Authors:
L. Feenstra
Source:
NTvT may 2005; 112: 162 - 167
Section:
Summary:
For understanding the problems in the head and neck region of divers, knowledge of some physical laws is needed. Primarily, problems of diving are related to barotrauma: tissue-damage by pressure. The most frequent problems encoutered with diving are problems in closed cavities, such as in ears, teeth, and sinuses. Other problems occurring are those of temporomandibular joints, facial nerves, and oral mucosal tissues.
Authors:
W.A. Scheper, F. Lobbezoo, M.A.J. Eijkman
Source:
NTvT may 2005; 112: 168 - 172
Section:
Summary:
Divers can have several oral problems. Firstly, problems caused by pressure changes. These are barodontalgia and odontocrexis. Barodontalgia is toothache by barotrauma. Odontocrexis is restorations coming lose or breaking or tooth fractures by expansion of air beneath restorations.
Other problems can occur by cements used to fix casted restorations, by inflammations in the orofacial region, and by not yet fully healed oral wounds. Secondly, there are problems related to the divers mouthpiece. To keep the mouthpiece in place, the mandible has to be forced in a forward position. Holding this position often and for long periods of time, may develop or aggravate temporomandibular dysfunction. Insufficient fit of the mouthpiece may induce oral mucosal lesions. Therefore, it is recommended to produce individual diver mouthpieces. It is also recommended to produce individual diver mouthpieces for complete dentures wearing divers and for divers with fixed orthodontic appliances.
Authors:
W.A. Scheper, M.A.J. Eijkman
Source:
NTvT may 2005; 112: 173 - 176
Section:
Summary:
A mouthguard is a useful appliance to prevent oral injuries, and their emotional and financial consequences. Most sportsmen are aware of the benefits of a mouthguard. Nevertheless, a relatively small percentage of sportsmen in contact sports are using a mouthguard actually. Whether or not a mouthguard is used, is predominantly determined by its comfort. Therefore, a mouthguard must be optimally comfortable. However, to make sportsmen using an even optimal mouthguard, needs motivation. Stimulating of motivation is the task of parents, coaches, (team) physicians, and (team) dentists. Especially coaches seem to have great influence on sportsmen. Children are very much influenced by their parents. It is the task of general dental practitioners not only to inform sportsmen and their parents, but also their coaches and team physicians about the risks of oral injuries and about the benefits of preparing a mouthguard. General dental practitioners must put themselves disposal to prepare mouthguards for their individual patients as well as for all players of a team who wish to have a mouthguard prepared.
Authors:
C. de Baat, R. Peters, C.M. van Iperen-Keiman, M.de Vleeschouwer
Source:
NTvT may 2005; 112: 177 - 180
Section:
Summary:
Facial shields are used when practising contact sports, high speed sports, sports using hard balls, sticks or bats, sports using protective shields or covers, and sports using hard boardings around the sports ground. Examples of facial shields are commercially available, per branch of sport standardised
helmets. Fabricating individual protective shields is primarily restricted to mouth guards. In individual cases a more extensive facial shield is demanded, for instance in case of a surgically stabilised facial bone fracture. In order to be able to fabricate an extensive individual facial s hield, an accurate to the nearest model of the anterior part of the head is required. An accurate model can be provided by making an impression of the face, which is poured in dental stone. Another method is producing a stereolithographic model using computertomography or magnetic resonance imaging. On the
accurate model the facial shield can be designed and fabricated from a strictly safe material, such as polyvinylchloride or polycarbonate.
Authors:
M.A.J. Eijkman
Source:
NTvT may 2005; 112: 181 - 183
Section:
Summary:
The aim of this qualitative study was to determine the opinions of eight top-class sports dentists, two women and six men, about the possible relationship between their performance of top-class sports and their oral care delivery as a general practitioner. Seven of the eight dentists interviewed, indicated a connection between their performance of top-class sports and their oral care delivery. In particular, it concerns aspects as working very disciplined and systemicly, the pursuit of perfection, having the capability to concentrate very much, and working with an achievement-oriented attitude, such as the repeated search for challenges and always being active in exercising. Furthermore, some dentists interviewed stated that in delivering oral care, on the one hand they are trying to back frontiers, and on the other hand they have experienced their limitations. In the discussion, the questions are pointed out how quality of oral care delivery can be assessed, if there is any top-class oral care, and if so, which the personal characteristics are of dentists delivering this top-class care.
Authors:
R.H.B. Allard
Source:
NTvT may 2005; 112: 184 - 187
Section:
Summary:
Victims of sports injuries have to be advised about aspects of legal liability, especially in case of luxation or avulsion of teeth, since there still may be dental consequences years later. The transference of information by the first-aid-dentist to the sportsman’s own dentist should take place with care. If the patient has no family dentist, the first-aid-dentist should at least keep the sportsman free of pain, for example by starting endodontic treatment. Because sports injuries mostly occur beyond normal practice-hours, there may be reasons to deviate from the clinical guideline.
Authors:
S.L. Liem
Source:
NTvT may 2005; 112: 188 - 189
Section:
Summary:
Scuba diving is accompanied by some risks. This article deals with some websites about the safety and health of scuba divers. Informative websites are those of the Divers Alert Network and the Dutch Society of Scuba Diving Medicine (´Nederlandse Vereniging voor Duikgeneeskunde´).
