Abstract: Tooth tissues include the pulp mesenchyme that forms the dentin and an epithelium that is responsible for enamel formation. Cells from these tissues were obtained from porcine third molars and were seeded onto a biodegradable scaffold composed of a polyglycolic acid—polylactic acid copolymer. Cell polymer constructs were then surgically implanted into the omentum of athymic nude rats so that the constructs would have a blood supply and these tissues were allowed to develop inside the rats. Infrequently, columnar epithelial cells were observed as a single layer on the outside of the dentin-like matrix similar to the actual arrangement of ameloblasts over dentin during early tooth development. Developing tooth tissues derived from such cell polymer constructs could eventually be surgically implanted into the gum of an edentulous recipient where the construct would receive a blood supply and develop to maturity, providing the recipient with a biological tooth replacement.

Abstract: The invention provides nucleic acid molecules derived from human osteoblasts. The nucleic acid molecules are used in applications such as diagnostic methods, screening assays and as hybridization probes and primers.

Abstract: Vaccine compositions and immunogenic compositions are described which are glucosyltransferase subunit vaccines for dental caries and which contain at least one peptide which corresponds to a sequence of glucosyltransferase containing aspartate 413, an equivalent of aspartate 413, aspartate 451, an equivalent of aspartate 451, aspartate 562, and equivalent of aspartate 562, aspartate 567, an equivalent of aspartate 567, histidine 561, an equivalent of histidine 561, tryptophan 491, an equivalent of tryptophan 491, glutamate 489, an equivalent of glutamate 489, arginine 449, an equivalent of arginine 449, or combinations thereof. These subunit vaccines elicit antibodies which protect an immunized mammal from dental caries. Methods of provoking an immune response to intact glucosyltransferase are also described.

Abstract: Tooth tissues include the pulp mesenchyme that forms the dentin and an epithelium that is responsible for enamel formation. Cells from these tissues were obtained from porcine third molars and were seeded onto a biodegradable scaffold composed of a polyglycolic acid-polylactic acid copolymer. Cell polymer constructs were then surgically implanted into the omentum of athymic nude rats so that the constructs would have a blood supply and these tissues were allowed to develop inside the rats. Histological analysis of 7.5 week-old implants revealed a dentin-like collagenous matrix containing hydroxyapatite mineral surrounding a core of mesenchymal cells that appeared analogous to pulp tissue. Infrequently, columnar epithelial cells were observed as a single layer on the outside of the dentin-like matrix similar to the actual arrangement of ameloblasts over dentin during early tooth development.

Abstract: Novel gene encoding a human 116-kDa osteoclast proton pump subunit and the protein encoded thereby. Methods of treatment of bone mass disorders utilizing said gene, and antibodies that bind to the protein encoded by said gene.

Abstract: Endodontic fibers comprising a biocompatible polymer vehicle permeable to medicaments, or combinations of medicaments are described. Such fibers can be used, for example, in a method for the local delivery and sustained release of medicaments to periodontal or intracanal treatment sites. Endodontic fibers described include modified periodontal fibers and intracanal fibers.

Abstract: Endodontic fibers comprising a biocompatible polymer vehicle permeable to medicaments, or combinations of medicaments are described. Such fibers can be used, for example, in a method for the local delivery and sustained release of medicaments to periodontal or intracanal treatment sites. Endodontic fibers described include modified periodontal fibers and intracanal fibers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to purified osteoclast-specific or -related DNA sequences and a method for identifying such sequences. DNA constructs capable of replicating osteoclast-specific or -related DNA and DNA constructs capable of directing expression in a host cell of osteoclast-specific or -related DNA are also described.

Abstract: Immunization of animals with a composition containing either an amino acid sequence from the catalytic domain of glucosyltransferase, an amino acid sequence from the glucan-binding region of glucosyltransferase or an amino acid sequence from the native surface domain of glucosyltransferase provoke antibody and T-cell immune responses to this enzyme. Since this enzyme has been implicated in the colonization of mutans streptococci on tooth surfaces, such immune responses are important for the prevention of dental caries. Multicomponent and multivalent compositions which include these amino acid sequences provide effective vaccine capabilities.

Abstract: The present invention relates to purified DNA sequences encoding all or a portion of an osteoclast-specific or -related gene products and a method for identifying such sequences. The invention also relates to antibodies directed against an osteoclast-specific or -related gene product. Also claimed are DNA constructs capable of replicating DNA encoding all or a portion of an osteoclast-specific or -related gene product, and DNA constructs capable of directing expression in a host cell of an osteoclast-specific or -related gene product.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of identifying DNA encoding an osteoclast-specific or -related gene product. The method comprises hybridizing DNA with a stromal cell+, osteoclast+probe, or with cDNA or mRNA from an osteoclastoma, and with a stromal cell+, osteoclast-probe, or with cDNA or mRNA from stromal cells; and identifying DNA which hybridizes to the stromal cell+, osteoclast+probe, or to cDNA or mRNA from osteoclastoma, but not to the stromal cell+, osteoclast-probe, or to cDNA or mRNA from stromal cells.

Abstract: The present invention relates to purified DNA sequences encoding all or a portion of an osteoclast-specific or -related gene products and a method for identifying such sequences. The invention also relates to antibodies directed against an osteoclast-specific or -related gene product. Also claimed are DNA constructs capable of replicating DNA encoding all or a portion of an osteoclast-specific or -related gene product, and DNA constructs capable of directing expression in a host cell of an osteoclast-specific or -related gene product.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a method for the determination of periodontal disease active sites within the human oral cavity by a measurement of the level of interleukin 1 beta (IL-1b) in oral tissues and gingival crevicular fluid at a particular site.

Abstract: A plaque-inhibiting and/or caries-inhibiting, aqueous composition for use in the oral cavity, such as a toothpaste or mouthwash composition, comprising a water carrier and a therapeutic, effective amount of a perfluoroalkyl surfactant having a perfluoroalkyl group and containing a cationic group, such as a cationic perfluoroalkyl thio ether quaternary tri-methyl ammonium compound or an amphoteric perfluoroalkyl anionic-cationic compound.

Abstract: A composition and method for the inhibiting of adhesion of disease-causing microorganisms, such as Streptococcus mutans, to tooth surrfaces, which composition contains as an active ingredient a non-immunogenic amino acid segment of a proline rich protein and which method comprises treating a calcium-containing mineral surface, such as a tooth surface, with the composition.

Abstract: A plaque-inhibiting and/or caries-inhibiting, aqueous composition for use in the oral cavity, such as a toothpaste or mouthwash composition, comprising a water carrier and a therapeutic, effective amount of a perfluoroalkyl surfactant having a perfluoroalkyl group and containing a cationic group, such as a cationic perfluoroalkyl thio ether quaternary tri-methyl ammonium compound or an amphoteric perfluoroalkyl anionic-cationic compound.

Abstract: A low concentration of polyphenols, particularly flavonoid compounds, such as flavonols, and more particularly catechin compounds, employed as additives to compositions containing sweeteners and/or flavoring agents, or both, significantly enhanced the sweetness and flavor and especially, extended the sweetness and flavor time. A composition, such as chewing gum, which comprises a sweetening or flavoring agent, or both, and a sweetness or flavor extending or enhancing amount of a flavonoid compound, such as a catechin compound. A method of extending and enhancing the flavor and sweetness of a composition, such as chewing gum, food or beverage, which method comprises incorporating onto or into the composition a flavor or sweetness extending or enhancing amount of a flavonoid compound, such as a catechin compound.

Abstract: Therapeutic agent delivery devices and methods for using them in treatment of dental disease are disclosed. In the treatment of periodontal disease, a therapeutic agent such as tetracycline mixed in a polymeric matrix such as ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer is packed into the area to be treated and kept in place for a suitable time, during which the therapeutic agent diffuses out of the polymeric matrix, providing continuous therapy for the treatment site.

Abstract: Therapeutic agent delivery devices and methods for using them in treatment of dental disease are disclosed. In the treatment of periodontal disease, a therapeutic agent such as tetracycline mixed in a polymeric matrix such as ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer is packed into the area to be treated and kept in place for a suitable time, during which the therapeutic agent diffuses out of the polymeric matrix, providing continuous therapy for the treatment site.

Abstract: An organic liquid composition for use with a heat sinterable porcelain powder, such as dental porcelain powder, which binder composition comprises a mixture of organic liquids which have an index of refraction of the porcelain powder to be mixed with the organic liquid binder.