Australian Dental Journal

December 2000 - Volume 45 Number 4

REVIEWS

Dental amalgam and mercury in dentistry Mercury in dentistry has re-emerged as a contentious issue in public health, predominantly because so many people are inadvertently exposed to mercury in order to obtain the benefits of dental amalgam fillings, and the risks remain difficult to interpret. This commentary aims to examine the issues involved in public policy assessment of the continued use of dental amalgam in dentistry.	AJ Spencer
Dental caries is a preventable infectious disease Dental caries is the most common infectious disease affecting humans. The principal causative agents are a group of streptococcal species collectively referred to as the mutans streptococci of which Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sobrinus are the most important agents of human caries. This review outlines what is currently known about these ubiquitous pathogens and discusses novel methods for elimination of these bacteria from dental plaque.	M Balakrishnan RS Simmonds JR Tagg
The environmental effects of dental amalgam Dental amalgam is one of the most commonly used materials in restorative dentistry. However, one of its major components, mercury, is of particular concern due to its potential adverse effects on humans and the environment. In this review, the environmental impact of dental amalgam will be discussed, with particular reference to the effects attributed to its mercury component.	G Chin J Chong A Kluczewska A Lau S Gorjy M Tennant

ADRF RESEARCH REPORT

Orofacial prosthesis design and fabrication using stereolithography The aim of this study was to investigate the accuracy with which a stereolithographic model could be made to completely reunite both surfaces of the resected mandible and restore full contour.

CL Morris RF Barber R Day

SCIENTIFIC ARTICLE

Australian dentists’ views on toothbrush wear and renewal The purpose of this study was to survey the views of Australian dentists on toothbrush wear, toothbrush renewal periods and recommendations to patients and to investigate the relationship between dentists’ views on patients’ toothbrush renewal intervals and dentists’ own renewal habits.

GC Daly RI Marshall R Lazarus

CLINICAL REPORT

Safety issues relating to the use of hydrogen peroxide in dentistry This report provides an overview of health issues relating to the use of hydrogen peroxide, with an emphasis on safety with prolonged exposure to low concentrations of peroxide products.

LJ Walsh

CASE REPORTS

An interdisciplinary approach to the management of complex medical and dental conditions Dental and medical practice often requires an interdisciplinary approach integrating the knowledge, skills and experience of all the disciplines of dentistry, medicine and its associated fields into comprehensive treatment to maximize results. Rapid and comprehensive scientific and technological advances have made it difficult for dental and medical practitioners to keep up to date in their fields; thus, to decrease practitioner frustration and increase patient benefits, an interdisciplinary approach has become essential. This report illustrates how therapy was coordinated for a young medically compromised patient with dental phobia and significant dental problems.	JPH Rogers PR Stewart JV Stapleton DL Hribar P Adams AE Gale
A late developing mandibular premolar supernumerary tooth This paper presents a case of a patient who developed a mandibular premolar supernumerary tooth between the age of 11 and 20 years. Evidence for the late development of the supernumerary tooth comes from consecutive panoramic radiographs. A review of the international literature concerning late developing supernumerary teeth is included.	N Gibson
Conservative management of lower second premolar impaction A case is described in which removal of a deciduous second molar was followed by eruption of an unfavourably inclined premolar located deep within the alveolus.	AR Collett
Quinine induced coagulopathy – a near fatal experience Dentists need to be alert to the risk that patients may not reveal their true medical history. There are, however, obligations on the dentist to ensure the accuracy of information the patient gives and to ensure that patients whom they believe are at risk follow their advice.	M Hawthorne R Sim CHC Acton

CONTINUING EDUCATION

Continuing dental education in osseointegrated implants. A survey A survey of participants in a continuing education course in osseointegrated implants was carried out to determine dentists’ attitudes toward such courses and how they were integrating implants into their everyday practice.

RL Brandt BJ Fitzpatrick FB Moloney PM Bartold