INCIDENTS OF PRACTICE R o e n tg e n o g r a p h ic D ia g n o sis By
M ilto n
B.
A s b e ll,
D.D.S., Camden,
N. J.
genographic diagnosis saved the tooth in question. 632 Federal Street.
History.— D. E., a woman, aged 25, com plained of pain on the right side of the face and toothache in the right molar region. The pain occurred only when anything hot or cold touched the site and intermittently during the night. Exam ination.— Clinically, there appeared to be large amalgam fillings in the lower right first and second permanent molars, and on the distal aspect of the second, showing extensive caries. Roentgenographic examina tion revealed extensive caries of the second
History.— A white boy, aged 16, came to my office in September 1939 because he had been kicked in the mouth while playing foot ball. Examination.— Examination of the mouth revealed fractured crowns on both upper cen tral incisors. The teeth of both arches were crowded, the two lower second bicuspids be ing in lingual version and impacted between
molar (with no apical disease). Between the roots of the first molar was a radiolucent area clearly outlined, conforming to the space between the apices and even extending below the apex of the distal root. Although there was caries beneath the distal portion of the amalgam filling, it did not seem deep enough to suggest apical disease. Diagnosis and Treatm ent.— Since excava tion of the cavity in the second molar proved unwise, the tooth was extracted under local anesthesia. On examining the roentgenogram, Harold Goldstein, of the Department of Oral Diagnosis, University of Maryland Dental School, expressed the opinion that the ques tionable radiolucent area between the apices of the first molar was an enlarged medullary space. Upon his suggestion, the tooth was re stored by a new amalgam filling. For the past six months, there has been no recurrence of pain. This is a case in which a careful roent-
the first bicuspids and the first molars. Caries was extensive throughout the mouth. Roentgenograms revealed the presence of two supernumerary teeth lying in the palatal bones of the maxilla just posterior to the central incisors. Strabismus was present with constant blinking of the eyes. For years, the patient had suffered from constant headache. A number of specialists had been consulted but without any apparent success in straightening the eyes. Because the upper central incisors did not respond to a pulp test, it was decided to re move them and to remove the supernumerary impacted teeth also. Operation.— An operation was performed under local anesthesia and the supernumerary teeth were removed through a flap made on the palate. At the same time, the two central incisors were extracted. Postoperative healing was uneventful. Outcom e. — Three weeks after the opera
Jour. A.D.A.j Vol. 27, September 1940
Strabism u s o f D e n t a l S o u rce By
M ey e r C ohen,
Kenosha, Wis.
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