ABSTRACT
The tips of 100 needles that had been used clinically for the administration of mandibular block anesthesia (50 by students and 50 by staff) were examined individually under a dissecting microscope. Sixty percent of these needles were found to be barbed. With the use of an animal laboratory simulation, it has been shown that the tips of standard needles as used in general dental practice will barb if allowed to touch bone (medial aspect of the mandibular ramus) during the administration of a mandibular block for dentistry using the direct approach and that a relationship exists between the pattern of this barbing, the disposition of the bevel of the needle at the time of its insertion, and the likelihood of lingual or inferior dental nerve involvement on withdrawal of the barbed needle. Simple precautions are advanced for reducing the possibility of nerve or other tissue damage from this source.
Subject(s)
Anesthesia, Conduction/adverse effects , Anesthesia, Dental/adverse effects , Needles/adverse effects , Trigeminal Nerve Injuries , Animals , Humans , Paresthesia/etiology , Pterygoid Muscles/injuries , Swine , Trismus/etiologyABSTRACT
A survey of the outlook of 81 participating dental undergraduates concerning the value of a general hospital residency programme has been compared with the perceptions of 240 graduate health professionals (dental and medical practitioners, registered nurses and others). There is convincing statistical evidence of pan-professional support for such a general hospital residency. Better medical preparation of the dental student prior to residency is strongly favoured. Closer links between medicine and dentistry are inevitable as well as being essential for both professions and the community.
Subject(s)
Curriculum , Education, Dental , Internship and Residency , Education, Medical , Humans , Interprofessional Relations , New South Wales , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
A review of 40 cases of sagittal splitting of the mandible for reduction of mandibular prognathism showed that maximum oral opening recovered to presurgical limits without the use of mechanical aids. This recovery occurred within nine months following release of maxillomandibular fixation.
Subject(s)
Mandible/physiology , Osteotomy/methods , Prognathism/surgery , Adolescent , Adult , Female , Humans , Immobilization , Male , Mandible/anatomy & histology , Mandible/surgery , Mouth/physiology , Movement , Time Factors , Vertical DimensionSubject(s)
Education, Dental , Hospitals, General , Internship and Residency , Australia , Dental Service, Hospital , HumansABSTRACT
The necessity for surgical exposure of the lingual aspect of mandibular third molars will vary according to the severity of the impaction and the surgical technique adopted. A retractor is described for use in those cases when major lingual retraction is required. The retractor provides optimum access to the mandibular third molar area with adequate protection for the lingual nerve, tongue retraction and enhanced illumination by light reflection. It can be used under both local and general anaesthesia.
