A case of several developing supernumerary teeth is reported. A seven-year-old African-American boy presented with retained primary maxillary central incisors, two impacted mesiodens, and unerupted permanent maxillary central incisors. A dentigerous cyst was removed at the time of surgical removal of the mesiodens. Approximately fourteen months post-extraction, a new panoramic radiograph showed the presence of six previously unidentified developing and unerupted supernumerary teeth, one on each of the maxillary cuspid areas and two on the mandibular premolar regions bilaterally. Practitioners should be aware that supernumerary teeth may develop late. Thus, periodic reevaluation with appropriate radiographs is indicated, especially in patients who have presented with supernumerary teeth.
Endodontics has gone through many changes in the past several years. Electronic apex locators and surgical microscopes have taken a lot of the guess work out of doing root canal. Digital radiograpy has expanded our diagnostic abilities. Ultrasonic intrumentation and the advent of new filing systems have increased the efficacy of canal cleaning. There have also been some major refinements in how we can now obturate canals. Apicoectomies can now be performed with refined ultrasonic root end preparations, and we have increased our ability to better seal root ends with new filling materials. The result is that endodontic procedures can now be performed more expediently and with a more predictable outcome. This article is written from the perspective of a full-time practicing endodontist, and describes the various changes occurring within the specialty of endodontics.
