A Clinical Study of Plaque Reduction by Viokase

A STUDY OF BACTEREMIA FOLLOWING WOUND LAVAGE Gross, A., Bhaskar, S. N., and Cutright, D . E . Oral Surg., 31:720, May, 1971 In two groups of rats the masseter muscles were cut 1.5 cm. in length and to the mandibular ramus in depth. Bacteria were introduced into the wound (Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Proteus mirabilis). Thirty minutes later a water lavage (70 lb./in.) was performed for 30 seconds. Blood samples were obtained by cardiac puncture (5 ml.) at 2, 5, 10, 20, 30 minutes and cultured. The second group of rats differed from the first only in that they had a 70% ethyl alcohol wipe prior to sampling. The results showed that except for occasional contamination, bacteremia was negligible in both groups. Department of Microbiology, U.S. Army Institute of Dental Research, Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, D.C. 20012. EFFECT OF PRESSURE AND TIP MODIFICATION O N THE DISPERSION OF FLUID THROUGHOUT CELLS AND TISSUES DURING THE IRRIGATION OF EXPERIMENTAL WOUNDS Carlson, H. C , Briggs, R. L., Green, V. A., and Stewart, J. L. Oral Surg., 32:347, August, 1971 Lavage of 18 avulsive wounds in dogs with duplicate tip (single orifice, multijet, and radiant catheter tips) and pressure (30, 60, and 90 p.s.i.) variables was performed using pulsed lavage. An additional six wounds were irrigated with a rubber bulb syringe. The lavage solution was 100 ml. of a 25 percent aqueous solution of sodium diatrizoate, and the contaminant was iron filings. For another 24 animals, the lavage was 100 ml. of isotonic saline and there was no contaminant from iron filings. For another 24 animals, the lavage was 100 ml. of isotonic saline and there was no contaminant. Radiographs showed increasing dispersion of radiopaque fluid throughout the tissues as the pressure was increased with single orifice and radiant catheter tips. No spread occurred with the multijet tip or the bulb syringe. Microscopic study showed moderate fiber separation at 30 p.s.i. with the single orifice and radiant catheter tips, increasing at 60 and 90 p.s.i. The multijet tip produced no fiber separation at any of the pressures. The bulb syringe caused no fiber separation in 8 X 5 mm. wounds, but it did in 8 x 2 0 mm. wounds. It was concluded that the use of a multijet tip on a pulsed mechanical lavage device was the most favorable in terms of efficiency in removal of contaminant, combined with negligible tissue damage. Department of Research, University of Missouri, School of Dentistry, 650 E. 25th St., Kansas City, Mo. 64108. T H E RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ORAL SYMPTOMS, INSULIN RELEASE, AND GLUCOSE INTOLERANCE Brody, H. A., Prendergast, J. J., and Silverman, S. Oral Surg., 31:777, June, 1971 Using 142 people who complained of oral symptoms of burning dryness, or gingival tenderness, comparisons were made between Glucose Tolerance Test findings, the magnitude and timing of the immunoreactive insulin release, and the effects of treatment with a new sulfonylurea. It was assumed that, at most, seven percent of the general population is affected by diabetes mellitus. In this study, 35 percent of the patient group with the oral symptoms had glucose tolerance curves indicative of diabetes. It was stated that oral symptoms may be helpful in monitoring the control of patients with diagnosed diabetes mellitus. Division of Oral Biology, University of California, San Francisco Medical Center, San Francisco, California 94122. T H E PLAQUE INHIBITING EFFECT OF CHLORHEXIDINE-CONTAINING DENTIFRICES Gjermo, P., and Rölla, G. Scand. J. Dent. Res., 79:126, No. 2, 1971 In a two-month double-blind study with 53 students using 0.8% and 0.6% chlorhexidine digluconate, the experimental groups had significantly (p < 0.5) lower plaque scores than the placebo group. Storing the dentifrices at room temperature for up to six months resulted in no change of antibacterial activity as measured in vitro. Staining of silicate restorations was frequently noted, but no damage to oral mucosa or dorsum of the tongue was seen. Dept. of Periodontics, Dental Faculty, University of Oslo, Geitmyrsveien 69, Oslo, Norway.