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showed that dex tranase produced by a culture of Penicillium funiculosum was able to remove plaques grown in vitro. These plaques were products of cariogenic streptococci in su crose containing broths. Later the same investigators working with Keyes 2 showed that dextranase reduced plaque formation and retarded caries development in albino hamsters previously infected with cariogenic organisms. Smooth surface lesions in the third molars did not form when administration of dextranase was begun prior to the eruption of this tooth.The present communication is concerned with the capacity of dextranase to prevent smooth surface caries completely in all molar teeth of golden hamsters fed a test diet containing 56% sucrose. The formation of plaque in the gingival sulcus and the development of periodontal pathosis was greatly reduced during the test period. Also a curative experiment is described in which dextranase removed preformed plaque in hamsters after 2 days of treatment.

Bite guards are useful in the treatment of a number of occlusal and temporomandibular joint problems. These include clenching, bruxism, temporary stabilization of loose teeth and temporomandibular joint dysfunctions. A method has been presented for the construction of hard acrylic bite guards using a direct functional chew-in technique. This method produces bite guards which require little or no adjustment in just three short office visits.