Albert D. Guckes

Nutritional adequacy of reported intake of edentulous subjects treated with new conventional or implant-supported mandibular dentures

The nutrient content of the diet of edentulous patients who have various oral prostheses is of concern. This study compared baseline food records to those records kept semiannually for 3 years after treatment to ascertain whether nutrient intake of edentulous patients changed after they received new implant-supported mandibular dentures (n = 41) or new conventional dentures (n = 30). No significant differences in intake of calories or of 27 nutrients were noted between the two groups (p > 0.01). A decline in the percent of calories from fat with a corresponding increase in carbohydrate calories within both groups (p < 0.01) reflected a national trend; a slight decrease in calories was similarly observed (p < 0.02). More than 40% of patients in both groups were found to have inadequate intakes of dietary fiber, calcium, or both, and 25% to 50% had low intakes of vitamins A, E, D, B6 and/or magnesium. Intakes were similar to those reported for two age-matched populations.

A method for measuring secretions from the palatal minor salivary glands.

This study investigated the secretory pattern of unstimulated minor salivary glands in 10 contiguous specified areas of the hard palate in 12 healthy unmedicated adult men and women. Each participant was assessed twice at each of two visits in the same specific palatal areas from the distal portion of the second molar to 30 mm anterior. The 10 areas were isolated, dried, and sampled with a paper strip for 60 seconds. The strips were read with a Periotron device. The rates of flow were significantly influenced by position; higher values were noted posteriorly and medially during testing and retesting at both visits. The rates of flow from the palatal glands were greatest in the area between the maxillary second molars. This method proved to be simple, accurate, and reliable for measuring the secretions of the palatal glands. This method may prove useful for investigating how the relationship between the pattern and the secretory rate of minor salivary glands influences retention of the complete maxillary denture.

Implant rehabilitation in Erdheim-Chester disease: a clinical report.

Successful osseointegration of endosseous titanium implants is thought to be dependent upon close apposition of bone to the implant surface. The integration of implants in this patient was achieved despite the lipid-laden histiocytic infiltration of the bone marrow. Presumably, enough unaffected stromal cells were present to allow sufficient bone formation for osseointegration of the implant fixtures. This result invites speculation regarding both the mechanism of osseointegration and the minimum surface area of bone-implant interface necessary for achieving and maintaining osseointegration of titanium implants. This patient is periodically examined to determine if the loaded fixtures will remain clinically immobile for a prolonged period.

Addition of an implant pillar to an existing implant prosthesis

When an implant is lost, it is sometimes desirable to replace it to ensure adequate support of the prosthesis. Such an addition may necessitate a costly and time-consuming remake procedure. A technique is offered that, in some circumstances, may allow incorporation of the newly placed implant into the existing restoration.