Oral and Periodontal Health in Patients with Alzheimer's Disease and Other Forms of Dementia - A Cross-sectional Pilot Study.

Purpose: Systemic inflammation is characteristic for the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and is responsible for the accumulation of its disease-specific Tau-protein and β-amyloid plaques. Studies focusing on an association with periodontitis showed worse periodontal conditions in patients with dementia, but until now, no study has investigated the differences between AD and other forms of dementia (noAD/DEM). Expecting severe periodontal disease in AD, the aim of this pilot-study was to compare the periodontal and dental status in patients with either AD or noAD/DEM.

Controlled toothbrush abrasion of softened human enamel.

The aim of this in vitro study was to compare toothbrush abrasion of softened enamel after brushing with two (soft and hard) toothbrushes. One hundred and fifty-six human enamel specimens were indented with a Knoop diamond. Salivary pellicle was formed in vitro over a period of 3 h.

Exercise capacity in athletes with mouthguards.

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of wearing a mouthguard on maximal exercise capacity and cardiopulmonary parameters at peak workload, and to assess the athletes' attitudes toward wearing a mouthguard. Thirteen volunteer male athletes (18 to 27 years old) were interviewed before and after delivery of a custom-made laminated mouthguard. A visual analogue scale (VAS, 0 - 100 mm) was used for judgment of interference with breathing, speaking, concentration and athletic performance.

Simultaneous force measurements in 3 dimensions on oral endosseous implants in vitro and in vivo. A methodological study.

A novel piezo-electric force transducer was developed that is mounted directly on ITI-implants and allows for simultaneous force measurements in 3 dimensions. The reliability of this measuring method in vitro and in vivo was evaluated. For test and calibration measurements 5 edentulous patients with 2 mandibular implants were selected and master casts obtained with original implants in situ.

Condensation pressure during amalgam placement in patients.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the condensation pressure during amalgam placement in patients. Forty-four practitioners were asked to fill two class 2 cavities in the lower jaw on their patients in their own practice with the aid of a force-measuring plugger. This device, with semiconductor strain gauges, allowed the dentist to have an identical tactile feedback as with any other plugger.