Rephael Zeltser

Deep caries due to Pre-eruptive intracoronal resorption in a newly erupted primary molar

CASE REPORT This report describes a rare case of a 19-month-old girl with pre-eruptive intracoronal resorption in the lower left first primary molar which had erupted a few weeks earlier and had deep caries. The treatment is described. CONCLUSION Dentists who treat children must take into consideration the possibility of pre-eruptive lesions in the primary dentition that may cause involvement of the pulp, either before or shortly post-eruption.

Enigma of missing teeth in maxillofacial trauma.

PURPOSE The initial evaluation and treatment of trauma victims should follow a planned approach, as delineated by the Advanced Trauma Life Support protocol, with the main concern securing a patent airway. When trauma has been associated with maxillofacial injury, it can complicate airway management owing to aspirated avulsed teeth or dental prosthetic devices. In such cases, endotracheal intubation can be life-threatening, if the foreign bodies are pushed into the upper respiratory tract. The objective of the present report was to illustrate the diagnostic and management problems related to foreign bodies from the oral cavity lodged in the upper airway after blunt maxillofacial trauma or emergency endotracheal intubation. We also discussed how this could be prevented. PATIENTS AND METHODS A retrospective study was performed at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hadassah Medical Center (Jerusalem, Israel). The records of 1,411 patients admitted for treatment of facial trauma during the past 10 years were reviewed. RESULTS Of the 1,411 patients, 7 (0.5%) had aspirated foreign bodies that had lodged in the airway because of the trauma or subsequent intubation. CONCLUSIONS The patients oral cavity and upper airway must be inspected thoroughly before attempting endotracheal intubation. Any foreign body should be removed from the mouth and throat. This process must be undertaken, despite the stressful and limiting conditions of emergency care.