Molar Incisor Hypomineralization (MIH) is a wide range of amelogenesis disorder, including white spot, discoloration, and enamel defects. Causative agents are still unclear, and in Japan, the prevalence and distribution have not been investigated. To clarify the prevalence and severity of MIH among Japanese children, an epidemiological study was conducted in schoolchild population. The clinical examination of MIH was performed in 2121 Japanese schoolchildren. The prevalence of MIH was 11.9%. Only slight opacity or discolored region was observed in 76.6% of children with MIH. However, 49 children (23.4%) had a wide range of affected tooth surfaces or enamel defects and classified as severe MIH. Several studies reported that the prevalence of MIH was between 2.8% and 24.9%, and varied widely depending on countries and the criteria of MIH. Because in some MIH cases, even mildly affected surfaces sometimes cause the destruction of enamel, it is necessary that long-term observation and treatment are performed by skillful practitioners of pediatric dentistry.

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This retrospective study was conducted to identify causes of new dental caries formation in young patients during the maintenance period, based on the clinical data at a private dental clinic. The study population (n=68) was selected based on the following criteria: between 10-20 years old (as of Dec. 19, 2013); and visited at least once on or after January 1; at least 6 years a caries risk test at the time of first visit. 68 patients were then divided into two groups by DMFT—increased or not increased; these two groups were further compared on different risk factors. As a result, “not visited for maintenance every year” and “plaque index 3 and higher at the time of the initial visit” showed significant correlation to increase of DMFT. This study shows importance of regular check-ups.

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Background: The rate of consultation for regular check-ups is considerably low, compared to other developed countries. This pilot study, by analysing the background of long-term maintenance patients, aims to elucidate the relationship between patients and dental clinics and to bring out a pointer to boost the number of long-term recall patients. Method: 10 patients who have been regularly visiting private dental clinics for regular check-ups were interviewed. The video of interviews was transcribed and the texts were qualitatively analysed based on Steps for Coding and Theorization (SCAT). Result / Discussion: The mean age of patients was 63.6 years old, and the mean duration of regular check-up visits to the clinics they were going was 10.5 years. Most of the patients were highly interested in their general health, balanced diet, and adequate exercise. More than half of the patients personally knew someone who had been sick, and this was posibly reinforcing their awareness of their own health. Overall, the result of analysis shows that patients who regularly visit a dental clinic for check-ups are aware of importance of self-care. This suggests that boosting the number of self-care minded patients—i.e. promotion of self oral care may lead to a rise of the check-up consultation rates.

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A 48 year old female patient first came to the clinic with a chief complaint of gum inflammation. At the initial visit antibiotics was administered to control the acute inflammation and occlusion was adjusted to alleviate the pressure on gingiva. Scaling and root planing helped recover the most severely resorbed alveolar bone around maxillary premolars and mandibular anterior teeth. The right mandibular third molar was autotransplanted in the molar region on the same side, and in conjunction with a bridge occlusion was re-established. Prosthetic treatment was performed to improve aesthetic challenges due to gingival recession caused by periodontal treatment of advanced resorption in the maxillary anterior areas. The patient's commitment to the supportive periodontal therapy also helped acquiring an agreeable result.

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This report is to present a clinical case of pulp preservation with atraumatic indirect pulp capping (AIPC) after exacerbation of caries and cavities due to repeated cessations of treatment. A 12 year old female patient initially visited our clinic with a chief complain concerning “a hole in the back tooth”. Although DMFT amounted to 14 and the overall oral condition was poorly maintained and early caries lesions and cavities were found, the patient complained of no spontaneous pain, so only oral photographs and x-rays were taken at the initial visit. At the second visit the patient was given tooth brush and dietary instructions, but she then repeatedly cancelled the following appointments. The patient finally revisited 8 months later with spontaneous pain; the cavity in upper right 5 was quite advanced, and pulp extirpation was unavoidable. Again she cancelled the appoints for a check-up and maintenance and came back with spontaneous pain in the back of right mandible 1 year and 3 months later; I applied AIPC to the deep cavity in lower right 7 with carboxylate cement and glass ionomer cement. It took her another 8 months to come back for a check-up, but further progress of the cavity in lower right 7 was not seen and pulp extirpation was avoided.

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The 31 year-old female patient initially visited Chigusa Dental Office (CDO) with a chief complaint of cosmetic defect of gingiva in the maxillary anterior region after periodontal treatment at another dental clinic. In CDO, basic periodontal treatment was performed and plaque control and tooth brush instructions were given. 7 months after the initial visit, there was improvement in morphology of gingiva, and it has been in shape—satisfactory for the patient—till today. The patient started smoking at age of 13, but stopped smoking during the basic periodontal treatment and has not smoked since. Cessation of smoking greatly ameliorated the post operative recovery. Recovery of the alveolar is not apparent in x-rays, so cosmetic recovery was achieved by attachment of epithelial tissues; hence, careful follow-up and plaque control need to be continued.

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Outline of the case: A 60 year old female patient first initially visited Hashish Dental Clinic. The oral condition of the patient, with apparent labioclination, indicated severe chronic periodontal disease. Basic periodontal treatment was effective in improving the oral health, so the treatment was shifted to supportive periodontal therapy. During the follow-up period, the patient was diagnosed as Grave's disease by an internist; we have since continued the follow-up care, taking the general disease into consideration. This is a clinical report of a 6 year follow-up case.

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This is to present artifice in taking dental x-ray of molar regions by parallel technique, acquired after many trials and errors. There are many support tools for taking x-rays, I deemed X-ray film holder (Premium Plus Japan Co., Ltd) practical for its applicability to mouths regardless of the morphology of palate. It is simply designed, so placement and adjustment of the angle of the tube requires some artifices.

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This report aims to review a mirrorless camera as for a device for standardised intra-oral photography. Against an LSR camera currently used for the same purpose, the mirrorless camera proved advantageous with respect to portability. There still remain some challenges such as low resolution of the viewer and operability for it to launch a bid to a device of choice for standardised intra-oral photography. Nonetheless, considering the advancement of technology, the mirrorless appear as a promising near-future candidate for the device in clinical context.

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The purpose of this survey is to investigate a trend of new patients at dental clinics. Subjects were collected in anonymized digital data format from JHCDA member clinics which keep the record of new patients’ oral conditions. For children and minors, a DMFT score is kept and for adults, a DMFT score, a number of residual teeth, conditions of periodontia and smoking background are inspected. This 6th report is based on data of 9,421 patients collected at 39 clinics, all new patients from January 1st – December 31st 2010 and 11,256 new patients collected at 33 clinics across the country (18 prefectures) all new patients from January 1st – December 31st 2011. As a result, in the past seven years (2005 - 2011), for 12 year-old boys DMFT changed from 2.30 to 1.69 and for girls DMFT changed from 2.32 to 1.56, for 18 year-old boys DMFT changed from 6.71 to 5.57, and for girls DMFT changed from 9.57 to 7.63, a number of adult residual teeth except for 60 to 64 males it increased slightly from 21.7 to 22.5, females increased from 22.7 to 23.1. This 7 year long investigation on new patients covers the same period as THE SURVEY OF DENTAL DISEASES in Japan, but a different trends were seen in some areas.

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