A simple device for positioning intraoral x-ray sensors.

This article describes a simple technique for positioning an intraoral x-ray sensor in patients who are undergoing procedures such as endodontic treatment or post fitting for a crown. By placing a wooden tongue depressor and sensor inside an infection control barrier, the patient is able to hold the sensor comfortably in position without removing the rubber dam clamp, while the patient's fingers are kept out of the path of the x-ray beam.

Reducing Staphylococcus aureus bacterial counts in a dental clinic using an Ionic Breeze air purifier: a preliminary study.

Aerosols and droplets generated by dental procedures are contaminated with blood and bacteria and represent a potential route for the transmission of disease. This study sought to determine if Ionic Breeze air purifiers are effective in collecting and destroying bacteria found in dental aerosols (such as Staphylococcus aureus). This study placed one Sharper Image Professional Series Ionic Breeze Quadra unit and one Ionic Breeze GP unit (with germicidal protection) in dental operatories within the Louisiana State University School of Dentistry.

Low-cost screening for microbial contaminants in aerosols generated in a dental office.

It has been reported that aerosols and droplets generated by high-speed dental drills and cavitrons are contaminated with blood and bacteria and represent a potential route for transmitting disease. Bacterial cells possess a negative electrical charge, while the cathode ray tubes (CRT) that are used in computer monitors generate positively charged static electric fields. Consequently, bacteria dispersed within these aerosols could be attracted to the screens on CRT monitors.

Evaluation of compressed air used in the dental operatory.

Background: The authors report the findings obtained when they quantitatively examined compressed air samples from air-water syringes located in different dental operatories at the Louisiana State University School of Dentistry fo r the presence of microbial contaminants.

Methods: Streams of air of 30 seconds' duration from air-water syringes were forced through sterile modified stainless steel membrane filter holders (Millipore, Millipore Corp., Bedford, Mass.

Infection control procedures used in conjunction with computed dental radiography.

Infection control guidelines for dental radiography have been modified since 1986, when the American Dental Association and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention supported the concept of "universal blood and body fluid precautions." With the introduction of computed digital radiography, hardware manufacturers recommend that alternative infection control techniques are necessary to prevent potential damage to the digital x-ray sensors placed inside the patient's mouth. Thirty first-year dental hygiene students were asked to insert and remove a Schick CDR number 2 size intraoral digital x-ray sensor into modified Rinn XCP bitewing bite blocks and a modified Rinn Snap-a-ray five times with each of the recommended infection control covers.

Carotid artery calcification in the black population: a retrospective study on panoramic radiographs.

Objectives: To determine the prevalence of carotid artery calcification on panoramic radiographs in the Black population.

Methods: Panoramic radiographs of 700 adult male and female Black dental outpatients from the Medical Center of Louisiana Charity Hospital were examined for any unusual radiopacity adjacent to or just below the intervertebral space between C3 and C4.

Results: Three (0.

Modified intraoral film holders for postmortem identification.

To date there have not been any commercial dental X-ray film holders marketed to accommodate the special needs of forensic odontologists. Modification of standard Rinn XCP film holders by the investigators produced self-supporting film holders that do not require the active participation from the examinee. The modified film holders greatly simplify the operator's technique of exposing dental radiographs on cadavers.

Computed dental radiography used to reproduce antemortem film position.

Visual comparison of conventional antemortem and postmortem dental radiographs is often included in forensic identification. Ten forensic cases employing dry mandibular and maxillary bones and a dry study skull were exposed using the CDR digital dental X-ray system developed by Schick Technologies, Inc. Exposures of 0.

Efficacy of topical disinfectants.

A comparison of bactericidal activity of two surface disinfectants showed that both were highly effective. The glutaraldehyde-based disinfectant showed higher efficacy on roughed surfaces than the alcohol-based disinfectant. The study used a novel, and generally applicable, method to evaluate the surface killing potential of disinfectants.

Technical note. A novel technique for pre-implant radiography using an instant camera system.

Objective: To determine whether an intra-oral photograph could supplant the need for either a plaster model or occlusal radiograph in pre-implant tomographic assessment with the Imaging Sciences 1S-2000 system.

Methods: Instant photographs obtained with the CU-5 instant Polaroid camera of 25 patients' maxillary or mandibular arches were scanned into the computer in lieu of a plaster cast or occlusal radiograph. Tomographs were then exposed and evaluated by the referring dentists.

Radiographic selection protocol for new and recall patients in U.S. and Canadian dental schools.

This study indicates that a growing number of dental schools are now using individual selection criteria to determine which radiographs, if any, are required for screening new and recall patients. A majority of Canadian schools are in compliance with CDA's Guidelines For the Control Of Radiation In the Dental Office, which state that the frequency of radiological examination is a matter of clinical judgment, and that it should not be considered as a routine procedure. In general, most schools support the use of individual selection criteria prior to requesting radiographs.

Quantification of the lamina dura.

The lamina dura continues to be an enigma. It is typically described in the scientific literature as being present or absent. This study used digitized radiographs in an attempt to quantify the thickness of the lamina dura in different regions of the oral cavity in healthy adult patients.

Effects of glove powder on radiographic quality.

The use of powered rubber gloves in the provision of dental care has produced a new variable in radiographic quality assurance procedures. Wearing powder-coated gloves while processing X-ray films can reduce the quality of the images obtained on processed radiographic film. To ensure that the optimum quality of processed film images is achieved, the operator must be careful to prevent the contamination of the film and processing solutions with powder.

Determining the radiation exposure from visual display terminals used in dentistry.

Computers are rapidly becoming incorporated into all aspects of dentistry, including administrative, didactic and research functions. Of particular concern for dentists are women of childbearing age who are regularly employed as receptionists and secretaries in private dental practices and teaching institutions. Thermoluminescent dosimeter pellets of lithium fluoride were attached directly to the surface of 10 VDT's of varying age and from different manufacturers.

Reevaluation of the Fexitron 845.

The concept of flash radiography resulted in the development of the Fexitron 845 in the 1960s. Limitations in the technology of screen films (calcium tungstate) at that time displaced the Fexitron as a useful adjunct for clinical dentistry. The recent introduction of the more efficient rare-earth screens requires a reevaluation of the Fexitron 845.