Periodontal disease: Mechanisms of infection and inflammation and possible impact on miscellaneous systemic diseases and conditions.

Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease, resulting from a predominantly gram-negative microbial infection within the sub-gingival dental plaque biofilm. The resulting inflammatory response in the periodontal tissues may facilitate intravascular dissemination of micro-organisms and their products, throughout the body. The total surface area of this inflammatory field is estimated to be the size of the palm of the hand.

A study of furcation defects at first permanent molars in African mandibles.

Introduction: This study was undertaken after a personal clinical observation (by AV) that periodontal disease and subsequent attachment loss in the molar root bi-furcation occurs more frequently on the buccal than the lingual aspect of mandibular permanent molars, particularly the first molar.

Aims: The purpose of this investigation was to determine the prevalence and severity of furcation defects on the buccal and lingual aspects of mandibular first molars visually and photographically.

Materials And Methods: One hundred and six dried human mandibles with neither caries nor restorations on the second premolar or first and second molars were the study sample.

Gingival health in relation to clinical crown length: a case report.

Introduction: Gingival margin position in relation to synthetic crowns and crown length could be etiological factors in gingival health.

Case Presentation: A 27-year-old male presented with necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis with short clinical crowns suggestive of altered passive eruption. Three years after the initial diagnosis, he presented with crowns on the maxillary incisors.

Gingival health in relation to clinical crown length: a case report.

Introduction: Gingival margin position in relation to synthetic crowns and crown length could be etiological factors in gingival health.

Case Presentation: A 27-year-old male presented with necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis with short clinical crowns suggestive of altered passive eruption. Three years after the initial diagnosis, he presented with crowns on the maxillary incisors.

A misadventure with an elastic band, 38 years later.

This case report is of maxillary central incisors still in place 38 years after periodontal surgery to correct the damage to supporting tooth structure caused by an orthodontic elastic band.

Technique for linear measurement on panoramic and periapical radiographs: a pilot study.

Objective: This study was conducted to compare vertical and horizontal periodontal measurements of posterior teeth on standardized panoramic and intraoral radiographs.

Methods And Materials: Standardized panoramic and periapical radiographs were made of 16 human skulls using ball bearings placed on the maxillary first molars to allow adjustment for horizontal and vertical magnification.

Results: At 14 of 19 measurement sites there was no significant difference between measurements on the 2 radiographic film types.

Position and orientation of the maxillary first permanent molar and localized attachment loss.

Aim: To investigate associations between the position and orientation of the maxillary first permanent molar and localized attachment loss (localized gingival recession or alveolar bone concavity) at the mesiopalatal aspect of this tooth.

Methods: The study samples were 30 orthodontic study casts of young patients treated without premolar extractions, 45 pretreatment adult periodontal patient study casts, and 56 adult skulls. Measurements made were the maxillary first permanent molar crown angulation, inclination, rotation, and arch position, as well as the presence or absence of localized gingival recession/alveolar bone concavity at the mesiopalatal aspect of the tooth.

Scientific surface roughness values for resin based materials.

Introduction: Surface roughness of dental restorative materials is most often established with the Ra value obtained using profilometry or by assessing surface topography with the scanning electron microscope (SEM). Both methods should validate each other in confirming surface roughness.

Aims And Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare surface roughness values obtained with a profilometer to the SEM appearance of 6 resin-based restorative materials and assess whether Ra was appropriate as a sole surface roughness measure.

Clinical crown height (length)--a review of published measurements.

Background, Aims: Clinical crown height is an objective measure of the position of the gingival margin which could be used in determining the 'normal' position of the gingival margin. The aim of this study was to do a systematic review of published clinical crown heights in the human permanent dentition to compare the measurements and to see if a clear trend with age exists.

Material And Methods: An on-line literature search was done using the key words clinical crown height (or) clinical crown length.

Surface roughness of aesthetic restorative materials: an in vitro comparison.

The purpose of this study was to compare the surface roughness of three types of aesthetic restorative material. Six standard samples of two brands of each type of material were prepared namely: hybrid composites (Prodigy, Z100), compomers (Compoglass F, Hytac Aplitip) and glass ionomer cements (Photac-Fil, Vitremer) in a perspex mould (N = 36). Upper and lower surfaces were covered with Mylar strips which, in turn, were covered with glass slides and compressed to express excess material.

Temperatures in and around mandibular fractures.

This study measured the temperature in and around mandibular fractures in 20 anaesthetized patients. A fine calibrated thermocouple attached to a digital thermometer was used to measure temperature at the bone surface margin of a mandibular fracture and 5 and 10 mm from the fracture; within the fracture against the bone at 5, 7 and 10 mm depths and at the base of 7 mm deep biopsy cavities 5 and 10 mm distant from the fracture line immediately after biopsy, then 1 and 2 min later. On the surface the temperature was approximately 1 degrees C warmer than at the 5 and 10 mm sites distant from the fracture.

Maxillary premolar extraction--a possible link to later periodontal breakdown?

The palatal embrasure angles between the maxillary first molar and adjacent premolar were measured in 60 children who had had orthodontic treatment (29 with premolar extractions and 31 without), and in 20 adults with periodontal breakdown in the palatal embrasure angle area, who had had premolar extractions. Mean angles were orthodontic groups non-extraction 31 degrees, extraction 42 degrees and the adult group, 57 degrees. Statistical analysis showed significant differences between the groups.

Epidemiological profile of graduates of the Wits Dental Faculty 1927-1995.

The Wits dental school was first proposed in 1921 but had no premises until a private dental clinic was taken over in 1924 by the University, the same year that the Bachelor of Dental Surgery regulations were agreed to. In 1925 the first dental students registered and a year later, in 1926, the first seven lecturers in dental surgery were appointed. Since the first two graduates in 1927, 1916 dentists have graduated from the school as have 63 oral hygienists.

Variations in oral temperature.

This study investigated the temperature of healthy oral mucosa and underlying bone. Using a fine thermocouple and digital thermometer, four groups of temperatures were measured: (i) adjacent to unerupted third molars before and after surgical removal (n = 51); (ii) at the same site in patients not undergoing surgery (n = 30); and (iii) at the buccal incisor mucosa (n = 30). In each group sublingual temperatures were measured in order to calculate the temperature differential between measurement site and sublingual temperature to compensate for variations between sites and individuals.