[The role of Matrix Metaloproteinases in the progression of periodontitis, and the use of specific inhibitors to these enzymes in the treatment of the periodontal disease].

Matrix Metaloproteinases (MMPs) play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of the periodontal disease. This group of enzymes can degrade most of the proteins that compose the extracellular matrix. Recently a new concept of treatment, the "host modulating therapy" (HMT) was developed.

[Is there a need for an additional dental school in Israel? 2002 status and future forecasting].

Dental manpower planning is constantly in discussion throughout the world. Current data indicates a transition from oversupply reports 10 to 20 years ago to a present undersupply of dentists with a forecast for further shortage in the near future. The dental profession in Israel has gone through deep and extreme changes since the late 80'.

Effect of design of pre-fabricated posts and post heads on the retention of various cements and core materials.

The retention of new Para Post (PP) rounded undercut post head (PP-XT) was compared with the conventional flattened head (PP-P), using amalgam Dentacore and Synergy composite as core materials. The retention of the posts PP (passive serrated), PP-P (passive serrated with venting channels), PP-XP (passive, raised diamond-style pattern) and PP-XT (threaded on the coronal portion, and passive, raised diamond-shaped pattern on the apical portion), cemented with zinc phosphate cement (ZPC) or Duo Cement to extracted teeth, was evaluated. Tensile strength plots were recorded using an Instron instrument, while pulling the post and core in opposite directions.

'Friction and adhesive forces'--possible underlying causes for temporomandibular joint internal derangement.

Since normal temporomandibular joint (TMJ) movements depend primarily on the disc freely sliding down the slope of the eminence, understanding how aberrations in the lubrication system contribute to TMJ dysfunction is clearly critically important. It provides a possible explanation for the genesis of disc displacement and helps make us familiar with the clinical appearance and ways of treating limited mouth opening caused by the anchored disc phenomenon (ADP) versus disc displacement without reduction, TMJ open lock versus dislocation and osteoarthritis. This understanding clarifies the efficiency of procedures such as joint hydraulic pump, arthrocentesis and arthroscopic lavage and lysis particularly in ADP, open lock and osteoarthritis.

Enzymatic degradation of collagen-guided tissue regeneration membranes by periodontal bacteria.

Bacterial infection in the vicinity of guided tissue regeneration barrier membranes was shown to have a negative effect on the clinical outcomes of this increasingly used technique. Several oral and specifically periodontal bacteria were shown to adhere to such membranes in vivo and in vitro with a higher affinity to membranes constructed from collagen. The present study examined the role of periodontal bacteria and their enzymes in the degradation of commercially used collagen membranes.

Tensile bond strength of ceramic brackets bonded to porcelain facets.

The number of adults requesting orthodontic treatment is constantly growing, with a resultant increase in the need to bond brackets to porcelain restorations. Because adults often favor more esthetic ceramic brackets, it is important to evaluate the bond strength of ceramic to porcelain restorations and the integrity of the porcelain surface after debonding. Eighty porcelain facets, resembling mandibular incisors, were used.

Assessing the pain reaction of children receiving periodontal ligament anesthesia using a computerized device (Wand).

The purpose of the study was to compare the reaction of children, who received a local anesthesia to the upper incisors with a conventional buccal infiltration and a periodontal ligament injection (PDLi) with a computerized device (Wand); to assess the efficacy of the anesthesia and the reactions by children after treatment. Ninety-eight children aged 2 to 4 years participated in the study. All the children were sedated with hydroxyzine and nitrous oxide.

Oral health disparities between ranks in a military environment: Israel Defense Force as a model.

Unlabelled: Some studies have demonstrated a relationship between occupational status and position in the workplace to use of dental services and oral health status. Ranks symbolize social status in the military hierarchy, which is different from that accepted in civilian workplace.

Objective: This study was aimed at analyzing differences between officers and noncommissioned personnel in regard to dental treatment needs and use of dental services.

Periodontal health among recent immigrants from Quara, rural Ethiopia and indications for periodontal health care.

Objectives: To investigate periodontal status and oral hygiene practices among recent new immigrants from Quara, Ethiopia, with the aim to maintain and promote their periodontal health.

Methods: Periodontal status was recorded for a total of 487 participants using the Community Periodontal Index (CPI). Age was grouped into 13-17, 18-24, 25-34, 35-44, and 45-65 years, and its association with 'worst CPI' was tested.

Preschool caries as an indicator of future caries: a longitudinal study.

Purpose: This study was performed to compare the increment of carious surfaces per year in preschool-age children with early childhood caries (ECC), children with posterior caries only, and caries-free children after 7 to 10 years.

Methods: One hundred and fifty files of children were included in the study. The first examination referred to the ages of 3 to 5 years (T1), and follow-up visits took place after at least 7 years (T2).

[Quality assurance in dentistry--past, present and future].

Quality assurance involves the cycle of quality assessment, formal identification of problems, developing a strategy for resolving problems and implementation of changes. Historically, the term "first do not harm" can be considered as the first step in quality assurance. Patients' high expectations from the outcomes of dental treatment, new technology and cost containment changed the perspectives completely.

[Carisolv, a change in the perception of caries treatment--a chemo-mechanical removal of caries].

This paper reviews the chemo-mechanical method (Carisolv) for caries removal. The mechanism of action and some treatment choices are described. Modern dentistry aims to preserve tooth structure by minimal invasive procedures.

Effect of sustained-release chlorhexidine varnish on Streptococcus mutans and Actinomyces viscosus in orthodontic patients.

This study evaluated the effect of sustained-release chlorhexidine varnish on orthodontic patients. Ten children, ages 10 to 16 years, participated. Bacterial levels of Streptococcus mutans and Actinomyces viscosus and total counts were evaluated in sputum samples.

Restoring coronal contours of retained infraoccluded primary second molars using bonded resin-based composite.

The purpose of this case report is to describe a step-by-step method of restoring function (and esthetics) to infraoccluded second primary molars using a crown-form crown, in a case of bilateral congenital missing premolars. This technique restores form and function, with a minimal reduction to the tooth. It also conserves tooth material and permits good bonding of the resin-based composite to the enamel.

Budesonide: a novel treatment for oral chronic graft versus host disease.

Objective: This clinical trial aims to evaluate the efficacy of budesonide, a newly registered steroid with high potency and low bioavailability, for the treatment of chronic oral graft versus host disease (GVHD).

Study Design: Twelve patients with chronic resistant oral GVHD were treated with 3 mg budesonide/5 ml saline 2 to 3 times a day for up to 3 months. Oral manifestations were monitored, and mucosal response scored.

Principles for planning the teaching of dental public health in an MPH course.

Dental public health should be presented to MPH students as an integral component in the general promotion of health. Students should be presented with the "dental" component in public health and the "public health" component in dentistry. Dental examples should be utilized to illustrate most of the other disciplines taught in the MPH course.

Shear strength of sealants placed with non-rinse conditioning compared to a conventional acid etch-rinse technique.

The present study compared the shearing strength of a non-rinse conditioning (NRC) compomer sealant to that of a conventional sealant. Thirty molars and premolars were sectioned longitudinally. The resulting halves were divided into 4 groups.

The effect of chronic emotional stress on the humoral immune response to Porphyromonas gingivalis in mice.

Previous studies have shown that psychological stress plays a significant role in the outcome of infectious diseases, but data related to the effect of stress on periodontal infection is limited. The present study was designed to test the impact of emotional stress on the humoral immune response to the periodontal pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis in a mouse model of local inflammation. Chambers constructed from titanium wire were implanted in the subcutaneous dorsolumbar region of mice.

Prevalence of gingival stippling in children.

Gingival stippling is a characteristic of the healthy attached gingiva and its diminution or loss has been considered as a sign of gingival disease. The clinician however, must take in consideration that its pattern and extent varies in different mouth areas, among persons and with age. Reports on the prevalence of stippling in children are few and inconsistent.

The influence of alendronate on bone formation and resorption in a rat ectopic bone development model.

Background: Most bone grafting techniques that include bone marrow, alloplastic materials, and extracellular bone matrix produce new bone mass, filling bone defects unpredictably. In most cases, the new bone undergoes resorption due to low local strains, resulting in significant bone loss. Recently, it was shown that alendronate and other bisphosphonates reduce bone loss when administered systemically or locally.

Chemical decoupling of ATPase activation and force production from the contractile cycle in myosin by steric hindrance of lever-arm movement.

The myosin motor protein generates force in muscle by hydrolyzing Adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) while interacting transiently with actin. Structural evidence suggests the myosin globular head (subfragment 1 or S1) is articulated with semi-rigid catalytic and lever-arm domains joined by a flexible converter domain. According to the prevailing hypothesis for energy transduction, ATP binding and hydrolysis in the catalytic domain drives the relative movement of the lever arm.

Knowledge of physicians in hospital emergency rooms in Israel on their role in cases of avulsion of permanent incisors.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge of physicians in hospital emergency room care on their possible role in cases of traumatic loss of permanent incisors.

Methods: A questionnaire was sent to directors of emergency room facilities in hospitals in Israel regarding the medical team at the emergency room in the hospital, availability of an in-house dental service and existence of a protocol for management of avulsed teeth. Another questionnaire, completed by physicians in the emergency room, contained demographic questions and questions regarding their knowledge of management of avulsed permanent teeth.

Parotid salivary immunoglobulins, recurrent respiratory tract infections and gingival health in institutionalized and non-institutionalized subjects with Down's syndrome.

Background: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the possible correlation between recurrent respiratory infections (RRIs), gingival health and the secretion rates of salivary immunoglobulins (Igs) in institutionalized (I) and non-institutionalized (NI) individuals with Down's syndrome (DS).

Methods: Stimulated parotid saliva was collected from nine I and 14 NI subjects with DS. Salivary flow rate, secretion rates of total salivary IgM, IgG and IgA, and the incidence of RRIs were determined.

A clinical and radiographic evaluation of fixed partial dentures (FPDs) prepared by dental school students: a retrospective study.

In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in fixed partial dentures (FPD) quality, expected lifetime and possible reasons for failure. This study probed the FPD success rate and the relationship among various factors and their effect on FPD failure. Patients treated by dental students under supervision and installed FPDs were examined clinically and radiographically.

Periodontal diseases, caries, and microbial composition of the subgingival plaque in children: a longitudinal study.

The present study compares periodontal parameters, caries, and levels of colony forming units (CFU) of bacteria from subgingival plaque of permanent teeth, to those of primary teeth examined 4 years previously. Six children who had periodontitis and 5 who had no periodontitis in primary teeth (groups A and B respectively) were examined. The microbial examination included the number of CFU of the total anaerobic count, Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Streptococcus mutans and Porphyromonas gingivalis.