Unilateral rampant caries: an unusual presentation.

An unusual presentation of rampant caries in a child was described. Lactose from bovine milk, bad feeding habits and poor oral hygiene appear to play a major role in its aetiology.

Talon cusp in primary dentition--case report.

A case of talon cusp in the primary maxillary left central incisor is reported. This dental anomaly was not associated with any other somatic or dental abnormality. Though pulpal extension into the cusp was detected radiographically, clinical examination after the cusp was ground failed to reveal any pulpal extension. The tooth was badly carious and was restored with a polycarbonate crown.

Talon cusp in two siblings.

Talon cusps were observed in a 10-year-old boy and his 12-year-old sister. Although the sister's affected tooth was asymptomatic and free of any occlusal interference, the boy's tooth presented some problems. The affected tooth had displaced the occluding mandibular tooth lingually, and this had resulted in a mid-line shift. To overcome the problem, the talon cusp was ground off and a prophylactic odontotomy performed. Orthodontic treatment was later carried out.

Connective tissue reaction to buffered and unbuffered glutaraldehyde.

The dorsal skin of 18 healthy Sprague-Dawley rats was used to investigate the reaction of connective tissue to buffered and unbuffered glutaraldehyde. Both the agents produced well-circumscribed lesions that underwent resolution within 30 days. Observation also shows that 2.0% buffered and unbuffered glutaraldehyde maintained a relatively inflammation-free status in connective tissue.

Management of an avulsed tooth with severe root resorption.

Delayed replantation of an avulsed tooth with an open apex resulted in failure of revascularization, necrosis of the pulp and extensive external root resorption. Removal of the necrotic pulp and repeated intra-canal dressings of calcium hydroxide over a three year period arrested the inflammatory resorptive process. The process was replaced by replacement resorption leading to ankylosis and infra-occlusion of the affected tooth. As the tooth was asymptomatic, it was retained in the arch to act as a space maintainer. To improve aesthetics, the crown was recontoured using a light-cured resin.

Review of currently used medicaments in vital pulpotomy.

This article reviews the currently used medicaments in vital pulpotomy with particular emphasis on therapy for the primary dentition. Their possible mode of action, their effects on the remaining pulpal tissues, surrounding structures and any possible harmful effects are discussed.

Dental decay in pre-school Chinese children aged 3-6 years in Petaling Jaya.

The problem of dental decay was studied in a sample of 495 Chinese preschool children in Petaling Jaya. The children; 253 males and 242 females ranged in age from 3-6 years. 18.6% of the children was observed to suffer from rampant caries. Only 18.8% were caries free. The dft values ranged from 2.9 +/- 3.12 at 3 years to 5.85 +/- 3.41 at 6 years. The overall mean dft for this group was 4.99 +/- 3.81. Dental treatment was very inadequate. The decayed filled tooth ratio was 6.5:1.