Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to M L Kantor.
Multiple supernumerary teeth, often associated with various syndromes, is a relatively uncommon isolated dental anomaly. We present a case of a 9-year-old black male patient with complete duplication of the premolar dentition and premolarization of the permanent canines.
Lateral and posteroanterior cephalometric radiographs are used routinely in the diagnosis and quantification of dentofacial anomalies that require orthodontic treatment. The anatomic information that these films contain is occasionally overlooked as the clinician prepares tracings and makes measurements. With the increase of the average age of the orthodontic patient population, there is greater likelihood of the presence of disease. This article describes some important features of normal radiologic anatomy of the head and neck so that a clinician can better recognize pathologic changes. Common pathologic findings and anatomic anomalies are also illustrated.
Published reports and recommendations suggest that radiographs are often ordered because of administrative policies during the screening and selection of patients for dental school clinics. This study examined the prescription of radiographs for two groups of patients: those who were radiographically examined according to an administrative policy and those whose radiographic needs were determined by a clinical examination. The provisional treatment needs assessment based on the screening examination was compared to the final treatment plan based on a complete diagnostic workup for both groups of patients to assess the effect of a change in school policy. Clinicians ordered half the number of panoramic radiographs as would have been ordered by administrative policy. There was no significant difference in the agreement between the provisional and final treatment plans under the two policies. These results suggest that dental schools can comply with federal recommendations against administrative radiographs without compromising patient selection.
This clinical study compares the diagnostic yield of Kodak Ektaspeed with the diagnostic yield of Kodak Ultraspeed using a split-mouth experimental design and proximal surface carious lesions as the test objects. Assuming that proximal surface carious lesions are distributed randomly in a given patient and in the population at large, then any difference in the diagnostic quality of either of the films should be disclosed as a difference in the frequency and distribution of lesions identified with either of the films. No statistical difference was observed, which suggests that the two films perform equally well for the diagnostic task of detecting proximal surface carious lesions. Considering that there is a 40% to 50% reduction in radiation exposure to the patient when the faster film is used, it appears that Kodak Ektaspeed should be the preferred film for the dental practitioner.
A five-year study of 26,264 panoramic radiographs found distal positioning of the mandibular second bicuspid associated with a missing adjoining first molar in one of every 505 patients. Following early removal of the first molar, there is a 5% to 10% chance that the second bicuspid will migrate distally. It usually continues until it contacts the root of the second molar, and then rotates up into occlusion adjacent to the parallel with that tooth. Mesial drift seldom occurs in this circumstance; the resulting space between lower first and second bicuspids remains. Early conservative management can be very important in these cases, making periodic x-ray examination advisable whenever a molar has been lost and the adjoining bicuspid has not yet erupted.
Data from mercury vapor surveys of 1.064 rooms in dental offices show no difference in ambient breathing zone concentrations of mercury vapor between offices with hard floors and offices with carpets. Laboratory experiments show that either type of floor can be successfully treated to practically eliminate its contribution to employee mercury exposures. The most effective approach to controlling mercury vapor exposures is to prevent contamination of the air and working environment through the disciplined practice of effective mercury hygiene. We believe the dental profession should stress an exposure limit of 0.02 mg/cu m or less as a standard of good practice.
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