Legal considerations in the use of cone beam computer tomography imaging.

Cone beam computed tomography imaging represents a paradigm shift for enhancing diagnosis and treatment planning. Questions regarding cone beam computed tomography's associated legal responsibility are addressed, including cone beam computed tomography necessity, recognition of pathosis in the scan's entire volume, adequate training, informed consent and/or refusal and current court status of cone beam computed tomography. Judicious selection and prudent use of cone beam computed tomography technology to protect and promote patient safety and efficacious treatment complies with the standard of care.

Ethics versus legal informed consent--a distinction with little difference.

The core principles of dental ethics and legal standards of care have similar foundations. Both are dedicated to place the patient's best interest as primary and the practitioner's interest as secondary, Similarities between ethics and the law demonstrate that most often there may be distinctions but little core differences. Informed consent principles illustrate the comparison between dental ethics and the law.

Thermal injury through intraradicular heat transfer using ultrasonic devices: precautions and practical preventive strategies.

BACKGROUND: The use of ultrasonic energy is a highly efficient method of removing obstructions and cements within the root canal space when re-treatment or rehabilitation of that ultrasonic energy dislodges and removes cemented objects from the bonded interface of the canal wall. When using this method, there is less potential for structural loss or root damage and significantly less operator stress than when using other methods. CASE DESCRIPTIONS: There is little evidence in published research of the considerable heat transfer that occurs during use of ultrasonic devices to remove posts, pastes and separated instruments in teeth. The authors present three cases of patients who experienced serious burn injuries during application of ultrasonic energy for restorative dentistry. The authors also offer techniques and strategies for safe and effective use of ultrasonic devices. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: On the basis of the best available evidence, the authors recommend strategies to provide safe and effective therapy while using ultrasonic devices in intraradicular obstruction removal. The intent of the suggested protocols is to provide advanced and sophisticated therapies in a safe and regulated manner with patient safety as an overriding priority.