Dental pathology and alcohol-related indicators in an outpatient clinic sample

A relationship between alcoholism and dental pathology (particularly missing teeth), has been reported in studies of male, inpatient alcoholics. The present exploratory study was undertaken to assess how readily these findings can be generalized to an unselected sample of male and female dental patients. Data on drinking behavior, alcohol-related problems, and risk factors for alcoholism were obtained through an interview and questionnaire. A dental chart review provided measures of dental pathology. The results showed that measures of dental pathology (including tooth loss, carious teeth, and periodontal disease) correlated significantly with alcohol-related indicators. The associations were more evident for males than for females, which is consistent with some studies of alcohol-related medical consequences. The results suggest that further analytic studies of alcohol consumption and dental pathology are warranted. Because the relationship between tooth loss and harmful drinking was clearest among males with a history of conduct problems, subsequent research would benefit from a focus on this high-risk group.     

Solitary plasmocytoma: ghost tumour?

Solitary plasmocytoma is a rare tumour that belongs to the myeloid dysplasia group. The authors present an unusual evolution of this pathology through a clinical case. A 42-year-old patient was diagnosed with solitary nasosinusal plasmocytoma following biopsy of the right nasal fossa process; several weeks after this the tumour spontaneously regressed. Extramedullar plasmocytoma is a myeloid dysplasia that seldom evolves into multiple myeloma. Spontaneous regression has been described for some malignancies, implying immunological factors, but not previously for extramedullary plasmocytoma.     

Periodontal lesions associated with deep traumatic overbite

Certain aspects of malocclusion, particularly deep overbite, can be related to periodontal pathology, especially in the presence of poor oral hygiene. The authors have noted an association between deep overbite and unusual periodontal lesions. These lesions often appear on radiographs as circumscribed radiolucencies, remote from the alveolar crest and sometimes close to the apex. Gingival surface injury and food impaction may be important aetiological factors. This is illustrated in this article by a number of case studies.     

Tooth damage in captive orcas (Orcinus orca)

ObjectivesTooth damage as a result of oral stereotypies is evident in captive orca, yet little research on the topic exists. This study examines the associations between dental pathology, sex, facility, duration of captivity and other factors in captive orca.DesignWe evaluated mandibular and maxillary teeth from dental images of 29 captive orca owned by a US-based theme park. Each tooth was scored for coronal wear, wear at or below gum line and bore holes. Fractured and missing teeth were also noted. Summary statistics described the distribution and severity of pathologies; inferential statistics examined how pathologies differed between sexes, between wild-captured and captive-born orcas and between captive orca at four facilities. We also evaluated how dental pathology and duration of captivity were related.ResultsApproximately 24% of whales exhibited “major” to “extreme” mandibular coronal tooth wear, with coronal wear and wear at or below gum line highly correlated. More than 60% of mandibular teeth 2 and 3 exhibited fractures. Bore holes were observed primarily among anterior mandibular teeth, with more than 61% of teeth 2 and 3 bearing evidence of having been drilled. Four of five orca with the highest age-adjusted tooth pathology indices were captive-born.ConclusionsVarious dental pathologies were observed across all whales, with pathologies beginning at a young age. Oral stereotypies exhibited by captive orca contributed to the observed dental damage. By making dental and health records of captive whales publicly available, the theme park industry is uniquely positioned to provide further insight into dental pathology and resultant health consequences in captive orca.     

Connective tissues of the periodontium. Research and clinical implications

The periodontium is a complex anatomical site composed of a variety of hard and soft connective tissues. The site is subjected to enormous daily chemical and mechanical abuse, yet, for the most part remains relatively intact. Nonetheless, when breakdown does occur, the ability of the periodontium to regenerate is sometimes limited. This review considers the various components of the periodontium and how they might be involved in not only the pathology of periodontal diseases but also the various reparative and regenerative processes required during wound healing. In addition, the importance of external factors such as a variety of commonly prescribed medications on these events is discussed.     

Hereditary blood coagulation disorders: management and dental treatment

Patients with hereditary hemostatic disorders, characterized by a tendency to bleeding or thrombosis, constitute a serious challenge in the dental practice. Advances in the medical diagnosis of hemostatic disorders have exposed dental professionals to new patients not amenable to the application of the management protocols associated with other, more well-known, disorders. It is the aim of this paper to review the evidence, to highlight the areas of major concern, and to suggest management regimens for patients with hereditary hemostatic disorders. An extensive review has been made (PubMed, Science Direct, Web of Knowledge, etc.) of literature pertaining to hereditary disorders affecting blood coagulation factors and how they affect the practice of dentistry. Several aspects relating to the care of such patients must be recognized and taken into consideration when dental treatment is planned. Replacement of deficient coagulation factors ensures that safe dental treatment will be carried out. However, the half-life of such coagulation factors requires that dental treatment be specifically planned and adapted to the type of pathology involved.     

Endodontic-periodontal management of a maxillary lateral incisor with an associated radicular lingual groove and severe periapical osseous destruction--a case report

Radicular lingual grooves are morphological defects, which are found most frequently in maxillary anterior teeth and are a predisposing factor for periodontal disease. They are easily overlooked as aetiologic factors, as these grooves are covered by periodontal tissues. This case report presents a successful management of a case of a maxillary lateral incisor with an associated radicular lingual groove and severe periapical osseous destruction in a 30-year-old female patient. A combination of endodontic treatment, radiculoplasty to eliminate the radicular lingual groove, and periapical surgery to eliminate the periapical osseous defect was used. At two-year follow-up, the patient was comfortable and complete resolution of the periapical pathology was evident.     

Practical applications of energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis in diagnostic oral pathology

Energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis is a powerful tool that can reveal the presence and relative quantities of elements in minute particles in biologic materials. Although this technique has been used in some aspects of dental research, it has rarely been applied to diagnostic oral pathology. The purpose of this paper is to inform practicing dentists and oral specialists about the diagnostic potential of this procedure by presenting three case reports. The first case involved the identification of flakes of a metallic material claimed by a 14-year-old girl to appear periodically between her mandibular molars. In the second case, a periodontist was spared a lawsuit when a freely mobile mass in the antrum of his patient was found to be a calcium-phosphorus compound not related to the periodontal packing that had been used. The third case involved the differential diagnosis of amalgam tattoo and graphite tattoo in a pigmented lesion of the hard palate mucosa. The results of the analyses were significant and indicate a role for this technique in the assessment of selected cases. Potential for wider use of energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis in diagnostic oral pathology exists as research progresses.     

Oral myiasis: case report and review of literature

Introduction

The term myiasis is applied to the injurious action that larvae of certain Diptera cause in vertebrate animals by growing in living or dead tissue. Because of its great destructive potential, appropriate and preventive treatment is necessary. Oral myiasis is a rare pathology in humans and is associated with poor oral hygiene, alcoholism, senility, suppurating lesion, severe halitosis, and other conditions.

Method

We have presented a case of oral myiasis in a mentally challenged patient.

Results

Reviewing the literature revealed that most of the cases involved the anterior part of the oral cavity of male patients living in developing or underdeveloped countries and also that predisposing factors invariably accompanied infestation.     

The Peri‐Implantitis: Implant Surfaces,Microstructure, and Physicochemical Aspects

There are two ways of looking at secondary failures of osseointegration; one is to reflect on possible causes for the failure, the other focuses on the pathology per se. In the first case, background factors such as mechanical trauma (adverse loading) or inflammations/infections are being discussed as the cause of failure. Then peri‐implantitis is a term reserved for implant disturbance due to inflammation/infections only. However, irrespective of the original reason for the failure being adverse loading or inflammation/infection, the end result with bone resorption and inflammation may be very similar. Hence, in the present article, an alternative outlook has been chosen. Trigerring factors for peri‐implantitis are generally gathered under four categories: lesions of peri‐implant attachment, presence of aggressive bacteria, excessive mechanical stress, and corrosion. If only one of these factors would start a chain reaction leading to lesions, then the other factors may combine to worsen the condition. With other words, peri‐implantitis is a general term dependent on a synergy of several factors, irrespective of the precise reason for first triggering off symptoms.     

A brief review: characteristics of bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) from the viewpoint of pathology

Bisphosphonate (BP) is widely used for the treatment of bone diseases, including osteoporosis. Osteonecrosis of the jaw occurring in patients receiving BP is suggested to indicate an association of osteonecrosis with BP treatment, and hence BP-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ) is proposed as a disease condition. The pathogenesis of BRONJ is uncertain, but several predisposing factors have been identified. BRONJ is characterized by bone necrosis, inflammation, and infection, but the sequence of events leading to the bone exposure has not been established. Here, we present a case of BRONJ with radiologic and pathologic correlations, and review its characteristics and putative mechanism for the onset of BRONJ from the viewpoint of pathology.     

The nexus between periodontics and oral pathology

A wide variety of lesions may arise from the oral mucosa, fibrous connective tissue, bone and cementum of the periodontium. The commonest pathology occurs as a result of bacterial infection and is very well known to dentists and periodontists, but rarer conditions present as gingival pathology. The pathogenesis of these conditions ranges from genetic to traumatic to immunological to neoplastic, and includes benign, malignant and metastatic lesions. This paper outlines some of these conditions and describes how the periodontist and oral pathologist can work together using a framework, and how with careful consideration of the clinical features and the use of appropriate special tests, including obtaining an adequate tissue specimen, a timely and accurate diagnosis can be obtained.     

A residual granuloma in association with a dental implant

At times, dental implants are placed into sites with a history of periapical pathology. Sometimes the infection is active, and other times the tooth may have been extracted years before implant placement. In either case, the possibility exists for long-term residual cysts or infections that can negatively impact the prognosis of the implant. In this case report, an implant is placed into a healed mandibular ridge several months after extraction of the tooth. A radiolucency was noted on routine radiographic examination 2 years later. Surgical inspection and histology revealed a periapical granuloma with acute and chronic inflammatory cells. After surgical curettage of the site, the patient healed without complication. Implants may develop apical pathology as a result of a preexisting long-term residual infection.     

The orthodontic and restorative treatment of a large diastema: a case report

Treating diastemata in the anterior esthetic zone is a challenge; many factors must be considered when developing a treatment plan for such patients. This case report demonstrates how excellent results may be obtained using a multidisciplinary approach.     

Florid cemento-osseous dysplasia mimicking multiple periapical pathology--an endodontic dilemma

A case of florid cemento-osseous dysplasia (COD) mimicking periapical pathology is presented. The fact that the patient's lesion failed to resolve three years after root canal therapy, in addition to the presence of a mixed radiolucency with discreet radiopacities, mandated a biopsy which (along with radiographic co-relation) confirmed the diagnosis of cemento-osseous dysplasia. This case report illustrates the point that periapical radiolucencies may represent benign fibro-osseous lesions that may be overlooked or result in unnecessary endodontic treatment.     

Treatment of mandibular condylar hyperplasia in developmental age. Clinical case

A case of hyperplasia of the mandibular condyle in a growing-up subject, observed at the Department of Maxillo-Facial Surgery of the University of Rome "La Sapienza", is described. Hyperplasia of the mandibular condyle is a facial asymmetry due to the unilateral overdevelopment of the mandibular bone. In this study the authors underline how bone scintigraphy, 3D tomography and electrognatographic analysis, associated with standard radiography and cephalometry, are important methods of diagnosis in order to make an early diagnosis of hyperplasia of the mandibular condyle and differential diagnosis with other pathologies. In particular, bone scintigraphy is a useful screening procedure to detect if the pathology is in an active phase or not. The 3D tomography is used in pre-surgery to evaluate precisely morphological and structural alterations of the craniofacial bones on a tridimentional base. Finally, the electrognatographic test records the mandibular activity both in physiological and pathological conditions. All these instrumental techniques allow to make a diagnosis and lead to a possible therapeutical approach.     

Test your decision making skills. When should endodontic treatment be redone?

Research has shown wide variations in dentists' clinical attitude towards root canal treated teeth. Simulated cases are used as tools in the investigation of practitioners' clinical behavior and decision making. We therefore used simulated cases (clinical histories and radiographs) of 14 endodontically treated teeth to: (1) determine the predominant proposed treatment strategy for each case, (2) evaluate the consensus, if any, among practitioners, (3) identify pathology and dentist factors influencing the treatment choice.     

Prosthetic management of minor soft tissue discrepancy due to facially placed implants: a report of two cases

The facial soft tissue form of dental implants is influenced by a variety of biologic, surgical, and restorative factors. Implants and/or restorative components that are positioned facially present a challenge to created ideal facial soft tissue contours. The following case reports display how modification of the restorative components, namely, abutment and crown, will influence the soft tissue height and contour when minor tissue discrepancies exist due to nonideal implant placement.     

The case report in 21st century child dental literature

AIM: To review recent dental child case reports to determine: 1 the main focus of the paper; 2 perceived contribution to the dental literature and, 3 involvement of the child. STUDY DESIGN: Systematic review. METHODS: Case reports published between 2000 and 2005 were identified using Medline via Ovid and Embase databases. Papers were reviewed to determine: their perceived value; whether they related to a single case or case series; the main dental condition; how the child was referred to, and inclusion of any child-centred input within the report. RESULTS AND STATISTICS: 663 case reports, from 82 journal titles, were subject to review. The majority presented a single patient (82%) and discussed a type of intervention or treatment (58%). The most common themes related to oral pathology/medicine (28%), and orthodontics (26%). Most children were referred to as 'patients' (74%) with little use of personalised terms (4%). Few reports included any child-centred input or contribution from a proxy (10% and 2% respectively). Inter- and intra-examiner repeatability for categorisation was excellent. CONCLUSIONS: The majority of child-related reports described a treatment or intervention which is surprising given the low level of case reports in the hierarchy of evidence. The child's perspective in the presenting complaint or outcome needs greater consideration.