[The use of computer-assisted stabilometry in the diagnosis of craniomandibular disorders]. / L'emploi de la stabilométrie assistée par ordinateur dans le diagnostic des troubles crânio-mandibulaires (TCM).

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of the cervical region and the stomatognathic system on the balance control. We examined 35 healthy subjects and 201 balance disorder patients; of the 201 patients 60 suffered also from craniomandibular disorders (CMD) and 40 from cervical rachis disease. All cases were tested by computerized stabilometry executed in Romberg position: with closed eyes, retroflexed head and two cotton roles between the dental arches. The results show that cervical rachis disease and stomatognathic dysfunction have a significative influence on the balance control; however, this influence is smaller than that of vestibular disease; moreover, the computer stabilometry allows to measure the degree of ascending or descending correlation between the posture and stomatognathic system.

[The role of stabilometry in assessing the correlations between craniomandibular disorders and equilibrium disorders]. / Rôle de la stabilométrie dans l'évaluation des corrélations entre les troubles crânio-mandibulaires (TCM) et les troubles de l'équilibre (TE).

We examined three groups: 29 patients suffering from balance disorders and craniomandibular disorders but from vestibular disease; 21 patients suffering from balance disorders, craniomandibular disorders and vestibular disease; 26 patients suffering from craniomandibular disorders but not from vestibular disease or balance disorders. All cases were examined by the odontologist and otoneurologist and tested by computerized stabilometry; they were reexamined after six months of therapy by an occlusal stabilization splint. The static analysis of the results show a significative reduction of the postural oscillations in all patients.

[Biochemical study of the dental pulp in the calf]. / Etude biochimique de la pulpe dentaire de veau.

A biochemical study of dental pulp of calves has been performed concerning: a) peroxydability b) A, E, C vitamins content c) glutation (GSH) content d) presence of paramagnetic compounds e) phosphorylation ratio The dental pulp from incisors of 5-months-old calves has been preserved. Immediately after decapitation the pulp was immersed in liquid nitrogen. Chromatographic (HPLC) and spectroscopic (NMR-ESR) techniques have been used. GSH in dental pulp are present and dosable (4.56 +/- 0.08 n moles/mg prot.) and GSSG (1.05 +/- 0.01 n moles/mg prot.). Because of blood traces in the extracted pulps, the AA. have determined the hemoglobin (Hb) dosage and GSH of erythrocytic derivation (Fig. 1). After deduction of GSH of erythrocytic derivation, the GSH really present in the pulp was 4.41 n moles/mg prot. and the GSSG was 0.90 n moles/mg prot. Peroxydability of the dental pulp has been evaluated with Lowry method with dental pulp homogenate and rat liver homogenate (see Table 1). The ESR spectre shows 4 resonances with the following values: g. 2.24-2.04-2.00-1.97; there are some free intermediary radicals (gr.-2.00) (Fig.2). The NMR spectre shows the presence of ATP (0.22 n moles/g) of inorganic phosphate (16.58 n moles g) (Fig.3). The pulp seems to have a lot of antioxidant factors. The next researches will be to study E, A and C vitamins concentrations. This high presence of GSH and GSSG may be an embryonic peculiarity.

[Handicapped patients. General anesthesia or sedation?]. / Pazienti handicappati. Anestesia generale o sedazione?

The Authors consider the problems involved in dental treatment of the handicapped patients. Accuracy in diagnosis of the handicap factor, knowledge about its consequences on pathophysiological status and about chronically assumed drugs are the first step: in fact these patients may be affected by a wide variety of physiopathologic and mental diseases. Failure of cooperation requires general anesthesia or sedation techniques. General anesthesia can be dangerous (malignant hyperthermia in myopathies, difficult intubation in facial anomalies, pharmacological interactions); furthermore, its frequent application even in order to perform minimal treatment is often unsuitable. Sedation techniques offer a more convenient possibility, but must be practised by trained operators. Nitrous oxide alone rarely produces in fact a sufficient degree of sedation and is suitable only in patients affected by very slight mental insufficiency. In the other cases, association with various drugs (as benzodiazepines, barbiturates etc) is needed. In such a situation, the active and continuous presence of the anesthesiologist becomes mandatory.

[Morphological research on the dental pulp of the calf]. / Ricerche morfologiche nella polpa dentaria di vitello.

Morphological researches have been carried out through histological studies with fine and semifine sections at the electronic scan microscope on the dental pulp of calves. The general aim was to identify the antioxidant properties of pulp and study cellular density and microfibrillar architecture. The dental pulps of calves of 5-6 months taken immediately after slaughtering were used with immersions into the fixing liquid. The scan microscope showed fibroblasts in the deepest regions of the pulp in a stroma of collagenic fibres, not organised but scattered among the cells of the connective tissue. The odontoblasts presented well ordered one beside the others with well visible details such as the swollen basal portion, the nucleus and a very tight villosity. No clear interodontoblastic connections were evident. The electron transmission microscope revealed typical cells with histiocyte appearance with microfilaments evident in the cytoplasma (myofibroblasts) presenting a wide variety of cytoplasmatic interconnections with interdigitations.

[Evaluation of fluoride content in Modena water]. / Valutazione del contenuto in fluoro nelle acque del modenese.

The Authors confirm the importance of fluoroprophylaxis in the prevention of Dental caries. They analyze the main methods of fluoroprophylaxis pointing out the systemic fluoroprophylaxis, effected by means of water fluoruration, as the best one for a valid prevention of dental caries on a large scale. In view of such a kind of fluoroprophylaxis in our country the Authors considered quite interesting to effect a research about the amount of fluoride in the waters of the district of Modena. The whole of results are reported.

[Dimensional stability of impression materials studied with Talysurf 10]. / Studio sulla stabilità dimensionale di alcuni materiali da impronta con il Talysurf 10.

The dimensional stability of certain modeling elastomers was investigated. In order to obtain a complete picture, 2 samples of each elastomer class on the market (polysulphuric, polyether, silicone additives, condensation silicone), a total of 8 products, were tested according to the criteria outlined in ADA 19. In contrast with ADA 19 recommendations, measurements were taken using a Talysurf 10, a roughness meter that can also check for straightness, which was chosen as being equally efficient as other methods while offering highly reliable objectively verifiable data.

[In vitro enamel fluoridation using an ultraviolet laser]. / Fluoration de l'émail in vitro par laser à rayons ultraviolets.

28 samples of human enamel have been studied in order to measure fluoride absorption after treatment with ultraviolet radiations. Samples treated with topical application only presented limited fluoride absorption in enamel surface (up to 0.5 microns deep). The absorption rate was higher, using an U.V. lamp. In samples treated with "excimer" laser, fluoride absorption was much higher in the surface layer and occurred also deeper (3 microns).