Hermann Lang

Publications of Hermann Lang

• Secondary trauma from occlusion and periodontitis.

  Authors: Mark Branschofsky, Thomas Beikler, Ralf Schäfer, Thomas F Flemming, Hermann Lang

  Quintessence international (Berlin, Germany : 1985). 06/2011; 42(6):515-22.

  To assess the association between secondary trauma from occlusion and the severity of periodontitis. A total of 288 subjects with chronic periodontitis of varying severity and 93 healthy subjectsTo assess the association between secondary trauma from occlusion and the severity of periodontitis. A total of 288 subjects with chronic periodontitis of varying severity and 93 healthy subjects were included in the study. Premature and balance contacts were identified by manual palpation and visualization of occlusal contacts during clenching in habitual intercuspation and lateral or protrusive movements of the mandible. Statistical analysis was performed with Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney, and Spearman correlation tests. Statistically significant differences (P<.001) were found for all variables tested (ie, the total amount of trauma per patient and the number of premature and balance contacts increased significantly with the level of clinical attachment loss). The Spearman test showed a statistically significant correlation between the total amount of trauma per patient and the severity of periodontitis (P<.001). The results of this study indicate that secondary trauma from occlusion (ie, premature and balance contacts) is frequently seen in periodontally compromised patients and is positively correlated with the severity of attachment loss.

• A survey on German dentists regarding the management of craniomandibular disorders.

  Authors: Michelle Ommerborn, Carolin Kollmann, Jörg Handschel, Rita Depprich, Hermann Lang, Wolfgang Raab

  Clinical oral investigations. 06/2009;

  The purpose of the present investigation was to identify the most frequent therapies and, in particular, the prescription patterns for occlusal splints for the management of craniomandibularThe purpose of the present investigation was to identify the most frequent therapies and, in particular, the prescription patterns for occlusal splints for the management of craniomandibular disorders (CMDs) used by German general dentists and specialists. Additionally, the knowledge and opinion of the practising dentists were examined. All active members of the statutory dental insurance providers of the German North Rhine (n = 5,500) and the Westphalia-Lippe area (n = 4,984) were surveyed with a questionnaire by mail. Results indicated that occlusal splints were the first-choice therapy followed by physiotherapy and occlusal equilibration. In the preceding year, both general dentists and specialists made 30 occlusal splints on average. With regard to high-quality evidence-based recommendations, some statistically significant discrepancies between general dentists and specialists were detected. On the basis of the present data, it seems useful to consider intensifying the topic of CMDs and orofacial pain in future undergraduate dental curricula and in postgraduate training.

• Effect of a 40% chlorhexidine varnish on demineralization of dentin surfaces in situ.

  Authors: Mozhgan Bizhang, Rainer Seemann, Gregor Römhild, Yong-Hee P Chun, Niklas Umland, Hermann Lang, Stefan Zimmer

  American journal of dentistry. 06/2007; 20(3):193-7.

  PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of varnish with different chlorhexidine concentrations on the demineralization of dentin surfaces in situ. METHODS: An intraoral model was used to study the ability ofPURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of varnish with different chlorhexidine concentrations on the demineralization of dentin surfaces in situ. METHODS: An intraoral model was used to study the ability of chlorhexidine to prevent demineralization. Dentin specimens from extracted human teeth were treated with chlorhexidine varnish and exposed to the oral environment of 47 subjects. The dentin specimens were prepared from the cervical regions of 47 third molars, sterilized by irradiation with 60 GY and mounted in intraoral appliances worn by the subjects. Before the delivery of the appliance, the specimens and participants were treated once with one of the three different varnishes (according to the manufacturer's instructions). All participants were randomly assigned to one of the three groups: (1) EC 40 (n=16), (2) Cervitec (n=15), or (3) ChemFil Varnish (control group, n=16). The appliances were worn day and night for 3 weeks. At mealtimes, the appliance was stored in 10% sucrose solution. After exposure to demineralization, the dentin surface was evaluated by microradiography to assess the depth of the lesion (microm) and the loss of mineral (Vol% microm). Data analysis was accomplished using one-way ANOVA plus LSD testing (P< 0.05). RESULTS: Both chlorhexidine varnishes EC 40 and Cervitec resulted in significantly decreased mineral loss and lesion depth in dentin than the control. In addition, EC 40 treated specimens demonstrated significantly reduced lesion depth compared to Cervitec and the control (109.22 microm vs. 139.23 microm and 178.21 microm).

• Prion protein (PrP) in human teeth: an unprecedented pointer to PrP's function.

  Authors: Kurt Schneider, Yüksel Korkmaz, Klaus Addicks, Hermann Lang, Wolfgang H-M Raab

  Journal of endodontics. 03/2007; 33(2):110-3.

  Although prion protein's (PrP) involvement in transmission of degenerative neurological diseases has been subjected to considerable scrutiny, its physiological role is still obscure. The distributionAlthough prion protein's (PrP) involvement in transmission of degenerative neurological diseases has been subjected to considerable scrutiny, its physiological role is still obscure. The distribution of PrP in dental tissues was investigated using three different methods: immunohistochemistry, cell culture, and scanning electron microscopy. PrP knockout mice were found to have marked anomalies in dentin structure. In human teeth, cementoblasts and odontoblasts showed prominent staining for PrP at levels comparable to those of nerve fibers. Epithelial rests of Malassez, which are remnants of a cell type formerly forming enamel, were also positive. Thus, all PrP-positive cells in human dentition are in some way involved in calcified tissue formation. This suggests a previously undetected function of prion protein in healthy vertebrates as evidenced by an obvious phenotype in PrP knockout mice. Periodontal and pulpal tissue exposed by disease or trauma might represent a clinically relevant entry point for prions incorporated orally and thus a possible mode of infection.

• Deformation at the implant interface to prosthetic superstructure: an interferometric approach.

  Authors: Gerhard Wahl, Hermann Lang

  Clinical oral implants research. 05/2004; 15(2):233-8.

  Dental implants are deformed by masticatory forces. These deformations may affect the implant, the prosthetic superstructure or, in particular, the interfaces between the implant and theDental implants are deformed by masticatory forces. These deformations may affect the implant, the prosthetic superstructure or, in particular, the interfaces between the implant and the superstructure. The resulting changes in the geometrical relationships may lead to gap formation in this region. The objective of the present pilot study was to present an interferometric method for the direct recording and quantitative three-dimensional analysis of load-induced dynamic implant deformation. Three implant screws of 4.1 mm diameter were loaded using a piezoelectric device. The results showed that the screws itself exhibited a homogeneous deformation pattern, whereas implants with screw-retained superstructures demonstrated dislocations of the crown and resulting gap formations (0.27 +/- 0.37 microm--mean +/- SD; max: 0.82 microm). The results supported the hypothesis that the high precision of prefabricated abutments is adversely affected by dynamic deformations under functional loading.

• The so-called Zollikon Seminars--Heidegger as a psychotherapist.

  Authors: Hermann Lang, Stefan Brunnhuber, Rudolph F Wagner

  The journal of the American Academy of Psychoanalysis and Dynamic Psychiatry. 02/2003; 31(2):349-59.

• Therapists' relationships with their patients in the intake interview: an empirical comparison of psychodynamically and cognitive-behaviorally oriented psychotherapists.

  Authors: Hermann Faller, Rudolph F Wagner, Heinz Weiss, Hermann Lang

  The Journal of the American Academy of Psychoanalysis. 02/2002; 30(3):451-61.

  This study was conducted in a real-life clinical practice setting and assessed the working alliances, countertransference feelings, diagnostic ratings, and prognostic judgments among psychotherapistsThis study was conducted in a real-life clinical practice setting and assessed the working alliances, countertransference feelings, diagnostic ratings, and prognostic judgments among psychotherapists at a university outpatient clinic. The study was based on the intake judgments of 9 psychodynamically and 4 cognitive-behaviorally oriented therapists, who had been assessed after having completed their diagnostic interviews with 144 and 89 patients, respectively. Cognitive-behaviorally oriented therapists perceived the quality of the working alliance to be better and their feelings of sympathy to be stronger than did psychodynamically oriented therapists. In addition, they perceived patients' motivation, the amount of shared understanding of the illness as well as several prognostical factors to be more favorable. The results may reflect different therapeutic philosophies and value systems inherent to the cognitive-behavioral and psychoanalytic orientations.

• Causal attribution and adaptation among lung cancer patients

  Authors: Hermann Faller, Stefan Schilling, Hermann Lang

  Journal of Psychosomatic Research.

  The aim of the present study was to describe lung cancer patients' causal attributions and examine their associations with adaptation. Methods were based on semi-structured interview, contentThe aim of the present study was to describe lung cancer patients' causal attributions and examine their associations with adaptation. Methods were based on semi-structured interview, content analysis, self-reports, interviewer ratings and standardized questionnaires. ‘Smoking cigarettes’ and ‘toxins in the work place’ were the most commonly mentioned possible causes. Patients who made a psychosocial causal attribution suffered greater emotional distress, were more depressed, and less hopeful than other patients. They were also more likely to be rated as showing a maladaptive way of coping with illness. The implications of these findings for psychosocial care are discussed.