The purpose of this investigation was to analyze the clinical crown of the 3 tooth groups of the maxillary anterior sextant of the permanent dentition of normal subjects with respect to (i) width, length and the width/length ratios and (ii) determine if there is a correlation between tooth dimensions or tooth group ratios and subject height. Subjects (> or = 20 y.o.) were recruited for this study if (i) the free gingival margin on the facial surface of teeth in the maxillary sextant was positioned apical to the cervical bulge, (ii) there was no evidence of attachment loss; as determined by lack of a detectable CEJ and (iii) the marginal tissue was knife edged in form, firm in consistency and coral pink in color. Teeth were excluded if (i) there was evidence of gingival alteration, i.e., gingival overgrowth/hyperplasia, inflammation, altered passive eruption, attachment loss, gingival recession or history of periodontal surgery, or (ii) there was evidence or history of incisal edge/proximal tooth alteration as in, i.e., restorative intervention, traumatic injury or occlusal wear into dentin. At least 1 suitable tooth from each tooth group of the maxillary anterior dentition had to be present. A maxillary impression was taken and poured in yellow die stone. The widest mesial-distal portion and the longest apical-coronal portion of the test teeth were measured. Gender, ethnicity and subject height (SH) were recorded for each participant. Due to a limited ethnic diversity only data from the Caucasian group were analyzed. The mean coronal tooth width (mm) of males versus females was CI: 8.59 versus 8.06, LI: 6.59 versus 6.13 and CA: 7.64 versus 07.15. The mean coronal tooth length (mm) of males versus females was CI: 10.19 versus 9.39, LI: 8.70 versus 7.79 and CA: 10.06 versus 8.89. All width and length measures were significantly greater for males than for females. The mean coronal tooth width/length ratios for males versus females was CI: 0.85 versus 0.86, LI: 0.76 versus 0.79 and CA: 0.77 versus 0.81. A comparison between genders of the width/length ratios of the CI and LI were found not to differ, however the CA ratio for females was significantly greater than for males. A statistically significant difference was found to exist between the mean (cm) SH for males versus females: 181.2 versus 164.0. A positive correlation (p < or = 0.0001 to 0.0691) was found to exist between tooth group width/height ratios within genders. No significant correlation was found between any of the tooth dimensions or tooth group ratios and SH. The results of this study indicate that within male and female Caucasians, the mean width/length ratio of the maxillary 3 anterior tooth groups is 0.81. As well, within both genders there is a positive correlation between tooth group width/length ratios. The significance of these findings with respect to periodontal mucogingival plastic surgical procedures is discussed.

The present study is an attempt to assess if age-related changes, manifested as loss of probing attachment and alveolar bone, occur in humans. 511 subjects, in ages 20-24, 30-34, 40-44, 50-54 and 60-64 years, were included in the study. All subjects had undergone a comprehensive clinical examination, including recordings of probing pocket depth and probing attachment level. A subsample of subjects was selected, whose periodontal status indicated minimal experience of destructive periodontal disease. In these particular subjects, the height of the alveolar bone was also assessed. The results showed that in the subsample, (i) attachment loss increased with age, but (ii) a high proportion of tooth surfaces remained with no attachment or alveolar bone loss in ages between 20 and 64 years. There are reasons to suggest, therefore, that age-related alterations in the periodontium may not inevitably be manifested as loss of probing attachment or alveolar bone.

The aim of this study was to examine some clinical and structural features of healthy periodontal tissues in young and old beagle dogs. The material consisted of 10 beagle dogs; group I (1-year old) and group II (8-9 years of age). All animals belonged to the same beagle dog colony and had been carefully monitored from birth. A given day was termed day 0 on which the teeth of all 10 dogs were scaled and polished and a 6-week period of enhanced plaque control was initiated. On day 42, clinical examinations were performed and biopsies obtained from the right mandibular 4th (4P) and 3rd (3P) premolar regions. The biopsies were prepared for histometric and morphometric analyses. Clinically, the lower premolars of the old but not the young dogs showed signs of marked wear. In the old dogs, the free gingival unit had a more curved and bulky appearance than in the young animals and in the old dogs, the free gingiva was consistently separated from the attached gingiva by a gingival groove. The histometrical dimensions of the free marginal gingiva and the width of the coronal portion of the periodontal ligament did not differ between the 2 groups of dogs. The apical cells of the junctional epithelium (aJE) in the young dogs were consistently located at the cemento-enamel junction (CEJ), whereas in the old dogs, aJE was consistently located apical to the CEJ.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The integrity of formalin-fixed periodontally diseased root surfaces was assessed following root planing to dentin and citric acid application. Extracted human teeth (fixed in 10% formalin), with crowns removed, were vertically sectioned in half. A horizontal groove on each proximal surface marked the extent of attachment loss. The diseased root surface was vigorously root planed to expose dentin. Cotton pellets, soaked in a saturated solution of citric acid, were either "placed" (control) or "burnished" (vigorously rubbed using root planing pressure) (experimental) on the prepared root surface for 5 min. Pellets were changed 2 times/min. The teeth were fixed and prepared for scanning electron microscope viewing and photography. A representative print was selected for each specimen. To confirm differences between test and control groups, untrained raters were asked to perform 2 sorting exercises. First, they were asked to sort the representative photographs of each specimen into 2 piles based on surface characteristics. Second, they were asked to choose from pairs of photographs, representing matched specimens, the one photograph which appeared to have the greatest collagen surface area. The surfaces of experimental specimens revealed patent dentinal tubules and an intertubular area with a very distinct "shag carpet" appearance of deeply tufted collagen fibrils. Control samples also exhibited open dentinal tubules, yet the intertubular surface displayed a "matted collagen" surface. Results of the 2 sorting exercises confirm that burnishing of formalin-fixed dentin root surfaces for 5 min with cotton pellets soaked in a saturated solution of citric acid consistently produces a distinct tufted collagen fibril surface.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Preliminary work has shown that the rate of dentin demineralization increases with increasing concentrations of citric acid. This rate subsequently diminishes at much higher concentrations. The purpose of this study was to more precisely identify the citric acid concentration which produces peak dentin demineralization and to determine if this demineralization process is time dependent. Flat dentin surfaces were prepared on the buccal and lingual sides of 15 bovine molars. 8 depressions were made in each dentin surface using a #8 round bur in a high-speed handpiece with air-water coolant. Various concentrations of citric acid solutions (weight per cent) were prepared, e.g., 0%, 10%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 65% and their respective pH's recorded. 3 microliters of each citric acid solution were placed in individual depressions on the dentin surfaces and left undisturbed for 1, 2 or 3 min. Cotton pellets were used to soak up the citric acid solution, along with any dissolved calcium, and were subsequently placed in 10 ml of 18 Me omega water. The parts per million calcium found in each water sample were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Peak dentin demineralization for 1-, 2- and 3-min application times occurred at 30% (pH = 1.55), 25% (pH = 1.62) and 25% (pH = 1.62) citric acid concentrations/(pH), respectively. Dentin demineralization was found to be time-dependent for all citric acid solution concentrations. The clinical significance of these findings is discussed.

Better understanding of the furcation anatomy may serve to decrease the risk of pulpal injury during rotary odontoplasty, a procedure often used in conjunction with guided tissue regeneration. The purpose of this study was to determine (i) the tooth thickness about the furcation entrance of lower molars, and (ii) whether there is a relationship between tooth thickness and patient age. 40 mandibular 1st molars (M1) (mean age = 36.2; range 10-65 years) and 40 mandibular 2nd molars (M2) (mean age = 37.9; range 14-70 years) were collected. Age, gender and furcation involvement (if any) were noted for each tooth at the time of extraction. Teeth were sectioned in half, buccal-lingual, at the furcation entrance with a rotary diamond blade. A standardized linear reference scale was placed on each experimental section and an 8 x 10 in. photograph generated. The distance from the floor of the pulp chamber to 5 predetermined sites on the root surface was calculated. The data were expressed as (a) the mean of each site and (b) the mean of each tooth (the average of the 5 points of each tooth). Analysis of covariance failed to show a relationship between thickness measurements and gender or furcation involvement. Thus, the data was subjected to simple regression analysis to determine the relationship of age with tooth and cementum thickness. This study revealed that by site, the mean measurements ranged from 2.7-3.0 mm for both M1 and M2. The single least/greatest measurements of the 5 sites were for M1: 1.6/4.7 mm and for M2: 1.8/4.2 mm. By tooth, the average distance from the pulp to the root surface was 2.83 mm (+/- 0.49) for M1 and 2.88 mm (+/- 0.44) for M2. Regression analysis of tooth thickness with age was significant for M1 only. The maximum slope of the 5 sites was approximately 0.3 mm/10 years. No relationship was found between cementum thickness and age for either tooth group. The results of this study indicate that the majority of times the pulp is 1.6-4.2 mm from the root surface in the vicinity of the furcation entrance of lower 1st and 2nd molars. Although tooth thickness in this area may increase with age, the amount is not enough to forego judicious odontoplasty on older patients.

The current investigation was initiated to study the effect concentration and application time has on the rate of tetracycline demineralization of dentin. Buccal and lingual surfaces of extracted bovine molars were ground to a smooth flat dentin surface using wetted silicon carbide discs. Standardized depressions were made in the dentin surface with a #909-055 diamond round wheel. Fresh tetracycline HCl (TTC-HCl) (Flavine Int. Inc.) solutions, i.e., 0, 25, 50, 75, 100, 125 and 150 mg/ml were prepared. A 30% citric acid solution was used as a positive control. The pH of each solution was recorded. 7 microl of each solution were pipetted into a depression and remained undisturbed for 1, 3, or 5 min. At the end of each application time period a fresh #3 cotton pellet was placed in the depression, once every 20 s for 1 min, to soak up the solution. The 3 pellets were placed in a 2.00 ml of 18 M omega H2O sample. As a measure of the rate of demineralization, the parts per million calcium (ppm Ca++) found in each sample were determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Two-way analysis of variance was used to determine effects of TTC-HCI concentration and time on the rate of demineralization. No significant differences were found in the mean ppm Ca++ released at 1-, 3- and 5-min application times for 0, 25, or 50 mg/ml TTC. No significant differences were found in the mean ppm Ca++ released (i) between 3- and 5-min application times for 75, 100, 125 and 150 mg/ml TTC-HCl solutions and (ii) between 75, 100, 125 and 150 mg/ml TTC-HCl solutions within either the 3- or 5-min application times. The mean ppm Ca++ released at 3- and 5-min application times for 75, 100, 125 and 150 mg/ml TTC-HCI solutions were all significantly greater than the respective readings at the 1-min application time. The mean ppm Ca++ recorded for the 30% citric acid solution for all 3 application times were 3 to 5.5 x greater than the highest mean ppm Ca++ recording for TTC-HCl. The results of this study show that a 3-min application time of 75 mg/ml TTC-HCl solution is equally as effective at demineralizing dentin as is higher concentrations and/or longer application times, but was far less effective than a 30% citric acid solution.

The objective of this research was to determine the effectiveness of a biochemical assay which measures proteolytic enzyme activity in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) and to relate this enzyme activity to clinical parameters traditionally utilized for periodontitis detection. A clinical trial was conducted on 8 periodontitis subjects with > or =4 sites exhibiting a loss of attachment of > or =5 mm and probing depths of > or =5 mm with bleeding on probing. On each subject, a plaque index was performed, followed by GCF sampling at those sites which exhibited a loss of attachment and probing depths. GCF was analyzed for activity against benzoyl-L-arginine-p-nitroanilide in the presence (BAPNA w/gly-gly) and the absence (BAPNA w/o gly-gly) of glycyl-glycine and against MeOSuc-Ala-Ala-Pro-Val-pNA and Suc-Ala-Ala-Pro-Phe-pNA for neutrophil serine proteinases activity (elastase and cathepsin G, respectively). Subsequently, a gingival index was performed, attachment levels and probing depths were recorded using a constant force probe with bleeding on probing being noted. A split-mouth design was employed and half mouths were randomly assigned to the following treatment groups: group A, half of the mouth received scaling/root planing and polishing: group B, half of the mouth received no treatment (control). Subjects were treated, then instructed on toothbrushing and interdental cleaning. After 4 weeks, subjects returned to receive a plaque index; GCF sampling, gingival index, attachment levels, probing depths and bleeding on probing as described above. Using a paired Student t-test, the findings suggest that BAPNA w/gly-gly was significantly less in treatment sites than in non-treated control sites (p=0.05). No such correlation was found for other activities, including neutrophil serine proteinases which were shown to occur in GCF in free, proteolytically active forms. In addition, significant treatment effects were detected for probing depths (p= 0.03) which reduced by 1.3 mm and attachment levels (p=0.02) which gained 0.7 mm. The reduction of P. gingivalis from treated periodontitis sites as detected by a significant decrease in BAPNA w/ gly-gly may prove to be a valuable marker for periodontal disease activity.