Journal - Canadian Dental Association = Journal de l'Association dentaire canadienne
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Concern is increasing over the effect of lack of access to oral health care on the oral health, and hence general health, of disadvantaged groups. In preparation for a national symposium on this issue, key informants across Canada were canvassed for their perceptions of oral health services and their recommendations for improving oral health care delivery. This paper reports the results of that survey. ⋯ The survey helped to identify access and care issues across the country. There was considerable agreement that lack of access to dental care services is an important detriment to the oral and general health of many Canadians. Respondents believe that dental health is isolated from general health.
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Trauma to oral soft tissues in comatose patients may be more widespread than reported, as no extensive study of this problem has been conducted. Various appliances for the prevention of self-inflicted injuries to oral tissues particularly in children and the physically and mentally challenged have been documented, but there is little information on their use in adult comatose patients. ⋯ Although it is not uncommon for patients with a decreased level of consciousness and in need of intensive care to be restrained to prevent injury due to involuntary movement of the limbs, head and neck restraint is often difficult and may be dangerous to the patient. This case report presents a simple solution to the problem of self-inflicted trauma to oral tissues.
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Iatrogenic paresthesia in the third division of the trigeminal nerve remains a complex clinical problem with major medicolegal implications. However, most lawsuits can be prevented through better planning of procedures and by obtaining informed consent. The purpose of this article is to present the authors" clinical experience over the past 12 years, to review the principles of prevention and management of trigeminal paresthesia and to highlight the resulting medicolegal implications. ⋯ An accurate evaluation of surgical indications and risk, good surgical technique, preoperative informed consent and sufficient postoperative follow-up should help to reduce the frequency of neurosensory deficits after dental treatment and attendant lawsuits.
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Patients with complete or partial edentulism who have insufficient bone for endosseous dental implant treatment present a challenge for the dental practitioner. Alveolar distraction osteogenesis is a technique for creating bone and soft tissue, without the need for bone grafting and its potential complications. In this article, alveolar distraction osteogenesis is compared with traditional bone grafting techniques. A case is presented to illustrate successful bilateral mandibular vertical distraction osteogenesis with creation of adequate bone volume for endosseous implant-supported dental restoration.