Time-dependent phenomena in plasma-assisted chemical vapor deposition of rugate optical films.

The plasma-assisted chemical vapor deposition technique was used to produce thin-film structures with both sinusoidally and stepwise varying refractive-index profiles. The refractive index of the SiO(x)N(y) system used in the fabrication was found to be time dependent following a stepwise change in reactant gas flows or initiation of the plasma. This time dependence has been quantified using in situ ellipsometry and was found to have components with exponential and linear dependences.

The effect of crown receipt on measures of gingival status.

Although the association between crown margins and increased inflammation and probing depth is well-established, studies examining these effects have been largely post hoc. Change in gingival status measures due to receipt of crowns may affect longitudinal evaluations in clinical trials and epidemiological studies. This study examined the effects of receipt of crowns on the periodontal health of the Ramfjord index teeth.

Effect of crown margins on periodontal conditions in regularly attending patients.

Subgingival margins of cast restorations have been associated with increased gingival inflammation and probing depth, but it is not known if such effects would be seen among patients receiving regular professional care. In this study, 831 regularly attending patients in 35 North Carolina dental practices were examined. Plaque, gingival inflammation, calculus, and probing depth were assessed on facial and mesiofacial surfaces of the Ramfjord teeth.

Evaluating and influencing periodontal diagnostic and treatment behaviors in general practice.

Providers' periodontal diagnostic and treatment behaviors were assessed in 34 practices in two North Carolina counties. Regularly attending patients had a low prevalence of gingival pocketing on index teeth, moderate attachment loss, and fairly prevalent bleeding and calculus. Treatment frequency and patient knowledge were generally adequate, but the notation of periodontal status in the patient record was insufficient.

Alveolar bone loss in patients with long-term supportive care.

Radiographic record audits were conducted on 63 patients diagnosed as having periodontitis who had been treated and maintained for 10 years or longer in dental school clinics. Acceptable bite-wing radiographs were available for 50 of these patients. Bite-wing radiographs taken 8 to 34 years apart (mean 14.

Association of dental health knowledge with periodontal conditions among regular patients.

Although routine patient education concerning periodontal disease is recommended as a means of improving oral health, strong associations between oral health knowledge and plaque or gingival inflammation scores have not been demonstrated. This study examined associations between four knowledge scales (likelihood of keeping teeth, signs of disease, role of diet, role of oral hygiene measures) and six periodontal status measures (plaque, gingivitis, calculus, probing depth, attachment loss, missing teeth) among 1088 regularly attending dental patients. In bivariate correlation analyses, there was a weak, direct association between stronger expectations of keeping teeth and better levels of periodontal health, while an inverse association between knowledge of signs of periodontal disease and better periodontal health was noted.

The effectiveness of subgingival scaling and root planning. I. Clinical detection of residual calculus.

This study evaluated the ability of clinicians to detect residual calculus following subgingival scaling and root planing and compared the clinical detection to the microscopic presence and surface area occupied by calculus found on teeth extracted after instrumentation. Interexaminer and intraexaminer reproducibility in clinically detecting subgingival calculus was also determined. One hundred one extracted teeth with 476 instrumented tooth surfaces were evaluated stereomicroscopically for the presence of calculus and the percent surface area with calculus was determined by computerized imaging analysis; 57% of all surfaces had residual microscopic calculus and the mean percent calculus per surface area was 3.

Tooth loss in patients with moderate periodontitis after treatment and long-term maintenance care.

Records of 63 patients diagnosed as having moderate periodontitis who had been treated and maintained by scaling and root planing for 10 years or longer (mean 13.6 years, range 10 to 34 years) in dental school clinics were reviewed for tooth loss. The patients averaged 45 years of age (range 24 to 67 years) at the initial appointment, and 41 were female.

Dental patients' knowledge and beliefs about periodontal disease.

The knowledge and beliefs about periodontal disease of 1093 regularly attending patients in 36 North Carolina general dental practices were examined. Patients had a strong positive orientation toward keeping their teeth. Correct information concerning the signs, causes, prevention, and treatment of periodontal disease was widely held.

Clinical periodontal status of regularly attending patients in general dental practices.

Periodontal status of regular patients of general practitioners in the United States is unknown. A project assessing the effectiveness of continuing professional education in altering provider behavior and patient periodontal health provided the opportunity to clinically examine 1092 patients in the offices of 36 general practitioners. These regularly attending patients were selected by a random start systematic sample of patient records.

Periodontal status and treatment needs among regular dental patients.

A survey of periodontal status and treatment needs among dental patients was performed using the CPITN criteria, with the worst score per sextant being recorded, based on examination of all surfaces of all teeth. Regularly attending patients (n = 1092) from 36 general dental practices in two North Carolina counties were examined. The most frequently found worst conditions-per-patient across all ages were the presence of calculus (35 per cent) and the presence of 4-5 mm pockets (35 per cent).

Presence of periodontal data in patient records of general practitioners.

It has been reported that little diagnostic information concerning periodontal conditions is entered in patient records of general practitioners, but actual rates for such chart entries are unknown. Records of regular patients, seen at least annually, were randomly selected from the offices of 36 general practitioners in two North Carolina counties. In each office 80 records were selected for audit.

Clinical effectiveness of a dentifrice containing fluoride and a citrate buffer system for treatment of dentinal sensitivity.

Four test dentifrices were evaluated in a double-blind investigation to determine their effect on dentinal sensitivity in 87 adult human participants. Baseline data were obtained by patient questionnaire, dental examination and by soliciting subjective responses to controlled osmotic, thermal and tactile stimuli. The four dentifrices were: (1) a placebo dentifrice, (2) a fluoride dentifrice containing 0.

Effectiveness of a dentifrice containing formalin and sodium monofluorophosphate on dental hypersensitivity.

A double-blind investigation comparing a control dentifrice with one containing active ingredients was conducted to determine their effect on dentinal hypersensitivity in 67 human subjects. Baseline data was obtained by patient questionnaire, dental examination and by soliciting subjective responses to controlled mechanical and thermal stimuli. A calcium carbonate-based toothpaste constituted the base for both the control and active dentifrice.

An evaluation of tricalcium phosphate implants in human periodontal osseous defects of two patients.

This study evaluated the use of tricalcium phosphate (TCP) ceramic implant material in periodontal osseous defects. Thirteen defects in two patients were treated with mucoperiosteal flaps and placement of TCP. The defects were evaluated clinically and radiographically utilizing standardized probe placement and radiographic technique.

Occlusal relations and periodontal status in human adults.

A group of 66 adults provided the population for study of relations between various clinical parameters and periodontal status. Dental and habit histories and plaque scores were acquired. Occlusal features included classification of malocclusion, analysis of centric displacement, establishment of patterns of lateral and protrusive excursions, identification of tooth contacts and presence of wear facets.

Effectiveness of sodium fluoride on tooth hypersensitivity with and without iontophoresis.

Effectiveness of iontophoresis with and without electric current and sodium fluoride on tooth hypersensitivity was evaluated. In eleven volunteers, teeth received a 2% neutral sodium fluoride solution applied using an electrode phoresor. Test teeth received the solution with current and control teeth received the solution without current.

Policy implications of the epidemiology of dental diseases for the prevention and control of periodontal disease: the North Carolina studies.

The North Carolina Dental Manpower Study indicated that periodontal disease was widespread and little was being done to control the disease. We have continued to address issues identified by the Dental Manpower Study in order to better understand the high prevalence of periodontal disease. Drawing from the theoretical basis of behavioral science and the clinical and epidemiological knowledge of periodontal disease, we have planned a strategy for testing the feasibility for controlling periodontal disease through dental health services.

The effects of citric acid on attachment of laterally positioned flaps.

Citric acid demineralization of root surfaces to enhance new attachment clinically appears to be successful, but histologic evidence of new attachment in humans is lacking. Two recession-like defects were surgically created on the facial aspect of mandibular incisors scheduled for extraction in five patients. Each patient had differing degrees of periodontal disease, but the control and experimental teeth of each were similarly involved.

Tooth loss in 100 treated patients with periodontal disease. A long-term study.

A population of 100 patients with periodontal disease who had been treated and maintained for 15 years or longer was studied for tooth loss. The patients averaged 43.8 years of age and consisted of 59 females and 41 males.

Centric relation determinations: clinical and radiographic comparisons.

This study investigated variations in occlusal prematurities and condylar positions using different methods of determining centric relation. Thirty patients were randomly placed into three groups of 10. In Group I a clinical analysis of occlusal patterns using bilateral mandibular manipulation (BMM) was compared to results with a chin point (CPM) method.

Intravenous conscious sedation in the periodontal patient.

Intravenous diazepam was evaluated as a preoperative medication prior to periodontal surgery. Ten patients were subjected to two separately scheduled surgical episodes. During one procedure, a placebo was administered via an intravenous drip and during the other procedure, diazepam was titrated until Verrill's sign was reached.

A method for securing conservative block section in the mandibular anterior region.

A conservative method for removal of histologic block tissue sections has been presented. Its application permits the operator to conserve a portion of lingual alveolar bone in the mandibular anterior region to allow maintenance of a sufficient amount of ridge bone and tissue for construction of a functional and esthetic removable or fixed prosthetic appliance. This block section procedure may be modified to permit more conservation of human tissues in those studies involving human subjects.