[Risk analysis Erosive Tooth Wear (ETW): checklist for a quick assessment of the risk factors for ETW in the dental practice]. / Risikoanalyse Erosive Tooth Wear (ETW): Checkliste zur schnellen Bewertung der Risikofaktoren für ETW in der Zahnarztpraxis.

Erosive Tooth Wear (ETW) is the loss of tooth structure without bacterial involvement. As the resulting loss of tooth structure is irreversible, an early evaluation of the multifactorial etiology, accurate diagnosis and regular follow-up are essential. The ETW is dynamic and its progression should be continuously monitored. A risk analysis table was developed to systematically record risk factors for ETW (Fig. 2). This allows ETW management to be integrated more efficiently into clinical practice and the progression to be documented over the years. If ETW is assumed, the risk analysis should be performed and updated at least every two years. In the assessment, risk-promoting and risk-inhibiting factors are marked, added together and compared. If the negative factors pre-dominate, measures should be taken to minimize the risk for ETW. The main purpose of the risk analysis is therefore to evaluate the individual etiology, coun-teract negative factors, promote positive factors and prevent progression.

Caries risks and appropriate intervals between bitewing x-ray examinations in schoolchildren.

Short intervals between bitewing examinations favor the timely detection of lesions on approximal surfaces. Long intervals reduce the exposure to radiation. Thus, the question arises which intervals between bite-wing examinations are appropriate. The length of intervals between bitewing examinations should be adapted to the caries risk on approximal surfaces of molars and premolars. In order to estimate the caries risk in the Swiss school population, longitudinal data of 591 schoolchildren from the Canton (County) of Zurich were analyzed. These schoolchildren had been examined at 4-year intervals. The proportion of 7-year-olds with caries increment on approximal surfaces within 4 years was 7.1%, i.e., the caries risk in the population was 7.1%. In the 11-year-olds, the caries risk was 17.60%. Seven-year-olds without caries experience on selected approximal surfaces had a low caries risk of 2.2%. However, 7-year-olds with caries experience on selected approximal surfaces had a high risk of 24.2%. The same applied to 11-year-olds: those without caries experience had a low risk (7.5%), and those with caries experience had a high risk (38.5%). For the 7-year-old schoolchildren without any caries experience, an x-ray interval of 8 years is proposed. For the 7-year-old schoolchildren with caries experience, an x-ray interval of 1 year is proposed.

Three-year evaluation of posterior vertical bite reconstruction using direct resin composite--a case series.

The use of resin composite materials to restore the complete occlusion of worn teeth is controversial and data are scarce. In this case series, the authors report on seven cases of progressive mixed erosive/abrasive worn dentition (85 posterior teeth) that have been reconstructed with direct resin composite restorations. In all patients, either one or both tooth arches was completely restored using direct resin composite restorations. All patients were treated with standardized materials and protocols. In five patients, a wax-up-based template was used to avoid freehand build-up techniques and to ensure optimal anatomy and function. All patients were re-assessed after a mean service time of three years (mean 35 +/- 5 months) using USPHS criteria. Subjective patient satisfaction was measured using visual analogue scales (VAS). The overall quality of the restorations was good, with predominantly determined "Alpha"-scores. Only the marginal quality showed small deteriorations, with "Beta" scores of 37% and 45% for marginal discoloration and integrity, respectively. In general, the composite showed signs of wear facets that resulted in 46% "Beta" scores within the anatomy scores. Small restoration fractures were only seen in two restorations, which were reparable. Two teeth were excluded from the evaluation, as they have been previously repaired due to fracture after biting on a nut. The results were very favorable, and the patients were satisfied with this non-invasive and economic treatment option, which still has the characteristic of a medium-term rehabilitation. The outcomes were comparable to other direct composite restorations successfully applied in adhesive dentistry.

Cannabis and caries--does regular cannabis use increase the risk of caries in cigarette smokers?

The use of cannabis by adolescents in Switzerland has almost doubled in the past decade. Empirical observations in private dental practices indicate that cannabis users have more carious lesions than those who do not use cannabis. The aim of this study was to investigate the hypothesis that regular cannabis use increases the risk of caries because of hyposalivation or lifestyle. Forty-three regular cannabis users were enrolled in the test group and 42 tobacco smokers were used as a negative control group. All subjects were 18-25 years old. Data were obtained using a standardized questionnaire and a clinical examination. There was no significant difference between groups in decayed and filled surfaces (DFS), saliva flow rate and plaque and gingival indices. The cannabis group had, however, significantly higher DS (decayed surface) values (p = 0.0001) and significantly lower frequencies of daily tooth brushing and dental control visits (p < 0.0001) than the control group. Additionally, the cannabis group reported a significantly higher consumption of sugar-containing beverages than the control group (p = 0.0078). To obtain more objective data relations, the DS values of male cannabis users were also compared with those of Swiss military recruits found in another study. The cannabis users had more caries on smooth surfaces than the military recruits. Although comparison with epidemiological data suggested that the prevalence of caries on smooth surfaces is elevated in cannabis users, DFS data indicated that cannabis users do not have an increased risk of caries. Lifestyle combined with short-term hyposalivation after delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol consumption is the most probable cause of the high prevalence of caries on smooth surfaces in cannabis users. Further studies are needed to investigate the effects of cannabis use on oral health.

[Reflux disease and eating disorders--a case for teamwork]. / Reflux und Essstörungen--"Ein Fall für Zwei".

The term erosion describes tooth wear caused by acids. Erosions can be a consequence of medical problems like gastroesophageal reflux disease or eating disorders which lead to a regular contact of gastric acid with teeth. These, so called intrinsic erosions occur in such typical locations within the dental arches that even in the absence of other symptoms gastric acid can be assumed to be the cause. Dental professionals may thus be the first to discover and diagnose the underlying medical problem. A good cooperation between the physician and the dentist is consequently necessary for a causal treatment of the patient. Parallel to the therapy of the underlying disease practical dental prophylactic measures like chewing gum und fluoride rinses are recommended.

[Eating disorders (I)--medical and psychiatric aspects]. / Essstörungen (I): Allgemeinmedizinisch- psychiatrische Aspekte.

Adolescent, predominantly female patients suffering from eating disorders usually reveal characteristic personality traits which should be taken into account during the treatment of such cases. Some patients deny their illness, others again feel ashamed of it. At any rate, we ought to respect the patients' integrity and their sense of self-worth. Such disorders tend to result from the stress of being unable to cope with the multiple demands made by the biological and social changes of the patients' development into full maturity. Additional predisposing factors should be noted. Eating disorders are often accompanied by specific psychic and somatic symptoms in terms of comorbidity. These symptoms have to be anamnestically accounted for since they may later result in oral symptoms. A considerable number of these patients suffering from eating disorders either do not completely recover or else tend to relapse.

[Eating disorders (II)--dental aspects]. / Essstörungen (II): Zahnmedizinische Aspekte.

Patients suffering from eating disorders exhibit oral symptoms indicative to the otherwise concealed illness. The most striking features are the intrinsic erosions due to the regular surreptitious vomiting. They occur in very typical locations within the dental arches and have been termed "perimolysis". Dental professionals are often the first to discover and diagnose eating disorders by detecting perimolysis and consequently face the difficult task to motivate the patients--who often deny their illness--to seek psychiatric help and dental care. Such motivation must be done while respecting the patients' integrity and sense of self-worth. The primary goal of dental care is to preserve the remaining teeth and to prevent further erosive loss of dental hard tissue. The key elements of a dental preventive programme based on pathophysiologic grounds are to enhance local defence mechanisms, to offer chemical and mechanical protection and to diminish abrasive and erosive challenges. Dental restorative therapy must be part of a combined medical and dental treatment plan and should not be started before the eating disorder has been treated and the patients are considered to have stable prognosis. In view of the young age of the patients, the large extension of the erosive lesions and in order to avoid endodontological treatment of mostly sound pulps, non-invasive restorative concepts using adhesive technology should be preferably used. Prophylactic measures and restorative treatment are covered by health insurance (KGV; KLV 18c, 7) if the patients undergo psychiatric or similar adequate treatment.

[Caries prevalence among students in 16 Zurich districts in the years 1992 to 2000]. / Kariesprävalenz von Schülern in 16 Zürcher Landgemeinden in den Jahren 1992 bis 2000.

Standardized dental examinations of schoolchildren were regularly carried out since 1964 in 16 rural communities of the Canton of Zurich. In 1964, there were no 14-year-old schoolchildren free from caries; in the Nineties about half of the 14-year-olds had a caries-free permanent dentition (DMFT = 0). From the year 1992 to 2000, the caries prevalence (DMFT) of 14-year-olds decreased once again, by 31%. The pit and fissure caries prevalence (DFS) of 12- and 14-year-olds decreased by 28% and 37%, respectively. In 2000, the mean DMFT-value of the 12- and 14-year-old schoolchildren was 0.90 and 1.27 respectively. In 1964, only few 7-year-old schoolchildren were caries-free; in the Nineties about half of the 7-year-olds had a primary dentition without caries. From the year 1992 to 2000, caries prevalence (dmft) in 7-, 8- and 9-year-olds increased by 64%, 22% and 31%. In 2000, the mean dmft-value of all 7-year-old schoolchildren was 2.45. The Swiss schoolchildren had 1.79 dmft; the schoolchildren from former Yugoslavia and from Albania had 6.89 dmft and those of other nations had 3.37 dmft. Possible reasons for the continuous caries decrease in the permanent dentition and the increase in the primary dentition are discussed. Additional measures in order to improve the situation in the primary dentition are proposed.

[Dental health of adults in the Zurich Canton]. / Zahngesundheit von Erwachsenen im Kanton Zürich.

In 1992 and 1999, dental health in 20- to 79-year-old adults from the canton of Zurich was assessed with a standardized method (WHO). The aim was to establish the current state and changes of dental health. Roughly half of the 852 approached adults selected by chance did take part. In 1992 and 1999, the mean number of unfilled, decayed teeth (DT) was on a low level in all age classes (0.2 to 1.8 depending on age class and examination year). The number of missing teeth (MT) in older adults (60-79) was on a high level (8.8 to 13.4). The number of filled teeth (FT) was highest (14.8 to 16.2) in middle-aged adults (40-59). Total loss of teeth was found only in older adults (60-79). Lack of a "functional" own dentition (5 teeth present in each quadrant) was found in roughly half of the 60- to 69-year-olds and two thirds of the 70- to 79-year-olds. In 1999, the state of the roots and loss of attachment was assessed. Wedge-shaped defects were found in more than half of the middle-aged adults (40-59). Carious roots were found in more than half of the 70- to 79-year-olds. Nearly half of the 70- to 79-year-old participants showed "severe" loss of attachment (> or = 6 mm). In the short period from 1992 to 1999, a significant decrease of 3.7 DMFT was found in 20- to 49-year-old adults. The decrease of 0.9 MT and 2.1 FT means also a decrease in treatment need in this age segment. In contrast, in the 50- to 79-year-olds no change in dental health could be established.