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Biomedical subjects

L H Straffon

Publications and source records attributed to L H Straffon.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

The transmission of anaerobic periodontopathic organisms.

The oral microbial flora is unique, and available evidence indicates that it is passed vertically from parents to children. In this investigation, we used a chairside assay for the N-benzoyl-DL-arginine-2-naphthylamide (BANA)-sensitive enzyme found in Porphyromonas gingivalis, Treponema denticola, and Tannerella forsythensis, to determine the prevalence of these BANA-positive species in young children and their caregivers. We predicted that if the BANA enzyme was found in plaque samples of children, it would also be present in the plaque samples of the caregivers. Forty-four percent of 150 children had at least one plaque sample positive for the BANA enzyme. If the caregiver was BANA-positive, the odds of the child also being BANA-positive was 35 times more than for a child with a BANA-negative caregiver, after adjustment for the child's age and papillary bleeding score (PBS). Other significant predictors were the PBS of children (p < 0.001), a history of periodontal disease, and the ages of the caregivers (p < 0.001).

Bacteria, Anaerobic↗
PubMed2003

Targeting of the year one dental visit for United States children.

The aim of this review was to evaluate the evidence with regard to the timing of the first dental visit for children in the United States. It was concluded that the Year One dental visit should be performed for all children of low socioeconomic status. However, it should be regarded as an elective procedure for infants of middle-to-high socioeconomic status, except for certain selected high dental caries risk subgroups.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2000

Effectiveness of sealant treatment over five years in an insured population.

BACKGROUND: The authors analyzed an insurance claim database to evaluate the use and effectiveness of placing sealants on first and second permanent molars of children in private dental practices. METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted using an insured population with sealant coverage at 70 percent of the usual fee in a preferred provider organization than that limited reapplication to once every three years. Children were selected who were eligible for sealant benefits from July 1, 1990, to June 30, 1991. Two groups were selected for analysis, based on age, as determined by permanent molar eruption dates. Children who received sealants were compared with those who did not to determine post-sealant restorative outcomes after five years. RESULTS: During the full year of coverage, sealants were used in only 16.3 percent of first permanent molars and 11.6 percent of second permanent molars. The five-year incidence of an occlusal restoration having been placed was 13.7 percent and 20.8 percent, respectively, on nonsealed first and second molars and 6.5 percent and 10.4 percent, respectively, on sealed first and second molars. From years three to five, sealant placement provided only nominal additional preventive effect. CONCLUSIONS: In the population selected, both the incidence of occlusal caries and the use of sealants were lower than expected for both age groups. However, within these groups, molar occlusal surfaces were only half as likely to have been restored in sealed teeth than in nonsealed teeth after five years. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Based on the five-year data from a population with a low incidence of caries, the authors found that 15 sealed first permanent molars or 10 sealed second permanent molars prevented placement of one occlusal restoration. Therefore, sealants are more effective when placed in patients with risk factors for occlusal caries.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Trauma to the primary and young permanent dentitions.

It is the responsibility of the dentist to stay current on the latest techniques available to treat traumatic injuries. The charts included provide most of the potential emergency treatment possibilities, recommended follow-up treatment, and final treatment outcomes essential to providing the best care for our child patients. It is also the responsibility of the dentist to use evidence-based research when adopting treatment protocols. It is not appropriate to use anecdotal or single case studies as a basis for adopting treatment protocols. It is very difficult in this area of trauma to come up with good scientific research with adequate sample sizes and long-term data. Dr. J.O. Andreasen has excellent compiled long-term research on trauma. His books, Essentials of Traumatic Injuries to the Teeth and An Atlas of Replantation and Transplantation of Teeth are two very good books for any clinical practice.

Child↗
PubMed1990

Evaluating tooth eruption on sealant efficacy.

For patients aged 5 to 9 and 11 to 14, 100 occlusal surfaces on newly erupting permanent molars were treated with a self-curing pit and fissure sealant. All teeth were categorized according to stage of eruption and sealant thickness of the coating applied. After 36 months, 75 surfaces were examined for a final evaluation; 52 surfaces (70%) did not need retreatment. Of the 23 surfaces retreated as a result of sealant loss or marginal deterioration, 18 were retreated only once in the six recall evaluations. Those molars treated originally with the operculum covering the distal marginal ridge of the occlusal surface had twice the probability for retreatment as teeth not treated until the entire marginal ridge was exposed. The thickness of the sealant coating did not affect the early signs of sealant failure.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1988

Clinical evaluation comparing sealant and amalgam after 7 years: final report.

A study compared two alternative methods for the clinical treatment of occlusal pits and fissures in the early posteruption state. On contralateral pairs of permanent first and second molars, one molar was given a preventive treatment with pit and fissure sealant, and the paired molar surfaces were restored with amalgam. The retreatment rate for sealant was highest after 6 months (20%) and declined to 11% or less during the 7 years. A generalized margin deterioration was seen in more than 50% of amalgam restorations, whereas 55% of the sealant margins remained not detectable clinically. The data from this study support the application of pit and fissure sealant as a treatment within the specific limitations of a controlled preventive program and professional supervision.

Child↗
PubMed1985

Three-year evaluation of sealant: effect of isolation on efficacy.

This study analyzes the clinical effectiveness of a sealant (Delton) and its requirements for retreatment to maintain the optimum protection from pit and fissure caries. One hundred paired occlusal surfaces were treated in 29 patients. Two contralateral, partially erupted, noncarious molars with deep occlusal fissures were randomly selected to receive a sealant; one had a rubber dam and the other, cotton rolls for isolation. Each tooth received a prophylaxis with a rubber cup and a pumice slurry. The dryness of the field was evaluated. Each tooth was etched with 37% phosphoric acid for 60 seconds, rinsed for 15 seconds, and dried for 30 seconds. Sealant (Delton Tinted) was applied with a syringe according to manufacturer's instructions. Sealants were evaluated and reapplied where indicated at 6-month intervals. The average 6-month retention rate over 36 months was 95%, regardless of the method of isolation used when the sealant was applied initially. No tooth under treatment with a sealant became carious. The retreatment rate was highest at baseline (8%) and at 6 months (11.3%). Of the total number of retreated sealants, 61% were from the mandibular arch. During the 36 months of this study, 31% of the treated teeth required at least one retreatment.

Acid Etching, Dental↗
PubMed1979

Longitudinal investigation of the role of Streptococcus mutans in human fissure decay.

A prospective study was initiated in order to detect changes in the levels and proportions of Streptococcus mutans, S. sanguis, and lactobacilli before and at the time of caries development on occlusal fissures. The bacteriological analysis was performed on 195 teeth that received four examinations at approximately 6-month intervals. The data obtained from 42 carious fissures and 153 caries-free fissures strongly indicated an etiological role for S. mutans in most of the diagnosed fissure lesions. This was demonstrated by the longitudinal analysis, which showed the proportions of S. mutans to increase significantly at the time of caries diagnosis, and by cross-sectional comparisons, which showed that the proportions of S. mutans in the carious fissures were significantly higher than in caries-free fissures. Three subjects who had a low caries expereince developed five new carious lesions. Lactobacilli were prominent members of the caries-associated flora in these subjects greatly outnumbering S. mutans. The levels and proportions of S. sanguis tended to be higher in the caries-free fissures. Altho1gh the results are striking in that they implicate S. mutans in fissure decay, they show that clinical decay can occur in a few instances in the absence of detectable S. mutans, as was observed in the fissures high in lactobacilli.

Bacteriological Techniques↗
PubMed1975

Association of Streptococcus mutants with human dental decay.

The association of Streptococcus mutans with human dental decay was investigated by using several types of samples: (i) paraffin-stimulated saliva samples taken from children with from 0 to 15 decayed teeth; (ii) pooled occlusal and approximal plaque taken from children with no decayed or filled teeth, or from children with rampant caries of 10 or more teeth; (iii) plaque removed from single occlusal fissures that were either carious or noncarious. The results showed a significant association between plaque levels of S. mutans and caries. The strongest association, P < 0.0001, was found when plaque was removed from single occlusal fissures. Seventy-one percent of the carious fissures had S. mutans accounting for more than 10% of the viable flora, whereas 70% of the fissures that were caries free had no detectable S. mutans. Sixty-five percent of the pooled plaque samples from the children with rampant caries had S. mutans accounting for more than 10% of the viable flora, whereas 40% of the pooled samples from children that were caries free had no detectable S. mutans. Saliva samples tended to have low levels of S. mutans and were equivocal in demonstrating a relationship between S. mutans and caries.

Child↗