An analysis of temporomandibular joint sounds

Six thousand nine hundred and nineteen temporomandibular joint sounds made by 110 patients in 2200 opening- and-closing cycles were classified and analysed. On average there were three TMJ sounds in each cycle. Fifty-nine per cent of the sounds occurred on opening and 41 per cent on closing. Only 27 per cent of the sounds were clicks and 73 per cent were crepitus. The average duration of hard TMJ clicks, excluding background crepitus, was 10 ms and the average duration of soft clicks was 14 ms. Eighty-six per cent of all the sounds (clicks and crepitus) were soft and 14 per cent were hard. Ninety-four of the patients were studied more closely: 17 had only opening clicks, 7 had only closing clicks and 43 had reciprocal sounds; 28 had groups of 20 consecutive sounds, but in only 5 did they occur in both opening and closing. The significance of these findings is discussed.     

A two-part prosthesis for edentulous patients following maxillectomy

Conventional dentures constructed for edentulous patients who have undergone maxillectomy have serious deficiencies, not the least being the lack of employable support and retention. This paper describes a method for the construction of a prosthesis which incorporates a removable flexible obturator. This technique overcomes the anatomical problems which limit conventional restorations, and provides dentures which are retentive and stable in function and comfortable for the patient to wear.     

The investigation of dental disease in exhumed remains

Investigations were carried out into dental diseases in remains exhumed from two nineteenth-century Lancashire burial grounds. The methods used and the difficulties encountered are reported for the guidance of those undertaking similar studies. References to published findings are given.     

Variationen der normalen Gebißentwicklung von der Geburt bis zum Erwachsenenalter

Zusammenfassung Die Arbeit versucht, nicht nur die Veränderungen darzustellen, welche von der Geburt bis zum Erwachsenenalter hinsichtlich Morphologie, Einordnung der Zähne und Lageverhältnis der beiden Zahnbögen eintreten, sondern auch die Variationen, die in irgendeinem besonderen Entwicklungsstadium gefunden werden können. Es ist diese Variabilität, die das Studium der normalen Entwicklung der Okklusion so vielseitig und interessant macht.

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Summary An attempt has be made to indicate not only the changes that take place between birth and adulthood in the morphology, alignment and relationship of the two dental arches, but also the variation which might be found at any one particular stage of development. It is this variation which makes the study of normally developing occlusion so full of variety and interest.

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Résumé Ce travail cherche à indiquer, de la naissance à l'âge adulte, non seulement les modifications de morphologie, de l'alignement dentaire et des relations des deux arcades dentaires, mais également les variations qui peuvent être trouvées à n'importe quel stade du développement. Ce sont ces variations qui rendent l'étude du développement normal de l'occlusion si variée et intéressante.

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Mit 11 Abbildungen

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Der Verfasser dankt Herrn Prof.G. Korkhaus, Bonn, für die Übersetzung dieser Arbeit in die deutsche Sprache.     

The organization of the inferior alveolar nerve and its relation to local analgesia

An electrical stimulator was used to assess the onset of analgesia after inferior alveolar block injections. The findings were considered in relation to the anatomy of an inferior alveolar nerve, which was sectioned at three levels. It was found that lip and pulpal analgesia was achieved over a similar period, and the commonly held belief that lip anaesthesia occurs first is due to a lack of awareness of early pulpal sensory changes.     

The diameters and internodal lengths of the myelinated fibres in human inferior alveolar nerve

The diameter and internodal length of the fibres in the inferior alveolar nerve from a male cadaver were measured. The results were compared with other human and animal studies, and the possible changes in composition of the nerve following tooth loss were discussed. Clinical difficulties of local analgesia were related to the results.     

Development of Noncarious Cervical Notch Lesions in Vitro

Abstract: Purpose : The initiation and progression of noncarious cervical notch lesions (NCCL) continues to perplex clinicians worldwide and poses a considerable restorative challenge. The purpose of this brief communication is to report what is believed to be the first in vitro production of notch-shaped lesions in the cervical third of premolar teeth.
Materials and Methods : The lesions, were produced by axial loading of selected permanent premolar teeth in a 10% aqueous solution of sulfuric acid over a period of 5 days, followed by immersion in water for 7 days.
Results : Results revealed macroscopic and microscopic features similar to those observed in noncarious cervical lesions in vivo. The lesions were incidental findings while the authors were studying stress corrosion of enamel at low pH. Although much remains to be investigated regarding the etiology and pathogenesis of NCCL, axial loading and a corrosive environment may be implicated in these processes. The artificial lesions arose in clinically sound teeth, suggesting that there is no simple clinical examination to identify teeth at risk from NCCL.     

Oral Cancer: A Prosthodontic Diagnosis

The prosthodontic literature is replete with articles addressing the reconstruction, psychological adaption, prosthesis success, quality of life, need for careful follow-up, and many other issues related to the patient who has undergone surgery, radiation, and/or chemotherapy for oral malignant neoplasms. However, in the prosthodontic professional literature, there is a paucity of information related to the early diagnosis and referral of lesions that may represent premalignant or malignant neoplasia. This article will describe the rationale, epidemiology, and appearance of oral premalignant and malignant mucosal lesions as well as the state-of-the-art diagnostic tools currently available to prosthodontists to ensure that their patients are diagnosed at the earliest possible time.