The outcome of arthroscopic treatment of temporomandibular joint arthropathy

Ninety patients underwent arthroscopic temporomandibular joint surgery to 124 joints for arthropathy which had failed to respond to at least six months of non-surgical treatment. They were surveyed at between 6 months and 5 years (mean 2.5 years) after surgery and 63 per cent responded to the survey. They reported an 82 per cent improvement for pain (50 to 100 per cent better), 80 per cent for clicking and 82 per cent for locking. There was no morbidity following the treatment. Arthroscopic surgery should be considered for advanced temporomandibular joint arthropathy which is refractory to non-surgical treatment.     

Caries experience of Aboriginal children in the Orana Region of New South Wales

Indices of cumulative caries experience (DMFT, DMFS, SR) were assessed for 682 Aboriginal children, aged 5 to 14 years, residents of the predominantly non-fluoridated Orana and Far West Health Region of New South Wales. The results show substantially decreased caries experience compared with 1978 findings. The reduction is attributed to a preventive programme based on fluoride therapy and to improved national emphasis on child health programmes. The declining trend of caries is also in accord with global trends apparent in most industrialized countries.     

Use of cryotherapy to enhance mouth opening in patients with cerebral palsy

This study was conducted to assess the effect of cryotherapy on masseter spasticity on mouth opening, which is required for oral hygiene and dental treatment. The inter-incisal distance was measured before cryotherapy in 24 patients with cerebral palsy who had spasticity of the tetraparesis type. Ice was then applied on the skin surface with sliding movements over the masseter, bilaterally for one minute. Interincisal distance was then measured again. The results showed a significant increase of the inter-incisal distance after the application of cold to the masseter. We conclude that the action of cryotherapy on the masseter muscle produced a temporary reduction of spasticity, facilitating access to the occlusal and palatal surfaces of the maxillary molars. This improved access can be useful during dental treatment as well as preventive dental care such as oral hygiene.     

Prosthodontic management of older severe hypodontia patients in general dental practice: A case series

Although a detailed understanding of the etiology of hypodontia is lacking, there is a need for awareness among dental professionals of the social and psychological consequences of severe hypodontia, as well as knowledge of those affected by hypodontia have ongoing dental treatment needs. Although, there may be a need for immediate referral of children to different specialists for optimal multidisciplinary treatment planning, most older patients with severe hypodontia can be treated by general practitioners. Practitioners therefore need to be aware of the ramifications of the condition and be capable of providing adequate oral health care for these patients and referring them for additional services when necessary. A case-report series is used to illustrate routine prosthodontic treatments that can be offered to older patients in general dental practice.     

Treatment of a class II division 1 malocclusion with macrodontia of the maxillary central incisors

Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 2001;119:654-9     

Pseudoelasticity and thermoelasticity of nickel-titanium alloys: A clinically oriented review. Part II: Deactivation forces

The purpose of this review was to organize a systematic reference to help orthodontists evaluate commonly used orthodontic nickel-titanium alloys. Part I of the article reviewed the data available in the literature regarding the temperature transitional ranges of the alloys. The thermomechanical behavior of these compounds is, in fact, strictly dependent upon the correlation between the temperature transitional range and the oral temperature range. Part II focuses on the mechanical characteristics of the alloys, such as the magnitude of the forces delivered and correlations with the temperature transitional range and oral temperature.     

Etched-Porcelain Resin-Bonded Onlay Technique for Posterior Teeth

ABSTRACT: porcelain to enamel and dentin. This evolution has dramatically changed restorative dentistry and has produced a new, highly esthetic, and strong restoration-etched-porcelain resin-bonded restorations. These restorations can be placed with confidence on posterior teeth. They are virtually indistinguishable from natural tooth structure and, thus provide additional treatment alternatives for patients who desire natural-appearing posterior teeth. Etched-porcelain resin-bonded onlays on posterior teeth not only are an excellent restorative modality for moderately broken-down teeth but also may be used to bring caries-free teeth into occlusion. The latter can be an option for stabilizing occlusion for some patients with posterior open bite due to various causes. This article presents clinical and laboratory techniques for etched-porcelain resin-bonded onlays on posterior teeth. Remarkable advances in adhesive dentistry have made it possible to strongly bond     

A comparative study of skeletal and dental stability between rigid and wire fixation for mandibular advancement

This study examined the skeletal and dental stability after mandibular advancement surgery with rigid or wire fixation for up to 2 years after the surgery. Subjects for this multisite, prospective, randomized, clinical trial were assigned to receive rigid (n = 64) or wire (n = 63) fixation. The rigid cases received three 2-mm bicortical position screws bilaterally and elastics; the wire fixation subjects received inferior border wires and 6 weeks of skeletal maxillomandibular fixation with 24-gauge wires. Cephalometric films were obtained before surgery, and at 1 week, 8 weeks, 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years after surgery. Skeletal and dental changes were analyzed using the Johnston's analysis. Before surgery both groups were balanced with respect to linear and angular measurements of craniofacial morphology. Mean anterior advancement of the mandibular symphasis was 5.5 mm (SD, 3.2) in the rigid group and 5.6 mm (SD, 3.0) in the wire group. Two years after surgery, mandibular symphasis was unchanged in the rigid group, whereas the wire group had 26% of sagittal relapse. Dental compensation occurred to maintain the corrected occlusion, with the mandibular incisor moving forward in the wire group and posteriorly in the rigid group. However, at 2 years after surgery, when most subjects were without braces, the overjet and molar discrepancy had relapsed similarly in both groups.