Badri Azaz

The effect of aging on tooth morphology: a study on impacted teeth.

The effect of age on dental tissues was studied on histologic sections of totally impacted teeth obtained from patients between 11 and 76 years of age. Impacted teeth were used in order to obviate the influence of the environmental effects prevalent in the oral cavity. The presence of concentric denticles and diffuse calcifications was determined, and the width of secondary dentin, predentin, and cementum was measured. The width of predentin and cementum increased linearly with age, whereas the aging process of secondary dentin formation and diffuse calcifications followed a different pattern. The incidence of concentric denticles was identical for all age groups.

Root resorption: Review and discussion

Abstract Since the advent of the roentgenogram, very little information has appeared regarding the clinical significance of root resorption. Although microscopic studies revealed that most teeth show a small amount of resorption, the roentgenographic evidence of root resorption set up a heated controversy on the prognosis and surgical versus nonsurgical modalities of therapy. In the present article, pertinent quotations from the literature and cases illustrating the different types of external resorption accompany each of the subjects discussed according to the classification proposed by Shafer, Hine, and Levy

Aging of tissues of the roots of nonfunctional human teeth (impacted canines)

In order to examine the aging of dentin and cementum, seventy-two impacted human canines, nonfunctional and not affected by external factors, such as attrition, abrasion, caries, etc., were surgically extracted. Ground sections were prepared and the areas of sclerotic dentin and cementum were measured with the aid of a planimeter and expressed as a percentage of the total root area. It was found that there is a significant increase in sclerotic dentin and apposition of cementum with an increase in age.

Correlation between age and thickness of cementum in impacted teeth

Abstract Sixty impacted, nonfunctioning permanent canines and premolars from patients 9 to 70 years old were used in a study of the characteristics and thickness of the cementum. A correlation coefficient test showed direct interdependence between the increase in thickness of the cementum and the age of the impacted tooth.

Rhinocerebral Mucormycosis Treated with Amphotericin B Colloidal Dispersion in Three Patients

Rhinocerebral mucormycosis (zygomycosis) primarily affects diabetic or immunosuppressed patients and typically progresses rapidly, necessitating surgical excision and antifungal therapy with amphotericin B. Large doses of amphotericin B are required for cure, causing significant renal toxicity. Amphotericin B colloidal dispersion (ABCD; Amphocil, Sequus Pharmaceuticals, Menlo Park, CA) is a 1:1 complex of cholesteryl sulfate and amphotericin B, which results in significant reduction of toxicity, especially nephrotoxicity. We describe three patients with life-threatening rhinocerebral mucormycosis treated with ABCD. All patients had high serum creatinine levels due to prior treatment with amphotericin B; these levels reverted to normal during treatment with ABCD. Two patients with diabetes mellitus were cured after receiving a combination of surgery and ABCD therapy. The third patient, who had myelodysplastic syndrome, had an initial good response, with cure of the fungal infection; however, he eventually died of his primary illness. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first detailed clinical description of the treatment of mucormycosis with ABCD.

Resorption of the crown in impacted maxillary canine: A clinical, radiographic and histologic study

Thirty-six maxillary impacted canines which showed coronary resorption were selected out of 252 impacted canines. Clinical, radiographic and histologic observations were performed. In the majority of the cases (31) a local inflammatory factor was present and only in five cases was the resorption idiopathic. The incidence of resorption was highest in the later decades of life. In all cases bone replacement was found.

Radiographic and clinical manifestations of the impacted mandibular third molar

Observations were made on 200 impacted mandibular third molars that were removed from 200 unselected patients under local anesthesia. Sixty percent of the teeth were found to be in apparent relationship with the inferior dental canal: 19 % in true relationship and 41 % in superimposition. The vertical impacted molars were mainly found to be in true relationship with the inferior dental canal. On comparison of the clinical postoperative diagnosis with the radiographic preoperative findings an error of only 0.8 % was shown. Most of the molars showed fully developed roots in the third decade of life. Most of the teeth in this series were vertically impacted having mostly fully developed roots. There was a significant correlation between the patients suffering from pain, trismus, and swelling. Swelling and trismus were the mostly affected postoperative sequelae.

Pathoses of coronoid process as a cause of mouth-opening restrictions.

The mandible coronoid process is another site subject to various pathoses that may result in limited jaw movement. Six different pathoses that prevented the free rotation of the coronoid are presented. Differential diagnosis and treatment approach are emphasized.

Submandibular sialolithiasis in children

Abstract The submandibular salivary gland is most affected by sialolithiasis, apparently because of the viscosity of saliva and the long, curved duct. In most cases, the sialolith is found close to the orifice or elsewhere in Whartons duct, although calculi also occur in the gland itself. The condition is common in adults, but cases have also been reported in children, where it is considered rare. 1–3 Doku and Brekman, 4 in surveying the literature between 1916 and 1966, found 11 cases described in children under the age of 15. Reuther, 5 in his survey of the literature between 1898 and 1973, found 21 juvenile cases. Since most of the cases of sialolithiasis in children are not discussed at length in the literature, there is insufficient information regarding its etiology in young patients and the prognosis for the affected gland after the removal of the calculus. This paper describes nine cases of sialolithiasis in children, emphasis being placed on etiology and prognosis.

Clinical and roentgenographic evaluation of thirty-seven autotransplanted impacted maxillary canines

Thirty-seven autotransplanted canines in thirty-one patients were observed for a period of 2 to 7 years. Transplants with less than 2 years follow-up were not included in this study. Although the surgical root canal, and fixation techniques were identical, the delayed pathophysiologic changes were different.