Radicular cysts originating from primary teeth are considered rare. The study analyzed 49 primary molars with radiolucent lesions ranging from 4-15 mm in diameter. 73.5% of the lesions were diagnosed as radicular cysts, and 26.5% as granulomas. The lesions were more frequent in the mandible. All lesions were associated with severely decayed teeth and only 4 had previous pulp therapy. The present study and the survey of the literature suggest that radicular cysts associated with primary teeth are not rare.

Objective. The purpose of this study was to analyze the absorption of metal ions released from stainless steel crowns by root surface of primary molars. Study Design. Laboratory research: The study included 34 primary molars, exfoliated or extracted during routine dental treatment. 17 molars were covered with stainless-steel crowns for more than two years and compared to 17 intact primary molars. Chemical content of the mesial or distal root surface, 1 mm apically to the crown or the cemento-enamel junction (CEJ), was analyzed. An energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS) was used for chemical analysis. Results. Higher amounts of nickel, chromium, and iron (5-6 times) were found in the cementum of molars covered with stainless-steel crowns compared to intact molars. The differences between groups were highly significant (P < .001). Significance. Stainless-steel crowns release nickel, chromium, and iron in oral environment, and the ions are absorbed by the primary molars roots. The additional burden of allergenic metals should be reduced if possible.

Facial dysmorphology is considered to be a major diagnostic feature in patients with Williams syndrome (WS). The dysmorphology is composed of soft tissue and skeletal components. In this study the skeletal component of the facial dysmorphology was examined by analyzing the lateral cephalometric radiographs of 8 children with WS. Seven anatomic areas were judged by means of the analysis of 48 cephalometric variables. Four skeletal features contributed to the facial appearance of children with WS: (1) the anterior cranial base was short, although the cranial base angle (N-S-Ba) was normal; (2) the angle of the mandibular plane was steep, although total facial height was normal; (3) despite the normal facial height, there was an unusual proportion of upper to lower anterior facial height and posterior to anterior facial height; and (4) the chin button (pogonion to N-B line) was deficient, although the mandible could not be classified as retrognathic. The common skeletal components were not dominant enough to characterize the facial dysmorphology completely.

Calcium hydroxide (CH) is used to induce apexification in immature, pulpless teeth with wide root canals and flaring apices. Three placement methods of CH were compared in vitro, for their ability to enhance CH retention in the canal. Barium sulfate (BS), added as radiopacifier, was studied for its effects on the radiographic follow up of CH retention, as well as on the ability to detect voids in the CH. Calcium hydroxide filled teeth were kept in phosphate buffered saline-containing tubes in a shaker water bath. Radiographs were taken weekly to follow the retention or loss of the material; they were scanned and stored as digitized images. Quantitative evaluations were done on these images, using a computerized gray scale. Condensed CH was better retained in root canals than either lentulo-placed paste or commercial injected paste. Barium sulfate in the CH paste enabled better detection of voids in the paste filling the canal, however, it obscured the disappearance of CH from the canal, due to a residual radiopacity effect. The results supported (a) condensation of calcium hydroxide as a preferred method that improves its retention in wide root canals, and (b) discontinuing the use of barium sulfate as a radiopacifier in apexification procedures.

Orodental self-mutilation (ODSM) has not gained sufficient recognition in familial dysautonomia (FD). Among 38 patients with FD, ODSM was found in 14 (36.8%). ODSM may be due to peripheral neuropathy with insensibility to pain, which is characteristic of FD. Elimination of the sharp edges of teeth was found to be helpful.