ABSTRACT
The first two surveys of the dental health of young Finnish men were conducted in 1919 and 1965. The objective of four subsequent surveys (1976, 1981, 1986, and 1991) was to collect both interview and clinical examination data for the monitoring of changes in the oral health status of the recruits. A significant reduction in self-reported toothache, gingival bleeding, and number of decayed teeth was observed from 1976 to 1991. At examination, the numbers of decayed teeth, teeth indicated for extraction, teeth in need of fillings, and missing teeth decreased substantially, as did the teeth with visible plaque, subgingival calculus, and teeth with 4-mm or deeper periodontal pockets. This comprehensive series of successive cross-sectional oral health surveys clearly shows that since 1976 a significant decrease in oral disease and treatment needs has taken place among the Finnish population of young men.
Subject(s)
Dental Care/statistics & numerical data , Health Services Needs and Demand/statistics & numerical data , Periodontal Diseases/epidemiology , Tooth Diseases/epidemiology , Adult , Cross-Sectional Studies , DMF Index , Dental Calculus/epidemiology , Dental Caries/epidemiology , Dental Plaque/epidemiology , Dental Restoration, Permanent/statistics & numerical data , Finland/epidemiology , Gingival Hemorrhage/epidemiology , Health Status , Humans , Interviews as Topic , Male , Oral Health , Periodontal Pocket/epidemiology , Physical Examination , Social Class , Tooth Extraction/statistics & numerical data , Tooth Loss/epidemiology , Toothache/epidemiology , Toothbrushing/statistics & numerical dataABSTRACT
The frequency of oral health problems in 353 Finnish conscripts aged 21.0 (SD 1.2 years) was studied by means of a questionnaire and by investigating the dental records. One hundred five (30%) conscripts had seeked dental help during their 8 months' military service. Forty-four percent of these patients had dental caries as their main diagnosis; endodontic problems comprised 9% of all cases. The problems related to third molars were second in frequency, accounting for 27% of the conscripts treated. Six and one-half percent of the patients had lost serving time on dental grounds (mean absence 3.6 days), most often (90%) due to acute pericoronitis or post-operative status following third molar surgery.
Subject(s)
Military Personnel , Oral Health , Adult , Dental Caries/epidemiology , Finland/epidemiology , Humans , Molar, Third/surgeryABSTRACT
Viable counts of mutans streptococci, lactobacilli and yeasts in saliva were followed for 5 months after extraction of partly erupted third molars in 49 conscripts aged 19.9 +/- 0.8 years. For controls, 27 conscripts aged 19.7 +/- 1.2 years were studied who did not have indications for third molar extractions. The microbiological analyses were made from paraffin-wax-stimulated saliva using dip-slide techniques. The results showed a statistically significant reduction of the high counts of mutans streptococci (greater than or equal to 10(6) CFU/ml saliva) and lactobacilli (greater than or equal to 10(5) CFU/ml saliva), both 2 and 5 months after extraction, when compared with the baseline values and with the controls. The extraction of partly erupted third molars did not appear to affect salivary yeast counts. We suggest that partly erupted wisdom teeth act as reservoirs for mutans streptococci and lactobacilli, in particular, and that their state of eruption must be taken into account when interpreting salivary microbiological counts.
Subject(s)
Lactobacillus/isolation & purification , Military Personnel , Molar, Third/surgery , Saliva/microbiology , Streptococcus mutans/isolation & purification , Tooth Extraction , Yeasts/isolation & purification , Adult , Analysis of Variance , Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Lactobacillus/drug effects , Longitudinal Studies , Male , Oral Health , Saliva/physiology , Streptococcus mutans/drug effects , Time Factors , Tooth Eruption , Yeasts/drug effectsABSTRACT
The present study reports a case in which a clinically asymptomatic radiolucent change surrounded by a sclerotic wall developed below the second molar in the mandible of a middle-aged man. The change was diagnosed as a typical case of Stafne bone cavity. In the earlier literature, development of a mandibular bone cavity has been described in only three patients. The appearance of bone cavities in a mandible that has previously been found normal indicates that these defects are not congenital but developmental processes.
Subject(s)
Mandibular Diseases/pathology , Adult , Humans , Male , Mandibular Diseases/diagnostic imaging , Mandibular Diseases/physiopathology , Radiography , Time FactorsABSTRACT
Central neurilemmomas involving the jaws are rare benign tumours probably originating from the neural sheath. We report 2 cases involving the posterior part of the mandible. The 1st case (male, age 20 years) had no symptoms of a tumour, which was discovered by accident in an orthopantomogram. The 2nd case (female, age 66 years) had experienced pain because of a tumour. The radiographic appearance of these tumours seemed to be non-specific. These 2 neurilemmomas have recurred, probably due to incomplete primary removal of the tumour.
