The purpose of this study was to examine the accuracy and reproducibility of measurements of the facial framework with the aid of a non-contact type three-dimensional measuring system using a grid pattern projection technique. This system had been proven to be useful in reconstructing a morphological image of the face three-dimensionally from original photographic records taken from four directions, thus having made it possible for us to observe and evaluate multilateral aspects of facial morphology.
Enrolled in this study were a total of 19 graduate students with a mean age of 25 years 3 months (SD one year nine months). Records of the facial morphology of each subject were taken from four different directions with a pair of cameras, and a three-dimensional morphological image of the face was reconstructed from these records. Using software, ten linear measurements were taken on the reconstructed image of the face and with somatometry on the human face. Recording of threedimensional image data, reconstruction, and linear measurement were performed by the same examiner twice with two week intervals.
The accuracy and reproducibility of the measurements were assessed statistically using paired ttests, correlation coefficients and the deviation between the measurements on the morphological image and those on the human face, and between the measurements on the paired images. The paired ttests verified that there were no statistically significant differences between all of the measurement values, and the correlation coefficients revealed statistically significant positive correlations. The deviation ranged from 1.5 mm to 2.6 mm, which was similar to those reported previously. These findings indicated that three-dimensional morphometric measurements of the facial morphology taken with this system could have sufficient accuracy and reproducibility for clinical use.

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Topical delivery fluoride has been one of the most important oral health products to prevent dental caries at all ages. It is, however, difficult for disabled patients and infants to use this type of mouth rinse and dentifrice, as they are not be able to spit out the fluoride solution satisfactorily and may inadvertently ingest some of the fluoride. Their parents are therefore concerned about such use and there is a tendency toward not using such items.
The problem here is how to come up w i th safe and effective new methods and home-care regimen fluoride products so that these people could use fluoride products.
One of the methods was to increase the stickiness mod ified to a 250 ppm fluoride rinse and to use it (1.5 ml) like a toothpaste to maintain the concentration in the oral environment at the same level as that of normal children after fluoride rinsing The purpose of this study was to investigate the retention of fluoride in the mouth when applied with the new method and to compare it with the conventional method.
The subjects were 13 adults aged 20 to 33. The subjects we re asked by the examiner to rinse their mouth with 10 ml of a 250 ppm fluoride rinse for 20 seconds or 1.5 ml of applied fluoride gel with a toothbrush with the modified fluoride rinse by the examiner.10 and 30 minutes later, a paper point was used to collect samples of saliva from the buccal surfaces of the upper and lower permanent teeth. The concentration of fluoride was measured with a fluoride electrode.
The following results were obtained;
1) The fact that fluoride was still detectable after 30 minutes at all of the measuring points using the new method clearly demonstrated that fluoride had permeated and remained in every part of the mouth
2) There were no statistical differences in fluoride concentration when the new method was compared with the conventional method at all the points of reference.
The result of our experiment clearly shows th at this new method is beneficial to disable patients and infants in terms of home care.

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The purpose of this study was to analyze a fact-finding inquiry of the first visit of patients and to discover the role of the university dental hospital in the community. A 21-year period, from April 1982 to March 2003, was investigated. The results were as follows:
1. The mean number of children per year for the first visit was four hundred and sixty four. It increased during the last six years.
2. The number of boys and girls were about the same.
3. In the previous ten years, children in deciduous dentition period formed the greatest percentage, about 40% and in the latter ten years, the children of mixed dentition period formed the greatest percentage, about 45%.
4. Over 90% of the children came Tokushima prefecture. In 2002, the number of children from outside Tokushima prefecture increased to 5.1%.
5. The rate of referred patients was about 30%.
6. The ratio of children who suffered from physical and/or mental diseases was about 10%.
7. The recent chief complaint about dental caries decreased and malocclusion of mixed dentition, congenital missing or supernumerary teeth, or injury increased to about 15%, respectively.
8. The reason for visiting our clinic was referral from other dentists, to obtain more advanced treatment or recommendations of relatives or friends.
9. Since 1992, the ratio of re-visiting for regular check ups for longer than five years was about 50%.

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Although the inheritance patterns of cleft lip with palate (CLP) in mice and humans have been investigated for many years, the results appear to be controversial. The present study attempted to detect the inheritance pattern of cortisone-induced CLP in mice using genetic crosses between A/WySn (A) and C 3 H/He (C 3 H) strains. The F₁ hybrids from a reciprocal cross between A and C 3 H were raised, and the reciprocal F₁ and A/WySn were used to produce such as[A×F₁(A×C3H)], [A×F₁(C 3H×A)], [F₁(A×C3H)×A]and[F₁(C3H×A)×A]N2 backcross embryos. Pregnant mice were injected on days 11 through 14 of the gestation period with 100 mg of cortisone per kg of body weight. The frequency of CLP was observed among each group of embryos that attained at least Day 18 of development. In the A/WySn strain, the frequency of CLP was 11.3%. CLP was not found between the C 3 H/He and F₁ hybrid. On the other hand 3.6% (37/1031) in N₂ backcross embryos, and the frequencies in N₂ of 4 groups were 1.7%,4.7%,3.3% and 4.2%, respectively. Among 37 N₂ embryos with CLP, the female(18) and male(19) embryos segregated according a1: 1 ratio of_??_: _??_based on Mendelian expectations. These results suggest CLP was caused by autosomal recessive inheritance in mice.

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The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of repositioning splints in therapy for juvenile patients having signs and symptoms of anterior disc displacement with reduction. A total of 15 patients (2 male and 13 female) with a mean age of 13.5 years (range,11-16 years) were selected from among all of the patients for treatment of temporomandibular disorders (TMD) at the Department of Pediatric Dentistry at Nihon University School of Dentistry at Matsudo during a 2-year,2-month period. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was carried out bilaterally before and after the elimination of the signs and symptoms by the repositioning splint with a 1.5 T or 1.0 T MR scanner and a dedicated circular-polarized transmit-and-receive temporomandibular joint (TMJ) coil. Five parasagittal slices were obtained of each TMJ with thin slice within 4.0 mm. For patients with temporomandibular disc disorders, the objective signs were noted prior to the repositioning splint. This included subjective symptoms, gape, opening pain, palpation of the masticatory muscle and temporomandibular joint, closed lock, joint sounds and abnormal mandibular movements. Patients were reexamined at 1 week,1 month,3 month and 6 month intervals after issuing of the repositioning splint. The repositioning splint significantly improved subjective symptoms, gape, opening pain, palpation of the masticatory muscle and temporomandibular joint, closed lock and abnormal mandibular movements in 3 months. In 40% of the patients, joint sounds and the position of the anteriorly displaced disc were eliminated through the repositioning splint, although this was not statistically significant.
In conclusion, our study implied that the repositioning splint in therapy significantly improved some of signs and symptoms in juvenile patients with disc disorders. It was also possibility to improve the position of anteriorly displaced disc in the TMJ.

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Fluoride dentifrices are major self care products for caries prevention, but unadequate usages of dentifrice might bring a lowering fluoride uptake in the enamel following dentifrice use. We reported that the use of a fluoridated dual-component dentifrice (Test Dentifrice), which contains sodium fluoride (NaF) in one component, sodium monofluorophosphate (MFP) and calcium lactate in the other, enables formation of nano-meter size CaF₂ particles which promote high fluoride uptake. The purpose of this study was to compare the enamel remineralization abilities of Test Dentifrice with regular dentifrices containing NaF or MFP. The enamel blocks with subsurface lesions were treated with the slurries (dentifrice: deionized water= 1: 2) for 3 min, and then immersed in a remineralizing solution (pH 5 or pH 7). The enamel specimens were sectioned for assessment of integrated mineral loss value and lesion depth.
The results were obtained as follows:
1. After 5 days in pH 5, mineral loss va lue in the non treated group significantly more increased than that of the group treated with Test Dentifrice, suggesting that Test Dentifrice promoted remineralization due to fluoroapatite oversaturated in that acidic condition.
2. After 5 days in pH 7, mineral loss value in group treated with Test Dentifrice decreased significantly more than that of the non treated group.
3. After 9 days in pH 7, lesion depth in the non treated group decreased significantly more than that of the other groups. In the non treated group, the absence of fluoride in the surface enamel would produce remineralization in the deeper enamel lesion.
4. Fluoride concentrations in all of the enamel specimens were highest at their surfaces, decreasing towards the interior. The fluoride uptake by Test Dentifrice group was the highest.
These findings suggested that the use of the dual-component dentifrice could be effective approach to enhance remineralization of early enamel lesion in acidic condition.

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In this study, using a small-sized dental small irradiation field X-ray CT (3 DX), the hard tissue images of which are sharp using a smaller exposure dose, we observed unerupted maxillary teeth, the radiographic understanding of which has been considered difficult for anatomical morphological reasons.
1. By observing the surface parallel to the dentition, we found that the second molars rotated in the distal direction.
2. By observing the surface parallel to the occlusal plane, we found that the second molars were located in the buccal direction compared with the first molars.
3. It was confirmed that the alveolar bone adjacent to the area in the tooth eruptive direction was partially absent. Furthermore, the area of alveolar bone dehiscence showed a smaller value compared with the tooth crown width of the second molars.
4. By observing the surface vertically sectioning the dentition, wefound that the root apex of the second molar tooth crown was located more in the cranial side than in the hard palatine side.
5. With 3 DX image observation, the positional relationships of the hard tissue and unerupted teeth were clearly confirmed.

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Fluoride concentrations of enamel surfaces in 9 upper and 11 lower central incisors,8 upper and 8 lower first molars of subjects in Beijing were examined in order to clarify the site differences in fluoride concentrations in the enamel that may be related to the caries status of associated tooth surfaces. Using the acid etched micro-sampling technique described by Weatherell et al. (1973), fluoride concentrations at 2 different sites, the labial(La) and lingual(Li) for incisors, as well as 4 different sites, the mesiobuccal(MB), distobuccal(DB), mesiolingual(ML) and distolingual(DL) for molars, assumed to be developing at the same period in each tooth, were determined. The tooth surfaces were partly covered with fingernail varnish to expose a window of enamel (about 1 mm²), dissolved with 0.5 M-HC104 and washed with buffer solution. Fluoride concentrations in sample solutions were measured using a fluoride ion electrode. Using a regression curve, comparisons of fluoride concentrations were made at depths of 1,3,5,10,20, and 30μm.
The results were as follows.
1. There were no statistical site differences in the F concentration of the enamel surfaces in each tooth at any depth.
2. We regarded the highest possible site of fluoride concentration of all the twelve sampling sites as 100%. Statistical site differences were seen at the depths of 1,3, and 5 um using the Kruskal-Wallis test (p<0.05). The relatively high fluoride concentrations of the site, such as Li in the lower incisor, DB in the upper molar and DL in the lower molar, were in close proximity to the main salivary gland orifices and also accumulate more dental plaque. The results indicated that site-specific fluoride concentrations of the enamel surface may reflect differences in exposure to saliva and plaque, resulting in differences in the local cariostatic challenge.

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This case report describes the process of occlusal treatment of two boys with scissors crossbite occlusion in the primary dentition. Their treatment was started at 4 years, one month of age at Kyushu University Hospital, and at 5 years, eight month of age at Kagoshima University Hospital respectively. Unique appliances were developed for the early treatment of the morphological and functional elements in these cases.
The following re sults were obtained:
1. Normal primary occlusion was achiev ed about two months after the start of treatment. The period of treatment was drastically shortened by using the method of unilaterally constricting the upper primary molars and unilaterally expanding the lower primary molars simultaneously.
2. The partial bite plate of the appliance was quite effective for the treatment of scissors crossbite with unilateral deep-bite occlusion in the primary molar region.
3. Both cases are still maintaining the normal dentition and occlusion.

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On a 3 year and 1 month old girl who came to the hospital as a patient with the major complaint being an avulsed upper right central deciduous incisor resulting from an exterior injury, with the approval of her guardian a replantation was undertaken and the post operation period was observed until eruption of the succeeding permanent tooth was completed. The juvenile patient kept the avulsed tooth in dairy milk and arrived at the hospital within 1 hour after the external injury.
The avulsed tooth was biologically anchored in a replantation and 9 days later was given a root canal filling of calcium hydroxide.2 months after the replantation, no inflammatory resorption was observed.4 months after the replantation, biological instability disappeared but ankylosis was suspected. At 2 years and 4 months after replantation, root resorption slowly continued. During this time in the primary dentition, changes took place where by the interdental spaces between the replantation and adjacent teeth when compared to others, became fewer. The replanted tooth was eventually discarded naturally and replaced by the normal eruptive growth of the respective permanent tooth. On about 1/3 of the way toward the incisor edge of the labial side of the crown of the incisor tooth, white spots were observed but the surface was smooth and devoid of any apparent actual damage of any kind.
In this particu lar case, the time the avulsed tooth was absent from the oral cavity being short, and with the injury being confined to 1 tooth, the ivory portion of the grown tooth roots had already reached a completed ivory growth able to absorb external shock, the oral biting pattern of the teeth and jaws being normal and absent of any distinctively different oral biting habits, at the time of injury the succeeding permanent tooth germ had already developed. All of these were contributing factors for a comparatively normal and favorable recovery in the post operation period. The replantation of a deciduous tooth is basically to be avoided but in this particular case, the deciduous tooth was preserved for a long period of time and any damaging effect upon the permanent tooth was also limited. In replantation of a deciduous tooth, in addition to nothing the damaging effects upon the growth of the respective permanent tooth, we are aware of the possible eruptive level caused by the replanted tooth and the growth of interdental spaces, etc. and their possibilities in affecting the formation of the row patterns of the permanent teeth so that it is necessary to exercise the utmost caution in deciding upon the selection of any relevant action.

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The authors encountered a 9 year 3 month old girl with fibrous dysplasia who had undergone checked up the concerning oral health since she was 3 years 5 months old at the Pediatric Dental Clinic at Nihon University School of dentistry in Matsudo.
At first her mother complained about the asym metry of her face with alveolar bone protrusion around right buccal area above the maxillary 1 st and 2 nd primary molars when she was 9 years 3months old.
The panorama X-ray photograph indicated impermeable frosted glass images with a width of 3×3cm around right the maxillary bone. When she was 10 years and 5 months of age, Apon iwspection the bone protrusion area was seen to be enlarged and was increased in density with suspected maturation of abnormal bone at the frosted glass images with 5×5cm width of using panorama X-ray photograph.
Differential diagnosis in bone disease such as this case should be performed not based on clinical manifestation and X-ray findings but also histopathological findings and bone scintigram etc.
As the bone protrusion was diagnosed temporally as Based on these findings, we will observe the bone size, function and esthetics, and have to choose the treatment method of either total or partial surgical resection.

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We experienced endodontic treatment for the upper central incisor with malformed process contiguous to the cleft plate. The sharp pain on the ulcer at the oral mucosa of the inner upper lip was caused by continuous stimulation by the malformed tooth. We conducted an examination of the malformed tooth using 3 DX^TM (Morita Co.) in order to understand the complex form of the pulp chamber.
The following results were obtained.
1. From the 3 DX^TMim ages, we confirmed that the pulp chamber in the labial process was connected to the pulp chamber of the original central incisor.
2. Pulp exposure was found in the labial process when we adjusted the crown form of the malformed tooth we therefore performed pulpectomy and root canal filling with the gutta-percha point on the complex form of pulp chamber.
3. We are continuing to observed progress of the malformed tooth, and inserted a temporary crown. The patient had no ulcer and sharp pain after treatment, and maintained a good oral state.

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A laser Doppler flowmeter (LDF) was adopted to assess pulpal vitality in luxated teeth. Identification of heartbeat synchronous fluctuations in the flowmetric signal was shown to be particularly important for the diagnosis of luxated non-sensitive teeth. In our method, a LDF probe was positioned at the buccal surface of each tooth at least 2 mm apart from the gingival margin, and the pulpal blood flow was non-invasively measured. The mean flowmetric value in the luxated tooth and the periodic fluctuation in each flowmetric signal were compared with those in control teeth of either healthy adults or healthy children. Low-frequency fluctuations (<0.1 Hz) as well as fluctuations synchronous with the heartbeat were observed in the flowmetric signals of vital teeth. Here we demonstrate that vitality in luxated teeth can be assessed more precisely by introducing power spectral analysis (maximum entropy method) into detection of both heartbeat synchronous and low-frequency fluctuations.
Flowmetric signals from luxated upper incisors of three patients in which the pulp s had survived the trauma showed prominent low-frequency (0.01-0.05 Hz) and heartbeat synchronous fluctuations after injury. These fluctuations were detectable even when the pulp chamber of the measured tooth was obscure and could not be confirmed on the X-ray film. Among the injured teeth, one incisor of a 7-year old patient showed a blood flow value nearly twice as high as the control value when it was measured 8 days after injury. A pulp chamber in an another injured tooth that accompanied root fracture was gradually narrowed and the blood flow value was decreased during 5-year observation after trauma. These results indicate that both low-frequency and heartbeat synchronous fluctuations are useful for the early diagnosis of pulpal vitality and that the LDF is a powerful tool for the evaluation of pulpal recovery after trauma.

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A 12-year-old boy bit his tongue inadvertently while eating, and experienced prolonged bleeding of the tongue for four days. He was referred to the Division of Dentistry, Chiba Children's Hospital, because of persistent mucosal bleeding of the tongue. Hemangioma existed over a wide range on his trunk and left upper limb. He had been diagnosed as having the Kasabach-Merritt syndrome. The blood platelet count was 11.4×104/μl at his first medical examination, and other blood solidification system tests showed disseminated intravascular coagulation syndrome (DIC).
The tongue wound was repaired using 4-0 Nylon sutures and the bleeding was arrested.
However, the tongue started bleeding the next day, and he was admitted to the Division of Hematology because of the bleeding and eating disorder. Carbazochrome sodium sulfonate and tranexamic acid were administered systemically, but the bleeding persisted, so that suturing of the tongue was required again two days later. Despite the suture having been placed twice, bleeding from the tongue occurred the day after. The wound was closed by 4-0 Nylon sutures and a continuous intravenous infusion of heparin was started. After that, there was no bleeding for six days, so the sutures were removed and the patient was discharged.
In the case of DIC, hemostasis is difficult when the blood platelet count is more than 5×104/μl. Before performing an oral surgery, it should be kept in mind that a patient with a large hemangima may have DIC.

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