Quarterly Dental Review 93

The study showed that 78 per cent of patients experienced discomfort, with sen- sitivity to cold being the chief complaint (50 per cent of cases). This was most often mild, occasionally moderate but never severe. The duration was most often fleeting and seldom prolonged. Nineteen per cent of patients reported sensitivity to heat.

The second most frequent type of post- operative discomfort was associated with the administration of the local anaesthetic. Discomfort on digital pressure of the in- jection site was felt by 38 per cent of patients, and 41 percent complained of pain on opening the iaw widely. Traumatic injury is the most likely cause of this problem, but irritation from the anaesthetic solution itself cannot be ruled out.

‘High’ restorations were reported by 13 per cent of patients, and an unpleasant taste by 16 per cent.

Injury to the gingivae and deeper perio- dontia may also occur. Twenty-two per cent complained of pain from flossing and 16 per cent complained of pain from biting pres- sures. Injury may result from rubber dam, matrices, wedges and finishing strips.

Back and neck fatigue from long ap- pointments was not a significant problem (only 5 per cent). This is attributed to modern dental chairs.

No patient reported sensitivity to sweet stimuli, and the authors attribute this to improved materials and the use of copal resin cavity varnishes.

E. R. Smart

JOURNAL OF DENTISTRY

Abstracts from this issue

BRADEN M. Ied. Dental materiels: 1976 literature review. Part I, J. Dent. 6 (1978) l-22.

This paper, which is to be presented in two parts, reviews the work on dental materials published in 1976. Included in Part I are sections on amalgam, casting alloys, denture base polymers, composite filling materials, tissue conditioners and soft lining materials and fissure sealants. A review of the litera- ture relating to impression materials, dental ceramics, model and die materials, cements, dental implants and dental biomechanics will be presented in Part II.

THOMSON H. The use and abuse of teeth, J. Dent. 6 (1978) 23-32.

Evidence from primitive skulls suggests that human teeth have always been abused by function, particularly on their occlusal sur- faces. In the past three centuries the abuse has continued by diet. This decline is dis- cussed with reference to the environmental influences acting on the masticatory system. Some principles are proposed in support of the belief that the occlusal contours of the

teeth should be maintained and, if necessary, restored. The prophylactic reduction of cusps is condemned. Good occlusal function provides for the shredding of food without the opposing cusps and ridges touching, and this can prevent disorders of the mastica- tory system. In addition, it can promote efficiency and comfort in the wearing of complete dentures.

SMALL B. W. and MURRAY J. J. Enamel opacities: prevalence, classifications and aetiological considerations, J. Dent. 6 (1978) 3342.

Prevalence studies of enamel opacities in high, optimum and low fluoride areas have been reviewed. In low fluoride areas the number of children with at least one affec- ted tooth varied from 14.6 to 83.5 per cent, while at optimum fluoride levels the find- ings ranged from 8 to 36.4 per cent. In areas with 5 parts F/lo6 or more in the drinking water, almost all children had ‘mottled enamel’. Although a high concentration of fluoride in drinking water causes enamel opacities, 97 other aetiological factors have been implicated. They can be divided into two main groups: those which cause localized