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Biomedical subjects

H Murtomaa

Publications and source records attributed to H Murtomaa.

At least 109 records · Page 6Linked to original sources
PubMed1985

Age-related expression of juvenile periodontitis.

To test the hypothesis that localized and generalized juvenile periodontitis is one disease entity, the localization of bone loss was measured from orthopantomograms of 88 patients with untreated juvenile periodontitis. Linear regression analysis showed a significant correlation between the age of the patient and the number of teeth with bone loss. Similarly, a correlation was found between the Gingival Bleeding Index scores, the age of the patient, and the number of affected teeth. It is concluded that juvenile periodontitis, known to be genetically controlled, is a disease entity which starts as a localized form with affected first molars and/or incisors and develops, if not treated, gradually to the generalized form of the same disease, which resembles the adult periodontitis.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1985

Plaque growth-inhibiting effects of an abrasive fluoride-chlorhexidine toothpaste and a fluoride toothpaste containing oxidative enzymes.

The aim of this 4 times cross-over double-blind clinical trial was to test the plaque-inhibiting effect of 2 fluoride-containing toothpastes. One toothpaste contained 0.8% chlorhexidine together with amine fluoride (0.1% F degrees) and a suitable abrasive agent. The other contained 1.7 U/g glucose oxidase and 8.0 U/g amyloglucosidase, added to an amine fluoride (0.1% F degrees) toothpaste. 1% Hibitane dental gel was used as a positive and a conventional fluoride toothpaste (Vademecum MFP Fluor) as a negative control. 9 dental students, in a randomized sequence, applied the 4 dentifrices twice daily from Monday afternoon to Friday morning with cap splints, designed to cover the teeth and about 2 mm of gingiva. No other oral hygiene measures were allowed during the 4 test periods. On Fridays, the teeth were cleaned professionally and good oral hygiene was maintained during the week-ends. At the beginning and at the end of each test period, per student plaque thickness was recorded using the plaque index, the visible plaque index, and plaque fresh weight as parameters, and the area of plaque as related to the area of the tooth surface was recorded planimetrically and according to the PLQ index. The best plaque growth-inhibiting effect was recorded for the positive control (CHX) with the test chlorhexidine toothpaste (TX) as next best. The enzyme-containing toothpaste (TE) did not differ significantly from the negative control (C). All the significant differences in anti-plaque effect between the 4 toothpastes were obtained by recordings of plaque thickness and none on the basis of area of plaque.

Chlorhexidine↗
PubMed1985

Differentiating dental satisfaction in Finns by means of discriminant analyses.

In March 1983 dental satisfaction was studied by interviews with a sample comprising 957 persons drawn to cover the total Finnish population aged 15 yr or over. 34% of the interviewees wore removable dentures of some kind. 78% of persons with only natural teeth and 56% of denture wearers were satisfied with their dentition (subjective estimation of dentition excellent or good). Among persons with only natural teeth the level of satisfaction differed significantly with respect to sex, age, toothbrushing frequency and the latest dental visit. Such a difference was not found among denture wearers. The time elapsed since the latest dental visit was the most important single variable in the discriminant analyses of the level of satisfaction both in the whole series and among persons with only natural teeth. Sex was the only variable in the discriminant analysis which related to satisfaction with dentition among denture wearers. The classification of dissatisfied persons, with and without removable dentures, was far from adequate. It was rarely possible to predict satisfaction with removable dentures using discriminant analysis. The results depict the complexity of the problem. More understanding is needed of the contributions of psychologic factors to patient behavior.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1985

Frequency and suppliers of removable dentures in Finland in 1983.

The frequency of removable dentures and their suppliers were surveyed in March 1983 by interviewing a sample comprising 957 persons drawn to cover the total Finnish population aged 15 yr and over. The interviews revealed that there were 328 denture wearers in this sample (34.3%). The age-standardized rates were 39.7% for denture wearers and 20.4% for those wearing full dentures in both jaws. The rates for complete edentulousness, removable partial dentures of some kind and only partial denture wearing were 21.3%, 10.3% and 6.9%, respectively. Almost all of the removable denture wearers had a denture in the maxilla (97%); 62% had one in the mandible. Dental technicians with a special degree have the right to supply full dentures direct to clients in Finland. Dentists supplied 45% and dental technicians 53% of the full dentures surveyed. The study revealed a contradiction between the legal rights of dental technicians to supply dentures direct to clients and the current practice. The choice of the supplier of a removable denture showed no significant correlation with the education and income of denture wearers. The high frequency of dentures and the misconceptions regarding the supplying of them call for improvement in oral health education.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Use of dental floss by Finnish students.

In order to elucidate dental care behavior related to interdental cleaning, a group of first-year students were invited to a free dental examination. 186 of the students invited (76%) were examined clinically and roentgenologically. The mean DMFS-index of the students was 22.6 (+/- 12.6). They were also asked about their use of dental floss. 35% of the students reported using dental floss, but only 2% reported daily usage. 45% of the students had been taught how to use dental floss, and 83% of these had been taught by dental personnel. Teaching had no effect on the reported frequency of use. There were no statistically significant differences in the occurrence of dental plaque and gingivitis between those who used dental floss and those who did not. The subjects were unable to use dental floss on 1 out of every 3 filled proximal surfaces of the first molars. No correlation could be found between dental caries experience and the reported use of dental floss.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Clinical assessment of amalgam fillings.

The purpose of this study was to determine the quality of amalgam fillings among 20-yr-old Helsinki University students. The quality of the fillings was evaluated for the teeth 16 and 46. The marginal adaptation, anatomical form and surface texture of the fillings were evaluated and the filled surfaces were classified as being good, or requiring refinishing or replacement. The age of the fillings and how often they had been replaced were also evaluated from previous records. 47% of the filled surfaces were classified as good, 43% needed to be refinished and 10% needed replacement. The reasons for refinishing a filling were faults in surface texture (61%), anatomical form (23%) or marginal adaptation (16%). The reasons for replacing a filling were fractured filling (38%), secondary caries or incorrect marginal adaptation (23%), inadequate anatomical form (13%) or poor surface texture (26%) which could not be refinished. The mean age of all fillings was 6.6 yr. The mean age of fillings which needed replacement was 7.3 yr. The maxillary first molar had been filled an average of 2.0 times and the mandibular first molar 2.2 times by the age of 20 yr.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Differentiating positively and negatively health oriented Finnish university students by discriminant analyses.

Dental health practices among Finnish university students were studied in 1980. In order to obtain more information about the factors associated with different health status this problem was studied using linear discriminant analyses. 360 students were separately classified into fifths according to increasing individual VPI, GBI and DMFS index scores. According to the classification, the students of the two first fifths with lowest mean index scores were combined in the positively health oriented group. The students with low VPI and GBI index scores reported that they brushed their teeth most frequently. Also the good results of the dip-slide method for counting salivary lactobacilli correlated well with the low VPI and DMFS index scores. In the discriminant analysis toothbrushing frequency was the most important single variable related to a good VPI score. By a computer method, 64% of the students were found to be correctly placed in the group of the positively health oriented. The corresponding percentage for the negatively oriented was 69%. The most important single variable related to good GBI and DMFS scores was subjective estimation of condition of dentition. According to GBI score the method correctly placed 57% of the students in the group of the positively and 69% in the group of the negatively health oriented. The respective percentages for DMFS-index were 65% and 68%. The predictor variables failed to make an important contribution toward explaining the great variations in the oral health status indicators.

Attitude to Health↗
PubMed1984

Continuing education: attitudes and activities of Finnish dentists.

To improve the continuing education system, a group of dentists who had made little use of continuing education courses offered by the Finnish Dental Society was identified, and their opinions were mapped out and compared with those of dentists who had taken part in the systematic continuing education program. A pretested questionnaire was sent to these respective groups of 725 and 533 dentists, giving 82% and 72% return rates. A fifth of the dentists in service had never made use of the continuing education courses. Compared with all working 30-65-year-old dentists, male dentists, dentists under 35, and dentists working in rural area were over-represented in the group that had taken little part in continuing education. The dentists who had participated in systematic continuing education had also taken part in education organized by others twice as frequently as the control group. Both survey groups reported that they regularly read two professional periodicals on the average. There were only minor differences in the answers of the two groups as to whether they would be interested in participating in courses free of charge. The need for continuing education in orthodontics dominated among employed dentists, whereas self-employed dentists most frequently perceived a need in prosthodontics. Continuing education was generally considered necessary and useful but somewhat expensive.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Effects of a national dental health campaign in Finland.

In 1981 a national health campaign was launched to increase demand for dental services in Finland. The nationwide campaign was preceded by a separate campaign directed at getting the dentists to accept the responsibility for maintaining a regular treatment pattern for their patients. In the second part the public was informed of the means to keep their teeth throughout life via mass-media communication. The effects of this campaign was evaluated by the data from an interview study of 694 15- to 50-year-old Finns made in 1983 and by comparing these results with data from a nationwide study of 648 of the same age group carried out in 1980. In 1980, 54% of the interviewees had visited a dentist within the last 12 months. The corresponding percentage in 1983 was 65%. The commonest reason for the latest dental visit in both surveys was routine examination. The number of interviewees recalled by the dentist was 4% in 1980 and 8% in 1983. Oral hygiene was most frequently stated as the most important preventive dental measure. The interviewees had no doubts that teeth could be kept throughout life. Although the effect of the campaign can be considered positive, in terms of giving stimulus to visit the dentist, the insufficiency of the mass media communication in changing health behavior was also demonstrated.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1984

Reliability of the CPITN in the epidemiological assessment of periodontal treatment needs at 13-15 years of age.

The aim of this study was to assess the difference in the results obtained when using the two methods of recording the Community Periodontal Index of Treatment Needs (Ainamo et al., 1982) in teenaged children. A group of 240 13-15-year-old schoolchildren were clinically examined for pocketing, the presence of calculus and overhanging fillings, and gingival bleeding after gentle probing of the tooth surfaces. Pocket depths were also determined. False pockets around erupting teeth were recorded as gingivitis whenever bleeding was observed after probing. None of the children was found to exhibit deep pockets associated with true loss of tooth attachment. The presence of dental calculus was assessed equally well by examination of the index teeth in each sextant and by examination of all teeth for the determination of the sextant score. Gingival bleeding, however, was observed more often in the maxillary anterior sextant by full mouth examination than by examination of the gingiva around the right central incisor alone. Due to the high prevalence of gingival bleeding in young subjects, it is suggested that for the identification of treatment priorities, examination of the specified index teeth is of greater value than full mouth examinations. It is not appropriate to include false pockets around erupting teeth as indicators of moderate or advanced treatment need.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1983

Risk of myocardial infarction in Finnish men in relation to fluoride, magnesium and calcium concentration in drinking water.

To study the influence of drinking water composition on the risk of myocardial infarction, the following study was conducted: The cases (C), men 30-64 years of age, had been discharged with a first acute myocardial infarction (AMI) from Kotka Central Hospital. The hospital controls (HC), matched for age and type of community, were selected for each case among surgical patients. Population controls (PC), matched for age and municipality, were drawn for each case from the population register. Subjects submitted a sample of their drinking water and a filled-in questionnaire. After exclusions, a series of 50 C-HC and 50 C-PC pairs was finally constructed. The point estimate of relative risk (RR) for the association between low F (less than or equal to 0.1 ppm) and increased risk of AMI was 3.0 in the C-HC series. In the C-PC comparison, RR was 4.4 RR for low Mg (less than or equal to 1.2 ppm) was 2.0 in the C-HC comparison and 4.7 in the C-PC comparison. The results are consistent with the hypothesis that both a low F and a low Mg intake are conducive to atherosclerosis leading to AMI.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Utilization of dental services by Finnish adults in 1971 and 1980.

Changes in the utilization of dental services by the adult Finnish population were studied by reanalyzing the data from a nationwide study carried out in 1971 and by comparing those results with the data from an interview study of 581 persons carried out in 1980. In 1971, 56% of the interviewees had visited a dentist within the last 12 months. The corresponding percentage was 54% in 1980. The most common reason for the latest dental visit was routine examination in 1980, and only 4% of the interviewees had been recalled by the dentist. However, the recall system, when explained, was regarded as acceptable and practical by the vast majority of the interviewees. In 1971 utilization study found that the interviewees had a positive attitude toward dental health education. Likewise, the majority of interviewees in 1980 expressed a wish to keep their own teeth for their lifetime.

Adolescent↗