Australian Dental Journal

December 2007 - Volume 52 Number 4

REVIEW

A new paradigm for operative surgery
It is over 100 years since GV Black gathered together most of the knowledge then current on the caries process and set clear parameters for the discipline of operative dentistry. His four-volume treatise set standards that were relevant for the times and, in fact, were so well described that they remained dominant in this discipline until quite recently. However, over the last 50 years there has been great progress in scientific method and in knowledge of the common diseases of the oral environment, including the caries process, so maybe it is time for change.

GJ Mount

ADRF RESEARCH REPORT

Geographic location and indirect costs as a barrier to dental treatment: a patient perspective
The recently published National Survey of Adult Oral Health 2004–06 indicated that tooth loss, mean decayed and number of DMF teeth were all higher outside capital city locations. In addition, dental attendance patterns were worse in terms of frequency, reason for visit, and continuity in rural and remote locations, but there was no difference by geographical location in terms of financial barriers to dental care. The objective of this research was to identify, quantify and analyse some of the non-treatment costs associated with dental treatment from the perspective of the patient and to determine whether the perceived impact of those costs may limit access to dental care.

B Curtis
RW Evans
A Sbaraini
E Schwarz

SCIENTIFIC ARTICLES

Effect of remineralization/demineralization cycles on mineral profiles of Fuji IX Fast in vitro using electron probe microanalysis There have been concerns about the dissolution of conventional glass ionomer cement (GIC) and its possible degradation when exposed to an acidic environment over time. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of exposure of Fuji IX Fast to the simulated acidic aspects of the oral environment in terms of any changes in the elemental composition of strontium (Sr), phosphorus (P), calcium (Ca) and fluorine (F) which resulted at the surface of this material.	Z Ab-Ghani H Ngo J McIntyre
Effects of pulsed electromagnetic field vibration on tooth movement induced by magnetic and mechanical forces: a preliminary study This study was designed to determine whether or not high-frequency and low-magnitude vibration affects orthodontic tooth movement caused by magnetic or/and mechanical forces.	M Ali Darendeliler A Zea G Shen H Zoellner
Profile of lingual orthodontic users in Australia The use of lingual orthodontic appliances and the training background of orthodontists in Australia using the lingual orthodontic technique are largely unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the profile of lingual orthodontic users in Australia.	EKM Chan S McCrostie P Petocz M Ali Darendeliler
Clinical and pharmacological variables as a risk factor for nifedipine-induced gingival overgrowth Gingival enlargement is usually noted within one to two months after the initiation of nifedipine therapy. The aetiology of nifedipine-induced gingival overgrowth is uncertain. The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between plasma and gingival crevice fluid (GCF) nifedipine concentrations and the degree of gingival overgrowth in patients treated with nifedipine, and also to assess the correlations between clinical and pharmacological variables.	GN Guncu F Çaglayan A Dinçel A Bozkurt F Ozmen E Karabulut
Dental caries experience in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in the Northern Peninsula Area, Queensland A survey of dental caries experience in children was undertaken in five Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in the Northern Peninsula Area of Queensland prior to the introduction of water fluoridation.	M Hopcraft W Chow
Factors involved in the translation of continuing professional development programmes into clinical practice among Victorian dentists Continuing professional development (CPD) programmes have traditionally been seen as an important means by which dentists keep up-todate with current advances in the field. Recent legislative changes in Victoria have resulted in the introduction of mandatory CPD for dentists. Despite this, there is limited available information on the effectiveness of the translation of these programmes into clinical practice.	V John P Parashos
Bacteria and salivary profile of adolescents with and without cleft lip and/or palate undergoing orthodontic treatment Patients with cleft lip and/or palate (CL&/P) experience a higher caries prevalence. This study aimed to determine if patients with CL&/P, undergoing and not undergoing orthodontic treatment, have a different salivary biochemical profile and different salivary levels of Mutans Streptococci (MS) and Lactobacilli (LB) compared to patients undergoing and not undergoing orthodontic treatment without CL&/P.	LL Cheng SL Moor O Kravchuk IA Meyers CTC Ho
Oral health of Indigenous adult public dental patients in Australia Indigenous Australians have been reported in a range of studies to have worse health than non-Indigenous Australians. Among health care card holders, a financially disadvantaged group eligible for public-funded dental care, oral health may also be worse among Indigenous persons. The aims of this study were to examine the oral health of Indigenous compared to non-Indigenous adult public dental patients in terms of caries experience and periodontal status, controlling for age and gender of patient, type of care and geographic location.	DS Brennan KF Roberts-Thomson AJ Spencer
Palatal anaesthesia for the removal of maxillary third molars as practised by oral and maxillofacial surgeons in Australia and New Zealand Injections of local anaesthetic to the palate are well known to be poorly tolerated. The absolute requirement of a palatal injection for the removal of maxillary third molars has never been investigated. The aim of this study was to document the current practice of palatal anaesthesia for extraction of these teeth with local anaesthesia as practised by oral and maxillofacial surgeons.	ME Badcock MJ McCullough

CASE REPORT

An unusual maxillary first molar with four roots and six canals: a case report
This case report presents an unusual maxillary right first molar with four roots and six canals. Endodontic treatment was provided and final restoration was accomplished with composite resin. Treating extra canals in maxillary first molars may be challenging. Inability to find and properly treat the root canals may cause failures. Complete clinical and radiographic examination and a thorough knowledge of the morphology of these teeth is necessary for successful clinical results.

N Adanir

DATA WATCH

Dental visiting among the Australian adult dentate population
The purpose of this Data Watch is to report on the time since last dental visit among the Australian adult dentate population in the 2004–2006 period. It also reports the trend in time since last visit across the preceding 17-year period.

Australian Research Centre for Population Oral Health

COCHRANE REVIEW WITH COMMENTARY

Surgical versus non-surgical endodontic re-treatment for periradicular lesions
Though success rates of endodontic initial treatment have been improving over the years, persistence of periapical disease is far from being a rare condition. The most common therapeutical options for the re-treatment of teeth with periapical pathosis are non-surgical orthograde treatment and surgical treatment. Selection between alternative treatments should be based on assessment of respective benefits (mainly healing) and risks from studies consistent with a high level of evidence.

M Del Fabbro
S Taschieri
T Testori
L Francetti
RL Weinstein

CONTINUING PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Self-assessment Quiz - December 2007

The ADA and the Local Organising Committee invite all associated with dentistry to participate in the Australian Dental Congress and Exhibition in Perth.

Mark the dates in your diaries 12-15 March 2009

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Dental Health Week is a community awareness program coordinated and funded by the ADA. In 2008 the ADA is leading a campaign to target 30-50 year olds and has developed a range of Fact Sheets on oral health care. August 4 - 10 is Dental Health Week

Click here for previous Dental Health Week material.

Mouthguard Awareness

The ADA is once again conducting a Mouthguard Awareness campaign in 2008.
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On the 23rd July 2007 the ADA wrote to the major political parties seeking their policies on dental health issues. Click here to review the ADA Inc Report Card on Dental Health Policies Election 07 (PDF 122 KB)

As part of a community campaign to promote good oral health care for babies and toddlers the ADA has developed oral hygiene tips for parents and carers of young children.
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Click here for information on the ADA Awards for Excellence in Dental Journalism

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