Spontaneous Palatal Cleft Closure.

This case report presents a palatal cleft that healed spontaneously, with complete formation of mucosa and bone. Even though the nasal structures could initially be observed through the cleft palate, a thin membrane sealed any communication between the oral and nasal cavities. The origin of this tenuous membrane cannot be fully understood with current discernment of palate formation, but it probably served as a basis for the formation of the other tissues.

The ontogeny of Robin sequence.

The triad of micrognathia, glossoptosis, and concomitant airway obstruction defined as "Robin sequence" (RS) is caused by oropharyngeal developmental events constrained by a reduced stomadeal space. This sequence of abnormal embryonic development also results in an anatomical configuration that might predispose the fetus to a cleft palate. RS is heterogeneous and many different etiologies have been described including syndromic, RS-plus, and isolated forms.

Dental Wear: Attrition, Erosion, and Abrasion-A Palaeo-Odontological Approach.

This paper reviews the surface ablation of early hominin teeth by attrition, abrasion, and erosive dental wear. The occurrence of these lesions is explored in a sample of South African fossil australopithecine dentitions revealing excessive wear. Interpretation of the nature of the dietary components causing such wear in the absence of carious erosion provides insight into the ecology of the Plio-pleistocene epoch (1-2 million years ago).

Transitions in craniofacial biology: a tribute to Bernard G. Sarnat.

The surge of advances in understanding ontological, phylogenetic, pathological, paleoanthropological and genetic insights in development and evolution over the past century has resulted in a profound revolution of our cognizance of biological sciences. The past decade of the human genome project has provided opportunities for diagnosis, prognosis, therapeutic interventions and prevention of dysgenesis, dysmorphology, and disease. The new technologies of imaging and experimental inquiries into developmental phenomena provide insights into evolutionary advances that have taken place to result in the present human structure.

Dental manifestations of dermatologic conditions.

Background: Cutaneous disorders can be associated with a wide variety of dental manifestations that should be familiar to dermatologists.

Objective: We sought to describe the development of the teeth, explain current dental terms, and review the dental manifestations of some dermatologic conditions.

Methods: A MEDLINE search (1966-May 2007) was performed to find relevant articles pertaining to dental manifestations of dermatologic conditions.