Bjørn Hurlen

Characteristics of premaxillary hyperodontia: A radiographic study

Among 63,029 patients admitted to Department of Oral Radiology, University of Oslo, 900 had a total of 1153 supernumerary teeth located to the premaxillary region. Characteristics of the supernumeraries were predominance in males, predominance in the permanent dentition, predominant location in the central incisor region, and predominant position palatally to the dental arch, vertically oriented, half of them inverted. Interference with the normal dentition included malposition, diastema, maleruption, and resorption. Sequelae included widened follicular space, dentigerous cyst formation, dental pulp necrosis, pulp canal obliteration, root resorption, and ankylosis. Nearly 60% of the patients had radiographic or clinical signs of interference with the normal dentition or of associated complications.

Electrogalvanically-induced contact allergy of the oral mucosa. Report of a case

A 69-year-old white female presented bilateral lesions of the oral mucosa possibly related to electrogalvanism. The lesions were histologically characterized as lichen planus and as mild epithelial dysplasia on the left and right sides, respectively. They disappeared after removing amalgam restorations opposing the lesions. Epicutaneous patch tests and lymphocyte-transformation tests showed that the patient suffered from a contact allergy to mercury compounds, indicating this as a mechanism by which electrogalvanism may induce lesions of the oral mucosa.

Multiple sialolithiasis of minor salivary glands: Report of a case

Summary A case of multiple minor salivary gland sialolithiasis has been described. In a review of nine previous case reports, similarities are discussed and the features of the uncommon disease outlined.

Hepatitis B serum markers and oral health in a group of Norwegian male prisoners

In 138 male Norwegian prisoners the prevalence of hepatitis B virus (HBV) serum markers was 30.4% and closely related to their drug abuse. The highest frequency of the markers (82.8%) was found in young drug addicts admitting intravenous abuse and the lowest (14.3%) in prisoners denying such abuse. For comparison, the frequency of HBV serum markers in the general male population in Norway is about 4.1%. In young prisoners (less than 30 years), DMF teeth, percentage of gingival bleeding, and percentage of periodontal pockets greater than 4 mm were on an average 18.8, 38.2%, and 7.0%, respectively. These corresponding figures in the older age group (greater than 30 years) were 21.7, 38.5%, and 15.2%. These findings indicate a dental health status somewhere between that of the general population and disadvantaged groups in Norway previously surveyed. Other oral pathological conditions were present in more than one third of the prisoners, but mucosal lesions and disorders of psychosomatic origin did not extend normal ranges. No characteristic lesions attributable to drug abuse were observed. Dental care was given a low priority by the prisoners. Emergency procedures had been the treatment of choice at infrequent, irregular visits to the dentist, leading to enhanced risk of bleeding and of HBV transmission.

Frequency of hepatitis in dental health personnel in Norway.

Hepatitis B infection is considered a risk to dentists and their ancillary staff. To evaluate the magnitude of the risk for personnel in dental practice in Norway a questionnaire survey and a serologic investigation was performed, both disclosing frequencies of hepatitis B insignificantly higher than those in the general Norwegian population. The occurrence of anti-HBs in the general population, represented by 800 sera, appeared to be lower than the corresponding values found in Sweden and Denmark.

Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)-complications in dental treatment. Report of a case

Acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a new disease which has recently alerted the medical world. AIDS may also concern dental practitioners and oral surgeons who may be the first to suspect impairment of immunity in patients presenting opportunistic oral infections. Extraordinary resistance to treatment of dental infections, such as encountered in a 27-year-old man developing AIDS, could also be a sign of immunodepression. Epidemiological features of AIDS indicate transmissibility, and interim recommendations for prevention of spread correspond to the measures appropriate for hepatitis B.

Viral hepatitis in oral surgery and periodontics in Norway

The incidence of viral hepatitis in general dental practitioners, oral surgeons and periodontists was analyzed by questionnaires. Viral hepatitis was found to be an occupational risk for oral surgeons with no significant professional risk for general practitioners or periodontists. The differences were due mainly to type of patients. The importance of preoperative risk evaluation and proper precautions is stressed.

Viral hepatitis in dentists in Norway.

Exceptions have occurred to the generally reported high prevalence of viral hepatitis in dentists. Thus a recent questionnaire survey (1) indicated a low risk of hepatitis in dental professionals in Norway. The present supplementary study was based on frequencies of serological markers of viral hepatitis and disclosed an exposure rate to hepatitis B insignificantly higher than that of the general population. The frequency of antibody to hepatitis A virus was equal to that of the general population.

Scanning electron microscopic observations on the inner surface of jaw cysts

The cavity surface of 9 jaw cysts was studied in the scanning electron microscope. The material comprised 5 radicular, 2 residual, 1 dentigerous and 1 globulomaxillary cyst. The surface morphology varied from smooth to ruffled within the same cyst, and between cysts. Interepithelial spaces, some of which contained migrating leukocytes, were frequently observed. Bacteria occurred in 1 cyst (dentigerous) only, and included rods, filaments and spirochetes. Crystals of various morphology were seen in 6 of the cysts.