No abstract

A retrospective study was conducted of 620 patients in a periodontal practice over the years 1960 to 1982. Various periodontal therapies were assessed by using careful office protocols, meticulous record-keeping and well-defined outcome criteria. Four treatment outcome categories were used: two representing satisfactory outcomes (referred to as "STABLE"), and two unsatisfactory outcomes ("UNSTABLE"). The percentages of patients in the STABLE categories following different therapies were: (1) nonsurgical treatment, 63.6%; (2) closed curettage, 73.1%; (3) open curettage, 95.0%; (4) modified Widman flap, 91.6%; (5) full flap and osseous surgery, 71.1%. The major conclusions were that the modified Widman flap and open curettage were more effective than flap and osseous surgery, and much more effective than closed curettage when it was employed as an alternative treatment (54.8% STABLE) to the osseous surgery (71.1% STABLE). Thus, moderate surgical therapies appear to be at least as effective as ostectomy procedures in the treatment of periodontal disease, while nonsurgical and closed curettage therapies appear to be less effective.

Overhanging dental restorations (ODR) are a major dental health problem. An ODR is defined as an extension of restorative material beyond the confines of a cavity preparation. They have been strongly implicated as an etiologic factor in the progression of periodontal disease and are alarmingly prevalent. In addition to promoting plaque accumulation, they change a nondestructive subgingival flora to a destructive one. There is good documentation that bleeding, gingivitis, and bone loss increase in tissues adjacent to ODR as compared to homologous teeth. Removal of ODR enhances the effectiveness of the hygienic phase of periodontal therapy. Many ODR, however, are not detected on radiographs and are evident only by use of an explorer directed subgingivally. For this reason and others, many are not removed. This literature review summarizes research concerning the prevalence, significance and removal of ODR.

In view of the high frequency of gouty arthritis reported in Filipinos, a population of normal Filipino males and an age‐matched group of Caucasian males were examined. The mean serum uric acid value (with standard deviation) was found to be 6.3 ± 1.4 mg. per 100 ml. for Filipinos and 5.0 ± 1.1 mg. per 100 ml. for Caucasians, using the uricaseultraviolet spectrophotometric method of Praetorius. The serum uric acid frequency distribution curve was found to be symmetrical for the Caucasians and skewed to high values for the Filipinos.

A pathologic entity, the gingival fenestration, has been described. The lesion is seen infrequently in clinical practice, probably due to the short time span of its existence and the lack of acute symptoms. It is possible that it occurs with greater frequency than generally realized. A hypothesis is presented as to the method of formation of the gingival fenestration and it is suggested that the area should be treated as gingival recession extending to the apical border of the fenestration.