General dentistry
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Review Case Reports
Eagle's syndrome: a clinical report and review of the literature.
A case of elongated stylohyoid ligament complex produced neck pain and dysphagia. The ossification of the stylohyoid complex and symptoms occurred after an automobile accident and were caused by cervicopharyngeal trauma. The patient was diagnosed with Eagle's syndrome based on clinical and radiographic examination. A stylohyoidectomy was performed, which led to the complete resolution of symptoms.
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This article examines the worldwide literature for information regarding the potential adverse effects of nitrous oxide on chronically exposed personnel. This research convincingly demonstrates the lack of substantiation for these concerns. Biologically correlated standards for exposure still need to be established. Nitrous oxide has never been implicated to be harmful in any way to the patient.
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General dentists often are among the first to be consulted when a patient experiences facial pain. Frequently, the cause is obvious. ⋯ Three common pain syndromes that may be confused with odontogenic pain are discussed: temporal tendinitis, Ernest syndrome, and atypical trigeminal neuralgia. The symptoms, diagnostic procedures, and treatments for all three disorders are presented, as is a newly described muscle, the zygomandibularis.
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Patterns of nitrous-oxide (N,O) use among Nebraska dentists and dental assistants are reported. More than 800 respondents answered questions relating to risk of N,O exposure and compliance with N,O standards in the dental office: 73 percent of these dental practices using N,O have a state-registration permit. Dentists and dental assistants (from registered and unregistered practices) reported risk of exposure differently. ⋯ Most N,O users have scavenging systems, but they are not properly operated. Few dental practices test for leaks or conduct N,O-monitoring tests. By complying with the recommendations for N,O administration, dental-care workers can minimize their risk of exposure.
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Dealing with pain is an inevitable sequela to dental treatment. Although several drug regimens primarily involving narcotics have been used in the past, availability of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) has increased recently. ⋯ Data analysis of a survey of 130 dentists revealed that respondents still rely on narcotic analgesics for pain relief and generally exceed needed potency and quantities in their prescribing habits. Dentists are treating rather than preventing pain, and NSAIDs are underused.