Many common prescription and over-the-counter medications have antimuscarinic effects. Antimuscarinics are a well recognized cause of dry mouth, with potential to cause other physical and cognitive adverse effects. A com...Many common prescription and over-the-counter medications have antimuscarinic effects. Antimuscarinics are a well recognized cause of dry mouth, with potential to cause other physical and cognitive adverse effects. A comprehensive medication review in a patient presenting with dry mouth can lead to overall health improvements. Scoring systems can be helpful in identifying antimuscarinic drugs and their adverse effects. CPD/Clinical Relevance: Antimuscarinic drug use is prevalent and a common cause of dry mouth. Older people are particularly susceptible to antimuscarinic adverse effects.
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 encaps...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 referral procedures; oral diagnosis is not always simple and a second opinion can be valuable to all concerned in cases of doubt.
Orofacial infections following dental extractions are a common referral to an oral and maxillofacial department as an emergency, especially when combined with swelling and limited mouth opening. The case presented demons...Orofacial infections following dental extractions are a common referral to an oral and maxillofacial department as an emergency, especially when combined with swelling and limited mouth opening. The case presented demonstrates a rare complication of chronic suppurative osteomyelitis with bilateral pathological fractures of the mandible, which occurred following a staged dental clearance. CPD/Clinical Relevance: Dental extractions are one of the most common treatments carried out by oral surgeons and general dental practitioners. This case highlights a rare but encountered complication of routine oral surgery and demonstrates when it is necessary to make an immediate referral to the local oral and maxillofacial surgery unit.
Dealing with patients who are unable to tolerate dentures can present a challenge to the general dental practitioner (GDP). Careful assessment of patients and their dentures will identify any causes of the intolerance to...Dealing with patients who are unable to tolerate dentures can present a challenge to the general dental practitioner (GDP). Careful assessment of patients and their dentures will identify any causes of the intolerance to dentures. Training plates are a useful technique that can be used to allow patients to become accustomed to removable prosthesis but will inevitably lengthen the treatment process. CPD/Clinical Relevance: Training plates offer a possible solution to general dental practitioners who treat patients who are struggling to tolerate dentures.
Cuspal-coverage restorations are important to preserve the integrity of a weakened tooth against the forces of occlusion. This article discusses the clinical indications for both direct and indirect cuspal-coverage resto...Cuspal-coverage restorations are important to preserve the integrity of a weakened tooth against the forces of occlusion. This article discusses the clinical indications for both direct and indirect cuspal-coverage restorations and the evidence supporting their use. Factors that modify a tooth's ability to dissipate normal occlusal forces and the effect cuspal-coverage restorations have on force distribution are examined. Clinical criteria, choice of restorative material and methods for tooth preparation are also discussed. CPD/Clinical Relevance: Re-enforcement of weakened teeth with cuspal-coverage restorations provides a minimally invasive alternative to conventional crowns.
Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is also known as 'tic douloureux' (in French, 'painful twitch'). It is a rare chronic facial pain syndrome, characterized by severe, brief, stabbing, 'electric shock-like 'recurrent pain attacks...Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is also known as 'tic douloureux' (in French, 'painful twitch'). It is a rare chronic facial pain syndrome, characterized by severe, brief, stabbing, 'electric shock-like 'recurrent pain attacks felt in one or more divisions of trigeminal nerve innervation areas. So intense is the elicited pain that TN has a significant effect on a sufferer's quality of life, rendering many patients unable to consider a future with the ongoing threat of recurrent pain. The aim of this article is to discuss the diagnosis and management of this disabling facial pain condition. CPD/Clinical Relevance: As general medical practitioners may struggle differentiating TN from toothache, primary care dentists have an important role in excluding odontogenic cause of pain, diagnosing TN and referring patients to a facial pain clinic for further investigations and multidisciplinary team management.
Exuberant gingival inflammation accompanied by periodontitis is a rare finding in a very young child and may indicate a defect in the host response. Affected children should be referred to appropriate specialists to esta...Exuberant gingival inflammation accompanied by periodontitis is a rare finding in a very young child and may indicate a defect in the host response. Affected children should be referred to appropriate specialists to establish a definitive diagnosis. A 5-year-old girl presented with persistent gingival inflammation and periodontal destruction. Immunological investigations identified specific polysaccharide antibody deficiency which, when treated, resulted in a significant improvement in the gingival condition. This case illustrates the need for integrated management by a wide range of dental and medical specialists. Antibody deficiency is rare but, if not identified and treated effectively, can be associated with chronic ill health and decreased life expectancy. CPD/Clinical Relevance: This article describes a rare case of gingival inflammation accompanied by periodontitis in a very young child secondary to an underlying host antibody deficiency and details the investigation, management and clinical outcomes.
Once cleaning and shaping is complete the clinician must obturate the canal. There are many different materials and techniques available each with their own discrete advantages and disadvantages. Whichever technique is u...Once cleaning and shaping is complete the clinician must obturate the canal. There are many different materials and techniques available each with their own discrete advantages and disadvantages. Whichever technique is used, the goal is to seal the entire prepared length of the root canal. This paper describes how best this may be achieved. CPD/Clinical Relevance: It is incumbent on the clinician to ensure that once the canal has been prepared it is sealed from bacterial re-entry.
The successful management of the worn mandibular anterior dentition may present an awkward challenge to the dental operator. The purpose of this article is to describe a case report illustrating the use of a guided, thre...The successful management of the worn mandibular anterior dentition may present an awkward challenge to the dental operator. The purpose of this article is to describe a case report illustrating the use of a guided, three-dimensional protocol for the ultra-conservative and predictable restoration of the worn lower anterior dentition using direct resin composite. This technique utilizes information based on established biomechanical and occlusal principles to fabricate a diagnostic wax-up, which is duplicated in dental stone. This is used to prepare a vacuum-formed modified stent, assisting the clinician to place directly bonded resin composite restorations to restore the worn lower anterior dentition. The technique, described in 2012 and referred to as 'injection moulding' has the potential to offer optimal form, function and an aesthetic outcome in an efficient manner. CPD/Clinical Relevance: This article aims to describe an alternative technique to simplify the processes involved with restoration of worn lower anterior teeth.
Dental anxiety of patients is a common feature of the everyday experience of dental practice. This article advocates the use of regular assessment of this psychological construct to assist in patient management. Various...Dental anxiety of patients is a common feature of the everyday experience of dental practice. This article advocates the use of regular assessment of this psychological construct to assist in patient management. Various tools, such as the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale (MDAS), are available to monitor dental anxiety that are quick to complete and easy to interpret. Patient burden is low. A new mobile phone assessment system (DENTANX) is being developed for distribution. This application and other psychological interventions are being investigated to assist patients to receive dental care routinely. Clinical relevance: This article provides evidence and expert opinion on the worth of regular dental anxiety assessment in dental practice using structured tools, such as the Modified Dental Anxiety Scale, and consideration of psychological intervention development.
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 encaps...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 surgery for the treatment of mouth cancer.
There are a number of anomalies that affect the structure of the dental hard tissues which impact upon the form, function and aesthetics of the dentition. Understanding the challenges these conditions pose will enable de...There are a number of anomalies that affect the structure of the dental hard tissues which impact upon the form, function and aesthetics of the dentition. Understanding the challenges these conditions pose will enable dentists to manage the functional and aesthetic problems with restorative techniques better. This article will present cases that demonstrate the different conditions, the restorative challenges experienced and a variety of restorative treatments in the management of these conditions. Clinical relevance: Awareness of different anomalies affecting tooth structure that may present to the dental practitioner is necessary. Clinicians should appreciate the specific restorative challenges that may arise in treating such patients and the possible treatment options that may be available.
Sarcoidosis is a multisystem, non-caseating, chronic, granulomatous disease affecting any organ. In the head and neck region, salivary glands and lymph nodes are most commonly involved. Oral manifestations are rare but t...Sarcoidosis is a multisystem, non-caseating, chronic, granulomatous disease affecting any organ. In the head and neck region, salivary glands and lymph nodes are most commonly involved. Oral manifestations are rare but these lesions, occasionally haemorrhagic, may be the first sign of systemic disease. It is important to recognize the oral manifestations of sarcoidosis and to be aware of potential secondary disease-driven processes, such as thrombocytopenia. The purpose of this paper is to present a previously undiagnosed case of sarcoidosis, initially presenting with oral manifestations, including mucosal bleeding, and to review the current literature on oral sarcoidosis. Clinical relevance: Oral lesions can be the first sign of undiagnosed systemic sarcoidosis.
The trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias are a group of rare, highly disabling, primary headache syndromes distinctly characterized by the unilaterality of their attacks and presence of cranial autonomic symptoms. Although...The trigeminal autonomic cephalalgias are a group of rare, highly disabling, primary headache syndromes distinctly characterized by the unilaterality of their attacks and presence of cranial autonomic symptoms. Although pain is often localized to the peri-orbital and temporal regions, it is not uncommon for pain to radiate to tooth-bearing areas and mimic toothache or jaw pain. Hence, dental practitioners should be aware of these syndromes to enable appropriate referral and avoid unnecessary, and often irreversible, dental treatments. Many dentists will not have heard of these conditions but must remain vigilant, and ensure that they are not confused with trigeminal neuralgia, so that their patients are appropriately advised and referred. Clinical relevance: The dental practitioners may be the first line of healthcare providers consulted by these patients in the hope of obtaining pain relief. Lack of familiarity with an uncommon condition may lead to poor patient management.
The clinical presentations of oral malignancy are diverse. This short article discusses a case of a late-presenting oral malignancy and signifies the importance of general dental and medical practitioners’ knowledge in t...The clinical presentations of oral malignancy are diverse. This short article discusses a case of a late-presenting oral malignancy and signifies the importance of general dental and medical practitioners’ knowledge in the diagnosis of oral malignancy. Clinical relevance: Oral malignancy is a life-threatening diagnosis. The importance of a structured systematic approach in the diagnosis is discussed.
The restoration of endodontically-treated teeth is a topic that has been extensively studied and yet remains controversial. The endodontically-treated tooth can be restored with a wide range of techniques of varying comp...The restoration of endodontically-treated teeth is a topic that has been extensively studied and yet remains controversial. The endodontically-treated tooth can be restored with a wide range of techniques of varying complexity. This article reviews the literature on this topic. Consideration is given to the ferrule and its importance in achieving success. Furthermore, consideration will be given to the use of endodontically-treated teeth as abutments for fixed and removable prostheses and the challenges this presents. Clinical recommendations are presented as guidelines to improve the predictability and outcome of treatment when restoring structurally compromised root-filled teeth. Clinical relevance: The prognosis of endodontically-treated teeth depends not only on the success of the endodontic treatment, but also on the type of reconstruction.