Aim. To evaluate the effect on physical properties of Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA) of using direct hand compaction during placement and when using hand compaction with indirect ultrasonic activation with different application times. Methods. One hundred acrylic canals were obturated in 3 increments with MTA in sample sizes of 10. One group was obturated by hand with an endodontic plugger and the remainder obturated with indirect ultrasonic application, with times ranging from 2 seconds to 18 seconds per increment. Microhardness values, dye penetration depths, and radiographs of the samples were evaluated. Results. As ultrasonic application time per increment increased, microhardness values fell significantly (P < 0.001) while dye penetration values increased (P < 0.001). Microhardness of MTA ultrasonicated for 2 seconds was significantly higher than hand compaction (P = 0.03). Most radiographic voids were visible in the hand-compacted group (P < 0.001), which also had higher dye penetration depths than the 2-second ultrasonicated samples. Ultrasonication of MTA for 10–18 seconds resulted in significantly more voids than 2–8 seconds of ultrasonication (P = 0.02). Conclusion. The use of ultrasonics with MTA improved the compaction and flow of MTA, but excessive ultrasonication adversely affected MTA properties. A time of 2 seconds of ultrasonication per increment presented the best compromise between microhardness values, dye penetration depths, and lack of radiographic voids.

Introduction:Oral leiomyomas are rare, benign neoplasms of smooth muscle origin, presenting as a solitary, asymptomatic, nodular mass.Case Presentation: Here we present the case of a 54-year-old male with a lesion in the midline of his hard palate, which was diagnosed as a localized benign leiomyoma, along with a review of the recent literature.Discussion: Diagnosis of a leiomyoma must be based on the histopathological assessment of tissue as the clinical appearance is non-specific. The peak prevalence of head and neck leiomyoma is observed in the 4th and 5th decade of life with uncertain gender predilection. Histological features include interlacing fascicles of smooth muscle small cells with eosinophilic cytoplasm. Complete excision is usually curative and recurrence is rare.Conclusion: Due to their rare nature, it is important that cases of oral leiomyoma can be reported in the literature to improve our understanding of this entity.

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Aims Medication‐related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) is an uncommon but potentially debilitating condition, characterised by nonhealing jawbone, with or without mucosal exposure, in the presence of certain drugs. Those already strongly associated with MRONJ include antiresorptives denosumab and bisphosphonates; however, a growing range of other non‐antiresorptive drugs is implicated. The aim of this study was to analyse all case reports of MRONJ submitted to the publicly available Database of Adverse Event Notification from the Therapeutic Goods Administration in Australia. Methods The Therapeutic Goods Administration was contacted on 6 January 2020 and asked for all reports containing the words “osteonecrosis of the jaw”. This was provided in a spreadsheet of de‐identified reports received from commencement of the database in 1971 until 1 October 2019. Results The drugs implicated in the 419 cases were divided by established drugs with MRONJ and secondary drugs that possibly contribute to MRONJ development. While the majority of cases were associated with denosumab or bisphosphonates (n = 405), there were 14 reports where secondary agents that directly or indirectly affect bone turnover, were also implicated. Some of these secondary drugs, including adalimumab, etanercept, methotrexate and rituximab have previously been associated with MRONJ in published case reports. Conclusions This study contributes to the sparse but growing literature associating an increasing number of drugs with MRONJ, and underscores the importance of considering all possible drugs that elevate a patient's MRONJ risk.

Summary Temporomandibular disorders are common, especially in young to middle‐aged women, and most settle with supportive treatment. MRI is the accepted reference standard for the evaluation of the temporomandibular joint and is indicated when significant internal derangement is suspected, in those who do not respond to conservative management and when the diagnosis is no doubt. Multiple pathological processes involving the temporal bone, upper pharynx and neck can mimic temporomandibular disorder secondary to anatomical proximity and referred pain related to shared sensory innervation.