Salivary cortisol determinations and self-rating scales in the assessment of stress in patients undergoing the extraction of wisdom teeth. (17/242)

OBJECTIVE: To investigate salivary cortisol levels in patients undergoing third molar removal under local and general anaesthesia. DESIGN: Random sampling of two independent groups. METHODS: Samples of saliva were collected from patients prior to and after surgery for the removal of impacted wisdom teeth. The samples were analysed to assess cortisol levels. Patients were also asked to complete a Hospital Anxiety and Depression questionnaire on the day of surgery. RESULTS: Patients receiving treatment under local anaesthesia showed lower levels of stress response than those having treatment under general anaesthesia on the actual day of surgery did (Fig. 1). No other significant differences were noted. CONCLUSION: Local anaesthesia is the preferred mode of pain control for patients who express no strong preference for type of anaesthetic.  (+info)

Unilateral distalization of a maxillary molar with sliding mechanics: a case report. (18/242)

INTRODUCTION: A unilateral Class II relationship could arise due to early loss of an upper second deciduous molar on one side during the mixed dentition period. This would allow the mesial drift of the molars, which may block the eruption of the second premolar. METHODS AND RESULTS: A 15-year 8-month-old male patient presented with a Class II molar relationship on the right, and Class I canine and molar relationship on the left side. His E was extracted when he was 5 years old. The 54 were impacted and the 3 was ectopically positioned due to the space loss from the mesial migration of the 76. In addition 21 1 were in cross-bite. Skeletally he had Class III tendency with low MMPA. He presented with a straight profile and retruded upper lip. For maxillary molar distalization, a newly developed 'Keles Slider' was used. The appliance was composed of one premolar and two molar bands, and the anchorage unit was composed of a wide Nance button. 46 were connected to the Nance button and, therefore, included into the anchorage unit. The point of distal force application was close to the centre of resistance of the 6 and parallel to the occlusal plane. Ni-Ti coil springs were used and 200 g of distal force was applied. Seven months later the space required for eruption of the permanent premolars and canine was regained, and the anterior cross-bite corrected. The appliance was removed and final alignment of the teeth was achieved with fixed appliances. CONCLUSION: At the end of the second phase treatment Class I molar and canine relationship was achieved on the both sides, the anterior cross-bite was corrected, inter-incisal angle was improved, and ideal overbite and overjet relationship was achieved. The active treatment time was 27 months.  (+info)

Maxillary canine displacement; further twists in the tale. (19/242)

This report describes two cases seen over a 5-year period, each with a labially impacted maxillary canine found in close proximity to the adjacent first permanent premolar, which had a deviated palatal root. The issue as to whether the premolar root deviation either produced the canine impaction or vice versa is discussed, both with reference to the processes considered to be involved in normal tooth eruption, and to three previously published similar cases.  (+info)

A randomized, double-blind crossover trial of paracetamol 1000 mg four times daily vs ibuprofen 600 mg: effect on swelling and other postoperative events after third molar surgery. (20/242)

AIMS: To evaluate the effect of a 3-day regimen of ibuprofen 600 mg x 4 on acute postoperative swelling and pain and other inflammatory events after third molar surgery compared with a traditional regimen of paracetamol 1000 mg x 4. METHODS: A controlled, randomized, double-blind, cross-over study where 36 patients (26 females, 10 males) with mean age 23 (range 19-27) years acted as their own controls. All patients were subjected to surgical removal of bilateral third molars. After one operation the patients received tablets of ibuprofen 600 mg x 4 for 3 days. After the other operation they received an identical regimen of paracetamol 1000 mg tablets. Swelling was objectively measured (mm) with a standardized face bow and the patients scored their pain intensity (PI) on a 100-mm visual analogue scale. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between paracetamol and ibuprofen treatment with respect to effect on acute postoperative swelling. Swelling after paracetamol on the third postoperative day was 1.8% less than that after ibuprofen. Mean (95% CI) difference between treatments was -0.3 (-4.7, 4.1) mm. On the sixth postoperative day swelling after ibuprofen was 2.3% less than that after paracetamol. Mean (95% CI) between treatments was 0.2 (-2.4, 2.8) mm. There was no statistically significant difference in pain intensity between the paracetamol and the ibuprofen regimen on the day of surgery. The mean (95% CI) difference between the treatments for summed pain intensity on the day of surgery (SUMPI 3.5-11) was 3.31 (-47.7, 54.3) mm. Two patients developed fibrinolysis of the blood clot (dry socket) after receiving ibuprofen while none did this after paracetamol treatment. There was no noticeable difference between treatments with respect to appearance of haematomas/ecchymoses or adverse effects which all were classified as mild to moderate. CONCLUSIONS: A 3-day regimen of ibuprofen 600 mg x 4 daily does not offer any clinical advantages compared with a traditional paracetamol regimen 1000 mg x 4 daily with respect to alleviation of acute postoperative swelling and pain after third molar surgery.  (+info)

Prevalence of impacted teeth and associated pathologies--a radiographic study of the Hong Kong Chinese population. (21/242)

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the prevalence and pattern of impacted teeth and associated pathologies in the Hong Kong Chinese population. SETTING: The Reception and Primary Care Clinic, Prince Philip Dental Hospital, Hong Kong. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The records of 7486 patients were examined to determine whether the chief complaints were related to impacted teeth and associated pathologies, which were investigated using panoramic radiographs. RESULTS: A total of 2115 (28.3%) patients presented with at least one impacted tooth. Among the 3853 impacted teeth, mandibular third molars were the most common (82.5%), followed by maxillary third molars (15.6%), and maxillary canines (0.8%). Approximately 8% of mandibular second molars associated with impacted third molars had periodontal bone loss of more than 5 mm on their distal surfaces. Caries were also found on the same surfaces in approximately 7% of the second molars. Approximately 30% of patients with dental impaction had symptoms, and 75% had complaints limited to one side of the mouth. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of impacted teeth was high, and there was a predilection for impacted third molars in the mandible. More than 50% of maxillary third molars had erupted, creating potential trauma of the pericoronal tissues of the partially erupted mandibular third molars. Caries and periodontal diseases were commonly seen in relation to the impacted third molars, whereas cystic pathology and root resorption were rarely observed.  (+info)

Mesiodens--diagnosis and management of a common supernumerary tooth. (22/242)

Mesiodentes are the most common supernumerary teeth, occurring in 0.15% to 1.9% of the population. Given this high frequency, the general dentist should be knowledgeable about the signs and symptoms of mesiodentes and appropriate treatment. The cause of mesiodentes is not fully understood, although proliferation of the dental lamina and genetic factors have been implicated. Mesiodentes can cause delayed or ectopic eruption of the permanent incisors, which can further alter occlusion and appearance. It is therefore important for the clinician to diagnose a mesiodens early in development to allow for optimal yet minimal treatment. Treatment options may include surgical extraction of the mesiodens. If the permanent teeth do not erupt in a reasonable period after the extraction, surgical exposure and orthodontic treatment may be required to ensure eruption and proper alignment of the teeth. In some instances, fixed orthodontic therapy is also required to create sufficient arch space before eruption and alignment of the incisor(s). Early diagnosis allows the most appropriate treatment, often reducing the extent of surgery, orthodontic treatment and possible complications. This paper outlines the causes and modes of presentation of mesiodentes, and presents guidelines for diagnosis and management of nonsyndromic mesiodentes.  (+info)

Chronic submasseteric abscess: anatomic, radiologic, and pathologic features. (23/242)

Herein we present five cases of submasseteric abscess that most commonly occurred in patients with a history dental disease. CT has been the main imaging method for diagnosing lesions in the masticator space and adjacent to the mandible; however, we found that, in some of our cases, CT defined the lesion poorly or not at all. In some cases, MR imaging defined the lesion better. Radiologic manifestations of this condition and pathologic correlations are discussed.  (+info)

Influence of angular position and degree of impaction of third molars on development of symptoms: long-term follow-up under good oral hygiene conditions. (24/242)

To determine the risk of developing symptoms due to the presence of maxillary and mandibular third molars, we analyzed a reliable population sample by age, and according to third-molar position and impaction level using long-term follow-up data under conditions of good oral hygiene. Of 308 graduates from our dental school, a total of 776 third molars were followed up for periods of 11 to 27 years by means of intraoral radiographs. The development of symptoms, the participant's age, and third-molar angular position and degree of impaction were investigated. For both maxillary and mandibular third molars, the risk of developing a symptom correlated neither with angular position nor with impaction level. The first symptom associated with a third molar developed most frequently in their 20's for both maxilla (16.2%) and mandible (17.5%), with the next highest frequency being in their 30's (12.6%, maxilla; 13.0%, mandible). The status of third molars shows no relation to the subsequent development of symptoms if good oral hygiene is maintained. The low rates of symptom-development do not support removal of asymptomatic third molars.  (+info)