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Biomedical subjects

I Kaffe

Publications and source records attributed to I Kaffe.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Prediction of efficacy of bitewing radiographs for caries detection.

Although bitewing (BW) radiographs play an indispensable role in the detection of interproximal caries, it is not always clear when they should be made. The present study was designed to test the hypothesis that a person's caries and restorative history may be predictive of his or her caries future. Full-mouth radiographic examinations (FMX) and subsequent BW radiographs from 349 adults (age 20 or more) selected at random were examined. Possible risk factors for caries recorded for each patient included the number and type of carious lesions and the restorative experience of the patient. Linear logistic regression models were evaluated to estimate the efficacy of the possible risk factors as predictors of the presence of caries on the BW radiographs. Of the 349 adults examined, 91 (26%) had one or more new carious lesions at the time of their BW examination. The probability of caries in this population at the time of the BW examination increases both with lengthening interval between the FMX and the BW radiographs and with the number of restorations at the time of FMX. A regression model was adopted that estimates the probability of caries being detected on BW radiographs. We found that to provide the most good for the most patients (minimize cost), the threshold level for ordering follow-up radiographs should be when the probability of detecting caries is 5%. It may be seen that even when a person has no caries or restorations at the time of the FMX there will be a 5% chance that BW radiographs will reveal the presence of caries 1.5 years later. The 5% threshold is reached sooner in the presence of caries or restorations.

Adult

Densitometric measurement of radiopacity of Gutta-percha cones and root dentin.

National and international standards require that gutta-percha cones be sufficiently radiopaque to be distinguished from natural structures such as dentin and to permit evaluation of the density of the root canal filling. Discs, 1-mm thick, made from 15 commercial and experimental brands of gutta-percha cones, were tested for their compliance with the requirements. The radiopacity of 1-mm thick root dentin slabs was similarly measured with a photo-densitometer. All radiographs were made on D-speed occlusal film and replicated on E-speed film. The mean radiopacity of the gutta-percha discs on D-speed film was 7.26 mm of aluminum equivalent and 7.53 mm on E-speed film, greatly exceeding the minimal requirement of 3 mm. The difference in the values obtained with the two film types was not significant, suggesting that E-speed films may be used for the test. Dentin slabs were uniform in their radiopacity, equivalent to 1 mm of aluminum, confirming previous findings. In view of complaints of insufficient clinical performance, the present minimal requirement for radiopacity of gutta-percha cones seems too low.

Densitometry

The anterior buccal mandibular depressions: ontogeny and phylogeny.

The frequency of an anterior buccal depression in the mandible (ABMD), or a mental fossa, is reported on 970 human mandibles of various groups and different ages, as well as in 38 mandibles of nonhuman primates. The ontogenetic and phylogenetic significance of the results relevant to development of a chin in Homo sapiens is discussed. The ABMD is also compared with the occurrence of a lingual mandibular depression.

Adult

E-speed dental films processed with rapid chemistry: a comparison with D-speed film.

Image quality of E-speed film processed in four rapid chemistry solutions was evaluated and compared to that of D-speed film. One-hundred-twenty films (60 E-speed and 60 D-speed) were exposed with the use of a quality-control phantom and processed in four different rapid solutions. The images were evaluated for speed, contrast, fog and base, resolution, and granularity, and the useful lifetime of the solutions was determined. E-speed film processed with rapid chemistry produced images equal in quality to D-speed film in the range tested (70 to 90 kVp). Fog and base levels of E-speed film were greater than those of D-speed film. The resolution and granularity of the images were equal and were judged adequate in both film types, regardless of the chemistry used. Rapid processing solutions were found to have a 10% to 15% shorter useful lifetime with E-speed film than with D-speed film. The processing of E-speed film in rapid chemistry is recommended for emergency care and endodontics.

Densitometry

Efficiency of the cervical lead shield during intraoral radiography.

The cervical lead shield was compared with the conventional lead apron with regard to efficiency of protection against radiation during a full-month survey (fourteen periapical and two bitewing radiographs). The study was performed on a Temex tissue-equivalent human phantom, and thermoluminescent dosimetry was used to measure radiation absorption in the ovaries, testes, and thyroid gland areas. Results showed that the cervical shield significantly reduces the amount of radiation to the skin in all three areas and is equally as effective as the combination of lead apron and thyroid shield. It is therefore recommended as a protective measure during intraoral radiography.

Equipment Design

Relationship between the apices of the lower molars and mandibular canal--a radiographic study.

The study was performed on forty-six randomly chosen dry mandibles. The molar areas of each mandible were radiographed by the paralleling technique, and an additional radiograph at -20 degrees angulation of the same area was taken. Measurements of the distance between the upper border of the mandibular canal and the root apices of the first and second molars were taken. The location of the mandibular canal in the buccolingual plane was determined. The obtained data were statistically evaluated. Statistically significant symmetry of the relationship of the mandibular canal to the root apices was established between the right and left sides of the same mandible. In the majority of cases the mandibular canal was buccal to the apices of the second molar, and in the first molar area the canal was lingual to the root apices in almost half of the cases. Most frequently, the upper border of the mandibular canal was located 3.5 to 5.4 mm below the root apices of both first and second molars. In no case was the mandibular canal found in close proximity, both in the vertical and in the buccolingual planes, to the first and second molar apices.

Adult

New concept in chemoprophylaxis of bacterial endocarditis resulting from dental treatment.

Bacteremia following dental procedures may lead to bacterial endocarditis in susceptible patients. Traditional methods of chemoprophylaxis with a parenteral loading dose of penicillin followed by oral penicillin have proved impractical outside the hospital. In 1978, it was suggested in England that amoxicillin be substituted as the drug of choice in the prophylaxis of bacterial endocarditis. The recommended mode of treatment was a single oral dose of 3 g amoxicillin administered 1 hour before onset of the dental procedure. Amoxicillin is absorbed to a greater extent and more rapidly than penicillin V. It maintains its effectiveness throughout the critical postoperative period at concentrations well over the minimum necessary to combat Streptococcus viridans. Amoxicillin has two mechanisms of protection: bactericidal and inhibition of bacterial adherence to the thrombotic vegetation on injured heart valves. Data obtained from 206 susceptible patients undergoing dental treatment under chemoprophylaxis with amoxicillin showed that in no case did infective endocarditis occur. Only in 13.1% of the patients could very mild side effects of this drug be observed. With this new method, there is a higher incidence of patient compliance and administration is easier to supervise.

Adult