Pilot clinical study to assess caries lesion activity using quantitative light-induced fluorescence during dehydration.

This study aimed to evaluate the ability of quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF) to assess caries lesion activity using visual examination (VE) as the gold standard. Twenty-four visible white spot lesions on buccal surfaces were examined from 23 children, ages 9 to 14 years. At baseline, the surface was hydrated with water, and thereafter, it was dehydrated with continuous compressed air during image acquisition.

The Featherstone laboratory pH cycling model: a prospective, multi-site validation exercise.

Purpose: To demonstrate the robustness of the Featherstone pH cycling model when tested in three independent laboratories and to evaluate the use of "non-inferiority" testing at those laboratories.

Methods: The fundamental principles for the Featherstone laboratory pH cycling model to be an appropriate alternative to animal testing is that it must demonstrate equivalent accuracy to the "Gold Standard" (rat caries model) by: (1) providing a meaningful representation of the caries process; (2) demonstrating a proportionate response to fluoride dose (or concentration); (3) being able to show that clinically proven formulations perform similarly relative to the controls; and (4) differentiating products that have attenuated fluoride activity.

Results: This cross-validation study confirmed the ability of the three independent laboratories to discriminate between various concentrations of fluoride-containing dentifrice formulations, demonstrated that clinically proven formulas perform as expected and identified an attenuated fluoride formulation (NaF/CaCO3 dentifrice - 1100 ppm NaF) as inferior compared to the 1100 ppm F (NaF/silica) positive control.

Recommendation for a non-animal alternative to rat caries testing.

Purpose: As a requirement of the Food & Drug Administration's final monograph on "Anticaries drug products for over-the-counter human use", the toothpaste industry has been conducting animal caries tests on every fluoride-containing toothpaste introduced into the U.S. market since 1996.

Epidemiologic survey of erosive tooth wear in San Antonio, Texas.

Objectives: To estimate the prevalence of erosive tooth wear in children aged 12-17 years in the southwest region of San Antonio, Texas, within Bexar County.

Methods: A convenience sample of 307 children aged 12-17 years was selected from two junior high schools. The population consisted predominantly of Hispanic Mexican Americans.

Soft rawhide reduces calculus formation in dogs.

This clinical investigation was conducted to evaluate the impact of a unique soft rawhide product on the formation of dental calculus in a housed colony of beagle dogs. The study was designed as a 2-way crossover test with 4-week test periods and a 1-week wash-out period between the test periods. All dogs were provided a dry commercial diet and tap water ad libitum.

In vitro remineralization efficacy of NaF systems containing unique forms of calcium.

Purpose: To determine the in vitro remineralization potential of a new calcium phosphate technology in a 1000 ppm F system.

Methods: 3 mm diameter bovine enamel specimens were mounted, ground and polished, and softened in a carbopol-lactic acid solution (pH = 5.0) for 36 hours at 37 degrees C.

In vitro assessments of experimental NaF dentifrices containing a prospective calcium phosphate technology.

Purpose: To determine the fluoride dose response of experimental NaF dentifrices containing a prospective calcium phosphate technology, along with the corresponding relative enamel and dentin abrasion values.

Methods: 3 mm diameter bovine enamel specimens were mounted, ground and polished, and softened in a carbopol-lactic acid solution (pH = 5.0) for 36 hours at 37 degrees C.

Caries detection with DIAGNOdent and ultrasound.

Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the repeatability of 2 nondestructive caries detection methods, ultrasound (ULS) and DIAGNOdent, for the detection of approximal caries lesions, and to evaluate 2 tips provided for the DIAGNOdent.

Study Design: White/brown-spot lesions (n = 42) were captured by a digital camera, and measured by test methods and confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM). Intra- and inter-observer reliability, accuracy, and Cohen's kappa and Spearman's rho statistics were used.

The effect of saliva on dental caries.

Background: The multiple functions of saliva play a significant role in the prevention of dental caries.

Methods: Chewing gum is known to stimulate salivary flow, and the results of studies of the role of stimulated saliva in the oral clearance of food particles, neutralization of dental plaque acids and reduction of the incidence of dental caries have been reported. The author reviews the results of these clinical caries trials.

Development of a standardisation device for photographic assessment of dental fluorosis in field studies.

Purpose: This study evaluated the agreement between clinical and photographic assessment of dental fluorosis (DF) in 73 children during a field study, using portable equipment and a standardising device.

Materials And Methods: A dental exam was performed using the Tooth Surface Index of Fluorosis (TSIF). Photographs of the facial aspects of front teeth and from the occlusal aspect of the mandibular posterior teeth were taken.

Ability of quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF) to assess the activity of white spot lesions during dehydration.

Purpose: To determine the ability of QLF to assess the activity of white spots using visual examination (VE) as the gold standard.

Methods: Thirty-four specimens were prepared from extracted human permanent posterior teeth presenting natural white spots on the approximal surface. Fluorescence images were acquired at 1-second intervals for the first 10 seconds and every 5 seconds thereafter to 45 seconds.

A 6-month clinical study assessing the safety and efficacy of two cetylpyridinium chloride mouthrinses.

Purpose: To evaluate the effects of two experimental cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) mouthrinses containing 0.075% and 0.10% CPC on the development of gingivitis and plaque versus a placebo control over a period of 6 months.

Quantitative light fluorescence: a technology for early monitoring of the caries process.

Quantitative light fluorescence (QLF) can detect about twice as many demineralized precavitated enamel areas a conventional visual examination or any other caries detection instrument. This technology has been used in several controlled clinical trials with the consistent observation that it is capable of monitoring and quantifying changes in the mineral content and size of clinically visible noncavitated white spot lesions; therefore, it can be used to assess the impact of preventive measures on the remineralization and reversal of the caries process. The anticipated future use of QLF with dehydration to identify active areas of demineralization will markedly enhance the utility of this technology in clinical dental research and dental practice.

Dental fluorosis and altitude: a preliminary study.

Purpose: Previous studies have reported higher dental fluorosis prevalence in high-altitude communities than in low-altitude communities. This investigation determined and compared dental fluorosis prevalence in populations of children living at high and low altitudes in Mexico.

Materials And Methods: Fluorosis prevalence was determined in 7 to 10-year-old children: 67 in Mexico City (2,240 m) and 71 in Veracruz (sea level).

Development of a questionnaire to measure perceptions of, and concerns derived from, dental fluorosis.

Objective: To develop a questionnaire in English and Spanish to measure concerns caused by children's (and their parents') perceptions of dental appearance.

Materials And Methods: The questionnaire addressed concerns in the physical, mental, and social domains, perceptions about discolourations and other oral conditions including tooth colour. Test-retest and internal reliability, and construct and criterion validity, were assessed as part of the development process.

Accuracy of ultrasound measurement of progressive change in occlusal enamel thickness.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of ultrasound on measuring the thickness of enamel in abrasion.

Study Design: Flat areas on occlusal surfaces of 20 premolar teeth were marked. Two initial ultrasonic measurements on marked areas were obtained by the first researcher.

Tooth whitening through the removal of extrinsic stain with a power toothbrush: results of four randomized, examiner blind, positive controlled clinical studies.

Purpose: To assess the "whitening" through stain removal benefit delivered by a prototype power toothbrush and a positive control power toothbrush over a 2-week period.

Methods: Four independent studies with identical protocols were conducted to examine tooth whitening through the removal of extrinsic stain with power toothbrushes. These were randomized, positive-controlled, two treatment, parallel group, examiner-blind, 2-week studies involving approximately 20 healthy adults with longstanding visible extrinsic stain on the facial surfaces of the 12 anterior teeth.

Effect of imaging geometry on evaluating natural white-spot lesions using quantitative light-induced fluorescence.

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of imaging geometry on evaluating natural white-spot lesions with quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF). A total of 34 specimens were prepared from extracted human premolars and permanent molars with white spots on the interproximal surface. The specimens were each adjusted to a final thickness of 3.

Early detection of secondary caries using quantitative, light-induced fluorescence.

The authors hypothesize that the arrestment and remineralization of these lesions could be improved if secondary caries could be detected and monitored at earlier stages. Traditional diagnostic techniques detect secondary caries when it is relatively advanced and when significant tissue has been lost. This in vitro study evaluated the Quantitative Light-induced Fluorescence (QLF) system for detecting and monitoring demineralization surrounding tooth-colored restorations.

Fluoride intake from foods, beverages and dentifrice by children in Mexico.

Objectives: This investigation monitored fluoride ingestion in Mexican children who were susceptible to developing dental fluorosis.

Methods: Total fluoride intake, from dietary and toothpaste samples, was determined in 15-36-month-old children from Mexico City and Veracruz, Mexico. A duplicate plate technique was used.

Distribution of cariogenic bacteria in carious lesions around tooth-colored restorations.

Purpose: To compare the distribution of the three most suspected cariogenic groups of bacteria, mutans streptococci, Actinomyces naeslundii genospecies 2, and lactobacilli in carious lesions around tooth-colored restorations.

Materials And Methods: Samples from extracted teeth with clinical secondary caries around tooth-colored restorations were immuno-labeled with antibodies to the referred groups of bacteria and subsequently analyzed three dimensionally using confocal microscopy.

Results: The three different bacterial groups were usually present in secondary caries around tooth-colored restorations suggesting that they are involved in its formation and development.

The fluoride content of foods and beverages from negligibly and optimally fluoridated communities.

In the spring of 1996, foods and beverages most commonly consumed by adolescents were analyzed for fluoride as part of a larger investigation. These foods were selected by interviewing 711 adolescents, 12-14 years of age, who were long-time residents of either an optimally or negligibly fluoridated community. The brand names of the identified foods and beverages most commonly purchased were determined by interviews with the parents.

A Monte Carlo simulation of the influence of sound enamel scattering coefficient on lesion visibility in light-induced fluorescence.

Quantitative light-induced fluorescence (QLF) is based on the dark appearance of a white spot in otherwise highly fluorescent enamel. This can be explained by the increased scattering coefficient in the white spot compared with that of sound enamel. The aim of this study was to estimate the effect of different sound enamel scattering coefficients (s(SE)) and enamel thickness d, caused by developmental enamel differences, on the fluorescence appearance of white-spot lesions.