Case for Week #8


A 51 year old female presents to her general dentist with a chief complaint of a loose maxillary right second bicuspid and first molar. She first noticed it one month ago but it seems to have increased in severity. An extra oral exam reveals a slight swelling of the skin under the right eye. The patient attributes this to a recent bout with hayfever. Intra-oral examination is normal with the exception of slight mobility of the maxillary second bicuspid and maxillary first molar on the right side. A periapical radiograph reveals no periapical pathology and normal alveolar bone height. The pateint has amalgam restorations in both teeth but they appear to be in good repair. Pulp testing indicates that the teeth are vital but have a deceased response to stimuli. Appropriate treatment at this piont would be :

  1. Adjust the mobile teeth with a high speed handpiece to prevent hyperocclusion and mobility.
  2. Re-evaluate in 1 weeks time with a second series of pulp(vitality) testing.
  3. Refer to an Ear, Nose and throat physician for evaluation.
  4. Advise the patient the hayfever may have caused a sinus infection which should resolve.