A five-year assessment of clinical incidents requiring transfer in a dental hospital day surgery unit.

Background: Previous studies regarding general anaesthesia related morbidity and mortality rates for dental surgery have taken the form of a retrospective survey. The Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists also do not record morbidity and mortality for dental/oral and maxillofacial procedures. The aim of this study was to document the clinical incidents requiring transfer to another hospital and mortality.

Assessment of bone grafts placed within an oral and maxillofacial training programme for implant rehabilitation.

Background: This study aimed to review the survival of bone grafting procedures, performed by surgical trainees and assess factors affecting survival of these bone grafts as an adjunct to implant rehabilitation.

Methods: Data were collected from patients between 2003 and 2009 receiving bone grafting. Graft failure was defined as any complete or partial graft loss, graft which had to be removed or regrafted, or was unable to have an implant placed.

Unexpected temporary mental nerve deficit after extraction of mandibular first molar: case report.

Unlabelled: Temporary neurologic deficit affecting the distribution of the left mental nerve was reported in a warfarinized, diabetic patient who had a history of previous CVA with right-sided body weakness. The neurologic deficit was reported following routine extraction of a left mandibular first molar. Recovery of sensation began six weeks after the procedure.

Dental implant tourism.

Access and affordability of dental care can be problematic for some in the Australian community. Therefore, dental tourism is increasingly becoming more attractive to some patients due to decreased expense, increased convenience and immediacy of treatment. However, there are significant issues for both clinician and patient in regards to dental tourism.

Outcomes of dental implants placed in a surgical training programme.

Background: This study evaluates surgical outcomes and survival rates of implants placed in a multidisciplinary implant teaching programme.

Methods: A retrospective review of all implant surgery performed over a 6-year period by accredited oral and maxillofacial surgery trainees at the Royal Dental Hospital of Melbourne was undertaken. Patients were reviewed for a minimum of 6 months post-implant placement.

Treatment of oral leukoplakia with carbon dioxide and potassium-titanyl-phosphate lasers: a comparison.

Purpose: To determine whether the treatment of oral leukoplakia with potassium-titanyl-phosphate (KTP) lasers versus CO(2) lasers results in lower recurrence rates.

Materials And Methods: Retrospective data were collected from the records of 30 patients (mean age 75.6 years) with 35 primary oral leukoplakia who had their lesions ablated by KTP laser, and 45 patients (mean age 59.

The incidence of mandibular third molar impactions in different skeletal face types.

Background: The cause of mandibular third molar impaction is said to be due to inadequate space between the distal of the second mandibular molar and the anterior border of the ascending ramus of the mandible. The amount of space is determined primarily by facial growth. This study aimed to assess whether different patterns of facial growth lead to a different incidence of mandibular third molar impaction.

Special needs dentistry: the next ten years.

There is no doubt that in special needs dentistry, Australasia is one of the major global players. There is now an accepted scope of practice, accredited training programs and specialists registered with their local dental boards. These early achievements reflect the tremendous input provided by the primary stakeholders, such as the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons.

Erupted compound odontoma: case report of a 15-year-old Sudanese boy with a history of traditional dental mutilation.

A rare case of an erupted compound odontoma associated with a malformed and dilacerated maxillary left lateral incisor is reported. The patient, a 15-year-old immigrant Sudanese boy, had a malformed right lateral maxillary incisor and missing centrals. His guardian reported he had undergone traditional extraction of his primary teeth as a child whilst in Africa.

Management of fused supernumerary teeth in children using guided tissue regeneration: long-term follow up of 2 cases.

Surgical separation of supernumerary teeth fused to permanent incisor teethhas typically given rise to residual post surgical periodontal defects, induding loss of attachment and deep periodontal pocketing with persistent inflammation. Other complications include devitalisation of the retained tooth section, ankylosis, external and replacement resorption. A unique technique of using guided tissue regeneration has been successfully employed to promote periodontal healing, after 2 cases of surgical removal of a supernumerary tooth fused to a permanent maxillary lateral incisor tooth.

Chronicity of orofacial pain.

Acute and chronic orofacial pain continues to be poorly understood and managed. The National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia (NHMRC) 1999 report on acute pain management promotes the development of evidence based clinical practice guidelines aimed at improving both the quality of health care and health outcomes in medical and dental practice in Australia. Nerve signals arising from sites of tissue or nerve injury lead to long term changes in the central nervous system and the amplification and persistence of pain.

Tooth root resorption associated with a familial bone dysplasia affecting mother and daughter.

The dental findings are presented of a mother and daughter who suffer from an as yet unclassified bone dysplasia that shows features of both hereditary hyperphosphatasia and familial expansile osteolysis. Both patients have experienced progressive root resorption of permanent teeth, deafness, and high alkaline phosphatase levels. The mother has a more advanced bone dysplasia which has led to progressive skeletal deformity and bone pain.

Severe bone loss caused by orthodontic rubber bands; management and nine-year follow-up: report of case.

This case reports the early diagnosis and treatment of an iatrogenic acute localized periodontitis arising from the incorrect use of orthodontic elastic rubber bands to close a maxillary midline diastema in an eight-year-old girl. The case illustrates the misdiagnosis and mismanagement of a transitional diastema in the "ugly duckling" stage of the mixed dentition. The nine-year follow-up shows that thorough periodontal and orthodontic management has allowed successful retention of both maxillary permanent central incisors, which had initially pathological grade 3 vertical mobility, little remaining alveolar bone, and a hopeless prognosis.

Recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa. Two case reports with 20-year follow-up.

These two case reports highlight the enormous clinical difficulties faced by dentists in providing satisfactory long-term dental care to patients who suffer from Epidermolysis bullosa. Problems of bullae formation in oral soft tissues and subsequent scarring are outlined in relation to the difficulty of maintaining satisfactory oral hygiene and a diet leading to minimal dental caries experience. The behavioural problems of maintaining patient compliance for preventive and restorative dentistry in this painful and debilitating disease are illustrated in these case reports.

The impacted maxillary canine. Further observations on aetiology, radiographic localization, prevention/interception of impaction, and when to suspect impaction.

Adjacent anomalous or missing maxillary lateral incisors have been implicated in the aetiology of palatally displaced canines by not providing proper guidance to the canine during its eruption. However, a recent review of the literature suggests that the aetiology of palatally displaced canines is genetic in origin. The aetiology of labially impacted canines differs, being due to inadequate arch space.

Anterior crossbite correction in uncooperative or disabled children. Case reports.

Uncooperative or disabled children who present with an anterior crossbite provide the clinician with a challenge to use innovative strategies to attempt crossbite correction. The following case reports provide possible treatment strategies as well as showing some pitfalls in both diagnosis and treatment of anterior crossbites in this difficult to treat group of patients.

The treatment of traumatized permanent anterior teeth: case report & literature review. Part I--Management of intruded incisors.

A case is reported in which an intruded incisor was initially treated by an endodontic dressing with calcium hydroxide and then extruded using a removable orthodontic appliance. A follow-up examination seven years after completion of endodontic therapy and bleaching showed a favourable response. A review of the relevant literature indicates that intrusion occurs in five to twelve per cent of luxation cases.

Deformation of orthodontic archwires over time.

Most previous studies of archwire deformation over time (hereafter referred to as "time-dependent deformation of orthodontic wires") have been conducted at a constant room temperature. In the clinical situation however, arch wires are exposed to 37 degrees C as well as to periods of temperature increase when hot foods or fluids are ingested. The effects of the latter on time-dependent behaviour are largely unknown.

Iatrogenic bismuth poisoning. Case report.

A case of bismuth intoxication following the intraoral use of BIPP-impregnated gauze packs is presented. This report illustrates the need for caution when using potentially toxic compounds in the oral cavity where significant quantities can be absorbed to produce symptoms of poisoning.

Palatally impacted canines: aetiology of impaction and the scope for interception. Report of cases outside the guidelines for interception.

Patients with palatally impacted canines have an increased incidence of missing or anomalous lateral incisors adjacent to the impacted canines. Their arches are often uncrowded and this, in part, is linked to the increased incidence of missing or anomalous lateral incisors. Other teeth are also more frequently missing.

Localisation of the unerupted maxillary canine: additional observations.

Occlusal radiographs are recommended for the tube shift method used to localise the unerupted maxillary canine. Several case histories are presented to explore how diagnostic occlusal films may be obtained. The initial maxillary incisor inclination determines the vertical angulation of the tube, while the mesio-distal position of the canine crown determines the horizontal angulation of the tube to the mid-sagittal plane.

Hypochlorite injury to the lip following injection via a labial perforation. Case report.

This report documents ulceration of the oral aspect of the lip, with facial swelling, following injection of Milton's solution into the lip through a labial perforation of tooth 13. After palliative therapy the ulceration healed within six weeks, and paraesthesia within three months.