ABSTRACT
Dry sockets, or alveolar osteitis, is one of the most common postoperative complications following the extraction of teeth. For the patient this is often a very painful and distressing condition. Most dental practitioners will experience this complication at some or other stage of their career. The aetiology of dry socket is multifactorial with several predisposing factors having been identified. The aims of this study were to assess the incidence of dry sockets at the Medunsa Oral Health Centre, to assess the demographic details of these patients and to explore the predisposing factors for the development of dry socket. It is hoped that this will help to minimize or prevent this condition from occurring. This was a prospective study conducted over an eight-month period in the Department of Maxillofacial and Oral Surgery, University of Limpopo, Medunsa Campus. The data was collected by means of a structured questionnaire. Of the 4077 patients that presented for dental extractions, 2% (79) developed a dry socket. The ages of the patients ranged from 12-79 years with a mean age of 35 years. There was a slight female preponderance (1.5:1). The mandibular second molar was the most common site to be affected (22%). Pain was the most common presenting symptom. Underlying systemic conditions were found in 19% of the patients, while 25% smoked, consumed alcohol or both. Identifying risk factors, attention to procedural details and patient education were found to be important in the prevention of dry socket.
Subject(s)
Dry Socket/etiology , Tooth Extraction/adverse effects , Adolescent , Adult , Age Factors , Aged , Child , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Prospective Studies , Risk Factors , Sex Factors , Smoking/adverse effects , South Africa , Surveys and Questionnaires , Young AdultABSTRACT
Melanotic neuroectodermal tumor of infancy is a rare neoplasm of possibly neural crest origin, and it predominantly occurs in the premaxillas of infants less than 12 months old. Generally, the treatment of this benign pigmented lesion is conservative surgical excision. Long-term follow-up is imperative inasmuch as local recurrence and malignant transformation have been reported. A case with exceptional clinical features involving a 7-month-old child is presented.
Subject(s)
Maxillary Neoplasms/pathology , Neuroectodermal Tumor, Melanotic/pathology , Female , Humans , Infant , Tomography, X-Ray ComputedABSTRACT
We report 2 cases of hydatid cysts occurring in the submandibular gland and buccal submucosa, respectively. Our first case occurred in the submandibular salivary gland of a 20-year-old woman and the second involved the buccal submucosa of a 6-year-old boy. Both diagnoses were made after the excision of the lesions. Both patients were evaluated after surgery, and both were followed up, but no other organs were involved.
Subject(s)
Echinococcosis/diagnosis , Mouth Diseases/parasitology , Mouth Mucosa/parasitology , Submandibular Gland Diseases/parasitology , Adult , Cheek/parasitology , Child , Cysts/diagnosis , Diagnosis, Differential , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Male , Mucocele/diagnosisABSTRACT
The calcifying epithelial odontogenic tumor (CEOT) is a rare benign neoplasm, possibly of stratum intermedium origin and occurring predominantly in the mandible of adults. The treatment varies, depending on its size, location, and histology. A case of an advanced CEOT arising in the maxilla with intracranial extension is reported. The report is supplemented by a review of the literature.
Subject(s)
Maxillary Neoplasms/pathology , Odontogenic Tumors/pathology , Blindness/etiology , Brain Edema/etiology , Brain Neoplasms/complications , Brain Neoplasms/pathology , Calcinosis , Humans , Male , Maxillary Neoplasms/complications , Maxillary Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging , Middle Aged , Neoplasm Invasiveness , Odontogenic Tumors/complications , Odontogenic Tumors/diagnostic imaging , Orbital Neoplasms/pathology , Tomography, X-Ray ComputedABSTRACT
The authors present a method of gaining access to the temporomandibular joint that improves visibility and surgical access. It should reduce operating times and improve results.
Subject(s)
Temporomandibular Joint/surgery , Humans , Imaging, Three-Dimensional , Orthodontic Wires , Temporomandibular Joint/anatomy & histologyABSTRACT
The adenomatoid odontogenic tumour (AOT) is a benign lesion of odontogenic origin. It is a slow growing tumour that results in a painless expansion of the jaws. This is a retrospective review of the demographic, clinical and radiographic features of AOTs diagnosed in a black South African population over 20 years. Of the 746 odontogenic tumours diagnosed, 4% were AOTs. The patients' ages ranged from 9 to 37 years with a mean age of 15 years. The highest incidence was in the second decade of life (85%). The female to male ratio was 5.6:1. The maxilla was more commonly affected than the mandible in a ratio of 1.5:1. The sizes of the lesions ranged from 2 to 7cm, with 60% involving an entire quadrant. All were of the central follicular type and appeared as well-demarcated radiolucent lesions. The canine was the most common impacted tooth. The treatment of choice was enucleation of the lesion, with no recurrences being reported.