Unicystic ameloblastoma: a late recurrence with pseudo-glandular features. A case report.

A case of unicystic ameloblastoma which recurred after 15 years showing unusual histological features is reported. The prominent pseudo-glandular features present are described. This case highlights the importance of extensive histological examination for more characteristic features of ameloblastoma to reach a correct diagnosis.

Suprofen: its usefulness in the control of pain following surgical removal of impacted wisdom tooth.

The results of the present investigation have shown the usefulness of suprofen in the control of pain following surgical removal of impacted wisdom tooth. The regime of 200 mg. q.d.s. orally, was shown to be satisfactory in the control of postoperative pain. Pain was rapidly controlled by the 1st hour after ingestion and subsequently maintained at a low profile until is was completely abolished by the 8th hour of the postoperative period.

The aetiology of dry socket: a review.

The aetiology of dry socket continues to be the subject of intense research. Local disturbances of fibrinolytic activity appear to be the most satisfactory explanation for the pathogenesis of this disorder. The factors that are responsible for local changes in fibrinolytic activity are reviewed and evaluated. In the management of this disorder attention should be directed towards the prevention of local changes in fibrinolytic activity.

Dentigerous cyst due to mesiodens: report of two cases.

Two rare cases of dentigerous cysts arising from mesiodens are presented. The pathogenesis, differential diagnosis and management of this condition are discussed.

An aggressive anaplastic squamous cell carcinoma of the floor of the mouth in a young patient: report of a case.

Anaplastic squamous cell carcinoma occurring in the young patient is an uncommon disease. Only a few cases have been reported in the literature in the last 30 years. This paper presents the rare case of a young male presenting with an aggressive squamous cell carcinoma of the floor of the mouth. At the time of his admission, the tumor had already spread to the cervical and supraclavicular nodes bilaterally. The patient died before completing the course of radiotherapy. The case is discussed with special emphasis on the differential diagnosis, etiology and prognosis of the lesion.

Fate of betel nut chemical constituents following nut treatment prior to chewing and its relation to oral precancerous & cancerous lesion.

Areca (betel) nuts are popularly used as chewing agents. The nuts are chewed as such or processed by roasting, sundrying, soaking or boiling prior to chewing. Various agents such as slaked lime, tobacco, betel leaves are often incorporated into the chew. The habits of betel chewing are closely associated with oral cancer and precancerous lesions. The literature is repleted with numerous works on carcinogenicity of areca nut. It was demonstrated that the incorporation of lime and tobacco to the nut increase the incidence of mucosal changes. Chewers of soaked or boiled nuts demonstrated lower incidence of mucosal changes than those chewers of raw, sundried or roasted nuts. Estimation of the active chemical constituents in the nuts namely arecoline and polyphenols following nut treatments by sundrying, roasting, soaking and boiling, revealed reduction in these chemical contents. Marked reductions were observed when the nuts were subjected to soaking and boiling. These reductions may explain for the different in the incidence of the mucosal changes among users of different processed nut varieties.

Closure of oroantral fistula.

Oroantral fistula is an uncommon complication in oral surgery. Although smaller fistulas of less than 5 mm in diameter may close spontaneously, larger fistulas always require surgical closures. The literature review revealed various procedures for the closure of oroantral fistulas. These procedures may be subdivided into local flap, distant flap and grafting. Procedures involving local flaps are usually adequate to close minor to moderate size defects. Those procedures utilizing the buccal mucoperiosteal flap as the tissue closure include straight-advancement, rotated, sliding and transversal flap procedures; while those involving the palatal mucoperiosteum are straight advancement, rotational-advancement, hinged and island flap procedures. The combinations of various local flaps to strengthen the tissue closure are also being advocated. The advantages and the limitations of these procedures are discussed. Distant flaps and bone grafts are usually indicated in the closure of larger defects in view of their greater tissue bulks. Tongue flaps have superseded extra-oral flaps from extremities and forehead for aesthetic reasons and also in view of their similar tissue replacement. Various tongue flap procedures are described. At present, various alloplastic materials such as gold, tantalum and polymethylmethacrylate are infrequently reported in the closure of oroantral fistulas. However, in the light of successful reports over the use of biological materials, collagen and fibrin, in the closure of oroantral fistulas, there seems to be another simple alternative technique for treating oroantral fistulas.

A new approach to the reduction of acute dislocation of the temporomandibular joint: a report of three cases.

Various methods of reduction of temporomandibular joint dislocation are reviewed. The utilisation of the gag reflex provides a new alternative treatment of acute dislocation. This method is simple, rapid and safe and can be advocated in all cases of acute dislocation. The advantages and the rationale of this approach are discussed. Three cases of acute dislocation treated by this method are presented.

Traumatic granuloma/eosinophilic ulcer.

Two case reports of an uncommon type of oral ulcerative lesion are presented. These lesions are of long duration, benign and reactive, and may clinically mimic a malignant ulcer. Histologically, these are deep lesions which exhibit 'pseudoinvasion' into skeletal muscle. There is a predominance of eosinophils while other chronic inflammatory cells such as plasma cells and histiocytes are in abundance. A brief review of the literature showed past treatment being surgical excision, incisional biopsy, radiation, cryosurgery with liquid nitrogen and no treatment. All modalities used result in resolution of the lesion.