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Biomedical subjects

N M Ross

Publications and source records attributed to N M Ross.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

A modified Kapur scale for evaluating denture retention and stability: methodology study.

This study described a modification of a standard method for evaluating the retention and stability of complete denture prostheses. The upper ranges of the Kapur Scale for retention and stability were expanded to improve the sensitivity of this procedure. The standard and modified Kapur scales were also compared with a model using two denture adhesives that have demonstrated varying efficacies when evaluated by more refined laboratory instrumentation. This study verified that the modified Kapur scale was more capable of discriminating the effectiveness between the two denture adhesives, confirming the elevated sensitivity of the modified scale. This improvement of the Kapur scale could be valuable in conducting clinical efficacy trials of denture adhesives when more advanced methodologies present logistic problems.

Adhesives

Effects of 6 months use of an antiseptic mouthrinse on supragingival dental plaque microflora.

This study was undertaken to determine whether long-term use (6-months) of an antiseptic mouthrinse (Listerine Antiseptic, Warner Lambert Co., Morris Plains, NJ, USA) led to an undesirable succession of oral pathogens or the emergence of resistant microbial forms. Supragingival plaque was collected from 83 subjects before treatment and after either 3 or 6 months use of either the active antiseptic or a 5% hydroalcohol control. Subjects rinsed with their assigned mouthrinse twice daily under supervision. The plaque samples were analyzed for microbial content by darkfield microscopy, culture on a series of nonselective and selective bacterial media, and by recognition of microbial forms by recognition of distinct colony on a nonselective medium. Statistical analysis of the results revealed no significant microbial shifts including no significant increases in presumptive oral pathogens, spirochetes, black-pigmented Bacteroides, Streptococcus mutans, or Candida albicans. Additionally, no detectable rise in either staphylococci or enteric bacteria, potential opportunistic pathogens, was observed.

Adolescent

Correlations among gingival indices: a methodology study.

Using an experimental gingivitis model, 99 subjects completed a 3-week study to determine the correlations between a visual index of gingivitis, the Modified Gingival Index (MGI), and the Gingival Index (GI), the Interdental Bleeding Index (IBI), and the Papillary Bleeding Index (PBI). Following a baseline examination consisting of the MGI and either the GI, IBI, or PBI, each subject received a full mouth scaling and rubber cup polishing to render the teeth plaque and calculus free. Subjects then rinsed twice daily for 30 seconds with 20 ml of either an active antimicrobial or control mouthrinse for 3 weeks while abstaining from all other oral hygiene. The MGI correlated significantly with the GI, IBI, and PBI, both at baseline and at 3 weeks for all subjects.

Adolescent

A survey of dentists' drug prescribing practices.

The drug prescribing practices of dentists should be of interest to the dental profession, drug manufacturers, the medical profession and dental educators. This article presents an update on an earlier similar survey reported by the authors as well as information on current infection control procedures, the treatment of hepatitis and AIDS patients, and generic drug substitution. The classes of drugs that are important to the practitioner and the level of prescribing activity have not changed appreciably since the earlier study. There has been, however, a significant change in nonopioid analgesic drug preference with ibuprofen overtaking aspirin and acetaminophen by a wide margin. That age affects the character of practice was confirmed: far fewer older practitioners report prescribing drugs than do their younger counterparts. A very gratifying finding was the high level of compliance with ADA recommendations regarding infectious diseases although fears over treating AIDS patients remain high.

Adult

Long-term effects of Listerine antiseptic on dental plaque and gingivitis.

Chemotherapeutic mouthrinses are useful adjuncts to normal oral hygiene and regular professional care for patients whose mechanical plaque removal is less than optimal. Recognizing this, the American Dental Association Council on Dental Therapeutics published guidelines for evaluating the safety and efficacy of products for the control of gingivitis. Four 6-month or longer controlled clinical trials have shown Listerine to be significantly effective in helping prevent the development of both supragingival plaque and gingivitis. Two microbiology studies have demonstrated that no resistant microorganisms, opportunistic microorganisms, or presumptive oral pathogens emerge as a result of long-term, daily Listerine use. Listerine is the first nonprescription mouthrinse to receive the Council on Dental Therapeutics Seal of Acceptance as safe and effective in helping to prevent and reduce supragingival plaque accumulation and gingivitis when used in a conscientiously applied program of oral hygiene and regular professional care.

Clinical Trials as Topic

Clinical efficacy of listerine in inhibiting and reducing plaque and experimental gingivitis.

103 adult subjects completed a supervised 2-week double-blind controlled clinical study to determine the effect of using either listerine antiseptic (LA) or its vehicle control (VC), as the only oral hygiene procedure, in inhibiting the development of and in reducing plaque and experimental gingivitis. Following baseline examinations, half-mouth prophylaxes were performed on each subject, who continued normal oral hygiene and returned 4 or 5 days later for a second baseline. Subjects then rinsed, under supervision, either 2 or 4 times daily for 2 weeks with LA or twice daily with VC, but suspended all other oral hygiene measures. Plaque and gingivitis were evaluated at baselines and after 2 weeks. Subjects using LA 2 or 4 times a day as the only oral hygiene procedure for 2 weeks demonstrated highly significant inhibition and reduction of both supragingival plaque and gingival inflammation compared to those using VC.

Adolescent