title: Surface condition of primary teeth after approximal grinding and polishing.
abstract: Mesiodistal reduction of primary teeth is necessary in cases with mild or moderate primary crowding, in patients treated with Fränkel appliance type I or II or in those who need to keep a primary molar as long as possible due to congenitally missing premolars. In order to minimize the risks of periodontal destruction and caries, the tooth surface should be polished after grinding. A technique for stripping permanent teeth, recently proven successful in achieving smoother enamel than untreated tooth surfaces, was slightly varied and applied to primary teeth. By means of scanning electron micrographs, it could be shown that application of this technique produces smooth surfaces on primary teeth as well. The procedure is described in detail and cases in which it should be used are presented.
authors.affiliation: Zahnklinik Nord, der FU Berlin, Abt. für Kieferorthopadie und KIZ-z.
authors.forename: P G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Jost-Brinkmann
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Otani
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nakata
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D003743:Dental Enamel / Q000601:surgery* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003777:Dental Prophylaxis / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008310:Malocclusion / Q000517:prevention & control; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D013027:Space Maintenance, Orthodontic / Q000379:methods*; D013499:Surface Properties; D014094:Tooth, Deciduous / Q000601:surgery*