Body dissatisfaction and appearance concerns predict the development of serious psychological problems including depressive symptoms, health risk behaviours such as smoking and clinical eating disorders. In addition to cosmetic dental procedures, body dissatisfaction is of particular relevance to dental care as a predictor of disordered eating behaviours which frequently have a negative impact on dental health. This paper reviews the negative impact of body dissatisfaction and risk and protective factors for body image problems. Research into biological, psychological and social risk factors will be discussed including the recent findings of a relationship between social media use and body image concerns. Our understanding of risk factors for body dissatisfaction has guided the development of prevention and therapy interventions. As dentists may observe the dental results of an eating disorder, their role in secondary prevention is discussed.
The infected canal is the root cause of apical periodontitis. Bacteria that colonize the root canal system are not free floating, but exist as a biofilm attaching on the canal wall. Management of the infected root canal has customarily been achieved via chemomechanical preparation, with numerous studies in the 21st century focusing on mechanical debridement or instrumentation techniques. In the new millennium, there is a shift in research emphasis to removal of the endodontic biofilm by various physical and chemical means. This presentation examines various clinical strategies, and explores newer and potentially more effective approach to combat the root canal biofilm.
Probiotic bacteria are live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host. The background thinking is that a harmless effector strain is implanted in the hostu0027s microflora to maintain or restore the natural microbiome by interference and/or inhibition of other microorganisms. Typically, probiotic bacteria are natural species belonging to the Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium genera but host effects are strain specific. In addition to locally-induced oral events, systemic effects through immunomodulation have been demonstrated although a permanent colonization of probiotic bacteria seems unlikely. Recent clinical trials have gathered evidence of probiotic effectiveness in caries prevention, gingival and periodontal health. Studies in early childhood have suggested a metabolic domino effect with long-term improvements of oral and general health according to the common risk factor approach. The use probiotics may be a valuable adjunct to the established methods in preventing and combating caries and other oral diseases.
Palliative care is an approach that improves the quality of life of patients and their families facing the problem associated with life-threatening illness, through the prevention and relief of suffering by means of early identification, assessment and treatment of pain and other problems, physical, psychosocial and spiritual. Palliative care is not just about end of life care. What it does is provide relief of these symptoms while a patient continues to receive disease-controlling treatment. In this sense palliative care is about living better with life limiting illnesses, not just focussing on the terminal phase. There are problems with how Australians are dying, but access to good-quality palliative care can change that. As a society we need to invest more in giving people more time to live as well as they can for as long as they can. However we all require honesty in communication to have sufficient time to prepare for death.
Autotransplantation of premolars for lost anterior incisor teeth in young patients is a safe and predictable procedure. Teeth which have been avulsed and replanted and with signs of ankylosis (replacement resorption) or late diagnosis of inflammatory/infection-related root resorption with large defects on the root surface, intrusions, or with crown-root fracture, as well as teeth with dubious endodontic success may be suitable for autotransplantation with premolar teeth. Autotransplantation of premolars with incomplete root formation is an excellent tool for meeting this need, with a 10-year survival rate of 90% in the hands of experienced clinicians. The joint roles required of the paediatric/restorative dentist, oral surgeon and orthodontist is discussed.
In this study, a novel material, fluoride-containing Poly (L-lactic acid) (PLLA) nanofibre scaffold was successfully constructed through electrospinning process. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) image showed that the morphology of the fibres was uniform and smooth, and the average diameter of the fibres was about 300 nm. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) proved that a lot of calcium fluoride (CaF2) nanoparticles with an average diameter of about 50 nm were well dispersed in the PLLA fibre matrix. Fluoride is one of the few inorganic ions which are able to stimulate osteoblasts (OB). This novel material seems to be a promising scaffold for bone tissue engineering.
eHealth provides an important opportunity to improve the quality and safety of healthcare. Every year Australians have an average of 22 interactions with the health system. Most of the information from these visits is currently held in paper based records in separate locations. The PCEHR is designed to assist in information sharing with multiple sources of health information being summarised and accessed through a central point. There are many misconceptions regarding eHealth both from a health practitioner and patient perspective. It is important to realise what the eHealth system is and is not. Dental Practitioners should also be aware of secure messaging, e prescriptions and e pathology. Dental Practitioners to be ready for eHealth should consider among other things having broadband internet access, have computer terminals in the clinical rooms, have appropriate dental software and utilise electronic dental records.
To compare the cross-ethnic difference in dentofacial deformity profile and the associated surgical management in Chinese and Caucasian patients who required orthognathic surgery in Hong Kong and Glasgow, respectively. Material and Methods: This is a retrospective study of consecutive hospital patients' records from the Prince Philip Dental Hospital in Hong Kong and the Glasgow Dental Hospital and School in Glasgow from 2003 - 2012. Data pertaining to patient demographics, diagnosis, surgical treatment received and complications were recorded. Results: 581 and 217 cases were retrieved in Hong Kong and Glasgow, respectively. Both centres shared a similar patient demographic profile. Class III skeletal pattern was the most prevalent for both centres. A significantly higher prevalence for bimaxillary dentoalveolar hyperplasia, total vertical maxillary excess and mandibular asymmetry was seen in Hong Kong, while a higher prevalence for bimaxillary retrusion and zygomatic hypoplasia was found in Glasgow. To address these, segmental Le Fort I osteotomies, vertical subsigmoid osteotomies, and lower anterior subapical osteotomies were preferred in Hong Kong, while non-segmentalized Le Fort I osteotomies and sagittal split osteotomies were more preferred in Glasgow. Further facial aesthetics surgeries were performed, with septo-rhinoplasty common in Hong Kong and zygomatic augmentation common in Glasgow. Both centres shared a similar complication profile.
Mandibular distraction osteogenesis (MDO) has been described as an effective method of treating upper airway obstruction (UAO) in micrognathic infants with a low morbidity and few short-term complications. This technique has almost eliminated the need for tracheostomy in non-syndromic patients at The Royal Children's Hospital (RCH) in Melbourne. However, there are few studies describing the longer-term effects on feeding, growth and the developing mandible. This study describes the experience at the RCH in managing infants with micrognathia over the past twelve years, with particular emphasis on airway, feeding and growth. By international standards, this study comprises one of the larger cohorts of children under five years who have had MDO (n=73). This retrospective review shows that the procedure is effective in alleviating the need for airway assistance and supplemental feeding without adversely affecting the growth of these children. This study makes a significant contribution to the evidence base underpinning MDO as the preferred surgical intervention for infants with micrognathia and UAO.
The Dunedin Multidisciplinary Health and Development Study is a lifecourse study of health and development in a cohort of children born in Dunedin between 1 April 1972 and 31 March 1973. The Study members were assessed at birth and ages 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 18, 21, 26, 32, and most recently at age 38, when 95.4% of the surviving Study members participated. The Dunedin Study dataset contains a broad range of health data, including oral health information. The oral health-related research publications of the Dunedin study over the past 40 years have included discussion of the social determinants of health, dental neglect, use of dental services, aetiology of developmental defects of dental enamel, epidemiology of dry mouth, and risk factors for periodontal disease, dental caries, and poor oral health-related quality of life.
Previously children with enamel defects tended to fall into two groups, those who had received extensive treatment or those who had received none at all. With an increase in the types of restorative interventions available, advances in dental materials and a greater understanding of the nature of enamel defects, treatment of young patients to improve aesthetics and function is not only extremely successful but also conservative. Ideally any technique used should be minimally invasive, not destructive of healthy enamel and should not leave the tooth structurally weaker as a consequence. Children with either hypomineralised or hypoplastic enamel often complain of sensitivity or the poor appearance of their teeth. Early diagnosis and prompt management of this age group to reduce symptoms and improve the aesthetics will greatly improve their quality of life.
Orthodontic treatment in the non-growing patient presents its own challenges, rewards, and advantages. All orthodontic treatment relies heavily on patient understanding and co-operation, and commonly lasts one to three years, requiring multiple appointments.
This presentation introduces concepts of planning orthodontoc treatment during the mixed dentition phase of growth and development. Planning commences with an understanding of the nomal presentation of the dentition and follows of the possibilities of deviation from the normal. In this lecture, I will discuss occlusal abnormalities requiring early intervention as a preventive or interceptive approach to orthodontic treatment.
