General dentistry
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Suture needles can break when they are used to suture the oral mucosa, especially if they have been bent or if excessive force is applied. Several retrieval modalities have been discussed in the literature; these have focused mainly on locating the needle. Although the segment often is found and removed by the surgeon during the procedure, more extensive procedures and paraclinical diagnostics may be necessary. This article presents a case in which a lost suture needle was located using a cone beam computed tomography scan and retrieved via surgery.
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This study sought to assess the attitudes, behavior, and demographics of general dentists in the state of Nebraska concerning overall oral care of infants. A 15-item questionnaire and accompanying cover letter were mailed to 800 licensed general dentists in the state of Nebraska. The survey asked for demographic information, the number of years that the dentist had been practicing dentistry, the type of practice, the dentist's additional training (if any), and the dentist's patient base. ⋯ Based on the results of this survey, most practitioners reported seeing children; however, only 11.9% saw children before their first birthday. Most practitioners reported performing oral hygiene procedures for young children, but few dentists surveyed provide restorative services. Most dentists reported discussing oral hygiene practices during infant oral health examinations, but few dentists discuss caries risk.
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The dental profession is devoted to treating and preventing dental pain. Such pain can be referred from teeth in one jaw to teeth in the opposing jaw, and the origin of the pain a patient describes may not be the same as the source of that pain. As a result, dental procedures often produce no relief for the patient. This article discusses the neural mechanisms involved in referred pain from one tooth to another and from muscles to teeth.