To provide updated information about the use of lasers as an adjunctive therapy for

Introduction: In an Orthodontic and a Periodontal practice the most frequently missing teeth were the third molars followed by the mandibular M1 and the maxillary PM1. Objective: To record the incidence of absent teeth/missing teeth amongst patients attending differing dental practices. Materials and methods: Data recording age, gender and missing teeth (jaw and side) were drawn from the records of the initial consultations of patients attending five practice types: orthodontic (n 194), periodontal (n 202), prosthodontic (n 137), general dental practice (n 115) and Oral Hygiene Clinic (n 156). Excluded were patients under age 20 and those attending for oral medicine consultation (no dental charting). Results: Mean ages (group, sd) ranged from 34.7y (orthodontic 9.8y) to 50y (prosthodontic 12.2y). Jaw side had no effect on missing teeth in any group (Z test). M3 were the most frequently missing teeth, followed by maxillary PM1, mandibular 1, PM1 and PM2. Age in decades effected the most dominant influence, followed by Practice Group, with gender having a weak effect on M3 data (linear logic analysis). Conclusions: Molars and premolars were the most frequently absent teeth. Different dental patient populations experience differing patterns of tooth loss, although the reasons are not readily identified.

The osseo-integrated dental implant programme started at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg in 1985. This retrospective study describes the experience gained in the Division of Maxillofacial and Oral Surgery and the Department of Prosthetic Dentistry with the Brånemark implant system. The numbers of fixtures placed, the types of prostheses prescribed and the surgical and prosthodontic successes and problems are described. The results of implant treatment have improved, and follow a marked learning curve.

Various lengths of cantilevers for fixed implant-supported prostheses have been recommended in the literature. No scientific data are available for selecting specific lengths, and different views are reported. Authors contend that longer cantilevers lead to increased risk of failure. This study examined survival of fixed implant-supported prostheses using different cantilever lengths and offers clinical support for the contention.

The effect of titanium on the growth of plaque organisms was studied in vitro. Thioglycollate broth containing either titanium or glass cylinders was inoculated with plaque micro-organisms and incubated aerobically and anaerobically at 37 degrees C for 6 hours. Growth was measured by observing an increase in turbidity of the broth. Cultures grew more vigorously aerobically than anaerobically. In the presence of titanium there was also more growth aerobically than anaerobically. There was no significant difference between the turbidity values obtained in the presence or absence of titanium suggesting that titanium does not influence the growth of plaque micro-organisms significantly.