Sputtered Gum metal thin films showing bacterial inactivation and biocompatibility.

Super-elastic Titanium based thin films Ti-23Nb-0.7Ta-2Zr-(O) (TNTZ-O) and Ti-24Nb-(N) (TN-N) (at.%) were deposited by direct current magnetron sputtering (DCMS) in different reactive atmospheres. The effects of oxygen doping (TNTZ-O) and/or nitrogen doping (TN-N) on the microstructure, mechanical properties and biocompatibility of the as-deposited coatings were investigated. Nano-indentation measurements show that, in both cases, 1sccm of reactive gas in the mixture is necessary to reach acceptable values of hardness and Young's modulus. Mechanical properties are considered in relation to the films compactness, the compressive stress and the changes in the grain size. Data on Bacterial inactivation and biocompatibility are reported in this study. The biocompatibility tests showed that O-containing samples led to higher cells proliferation. Bacterial inactivation was concomitant with the observed pH and surface potential changes under light and in the dark. The increased cell fluidity leading to bacterial lysis was followed during the bacterial inactivation time. The increasing cell wall fluidity was attributed to the damage of the bacterial outer cell which losing its capacity to regulate the ions exchange in and out of the bacteria.

[Various problems related to the use of multi-attachment appliances]. / Quelques incidents liés à l'utilisation des appareils à multi-attaches.

The authors review the lesions which may be seen during orthopedic treatment involving multi-attachment dentures which they use for their clinical cases. They emphasise that these iatrogenic lesions can be avoided by the use of moderate forces appropriately applied and the functional conception of orthopedic treatment.

[Pitfalls in the treatment of periodontitis]. / Les pièges dans le traitement des parodontites.

The author point out that periodontitis is a disease of multiple aetiology and indicate two types of pitfall: traps in conceiving the plan of treatment and traps in carrying out treatment. The treatment plan may be incomplete. The authors show that the deepest types of vertical alveolysis are always related to occlusal or functional imbalance and that treatment based only upon hygiene and periodontal surgery represents a pitfall. They stress the importance of functional treatment. However such complex functional treatment itself has a number of pitfalls when it is being carried out. It is essential to restore balance of the oro-facial musculature before any treatment of occlusion. These are also types of non-occlusal musculo-dental imbalance which may plan an important role in the course of periodontitis. In conclusion, the authors note that functional treatment of the manducatory apparatus is as important as controlling inflammation. This must not be underestimated nor be allowed to go unrecognised.

[Current concepts concerning the etiopathogenicity of periodontitis : therapeutic applications (author's transl)]. / Nouvelles conceptions de l'étiopathogénie des parodontites: implications thérapeutiques.

The authors describe the various etiological types of periodontopathies and discuss those due to inflammatory conditions in greater detail. The original studies that enabled the role of the bacterial plaque to be demonstrated are reviewed, and new data presented which attributes a specific pathogenic action to certain bacterial strains in this particular form of the disease, without suggesting that they are the only etiological factor involved. The importance of occlusal injury in periodontal disease is then evaluated, results of clinical studies tending to confirm the role of traumatic factors in the progression of alveolysis. The occlusal factor should therefore be integrated into the stomatognathic system. The results of systematic dentofacial orthopedic examinations in patients with periodontopathies are reported, and other pathogenic factors contributing to disequilibrium of the dental organ outlined. Several clinical cases are presented. The results of these observations are employed to redefine the notion of function equilibrium which must be taken into account when treating the disease prophylactically, and to recognize those cases in which it is disturbed. Neuromuscular reeducation is then necessary to avoid recurrence of the periodontal disease.