Group psychotherapy for patients with dementia.

Some of the goals of our group psychotherapy sessions on the inpatient unit include (1) creation of an emotional climate of acceptance and warmth that helps patients learn to accept themselves and their feelings, (2) frequent intervention by the group facilitator/therapist to help facilitate social interaction for patients whose communication ability is impaired, (3) opportunity for patients to experience the feeling of belonging, of being part of a group, (4) opportunity for patients to ventilate feelings and rediscover mutual kinds of experience, (5) opportunity for patients to reminisce about past accomplishments and give new meaning to their current lives, and (6) creation of a platform for patients to achieve a sense of self by expressing personal opinions in an environment of respect and acceptance. The outcome of group therapy for demented as well as nondemented patients should be increased ability to cope with losses at several levels, promotion of new skills, increased adaptation skills, and increased ability to accept change. We also want patients to learn to express feelings and to realize that the expression of feelings can have a positive outcome (relief from repression, clarification of ambivalence, solutions, etc).

In vitro comparison of bleaching agents on the crowns and roots of discolored teeth.

Sixty teeth were stained in vitro to compare the decolorizing effect of three bleaching agents on the crowns and on the roots of teeth containing an intracoronal isolating base. With an intracoronal isolating base placed either at the cementoenamel junction (CEJ) or 2-mm below the CEJ, bleaching agents of Superoxol, sodium perborate, and a combination of the two were placed in the pulp chamber of teeth and the accesses sealed with IRM. Customized shade guides were used to evaluate the color changes of the crowns and roots. After three treatments, the combination technique was found to be more effective in decolorizing the crowns and roots of teeth than Superoxol or sodium perborate alone (p less than 0.05). No difference was found between the Superoxol group and the sodium perborate group. There was no difference in color shades of crowns in which the IRM base was placed either at the CEJ or 2-mm below the CEJ. The roots of all groups showed some degree of decoloration. Based on the bleaching effects on discolored roots, the effectiveness of this seal is questionable.

Comparison of the sealing ability of four obturation techniques.

This study compared the apical seal produced by four obturation techniques. The Canal Finder system was compared with lateral condensation, the Ultrafil system, and the sectional warm gutta-percha techniques. Forty-two anterior single-rooted teeth were instrumented. Ten teeth were not obturated and served as positive and negative controls. The apical seal was tested for leakage with 0.25% methylene blue dye. The teeth were shaved horizontally and dye penetration was measured with a Boley gauge. Results revealed there was no statistically significant difference among the four obturation techniques.

Response of the human eye to accidental exposure to sodium hypochlorite.

Sodium hypochlorite is used in endodontic therapy as an intracanal irrigant during hand, mechanical, and ultrasonic instrumentation of the root canal space. Regardless of the technique utilized, particular attention must be given to the appropriate and safe use of this chemical solution. A case is presented in which a 5.25% sodium hypochlorite solution was accidentally splashed in a patient's eyes during endodontic therapy. Ocular irrigation was performed immediately and continued for 10 min. The patient was promptly taken to an ophthalmologist for further treatment and follow-up. When chemical trauma of the eye by sodium hypochlorite solution is sustained, the entire surface of the affected eye(s) and the fornices must be thoroughly irrigated. This is best accomplished with a continuous stream of normal saline from a 1-I bag which is attached to an intravenous line with a 16-gauge Teflon catheter placement sleeve affixed to the distal end of the line. Arrangements must then be made for immediate evaluation, treatment, and consultation by an ophthalmologist.