Faculty Bibliography

This article describes a technique for making a claspless interim removable partial denture that can quickly and easily be made in the dental office. The unnecessary undercuts are eliminated by use of a block-out putty without the need for duplication of the cast. The prosthesis can be inserted with minimum adjustments.

This article describes a preliminary impression technique for edentulous patients with microstomia. Stock impression trays are modified to make sectional impressions of the left and right sides of the maxillary arch. The cast poured into the first impression is positioned in the second impression, which is then poured to make the diagnostic cast.

The prominent clinical characteristic of this uncommon group of skin disorders, which are acquired or are genetically transmitted, is the development of bullae or vesicles in response to minor mechanical trauma. They can either be skin or mucosal lesions. This paper reports on three cases of epidermolysis bullosa dystrophica. The significance of oral management in treating these subjects is discussed.

Various adverse reactions including anaphylactic shock have already been reported after the topical application of chlorhexidine. This article reports for the first time a hypersensitivity reaction in the form of fixed drug eruption after the use of a mouthwash containing chlorhexidine. This report should bring an increased awareness of the possibility of systemic hypersensitivity reaction to chlorhexidine in a previously sensitized person. The report also will add fixed drug eruption to the list of skin hypersensitivity reactions caused by chlorhexidine.

Pigmented lesions in brown, blue-black, or variations of these colors are relatively rare in the oral cavity but very common in the skin and can range from absolutely benign to highly malignant. The differential diagnosis of brown and blue-black lesions of the oral cavity includes normal racial pigmentation, melanosis, nevi, melanoma, amalgam tattoos, and disorders related to the blood or blood vessels.

The abutment of an existing removable partial denture may require a crown restoration. Fabrication of a provisional restoration to fit the existing clasp assembly requires special consideration. This article presents a simple technique for fabrication of such provisional restorations. An alginate impression is made of the arch with the removable partial denture in place. The abutment tooth is then prepared, providing adequate clearance between the clasp assembly and the tooth preparation. Cold curing acrylic resin of proper shade is mixed and poured in the impression of the abutment tooth. The impression is then seated in the mouth and removed before the acrylic resin is completely polymerized. The provisional restoration is then separated from the partial denture, finished and polished.

Current concern about disease transmission points out the need for better infection control in dentistry. The purpose of this study was to test samples of dental materials in factory-sealed containers for aerobic bacterial contamination. Multiple unopened containers of 12 different dental materials were obtained from the dental school dispensary. Samples were removed from each container and incubated at 38 degrees C in standard broth medium for 1 week. Those that exhibited visual signs of possible bacterial growth were subjected to a Gram stain for verification. The results of that test indicated that 20% to 30% of the samples of alginate, glass ionomer cement and base powders, and retraction cord contained bacterial contamination. The remaining eight dental materials exhibited no apparent bacterial growth. Thus viable aerobic organisms were found in samples from 4 of 12 dental material products.

The use of implanted and opposing magnets has been reviewed. A technique for the use of implanted magnets in the roots of endodontically treated teeth to aid the retention of overdentures has been described.

Controversy exists regarding the correct time of removal of an alginate impression from the mouth. To investigate the effect of time of removal on accuracy, a series of alginate impressions were made of the lower left quadrant of a subject having a cast gold crown with four reference marks on tooth no. 19. The impressions were removed from the mouth at 1-5, 2, 3, 4-5 and 7 min after the insertion of the tray. Accuracy of the impressions was assessed by comparing the distances between the reference marks in stone casts with standard measurements taken from the gold crown prior to cementation. Impressions removed at 1-5 and 7 min produced the greatest distortions buccolingually. For the mesio-distal lengths all time intervals produced casts which were larger than the standard. The reasons for these findings are discussed and possible explanations are presented