Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to A R Silvestri.
The teaching of the basic principles and concepts of occlusion can be enhanced. Preclinical occlusion courses are made relevant to the clinical experience by introducing clinically related problem-solving exercises. These exercises develop a student's clinical problem-solving skill and create an excitement for active learning in the preclinical laboratory. Examples of these exercises are presented.
One hundred fifty-four freshmen dental students were administered a fine motor ability test prior to and at the completion of a series of preclinical technique courses. The pre- and posttest performances were compared for each student to determine whether an improvement of technical skill had occurred. The pre- and posttests were also graded using the rank ordered method. The number of students who demonstrated improvement in technical skill was compared to the number of students who improved in grades to establish whether the change in grades was indicative of the observed change in technical skill. Most students improved in technical skill; however, grades did not reflect this improvement.
The four types of fractures most frequently encountered in posterior teeth--obliquely directed complete fractures, vertically directed complete fractures, obliquely directed incomplete fractures, and vertically directed incomplete fractures--have been described. A detailed treatment approach for each type has been presented.
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Within 24 hours after dental treatment, discomfort was experienced by 78% of the patients questioned. Sensitivity to cold was the most frequent type of discomfort experienced (reported by 50% of the patients). Postoperative discomfort resulting from cold stimulus was most often mild (in 78%), occasionally moderate (in 22%), and never severe. The duration of postoperative discomfort resulting from cold stimulus was most often fleeting (reported by 94%) and seldom prolonged (reported by 6%). The second most frequent type of postoperative discomfort reported was associated with the administration of the local anesthetic. Sensitivity to sweets does not seem to be a source of postoperative discomfort following routine operative dental procedures.
The split-root syndrome is an often misdiagnosed painful condition. The major causes of the splits have been discussed. In addition, classical symptoms associated with this syndrome have been illustrated by two case reports to facilitate the syndrome's recognition.