Temporomandibular joint disease: an update of surgical treatment.

The temporomandibular joint is one of the most complicated joints in the human body. Because signs and symptoms of TMJ problems often disrupt mastication, the general dentist may be the first health care provider the patient sees. Cases that are refractory to nonsurgical treatment are frequently referred to an oral and maxillofacial surgeon.

Oral and maxillofacial surgery residency education.

Oral and maxillofacial surgery is the recognized specialty of dentistry that is responsible for the diagnosis and surgical and adjunctive treatment of diseases, injuries and defects involving both the functional and esthetic aspects of the bone and soft tissues of the oral and maxillofacial region. This article will present a review of the educational process for residents in oral and maxillofacial surgery as it has evolved and current training standards.

Sinusitis as a source of dental pain.

Sinusitis is a common medical problem that can occasionally manifest as dental pain. If the patient is experiencing dental pain in the maxillary posterior teeth, then it is appropriate for the dentist to rule out sinusitis as a source of the problem before proceeding with definitive dental treatment. Often there is an obvious odontogenic source of the pain, and this should be resolved first, but in other situations it is difficult to determine the cause of the symptoms.