Dental clinics of North America
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Dent. Clin. North Am. · Oct 2009
ReviewUse of prophylactic antibiotics in preventing infection of traumatic injuries.
In managing traumatic wounds, the primary goal is to achieve rapid healing with optimal functional and esthetic results. This is best accomplished by providing an environment that prevents infection of the wound during healing. ⋯ Accordingly, some investigators argue that prophylactic antibiotics have an important role in the management of certain types of wounds. This article reviews the basis of antibiotic use in preventing wound infection in general and its use in oral and facial wounds in particular.
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Dent. Clin. North Am. · Jul 2009
The role of non-dental health professionals in providing access to dental care for low-income and minority patients.
The disadvantaged suffer disproportionately from dental problems. These persons are more likely to have untreated oral health problems and associated pain, and also are more likely to forego dental treatment even when in pain. ⋯ The delivery of oral health care services by non-dental health professionals may assume increasing importance as the population continues to age and becomes more diverse. This is because, in general, the elderly and ethnic and racial minorities face significant economic barriers to accessing private dental services.
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Dent. Clin. North Am. · Apr 2009
Evaluation, scheduling, and management of dental care under general anesthesia for special needs patients.
Dental care in the operating room requires expertise to be efficient, effective, and comprehensive. By gathering appropriate information preoperatively, intraoperatively, and postoperatively, the dentist can assume the leadership role that is required for effective dental care. Standardizing procedures, while including the training of residents, can meet the dental goals for comprehensive dental management.
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This article discusses imaging techniques for visualization of the temporomandibular joint. Conventional plain film modalities are discussed briefly, with an emphasis on the more contemporary modalities, such as CT with cone-beam technology, MRI, and nuclear imaging, including single-photon emission computed tomography, and positron emission tomography. Indications, advantages, and limitations are discussed. As advancements in this area continue, our understanding of this complex joint and its pathology will follow, which will lead to more defined imaging indications and ultimately, to improved treatment outcomes.
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Dent. Clin. North Am. · Oct 2008
The evolution and application of dental maxillofacial imaging modalities.
During the last decades, an exciting new array of imaging modalities, such as digital imaging, CT, MRI, positron emission tomography, and cone-beam CT (CBCT), has provided astounding new images that continually contribute to the accuracy of diagnostic tasks of the maxillofacial region. The most recent, cone-beam imaging, is gaining rapid acceptance in dentistry because it provides cross-sectional imaging that is often a valuable supplement to intraoral and panoramic radiographs. ⋯ The increasing trend toward the use of CBCT in dental offices may be expected to result in improved diagnosis, but with increased patient dose and health care costs. Using CBCT as a secondary imaging tool helps optimize health-to-risk ratio.