Australian Dental Journal

June 1999 - Volume 44 Number 2

REVIEWS

Diagnosis and management of teeth with vertical root fractures Vertical fractures in teeth can present difficulties in diagnosis. There are, however, many specific clinical and radiographical signs which, when present, can alert clinicians to the existence of a fracture. In this review, the diagnosis of vertical root fractures is discussed in detail, and examples are presented of clinical and radiographic signs associated with these fractured teeth. Treatment alternatives are discussed for both posterior and anterior teeth.

AJ Moule B Kahler

A brief review of indigenous Australian health as it impacts on oral health The indigenous population of Australia constitutes approximately 2 per cent of the total population. This group has faced significant cultural, economic and health changes since European settlement some 200 years ago. In this brief review some of the health changes that have influenced the oral health status of this community have been examined.

N Martin-Iverson A Phatouros M Tennant

ADRF RESEARCH REPORTS

Oral cancer: Role of the basement membrane in invasion Invasive growth of cancer cells is a complex process involving specific interactions between tumour cells and the orderly, integrated complexes of the extracellular matrix. Basement membranes have been proposed as one constituent of extra-cellular matrix which carries responsibility for regulating invasion and metastasis.	DF Wilson J De-Jun AM Pierce OW Wiebkin
The effects of the Nd:YAG laser on amalgam dental restorative material The Nd:YAG laser has been marketed as an instrument for use on both hard and soft dental tissues. Its potential for use on hard tissues is limited but it may be the instrument of choice for use in certain soft tissue procedures. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of the Nd:YAG laser on amalgam restorations which are frequently placed on tooth surfaces adjacent to areas of soft tissue which may be subjected to the laser.	I Cernavin SP Hogan
p53 expression in oral precancer and cancer Expression of the p53 tumour suppressor gene is a frequent finding in human malignancies, including oral cancer, and it has been detected in some potentially malignant lesions. The results of the present project showed that 35 of the 41 (85 per cent) oral mucosal lesions with histological evidence of epithelial dysplasia expressed p53, but the presence or absence of p53 staining could not be used to predict the outcome of potentially malignant oral mucosal lesions.	AM Rich D Kerdpon PC Reade

SCIENTIFIC ARTICLES

The outcome of arthroscopic treatment of temporomandibular joint arthropathy Ninety patients underwent arthroscopic temporomandibular joint surgery to 124 joints for arthropathy which had failed to respond to at least six months of non-surgical treatment.	I Rosenberg AN Goss
Root resorption of mandibular second molar teeth associated with the presence of the third molars Although pressure resorption of second molars is associated with impacted and/or erupting third molars, the relationship between pressure resorption and age is unclear. In order to investigate this relationship, 3883 dental radiographs were studied in 3174 individuals of various ages.	M Yamaoka K Furusawa M Ikeda T Hasegawa
Radiographic appearance of alveolar osseous defects in relation to their anatomic location Radiographs are of limited value in the diagnosis of osseous defects. Anatomic and technical factors affect the radiographic appearance of bone lesions. This study was undertaken in order to determine whether the radiographic appearance of alveolar osseous defects depends on their location, and particularly whether there are any differences in radiographic detection between bone defects located in the maxilla or the mandible, and on the buccal or lingual aspects of the alveolar crest.	K Nicopoulou-Karayiann A Diamanti-Kipioti
The effects of extracellular citric acid acidosis on the viability, cellular adhesion capacity and protein synthesis of cultured human gingival fibroblasts Root surface demineralization is widely used as an adjunct to periodontal treatment. To clarify the influence of citric acid root conditioning on periodontal wound healing, the effects of citric acid and associated extracellular acidosis on the viability (MTT assay), attachment and protein synthesis ([3H]-proline incorporation into trichloroacetic acid-precipitated proteins) of human gingival fibroblasts (GF) were investigated.	WC Lan WH Lan CP Chan CC Hsieh MC Chang JH Jeng

CASE REPORTS

Central fibroma in the ascending ramus of the mandible. Case report A case of central fibroma involving the mandible in a 58 year old woman is described.	K Sasaoka K Mogi H Ishii
Adenomatoid hyperplasia in the mandibular retromolar area. Case report This paper reports a case of adenomatoid hyperplasia of minor salivary glands in the retromolar area, with a unique symptom of painful swelling. This appears to be the first reported case in the Chinese population. It would be useful for clinical dentists to be aware of this tumour.	YK Chen CC Lin LM Lin YH Yan