Pacinian neuroma in adipose herniation of the buccal mucosa

An interesting case of a trauma-induced tender mass of the buccal mucosa in a 45-year-old man was presented. Following surgery, the patient was relieved from pain. Microscopically, the mature adipose tissue is unique in that it contained a single enlarged Pacinian corpuscle near the deep margin. This is the hitherto undescribed intraoral lesion of Pacinian neuroma in the herniated buccal fat pad.     

Trans-sinusal maxillary distraction for correction of midfacial hypoplasia: long-term clinical results

Maxillary distraction osteogenesis is indicated in severe angle class III malocclusions, and severe maxillary hypoplasia among some cleft patients and other craniofacial deformities. Twenty patients, aged 8-48 years (mean 17.8+/-10.5 SD) with maxillary and midfacial hypoplasia were treated. The follow-up period was 13-65 months (mean 35+/-16.3 SD). A trans-sinusal maxillary distractor was placed intraorally at each side of the maxilla. The distraction vector was predicted using specialist software, and was transferred to the patients using stereolithographic models and individual templates. A (high) Le Fort I type osteotomy was performed. The amount of activation varied from 8 to 17.5 mm (mean 13.1+/-2.9 SD). Soft and hard tissue formation resulted in complete healing across the distraction gaps. The distractors are almost completely submerged, and can be left in place as long as necessary to avoid relapse. Wit's appraisal was used to measure the stability of the long-term distraction results. Results up to 5 years after distraction showed considerable maxillary advancement with long-term stability. Ongoing growth of the facial skeleton must be considered when distraction osteogenesis is chosen in growing patients.     

Effects of systemic fluoride and in vitro fluoride treatment on enamel crystals

Systemically administered fluoride at a concentration of 75 ppm increases the surface roughness of developing enamel crystals in rats, which may be significant in advancing our understanding of the biological mechanism of fluorosis. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate whether the increased surface roughness may be a result of surface restructuring by the direct action of fluoride at the crystal surface. We examined the fluoride dose-dependent roughening of enamel crystal surfaces in vivo, in the rat, and whether this roughening could be mimicked by the in vitro treatment of rat enamel crystals with neutral pH fluoride solutions. Our results showed that enamel crystal surface roughness increased after treatment with increasing fluoride ion concentrations, whether applied in vitro or administered systemically. This suggests a mechanism, alongside others, for the increased surface roughness of crystals in fluorotic enamel.     

A comparison of two chlorhexidine gel brushing regimens and a conventional toothpaste brushing regimen for the development of tooth staining over a 6-week period

Abstract:  Aims:  A single-centre, randomized single-blind parallel study was undertaken to compare staining seen with three brushing regimens and to determine subject perception of side effects such as staining and effects on taste. Methods:  This 6-week parallel study used 157 volunteers who were randomized into one of three treatment groups: (i) brushing in the morning and evening with a normal dose of a 1% chlorhexidine gel, (ii) brushing with a low dose of chlorhexidine gel in the evening and a whitening dentifrice in the morning, and (iii) brushing with a standard fluoride paste in the morning and evening. Following home usage of their allocated products, the study volunteers returned after 3 and 6 weeks to record the amount of stain present. After the 6-week period, subject perception of taste and stain acceptability was determined using a questionnaire. Results:  After 6 weeks of use of the low-dose chlorhexidine gel and whitening dentifrice, significantly more stain was seen compared with the use of a standard dentifrice ( P  < 0.0001). Similarly, significantly more stain was seen with use of the normal-dose chlorhexidine gel compared with the low-dose gel and whitening dentifrice ( P  = 0.0007). Approximately 30% of individuals on the low-dose chlorhexidine gel regimen found the amount of stain unacceptable and 10% noted an effect on their taste perception. Conclusions:  The use of low dose of chlorhexidine gel at night and a whitening paste in the morning produced a significant amount of stain that 30% of subjects considered unacceptable.     

A radiographic review of bone levels around Calcitek dental implants supporting mandibular over-dentures. Preliminary results at 3 to 6 years

This retrospective study aimed to measure marginal bone resorption around cylindrical hydroxyapatite-coated implants retaining mandibular overdentures and compares this between two- and four- implant supported overdentures. Twenty three edentulous patients received 66 implants in their anterior mandible and were restored with overdentures. Panoramic radiographs one week post-operatively and at last recall were compared and marginal bone loss calculated. The mean recall interval was 51.22 months. The mean cumulative bone loss was 1.08 mm and the mean annual bone loss 0.263 mm. There was no significant difference between two- and four- implant overdentures. The results were comparable with other reports.     

The effect of fluoride and strontium application on dentin: in vivo and in vitro studies.

The effectiveness of topical 2% sodium fluoride applied with and without 10% strontium chloride pretreatment was compared in patients complaining of tooth hypersensitivity. In addition the radiopacity of 2% sodium fluoride and 25% strontium chloride treated dentin was studied in vitro. Reduction of sensitivity to cold and mechanical stimuli was evaluated during a period of 3 months by pain scoring in the exposed cervical dentin of homologous teeth on the two sides of the jaws. There was a significant decrease in the sensitivity of the exposed cervical dentin after treatment with sodium fluoride solution with or without pretreatment with strontium chloride solution. At the end of the experimental period the combined strontium and fluoride treatment was found to be more effective than that of fluoride alone in reducing sensitivity to cold. The increase in radiodensity of dentin samples immersed in strontium chloride was statistically significant, while there was no significant increase in density for the samples immersed in sodium fluoride solutions. A mineralization process is possibly the effective means by which fluoride or strontium diminishes sensitivity of dentin.