Application and evaluation of coronectomy in Switzerland

Coronectomy is the intentional partial removal of a tooth. Thereby the crown of the tooth is removed and the roots are left in place. Compared to the complete operative removal of a wisdom tooth, the incidence of inferior alveolar nerve injury (IANI) is lower. The aim of this study is a survey on the use and acceptance of wisdom tooth coronectomy in Switzerland. An anonymous questionnaire was sent to 266 dentists specialized in oral surgery or maxillofacial surgeons; 58.3% of the questionnaires were returned and could be assessed. The statistical analysis was performed using Fisher’s exact test. The technique was classified as «non-reliable» by 51.6% of the respondents. In cases manifesting a high risk of IANI, 40.6% offered the patient a coronectomy. In a tooth exhibiting a high risk of IANI, 69.0% could envisage to perform a coronectomy instead of a complete operative removal. The technique was not used by 54.8%. A significantly larger proportion of study participants who specialized in or after the year 2005 (p < 0.05) rated the technique as “reliable”. The same applied to respondents who specialized in Bern (p < 0.05) and those who already had used coronectomy (p < 0.001). In conclusion, our results show that the majority of maxillofacial and oral surgeons reject coronectomy. In view of recent studies, this attitude should be reconsidered.

The patent nasopalatine duct: a potential cause of unclear pain in the anterior maxilla

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this report is to describe symptoms that can suggest the presence of a patent nasopalatine duct and to illustrate three cases.

SUMMARY

Patent nasopalatine ducts connecting the oral cavity with the nasal cavity are extremely rare. This malformation can be considered a developmental abnormality. Clinically, patent nasopalatine ducts appear as single or double spherical or oval apertures lateral or posterior to the incisive papilla. This type of anatomical malformation can be associated with an unclear pain sensation in the anterior maxillary region, which may be misinterpreted for example as toothache of endodontic origin. However, persisting nasopalatine ducts can also exist as an asymptomatic abnormality with no clinical sign of discomfort. Accordingly, understanding the differential diagnosis of a possible patent nasopalatine duct can prevent a general practitioner from performing unnecessary interventions, such as endodontic treatments, apical surgeries, or tooth extractions.

[Benign odontogenic tumor in the lower jaw: A case report]

Odontomas are classified within the group of odontogenic epithelial tumors with odontogenic ectomesenchyme with or without hard tissue formation. Together with ameloblastomas and keratocystic odontogenic tumors they are counted among the most common odontogenic tumors. Their growth is self-limiting and mostly, they are discovered accidentally as part of a x-ray examination. A common finding is that odontomas are associated with an unerupted permanent tooth. The aim of the present case report is to present the step-by-step procedure of a surgical odontoma removal in the lingual premolar/canine area of the lower jaw.

[Tonsil calculi in the orthopantomography image]

Tonsilloliths are calcifications within the tonsillar crypts. Affected are especially the palatine tonsils. The prevalence is ranging between 16 and 46.1%. Tonsilloliths can be the reason for chronic halitosis, irritating cough, dysphagia, otalgia, foreign body sensation or foul taste in the mouth. They are often asymptomatic. Tonsilloliths can be discovered incidentally in orthopantomography (OPT) as singular or multiple radioopacities in the area of the ramus mandibulae. The aim of this case report is to present two cases with asymptomatic tonsilloliths detected based on an OPT and confirmed in a computed tomography (CT) or by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).