Dale E. Smith

Oral findings in osteoporosis. Part II: Relationship between residual ridge and alveolar bone resorption and generalized skeletal osteopenia

0 steoporosis is a major health problem for the elderly.’ The underlying clinical problem is a deficiency of bone mass, or skeletal osteopenia, resulting in fractures of the spine, the distal of the radius and ulna bones, and the neck of the femoral bone. It is estimated that 25% to 30% of all Caucasian women in the United States will experience a fracture related to osteoporosis by age 65.’ A possibly related and significant mandibular osteopenia (residual ridge resorption) appears to occur in edentulous patients, resulting in extensive residual ridge reduction. Extensive loss of bone may occur; and in patients who have no residual ridge, treatment with dentures is difficult and comfort and function are compromised.2-4 It has been suggested that there may be a relationship between residual ridge reduction and osteopenia of the remaining skeleton.‘, 5 It has also been suggested that periodontal disease, tooth mobility, and tooth loss are affected by and related to osteopenia.6-” The purpose of this study was to document the dentai findings in a group of female osteoporotic subjects and to determine the relationship between systemic and oral findings. Dental status was evaluated in terms of loss of mandibular ridge height, mandibular bone density, periodontal bone loss, and loss of teeth. The degree of generalized osteopenia was measured by determining total body calcium (total bone mass) by

The Cornell Medical Index as a prognostic aid for complete denture patients

Abstract A population of 402 complete-denture patients has been evaluated. Postinsertion adjustments and the patient satisfaction score were measured against the patients Cornell Medical Index score. No correlation was established between postinsertion adjustments and CMI scores. A definite correlation was established, however, between increase in total CMI score above 25 and decrease in patient satisfaction. Further, a correlation was also established between a score of three to six on page 4 of the CMI and decreased patient satisfaction. There is evidence to support the value of education of complete-denture patients concerning the relationship of emotional problems and denture problems.

Flexure fatigue of 10 commonly used denture base resins

The flexure fatigue properties of 10 denture base resins (four different types) were tested. Each specimen underwent two-way testing in a water bath maintained at 37 degrees +/- 1 degree C. A load of 3,650 gm was applied a 342 flexures per minute until the specimen broke. The resin types listed in order of increasing resistance to flexure fatigue are polymethylmethacrylate (PMM) pour resins, PMM thermosetting resins, vinyl resins, and a PMM grafted resin. Although small samples size and scatter of results limit broad application of this data, it is of some significance that the grafted resin Lucitone 199 tended to withstand repeated flexure when compared to the other resins.

Reliability and validity of Mississippi Scale for Combat-Related Posttraumatic Stress Disorder.

This study examined the reliability and validity of the Mississippi Scale for Combat-Related Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (M-PTSD) in a sample of Vietnam combat veterans with PTSD (n = 101) and substance-abusing patients without combat-related PTSD (n = 102)

A six-year retrospective study of Molloplast-B-lined dentures. Part II: Liner serviceability☆☆☆

A 6-year retrospective investigation was conducted into the serviceability of Molloplast-B-lined dentures with the following results: The Molloplast-B-lined denture is not a temporary expedient but can remain serviceable for a time competitive with that of conventional acrylic resin dentures. All the soft liners were still serviceable after 4 years and 83% after 6 years. The longevity of the soft liner is dependent on correct processing procedures and proper home care. The three liners judged as unserviceable exhibited excessive wrinkling, and all had been soaked in a bleach-type cleanser. The resilience of the liner is dependent on its thickness. The optimum thickness is approximately 3 mm. The resilience of the liner did not decrease with time. No noticeable wear of the soft liner was observed. Staining was present in about half the soft liners. Smoking was commonly associated with staining and odor of the soft liner.

Sanitization of dentures by several denture hygiene methods

Denture sanitization is an important element in the treatment of denture stomatitis and should be emphasized in instructions to patients. A two-part study was designed to compare the efficacy of eight denture-cleaning methods in removing and/or killing aerobes, anaerobes, and yeasts on dentures. Part I tested the effectiveness of the cleaners on a pure yeast culture of C. albicans. Part II tested the various denture sanitization techniques under actual clinical conditions. The following conclusions were made from the information obtained in this study: Millers and Kleenite were the most effective sanitizing agents. Brushing the denture with soap and water and soaking the denture in the cleaner Mersene were effective to a lesser degree. Although Clorox and Calgon was effective at killing yeast under in vitro conditions, it was not effective under clinical conditions. The other denture cleaners were not found to be effective under the clinical conditions of this study for the removal and/or killing of any of the three microorganism groups cultured. In the past, the function of denture cleaners has been to remove deposits and stains from dentures. With the present knowledge of the role of microorganisms in the etiology of denture stomatitis, more emphasis should be placed on the ability of denture cleaners to sanitize dentures.

A 2-year longitudinal study of overdenture patients. Part I: incidence and control of caries on overdenture abutments.

1. The development of caries on overdenture abutments is a significant problem. In the patients examined, a high incidence of caries was noted at each recall. While few teeth were lost due to caries (none by first recall, none by second recall, and four by third recall), many teeth can eventually deteriorate and be lost (Fig. 7). 2. Caries can develop in a short period of time as shown by the results of the initial examination (caries present 2 to 8 months after insertion of the overdenture). 3. Some patients seem to be caries susceptible, as shown by the recurrence of caries, notwithstanding caries removal from the overdenture teeth at each recall. For example, a large percentage of patients with caries at the 1-year recall also had caries at the 2-year recall. 4. Patients who were placed on fluoride solution and/or had teeth treated with silver nitrate had a significant decrease in caries when compared to those who received no treatment or were placed on a placebo. 5. Fluoride caused some irritation or burning sensation in tissues of several patients. This was relieved in several patients by a decrease in the frequency of application from daily to 2 to 3 times a week.

The comparison of denture-base processing techniques. Part II. Dimensional changes due to processing

Abstract Some of the physical properties of three processing techniques of acrylic resin were tested. Tests included three-dimensional changes of the denture teeth and three-dimensional changes of the internal surface of the denture.

The effect of denture cleansers on temporary soft liners

Circular samples of commonly used liners were prepared and immersed in solutions of nine cleansers. Solutions were changed daily for a period of 1 month. Six properties were tested: color change, porosity, surface distortion, size change, water sorption, and solubility. Statistical analysis was applied to measurements to evaluate performance of both cleansers and liners. The results demonstrate that selection of a liner cannot be based on a single property. Changes in resiliency of the liners were not tested in this experiment, but it is recognized that this could be an important factor in liner selection. The liners found to be least affected by the cleansers were Lynal, Tissuedyne, F.I.T.T., and Hydro-Cast, in that order. Viscogel, Softone, and Veltec were most affected. Clorox/Calgon and Miller demonstrated the same overall average performance, tying for first place for four of the liners. Clorox/Calgon was compatible with most liners (six of eight). Mersene and Duo tied for third and fourth places. The thickness of liner materials made little difference on the effects of the cleansers on the properties evaluated.

The measurement of forces transmitted to abutment teeth of removable partial dentures.

Despite the limited number of patients in the study, the following conclusions may be made regarding the magnitude and direction of forces transmitted to abutment teeth of extension-base removable partial dentures. 1. A technique was presented for using strain gauges to determine the magnitude and direction of forces transmitted to abutment teeth of removable partial dentures. 2. There are variations in force magnitude with a patient and between patients from chewing cycle to chewing cycle. 3. The transmitted forces vary when different removable partial denture designs are used. 4. Improving adaptation of the extension bases to the residual ridge is an excellent means for providing maximum support, increasing patient comfort, and decreasing forces to abutment teeth. 5. Extension bases apply mesially directed forces to abutment teeth during mastication. 6. Further research is needed to elucidate the effects of the various philosophies of removable partial denture design.