Reprocessing of dental instruments in washer-disinfectors: does a representative test soil exist in dentistry?

Background: Reprocessing of medical devices, being classified as semi-critical B is recommended to be performed in a washer-disinfector. In order to estimate, whether the expected contaminants of the various medical disciplines can be effectively removed by this washer-disinfector, different so called “test soils” have been proposed to be tested as a marker of cleaning efficacy of the disinfector. Todays described test soils are optimised for the testing of contaminations occurring in surgical procedures, but not for dental procedures

Testing for aerobic heterotrophic bacteria allows no prediction of contamination with potentially pathogenic bacteria in the output water of dental chair units

Background: Currently, to our knowledge, quality of output water of dental chair units is not covered by specific regulations in the European Union, and national recommendations are heterogeneous. In Germany, water used in dental chair units must follow drinking water quality. In the United States of America, testing for aerobic heterotrophic bacteria is recommended. The present study was performed to evaluate whether the counts of aerobic heterotrophic bacteria correlate with the presence of potentially pathogenic bacteria such as Legionella spp. or Pseudomonas aeruginosa

The Journal of Dentists / Detection of Degenerative Changes in the Articular Disc of the Temporomandibular Joint Using Delayed Gadolinium- Enhanced MRI at 3 Tesla : A Case Report

The delayed Gadolinium-Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Cartilage (dGEMRIC) is a useful tool for the evaluation of a repair tissue status after cartilage transplantation. A previous study showed the feasibility of dGEMRIC at 3 Tesla in TMJ. This case report describes the application of dGEMRIC to a TMD patient. A 27 years old female patient reported TMJ (VAS 87) with increasing intensity. The examination according to RDC/TMD showed myofacial pain (group I) and arthralgia of the right and left joint (IIIa). The graded chronical pain score showed grade III. The conventional MRI showed no sign of discus dislocation. T2 mapping showed a significant signal in homogeneity in both disci, as well as an increased amount of fluid in both compartments and a flattened disc in the lateral area. The application of dGEMRIC with patients suffering from temporomandibular disorders could be very well suited for early detection of onset pathological change in fibrocartilage.(VLID)473205

Magnetic resonance imaging of temporomandibular joint with anterior disk dislocation without reposition - long-term results

Objectives Anterior disk dislocation (ADD) without reposition in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) may be associated with morphological changes in the retrodiscal region of the bilaminar zone presenting as pseudo-disk (PD). The present study was initiated to investigate the development of retrodiscal fibrosis in a period of 48 years and to assess if patients with a PD show differences in the clinical and radiologic findings versus patients without a PD. Materials and Methods In a retrospective follow-up study of 33 consecutive patients with ADD without reposition in one or both TMJs, a clinical and MRI-supported evaluation was conducted 4 to 8 years after baseline diagnosis. Results In 45 % of the TMJs with ADD without reposition, a PD could be identified. Twenty-one of 31 patients who showed pain at the baseline examination (VAS mean 56 38) were pain free. The mouth opening capacity (MO) of the mandible could be increased in 80 %. There were no statistical significant differences between patients with or without PD in these clinical features. The MRI parameters effusion and translation showed a statistical tendency for more improvement in the group with PD (p = 0.061, 0.064). Conclusion In about half of the patients, a structure corresponding to a pseudo-disk developed during follow-up. Pain and the mouth opening capacity improved in all patients independent of the development of a PD. Clinical Relevance Detection of a PD during follow-up of patients with ADD without spontaneous reposition does neither predict favorable nor worse therapy response and clinical course.(VLID)349719