CoROM cast. Wilderness, Austere, Remote and Resource-limited Medicine. 180-Wilderness and Expedition Dentistry with Burjor Langdana
Jan 30, 2026
Burjor Langdana, a wilderness and expedition dentist who teaches remote, austere dental care. He talks about assessing dental sensitivity by location and duration. He covers improvised techniques for pain relief and temporary fillings. He discusses when to use antibiotics, safe analgesia combinations, and working respectfully with local cultures.
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Floss Reveals Preexisting Hollow Teeth
- Food-driven lateral dentine decay weakens enamel so flossing can reveal pre-existing hollow tooth edges that then fracture.
- The fracture is due to undermined enamel from acids, not the floss itself.
Position And Dry Field For Emergency Fillings
- Position patient for direct vision: lower teeth parallel to floor, upper teeth with neck extended; have an assistant hold head for stability.
- Keep working field dry using cotton rolls on cheek or tongue side to reduce saliva.
Use Cavit Putty As Your Go To Temporary Filling
- Prefer premixed Cavit temporary putty for remote fillings because it's easy to pack and mechanically locks into the cavity.
- Tell patients it may last from a day to a month depending on how many tooth walls remain.