29 periodontally healthy subjects (11 female and 18 male) with a mean age of 24 years (range 19 to 38 years) and with partially erupted lower third molars participated in this study. 18 subjects demonstrated no signs or symptoms of acute inflammation and were without pain (group A). 5 subjects showed redness of the pericoronal tissues and experienced pain upon palpation (group B). 6 subjects suffered from acute pain and exhibited formation of pus (group C). Microbiological samples were taken from the lateral aspect of the pericoronal space using the paperpoint-method. Continuous anaerobic techniques were utilized for microbiological processing. The samples were cultivated on ETSA and on selective media and were studied by darkfield microscopy. Gram-negative anaerobic rods accounted for 27% (group A), 34% (group B) and 39% (group C) of all organisms growing on ETSA. Bacteroides intermedius was detected in 61% (group A), 80% (group B) and 83% (group C) of the samples. B. gingivalis was found in 1 sample of group A only. Fusobacterium sp. was detected in 56% (group A), 80% (group B) and 33% (group C) of the samples. Capnocytophaga were seen in 67% (group A), 20% (group B) and 50% of the samples. Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans was found in 44% (group A), 40% (group B) and 17% (group C). 72% of the group A and 100% of the group B and C samples contained spirochetes. In all of those positive samples, small spirochetes were present, but only 78% contained medium and only 48% large spirochetes.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

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The WHO classification presently in use categories dental trauma only according to the main injury. A new scoring system will now enable more precise and complete diagnosis of tooth injuries. In an initial retrospective investigation, 100 traumatised teeth were classified according to the WHO and the new scoring systems. Clinical and radiological examinations and another evaluations using the new scoring system were made at the time of follow-up examination. Avulsion, intrusion, and root fractures (score < 30) showed the most unfavourable findings at the time of the accident. In comparison, the most favourable findings were shown by concussion and first degree crown fracture (score > 70). A comparison to the WHO classification occasionally revealed noticeable score variations within a single WHO type of injury. Generally, a strong interdependence was observed between the evaluations at the time of the accident and at the time of the follow-up examination (P < 0.001). If the score at the time of the accident was equal to or larger than 57, a successful therapy was usually ensured (P < 0.001). The new scoring system enables more complete diagnosis as well as permitting statements to be made concerning prognosis.

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A total of 138 surgical excision specimens from 120 patients presenting clinically with epulis was classified by histopathological criteria into giant cell-, granulomatous- and fibromatous-type lesions. Clinical data suggest that local irritants are an important pathogenetic factor. Histopathological analysis revealed that epulides represented self-limiting, reactive gingival overgrowths of granulation tissue displaying common morphologic features in all three histologic types. The transition of a given histologic type of epulis into another, as observed in recurrent lesions, is consistent with the concept of a common histogenetic entity.