Le Journal dentaire du Quebec最新文献

The prevention of pit and fissure caries by the use sealants has been a part of dentistry for at least the last ten years. As a result of recent studies, a certain number of characteristics relative to this technique need to be evaluated. The purpose of this article is to assist the practitioner in the use of this new material and even more so to let the practitioner understand the technical aspects related to applying sealants. A review of the literature on the efficiency of sealants and their short or long term retention rates has been done in the past and is not a component of this article. The originality of the review of literature, in this instance, rests with the fact that is will allow the reader to better understand the technique and the choice of materials when applying sealants.

This article details the problems related to occlusion of 13-14 year old Quebec students. The data was derived from a province wide probability sample of 1201 children in 1983-84 using Granger's Orthodontic Treatment Priority Index (TPI). The principal conclusion are: 32% of the children are in Angle's class II; 18% have an overjet of 5 mm and over; 50% have one or more teeth in minor or major displacement; treatment is mandatory or highly desirable for 13.7% and only 2.9% of the students are under treatment. The results are compared to 6 surveys of the same nature.

One of the main aspects from a patient's standpoint regarding periodontal therapy is esthetics; the clinician who wants to control the disease by pocket elimination may underestimate this fact. This article describes a conservative surgical approach and a type of modified vertical mattress suture which allows repositioning of soft tissues to a preoperative level. A discussion follows on how such a conservative approach respects the philosophy of modern periodontal therapy.

Impression materials and impression trays must be cleaned and disinfected before being used and adjusted in the mouth, or sent to the laboratory. This article reviews some of the practical recommendations for dental offices and laboratories.

A comparative study of ten (10) products recommended for disinfection and/or sterilization of dental instruments is detailed. Four (4) out of fourteen (14) characteristics have been evaluated, namely corrosive power, monthly cost, odor and availability.

Heat sterilization is still the best known method to sterilize all dental instruments. No compromise is acceptable. The use of the so-called cold sterilizing solutions is only palliative. Glutaraldehyde and chlorine compounds seem to possess some sterilizing properties, but these solutions are recognized as being toxic, allergenic and probably carcinogenic. The use of two (2) or more sterilizers may be the ideal method to sterilize the metal, plastic and rubber materials... There are many practical sterilization systems on the market today. An intensive evaluation of these systems is necessary before one is used in a dental office and subsequently an annual reevaluation is suggested. The regular use of physical, chemical and especially biological indicators is the only sure way to control the many failures associated with sterilizers. The choice of equipment is directly related to the total aseptic protocol to be implemented. The objective of this article is to review and clarify certain ideas and controversies associated with this subject matter.

Numerous bacterial diseases, both viral and fungal in nature, can affect the oral cavity, either directly or secondarily as a result of a systemic problem. Their oral manifestations can vary, but are sometimes very typical, and early detection significantly reduces the risk of transmitting pathogenic agents to the dental team and to patients. The principal oral manifestations are reviewed and special emphasis is placed on sexually transmitted diseases and HIV infection.

The practice of dentistry has changed considerably with the proliferation of infectious diseases. A dentist must integrate new universal aseptic measures in his practice to prevent the spread of these diseases. In the first instance, each member of the dental team must be informed of the risks of contamination and infection inherent with their work. They must be properly trained to know and be able to apply all measures which will minimize any possible risk for themselves and for all their patients. Infection control begins with prevention and consists of using protective barrier techniques which will prevent the spread of infection directly from one person to another. Their use is suggested in order to protect those providing care, as well as, patients from cross contamination. One must reinforce these preventive measures by using corrective techniques which will eliminate contamination agents on all instruments, surfaces and equipment. Everything that cannot be sterilized must be disinfected with disinfectants following recommended procedures which are efficient and protect those providing care.

The dental profession has always considered the sterilization of surgical instruments as an important element in the prevention of infection. During the last decade the concern with blood and to a lesser degree with saliva in the transmission of infection, due primarily to the hepatitis and HIV viruses, has resulted in many corporate organizations releasing recommendations to reinforce the use of sterilization techniques and disinfection techniques when sterilization is not applicable or justifiable. As a result of the fact that the two terms are often intermingled, the authors review the fact that each one pursues different objectives and put the emphasis on sterilization by briefly reviewing the principal advantages and disadvantages of each method of sterilization presently available for use in dental offices. Subsequently, they stress the importance of introducing quality control in any infection prevention program, in order to assure that the sterilization process is not at the mercy of human error or mechanical failure. The pharmaceutical industry, food chains and hospital centres have for more than 40 years realized the importance of using chemical indicators and especially biological testing. Only biological testing can put one's mind at ease, for the professional in a dental office and the patient receiving care, that the instruments or objects that one comes in contact with are truly sterile. The dental profession did not wait for the discovery of the hepatitis B and HIV viruses to become preoccupied with the spread of disease and have sterilized their surgical instruments for many years.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)