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Biomedical subjects

B L Mealey

Publications and source records attributed to B L Mealey.

27 records · Page 2Linked to original sources
PubMed1994

The head and neck radiotherapy patient: Part 1--Oral manifestations of radiation therapy.

The incidence of head and neck cancer increases annually in the United States, and radiation therapy is frequently a primary or adjunctive mode of therapy. As the number of radiotherapy patients rises, the need for proper detection, diagnosis, and treatment of oral lesions likewise increases. Depending on tumor site and size, radiation dosage, and preexisting oral conditions, a variety of oral radiation side effects may be present. These range from mild and reversible changes to severe and potentially disfiguring or life-threatening alterations. This article, in two parts, will review the oral manifestations of cancer radiation therapy and appropriate management techniques.

Cranial Irradiation↗
PubMed1994

The head and neck radiotherapy patient: Part 2--Management of oral complications.

As the incidence of head and neck cancer increases and the use of high-dose radiation treatment rises, the dentist will be called on to treat a wide variety of radiation-induced oral maladies. Treatment planning for radiotherapy patients begins immediately after tumor diagnosis and is directed first and foremost toward prevention of oral complications. In the event such complications occur, the dentist must be familiar with available treatment regimens for managing these conditions and preventing future deterioration in oral health.

Cranial Irradiation↗
PubMed1993

The clinical effectiveness of open versus closed scaling and root planing on multi-rooted teeth.

Scaling and root planing are the most common techniques utilized to achieve a biologically-acceptable root surface. Thorough root debridement is a demanding task, with residual deposits of plaque and calculus a not uncommon finding after instrumentation. This study evaluated the effectiveness of scaling and root planing via a closed versus an open flap approach. Sixty multi-rooted teeth were assigned to one of three groups: untreated controls, closed scaling/root planing, and open flap scaling/root planing. Following debridement, teeth were extracted, immersed in methylene blue, and examined for the percent surface area having stainable residual deposits. The mean percent stained surface area covered by residual plaque and calculus was 54.3% in the closed root planing group compared to 33.0% in the open flap root planing group. The untreated control teeth had 91.0% of the root surface covered with stainable deposits. Within-group comparisons showed no significant difference in the percent stained residual plaque and calculus in shallow areas of the pocket (< or = 3 mm apical to the gingival margin) compared to deeper areas (> 3 mm subgingival). Examination of furcation regions demonstrated heavy residual stainable deposits for both treatment methods, with no significant differences between techniques. There was no correlation between the time spent in root debridement and the percent residual deposit area. The results demonstrate that hand instrumentation alone is inadequate for thorough debridement of furcations and suggest that new approaches are needed to provide a root surface which is compatible with formation of new periodontal attachment. High frequency ultrasonic instruments, rotary burs, and chemical agents may assist in debridement of such surfaces.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1993

Occurrence and resolution of focal epithelial hyperplasia in two siblings with leukocyte adhesion deficiency.

Focal epithelial hyperplasia is an uncommon disorder characterized by formation of multiple asymptomatic oral mucosal papular and/or nodular lesions. This article relates the occurrence and clinical course of FEH in 2 adolescent siblings with leukocyte adhesion deficiency. Histological findings are described and insights into potential causes are discussed.

Aggressive Periodontitis↗
PubMed1993

Incisive canal cysts related to periodontal osseous defects: case reports.

The incisive canal cyst is the most common non-odontogenic cyst of the oral cavity. While the cyst has frequently been described, the relationship between the lesion and adjacent periodontal osseous defects has rarely been reported. This paper describes the occurrence and treatment of incisive canal cysts in two patients with severe adult periodontitis on maxillary incisor teeth.

Adult↗
PubMed1992

The role of computerized tomography in dental implantology.

Dental implant therapy has dramatically expanded the treatment options available for both the partially and completely edentulous patient. Advances in the use of dental implants have necessitated the inclusion of additional diagnostic procedures in the treatment planning process to optimize the site and angulation of fixtures and, consequently, the success of prosthetic restorations. One of these procedures is computerized tomography. Originally introduced as a medical diagnostic technique, it has been adapted for many uses in dentistry. This article reviews the role of computerized tomography in dental implantology. Its advantages, disadvantages, and indications are presented.

Dental Implantation, Endosseous↗
PubMed1991

Development of a rapid qualitative assay for determining elevated antibody levels to periodontopathic organisms.

To allow more widespread use of systemic antibody analysis in clinical settings, a rapid test for determining elevated antibody to periodontitis-associated bacteria was developed. The technique utilizes dot-immunoblotting (DIB) on nitrocellulose paper with whole formalinized Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Prevotella intermedia. An ELISA was used to compare IgG antibody levels to these organisms in venous serum and peripheral capillary blood from 44 subjects. Correlation between serum and capillary levels ranged from r = 0.760 to 0.900 (P less than 0.00001). Capillary blood antibody levels averaged 55% of those detected in serum. The assay was developed using a variety of antigen and reagent concentrations and multiple chromogenic enzyme-substrate systems. Subsequently, 34 periodontally diseased and 10 periodontally healthy subjects were analyzed for serum IgG antibodies using a quantitative ELISA. The qualitative DIB was performed using capillary blood obtained by digi-puncture and results were compared in a blind fashion to the ELISA data. Relative to its ability to detect elevated antibody levels to these 3 organisms, the DIB had an overall sensitivity of 93% and a specificity of 87% (P less than 0.000001). Using peripheral capillary blood and the DIB, detection of elevated systemic antibody levels can be performed in approximately 2 hours. The DIB may be a useful aid in assessing the host response to putative periodontopathic microorganisms.

Actinobacillus↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Implications of diabetes mellitus and periodontal disease.

The dental profession is acutely aware of oral health problems associated with diabetes mellitus and clinical manifestations indicative of occult forms of the disease. Periodontal disease is common in patients with diabetes, and its effective management in diabetic patients requires cooperation involving the patient, physician, diabetes educator, dentist, and other allied health care providers. While these patients categorically appear more prone to diseases affecting the supporting tissues of the teeth, preservation of functional dental integrity can be attained by effective control of contributing systemic and local factors. This paper will discuss periodontal disease, its relationship to diabetes, proposed mechanisms of interaction, and management of periodontal disease in the diabetic patient.

Adolescent↗