Arie Shifman

Taurodontism: an Endodontic Challenge. Report of a Case

Taurodontism is a morphoanatomical change in the shape of a tooth, which usually occurs in multirooted teeth. An enlarged body and pulp chamber, as well as apical displacement of the pulpal floor, are characteristic features. Endodontic treatment of a taurodont tooth is challenging, because it requires special care in handling and identifying the number of root canals. A case of endodontic treatment of a maxillary first molar with taurodontism is presented.

Diagnostic targeting of temporomandibular disorders.

This article describes a diagnostic chart that is organized for a versatile representation of various conditions of temporomandibular disorders (TMD). It facilitates the grading of disorder severity and visualization of probable mutual effects between groups of disorders. It also enhances the clinicians awareness of potential systemic involvement in TMD by incorporating it into the chart. Comparison of charts completed at consecutive examinations is helpful for the assessment of disorder progression, regression or for the refining of diagnoses.

A preplanned surgical obturator prosthesis for alternative resection lines in the anterior region.

A technique is described that enables adaptation of a surgical obturator to accommodate anterior teeth that may or may not be resected with the lesion at surgery. This is designed and fabricated by placing additional clasps on the teeth in question and providing for a clasp on one of the anterior teeth that can be determined at the time of surgery, thereby allowing anterior retention of the obturator immediately postoperatively. This technique is cost-effective and useful, especially if no prosthodontist is available at the time of surgery to perform obturator modifications.

Rhinorrhea induced by loading of dental implants supporting an obturator prosthesis: A clinical report

This clinical report describes an unusual situation of nasal discharge that was initially considered to be caused by a leaking obturator prosthesis in a partially repaired cleft palate patient. Ultimately, the diagnosis was rhinorrhea induced by the loading of dental implants that supported the obturator. The differential diagnoses of nasal irritation, blocking of nasal drainage posterior or anterior through a premaxillary defect, vasomotor rhinitis, and gustatory rhinorrhea are presented and discussed, as well as the measures taken to reach the final diagnosis.

Prosthodontic treatment for the Applegate-Kennedy class V partially edentulous patient

Concomitant loss of a canine and adjacent teeth usually occurs in the maxilla as a result of trauma in youngsters with well-preserved dentition or as an outcome of surgical excision of a localized pathosis in that area. It is postulated that in Applegate-Kennedy class V partially edentulous situations, the remaining anterior teeth in the maxilla should not be used as abutments for removable partial dentures. The stability of the prosthesis is maintained by counterresisting the occlusal forces exerted on the restored arch-curve by use of a posteriorly directed path of placement for the prosthesis.