Since earliest times, humans have felt the need to modify and beautify their bodies. Adornments in the form of tooth decorations have featured around the world for generations and continue to evolve. This paper describes...Since earliest times, humans have felt the need to modify and beautify their bodies. Adornments in the form of tooth decorations have featured around the world for generations and continue to evolve. This paper describes current and forthcoming trends. It explores the use of tooth jewels, ‘dental grills’ and tooth tattoos which are not yet common in the UK, but are currently trending in the United States of America. This article reviews the literature and aims to describe the clinical effects each tooth decoration has on the dentition, along with appropriate management strategies. Owing to the lack of good quality studies, it is difficult to determine accurate effects on the dentition, but dental practitioners should focus on conservative and preventive management strategies. Clinical relevance: This paper describes modern day tooth decorations, explores the possible effects on oral health and suggests management strategies.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is dealing with a growing number of counterfeit and non-compliant dental devices and instruments for sale to dental practices in the UK. This paper examines...The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is dealing with a growing number of counterfeit and non-compliant dental devices and instruments for sale to dental practices in the UK. This paper examines the extent of the issue, the dangers posed by the use of counterfeit and non-compliant products, discusses initiatives to address the problem and how the dental team can identify these products and mitigate the associated risks. Clinical relevance: To ensure that all members of the dental team are aware of the dangers posed by counterfeit and non-compliant dental devices and instruments and how to mitigate such risks.
Harlequin syndrome is a rare, clinically striking syndrome characterized by distinctly demarcated asymmetric facial flushing and sweating. It may be of idiopathic aetiology or caused by demonstrable ipsilateral damage to...Harlequin syndrome is a rare, clinically striking syndrome characterized by distinctly demarcated asymmetric facial flushing and sweating. It may be of idiopathic aetiology or caused by demonstrable ipsilateral damage to the sympathetic nervous system. A case is described where a patient presented to her general dental practitioner complaining of distinctly demarcated unilateral facial flushing and sweating. Onward referral resulted in a diagnosis of Harlequin syndrome. CPD/CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This article highlights the neurological signs and symptoms of Harlequin syndrome, making it easier to recognize if it presents in general dental practice.
Dental anxiety is common and frequently poses a barrier to necessary dental treatment. The increasing availability of conscious sedation in dental practice has made treatment much more accessible for anxious patients. At...Dental anxiety is common and frequently poses a barrier to necessary dental treatment. The increasing availability of conscious sedation in dental practice has made treatment much more accessible for anxious patients. At present, benzodiazepines are the most commonly used drugs in sedation practice and provide a pleasant experience for most, but not all, patients. An understanding of the mechanism of action of benzodiazepines should inform our practice and deepen our understanding of why and how sedation may fail. CPD/CLINICAL RELEVANCE: As an increasing number of dentists provide sedation for their patients an update on benzodiazepines is timely.
Extra-oral appliances are used in orthodontics to apply forces to the jaws, dentition or both and the popularity of these appliances is cyclical. Although the use of retraction headgear for the management of Class II mal...Extra-oral appliances are used in orthodontics to apply forces to the jaws, dentition or both and the popularity of these appliances is cyclical. Although the use of retraction headgear for the management of Class II malocclusion has declined over the last 20 years with the refinement of non-compliance approaches, including temporary anchorage devices, headgear still has a useful role in orthodontics. The use of protraction headgear has increased as more evidence of its effectiveness for the treatment of Class lIl malocclusion has become available. This paper describes the mechanics and contemporary uses of headgear in orthodontics for primary care dentists and specialist orthodontists. CPD/CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Extra-oral appliances have specific uses in orthodontic biomechanics. Clinicians using retraction headgear and protraction headgear should be familiar with their clinical indications, the potential problems and how these can be avoided.
The identification of inflammatory periodontal disease and education in local and systemic risk factors and their management forms the foundation of the treatment of this disease. Nutrition is potentially a modifiable ri...The identification of inflammatory periodontal disease and education in local and systemic risk factors and their management forms the foundation of the treatment of this disease. Nutrition is potentially a modifiable risk factor that could drive or abrogate the underlying oxidative stress in periodontitis. As research in this area is still in its infancy, clinical guidance on the delivery of dietary advice for susceptible patients is scarce. This paper will explain the possible mechanisms linking nutrition and periodontal disease, as well as the guidelines currently available to the dental profession. CPD/CLINICAL RELEVANCE: With a growing evidence base, an appreciation of the links between nutrition and inflammatory periodontal disease can help guide clinicians in educating patients on this potentially important modifiable risk factor.
UNLABELLED: A MEDLINE search early in 2015 revealed more than 250,000 papers on head and neck cancer; over 100,000 on oral cancer; and over 60,000 on mouth cancer. Not all publications contain robust evidence. We endeavo...UNLABELLED: A MEDLINE search early in 2015 revealed more than 250,000 papers on head and neck cancer; over 100,000 on oral cancer; and over 60,000 on mouth cancer. Not all publications contain robust evidence. We endeavour to encapsulate the most important of the latest information and advances now employed in practice, in a form comprehensible to healthcare workers, patients and their carers. This series offers the primary care dental team in particular, an overview of the aetiopathogenesis, prevention, diagnosis and multidisciplinary care of mouth cancer, the functional and psychosocial implications, and minimization of the impact on the quality of life of patient and family. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This article offers the dental team an overview of diagnosis, diagnostic and pre-treatment procedures.
TMDs are a complex collection of conditions which can have a significant impact on an individual's quality of life. The aetiology, diagnosis and management of TMDs will be described in this article with the hope of incre...TMDs are a complex collection of conditions which can have a significant impact on an individual's quality of life. The aetiology, diagnosis and management of TMDs will be described in this article with the hope of increasing a general dental practitioner's knowledge of these problems, thus helping them to institute simple, initial, conservative therapies for such patients. Diagnosis of TMDs can be simplified by following recent published clinical diagnostic criteria such as those outlined in this article. CPD/CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Pain and functional disturbances related to TMDs are common and require simple and pragmatic interventions for most patients. After providing a diagnosis, reassure patients that they do not have a sinister disease, and explain that the condition is usually self-limiting.
A patient taking warfarin presented to the Oral Medicine Clinic at Liverpool University Dental Hospital, having been prescribed metronidazole and miconazole by his general dental practitioner (GDP) for his oral mucosal p...A patient taking warfarin presented to the Oral Medicine Clinic at Liverpool University Dental Hospital, having been prescribed metronidazole and miconazole by his general dental practitioner (GDP) for his oral mucosal problem. He subsequently developed bruising on his torso following mild trauma. Having read the drug information leaflet provided with his metronidazole and miconazole, he noted the potential drug interactions between these and warfarin. He therefore stopped his warfarin. The details of this case are outlined, and the potential for significant drug interactions with warfarin are highlighted. The need for dental practitioners to be vigilant concerning drug interactions is emphasized, together with the importance of CPD in relation to drug prescribing. CPD/CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This case report, which is of relevance to all dental practitioners, highlights the importance of up-to-date medical and drug histories and the continuing awareness of potential drug interactions. In this case, patient intervention after checking drug information leaflets prevented serious consequences. The importance and potentially serious consequences of significant drug interactions needs to be understood.
The complex anatomy of the tooth limits the ability to eradicate pathogens by mechanical means alone. Irrigation is the key to solving this problem. This paper highlights the importance of irrigation, the key irrigants a...The complex anatomy of the tooth limits the ability to eradicate pathogens by mechanical means alone. Irrigation is the key to solving this problem. This paper highlights the importance of irrigation, the key irrigants available and methods of improving the performance of irrigants within the canal. CPD/CLINICAL RELEVANCE: To provide advice on which irrigants to use, how to use them effectively and safely and what to do if irrigants are extruded beyond the apex.
In 2013, the Minamata Convention on Mercury called for a global phase-down of amalgam use, with a view to reduce environmental mercury pollution. This will significantly impact UK dentistry, given the still extensive use...In 2013, the Minamata Convention on Mercury called for a global phase-down of amalgam use, with a view to reduce environmental mercury pollution. This will significantly impact UK dentistry, given the still extensive use of amalgam in U.K. general dental practice. However, until now there has been little national discussion or debate. In Spring 2015, The British Society of Prosthodontics dedicated a significant part of its Annual Conference to debating the implications of this issue. Clinical case examples were discussed with audience interaction and voting facilitated using innovative Audience Response System Technology. A remarkable range of concerns and opinions were given. The debate elicited specific concerns amongst clinicians regarding the suitability of mercury-free alternatives to amalgam; particularly where cavities are large and extend beneath the gingival anatomy. There are also anecdotal reports of Dental Foundation (DF) dentists not being adequately taught the use of dental amalgam in undergraduate dental schools. CPD/CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Many clinicians, especially those treating patients for whom moisture control is challenging, feel that amalgam should remain available for clinicians to choose in certain clinical circumstances for the restoration of posterior teeth, even in the event of a complete phase-down.