A diagnostic comparison of panoramic and intraoral radiographs.

OBJECTIVE: This study compared panoramic and intraoral radiographic surveys in the evaluation of specific dental pathoses in Air Force personnel. STUDY DESIGN: The radiographs of 30 subjects were read singly and in various combinations: panoramic survey only; periapicals plus bitewings; panoramic survey plus bitewings; and panoramic survey plus periapicals plus bitewings. Three independent, blinded examiners using standardized viewing conditions assessed the radiographs in random order for the presence of caries, periapical pathoses, bone loss, furcation involvement, impacted/unerupted teeth, internal/external root resorption, and retained roots. The consensus radiographic standard of true pathosis was the simultaneous interpretation by the three examiners of all radiographs for each subject. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The panoramic survey by itself was shown to have the lowest correlation with the consensus radiographic standard when basic military trainees with generalized dental pathoses were evaluated. The combination of panoramic survey plus bitewing radiographs exhibited a diagnostic yield for specific pathoses that was comparable to that of panoramic survey plus bitewings plus periapicals.

Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS): disease characteristics and oral manifestations.

This article has reviewed the disease process and oral manifestations of AIDS. Specifically, dentists should review the medical history and perform an overall health assessment for all dental patients before treatment is rendered. Attention should be directed to the prodromal signs and symptoms of AIDS. If dental treatment of a patient with AIDS is required, strict infection control guidelines are mandatory.

Prospective study of dysesthesia following odontectomy of impacted mandibular third molars.

Dysesthesia following odontectomy of impacted mandibular third molars is observed in some patients. This prospective study reports the clinical incidence of this untoward sequela to occur in 3.3% of patients. An analysis of possible etiologic factors reveals that development of dysesthesia of the inferior alveolar and lingual nerves is more likely to occur with: complete bony impacted mandibular third molars; mesioangular impacted third molars; impacted third molars with the crown at the cemento-enamel junction of the second molar; and when burs are used to remove bone and when the roots approximate the inferior alveolar canal.

Degree of conversion in denture base materials for varied polymerization techniques.

New processing techniques for denture base acrylic resins have been introduced which have not comparatively quantified the residual monomer content. While proper processing keeps the residual monomer in a tolerable range for most patients, tissue irritation and reaction due to potentially higher residual monomer in these alternative techniques could be a clinical concern. Decreased degree of conversion may influence physical properties as well as biocompatibility. This investigation evaluated the residual monomer content of acrylic resins cured by three different polymerization modes. Materials (polymerization system) evaluated were: Lucitone 199 (conventional process), Accelar 20 (rapid boil-out), and Acron MC (microwave). Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR) was employed to determine the degree of conversion. All curing methods produced similar results (Lucitone 199 = 92.7% (0.21), Acron MC = 92.6% (0.57), Accelar 20 = 90.9% (0-73). Conversion for Accelar 20 (rapid boil-out technique), though statistically different (P < 0.05, ANOVA) from the other two materials and polymerization techniques, was only slightly less. It is unlikely that the rapid boil-out technique would induce more adverse tissue responses than the other techniques included in this study.