Atypical odontalgia: a case report

Diagnosis and treatment of orofacial pain is not uncommon; however, reaching a definitive diagnosis in these cases can be a complex challenge. Dentists are most likely to face this situation, because persistent and chronic pain is more common in the head and neck region than in any other part of the body. However, the complexities and diagnostic challenges mean that misdiagnosing neuropathic pain is common. This article presents a case of atypical odontalgia and illustrates the complexities involved when diagnosing the condition.

MRI features of mandibular osteomyelitis: practical criteria based on an association with conventional radiography features and clinical classification

OBJECTIVES

The aims of this study were (1) to assess the diagnostic power of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for mandibular osteomyelitis through comparison with conventional techniques and (2) to establish practical MRI diagnostic criteria in relation to treatment and clinical outcome.

STUDY DESIGN

In 55 subjects, clinically suspected as mandibular osteomyelitis, signal intensities (SI) were evaluated on T1-weighted/short T1 inversion recovery (STIR) images.

RESULTS

Forty-seven subjects were definitively diagnosed as having osteomyelitis by pathology studies or clinical course. For the acute or subacute stage, positively associated appearances were low SI on T1-weighted image and extensive high or focal high SI on the STIR image. For chronic stage, appearances of low SI on both T1-weighted and STIR images should be added to those for the acute or subacute stage. These findings support the at-present accepted imaging diagnostic criteria based on bony changes for detection of osteomyelitis.

CONCLUSION

This study confirms that T1-weighted/STIR images are useful for the detection of mandibular osteomyelitis.

Polymerase chain reaction of Porphyromonas gingivalis, Treponema denticola, and Tannerella forsythia in primary endodontic infections

The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between endodontic clinical signs and symptoms and the presence of Porphyromonas gingivalis, Treponema denticola, and Tannerella forsythia or their association by nested polymerase chain reaction assay. Microbial samples were taken from 50 cases with necrotic pulp tissues in primary infections. DNA was extracted from the samples, which were analyzed for the presence of three endodontic pathogens by using species-specific primers. P gingivalis, T denticola, and T forsythia were detected in 46%, 38%, and 22% of the symptomatic cases, respectively. The bacterial complex composed by T forsythia, P gingivalis, and T denticola was found in 14% of the cases with spontaneous pain, tenderness to percussion, swelling, and pain on palpation. The high prevalence of P gingivalis, T denticola, and T forsythia in the samples examined suggests that these bacteria are related to the etiology of symptomatic periradicular diseases.

Oral management in a patient with fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva

Fibrodysplasia ossificans progressiva (FOP) is an autosomal dominant disorder of connective tissue. FOP results in debilitating heterotopic ossification of the axial and appendicular skeleton. Permanent ankylosis of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is a common late finding, but is usually preceded by specific inciting trauma. Extreme care must be exercised when carrying out routine dental care to prevent soft tissue trauma. Oral health care for patients with FOP is usually complex. There are additional considerations when oral surgical procedures, such as extractions, are needed. Maintaining a balance between oral health and disease progression in these patients is challenging, as they frequently present with advanced oral disease. Fiber optic-assisted placement of the nasoendotracheal tube is the standard of care. Intramuscular injections including mandibular blocks must be avoided. Permanent fusion of the TMJ leads to malnutrition, inanition, and aspiration of food. In patients with complete TMJ ankylosis, dental extractions can be safely and effectively performed while accessing teeth from the buccal aspect. This approach has successfully resulted in decreased morbidity in these patients as well as others with limited oral opening.

A clinical classification of the status of the pulp and the root canal system

Many different classification systems have been advocated for pulp diseases. However, most of them are based on histopathological findings rather than clinical findings which leads to confusion since there is little correlation between them. Most classifications mix clinical and histological terms resulting in misleading terminology and diagnoses. This in turn leads to further confusion and uncertainty in clinical practice when a rational treatment plan needs to be established in order to manage a specific pathological entity. A simple, yet practical classification of pulp diseases which uses terminology related to clinical findings is proposed. This classification will help clinicians understand the progressive nature of the pulp disease processes and direct them to the most appropriate and conservative treatment strategy for each condition. With a comprehensive knowledge of the pathophysiology of pain and inflammation in the pulp tissues, clinicians may accomplish this task with confidence.

Diagnostic imaging for chronic orofacial pain, maxillofacial osseous and soft tissue pathology and temporomandibular disorders

Since dentists can be faced by unusual cases during their professional life, this article reviews the common orofacial disorders that are of concern to a dentist trying to diagnose the source of pain or dysfunction symptoms, providing an overview of the essential knowledge and usage of nowadays available advanced diagnostic imaging modalities. In addition to symptom-driven diagnostic dilemmas, where such imaging is utilized, occasionally there are asymptomatic anomalies discovered by routine clinical care and/or on dental or panoramic images that need more discussion. The correct selection criteria of an image exam should be based on the individual characteristics of the patient, and the type of imaging technique should be selected depending on the specific clinical problem, the kind of tissue to be visualized, the information obtained from the imaging modality, radiation exposure, and the cost of the examination. The usage of more specialized imaging modalities such as magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography, ultrasound, as well as single photon computed tomography, positron electron tomography, and their hybrid machines, SPECT/ CT and PET/CT, are discussed.

Lipiodol UF retention in dental sialography

Lipiodol is a lipid based contrast medium and is very useful in sialography. It gives very fine images and clearly shows the details of the gland. It is viscous and has a relatively high iodine content. However, lipiodol UF drops sometimes remain in the salivary gland and in the adjacent tissues for a long time and may cause irritation. We report a case where lipiodol UF leaked from Stensen's duct and was not resorbed after a period of 70 months.

Reasons for taking radiographs in general dental practice in Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania

This study investigated the reasons why dental practitioners at the Muhimbili Dental OPD clinic in Dar-es-Salaam take radiographs. Information was obtained from medical records at the Department of Dental Radiology for an eighteen month period, during which 28,171 patients were seen at the hospital, and of which 2,672 (9.48 per cent) were radiographed. The main reasons for taking radiographs (percentages) was to detect fractures (17.2), tumours (14.1), caries (12.5), impacted teeth (12.2), periodontal disease (11.3), and non-specific dental pain (10.4). Radiographs were also taken for orthodontic (7.0 per cent) and endodontic (6.8 per cent) reasons. Some of the reasons for taking radiographs such as hypersensitive teeth, apicectomy, neuralgia and xerostomia were previously unheard of, indicating an increasing diversity of dental services. In conclusion, there is a need to increase the utilisation of dental radiographs from the present modest level in order to meet the growing need of the increasingly informed dental population in Dar-es-Salaam.

Synthetic hair braid extension artifacts in panoramic radiographs

The authors present two case reports that illustrate synthetic hair braid extension artifacts in panoramic radiographs. They found that hairstyles using synthetic hair braid extensions created radiopaque patterns that varied according to hairstyles. They discuss how these hair extensions may affect panoramic radiographs and the importance of determining whether patients are wearing synthetic hair braid extensions.

Inflammatory cervical root resorption following segmental orthognathic surgery. A case report

An unusual case of bilateral inflammatory external/internal root resorption developed in the maxillae of a 28 year-old female approximately 4 years following routine segmental orthognathic surgery. The patient experienced dental pain in a tooth adjacent to a segmental osteotomy cut 8 months postsurgery, however, the tooth later became asymptomatic. A definitive diagnosis of inflammatory cervical root resorption was not established until nearly 4 years later on routine dental examination. The external/internal resorptive lesions were located 4 to 6 mm apical to the connective tissue attachment on 3 of the 4 tooth roots adjacent to osteotomy cuts. Two of the affected teeth required non-surgical root canal therapy due to pulpal communication with the resorptive defects. The lesions were accessed by flap surgery, thoroughly debrided, and obturated with an intermediate restorative material until definitive restorative therapy could be completed. All sites healed uneventfully and the patient has been closely observed for approximately 2 years without symptoms or recurrence of the resorptive lesions. Dental health care providers should be alert to the possible occurrence of inflammatory root resorption in sites adjacent to osteotomy cuts over extended periods of time. Routine radiographic examination may be beneficial in the postoperative management of the segmental orthognathic surgery patient.