Extensive oral mucosal ulcerations caused by misuse of a commercial mouthwash.

This case report describes severe mucosal injuries following misuse of an undiluted over-the-counter mouthwash with a high alcohol content (70%), oil of peppermint and arnica. The mouthwash was to be diluted 5:1 with water. The patient used undiluted solution to better treat her self-diagnosed "contagious gum infection.

Cytokine-mediated stimulation of laminin expression and cell-growth arrest in a human submandibular gland duct-cell line (HSG).

Increased expression of laminin and various cytokines, including interferon-y (IFN-gamma) and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) has been demonstrated in minor salivary glands from patients with Sjögren's syndrome. Previous reports state that exposure of a human salivary-gland cell line (HSG) to IFN-gamma results in cellular changes similar to those in vivo Sjögren's syndrome. To begin studies of the cause of increased laminin expression in salivary glands in Sjögren's syndrome and laminin's role in the pathological process, the effects of IFN-gamma on laminin expression and growth of HSG cells were examined here.

Microtensile testing of dentin adhesives.

Objectives: This study was conducted in order to compare the microtensile and shear bond strengths of five commercial dentin adhesive systems. Scotchbond Multipurpose with maleic acid (SM), Scotchbond Multipurpose with phosphoric acid (SP), Scotchbond Multipurpose Plus (SBP), Clearfil Liner Bond System (CL), and Prime and Bond (PB) were tested.

Methods: Thirty extracted unerupted third molars, in groups of six teeth per adhesive system, were prepared for microtensile testing.

Current practices in the oral management of the patient undergoing chemotherapy or bone marrow transplantation.

Abstract The oral complications associated with cancer chemotherapy and bone marrow transplantation may be prevented or ameliorated by aggressive dental and oral hygiene interventions. Pretherapy dental evaluation and medically necessary oral care can eliminate potential sites of infection and trauma. A multidisciplinary approach, systematic oral assessment and consistent oral hygiene measures are critical and may be the most important factors in the prevention of significant complications.

The role for dental professionals in preventing child abuse and neglect.

The topic of child maltreatment is difficult because all practitioners wish that child abuse and neglect did not happen. The intent of this article is to show all dental professionals that a through understanding of their involvement in this issue can lead to a feeling of acceptance--an acceptance that we can do something to stop this

Change in temperature of subjacent bone during soft tissue laser ablation.

In tissues that closely approximate bone, sufficient heat may be transferred to the bone during laser surgery to cause damage and/or necrosis. To date, there have been few studies examining the temperatures elicited at the bone surface as a result of laser application to the overlying soft tissues. The purpose of this investigation was to determine, under in vitro conditions, temperature changes at the bone/soft tissue interface during laser ablation with CO2 and Nd:YAG lasers used with and without (w/wo) air/water coolant.

The effects of different storage conditions on polyether and polyvinylsiloxane impressions.

While being shipped to a laboratory, impressions can be exposed to excessive temperatures. This study compared the effects of different time and temperature storage conditions, including temperature extremes of 66 C and -10 C, on the accuracy of addition silicone and polyether impressions. The greatest distortion generally occurred as a result of the 66 C temperature extreme.

Oral health-related quality of life: a model for dental hygiene.

During the past decade, dental hygiene has been challenged to develop conceptual models to define the discipline. Such models can provide a common language and infrastructure for the discipline to define the process of care. Health-Related Quality of Life conceptual models have been adopted by many health professions to assist in planning health-related interventions and assessing outcomes to care.

The impact of WIC dental screenings and referrals on utilization of dental services among low-income children.

Purpose: This cross-sectional study examined whether referrals from nondental health professionals impacted utilization of dental services by low-income populations.

Methods: A sample of 309 mothers enrolled in the Women, Infant, and Children (WIC) clinic in Jackson County, Missouri, completed a self-administered, 32-item questionnaire to assess the mother and child's oral health behavior and past use of dental services. Dental utilization, the primary dependent variable, was defined as whether or not the child had ever been to a dentist.

Autoimmune progesterone dermatitis and stomatitis.

Autoimmune progesterone dermatitis is a rare clinical condition associated with variable cutaneous and mucosal eruptions such as urticaria, erythema multiforme, and eczema. Exacerbation is influenced by hormonal changes of the menstrual cycle. The patient described in this report had recurrent cyclic lesions on the skin, oral mucosa, and lips that appeared just before regular menstruation and persisted until a few days after.

Challenges in geriatric oral health research methodology concerning caregivers of cognitively impaired elderly adults.

Little is known about oral health care behaviors of community-dwelling, cognitively impaired elderly (CIE) persons. Few studies have been conducted regarding the actual provision of oral care for CIE persons or the attitudes and concerns about oral health among their caregivers. The CIE person's ability to perform self-care decreases over time, and the role of the caregiver in daily oral care becomes increasingly important.

Career changers: dentists who choose to leave private practice.

Some dentists have voluntarily chosen to leave the dental profession despite the considerable time, effort, and financial expenditures involved in their educations. The purpose of this study was to survey the entire population of dentists who had identified themselves as being principally employed in a career outside of clinical practice in the American Dental Association's 1991 Census. A four-page survey was mailed to 654 former dentists, with a total of 237 usable responses (36%).

Dental professional's role in diagnosing Sjögren's syndrome.

In this investigation, a written questionnaire was used to assess patient's perceptions of health care professionals' knowledge about Sjögren's syndrome. Results show that dental and other health care professionals need to be better informed about the nature of Sjögren's and its symptoms so they can diagnose patients. Early diagnosis may help mollify symptoms and reduce anxiety or other perceived harmful consequences.

Dental health services research utilizing comprehensive clinical databases and information technology.

Marketplace pressures for accountability in dentistry have made clear dental delivery systems' weaknesses in information generation, management, and analysis methods. Without this type of information, dentistry is unable to quantify and document the outcomes of the dental care services it provides. The Pew Health Professions Commission and the Institute of Medicine both suggest that dental schools should be among the leaders in the development and teaching of dental information capabilities, as well as the source of fundamental dental health services research.

Histologic evaluation of porcine skin incisions produced by CO2 laser, electrosurgery, and scalpel.

The purpose of this study was to histologically compare the healing of porcine skin incisions made by CO2 laser, electrosurgery, and conventional scalpel. Incisions were made on the dorsal thorax of two microswine at staggered time intervals allowing the harvest of specimens at 0, 4, 7, 14, and 21 days postsurgery at the time of sacrifice. Each of the following histologic zones were identified and measured for both laser and electrosurgery incisions: (1) zone of tissue ablation.

The effects of CO2 laser and Nd:YAG with and without water/air surface cooling on tooth root structure: correlation between FTIR spectroscopy and histology.

Morphologic and chemical characterization of root surfaces treated with either the CO2 laser, Nd:YAG, or Nd:YAG with water/air surface cooling (Nd:YAG-C) was completed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and FTIR photoacoustic spectroscopy (FTIR/PAS). Specimens for morphologic analysis consisted of 20 extracted single rooted teeth unaffected by periodontal disease. The specimens were exposed at varying energy densities to a single pass of the laser.

Fractured-tooth fragment reattachment.

Traumatic injuries with loss of tooth fragments in the incisor region are common, especially among children and adolescents. Reattachment of tooth fragments is an important technique for restoring fractured teeth and provides advantages over resin-composite restoration, including better esthetic appearance, maintenance of tooth form and color, minimal tooth loss, increased wear resistance, and, thus, improved function.

In vitro comparative fluoride release, and weight and volume change in light-curing and self-curing glass ionomer materials.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare in vitro fluoride release from and weight and volume changes of Photac-Fil, a light-curing polymaleinate restorative glass ionomer, with Ketac-Fil, a self-curing glass ionomer, and Ketac-Silver, a metal reinforced glass ionomer. Five discs of each material, measuring 2 mm height and 5 mm diameter, were suspended in separate vials of distilled water and laboratory artificial saliva. Fluoride release into the solutions was measured using a calibrated fluoride-sensitive ion meter initially at 24 hr and then weekly from 1 to 9 weeks.

Pilot study comparing parents' and third-grade schoolchildren's attitudes toward braces and perceived need for braces.

An instrument developed for third-grade schoolchildren and their parents was pilot-tested for its ability to measure orthodontic attitudes and perception of the child's need for braces. Seventy-eight children and 54 parents were surveyed. Forty-six percent of the children wanted braces while 61% believed that they needed braces.