination. The PSI provides information on the periodontal situation and allows a first estimation of the treatment required. The dental panoramic tomography (DPT) indicates the proximal bone loss, thus also allowing conclusions on the periodontal situation.

Investigation of wear in manual toothbrushes from different price categories.

This clinical study examined differences in wear in manual toothbrushes from different price categories. 140 volunteers (14 groups of 10) brushed twice daily for 2-3 minutes over a period of three or six months using the modified Bass technique and seven different toothbrushes (TB) from three price categories. A: 2 TB for under 1 Euro; B: 2 TB priced between 1 and 2 Euro; C: 3 TB priced at over 2 Euro.

Complications of tongue piercing: a review of the literature and three case reports.

Aim: The aims of this review of the literature are to offer further insights into possible problems related to tongue piercing and present three case reports showing undesired effects of tongue piercing.

Background: From a dental perspective, oral piercings and especially tongue piercings are not a harmless fashion trend since they can be associated with local and systemic risks and complications. A search of the literature was conducted to investigate the documentation of health risks associated with tongue piercing using the MEDLINE database as well as the German literature.

Individual versus group oral hygiene instruction for adults.

Purpose: The objective of this study was to assess the practicability and effectiveness of group oral hygiene instruction for adults in comparison with individual oral hygiene instruction.

Materials And Methods: A total of 104 male subjects aged 18 to 54 (mean age: 29.7) years were randomly assigned to one of four groups: group A was given individual oral hygiene instruction; group B was given group oral hygiene instruction; group C was given a combination of individual and group oral hygiene instructions; and group D received no oral hygiene instruction (the control group).

[Oral health in young adults in Germany--a comparison between women and men of the German army].

The objective of this cross-sectional study was to compare oral health in young German women and men. We paired female and male soldiers of the German armed force (Bundeswehr) on the basis of age, school qualification and origin. All participants underwent a clinical examination.

Periodontal findings and blood analysis of blood donors: a pilot study.

Aim: Before blood donation a medical check-up is mandatory to ascertain the health of the donor and to detect infections clinically. Although gingivitis and periodontitis are also bacterial infections, the oral cavity is only inspected superficially. The purpose of this study was to investigate the periodontal condition of blood donors and whether this affects the results of their blood tests.

[Oral condition of abstaining alcoholics. A case-control study].

The aim of this study was to investigate the oral situation of long-term severely alcohol-addicted persons in a case-control-study. 28 controlled abstinent alcoholics and 30 control persons without any drinking history but who were smokers participated in the study. The mean age of the patients was 46 years, the alcohol addiction had existed for 17 years on average; the majority were heavy smokers with an average of two packs of cigarettes per day.

A pilot study on the oral conditions of severely alcohol addicted persons.

The aim of this study was to investigate the oral status, drinking, smoking, and oral hygiene habits of alcoholics. One hundred severely addicted alcoholics were examined during the in-patient treatment for detoxification (mean age: 44 years; 68 males/32 females) The study included a questionnaire and an oral examination that measured DMF-T, QHI, PBI, and CPI. The majority of alcoholics were heavy smokers (>30 cigarettes/day).