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Biomedical subjects

J S Bulman

Publications and source records attributed to J S Bulman.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Clinical efficacy of a low abrasive dentifrice for the relief of cervical dentinal hypersensitivity.

2 strontium chloride hexahydrate-containing dentifrices (SCH), similar except for their respective abrasive systems, were compared in a 2-month randomised double-blind parallel clinical study to evaluate their comparative effectiveness in terms of cervical dentinal hypersensitivity. 2 groups of 20 subjects, each with cervical dentinal hypersensitivity, were evaluated for tactile sensitivity by Yeaple probe, air sensitivity using a dental air syringe and subjective perception of pain by means of a visual analogue scale. There was no difference between the dentifrices as regards reduction of cervical dentinal hypersensitivity at each time point. The response to both dentifrices was evident within 4 weeks of use and the degree of improvement increased throughout the 8-week study period. The results support the conclusion that changing the abrasive component of SCH dentifrices did not significantly increase or decrease the (desensitizing) activity of the original product.

Adult

Probe tine diameter and probing depth.

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of difference in tine diameter on probing pocket depth measurement. 2 sets of tines with Williams markings at 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 9 and 10 mm, and with a "round" tip, diameter 0.5 mm, were compared. One set was described as parallel-sided, the other as tapered. The parallel-sided tine was almost parallel from the 10 mm marking to the tip (tip diameter mean = 0.46 mm, 95% C.I. 0.456-0.464), while the corresponding diameter for the tapered tine varied (tip diameter mean = 0.48 mm, 95% C.I. 0.473-0.489). Calibration markings appeared highly consistent with the expected value to within 0.01 mm. The tines were mounted in Brodontic handles at 0.25 N. Examiner probing repeatability yielded kappa 0.86 for "parallel-sided" and 0.81 for "tapered" tines in vivo. 412 approximal pockets were assessed in 53 patients with routine chronic adult periodontitis, mean age 42.1 years. Each site had a probing depth of greater than or equal to 5 mm, PlI less than or equal to 1, GI less than or equal to 1, PBI less than or equal to 1. Each site was probed 2x with a 15-min interval. At the first 251 sites, the parallel-sided tine was used initially, and the tapered at the remaining 161 sites. Results indicated a highly significant tendency for the parallel-sided tine to yield a deeper reading when a difference occurred. These findings indicate that with adequate training providing high examiner repeatability, one source of error in probing data can be minimised.

Adult

The effect of strontium chloride hexahydrate dentifrices on plaque accumulation and gingival inflammation.

2 strontium chloride hexahydrate-containing dentifrices (SCH), similar except for their respective abrasive systems, diatomaceous earth or silica-based, were compared for their effects on plaque accumulation and gingival inflammation as part of a 2-month randomised double-blind parallel clinical study. No attempt was made to change the patients' oral hygiene prior to participation in the study. Plaque was assessed using the Silness & Löe index and the gingival condition by the Löe & Silness index GI. There was a slight and non-significant increase in plaque accumulation at 2 weeks from baseline, but relatively negligible change thereafter, the effect being identical in both groups. Similarly, the gingival condition showed a slight index change from baseline, although it tended to be slightly higher in the diatomaceous earth group. The results do not support the conclusions of previous studies which indicated that SCH dentifrices increased plaque accumulation. Neither plaque accumulation nor gingival condition significantly changed from baseline levels during the course of the study.

Adult

Dentifrice abrasivity and cervical dentinal hypersensitivity. Results 12 weeks following cessation of 8 weeks' supervised use.

Following an 8-week controlled investigation of 2 strontium chloride hexahydrate dentifrices (SCH) of differing abrasivity, 2 groups of 20 subjects each, with cervical dentinal hypersensitivity, were re-examined at 20 weeks; that is, 12 weeks after the active period. The examination procedures were conducted in the same manner as in the main clinical trial. Sensitivity levels were assessed by 2 instrument methods: tactile (Yeaple probe), and cold air (dental air syringe), and by subjective perception of pain by means of a Visual Analogue Scale. The results from these methods of assessment demonstrated that 12 weeks following the cessation of 8 weeks' controlled use of standard and low abrasive SCH dentifrices, sensitivity levels reversed on slightly in both groups and, overall, sensitivity remained significantly lower than at baseline. The abrasivity of the dentifrice did not affect the desensitivity activity.

Adult

The occurrence of periodontitis-related microorganisms in relation to titanium implants.

The peri-implant space was examined for the presence of periodontitis-related microorganisms in 19 patients. All patients had been fitted with osseointegrated titanium implants which were clinically sound at the time of examination and all had been prescribed daily 0.2% chlorhexidine mouthrinse. In 17 patients, two contralateral fixtures in patients were selected, the remaining 2 patients had only one fixture, and associated mucosal clinical variables assessed for plaque accumulation, gingival inflammation, bleeding tendency, and probing depth. The bacteriological composition of submucosal plaque samples was investigated using non-selective media and selective media for Actinobacillus actimomycetemcomitans (Aa), Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg), and Prevotella intermedia (Pi). The peri-implant tissues were healthy. Twenty-two of 37 sites had a greater proportion of anaerobes than aerobes. Aa was detected at one site. Pg was not cultivated, and Pi was present in 7 of 37 sites, comprising between 0.4% and 60.9% of the total anaerobic viable counts. Since the presence of any of these organisms may play a contributory role to the loss of the fixture, it is recommended that the submucosal plaque of implants be monitored regularly for the presence of these periodontitis-associated species.

Adult

Assessment of periodontal status with CPITN and conventional periodontal indices.

This study compared CPITN with plaque index (PlI), gingival index (GI), papilla bleeding index (PBI), and probeable pocket depth (PPD). 52 patients were examined, mean age 43 years. Partial mouth random recording (2 upper and 1 lower or 1 upper and 2 lower sextants) was made by CPITN of 150 sextants, and at 6 sites around each tooth in each sextant for each index using a pressure-sensitive probe, with Newman tip and Williams markings, and a WHO 621 tip, probing pressure 0.25 N. Ranges of each index were compared with corresponding CPITN data. Most (71%) sextants had CPITN scores of 4, indicating periodontitis. None had CPITN scored 0 or 1. A given CPITN code was found to represent extremes of ranges for all other indices evaluated. There was no relation between CPITN and PlI or GI, nor did CPITN reflect the number of sites affected per sextant, but there was a tendency for CPITN to relate with PBI and PPD. It was concluded that CPITN may be used as a general indicator of bleeding and pocket depth, but not of plaque or gingivitis. Other indices are required to reliably assess chronic inflammatory periodontal disease status in a given mouth.

Adult

Measuring diagnostic consistency.

Statistical analysis can only be as reliable as the data analysed. In clinical or epidemiological dental research, variations in the interpretation of diagnostic criteria can have a marked effect on the reliability of subsequent analysis. Methods of measuring examiner consistency in these circumstances are discussed, and illustrative examples provided.

Child

Comparison of several groups.

Techniques for the comparison of several samples are described. If the response is quantitative, comparison of the sample means is achieved by one-way analysis of variance. If the response is qualitative, comparison of several proportions is achieved by chi 2 tests.

Dentistry

Significance tests. Part 3.

A discussion of basic parametric statistical tests of sample proportions and frequencies is concluded with a description of the chi-squared test. The treatment of distribution-free or non-parametric data is then illustrated with examples of the sign test and Wilcoxon's two-sample rank test.

Child

Significance tests. Part 2.

The comparison of two means obtained from either small or large samples and the comparison of two proportions is described, together with the use of logarithmic transformation of quantitative data in order to stabilise variance.

Mathematics

Significance tests.

Simple methods of determining whether the difference between a sample mean and a given standard value is likely to be due only to sampling error, or to be real and/or of practical importance, are described. The use of the null hypothesis and of standard normal deviates is discussed, and examples are provided to illustrate the points made.

Dental Restoration, Permanent

Probability and sampling.

The concept of probability is introduced, and the role of probability distributions in statistical theory is discussed, with particular reference to the Normal distribution and its characteristics. Sampling and sampling variation are described, together with sampling error, the standard error of the mean, and confidence intervals for determining the likely magnitude of a population mean.

Child

Simple summary calculations.

Methods of measuring the general magnitude or central tendency of sets of data are described, including the mean, median and mode. Similarly, methods of determining the degree of dispersion of the observations about the mean, including range, variance, and standard deviation are presented, together with worked practical examples of their use and importance. The use of algebraic notation in statistics is described.

DMF Index

Descriptive statistics.

The importance of a knowledge of statistical methods in relation to most aspects of dentistry is discussed. Definitions of terms used in descriptive statistical techniques are provided, together with a review of the techniques themselves.

Research