Dentists talk teeth [Archives:2002/17/Health]

BY YASSER AL-MAYASI
YEMEN TIMES STAFF
The 10th Yemen Dental Symposium was held in Sanaa from 11 to 14 April 2002 at the Appolo Exhibition. Dr. Ali Asharabi, Head of Organizing Committee and the President of the Yemen-Dental Association said that the symposium was held with a view of improving the dental skills and the types of services introduced to patients.
Participants dealt with various methods of dentistry including:
Orthodontics
In orthodontics, the clinician must first make diagnosis and then select the best appliance design to achieve the desired treatment goals. A good knowledge of fundamental principles gives the clinician the tools necessary to understand all appliance systems including removable, fixed, and functional appliances, and the ability to select the best ones for any given patient.
Preadjusted appliance system
Despite the new changes in the field of dentistry, there have been major changes in orthodontics over the past 40 years which have been greatly affected dentistry. These include the introduction of the acid etching technique, new bonding agents, new arch wires and bracket designs. However none of these changes have had more profound effect on orthodontics than the introduction of the preadjusted appliance system. (Dr. Jihad al-Zioud, specialist in Orthodontics, UK.)
Microstomic
A sectional complete mandibular denture had been fabricated for a microstomic patient who underwent a sling operation more than 20 years ago. Two types of fixation have been tried on a patient. The most favorable one as preferred by the patient was used. The result was very encouraging and the patient showed great satisfaction with the new denture.
Pathophysiology
The diagnosis of chronic or recurrent cranio facial pain, or from a different source, may be difficult because : 1) the type may vary 2) different etiologic factors may be present in the same patient. 3) the same etiologic factors may lead to different results 4) problems arising from cranio facial structures may be complicated by the superimposition of systematic disorders.
The characteristics of the problem must be defined, how it appeared and evolved; whether there are events which can be related to its onset, whether there are periods of remission or not. The patient must be asked about problems mastication or movement of the mandible, pain in the neck or back, parafunctional habits and about the presence of anxiety, panic attacks, palpitations, sweating, and drowsiness. The characteristics of his facial pain must be assessed. (Dr. Laith Abdulhadi, Associate Prof.)
Endodontology treatment
Endodontic treatment of the young permanent teeth is a common procedure especially following dental trauma in children.
Two wide-open apex, the thin walls of the root and the possible pulp necrosis are complicating factors in the success of the Endodontic therapy.
Traumatic injuries of primary and young permanent teeth are the major cause of their premature loss. Early and appropriate management of these injuries is very critical in preserving pulp vitality, esthetic and space maintenance. (Dr. Riadh Bacho)
Tobacco & health
Tobacco-related death is projected to increase from 3 million per year in 1990 to 8,4 million in 2020. Ninety per cent of mouth cancer is a result of smoking tobacco.
Thus, smoking tobacco is a serious factor for oral cancer, mucosal lesions, periodontal treatment, and root cavities, odor, teeth staining, poor oral hygiene and addiction. (Ali Mohammed, Prof. and Vice Dean of Faculty of Dentistry, Khartoum University)
The Atraumatic surgical extraction
Choosing the right incision, the right access and avoiding any traumatic bone cut with saving the amount of bone as much as possible are some careful procedures to avoid traumatic teeth extraction and also to avoid complications. Those complications could be of planning or related to the choice of the prosthetic devices or both. (Dr. Rabih Nahas, Consultant, oral Surgery & Implantology)
The use of botulinum toxin
Botulinum toxin type A is one of the seven stereotypes (A-G) produced by the anaerobic bacterium. It is a large complex protein molecule, which can be crystallized in a stable form. Botulinum toxin type A is one of the most potent toxins and known to clinicians as the cause of botulism.
It is a simple technique, performed easily in the clinic, without the need for anesthesia. (Dr. Mohammed al-Maaytah, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery and Disease Consultant, Assistant Prof. Jordan University.)
Microdentistry
The microdentistry recently introduced in 1996 to save the utmost of dental substances and offering an esthetic look.
Restorative dentistry
This method has been used by clinicians in the field of shrinkage, sculpture, color, make-up condensation, and proximal anatomy.
(Antoine Ghayad, President of the Lebanese Society of Restorative Dentistry)
A working paper on the importance of implant dentistry in daily practice and on the role of implant dentistry in oral and mxillo-facial reconstruction was presented by Dr. Nabil Barakat, Lebanese University.
Diagnostic values of C.T
The technological advances made over the last 25 years have made it possible for Computer Tomography (C.T) to an integral component of the dentists diagnostic armamentarium, dental computer assisted Tomography represents a valuable addiction to the diagnostic spectrum for treatment. (Dr. Tanweer.S. H. Consultant Endodontics, UAE)
Psychological & behavioral problems in elderly dental patients
While growing older, ones adaptability to environmental changes is decreasing and as a consequences the balance between the individual and his environment is becoming weaker and weaker. The balance can be disturbed by somatic, psychological and environmental events which usually referred to as stressor and peoples reactions to them are termed stress responses. A disturbing of the balance between stressors and stress responses can lead to psychological and behavioral problems which can represent a barrier to conduct oral self-care and to seek professional dental care and treatment.
(Prof. Cees de paat)

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