A 39-year-old woman suffered from chronic a-typical facial pain and complaints associated with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. The pain originated from the surgical removal of a residual tooth root under an oral implant and the stress symptoms were the consequences of the pain. Eventually, these problems had led to dismissal from work and family problems. She was unable to attend her dentist for a periodic oral survey due to extreme fear. Pharmacologic treatment, acupuncture, homeopathy and hypnotherapy had not improved her condition. Treatment aimed at coping with the memories of the oral treatment using ‘eye movement desensitization and reprocessing’ ultimately led to decline of complaints. This case report demonstrates that an oral problem may disrupt a patient’s life and how psychotherapy can complete medical treatment.

A six-year-old girl was referred by her dentist because of a tender swelling of the mandible on both sides. On intra-oral examination a firm swelling on the buccal side of both first permanent lower molars was noticed. Bucally of the teeth 36 and 46 a pocket depth of more than 10 mm was measured. On conventional X-rays no abnormalities were found. Additional CT-scan examination showed a well-described radiolucent lesion bucally of the teeth 36 and 46 compatible with the diagnosis of a bilateral juvenile paradental cyst. The lesions were enucleated without removal of the associated teeth. The terminology of paradental cysts, as well as epidemiological, clinical, radiological, histopathological, and treatment aspects are further described.

A 46-year-old woman was referred for orthodontic surgery consultation because of a retrognathic maxilla, unilateral cross bite and functional, aesthetic and speech problems. The maxilla was widened unilaterally by unilateral surgically assisted rapid maxillary expansion with a bone-borne transpalatal distractor. During post-operative orthodontic treatment, a temporary anchorage device was administered. With the help of composite veneers, crowns and a removable partial denture, a functionally and aesthetically satisfying result was achieved.

The aim of the research described in ‘Chemotherapy against Streptococcus mutans’ was to increase colonization resistance against mutans streptococci by inoculating Actinomyces naeslundii on the dentition. Actinomyces naeslundii established better after chlorhexidine application than after dental cleansing only but did not exceed the 1% level of the total actinomyces population. This was insufficient to increase the colonization resistance against mutans streptococci. A 33% chlorhexidine varnish was developed. After a single short-term application of the varnish all plaque bacteria were erased. After several hours Streptococcus sanguinis, Streptococcus oralis, Streptococcus mitis and Streptococcus gordonii re-established on the surface. Actinomyces naeslundii recovered later, but often with higher numbers. Mutans streptococci remained suppressed for months. This led to less acid production in dental plaque and caries reduction. The combination of mechanical cleansing and varnish application resulted in additional pocket reduction. Recently, attention is also established for research on the application of probiotics in periodotology.

Micronutrients can inhibit oxidation reactions due to micro-organisms in human tissues. In this randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled pilot study, it was examined whether suppletion of a mixture of selected micro - nutrients could affect the outcome of conservative treatment of periodontitis. A group of 16 for periodontitis treated patients received a mixture of micro - nutrients consisting of a-tocopherol acetate, ascorbic acid, cholecalcipherol and an extract from green tea, whereas a group of 16 similar patients received a placebo. At baseline and after 3 and 6 months, in every patient the number of teeth with periodontitis, the number of gingival bleedings on probing, and the pocket depths were registered. An evident improvement was defined as 40% reduction of the number of gingival bleedings on probing or of the summated pocket depth. After 6 months, the number of gingival bleedings on probing was significantly more reduced in the experimental group when compared with the placebo group. Also evident improvement was significantly more observed in the experimental group w hen compared with the placebo group.