No 5 (2005)

The subjects were patients aged 12 to 16 years. A complex of modern physical methods was used to investigate hard tooth tissue of both intact teeth and those at various stages of carious process. Computed microtomography revealed low density focuses in the hard tissue of visually intact teeth. X-ray microprobe technique revealed decrease of Ca/P ratio (by approximately 0.04), and scanning electron microscopy found alteration of tissue structure in these focuses. There were even more pronounced alterations of hard tissue in teeth with a deep carious cavity: Ca/P ratio was 1.6 outside and 1.45 inside the cavity. The study shows that computed microtomography is a prospective method of revealing and studying early alterations of enamel and dentine. The offered complex approach allows obtaining complementary detailed information on density distribution, morphological structure, and chemical composition of hard tooth tissue. It opens new opportunities for development of preventive measures and treatment of the main dental diseases

198 patients with osteal tissue atrophy of alveolar process of maxilla and low position of maxillary sinus floor underwent sinus lifting using Tatum approach as a part of complex treatment by the method of intraosteal dental implantation. Rapture of the mucosa of maxillary sinus floor, causing a large perforation, occurred in 62 (31.3%) patients due to cicatrical and sclerotic changes of the mucosa. The authors developed a two-stage maxillary sinus floor plasty in cases of a large defect. The first stage was closing the mucosa defect with a resorbable membrane. The latter was applied to a previously formed osteal window with 3-5-mm overlapping and no additional fixation. The second stage, performed 3 months later, consisted in raising of the newly-formed floor, and its plasty with biomaterial. Positive results were achieved in all the 62 patients, which allowed intraosteal dental implantation. The patients were followed up during 2 to 5 years.

The study included histomorphological examination of large salivary glands samples taken from the corpses of 24 opium addicts (OA), as well as clinical investigation of quantitative and qualitative parameters of mixed saliva in 27 subjects who had been active OAfor up to 4 years. The study found morphological evidence of sialoangiitis (inflammation, sclerosis, and atrophy); the laboratory data demonstrated decrease of salivation, increase of viscosity, intensification of sedimentation, and pH reduction in the mixed saliva vs. control. Structural and functional changes in the salivary glands correlated with qualitative parameters of oral fluid in OA.

The author analyzes the results of treatment of 46 patients with bite wounds of the face, divided into two groups according to localizations and depth of tissue lesion. The article contains recommendations on primary treatment of bite wounds, given in accordance with anatomo-topographyc features of the maxillofacial area, time of hospitalization, and information on whether the animal underwent rabies vaccination.