282 research outputs found
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Oral amelanotic malignant melanoma: a rare entity with diagnostic challenge
No full textPrimary malignant melanomas of the mucosal areas of the head and neck are very rare tumors and they account for less than 1% of all melanomas. A 61-year-old male was referred to our clinic for the management of a palatal lesion that had been diagnosed from the referral center, as a malignant myoepithelial tumor. Intraoral examination revealed a large variegated, lobulated palatal swelling, which covered the hard and soft palate. A re-biopsy at our center revealed sheets, bundles, and occasional fascicles of atypical elongated epithelioid and spindle shaped cells, exhibiting vesicular and enlarged nuclei with prominent nucleoli. The nucleoli appeared to be ‘cherry red’ in color. Melanin pigment was however not identified in any of the cells, hence the suspicion of an amelanotic melanoma. Immunohistochemical staining was strongly positive for HMB45, S100 and vimentin. Hence we report a case of intra-oral amelanotic elanoma, which based on the English literature and to the best of our knowledge, is the first case report from West Africa.
 
Comparative study of analgesic effectiveness of single doses of paracetamol and ibuprofen in a dental pain model
No full textObjective: The overall aim of this study is to evaluate the analgesic effectiveness of paracetamol and ibuprofen in the pharmacologic management of acute post-operative dental pain.Method: This study employed the visual analogue scale to measure the effectiveness of single doses of ibuprofen and paracetamol over a six-hour period, following a third molar surgery in a homogenous study population, matched for age, body mass index (BMI) and gender. Alarms were set to remind patients to score pain intensity at time point 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0, 4.0, 5.0 and 6.0 hours, post-dosing. A measure of the difference between the pain scores at the various time interval and that at the basal level (time 0) is the pain intensity difference (PID) at the various time intervals. Data obtained were analysed, using the SPSS version 16.0. (Chicago, IL, USA). Inferential statistics used include Chi squared test and a two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). P<0.05 was considered significant.Result: Ibuprofen showed a statistically significant superiority over paracetamol from time 2.5 hours to the sixth hour (P<0.05). There is no significant difference between paracetamol and placebo (P>0.05). The difference per dose prices of ibuprofen and paracetamol is negligible. Probability of developing significant pain following use of paracetamol is greater than 0.9, the relative risk is 1.10 and the odds 10.3, C.I. 95%.Conclusion: This study concludes that ibuprofen is significantly more efficacious than paracetamol in the management of post-surgical dental pain and suggests that paracetamol should not be prescribed as a sole agent for analgesia after a third molar surgery.
 
An assessment of cross infection control practice in Nigerian oral health care workers
No full textObjective: This study was aimed at assessing the cross infection control practices among dental health care practitioners in Nigeria.Method: Questionnaires were administered to 137 Dentists, 56 Dental Therapists and 62 Dental Surgery Assistants (DSAs) practicing in both government and private practices across the six geopolitical areas of the country. Each questionnaire comprised of questions on basic infection control procedures.Result: Results indicate that all the participants use gloves during treatment, 93.8% wear face mask, 48.5% wear eye protection, 95.5% clinical gown/coat. Furthermore 27.3% have had a puncture or laceration from a dental needle or instrument while only 41.4% have had Hepatitis B vaccination.Conclusion: Infection control practice by dental personnel in Nigeria has improved compared to previous studies, particularly in the use of gloves. However in the areas of sterilization, vaccination, there are needs for improvement.
 
Analysis of 155 cases of head and neck cancers seen over a 3-year period at University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital
No full textObjective: Head and neck cancers are group of malignancies that affect the head and neck region. They remain a serious public health concern worldwide with more than half a million cases diagnosed annually. The prevalence and presentation vary from one region to the other. The purpose of this study is to determine the pattern of presentation of this lesion in the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital (UPTH).Method: Records of all histologically diagnosed head and neck cancers during the study period were retrieved from the Cancer Registry of UPTH. Information collected were age, sex, histopathological diagnosis and site of primary lesion. The data were analyzed with SPSS version 20 and summary statistics of frequency and central tendency werepresented.Result: There were 155 patients comprising 95 (61.3%) males and 60 (38.7%) females, giving a male to female ratio of 1.6:1. The age range of the patients was 1-85 years with a mean age of 37.8±20.6. The highest incidence of HNC was found in the 40-49 (18.7%) age group while least number of patients was found in the 80-89 (2.6%) age group. Carcinomas (44.5%) was the most common malignant lesion with squamous cell carcinoma been the most common. The next most common lesions were the Lymphomas (25.8%). The neck (29.7%) was the most commonly affected site followed by the oral cavity (22.5%) while the parotid region and the larynx with 1.9% respectively were the least affected sites.Conclusion: Squamous cell carcinomas were the most frequent HNC seen in our centre and the patients within the 5th decade were most frequently affected with male predominance. Common sites affected were the neck, oral cavity, eye, and the nasopharynx.
 
Supernumerary primary teeth and the clinical significance: a report of two cases
No full textSupernumerary teeth occur frequently in the permanent dentition but they are rare in the primary dentition. Supernumerary teeth in the primary dentition usually erupt normally and are frequently of the supplemental type. The issue of differentiating the supplemental tooth from the normal series requires careful consideration. Supernumerary primary teeth should be thoroughly investigated and closely monitored. Early intervention is recommended when there are concerns and associated pathologies.
 
Estimation and comparison of tensile bond strengths at resin-dentin interface of total-etch and self-etch bonding systems
No full textObjective: To estimate and compare the Tensile Bond Strengths and to observe the resindentin interface of total-etch and self-etch bonding systems to dentin of primary and permanent molar teeth.
Method: Thirty non-carious exfoliated primary human molars and thirty extracted permanent molars were randomly assigned to four groups according to adhesives used. The specimens were subjected to tensile bond strength (TBS) testing at a crosshead speed of 1 mm/min. Mean TBS was statistically analyzed with student ‘t’ test. Interfacial morphologies were analyzed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM).
Result: Etch-and-rinse adhesive Adper Single Bond 2 Total Etch® yielded high bond strength when applied to both primary and permanent dentine. For the one-step Adper Easy One® self-etching adhesive, the bond strength was relatively low regardless of the dentine type. SEM interfacial analysis revealed funnel shaped resin tags and a rough hybrid layer in specimens subjected to total etch system and cylindrical shaped and a smooth hybrid layer in specimens subjected to self etch system in both primary and permanent teeth.
Conclusion: The total-etch systems provide better adhesion to primary and permanent tooth dentine. The self etch systems though convenient to use, do not match the bond strengths of conventional total etch systems. Also, it can be concluded that both adhesives show weaker bond strengths to primary tooth dentin.
 
Cigarette smoking, snuff use and alcohol drinking: the associated risk behaviour for oral health in young Indian males
No full textObjective: To determine patterns of tobacco chewing, smoking and alcohol drinking in a sample of young males
Method: The subjects answered a questionnaire concerning tobacco smoking habits, snuffing habits, consumption of alcohol and subjective evaluation of periodontal health and oral mucosa. The subjects with tobacco and alcohol use were subjected to thorough clinical examination of the oral cavity for the evaluation of the periodontal health and the oral mucosa.
Result: The study showed that about 30% of subjects reported the use of tobacco in either chewing or smoking form. On clinical examination of the oral cavity, chronic smokers were found to be significantly affected with periodontitis (5.1%), in the form of pocket formation or recession, or both(Odds Ratio= .118, 95% Confidence Interval: .027-.511). And 8.4% of the sample had changes in their oral mucosa due to chronic tobacco use and others (Odds Ratio = 8.796, 95% Confidence Interval: 2.094- 36.949).
Conclusion: Both tobacco use and alcohol drinking have been independently associated with a variety of pathological oral conditions in adults. Their effect on oral health need to be investigated in prospective studies and should be of concern to the dental professionals.
 
Fabrication of custom made ocular prosthesis with three different impression techniques: a report of four cases
No full textLoss of eye has a bad effect on the psychology of the patient. Eye prosthesis is fabricated to regain the patient’s confidence by meticulous replacement of the missing eye. Immediate fitting of an anophthalmic socket with an artificial eye may not always be possible, and a delayed prosthesis delivery may result in settling and sinking of the prosthesis into the socket, therefore requiring orbital cavity conformation. It becomes a challenging task for a maxillofacial prosthodontist to fabricate a prosthesis that replicates the healthy side of the face. This article presents a short review of three functional ocular impression techniques to achieve a better fit of the prosthesis to the defect area. These techniques aim to combine cosmetic excellence with comfort for greater benefit to the patients.
 
Association between traumatic dental injuries (TDIs) and caries experience in a selected northern Nigerian population
No full textObjective: To determine the association between traumatic dental injuries (TDIs) and caries experience in a selected Nigerian population and the influence(s) of gender and location on this association.Method: The sample size included 799 school children proportionately selected through multistage sampling technique. Caries experience (DMFT) and TDIs to the teeth were evaluated clinically by one examiner (intra-examiner reliability was 0.852 by Cronbach’s Alpha test). The TDIs were classified according to the modified Ellis classification. Diagnosis of caries was at cavitation level. Analysis was by the use of SPSS v17.0.Result: There were 450 (56.3%) males and 43.7% females. Subjects were aged 12 to 21 years (Mean 12.25 ± 0.93). About half (51.8%) were from the urban areas. Prevalence of TDIs and caries was 14.6% and 12.4% respectively. TDIs were more prevalent among males (P = 0.015, OR = 1.7, 95% CI = 1.103, 2.519), with enamel fracture (74.5%) being the commonest (74.5%) TDI seen. Dental caries was commoner in the rural areas (DMFT [ ] = 0.249, B = 0.029, 95% CI = -0.180, -0.009). There was no significant association between caries experience and TDIs ( = 0.197, p = 0.944, 95% CI = -0.125, 0.117) and neither by gender nor location (P>0.05). The odds of having TDIs in those with dental caries was 1.04, 95% CI = 0.581, 1.885.Conclusion: There was no association between TDIs and caries experience in the studied Nigerian population. Caries experience was more in the rural areas and being male was associated with a higher probability of having a traumatized tooth.
 
Cervical vertebrae staging in pre-orthodontic patients in Benin City, Nigeria
No full textObjective: To determine the prevalence of the various stages of skeletal maturation of the cervical vertebrae in pre-orthodontic patients in Benin City, Nigeria.Method: The first six cervical vertebrae of 105 untreated orthodontic patients attending the clinic of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital were assessed on the cephalometric radiograph to determine the stages of maturation. Correlations between age, gender, type of malocclusion and skeletal maturation stages were determined using the software SPSS (version 16). Significant values of P<0.05 were applied were applicable.Result: The average age of participants was 14±1.5 years with an almost equal gender distribution. Cervical vertebrae maturation (CVM) stage 3 was the most frequently occurring with 26.7% of the sample population. This was also seen mostly in the 11-yearold age group. The least frequently reported was CVM stage 1 with 5.7%. According to dento-skeletal patterns, CVM stage 3 was most prevalent in bimaxillary proclination with (29.3%). Others include mandibular retrusion, maxillary protrusion and skeletal 2 with 26.3%, 25% and 17.2% espectively. Males showed a higher distribution in the CVM stage 3 than females. There was also a significant association between age and Cervical maturation, P<0.05.Conclusion: Cervical Maturation stages 1-6 were identified in pre-orthodontic patients aged 7-21-years. Stage 3 was the most frequently occurring.CVM stage and is seen more in 11-year-old-males. Females demonstrated a higher number in CVM stages 4 and 5. The correlation coefficient between age and CVM was 0.86 (P<0.05) for stage 3.