Root trunk dimensions of 5 different tooth types.

The primary purpose of this study was to document mean, standard deviation, and range of root trunk dimensions of multirooted tooth types. A total of 412 extracted teeth were examined and classified as: maxillary first molars, maxillary second molars, maxillary first premolars, mandibular first molars, and mandibular second molars. The distance from the cementoenamel junction (CEJ) to the root groove and from the CEJ to the root division was measured. Mean CEJ to root groove distances ranged from 1.35 to 1.65 mm for maxillary first molars, from 1.49 to 1.89 mm for maxillary second molars, from 1.71 to 1.73 mm for maxillary first premolars, from 1.16 to 1.22 mm for mandibular first molars, and from 1.53 to 1.76 mm for mandibular second molars.

The circumferential supracrestal fiberotomy.

This article addresses the advantages and shortcomings of circumferential supracrestal fiberotomy procedures from the pragmatic perspective of practicing clinicians. The first part of this article reviews the anatomy, surgical techniques, and timing of the procedure. The significance of individual techniques and studies are discussed.

Periodontal indices of patients taking isoniazid and rifampin: a pilot study.

A significant reduction in the incidence of tuberculosis (TB) has resulted from the use of medications such as isoniazid (INH) and rifampin. Unfortunately, there has been a resurgence of TB since the mid 1980s. The purpose of this pilot study was to evaluate the effects of INH and rifampin on periodontal indices of patients with positive tuberculin skin tests (PPD). The gingival index, plaque index, and periodontal scoring and recording were recorded in PPD-positive patients at baseline and 1 month. Control patients received no medications during the study and were evaluated at baseline and 1 month. Mean values for each patient were obtained and analyzed using unpaired t tests (N = 8). Statistically, within the limits of this study, it was found that patients taking INH and/or rifampin had a significant decreased (p < 0.05) in gingival inflammation from baseline.

Esthetic preference of the frontal and profile views of the same smile.

This study has shown that orthodontists and their patients share a common pool of diffuse esthetic values of the same smile. Profile and frontal views of the same smile were not similarly rated for esthetic pleasantness: the profile views were rated higher than the frontal views of the same smile. This finding suggests that orthodontists should consider both frontal and lateral views during evaluation of their patient when planning and assessing orthodontic treatment. More research is needed to determine the generalizability of the finding that orthodontists and patients have similar facial esthetic preferences. Future studies should expand the range of smiles that are evaluated by including both genders, people of different ethnic backgrounds, and people of a variety of ages. Research is also needed to evaluate facial esthetics and smiles in dynamic motion.

A review of applications of recombinant DNA techniques in diagnosis and treatment of dental diseases.

The goal of regeneration in oral maxillofacial reconstruction is replacing the previous goal of repair. Many advances in treatment and diagnosis have taken place in medicine and dentistry with the advent of DNA technology. The purpose of this paper is to provide the dental practitioner an overview of some of the medical research using recombinant DNA technology and its potential use in dentistry.

Treatment of mental disorders in pregnancy. A review of psychotropic drug risks and benefits.

Pregnancy can be complicated by affective or psychotic illnesses severe enough to threaten the health and life of both mother and fetus. In many cases, nonbiological interventions like psychotherapy or hospitalization in a supportive milieu will be insufficient, and use of a psychotropic drug will be indicated. This paper outlines the characteristics of maternal and fetal physiology that influence drug risks and then reviews the specific risks and benefits associated with antipsychotics, antidepressants, and lithium.

Falsifications in the psychiatric history: a differential diagnosis.

Several types of falsification may be encountered in the clinical setting, including lies, pseudologia fantastica, delusions and confabulations. I will review these phenomena in the psychopathology literature and propose five criteria to facilitate classification of a falsification. I will then present case histories that illustrate the relationship between the type of falsification and the clinical psychiatric diagnosis.