Oral Malodour / Foetor / Bad Breath / Halitosis

Halitosis is a common social condition that affects a considerable portion of the general population. The prevalence of halitosis is close to 50% in a few populations. Under few circumstances, this oral condition may cause embarrassment, depression and make relationships more difficult. Some studies have investigated whether the psychology of the patients might have some influence on the complaints about halitosis, or even on halitosis itself. In a study that included more than one thousand participants and self-reported halitosis, scientists have reported that poor oral hygiene and general anxiety are associated with halitosis.[1]

Halitosis is divided into intraoral, extraoral, pseudohalitosis and halitophobia. Intraoral halitosis, responsible for 85% of the cases of halitosis, is subdivided into physiologic (genuine) halitosis or pathologic halitosis. Extraoral halitosis occurs when malodor appears with no oral cause, as in the case of pulmonary causes. Both patients with pseudohalitosis and halitophobia present with complaints of halitosis, but without any diagnostic evidence of malodor.[1]

The most common cause of oral malodor is the poor oral hygiene. Due to poor oral hygiene, a large number of bacteria belonging to different species make their home in the mouth. They survive on the food particles entangled in between the teeth and as a by-product, produce different substances like Sulphides, Mercaptans and Amines in gas form. These gases are perceived as bad breath by other people.  

Basic Reason of Fear in a Four Years Old Child Who is Aggressive in Dental Office

The quality of dental treatment of a child depends on one's cooperation and repo with a dentist in the treatment room. How a dentist manages a child depending upon the understanding the child's behaviour pattern.  

There are certain guidelines that are useful in helping a child to show a positive & compliant behaviour while getting the dental treatment. These guidelines have been prepared from the findings and principles of behavioural dentistry, behavioural psychology, developmental psychology, and paediatric psychology. 

Can Alginate Be Used As Muco-Compressive Impression Material?

The alginate impression material cannot be used as muco-compressive material. This material does not have consistency enough to apply pressure on mucosa. Therefore, muco-compressive impressions cannot be taken by alginate.

The muco-compressive impression can only be taken by impression compound or heavy duty (putty) rubber base impression materials as they both have thick consistency.

What is best during placement of Crown?

A ceramic crown being placed over a tooth. The excess cement is protruding at margin [1].

The placement of crown is an important step in the longevity of the crown and the comfort of the patient. There are certain points that should be taken into consideration by a dentist during placement i.e. cementation.

The gingival margins should not be inflamed at the time of crown cementation. This may happen due to gingivoplasty or crown lengthening. For a common man, it means, the gum margins of the tooth receiving the artificial crown should not have redness, swelling or puffiness. If there is any, better to wait till it subsides.

The choice of cement/luting agent should be decided based on the type and material of the crown. The available materials are Zinc phosphate, Glass ionomer, Polycarbonate, Zinc silicophosphate, and resin luting agents. The anterior crowns need different cementing material than that of posterior crowns. The all ceramic crowns are best cemented by resin luting agents, but the use is limited to the cementation of anterior crowns. The reason is, after cementation, it becomes extremely difficult to remove set resin from the interproximal area of posterior teeth. Rest luting materials are brittle enough to break and remove, therefore, they can be used in all areas-anterior as well as posterior.

1. ADC Examination: Initial Assessment Process Explained

The ADC examination process along with initial assessment has been explained in this article. You can also watch the video for the same if you are unwilling to read the text.

The dentist who has got his or her bachelor dental degree from a non-Australian institution needs to pass the skill assessment test/examination conducted by the Australian Dental Council and register themselves in Dental Board of Australia to practice as a general dentist in Australia or to get a job in public or private sector.

The ADC test/examination is a screening examination to establish that dentists trained in dental schools which have not been formally reviewed and accredited by the ADC have the necessary knowledge and clinical competence to practice dentistry. 

Following are the steps, an overseas dentist needs to go through to qualify the ADC examination: