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For the treatment of head and neck cancers radiotherapy is frequently and successfully performed by medical specialists. However, a number of complications may occur following such therapy. Many of these complications are diagnosed and treated primarily by dental practitioners and specialists. Whilst some are easily managed, others, such as osteoradionecrosis of the jaw, may be very difficult to treat and have a significant impact on a patient's quality of life. The following report documents a case where several complications occurred following radiotherapy. Comprehensive dental assessment and treatment prior to, during and after radiotherapy may lead to a reduction of complications. Greater cooperation and understanding between medical and dental professionals is required during radiotherapy of head and neck cancer patients.

Purpose: To investigate the root and canal morphology of mandibular second molars, including anatomical variations, in a Black South African population using two classification systems. Methods: Cone-beam computed tomography images of 386 teeth were evaluated. The number of roots and canal configurations were categorized using the classifications of Vertucci (with modifications by Sert and Bayirli) and Ahmed et al. (including the modified Melton classification). Relationships between variables were assessed using Fisher’s exact test (P < 0.05). Results: Mandibular second molars were predominantly two-rooted (91.7%). The majority of teeth had three canals including Type IV mesial (41.2%) and Type I (75.1%) distal (Ahmed et al. configuration: ²MDM M² D¹). Three or more canals were present in almost one-fifth of mesial (n = 72/386, 18.6%) and a small number of distal (n = 21/386, 5.4%) roots. Males displayed additional canals more frequently in the distal root (P = 0.02). C-shaped anatomy was found in 5.7%. Among the C-shapes, the most common was Melton’s Type III in the coronal (50%), middle (81%) and apical (72%) thirds. Conclusion: In this population, mandibular second molar teeth exhibited diverse morphology, which would have clinical significance for endodontic practitioners. The Ahmed et al. classification provided a better description than the Vertucci classification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the root and canal morphology of maxillary second molars in a Black South African population using high‐resolution cone‐beam computed tomography. In total, 386 maxillary second molar teeth were evaluated and described according to the classifications of Vertucci (with the additions of Sert and Bayirli), as well as Ahmed et al. Root number, fusions and canal morphology were recorded. Relationships between morphology, sex and age were assessed using Fisher's exact test (p < 0.05). Maxillary second molars were predominantly three‐rooted (96.1%), with root fusion observed in 14%. No relationships between sex, age and canal morphology were found. Additional canals were observed in 67.4% of mesiobuccal roots. The Ahmed et al. classification provided a better overall description of the morphology. In this population, maxillary second molar teeth exhibited a diversity of root and canal morphology. Complex variations may render endodontic management more difficult and increase the possibility of missed anatomy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In developing countries, many diagnosed cases of ameloblastoma (AB) have a significant delay in receiving treatment because of patient factors and healthcare facility constraints. Objectives: The radiologic progression of ABs with delayed treatment was analysed using panoramic radiographs and cone-beam computed tomography imaging. Method: Histopathologically confirmed cases of AB with follow-up radiographs indicating no treatment were retrospectively reviewed over a study period of 10 years. Fifty-seven cases with 57 initial and 107 follow-up radiographs were included. Each follow-up radiograph was analysed for changes in borders, locularity, effects on surrounding structures and lesion size. Results: There was a general increase in poorly-demarcated lesions, with seven cases transforming from an initial unilocular to a multilocular appearance. At follow-up, there was an increase in cortical thinning and cortical destruction. Ameloblastomas presented with a three-fold increase in average size from the initial to follow-up visits. Regression analysis showed a statistically significant relationship between lesion duration and length (p = 0.001). A statistically significant relationship existed between duration and overall lesion dimensions when only the first and last observations per patient were used (p = 0.044). Conclusion: Considering the aggressive nature and unlimited growth potential, ABs with delayed treatment may show extensive growth, complicating their eventual management. Contribution: This study aimed to raise awareness of the importance of the timeous management of patients with AB by highlighting the detrimental effects of delayed treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: An investigation of the configurations of mandibular premolar roots and canals in a population of Black South Africans. Methods: Cone-beam computed tomography analysis of 772 mandibular premolars was performed, and the premolars were classified according to the systems proposed by Vertucci and Ahmed et al. Root number, canal morphology, age, and sex were recorded. Fisher's exact test was used to determine relationships based on age and sex (P < 0.05). Results: Single roots were seen in the majority of mandibular premolars (97.1%). Single canal configurations (i.e., Vertucci Type 1/Ahmed et al. 1MP1) were observed in 48.5% of first and 81.3% of second mandibular premolars. Mandibular first premolars demonstrated multiple canals in more than half of the sample (51.5%), and C-shaped morphology in more than one-tenth (11.1%). A relationship between sex and the presence of radicular grooves was demonstrated (P = 0.049), males being more likely to demonstrate this feature (P = 0.051). Multiple canals in mandibular first premolars also showed a relationship with sex (P = 0.005), a male predilection being evident (P = 0.007). The Ahmed et al. system proved superior to the Vertucci classification for reporting complex configurations and anatomical variations, although a greater number of unique categories were created. Conclusion: Diverse mandibular premolar root and canal morphology was observed in the studied population. Clinicians must be aware of common morphological features as well as possible anatomical variations in mandibular premolars, as failure to treat complete root canal systems may negatively impact endodontic treatment outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study investigated the root and canal morphology of the permanent anterior dentition in a Black South African population. Methods: In total 2,343 permanent anterior teeth were evaluated using cone-beam computed tomography images and described according to the Vertucci and Ahmed et al. classifications. Demographic information, root number and internal canal morphology were recorded. Age and sex associations were made using Fisher's exact test (P < 0.05). Results: All anterior teeth were single-rooted (100%). The most frequent configuration in maxillary anteriors was a single canal (Vertucci Type I/1MXA1). In mandibular anteriors, single canal configurations (Type I/1MDA1) predominated, however 36.6% of mandibular central and 33.9% of lateral incisors displayed two canals. Older subjects (>40 years) demonstrated single canals more than younger subjects (P = 0.0004). Females displayed variations more compared to males (P = 0.002). The two classifications were found to be comparable for evaluation of permanent anterior teeth. Complex configurations were better described using the newer system. Conclusion: The permanent anterior teeth of this population exhibited exclusively single roots and diverse internal characteristics. Clinicians should be aware of anatomical variations, particularly in mandibular incisors, as these may result in adverse endodontic outcomes if not taken into consideration by the treating practitioner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The aims of our study were to develop new maturity scores for dental age estimation in South African black children according to the Willems method, which was developed based on Belgian Caucasian (BC) reference data (Willems et al. J Forensic Sci 46(4):893–895, 2001), and to compare age prediction performance of both methods.Subjects and methods: A total of 986 panoramic radiographs of healthy South African black (SAB) children (493 males and 493 females) in the age range of 4.14 to 14.99 years (mean age 10.06 years) were selected for obtaining developmental staging scores (according to Demirjian et al. Hum Biol 45(2):211–227, 1973). Willems BC methodology was applied to develop new country-specific maturity scores (Willems SAB). Age prediction performance of Willems BC and Willems SAB was compared.Results: On average, Willems BC renders acceptable results with an overestimation of chronological age of 0.06 years (SD 0.88 years) in SAB children. Compared to Willems SAB, the overall mean absolute error was slightly higher with Willems BC (0.62 and 0.68 years, respectively), but this was not significant in males. Also, the root mean squared error was marginally higher in Willems BC.Conclusion: The new age prediction method developed in South African black children was found to be better compared to Willems BC, although the difference seems to be small and clinically not relevant, especially in males. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This survey of ixodid ticks was the first to compare the species composition and population dynamics of free-living ticks in intensive, sable antelope breeding enclosures, now commonplace in commercial wildlife ranching in South Africa, with those of multi-herbivore enclosures. The species composition, abundance and seasonal abundance of questing ixodid ticks on the vegetation in intensive breeding enclosures for sable antelope (Hippotragus niger), on which strategic tick control is practised, were compared with those of ticks in a multi-species herbivore enclosure surrounding the breeding enclosures in which no tick control is practised. A total of eight ixodid tick species were collected by drag-sampling the woodland and grassland habitats in each enclosure type monthly from July 2011 to July 2013. Rhipicephalus decoloratus, a potential vector of fatal tick-borne disease in sable antelopes, was the most abundant, accounting for 65.4% of the total number of ticks collected in the sable enclosures, whilst representing only 25.4% of number of ticks collected in the multi-species herbivore enclosure. Rhipicephalus decoloratus and R. evertsi evertsi were more abundant than R. appendiculatus (both p < 0.05) and Amblyomma hebraeum (p < 0.001 and p < 0.01, respectively). Rhipicephalus decoloratus larvae were collected throughout the year, with peak collections in November 2012 and October to December 2013 in the sable enclosures; and in April/May 2012 and February/April 2013 in the multi-species herbivore enclosure. More R. decoloratus were recovered in the second year than in the first year in the grassland habitat of the sable enclosures (V = 7.0, p < 0.05) possibly as a result of acaricide resistance. The apparent temporal over-abundance of R. decoloratus in sable antelope breeding enclosures, in the face of strategic tick control, is of concern and requires further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In developing countries, many diagnosed cases of ameloblastoma (AB) have a significant delay in receiving treatment because of patient factors and healthcare facility constraints., Objectives: The radiologic progression of ABs with delayed treatment was analysed using panoramic radiographs and cone-beam computed tomography imaging., Method: Histopathologically confirmed cases of AB with follow-up radiographs indicating no treatment were retrospectively reviewed over a study period of 10 years. Fifty-seven cases with 57 initial and 107 follow-up radiographs were included. Each follow-up radiograph was analysed for changes in borders, locularity, effects on surrounding structures and lesion size., Results: There was a general increase in poorly-demarcated lesions, with seven cases transforming from an initial unilocular to a multilocular appearance. At follow-up, there was an increase in cortical thinning and cortical destruction. Ameloblastomas presented with a three-fold increase in average size from the initial to follow-up visits. Regression analysis showed a statistically significant relationship between lesion duration and length ( p = 0.001). A statistically significant relationship existed between duration and overall lesion dimensions when only the first and last observations per patient were used ( p = 0.044)., Conclusion: Considering the aggressive nature and unlimited growth potential, ABs with delayed treatment may show extensive growth, complicating their eventual management., Contribution: This study aimed to raise awareness of the importance of the timeous management of patients with AB by highlighting the detrimental effects of delayed treatment., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no financial or personal relationships that may have inappropriately influenced them in writing this article., (© 2023. The Authors.)