Journal - Canadian Dental Association = Journal de l'Association dentaire canadienne
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Among the many factors important in children"s development is sleep. Sleep disorders can impair children"s sleep and lead to negative consequences. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), which involves blockage of the airway during sleep, can affect development and behaviour; thus, OSA in children should be diagnosed and treated at an early stage. ⋯ However, it remains unclear what proportion of children with enlarged tonsil tissue suffer from OSA. Dentists are becoming increasingly aware of the issue of OSA as they are sometimes involved in treatment of this condition using oral appliances. Moreover, as dentists often look into children"s mouths, they can play an active role in identifying those with enlarged tonsils and referring them for sleep assessment.
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Diagnosis and treatment of temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) have been within the domain of dentistry for many decades. However, the field of TMDs and other causes of orofacial pain is undergoing a radical change, primarily because of an explosion of knowledge about pain management in general. ⋯ Current research in this field is focused on genetic and environmental susceptibility factors as well as individual adaptive potentials. To continue as the main providers of care for TMD patients, dentists will need to recognize and appreciate these important changes.
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The Canadian Dental Association (CDA) and the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommend that children visit the dentist by 12 months of age. ⋯ Although early visits to the dentist are now endorsed by CDA and AAPD, a significant number of dentists in Manitoba are still unaware of the recommendation that children should first visit the dentist by 12 months of age.
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Psychological factors have an important influence on pain perception. Both in the clinic and in experimental settings, distraction has been shown to reduce pain. Further, negative emotions increase pain, whereas positive emotions have the opposite effect. ⋯ The same psychological factors activate intrinsic modulatory systems in the brain, including those stimulated when opiates are given for pain relief. It is important for the dentist and patients to understand the influence of psychological state on pain transmission. Such an understanding will not only help patients learn how to participate in their own pain control, but will also help the clinician create a fostering environment.
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Interdependency exists between adipogenesis, the formation of fat tissue from stem cells, and osteogenesis, the formation of bone from its stem-cell precursors. Adipose-derived adult mesenchymal stem cells may be useful for future bone regeneration and tissue engineering. This review discusses potential future relationships between autogenous adipose-derived stem cells, growth factors and resorbable scaffolds for future tissue-engineering applications.