Scielo RSS http://www.scielo.org.za/rss.php?pid=0011-851620160002&lang=en vol. 71 num. 2 lang. en http://www.scielo.org.za/img/en/fbpelogp.gif http://www.scielo.org.za http://www.scielo.org.za/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0011-85162016000200001&lng=en&nrm=iso&tlng=en http://www.scielo.org.za/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0011-85162016000200002&lng=en&nrm=iso&tlng=en http://www.scielo.org.za/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0011-85162016000200003&lng=en&nrm=iso&tlng=en In recent years, research has been directed towards elucidating the physiological role played by the epithelial cell rests of Malassez within the periodontal ligament and surrounding alveolar bone. These unique structures were, for many years, considered to be quiescent remnants of development, but are now emerging as key role-players in the maintenance of periodontal health and are also implicated in bone resorption through secretion of bone resorption mediators. Reviews on this topic are infrequent in the dental literature and the notable advances regarding the cytokine profile of the epithelial cell rests of Malassez and their autocrine and paracrine roles in the periodontal tissues make it opportune to review their physiological roles in maintaining periodontal health. Furthermore, experiments have established that epithelial cell rests of Malassez contain stem cells that can undergo epithelial-mesenchymal transitions, placing these cells at the centre of periodontal regeneration. http://www.scielo.org.za/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0011-85162016000200004&lng=en&nrm=iso&tlng=en Glucocorticosteroids are indispensable agents in the treatment of mucocutaneous immune-mediated diseases because of their anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive properties. Short-term use of glucocorticosteroids is relatively safe, but long-term use may have serious adverse effects. Prednisone is the glucocorticosteroid most widely used systemically. It is inexpensive, and because of its intermediate duration of activity the risk of suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis is reduced. Abrupt discontinuation of long-term glucocorticosteroid may cause withdrawal symptoms including malaise, low-grade fever and mood alterations, and at times may allow the return of the acute symptoms of the disease. Accordingly, termination of long-term use of glucocorticosteroids should be done gradually by tapering down the dose. This appraisal discusses core mechanisms of action of glucocorticosteroids and describes the appropriate dosage regimens of the drug in relation to immune mediated oral diseases. http://www.scielo.org.za/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0011-85162016000200005&lng=en&nrm=iso&tlng=en BACKGROUND: Bleaching is a conservative approach to improve tooth colour. Laser irradiation accelerates the process by activating the hydrogen peroxide (HP) bleaching agent. However, there is little data examining whether this might result in pulp injury by enhancing HP penetration and diffusion. This study measured HP penetration into the pulp chamber with different bleaching techniques. METHODS: Fifty extracted central maxillary incisors were collected, disinfected, root treated and stored in sterile saline solution. The pulp chambers were filled with an acetate buffer solution. Bleaching was performed with one of four methods: 1. Conventional in-office bleaching; and accelerated bleaching using 2. :yttrium-aluminium-garnet (Nd:YAG), 3. 1w Diode, and 4. 1.5w Diode lasers. A fifth control Group received no treatment. The buffer solution was drained and stained by colourimetric spectrophotometry to determine optical densities, which were analyzed by one-way ANOVA followed by Tukey honest significant difference (HSD) test. RESULTS: The greatest penetration occurred with the conventional in-office bleaching procedure (2.232 ± 0.39μg), while the least was seen with Diode (1w) laser-assisted bleaching (0.31 ± 0.28μg). : Provided the manufacturer's recommendations are followed, laser acceleration does not exacerbate penetration of HP into the pulp chamber. http://www.scielo.org.za/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0011-85162016000200006&lng=en&nrm=iso&tlng=en INTRODUCTION: In an Orthodontic and a Periodontal practice the most frequently missing teeth were the third molars followed by the mandibular M1 and the maxillary PM1. OBJECTIVE: To record the incidence of absent teeth/ missing teeth amongst patients attending differing dental practices. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data recording age, gender and missing teeth (jaw and side) were drawn from the records of the initial consultations of patients attending five practice types: orthodontic (n 194), periodontal (n 202), prosthodontic (n 137), general dental practice (n 115) and Oral Hygiene Clinic (n 156). Excluded were patients under age 20 and those attending for oral medicine consultation (no dental charting. RESULTS: Mean ages (group, sd) ranged from 34.7y (orthodontic 9.8y) to 50y (prosthodontic 12.2y). Jaw side had no effect on missing teeth in any group (Z test). M3 were the most frequently missing teeth, followed by maxillary PM1, mandibular 1, PM1 and PM2. Age in decades effected the most dominant influence, followed by Practice Group, with gender having a weak effect on M3 data (linear logic analysis). CONCLUSIONS: Molars and premolars were the most frequently absent teeth. Different dental patient populations experience differing patterns of tooth loss, although the reasons are not readily identified. http://www.scielo.org.za/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0011-85162016000200007&lng=en&nrm=iso&tlng=en INTRODUCTION: In an Orthodontic and a Periodontal practice the most frequently missing teeth were the third molars followed by the mandibular M1 and the maxillary PM1. OBJECTIVE: To record the incidence of absent teeth/ missing teeth amongst patients attending differing dental practices. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Data recording age, gender and missing teeth (jaw and side) were drawn from the records of the initial consultations of patients attending five practice types: orthodontic (n 194), periodontal (n 202), prosthodontic (n 137), general dental practice (n 115) and Oral Hygiene Clinic (n 156). Excluded were patients under age 20 and those attending for oral medicine consultation (no dental charting. RESULTS: Mean ages (group, sd) ranged from 34.7y (orthodontic 9.8y) to 50y (prosthodontic 12.2y). Jaw side had no effect on missing teeth in any group (Z test). M3 were the most frequently missing teeth, followed by maxillary PM1, mandibular 1, PM1 and PM2. Age in decades effected the most dominant influence, followed by Practice Group, with gender having a weak effect on M3 data (linear logic analysis). CONCLUSIONS: Molars and premolars were the most frequently absent teeth. Different dental patient populations experience differing patterns of tooth loss, although the reasons are not readily identified. http://www.scielo.org.za/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0011-85162016000200008&lng=en&nrm=iso&tlng=en Nodular fasciitis (NF) is a rapidly growing, myofibroblastic lesion with a challenging diagnosis. The deceptive clinical and histologic features of NF often lead to misdiagnoses that include malignancies. Nodular Fasciitis is benign and has a low recurrence rate after complete excision, which is the treatment of choice. Intra-oral lesions are especially rare. We describe the case of a 27 year old female who presented with localized, lobular-exophytic nodular fasciitis of the mandibular gingiva. To our knowledge, this is the ninth case to be reported occurring in this anatomic site and the forty-fifth intra-oral case. http://www.scielo.org.za/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0011-85162016000200009&lng=en&nrm=iso&tlng=en Nodular fasciitis (NF) is a rapidly growing, myofibroblastic lesion with a challenging diagnosis. The deceptive clinical and histologic features of NF often lead to misdiagnoses that include malignancies. Nodular Fasciitis is benign and has a low recurrence rate after complete excision, which is the treatment of choice. Intra-oral lesions are especially rare. We describe the case of a 27 year old female who presented with localized, lobular-exophytic nodular fasciitis of the mandibular gingiva. To our knowledge, this is the ninth case to be reported occurring in this anatomic site and the forty-fifth intra-oral case. http://www.scielo.org.za/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0011-85162016000200010&lng=en&nrm=iso&tlng=en Nodular fasciitis (NF) is a rapidly growing, myofibroblastic lesion with a challenging diagnosis. The deceptive clinical and histologic features of NF often lead to misdiagnoses that include malignancies. Nodular Fasciitis is benign and has a low recurrence rate after complete excision, which is the treatment of choice. Intra-oral lesions are especially rare. We describe the case of a 27 year old female who presented with localized, lobular-exophytic nodular fasciitis of the mandibular gingiva. To our knowledge, this is the ninth case to be reported occurring in this anatomic site and the forty-fifth intra-oral case. http://www.scielo.org.za/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0011-85162016000200011&lng=en&nrm=iso&tlng=en Nodular fasciitis (NF) is a rapidly growing, myofibroblastic lesion with a challenging diagnosis. The deceptive clinical and histologic features of NF often lead to misdiagnoses that include malignancies. Nodular Fasciitis is benign and has a low recurrence rate after complete excision, which is the treatment of choice. Intra-oral lesions are especially rare. We describe the case of a 27 year old female who presented with localized, lobular-exophytic nodular fasciitis of the mandibular gingiva. To our knowledge, this is the ninth case to be reported occurring in this anatomic site and the forty-fifth intra-oral case.