Schweizer Monatsschrift fur Zahnmedizin = Revue mensuelle suisse d'odonto-stomatologie = Rivista mensile svizzera di odontologia e stomatologia最新文献

This paper presents a clinical and anatomical review of the mental foramen (MF) based on recent publications (since 1990). Usually, the MF is located below the 2nd premolar or between the two premolars, but it may also be positioned below the 1st premolar or below the mesial root of the 1st molar. At the level of the MF, lingual canals may join the mandibular canal (hence the term "crossroads"). Accessory MF are frequently described in the literature with large ethnic variations in incidence. The emergence pattern of the mental canal usually has an upward and posterior direction. The presence and extent of an "anterior loop" of the mental canal may be overestimated with panoramic radiography. Limited cone-beam computed tomography currently appears to be the most precise radiographic technique for assessment of the "anterior loop". The mental nerve exiting the MF usually has three to four branches for innervation of the soft tissues of the chin, lower lip, facial gingiva and mucosa in the anterior mandible. The clinician is advised to observe a safety distance when performing incisions and osteotomies in the vicinity of the MF.

For dental care professionals, the availability and cleanliness of reusable instruments is of major importance. In order to guarantee a proper reprocessing (cleaning, sterilization) of each instrument and ensure optimum safety for the patients, a single instrument traceability solution can be implemented. The RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology is the only approach that can provide a fully automated identification of instruments, and a precise monitoring throughout the reprocessing cycle. It consists in integrating a miniature electronic component (RFID tag) to each instrument able to communicate with a transmitter located at a relatively close distance and capable of uniquely identifying each element in any given container, even when closed. In 2011, a pilot project was implemented in collaboration with the Division of Dentistry (SMD) of the University of Geneva and the central sterilization of the Geneva University Hospitals (HUG). This project has demonstrated the applicability and usefulness of RFID technology for tracking reusable dental instruments. In particular, the time saved by the operators and the massive risk reduction when compared to the possible errors during the process of manual identification are two major elements that justify the implementation of an RFID-based instrument traceability solution.

Root perforations as a possible complication during a root canal treatment may increase the risk of failure for the affected tooth. The influencing factors include: the location and the size of the perforation, a potential microbial colonization of the endodontic system, the time lapse between the occurrence of the perforation and repair, and the filling material. Decontamination at the perforation site and in the remaining root canal system is essential for long-term success. For most cases, an orthograde retreatment with perforation repair represents a reasonable causal-based approach. This case report documents the treatment of a maxillary incisor with extensive apical periodontitis and iatrogenic root perforation in a 14-year-old patient. Three years after retreatment, perforation repair and coronal restoration with composite the follow-up shows a successful treatment outcome.

The purpose of this study was to determine factors that affected oral health-related quality of life (Oral Health Related Quality of Life = OHRQoL) in patients with removable dentures (RD). Quality of life was evaluated by using the Geriatric Oral Health Assessment Index (GOHAI). We analysed data of 250 patients aged 63 ± 11.6 years. After excluding patients lacking relevant analysis data, 243 patients remained in the study, including 129 males and 114 females. Relevant parameters for good OHRQoL were: patient satisfaction with their RD (r = -0.317), higher age (r = 0.222), greater number of remaining teeth (r = 0.357), higher income (r = 0.175), higher frequency of dental visits (r = -0.212), tobacco abstinence (r = -0.181), and residence in a rural area (r = -0.420). Also, marital status had an impact on OHRQoL. Widowed and married patients showed the highest values and unmarried patients the lowest. Frequently mentioned problem areas considered within the survey were: the patient's fear of further tooth loss, concerns about functional aspects such as the decrease in chewing efficiency and dissatisfaction with the aesthetics of the dental prostheses. The results showed that the OHRQoL is apparently not only influenced by dental factors, but also by psychosocial and economic factors, the relevance of which would have to be shown in further studies.