Showing posts with label teeth. Show all posts
Showing posts with label teeth. Show all posts

Saturday 26 December 2015

What Are The Treatment Options in Patients with Unilateral Congenitally Missing Second Mandibular Premolars?

In this article by Gerassimos Angelopoulos, an orthodontist in Greece, the issue of missing second premolars and the management of the retained deciduous molar is discussed and the relative advantages and disadvantages of each are outlined but not entirely addressed. In my experience retention of the primary molar is a realistic option which obviously depends on the tooth's restorative status and how it relates to the occlusal plane. Where infraocclusion is significant enough to result in an increased chance of caries then extraction may need to be seriously considered. Where the tooth is at an acceptable level in the absence of ankylosis the occlusal surface can be restored to maintain contact with the opposing unit. If the deciduous tooth is extracted resin bonded bridges or implants may be an option if space closure is not possible.  Alternatively the patient may just be happy with having a space there with no further elective treatment ! Much a dentists head has been scratched on hypodontia clinics thinking about what the best option may be. 

Have a read of an orthodontists view. 

Angelopouos on the missing second mandibular premolar

Saturday 24 October 2015

Is hypodontia a wholly genetic condition ?

An article in the British Dental Journal from 2007 reviews current knowledge on the aetiological basis for hypodontia as well as various types of presentation and classification. Syndromes that are associated with congenitally missing teeth are also illustrated in a table. Click on the link below for the full article. 

Hypodontia-Is it all in the genes ?

Sunday 6 September 2015

Baby teeth can be built up to function like adult teeth

The Leeds restorative dentistry group have published a review illustrating how 'baby' teeth can be efficiently built up with white filling material to function like adult teeth. This procedure doesn't require the need for anaesthesia or tooth drilling and can be delivered easily. 



Wednesday 2 September 2015

Patients with Hypodontia have different needs to other patients

The hypodontia team from the Eastman Dental Institute have published a review paper outlining the management needs of patients with hypodontia with specific reference to the dental, psycho-social, medical, functional, educational and financial implications that this diagnosis can bring. They identified the need for disease prevention as well as the management issues that can present during growth and development. The article can be accessed on the link below.

Thursday 16 July 2015

Why overcomplicate hypodontia treatment?


A recent research article in the International Journal of Dental Sciences and Research emphasised the importance of non-destructive restorative management of missing teeth. A good aesthetic outcome was achieved with bonded white composite fillings and resin bonded bridges (sticky bridges). After 4 years of fixed orthodontics, a good aesthetic result can be achieve with minimal intervention, non-tooth destructive restorative treatment in a relatively short period of time.

Click on the link below for the full article:

http://pubs.sciepub.com/ijdsr/3/2A/1/

This post was by Lakshmi Rasaratnam, StR in Restorative Dentistry, Kings College Hospital. l.rasaratnam@nhs.net

Monday 15 June 2015

Hypodontia is a common problem amongst Cleft lip palate patients

A recent dental review from Malaysia  has reminded dental professionals and informed patients that hypodontia is a common problem amongst patients who present with cleft lip and palate. Cleft lip and palate is a group of conditions that includes cleft lip (CL), cleft palate (CP), and both together. A cleft lip is an opening in the upper lip that may extend into the nose. The opening may be on one side, both sides, or in the middle. 

These disorders can result in feeding problems, speech problems, hearing problems, and frequent ear infections. Less than half the time the condition is associated with other disorders. One of the most significant problems is that of difficulties in eating due to the opening in the mouth and the routine absence of teeth near the opening. 


Click on the link to be taken to the article.



Sunday 7 June 2015

Scottish research shows how common hypodontia is !

Recent research from Aberdeen Dental School has shed new light on how common (incidence/prevalence) 
Hypodontia is. Approximately 6.5% of the worlds population has hypodontia but this can vary by continent. Hypodontia was most common in Africa: 13.4%, followed by Europe 7%, Asia 6.3% and Australia 6.3%with a lower prevalence in North America 5.0% CI: 4.1–5.9 and Latin America and Caribbean 4.4%. 

Click on the link below for the published paper. 

Saturday 23 May 2015

New research shows that resin bridges can last a very very long time without any problems !

New research from Bristol Dental Hospital illustrates that resin bonded bridges can last 15 years or more when delivered under the right circumstances to patients with missing teeth. A survival study was conducted on patients who have had resin bonded bridges and it was shown that patients who did not loose the bridge by 4 years could possibly have the bridge for life such were the excellent nature of the results. 

Click on the link below for the abstract.