Variations of structure and appearance of the oral mucosa.

Among the most important factors in a thorough clinical examination is the dentist's ability to recognize and make distinctions among normal oral structures, variations of normal structures, and pathologic entities. The practitioner's diagnostic acumen is essential to this process and is a skill gained and refined by clinical experience and continuing education. In this introductory article, the authors describe normal entities, anomalies, and benign soft tissue lesions of interest to the clinician.

Preformed acrylic cranial implants using fused deposition modeling: a clinical report.

Fabrication of acrylic cranial implants by conventional methods of moulage and mold formation may be difficult when the margin of the defect cannot be accurately detected. Three-dimensional anatomic models built by fused deposition modeling can serve as templates for the fabrication of custom acrylic implants for large or complicated cranial defects. Virtual mirror imaging of the contralateral nondefect side can facilitate the restoration of symmetry in appearance-sensitive areas.

Myospherulosis complicating cortical block grafting: a case report.

Background: Myospherulosis of the oral cavity is an inflammatory, granulomatous lesion historically associated with the use of petrolatum-based antibiotic ointment placed in third molar extraction sites to prevent postoperative infection.

Methods: A case of bilateral myospherulosis is presented, in which large lesions complicated the procurement of a cortical block graft used to prepare a mandibular molar edentulous space for implant placement. By obtaining the block graft from a more lateral location on the mandible, an adequate graft was procured and was successfully grafted into an atrophic edentulous ridge.

Assisted retention of a hearing device in an implant-retained auricular prosthesis.

The use of bone-anchored hearing aids is not possible for all patients who wear an implant-retained auricular prosthesis. For some patients, the external ear canal cannot be occluded with a conventional hearing device. Currently manufactured hearing aids may not readily fit the contours of an implant-retained auricular prosthesis.

Cross-Reactivity studies of gutta-percha, gutta-balata, and natural rubber latex (Hevea brasiliensis).

Gutta-percha and gutta-balata are derived from the Paliquium gutta and Mimusops globsa trees, respectively, that are in the same botanical family as the rubber tree Hevea brasiliensis. For this reason the potential for immunological cross-reactivity between the gutta-percha and gutta-balata used in endodontics and natural rubber latex (NRL) has been the subject of some controversy, because these products may be used in latex-allergic individuals. The objective of this study was to investigate the potential cross-reactivity between gutta-percha, gutta-balata, and NRL.

Practical application of polyurethane and Velcro in maxillofacial prosthetics.

A procedure is described for the fabrication of an extraoral prosthesis with an acrylic resin substructure that retains a magnet sealed from the environment by a polyurethane liner. Velcro is used to enhance the bond of the acrylic substructure to the silicone prosthesis. This procedure results in improved retention of the acrylic resin substructure and protection of the magnet with an encapsulating polyurethane liner.

Endodontic considerations of the nasopalatine duct region.

Although rare, anomalies of the nasopalatine region have been reported in the literature mimicking pathoses of endodontic origin. The purpose of this article is to present a case of a patent nasopalatine duct that was originally diagnosed as a sinus tract and referred for endodontic therapy. A review of the anatomy of the nasopalatine region is also discussed.

Comparison of nickel-titanium and stainless-steel spreader penetration and accessory cone fit in curved canals.

The purpose of this study was to compare nickel-titanium and stainless-steel spreader penetration in curved canals. Twenty prepared plastic blocks with a 30 degrees curvature were used for each part of the study. In part 1, the force required to insert each spreader to within 1 mm of working length in an empty canal was measured.

Comparison of the cleaning efficacy of passive sonic activation and passive ultrasonic activation after hand instrumentation in molar root canals.

The purpose of this study was to compare the cleaning efficacy of passive ultrasonic activation with that of passive sonic activation after hand instrumentation. Sixty curved molar canals were hand-instrumented to size 35 and divided into three groups. Group 1 received no further treatment.

P53 and cyclin D1 staining patterns of malignant and premalignant oral lesions in age-dependent populations.

Objective: Recent epidemiologic studies have identified a trend of increasing cancer incidence in younger patients. The purpose of this study was to determine whether this might be reflected by different molecular mechanisms for tumor development.

Study Design: Dysplastic and malignant oral lesions from age-distinct patient populations were immunohistochemically analyzed for expression of p53 and cyclin D1.

Centric relation registration using an anterior deprogrammer in dentate patients.

A technique is described for registering centric relation in dentate patients using an anterior deprogrammer to prevent muscle splinting. Properly executed, the patient is able to close into centric relation unassisted, eliminating the possibility of operator-induced error associated with commonly accepted manipulative techniques. Verification is possible visually when articulating casts by confirming the precise alignment of the mandibular incisors with occlusal markings on the deprogrammer attached to the maxillary cast.

Wound healing and repair: a review of the art and science.

This chronological review of the major biological events that occur secondary to injury of mucoperiosteal tissue from either simple surgical wounding or trauma discusses the materials used to repair the compromised tissue surgically. Suturing techniques and post-surgical wound maintenance also are reviewed. The physiological stages of wound healing, factors affecting wound healing, and wound repair techniques are discussed.

Cytokine production by cryopreserved human peripheral blood mononuclear cells in response to periodontal pathogens.

Freezing techniques provide a way of repeating and extending immunological assays by using frozen portions of an individual's peripheral blood mononuclear cell fraction. Earlier work shows that the lymphocytes that are stored frozen retain their ability to respond to polyclonal B-cell activators, mitogens, superantigens and bacterial extracts of oral interest. These studies extend previous findings by determining cytokine production by lymphocytes following frozen storage for up to 24 weeks.

Spontaneous bony exposure: a report of 4 cases of idiopathic exposure and sequestration of alveolar bone.

This paper describes 4 cases of spontaneous exposure and sequestration of alveolar bone. While one case was associated with an allergic mucositis, the other three were idiopathic involving large lingual exostoses.

Compatibility of ceramic-ceramic systems for fixed prosthodontics.

This study evaluated dilatometric data for predicting ceramic-ceramic compatibility for porcelains fired on central incisor copings (n = 72) of high expansion colored IPS-Empress porcelain. Nine body porcelains (leucite 0 wt% to 51 wt%) were each fired onto eight copings. Cracks were detected at 10 x magnification using transilluminating light.

Comparison of bioabsorbable laminar bone membrane and non-resorbable ePTFE membrane in mandibular furcations.

The purpose of the study was to compare clinical parameter changes and osseous regeneration in 12 pairs of comparable Class II mandibular molar furcation invasion defects using either a bioabsorbable demineralized laminar bone allograft membrane or a non-resorbable expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) membrane as a barrier in guided tissue regeneration. Measurements with calibrated periodontal probes were made to determine soft tissue recession, probing depth, and attachment levels. Defects within each pair were randomly selected for treatment with either bioabsorbable demineralized bone allograft membrane or ePTFE membrane.

Surface treatment effects on amalgam repair strength.

Purpose: To determine whether the use of microetching and bonding agents could improve the shear bond strength between aged and freshly added dental amalgam, simulating an amalgam repair.

Materials And Methods: Aged amalgam surfaces were treated with either a carbide bur or carbide bur + microetcher (Al2O3 abrasive). Five commercially-available adhesive systems were tested.

Immunomodulatory and superantigen activities of bacteria associated with adult periodontitis.

Immune dysfunctions are frequently associated with chronic inflammatory diseases. Several investigators have reported that patients with severe periodontitis show reduced or negligible levels of proliferative responses of peripheral blood and gingival lymphocytes to periodontopathic organisms. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influences of products from Porphyromonas gingivalis (P.

Oral electricity.

"Oral electricity," "electrogalvanism," or "galvanic currents" has long been recognized as a potential source of oral pain and discomfort. This phenomenon of oral galvanism results from the difference in electrical potential between dissimilar restorative metals located in the mouth. In this case report, the literature is reviewed, and an interesting case study'is presented.

Pharmacology of the endocrine pancreas, adrenal cortex, and female reproductive organ.

It is estimated that there are up to 14 to 15 million diabetics in the United States and that many are unaware of their condition. Millions of women will become pregnant each year, although many will take oral contraceptives to prevent pregnancy. Thousands of patients are prescribed chronic doses of glucocorticoid medications every year.

Hyperlipoproteinemic states and ischemic heart disease.

Ischemic heart disease and contributing risk factors such as the hyperlipoproteinemic states affect a great percentage of the general population. Because these disease processes can effectively place patients at risk for a life-threatening event, every health care provider must be knowledgeable, disciplined to take a thorough medical history, and prepared for emergency situations that may arise in the clinical practice of dentistry. A proactive approach to identification of risk factors and to primary prevention of ischemic heart disease not only helps to lengthen and improve the quality of patient's lives, but also ensures that necessary modifications of treatment reflect each patient's medical and pharmacologic status.