[Oral cavity changes in the child with celiac disease]. / Modificazioni del cavo orale nel bambino affetto da malattia celiaca.

Twenty-nine patients (of both sexes aged between 8 and 18 years old) were referred to our attention with a probable history of celiac disease; intestinal biopsy was positive for the said pathology. Biopsies were compared to a second group of 29 age- and sex-matched control subjects not suffering from gastrointestinal diseases and/or disorders of the phosphocalcium metabolism. The aim of the study was to highlight the possible presence, frequency and extent of oral alterations in confirmed celiac subjects in order to evaluate their greater or lesser incidence compared to controls. The results obtained confirm that celiac patients are more likely to manifest oral pathologies.

[A 2-year evaluation of different methods of dental caries prophylaxis in a sample school-aged population]. / Valutazione a due anni di vari metodi di profilassi della carie dentaria su un campione di popolazione in età scolare.

Caries is currently considered to be the most widespread disease affecting mankind; it is calculated in fact that around 90% of the world population suffers from caries. Carious pathology therefore plays a key role, not least due to the high social costs which it entails, and, for this reason, research into appropriate methods of prevention which can to some extent limit the incidence of caries are of particular interest. MATERIALS AND METHODS. The study was performed in a group of 1475 selected primary-school children. After having subdivided the population in three groups, an initial dental examination was carried out and the results obtained were quantified by calculating DMFT. The first group (492 children) was instructed to follow the rules of oral and dietary hygiene. The second group (501 children), in addition to the instructions given to the first group, also received fluoro-prophylactic treatment. Lastly, the third group (482 children) were used as a reference sample and did not receive any form of instruction or treatment. RESULTS. After two years DMFT values were increased in all three groups; in detail, values rose 0.41 in the first group, 0.38 in the second group, and 0.81 in the third group. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS. Scrupulous oral hygiene and a correct diet represent a prophylactic measure of outstanding importance in terms of carious pathology. The minimum difference observed between the first and second groups should probably be attributed to the fact that fluoro-prophylactic treatment requires a period of more than 24 months before appreciable results can be seen.

[Understanding lateral and vertical gutta-percha condensation technique]. / Apprendimento delle techniche di condensazione laterale e verticale della guttaperca.

After a brief analysis of the materials and of the various techniques for filling root canals, the authors present the results obtained by a group of 5th year dental students of the Corso di Laurea in Odontoiatria e Protesi Dentaria from their first experiences at filling root canals. The techniques they used, lateral and vertical condensation of gutta-percha, were chosen for their widespread use and for the greater guarantee they offer. The results, which confirmed the expectations, show how lateral condensation is easier to perform by dentists with little experience. The vertical condensation technique, judging from our results, should be used only after a dentist has acquired experience and skill, because in the cases we observed there was a consistent unsatisfactory apical closure.

[Effects of paraformaldehyde steam sterilization on K-files]. / Valutazione degli effetti della sterilizzazione a vapori di paraformaldeide sui K-files.

Success of endodontic therapy depends upon both operator's skill and quality of the employed instruments. K-files have been examined for they probably are the most commonly used endodontic instruments. It is particularly important to take into consideration, together with the original quality of the instruments, its possible changes due to the wear from sterilization. In this paper have been therefore evaluated the characteristics of brand-new K-files from three different manufacturers together with the wear of the same instruments after paraformaldehyde steam sterilization.

[Methods of opening the pulp chamber]. / Metodiche di apertura della camera pulpare.

The correct opening of the pulp chamber is essential for the success of the endodontic therapy. Though varying following the different anatomy of the teeth, the opening of the pulp chamber must follow some fundamental rules: no undercuts between the floor of the chamber and the walls of the access cavity, complete removal of the roof of the chamber, unrestricted view of the opening of the canals and of possible accessory canals. The ideal shape of the access cavity should be a funnel with the larger diameter towards the occlusal surface. This shape should be modified following the anatomy of the different teeth.

[Comparison of calcium hydroxide and calcium oxide for intracanal medication]. / Comparazione tra indrossido di calcio e ossido di calcio nella medicazione intracanalare.

The authors show how the proper use of the root canal medication based on calcium oxide is determinant for causing a perfect asepsis of the root canal in the 58 teeth, taken in consideration, the calcium oxide is more efficacious than the calcium hydroxide not only because it produces a remarkable decrease of the bacterial quantity, but also because the recovery time of the lesion before the filling up of the root canal, is less than half time in comparison with that one got by means of the calcium hydroxide.