Acta odontologica Scandinavica
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In Lithuania, the oral health system is currently in transition and systematic data are needed for public oral health care planning. The objectives of this study were (i) to describe the self-assessment of oral health status in Lithuanian adults, the oral hygiene practices, and dental visiting habits; (ii) to assess the attitudes towards teeth and oral health, dental care and oral health services; (iii) to determine whether oral health attitudes and behavior are affected by socio-economic factors; and (iv) to analyse the association between self-care practices and use of oral health services. The study comprised random samples of 35-44-year-olds (n = 381) and 65-74-year-olds (n = 302). ⋯ The bivariate analyses showed that perceived oral health status and oral self-care practices were related to use of dental services. The multivariate analyses of dental visiting habits revealed the effects of gender, urbanization, presence of natural teeth, experience of dental problems, attitudes to dental care and dentists, and education. In conclusion, preventive dental services should be introduced and the establishment of community-based oral health promotion programs is urgently needed for Lithuania.
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Salivary diagnosis is a developing area in clinical chemistry and dentistry. Cortisol analyses from saliva have been used in pediatric practice and as doping tests. Growth hormone (hGH), also a stress hormone, has not been analyzed from saliva. ⋯ The validity of this method developed in our laboratory was found to be good. The results showed correlation of salivary cortisol with that of serum (r = 0.47, P < 0.001). Salivary hGH concentrations were 1000-fold lower than the respective values in serum, but a clear correlation was found between salivary and serum hGH levels (r = 0.59, P < 0.001).
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Acta Odontol. Scand. · Aug 1999
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical TrialRectal sedation with diazepam or midazolam during extractions of traumatized primary incisors: a prospective, randomized, double-blind trial in Swedish children aged 1.5-3.5 years.
The aim of this study was to compare rectal sedation with diazepam and rectal sedation with midazolam with regard to sedative effect, treatment acceptance, and amnesia. Ninety children, 1.5-3.5 years of age, consecutively referred for extractions of traumatized primary incisors were randomly sedated with diazepam (0.7 mg/kg body weight) or midazolam (0.3 mg/kg body weight). The study design was randomized and double-blind. ⋯ Parental rating on a VAS of the child's discomfort after treatment was significantly higher in the diazepam group (P=0.006). There was a tendency for children with poor acceptance of the rectal administration to display a more negative acceptance of the dental treatment. In conclusion, the present results, in combination with known pharmacological advantages, indicate that midazolam is preferable in outpatients when sedation is needed and amnesia is desirable.
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Acta Odontol. Scand. · Jun 1998
Comparative StudyEffect of local glucocorticoid injection on masseter muscle level of serotonin in patients with chronic myalgia.
The aim of this study was to compare the effects on the level of serotonin (5-HT) in the masseter muscle by intramuscular glucocorticoid (GC) administration in patients with fibromyalgia (FM) and localized myalgia (LM), as well as to determine associated changes in pain, tenderness, and microcirculation. The study comprised 22 patients with pain and tenderness in the masseter muscle region. Ten patients (all women) had FNI, and 12 (1 man and 11 women) had LM involving the temporomandibular system. ⋯ In the LM group there was a negative correlation regarding changes between visits of 5-HT and changes of pressure pain threshold and pressure pain tolerance level. This study indicates that there is a reduction of the ratio between initial 5-HT and steady state level in the painful masseter muscle after intramuscular GC administration to FM patients, a reduction not present in the LM patients. In addition, 5-HT seems to be involved in the modulation of local muscle microcirculation in FM patients and in hyperalgesia in LM patients.
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Acta Odontol. Scand. · Apr 1998
Comparative StudySizes of dental arches in young adult patients with Pierre Robin sequence and isolated cleft palate.
The dental arch dimensions of 29 patients with Pierre Robin sequence (16.4-25.4 years of age) and of 31 patients with isolated cleft palate (16.9-19.9 years of age) were examined. All patients in the isolated cleft palate group and 21 patients in the Pierre Robin sequence group had had the Cronin modification V-Y pushback technique primary surgery performed. ⋯ On comparison of the arch sizes, sex differences were more pronounced in the isolated cleft palate group. The high percentage of missing teeth and surgery was found to explain some of the small sizes of the dental arches in the Pierre Robin sequence group.