A laboratory investigation of the bactericidal effect of a NdYAG laser.

Laser irradiation produces bactericidal effects which may be of use in dentistry. The aims of this study were to investigate the effect of pulsed NdYAG laser irradiation on bacteria in a laboratory model, in the presence and absence of a black dye, Suomi ink. The experiments were carried out in small capillary tubes containing a measured volume of Enterococcus faecalis broth culture.

The periodontal abscess--a case report.

Determining the causative factors of dental abscesses continues to tax the diagnostic skills of clinicians. A case is discussed of an unusually presenting chronic periodontal abscess involving the bifurcation of the upper left first premolar.

Update on periodontology: 3. Initial preparation.

Over the last two decades there have been many changes in the basic concepts of periodontology, which have had profound effects on clinical practice. The aim of this series is to highlight the main areas of change to assist the busy GDP in staying up-to-date. Part 1 discussed current concepts in the histopathology of periodontal disease and part 2 looked at the problems of diagnosis.

The use of lasers in periodontology.

Clinical lasers are of two types: "soft" and "hard" lasers. Soft lasers are claimed to aid healing and to reduce inflammation and pain. However, few rigorous studies are available to support their use.

NdYAG laser treatment of dentinal hypersensitivity.

Eighteen per cent of all patients have some degree of sensitivity and a range of therapies has been devised to alleviate this condition. An electronic monitoring machine was constructed which allowed for air stream, directed at a patient's tooth, to be started by the clinician and halted by the patient when the sensation of pain in the tooth became too unpleasant to tolerate. The time for which the patient could tolerate the air flow was electronically measured in units of 1/50th second.

Lasers in periodontics.

Clinical lasers are of two types. Soft lasers are essentially an aid to healing, with relatively few rigorous studies available to support their use. Surgical hard lasers, however, can cut both hard and soft tissues, replacing the scalpel and drill in many areas.

Update on periodontology: 2. Diagnosis in periodontology.

The second in this series of articles looks at the problems of diagnosis in periodontology. This is an area that is often neglected in the routine examination of patients, but with the introduction of systems like CPITN the examination of patients with periodontal disease is becoming easier.

Update on periodontology: 1. Current concepts in the histopathology of periodontal disease.

Over the last two decades there have been many changes in the basic concepts of periodontology, which have had profound effects on clinical practice. The aim of this series is to highlight the main areas of change and to assist the busy general practitioner in staying up-to-date. The first article deals with the current understanding of the histopathogenesis of gingivitis and periodontitis.

The influence of puberty on spirochetal numbers assessed by dark field microscopy: a pilot study.

There seems to be a difference in the susceptibility, prevalence and severity of periodontal disease between children and adults. These differences could be due to; composition of plaque, host response or tissue alterations occurring with age. One of the micro-organisms suspected to play a role in the initiation of periodontal disease is the spirochete.

MHC antigen expression in human oral squamous carcinoma cell lines.

This study quantified the constitutive and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) stimulated expression of MHC class I (HLA-ABC and beta 2 microglobulin) and class II antigens (HLA-DR, -DP, -DQ) on normal and malignant oral keratinocytes using radioimmunoassay and immunocytochemical techniques. Normal keratinocytes and three of four malignant cell lines (H103, H157, H314) expressed MHC class I antigens constitutively; IFN-gamma increased MHC class I expression with significant changes in normals, H157 and H314. Normal keratinocytes expressed significantly more constitutive MHC class I antigens than H103 and H157 and significantly more IFN-gamma stimulated MHC class I antigens than H103, H157 and H314.

Lasers in dentistry.

Clinical lasers are of two types; soft lasers are essentially an aid to healing with relatively few rigorous studies available to support their use. Surgical hard lasers, however, can cut both hard and soft tissues and replace the scalpel and drill in many areas. From initial experiments with the ruby laser most clinicians are using Argon, CO2 and now NdYAG systems.

Guided tissue regeneration: an overview.

In recent years a new technique in periodontal surgery, known as guided tissue regeneration, has been developed in Scandinavia and the USA. After raising a flap and debriding the root surface, an inert membrane is placed between the flap and the underlying tissues. This allows the periodontal ligament to regain some of the connective tissue attachment lost during the disease process, something which has been unobtainable until now.

Adult linear immunoglobulin A disease manifesting as desquamative gingivitis.

Desquamative gingivitis is a manifestation of various dermatoses, particularly lichen planus and mucous membrane pemphigoid. A rare example of adult linear immunoglobulin A disease manifesting as desquamative gingivitis is presented. Although the initial clinical features were typical of desquamative gingivitis, the persistence of ulceration after dental extractions was unusual, and the management of the oral lesions proved difficult.

An inverted upper lateral incisor.

A case is presented of an inverted upper lateral incisor in an 11-year-old patient. It is believed that involvement of this tooth is previously unreported.

Clinical uses of an enzyme-containing dentifrice.

Previous studies have shown that the inclusion of certain enzymes in mouthrinses and dentifrices will reduce plaque and gingivitis scores. The enzymes that are most effective clinically have, as their active ingredients, amyloglucosidase and glucose oxidase. These produce hydrogen peroxide from dietary fermentable carbohydrates which in turn converts thiocyanate to hypothiocyanite in the presence of salivary lactoperoxidase.

Dental complications of cytotoxic therapy in Hodgkin's disease--a case report.

A case of trigeminal zoster in a patient with disseminated Hodgkin's disease is described. Although one case of maxillary tooth loss in a comparable patient has previously been recorded, this is the first report of mandibular tooth loss. The aetiological significance of Beomycin and I-(2-chloroethyl)-3-cyclohexyl-I-nitrosourea (C.