A double-blind clinical trial was performed on 76 patients with dentine hypersensitivity. For four weeks the patients used either a toothpaste containing nicomethanol hydrofluoride or one containing potassium nitrate and sodium monofluorophosphate. After one, two and four weeks the pain responses of the teeth to three types of stimuli were assessed. In normal conditions of oral hygiene, the nicomethanol hydrofluoride toothpaste was found at least as effective as the potassium nitrate/sodium monofluorophosphate preparation.

In this study, we assessed the LFA‐1 (CD18/CD11a) and CR3 (CD18/CD11b) expression on peripheral polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PB‐PMN) and crevicular fluid polymorphonuclear leukocytes (CF‐PMN), by subjects with a healthy periodontium (n=1), gingivitis (n=8). early‐onset periodontitis (n=17) and adult periodontitis (n=8). Using flow cytometry analysis, the %s of CD18, CD11a and CD11b positive cells and the absolute numbers of fluorescent molecules were determined. No significant difference could be found among the 4 groups, for these 2 kinds of parameters, in PB‐PMN or CF‐PMN. However, a great difference could be noted between the results obtained from PB‐PMN and those obtained from CF‐PMN. The %s of positive CF‐PMN were significantly lower than those of PB‐PMN for the 3 sub‐units (p < 0.001). The levels of CD18 and CD11b expressed by CF‐PMN were higher than those expressed by PB‐PMN and the difference was significant for CD11b (p < 0.001). On the contrary, the level of CD11a expressed on CF‐PMN was significantly lower than that expressed by PB‐PMN (p < 0.001). Hence, our current results show that early‐onset periodontitis PMN can be quite normal and this fact is not surprising insofar as, in our study, these cells were perfectly functional and all the subjects were in good health. We concluded that the analysis of the leukocyte adhesion receptors expression on PB‐PMN does not appear useful for helping to establish a differential diagnosis between the different forms of periodontitis. However, the pattern of expression study on CF‐PMN may permit a better comprehension of the local phenomena which are implicated in the defence of the periodontal tissues against oral microorganisms.

The efficacy of a new toothbrush filament layout concept (Topix, Peridental, France) was compared to that of a standard vertical-tuft toothbrush. Bacterial and exogenous deposit elimination were used as parameters of efficacy. 30 dental surgery students took part in the study. Plaque index scores were calculated according to a pre-defined protocol. Imprints of the 6 anterior teeth were taken before and after brushing with the 2 types of brushes, without toothpaste or rinsing. Imprints were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). 12 h after brushing, imprint examination revealed bacterial flora polymorphism and the amount of dental plaque accumulated at the cervical third zone of teeth. Automated quantification in this zone of exogenous bodies showed that after brushing with vertical-tuft and cross-tuft brushes, there remained 1.26 mm2 and 0.83 mm2 of dental plaque, squamae, and blood residues, respectively. The plaque index values correlated to scanning electron microscopic observations. There was no significant difference in terms of efficacy between the cross-tuft and vertical-tuft toothbrushes.

This work determined the levels of expression of CD11c by neutrophils (PMNs) collected from subjects with various periodontal conditions. The percentages of CD11c-positive crevicular fluid PMNs were significantly lower than those of peripheral blood PMNs, but the levels of CD11c expression were similar in PB-PMNs and CF-PMNs (P<0.001). On the other hand, no significant difference could be found between the groups, either for the percentages of CD11c-positive cells or for the CD11c expression levels.