Showing papers in "Pharmacology and therapeutics in dentistry in 1978"

The effect of a quaternary ammonium-containing mouthwash on formed plaque.

Abstract: The effect on formed dental plaque of a commercial mouthwash containing cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) was evaluated in forty-one adults. During this fourteen day study no oral hygiene other than the use of a mouthwash was provided. Plaque and gingival indices were scored on sixteen teeth at days 0, 7 and 14. The results of this study suggested that subjects using the CPC containing mouthwash formed less plaque than those using the placebo mouthwash. No change in the Gingival Index was observed. Of those patients using the CPC containing mouthwash, four showed a slight staining of the anterior teeth and five reported a mild burning sensation of the tongue.

Effect of alloxan-diabetes on alpha-amylase and sialic acid levels in the parotid and submandibular glands of rats.

Abstract: The relationship of diabetes to salivary gland metabolism has been investigated by comparing the levels of alpha-amylase, sialic acid and total protein in the parotid and submandibular glands, plasma and kidneys of control and alloxan-diabetic rats. A significant decrease in alpha-amylase activity was found in both the parotid and submandibular glands of the diabetic rats by use of both a chemical and an electrophoretic assay. Plasma and kidney levels of the enzyme were not altered in the diabetic rats. Sialic acid levels were not affected by the alloxan-induced diabetes. Although the total protein concentration was significantly altered only in the kidneys of the alloxan-diabetic rats, the electrophoretic patterns of both the parotid and submandibular gland soluble proteins were markedly different between the control and alloxan-diabetic rats. The electrophoretic data indicate that protein metabolism in general, and the alpha-amylase concentration specifically, are altered in the salivary glands of alloxan-diabetic rats.

Cariogenicity and acidogenicity of food, confectionery and beverages.

Abstract: The advantage of pH-telemetry of plaque and mixed saliva in the evaluation of the cariogenic potential is that, in contrast to in vitro measurements, in vivo telemetry discriminates among pH variations in plaque and saliva as a result of substrate fermentation and those due to dietary acids, acids formed by the oral mucosal microflora and adequately registers salivary buffers. This is illustrated with a summary of acido- hypo- and nonacidogenic products tested.

Partial and full mouth recording of gingivitis scores.

Abstract: Sixty-six dental students, randomly assigned to one of three examiners, were scored initially for gingivitis using the Columbia gingival index (GI). After four weekly prophylaxes, gingival scores for all teeth were recorded at day 0. Following prophylaxes, all subjects were randomly assigned one of three mouthwash formulations. Gingival scores were taken on the full mouth after three weeks and again after six weeks. Pearson product moment correlation coefficients (r) were obtained for the gingivitis index from six selected teeth (partial score) with the full mouth score, usually based on 24 to 28 teeth. GI scores obtained from partial recording on the six selected teeth correlated very well with scores obtained from full mouth examinations. A special study was set up to obtain independent GI readings for the six target teeth and for the full mouth. GI scores obtained by independent examinations of the six selected teeth also correlated well with the full mouth scores, although not as well as when the partial scores were derived from the full mouth scores. Partial scores should only be compared with partial scores obtained from evaluating the same teeth and not with full mouth scores, in clinical trials or epidemiologic surveys.

Plasma levels of lignocaine after peri-oral injections of two different concentrations.

Abstract: Volunteer subjects received 50 mg of lignocaine solution as a maxillary infiltration injection, one one occasion as 1% solution and on another as 5% solution. The plasma levels of lignocaine were measured over a two-hour period and similar concentrations were achieved from both solutions, although the larger volumes of the more dilute solution gave slightly higher results, probably reaching toxic levels in one case. The injection of the higher concentration did not produce particularly high plasma levels of lignocaine.

Soft tissue responses to high frequency use of experimental and commercial mouthwashes.

Abstract: A recent study reported that regular use of commercial mouthwashes produced a significant incidence of oral reactions, including epithelial peeling, inflammation, ulceration and geographic tongue-like lesions In view of the widespread use of these preparations, without apparent deleterious effects, an investigation of two commercial preparations (Scope, Listerine) and an experimental mouthwash containing cetyl pyridinium chloride was undertaken to assess the possible irritant effects on the oral soft tissue under stringent test conditions A double blind design was used and soft tissue effects were measured over a two week period Rinses were used full strength, 20 cc 3 times daily Examinations were conducted by an oral pathologist at the start and conclusion of the test period, and a record was made of the occurrence of erythema, hyperemia/prominent vasculature, inflammation, petechia, keratosis, tongue coating, and ulceration These observations did not reveal any soft tissue conditions beyond those which would be expected in the normal population

Epinephrine absorption from retraction cord: a study in dogs.

Abstract: This report re-opens the question of epinephrine absorption from gingival retraction cord during fixed prosthodontic impression procedures. The conflicting evidence exposed by this and other studies is probably related to the experimental models utilized. Some suggestions for further investigation are given.

Sugar substitutes in relation to the incidence of clinical and experimental caries.

Abstract: Examination of several human studies shows the relationship between sugar intake and dental caries to be complex and partly independent of dosage. Under certain conditions frequent consumption, even in combination with surprisingly low dosage, may lead to high caries incidence. The potential use of sugar substitutes may be based on the concept of replacing sucrose particularly in foodstuffs proven to be highly cariogenic. So far, the evaluation of the cariogenicity of specific sugar substitutes has usually been carried out in comparison to sucrose. Glucose and fructose have thus been found somewhat less cariogenic than sucrose. Some polyols, however, may be considered virtually or completely noncariogenic in man. The low caries incidence observed in the clinical trials and most of the experimental studies have to be viewed as a natural consequence of the microbiological and biochemical behavior of these substances. As an entity, perorally administered polyols should be considered to stimulate a number of existing defense mechanisms to caries.

The effect of chronic parathyroid extract on tooth eruption and dental tissues in osteopetrotic mice.

Abstract: The grey lethal mouse is an osteopetrotic mutant in which there is diffuse sclerosis of the entire skeleton and the teeth remain trapped in the jaws. The condition was treated with daily subcutaneous injections of PTE beginning at birth. PTE induced molar tooth eruption in some mutants and improved root formation (without eruption) in others. However, the zone of predentine in the crown of the tooth remained abnormally wide and dentinogenesis remained irregular. Resorption of alveolar bone was adequate to permit complete tooth eruption in some animals and increased root formation in others.

Biochemical effects of and bacteriological response to sugar substitutes in the oral environment.

Abstract: The problems of the biochemical effects of sugar substitutes and bacteriologic response to such substitutes in the oral cavity may fill a whole book. Therefore, considerable restrictions in the presentation are necessary. Noncaloric sweeteners and additives are not utilized by the oral microorganisms for metabolism and acid production and are therefore of minor interest in this connection. This presentation mainly concerns sugar alcohols and related substances, primarily sorbitol, xylitol and Lycasin. Monosaccharides and other saccharides are not dealt with in this presentation even if some of them are of considerable interest; for example fructose, invert sugar and others. Sugar alcohols are used as substitutes because they cannot be utilized by the vast majority of oral organisms for fermentation, acid production or production of polysaccharides. There is a risk that the oral flora will adapt to these products and that such a substitute, which is originally nonacidogenic, may subsequently be utilized for fermentation and may even induce dental caries.

Chlorhexidine feeding and its effect on growth and intestinal microflora in rats.

Abstract: Chlorhexidine digluconate was administered to rats by incorporating the drug in drinking water and by regular gastric intubation. Incorporating the drug in the drinking water resulted in feed and water rejection. Relatively high doses (30 mg/day) could be administered over a period of 30 to 45 days without apparent effect on feed and water intake and growth. The total number of bacteria as well as the number of colony-forming units from cecal samples were determined. Chlorhexidine intake did not reduce the cultivable or total intestinal flora.

Caries prediction from initial measurements in clinical trial subjects.

Abstract: The correlation between future caries activity and predictor variables of initial caries experience and surfaces at risk was examined in control-group adolescents in two clinical trials conducted over three years. By modifying and combining the predictors in accordance with clinical observation, 25% of the variance of the DMFS increment was explained compared with the 13% attributable to initial DMFS alone. Seventy percent of the variability in DMFS experience at 14 to 15 years of age was accounted for by caries experience two years earlier.

Extrahepatic tissue distribution, covalent binding, and toxicity of halothane in control and phenobarbital-pretreated rats.

Abstract: Single anesthetic (11.5 mmole/kg) and nonanesthetic (4.6 mmole/kg) doses of 1-14C-halothane were administered separately to control and phenobarbital-pretreated rats by the intraperitoneal route. Tissue distribution and covalent binding of the anesthetic agent in the liver, lung, and kidney were determined at 4 and 24 hours after administration. Histopathological examination of the tissues revealed that halothane produced necrosis only in the livers of phenobarbital-pretreated rats and only after a period of 24 hours following the anesthetic dose. The lung and kidney appeared normal in all test animals. The liver was the major organ for the uptake, metabolism, and covalent binding of halothane metabolites to tissue proteins. Although similar metabolic activity was observed in the kidney and lung, toxic levels of the halothane metabolites were apparently not attained in these extrahepatic tissues in either control or phenobarbital-pretreated rats.