Flyers Tooth Squeeze - Current Concepts and Future Needs - A Review

Abstract

BACKGROUND The flyers tooth or the tooth squeeze is the toothache during air travel, termed as Barodontalgia / Aerodontalgia by researchers. It was first identified as an in-flight physiologic and pathologic phenomenon at the start of the 20th century. With the introduction of the scuba in the 1940s, many in-flight manifestations caused by barometric variations were discovered to be synonymous with diving as well. Scuba diving is a type of underwater diving where the diver breathes underwater using equipment independent of the surface supply. It can be performed for fun or a living in various settings, including the scientific, army, and public security responsibilities. However, most commercial diving employs surface-supplied diving equipment wherever possible. Battle divers and assault swimmers are all terms for scuba divers who participate in clandestine military operations. Most cases of barodontalgia occur during ascent. The origin of the discomfort is also affected by the underlying pathology. In general, pain on the rise is associated with essential pulp disease, i.e., pulpitis and pain on descent with pulp necrosis. The pain subsides typically as the patient returns to the onset stage or the ground ambient level, although it can last longer if exacerbated by periapical infection. The Fédération dentaire internationale FDI advises that pilots, divers, and other professionals undergo yearly exams, as well as appropriate dental hygiene education from dentists, after a dental procedure that necessitates an anaesthetic or seven days after a dental procedure until travelling, teeth with pre-existing substantial restorations should have a cold-test examination or periapical radiographs taken to rule out occult pulp necrosis. It is appropriate to arrange outpatient dental appointments for a suitable period until the next scheduled flight. The possible treatment modalities vary from immediate relief to the control of infection and further subsequent treatment procedures. In recent years, the airline industry and scuba diving have grown in popularity, but little is known about the oral issues linked with high altitude. It is entirely the obligation of dental health experts to give the finest dental care to aviators as well as raise knowledge of the risks of dental treatments at higher altitudes. Dentists and flight crew members should both have appropriate awareness of barodontalgia and its role in its prevention. Particular attention should be given by the otolaryngologist and must be aware of the issues and hazards associated with scuba diving. KEY WORDS Aerodontalgia, Barodontalgia, Flyer's Tooth, Pulpitis; Scuba, Tooth Squeeze