The Journal of the American Dental Association
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Many oral diseases/conditions associated with aging are complex and can have a significant effect on the quality of life for ambulatory older adults. Among these are oral cancers and premalignant lesions, vesiculoerosive diseases, candidiasis, aphthous ulcers and herpes virus reactivation. The practitioner should establish the diagnosis so that appropriate management can be instituted. ⋯ Recognition of benign and malignant mucosal lesions will accelerate proper treatment that will help control a variety of oral diseases and conditions. It also will improve the quality of life for many elderly patients who experience associated pain and altered oral functions.
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The authors conducted two pilot studies that investigated the roles of hypnotizability, absorption (defined as the ability to maintain focused attention on a task or stimulus) and state versus trait anxiety as predictors of dental anxiety. One of the studies also examined the effectiveness of hypnosis in managing dental anxiety. ⋯ Characteristics such as hypnotizability, trait anxiety and negative cognitions predict which people develop dental anxiety and who will be more responsive to hypnosis. The authors provide suggestions for dentists treating anxious patients.
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study
The anesthetic efficacy of articaine in buccal infiltration of mandibular posterior teeth.
The authors conducted a prospective, randomized, double-blind, crossover study comparing the degree of pulpal anesthesia achieved by means of mandibular first molar buccal infiltrations of two anesthetic solutions: 4 percent articaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine and 2 percent lidocaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine. ⋯ For a mandibular buccal infiltration of the first molar, 4 percent articaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine will result in a higher success rate than will 2 percent lidocaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine, but the duration of pulpal anesthesia will decline over 60 minutes with either formulation.
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Comparative Study
Delayed temporomandibular joint pain and dysfunction induced by whiplash trauma: a controlled prospective study.
The Quebec Task Force on Whiplash-Associated Disorders urged for controlled, prognostic studies of symptoms after whiplash trauma. The authors conducted a study that met the design requirements to enhance knowledge about short-term and long-term temporomandibular joint (TMJ) pain, dysfunction or both induced by whiplash trauma. ⋯ Awareness of a significant risk for delayed onset of TMJ symptoms after whiplash trauma is crucial for making adequate diagnoses, prognoses and medicolegal decisions.