Abstract: A test kit and method is disclosed for the semi-quantitative detection of Streptococcus mutans from the oral cavity of a patient. Saliva from a patient is introduced into a diluent solution to which has been added just before the saliva a predetermined powdered amount of bacitracin. Then the diluent solution is contacted with a sterile media-coated paddle, the media-coated paddle containing the diluent and test saliva is incubated, and Streptococcus mutans in the test saliva is semi-quantitively determined by comparing the percent of colony density with a standard Streptococcus mutan colony density chart.

Abstract: A heat sinterable porcelain powder mix and a method of preparing a sintered porcelain product of desired color, particularly for use in the fabrication of dental appliances, which mix comprises an admixture of a porcelain powder with an organic liquid binder, which binder has an index of refraction the same or substantially the same as the index of refraction of the porcelain powder, thereby permitting visualization of the true post-sintered color of the porcelain powder mix during application and prior to heat sintering.

Abstract: Novel substituted 2-(arylmethoxy)phenol compounds having the structural formula: ##STR1## where X is selected from the group consisting of: (a) napthyl, pyridyl, quinolyl and 2-benzimidazolyl; and(b) a substituted alkyl or alkoxy phenyl.

Abstract: A self-gelling aqueous therapeutic composition for topical application and for the sustained release of a medicant compound, which compositions comprise an aqueous ethyl orthosilicate emulsion, a therapeutic compound which is to be released in a sustained manner on topical application, a gelling facilitating agent to aid the in situ gelation of the ethyl orthosilicate composition comprising a surface-active agent and/or a low concentration of an ammonium or fluoride compound and a gelling accelerating compound to accelerate the conversion of the solution to a gel state, which accelerator compound comprises an imidazole compound to effect the self gelling of the composition.

Abstract: A rapid, specific, serological method for identification of microorganisms is carried out by immunizing a warm-blooded mammal with a killed microorganism to obtain an antisera, conjugating the antisera with an enzyme marker, bonding a microorganism to a solid support, adding the enzyme-conjugated antisera to the bonded microorganism in the presence of a color reactant and identifying the microorganism from the color reaction. Preferably, immunizing is carried out with two injections of about 10.sup.9 killed microorganisms each with the second injection being about 14 to 21 days after the first, and recovering the antisera about 14 to 21 days after the second injection.

Abstract: A self-gelling composition for topical application, particularly in the oral cavity, which composition comprises: an aqueous solution of ethyl orthosilicate monomer or prepolymer; an active ingredient, such as a fluoride, or an antibiotic for sustained release in the area of topical application; and a gelation agent, to provide, on mixing of the composition, the in situ gelling of the composition within a predetermined time period after topical application, to provide the penetration properties of a low-viscosity solution with the sustained release of the active ingredient from the gel.

Abstract: A method of treating and preventing periodontosis caused by the presence of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans, particularly juvenile periodontosis, which method comprises: contacting the oral cavity of the patient with an inhibitory amount of an effector strain of Streptococcus sanguis, Strep. uberis or Actinomyces bovis.

Abstract: A method of preparing a purified glucosyltransferase (GTF) for use in immunization against dental caries, which method comprises: culturing a Streptococcus mutans in a medium containing glucose and dialyzable nutrients to form a mixture of culture cells and supernatant; recovering the supernatant by the removal of the culture cells; admixing the recovered supernatant with a water-insoluble, polymerized polysaccharide as solid particulate material for a period of time, to provide a GTF, solid particulate complex; recovering the GTF complex in solid particulate form by filtration; washing the solid GTF complex to remove unbound GTF and medium components; removing GTF from the solid particulate material by a denaturing solvent; recovering the water-insoluble particulate material for reuse in the method; and recovering the GTF from the water-insoluble polysaccharide and purifying the recovered GTF.

Abstract: A self-gelling composition for topical application, particularly in the oral cavity, which composition comprises: an aqueous solution of ethyl orthosilicate monomer or prepolymer; an active ingredient, such as a fluoride, or an antibiotic for sustained release in the area of topical application; and a gelation agent, to provide, on mixing of the composition, the in situ gelling of the composition within a predetermined time period after topical application, to provide the penetration properties of a low-viscosity solution with the sustained release of the active ingredient from the gel.

Abstract: A selective medium composition for the growth and detection of Actinomyces viscosus or Actinomyces naeslundii, which composition comprises: a solid medium selective to induce the growth of Actinomyces viscosus or Actinomyces naeslundii; a nutrient agent to induce the substantial growth of Actinomyces viscosus or Actinomyces naeslundii; a cadmium compound; a fluoride compound; a flavine compound; and the cadmium compound, the fluoride compound and the flavine compound all present in a concentration sufficient to inhibit the substantially full growth of interfering microorganisms, but in a concentration insufficient to inhibit the substantial growth of Actinomyces viscosus or Actinomyces naeslundii.

Abstract: A method for identifying and locating dental microorganisms and a device for use in the method, wherein a strip of flexible material, having a back site identifying surface and a front velvet-like surface, is placed in contact with a selected site in the oral cavity, to retain microorganisms on the velvet-like surface, and then the microorganism-containing surface is used to transfer the microorganisms onto suitable substrates that will make possible their identification.

Abstract: A dental-caries-inhibiting composition, such as toothpaste, mouthwash, or solution for profession application to teeth, which composition comprises a caries-inhibiting amount; for example, 50 to 30000 ppm, of a soluble fluoride and a surfactant having a perfluoroalkyl group in an amount sufficient to increase the formation of fluorapatite from enamel-fluoride interactions.

Abstract: Mutant strains have been isolated from Streptococcus mutans strain BHT-2(str) which are characterized by a single point mutation in the structural gene for the enzyme, L(+) lactate dehydrogenase, this enzyme being normally responsible for lactic acid production by this bacterium. Streptococcus mutans is believed to be a principal pathogen in dental caries, a disease characterized by the dissolution of the mineral portion of the tooth caused by acid resulting from the interaction of bacteria on the tooth surface with carbohydrates. The mutant strains of the invention will be found useful as prototype nonvirulent effector strains in controlling the incidence and severity of dental caries.

Abstract: A method of resolving biological solutions which comprises forming extracting and separating zones in a cellulose-packed chromatographic column and separating the components of the adsorbed sample solution from the top extraction zone by the use of solvents of increasing or decreasing polarity and recovering separate effluent fractions from the column.

Abstract: A premixed, dental-cement composition, which cement composition comprises a chelate of a metal and hydroxybenzophenone, particularly a zinc hydroxybenzophenone chelate; a filler material, particularly a metal oxide and preferably a metal oxide which is the same as that of the metal hydroxybenzophenone chelate; and a modifier, which dental-cement composition may be heated reversibly between a solid and a liquid state, is premixed and exhibits reduced irritation and solubility over the ordinary dental cements of the prior art.

Abstract: An improved periodontal probe to determine accurately the bottom wall surface of periodontal pockets by employing the controlled and monitored flow of gas from the tip of the probe and for permitting a calculation of the depth of the pocket by employing a controlled, slidable movement of the probe and measuring displacement of the probe.

Abstract: Immunization of animals with preparations containing more purified forms of glucosyltransferase (GTF) results in the presence of antibody in saliva demonstrable by functional inhibitions of enzyme activity and binding of radioactive enzyme. Serum antibody was also present. Immunized groups of animals had lower mean caries scores than comparably sham-immunized or nonimmunized control groups. Local immunization with GTF of serotype c or g of a Streptococcus mutans reduces the colonization, caries, and lesions caused by infection with S. mutans of serotype g (strain 6715) or c, or with serotype g or c, or with serotype a or g, respectively.

Abstract: A method of treating inflammation and inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis employing 2-hydroxybenzophenone and substituted 2-hydroxybenzophenones.

Abstract: A method of treating inflammation and inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis employing substituted 2-(arylmethoxy)phenol compounds.

Abstract: A method of treating inflammation and inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis employing substituted 2-(arylmethoxy)phenol compounds.