Alveolar ridge preservation: why, when and how.

Alveolar ridge preservation (ARP) is a method of decreasing bone resorption following tooth extraction and facilitating prosthetically-driven implant placement. An understanding of the physiological responses occurring after extraction and the effects of ARP are important in order to implement clinical procedures. ARP is a predictable way to reduce undesirable horizontal and vertical ridge reduction following extraction when dental implant treatment is to be delayed.

The influence of patients' decisions on treatment planning in restorative dentistry.

Unlabelled: As part of treatment planning, options are presented to patients by dentists. An informal discussion takes place involving a cost-benefit analysis and a treatment plan is agreed. Evidence-based dentistry takes into account the best available literature, clinical experience and patient factors to guide the dentist.

Presentation of intramuscular myxoma as an unusual neck lump.

Intramuscular myxoma (IM) has a distinct diagnostic identity among soft tissue myxomas. IMs have an approximate incidence of 1 per million of the population per year, with a female-to-male ratio of 14:3. The age range for presentation is 40 to 70 years, and the thigh is affected most frequently.

Severe periodontal destruction in alpha-mannosidosis: a case series.

Alpha-mannosidosis is a rare genetic lysosomal storage disorder that is inherited in an autosomal recessive pattern. Severe periodontal breakdown in alpha-mannosidosis patients has not previously been reported in the literature. The purposes of this paper are to: present the cases of 2 siblings diagnosed with alpha-mannosidosis, each of whom had varying severity of periodontal destruction; and provide an overview of alpha-mannosidosis, the possible reasons for the periodontal destruction, and the periodontal management in the 2 affected siblings.

A composite approach to the management of worn maxillary first molar teeth.

A lady with extrinsic acid erosion was referred to the restorative department at Bristol Dental Hospital by her General Dental Practitioner (GDP) for restoration of worn maxillary first molar teeth. These teeth were both causing symptoms of dentinal sensitivity and two attempts had been made to restore them with composite by her GDP. The restorations failed because there was insufficient space to bond the composite in place, which was due to dento-alveolar compensation of the first molars into the space created by the wear.