ABSTRACT
Recent reports demonstrate that tongue bars can cause damage to the dentition. The first known report of attachment loss associated with the presence of a tongue bar is described.
Subject(s)
Alveolar Bone Loss/etiology , Periodontal Attachment Loss/etiology , Punctures/adverse effects , Tongue , Adult , Dental Enamel/injuries , Follow-Up Studies , Foreign Bodies/complications , Gingiva/transplantation , Humans , Male , Periodontal Pocket/etiology , Surgical Flaps , Tooth Fractures/etiologyABSTRACT
This study consisted of 24 dental students, who 10 days prior to the start of the experimental period, were thoroughly scaled and given instructions in the use of a rubber tip stimulator, unwaxed dental floss, and a modified Bass brushing technique. On day 0, the subjects had reached a high level of interproximal gingival health as measured by intracrevicular exudate flow and löe's Gingival Index. Subjects were then randomly divided into 4 groups which were to brush; brush and floss; brush and rubber tip; and brush, floss and rubber tip. Evaluation was performed on days 0, 9, 15, and 33 using Löe's Gingival Index, Podchadley's Plaque Index, and gingival exudate flow. The results of this study indicate that interproximal gingival health can be maintained in motivated patients with initially healthy gingivae (for at least several weeks) with proper use of the modified Bass brushing technique alone.
