The applications in oral implantology are strongly increased due to the advance in the field of osseointegration and in material technology. As a result of this gained knowledge the area of indications increased in both edentulous and partially dentate patients. With the extension of the indications of dental implants there also is a growing patients´ demand for direct replacement of lost tooth. Sometimes it is possible to fulfil the expressed wish of immediate loading. In case of poor bone quantity or quality this is impossible. Transitional implants supply the prosthodontist with an additional possibility to fulfil the need for uninterrupted healing as well as patients´ demands for immediate functional and esthetic restorations.

Sjögren’s syndrome is an auto-immune disease resulting in, among other problems, serious eye and mouth dryness. The course of the disease, especially from an early towards a later phase, is largely unknown. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the symptoms and salivary gland function of Sjögren’s syndrome patients, in order to gain insight in the possible progression of the disease. Forty-three patients were followed during a mean period of 3.5 years. Patients with a longer duration of oral symptoms showed more subjective complaints and less salivary flow when compared to patients with recent oral complaints. The differences in both the subjective and objective signs disappeared almost completely during follow-up. From this study it was concluded that Sjögen’s syndrome is a progressive disease when diagnosed early. By asking specific questions the dentist can play an important role in early diagnosing the syndrome.

A historical review is presented on the development of the treatment of trauma of the maxillofacial skeleton in the context of international as well as national literature. The review has been devided in three periods: the period before the prophylactic use of antimicrobial agents (before 1950), the years of open reduction with wire osteosynthesis (1950-1980) and the period till present in which open reduction is combined with rigid internal fixation (after 1980). The latter period is also marked by the application of the principles of primary bone healing, whereas access to the maxillofacial skeleton is gained through a coronal incision, where needed.

The European Academy of Allergology and Clinical Immunology has proposed a revised terminology for allergic and allergy-related reactions that can be used independently of target organ of patient age group. The proposed terminology is based on the present knowledge of the mechanisms which initiate and mediate allergic reactions. ‘Hypersensitivity’ is an umbrella term, ‘allergy’ involves a hypersensitivity reaction which is initiated by an immunological mechanism, and ‘atopy’ is an individual or familial tendency to produce IgE antibodies in response to low doses of allergens, and is accompanied by the typical symptoms or asthma, rhino-conjunctivitis or eczema/dermatitis. Each condition should be categorised als ‘allergic/not allergic’, and the allergic conditions should be further categorised as ‘IgE-mediated/non IgE-mediated’ (sometimes: ‘IgE-associated’). Terms which are no longer in use include: ‘idiosyncrasy’ (this will now becom ‘hypersensitivity’); ‘pseudo-allergy’ (‘non-allergic hypersensitivity’); ‘extrinsic’, ‘intrinsic’, ‘endogenous’ and ‘exogenous asthma’ (‘allergic’ (possibly ‘IgE-mediated’) and ‘non-allergic asthma’); ‘atopic eczema’ (‘atopic eczema/dermatitis syndrome’; ‘allergic (possibly ‘EgE-mediated’) or ‘non-allergic’); ‘intrinsic’ and ‘cryptogenic variants of eczema’ (non-allergic atopic eczema/dermatitis syndrom’); ‘food intolerance’ (non-allergic food hypersensitivity’) and ‘anaphylactoid reaction’ (‘non-allergic anaphylaxis’).

Two developing supernumerary bicuspids were noticed accidentally in the mandible of a 12 years old girl when evaluating an impacted 35 on a radiograph. The development of these teeth was followed, but at a later stage they were removed. In a 17 years old man multiple complete developed bicuspids were seen on a radiograph. The backgrounds and treatment concerning supernumerary bicuspids in the mandible are discussed.

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) is a disease caused by a corona-virus. These viruses are long known to be human pathogens but this form is new and more virulent. It emerged in March this year in China and seemed to be apt to sweep over the world as a kind of Spanish Flu. Forunately, this didn’t happen and at the moment the emerging pandemic seems to be contained. This offers hope in case a more virulent pandemic would suddenly strike in the next future. A world prepared is a difficult prey, even for a surprise virus.

The National Coordination for Communicable Diseases Control is a cooperative organisation of Dutch municipal health services that are concerned with infectious diseases. On it’s website one is able to consult protocols and guidelines on disease outbreak management. Also actual news on the outbreak of SARS is available. Up to date information of infectious diseases is scarce to find for the dental profession, so visiting the website of LCI on a regular basis could be important for the dentist in the Netherlands.