Complete overdenture fabrication for a 12-year-old child with dentinogenesis imperfecta type 2.

Dentinogenesis imperfecta type 2 (DI-2), also known as hereditary opalescent dentin, is a rare, genetically linked condition that affects both primary and permanent teeth. Severe attrition requiring full-mouth rehabilitation is a common finding associated with DI-2. Dental rehabilitation options include a variety of invasive and noninvasive restorative techniques dictated by the age of the patient. Growth and development must be considered and may result in a restorative challenge for the dental practitioner, particularly when the patient in question is a child. This case report describes the fabrication of an overdenture to reestablish function, esthetics, and self-esteem in a 12-year-old patient. A 2-stage restorative treatment was followed by a satisfactory 6-month recall examination, indicating that the prostheses provided a successful outcome until more definitive restorative treatment can be accomplished in adulthood.

Salese to buffer saliva in elderly patients with xerostomia: a pilot study.

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to compare the pH of saliva from xerostomic patients before and after the use of Salese lozenges (Nuvora Inc., Santa Clara, CA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: After IRB approval, ten subjects were selected to participate in this pilot study to evaluate the efficacy of Salese. The inclusion criteria were patients on multiple medications who demonstrated xerostomia and acidic salivary pH. Saliva was collected from the patients at baseline and after the use of Salese at selected intervals up to 120 minutes. The pH of the collected saliva was measured, and the data were analyzed using an ANOVA. RESULTS: Use of Salese lozenges showed a shift toward a more neutral pH in the first half hour. The pH remained at the same level after the primary shift for at least 2 hours. CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study indicates that patients suffering with xerostomia can use Salese lozenges for at least 10-30 minutes to induce a salivary pH shift to a more neutral level. More research should be performed to investigate the buffering capacity of Salese lozenges.

Treating trismus with dynamic splinting: a case report.

Trismus is a pathological condition of the muscles of mastication which commonly affects patients who have undergone dental procedures, oral surgery, and radiation therapy for head and neck cancer. The purpose of this case report is to describe the use of dynamic splinting, a noninvasive modality to reduce trismus which occurred in a patient following multiple dental procedures. A 26 year old man of African descent was referred for severe trismus and pain following three dental procedures on the lower right molars. The patient presented with Maximal Interincisal (opening) Distance (MID) of only 5mm and mastication muscle spasticity. Following physical therapy (massage, ultra sound, NMES, moist heat) three times per week for two months and additional treatment of dynamic splinting for four weeks (TID) the patient increased his MID to 52 mm and returned to normal eating and speaking.

Treating trismus with dynamic splinting: a cohort, case series.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to retrospectively evaluate the effect of the Dynasplint Trismus System (DTS; Dynasplint Systems Inc, Severna Park, Md, USA) for patients who were recently diagnosed with trismus following radiation therapy, dental treatment, oral surgery, or following a neural pathology such as a stroke. METHODS: We reviewed 48 patient histories (treated in 2006--2007), and divided into 4 cohort groups (radiation therapy for head/neck cancer, dental treatment, oral surgery, or stroke), to measure the efficacy of this treatment's modality. Patients were prescribed the DTS after diagnosis of trismus based on examination that showed < 40 mm maximal interincisal distance. The DTS uses low-load, prolonged-duration stretch with replicable, dynamic tension to achieve longer time at end range (of motion). Each patient used this device for 20-30 min, 3 times per d. RESULTS: This cohort case series showed that there was a statistically significant difference within all patient groups (P < 0.0001; t = 10.3289), but there was not a significant difference between groups (P = 0.374). CONCLUSION: The biomechanical modality of DTS with a low-load, prolonged-duration stretch was attributed to the success in reducing contracture in this study. This improved range of motion, allowing patients to regain the eating, hygiene and speaking patterns they had before developing trismus.