The Periapex » Ameloblast

The End of the Experiment.

Ameloblast — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 16:42:00 +0000

I can’t remember exactly why I started this blog. I do remember thinking around that time that blogs seemed like self-indulgent, silly things.

I also vaguely remember thinking that a blog would be a good way for me to stay in touch with my writing–something that I’ve always enjoyed doing, but had less and less time for. It would give me a reason to write and an imaginary audience to write for. Over the past couple of years, the writing aspect hasn’t really developed as well as I had hoped but my soapbox sure has become quite worn down with my footprints.

Readership has really only grown because of Google’s pagerank and the random hits the blog receives through search. I have few dedicated readers. Facebook has increased my readership through their ability to link the blog to my facebook profile. Facebook has also been responsible for the demise of other blogs that I read. As long as one person reads the blog I’m happy.

I’m also happy that a good friend was found through the blogging process. Granted, they have trouble speaking English the proper way–they say brazier instead of bra–and they are hopelessly dedicated to beating me at Scrabulous. I’ve also made the acquaintance of a dental student down under who, although at times is angsty, is a cool person.

All things must come to an end, especially good things. Bad things seem to last forever…

The experiment that spawned this blog has come to an end.

I’ve come to feel increasingly limited by Blogger’s interface. Don’t get me wrong–Blogger is still my current preference for an easy to use blogging system but there’s stuff that I need done differently that Blogger can’t accommodate. Despite that I’m indebted to Blogger and the staff that run the system for the help they’ve provided me in the past.

I have too much to say, however, to stop blogging.

I’m currently working with my tech guy (my brother) to migrate to a hosted blog system (the host will be his corporate site). I just have to decide between either MovableType or WordPress as the blogging platform. Once I get that all worked out, I’ll start blogging again at a different URL. I’ll let you know when and where.

The new blog will be a work in progress for a while, just as this one was. But the point is that blogging is no longer an experiment for me. Two years later, it has become a part of our lives here in Cowland. It is a productive waste of time that feels therapeutic. It is also the diary/journal that I started on paper in the mid 90′s and ended up aborting at the end of that decade.

I am, therefore I blog.

I’m Not a Hunter.

Ameloblast — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 16:57:00 +0000

We’ve been leaving food out for the deer around our place, but with all the rain and snow, the bucket that the food is in has been collecting water. Thanks to a suggestion from ReceptionChick, we ended up getting one of these:
We spent an extra $10 to get the “quiet” model because I thought it would be less scary for the deer when it activates. As I read the instructions while putting the system together I realised that the “quiet” model is quiet so that when you’re out hunting deer and you hang the feeder up, other hunters won’t hear it when it activates.

We don’t hunt deer.

And nobody else hunts on our property.

Oh well.

Case of the Week.

Ameloblast — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 20:29:00 +0000

Nothing earth-shattering here, but this case is another example of how canals can exit roots short of the radiographic apex (RA). For this case, the working lengths were consistently electronically verified. You can even see that the canal appears to stop short of the RA.

My thoughts are that the root actually ends where the canal does and there’s either radiographic artifact or some bony trabeculation that makes it appear longer.

Weekend Update.

Ameloblast — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 15:14:00 +0000

This past weekend saw lots of snow dump on us. I spent a fairly quiet time at home tidying things up in preparation for us going away to St. Lucia on Friday.

Some minor calamities that resulted in physical injury did befall me however:

As I was making some bird toys out of PVC tubing, the hand saw that I was using jumped off the tubing and landed on my thumb, cutting open the tip.
Sundance bit me on my right index finger through the skin on Friday.
Tango bit me on my left index finger through skin on Saturday.
I steamed some rice in the microwave and got a burn that stung for a few hours on my left hand when I opened the cover and the steam came out.
I stubbed a toe on the base of a ladder. It is now bruised and swollen and I’m limping.
I broke a compact fluorescent bulb a couple of feet away from me. It contains mercury vapour.
With the snowblower, I ran over our delivered newspaper that was buried under snow at the base of the driveway. I tried to use a plastic poker/scoop to get the paper out but had resort to doing it by hand. I forgot I’d left the scoop on the driveway, then ran that over too once I got the snowblower running again. I had to remove one of the auger blades to get the tool out, then I cut my left hand in the process.

So The Girl once again reminded me of why I’m not allowed to use the chainsaw or get up on the roof when she isn’t home. She almost sent me to work with a helmet and mittens today.

Not sure why, but patients seem a little nervous today when I tell them the story…

Odd Thomas.

Ameloblast — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 00:20:00 +0000

I thought I’d try another Koontz book to see if he’s managed to change his style at all.

I found this book fairly typical of his contemporary work: somewhat 2D, almost cartoonish characters. Granted, there’s no Man, Dog, Woman theme like his older books (eg. Watchers–which was one of the first books of his that I read; and really enjoyed).

Although I found the book a little stale in parts, it’s intelligent and ties up nicely.

Blog Addiction.

Ameloblast — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 21:46:00 +0000

Thanks to Rudy for the link:

57%How Addicted to Blogging Are You?

Merry Christmas from Antlerman.

Ameloblast — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 21:09:00 +0000

Our building superintendent here in Workland is a really nice guy.

But…

He drives around with antlers attached to the top of his van.

He has decorated them (and his van) for Christmas.

Ice Breakers: Dog Breeders

Ameloblast — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 16:31:00 +0000

Thanks to Chris again:

“…express an interest in learning about that particular breed; cater to the ego and ask how long they’ve been breeding/exhibiting – in dogs longevity is a source of pride. Ask a breeder how they choose prospective mates or how they choose which pup to keep.

I’d stay away from the usual….how do you walk that many dogs; or how do you deal with mealtimes; or do you win any money at dog shows (the answer is no haha); or how much do you sell your puppies for.“

“Expert” Opinion.

Ameloblast — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 23:23:00 +0000

An hour later and this is what I ended up with. I usually don’t charge for lawyer letters, but this one took me away from Heroes so I think I’ll send the lawyer a bill.

As I wrote this I was thinking that the exam candidates could probably quote literature like crazy back at me with respect to dental trauma while here I am slowly forgetting even the classic Andreasen stuff. Oh well, such is life in the fast lane.

Dear Mr. Lawyer,

Thank you for your inquiries regarding XXX (your file No. XXX).

Dental trauma generally leaves involved teeth with a guarded long-term prognosis. This is especially true in luxation injuries (injuries where the tooth is physically displaced in one direction or another and requires repositioning). Delayed sequela of trauma such as internal or external resorption (reduction of root structure), root canal infection, or ankylosis (loss of the tooth’s physiologic attachment apparatus to the jawbone) can become obvious and problematic many years later.

XXX’s tooth 12 currently appears to be in a stable situation and does not demonstrate obvious signs or symptoms associated with infection. This is subsequent to trauma that occurred over three years ago. My testing, however, does provide some evidence consistent with a necrotic (dead) pulp (nerve) within the tooth.

Endodontic (root canal) treatment of a tooth with a necrotic pulp is not essential as a therapeutic measure. Should the pulp become infected, however, endodontic treatment then becomes necessary. The period of time between pulpal necrosis and infection varies from case to case. Generally, the easier it is for bacteria to penetrate into the canal space of the tooth, the faster necrosis will convert to infection.

Because tooth 12 is intact, has no decay, and no pre-existing fillings, the chance of infection developing within the near future is slim. The elective option of pursuing root canal treatment of this tooth for prevention of future potential infection does have some risk associated with it and could actually potentiate other issues with the tooth. I am of the opinion that the tooth should be monitored for problems (through the usual dental recall visits) and any future problems be addressed as needed.

The root canal space within this tooth has become significantly restricted. This is a reactive response of the pulp to the injury before it died off. The more restricted the canal space is, the more complicated root canal therapy becomes and the greater risk of irreparable damage to the tooth whilst searching for an opening into the canal.

At this point the best indicator of retentive potential of the tooth is the external resorption that I observe radiographically. The tip of the root is shorter and more blunted than it should be. This occurred as part of the biologic repair process in the area subsequent to the accident. I have no historic radiographs to compare current ones to, so I am working under the assumption that the resorptive process is currently arrested. If this is not the case and the resorption is in fact progressive, the tooth will be lost once the root is completely resorbed. This is the other reason the tooth needs to be monitored for some time longer at regular recall intervals.

Should this tooth be lost, an osseointegrated dental implant would be the ideal way to replace it. Permanent tooth replacement is best done once jaw growth is complete (generally between 18 and 21 years). Because my expertise lies within the bounds of retaining this tooth, replacement options, costs, and timeline are best discussed with the dentist who would actually perform the replacement procedures.

I hope this information is of value to you. Should you wish to further discuss this case, please feel free to email me at XXX.

Sincerely,

Ameloblast

Is Nothing Up?

Ameloblast — Tue, 13 Nov 2007 21:35:00 +0000

Hmm. A blank window to post in—and nothing to post. Nothing interesting anyway.

Am I too busy, not busy enough, was life more interesting a few months ago when I was posting like mad to the blog?
It’s a combination of all of the above, but most importantly, it’s because of Facebook.

I’ve recognised my problem, admitted it, now I have to change. I’ll waste less time on Facebook, and waste more time posting to the blog. Now I only have to find things to post about…

I’ll think about that once I finish this dento-legal letter to a lawyer asking for a translation to lay terms of a case about a boy who suffered an intrusive luxation injury a few years ago and presented to me for exam a couple of months ago. The lawyer needs to know what the terms ankylosis, calcific canal obliteration, and apical external resorption mean.