Glitter Dental clinic

08/10/2026

TMJ Dislocation Reduction: Why the Jaw Must Move Down Before It Moves Back

An anterior temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dislocation occurs when the mandibular condyle moves in front of the articular eminence and becomes locked outside the mandibular fossa. Patients typically present with an inability to close the mouth, preauricular pain, drooling, difficulty speaking, and a characteristic open-mouth posture.

The classic reduction maneuver is based on anatomy. Downward pressure is applied over the lower molars or retromolar region while the fingers lift the chin and support the mandible externally. This first depresses the posterior mandible, allowing the condyle to clear the articular eminence. Once disengaged, the mandible can be guided posteriorly and superiorly back into its normal position.

🦷Clinical Pearls for Dental Students

• Anterior dislocation is the most common TMJ dislocation.

• Common triggers include yawning, laughing, vomiting, seizures, intubation, and prolonged dental procedures requiring excessive mouth opening.

• The lateral pterygoid contributes to anterior displacement, while spasm of the masseter, temporalis, and medial pterygoid helps maintain the locked position.

• In traumatic cases, mandibular fracture should be excluded before attempting reduction.

• Thumbs should be wrapped in gauze and positioned along the external oblique ridge, since the jaw may close suddenly after successful reduction.

• Posterior force before the condyle clears the articular eminence risks injury and failed reduction.

• Reduction should be performed by appropriately trained healthcare professionals.

🦷After Reduction

Patients are commonly advised to follow a soft diet, avoid excessive mouth opening, support the chin during yawning, and limit extreme mandibular movements for 2–6 weeks to reduce recurrence risk.

Understanding the relationship between the condyle, articular eminence, and surrounding musculature explains why successful reduction follows a downward → backward → upward pathway rather than simply pushing the mandible backward.

08/10/2026

Branches of Maxillary Artery

08/10/2026

A Missing Tooth Can Quietly Change the Entire Bite

A missing tooth does not simply leave an empty space.

Over time, neighboring teeth can begin to drift into the gap, while the opposing tooth may slowly move out of position because it no longer has a tooth to bite against. This natural movement can gradually change the way the teeth fit together.

As teeth shift, chewing efficiency may decrease and certain areas can become more difficult to clean. Food debris and plaque may accumulate more easily, increasing the risk of tooth decay and gum disease around the affected teeth.

Missing teeth can also contribute to gradual jawbone loss in the area where the tooth was lost, since the bone no longer receives normal stimulation from chewing forces.

Replacing a missing tooth early can help maintain proper tooth alignment, preserve normal function, support jawbone health, and reduce the need for more complex treatment in the future.

The longer a missing tooth remains untreated, the greater the chance that surrounding teeth will continue to move.

08/10/2026

10 Crown Materials – Make and When to Choose

08/10/2026

Single distal canal or two?
The pulp chamber outline can give you important clues about the distal canal anatomy in mandibular molars.
Learn to identify the differences and avoid missing an additional canal!
Save this for your next endodontic case!

02/10/2026

ANAESTHESIA MAP — know the target before you pick up the syringe. 🦷💉

The easiest way to remember dental LA is not by memorising isolated injections — it is to connect:

entry point → needle direction → nerve targeted → area anaesthetised

MAXILLA

PSA → maxillary molars, usually sparing the MB root of the 1st molar

MSA → premolars + often MB root of 1st molar

Infraorbital / ASA → incisors, canine, premolars ± MB root of 1st molar + upper lip, lateral nose, lower eyelid

Greater palatine → posterior hard palate on the same side

Nasopalatine → anterior hard palate bilaterally

MANDIBLE

IAN block → mandibular teeth to the midline; lingual nerve is usually anaesthetised during the same block

Long buccal → buccal gingiva/mucosa of mandibular molars only

Mental block → lower lip, chin and anterior buccal soft tissues — no pulpal anaesthesia

Incisive block → anterior mandibular pulps; lingual tissues are not anaesthetised

📌 Clinical pearls

Conventional IANB should be visualised from the contralateral premolar region across the mouth.

Infraorbital block is commonly approached from the premolar region toward the infraorbital foramen.

Mental and incisive blocks use the same region, but the incisive block requires pressure over the mental foramen to encourage solution inward.

Long buccal block is the reminder that IANB does not cover everything in the molar region.

Save both maps — one for maxilla, one for mandible. 🦷📌

02/10/2026

of Dental Fillings

Composite resin, amalgam, porcelain (ceramic), and gold fillings each differ in appearance, durability, cost, and clinical use. The right dental filling depends on the tooth, cavity size, location, and individual treatment needs.

02/10/2026

02/10/2026

defined_dentistry Still confused about which medication to choose in periodontics? 🦷💊
Not every periodontal case needs an antibiotic—and choosing one randomly isn’t evidence-based.
In this series, we break down the commonly discussed medications one by one:
💗 Augmentin — when it may be considered
💚 Metronidazole — the anaerobe specialist
💙 Azithromycin — where it fits clinically
💛 Doxycycline — why it’s more than an antibiotic + its host-modulatory role
✨ What you’ll learn:
• Indications & clinical situations
• Mechanism of action
• Common regimens
• Microbial targets
• Hidden clinical pearls
• Limitations & precautions
Remember: systemic antibiotics are adjuncts, not substitutes for periodontal debridement/SRP and good oral hygiene. Their use should be selective and patient-specific.

02/10/2026

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