The dental implications of bisphosphonates and bone disease
In 2002/2003 a number of patients presented to the South Australian Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Unit with unusual non-healing extraction wounds of the jaws. All were middle-aged to elderly, medically compromised and on bisphosphonates for bone pathology. Review of the literature showed similar cases being reported in the North American oral and maxillofacial surgery literature. This paper reviews the role of bisphosphonates in the management of bone disease.
| A Cheng
A Mavrokokki
G Carter
B Stein
NL Fazzalari
DF Wilson
AN Goss |
Drugs for pain management in dentistry
Pain is one of the most common reasons patients seek dental treatment. It may be due to many different diseases/conditions or it may occur after treatment. Dentists must be able to diagnose the source of pain and have strategies for its management.
| K Hargreaves
PV Abbott |
A concise review of the basic biology and pharmacology of local analgesia
Local analgesics are the most commonly used group drugs in dental practice. However, due to their frequent use and high margin of safety, often dental practitioners neglect to properly understand the biology and pharmacology of these drugs. This article reviews the basic concepts of pain, pain pathways, the mode of action of local analgesics and factors which affect their usage. Specific details and properties of some currently available solutions are also outlined.
| S Subramaniam
M Tennant |
Oral viral infections and the therapeutic use of antiviral agents in dentistry
This paper reviews the current concepts of viral classification, infection and replication. The clinical presentation of common oral viral infections encountered in the dental practice are discussed, including: herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2; Epstein-Barr virus; varicella-zoster virus; Coxsackie virus; human papilloma virus; and human immunodeficiency virus. The diagnosis, principles of management and pharmacological agents available for the treatment of oral viral infections are also discussed.
| MJ McCullough
NW Savage |
Oral candidosis and the therapeutic use of antifungal agents in dentistry
This paper reviews the current concepts of mycology and candidal infections as they relate to the oral cavity. Proposed classification for the presentation of oral candidosis is outlined as are examples of these topical infections, such as erythematous, pseudo-membranous and hyperplastic candidosis, as well as angular chelitis and median rhomboid glossitis. The diagnosis and principles of management of oral candidosis are discussed, the therapeutic agents available for the management of these infections are presented and a treatment protocol for the management of patients with oral candidosis is given.
| MJ McCullough
NW Savage |
Topical corticosteroids in dental practice
Topical corticosteroids represent an important therapeutic aid in the management of a range of oral mucosal disease conditions. Like all medications, their successful use depends upon an understanding of the disease process. This includes an appropriate diagnosis, a clear view of the desirable treatment outcomes and knowledge of whether treatment is aimed at management of a chronic disease or enhanced resolution of a short-term condition. This paper reviews the use of topical corticosteroids and their possible roles in the management of oral disease.
| NW Savage
MJ McCullough |
Patients with artificial joints: do they need antibiotic cover for dental treatment?
This study reviews whether patients with artificial joints need antibiotic cover for dental treatment. Generally in Australia the practice has developed of giving most patients with artificial joints antibiotic prophylaxis for a wide range of dental procedures. This is partly on anecdotal grounds, partly historical and partly for legal concerns.
| JF Scott
D Morgan
M Avent
S Graves
AN Goss |
Antibiotic prophylaxis for dentoalveolar surgery: is it indicated?
Usually dentists in Australia give patients oral antibiotics after dentoalveolar surgery as a prophylaxis against wound infection. When this practice is compared to the principle of antibiotic prophylaxis in major surgery it is found to be at variance in a number of ways.
| B Lawler
PJ Sambrook
AN Goss |
Antibiotic prophylaxis for endocarditis: time to reconsider
This review explores the evidence for antibiotic prophylaxis to prevent infective endocarditis (IE): does it work and is it safe? The changing nature of IE, the role of bacteraemia of oral origin and the safety of antibiotics are also reviewed. Most developed countries have national guidelines and their points of similarity and difference are discussed.
| J Singh
I Straznicky
M Avent
AN Goss |
Cardiac murmurs: echocardiography in the assessment of patients requiring antibiotic prophylaxis for dental treatment
Traditionally patients who indicate that they have a heart murmur or who indicate that they have had rheumatic fever are given antibiotic prophylaxis for dental treatment. This is commonly done without further assessment of the patient's actual endocarditis risk. Echocardiography is a non-invasive method of assessing cardiac valve function and haemodynamics.
| M Ching
I Straznicky
AN Goss |
Severe odontogenic infections
Severe odontogenic infections are serious potentially lethal conditions. Following the death of a patient in the authors' institution this study was initiated to determine the risk factors, management and outcome of a consecutive series of patients.
| IC Uluibau
T Jaunay
AN Goss |