The functional range of tooth contact in lateral gliding movements

The dynamic contact pattern of teeth in lateral glide movement was recorded in 72 individuals, 19 to 35 years of age, with normal tooth alignment and Angle class I molar and canine relationship. The lateral glide movement was divided into three stages to simulate the total range of events in lateral glide movement naturally demonstrated by the patient. This study has shown that lateral glide movement is a complex movement in which the nature of tooth contact is altering in location, direction, and number of teeth participating. Consequently the restoration of an occlusion in accordance with a given concept does not always apply to all patients.

Hypothesis: the gingival tissue as a reservoir for herpes simplex virus

The reservoir site of Herpes simplex virus (HSV), from the primary infection until reactivation and in between recurrences was found to be in the dorsal roots of the trigeminal ganglion or in the sensory root ganglion. However, the triggering of viral genome in the ganglion does not exclusively explain the recurrences and appearance of skin lesions. Other sites cannot, therefore, be excluded, and virus may well be occult also in extraneural tissues. Herpes virus antigens were found by us in the sulcular epithelium of approximately 60% of patients with clinically healthy gingivae; we therefore hypothesised that the epithelial cells might act as the preferential site for latent HSV. In order to prove this assumption, viral genome should be traced in cells of oral tissues, and efforts should be made to rescue virus.

Suicide attempts associated with akathisia

The authors report two cases of impulsive suicide attempts associated with akathisia. In both cases, suicidal ideation appeared suddenly, concurrent with neuroleptic-induced akathisia, and disappeared when the akathisia was treated.

Mediastinal lymphadenopathy and pulmonary arterial hypertension in mixed connective tissue disease

A case of mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) is presented in which mediastinal lymphadenopathy was the most prominent radiological finding detected by plain chest radiographs and computed tomography. Pulmonary arterial hypertension, which is a rare and often fatal complication of MCTD, also developed in this patient.

Restoration of periodontal attachment employing enriched collagen solution in the dog

Three wall intrabony defects were produced in 11 dogs using a round bur followed by curettes and hoes. A copper band was fixed to the tooth with stainless steel ligature wire. Six weeks later, the copper band was removed and the defect was treated with an enriched collagen solution (ECS) prepared from acid-extracted dog skin collagen. Thirty-three defects were treated with ECS and 33 defects were controls. Healing was assessed histologically 4 and 6 weeks after treatment for the presence of new cementum, periodontal ligament and alveolar bone, as well as arrested epithelial downgrowth along the dental root. Unlike the controls, treatment with ECS resulted in restoration of periodontal attachment after 4 weeks. This included formation of new cementum, new alveolar bone and dense connective tissue fiber running between bone and cementum. Control sections showed epithelial migration along the root, separating it from the adjacent connective tissue and thus preventing new attachment.

Specific herpes simplex virus antigen in human gingiva

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) specific antigens were found to be present in the sulcular epithelial cells of patients that were undergoing periodontal treatment. Four out of 14 cases were positive to specific HSV-1 antigen, as demonstrated by the indirect immunofluorescent assay. No nuclear staining was seen in any epithelial cells. These observations seem to indicate that the viral genome resides in the sulcular epithelial cells of the gingiva and is possibly localized in the stratum granulosum and spinosum.

Sensitivity of oral tissues to herpes simplex virus--in vitro

Epithelial and fibroblast cells from the human gingival sulcus area were cultivated in vitro, and their sensitivity to the herpes simplex virus (HSV) was studied. Fibroblasts were sensitive to HSV infection and supported virus multiplication as evidenced by nuclear inclusion bodies and a cytopathogenic effect. Epithelial cells which were primarily devoid of HSV antigens were infected with HSV as demonstrated by positive immunofluorescent staining and damage to the cells at a later stage. Epithelial cells that were found to harbor HSV antigens upon removal from the patients prior to infection in vitro, maintained these antigens throughout the period of in vitro cultivation. The sensitivity of both epithelial cells and fibroblasts from the gingival sulcus area to HSV infection in vitro is significant for the understanding of the role of these tissues as a primary site of infection and as a possible reservoir for the latent virus between recurrences.

Calcification patterns of rat condylar cartilage after induced unilateral malocclusion

Occlusal interferences on right upper molars in rats produced ultrastructural changes in the calcification of ipsilateral condylar cartilage. This was characterized by premature appearance of apatite crystals within extracellular matrix vesicles present in the proliferative cell zone. The normal proliferative cell zone in the rat condyle manifested noncalcifying vesicles. The zone of calcification in rats with an occlusal splint revealed longitudinal calcifying fronts in the vicinity of the chondrocytes. These fronts were composed of haphazardly distributed apatite crystals. These ultrastructural alterations support the generally accepted view that mechanical stimuli induce changes in the process of primary mineralization.

[Serum ferritin in children with disorders of iron balance]

Serum ferritin (SF) was determined by an immunoradiometric assay in a heterologous antibody system in 184 children of different ages with and without hematologic or biochemical signs of disturbed iron metabolism. SF levels as determined by this assay were higher than with a homologous antibody system, allowing a reliable discrimination of iron deficiency and overload. In normal children SF increased with age. In latent iron deficiency all SF values were below the normal range, if patients with signs of infections, elevated serum transaminases or parenteral iron therapy were excluded. In anemia of chronic renal failure there was a wider range of values than in controls, especially in children on intermittent hemodialysis. Highest SF values were obtained in polytransfused children with thalassemia. Significant correlations were observed between SF on one hand and Hb, MCV, MCH and serum transferrin saturation on the other hand, except in children with chronic renal failure on conservative treatment. Under hemodialysis there was a significant relation to the number of blood transfusions given.

One-year follow up for the use of collagen for biological anchoring of acrylic dental roots in the dog

Second premolars in both upper and lower jaws of 6 dogs were extracted and acrylic resin replicas were made of the roots. Horizontal channels were drilled across the root replica perpendicular to the long axis. Before implantation, the prepared root replicas were immersed in a solution of native collagen. One year after implantation, proliferation of connective tissue and newly-formed viable bone were observed within the channel as well as surrounding the treated implants. All control implants without collagen treatment were rejected leaving chronically inflamed implantation sites.

Antibodies to herpes simplex virus in human gingival fluid

Antibodies to herpes simplex virus were found by immunofluorescent techniques in the gingival fluid of 84.0% of the persons tested. A mixture of IgG and IgA antibodies was demonstrated in 52.3% of the specimens while in 47.7% only IgG antibodies were found. Neutralization of herpes simplex virus infection in Vero cells by the gingival fluid was also demonstrated. No correlation between recurrences of herpes infection and the type of antibodies produced could be established.

Intercuspal contacts of the natural dentition in centric occlusion

The location of occlusal contacts in the intercuspal position was recorded in 29 young adults, 18 to 20 years of age. All participants had Class I essentially normal occlusion. Dental impressions and wax registration were made in all participants. Occlusal registrations were made of the posterior teeth only on a U-shaped prosthetic frame. Three types of indentation were recorded. Perforation of the wax represented supracontact; a translucent area represented contact; and slight thinning of the wax represented near contact. All three types of indentation were considered as contacts. The most striking finding was the high frequency of contacts on the mandibular first molar, which occurred in more than 20.9% of all contacts recorded. Most of the contacts were on cusps; only a few were in central fossae and marginal ridge areas. A surprising finding was the predominance of supracontacts on the second molars when compared to the remains of the dentition. No logical explanation for this finding can be offered. Morphologically good occlusion did not imply maximum contacts since an ideal occlusal contact was not found in any of the participants. Only serial studies will show whether occlusal relationships are stable throughout life or constantly changing.

Alterations on crown contour--effect on gingival health in man

The effect of different supragingival crown contour on the surrounding marginal gingiva was studied on four patients. All the subjects had caries, esthetic problems, and minimal periodontal problems. Each patient received two splints; one side was overcontoured, and the other side undercontoured. The splints were observed at regular intervals within a 4-month period. The result of this study suggested that factors other than variation in supragingival crown contour in the range of +/- 1 mm determined gingival response within the first 4 months in patients with a predominately healthy periodontal structure.