Supplement with these to speed up periodontitis treatment

Incorporating a diode laser and erythritol air polishing as supplements to scaling and root planing (SRP) may offer an accelerated periodontal treatment method, according to a study recently published in BMC Oral Health. Furthermore, this treatment effectively reduces bacterial presence and improves periodontal health, the authors wrote. “The supplementary use of diode laser and erythritol air polishing, alongside SRP, represents an expedited periodontal treatment modality,” wrote the authors, led by

Clinical tip: The secret to predictable occlusion with the CEREC virtual articulator

Are you tired of spending precious chair time adjusting occlusions on your CEREC restorations? Do you find yourself second-guessing the accuracy of those blue occlusal contact points? If so, Dr. Dan Butterman’s latest “Weekly Bytes” video is a must-watch for CEREC users looking to enhance efficiency and precision in posterior restorations. In this eye-opening presentation, Dr. Butterman challenges common misconceptions about occlusal indicators in CEREC software. He reveals why those

Previewing a new clinical partnership in dentistry between DrBicuspid and CDOCS

At HuangshanDental.com, we are always looking for ways to expand our content and be of the greatest service to our readers. One thing that I have heard from many readers is that a boost to our clinical content would be extremely valuable as you prepare for the second half of the year. At the same time, our readers are busier than ever before, balancing the improvement of the dental practice

These patients may be at risk for tooth extraction-induced TMD

Certain types and positions of tooth extractions may put patients at risk for developing a temporomandibular disorder (TMD) after having a tooth pulled, according to a study recently published in Current Problems in Surgery. Patients’ treatment plans should be created based on their different manifestations and diagnoses, and extractions should be delayed and TMD should be treated first, when necessary, the authors wrote. “In the future, it is suggested that

CU Dental fixes famed rock ‘n’ roll photographer’s smile

Dan Fong, the legendary photographer who captured photos of famous rockers from the Rolling Stones, the Grateful Dead, and the Doobie Brothers, has recovered his smile with the help of the University of Colorado’s (CU) Anschutz School of Dental Medicine. Fong underwent significant dental care, including surgeries, and eventually received dentures as a patient at the dental school, according to university news published on July 15. The school restored his

Breast cancer drug may be linked to tooth loss

The amount of time that a patient uses the common breast cancer treatment medication tamoxifen may be associated with tooth loss, according to a study recently published in Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology and Oral Surgery. Additionally, tooth loss was greater in older patients and those who took tamoxifen but did not receive chemotherapy or radiotherapy, the authors wrote. “The average number of lost teeth is higher in patients who consume

Global incidence of caries in kids remains stable yet high

The global incidence rate of caries in permanent teeth among school-aged children remained stable at a high level from 1990 to 2019, according to research recently published in the Journal of the American Dental Association. However, an increasing trend was observed in nearly half of the sociodemographic index (SDI) or Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) regions and more than half of the world’s countries and

Molar hypomineralization linked to malnutrition in kids

There may be a link between thinness and molar-incisor hypomineralization (MIH) in school-age children, suggesting a need for interventions to prevent nutritional deficiencies among children. The study was published on July 12 in the International Journal of Dentistry. Furthermore, early diagnosis of MIH may lead to preventive, noninvasive treatments that improve the oral health of children who are underweight, the authors wrote. “The results obtained suggest that MIH is related

Pediatric PCP intervention boosts kids’ oral health

Pediatric primary care physicians (PCPs) who were trained to perform oral exams, discuss children’s oral health with parents, and provide referrals to dentists increased dental visits, according to a study published in JAMA Network Open. In addition to raising dental visits, the intervention reduced the incidence of untreated caries. Among preschool-age children from lower-income families, 17% have untreated caries in their baby teeth — a figure that is three times

Hydrogels being developed to improve healing during restorations

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine are developing hydrogels to study inflammation and ultimately enhance healing and tissue remodeling following dental restoration procedures. The research team has created a hydrogel matrix that mimics fibrosis to study white blood cell interactions with tissue. By understanding the feedback loop between fibrotic tissue and the immune system, they hope to develop treatments for head and neck cancer, according to

These kids are 3 times more likely to need extractions

Children living in disadvantaged areas may be three times more likely to experience severe tooth decay requiring hospital dental extraction compared to those living in more affluent areas, according to a study published on July 16 in BMJ Public Health. Furthermore, among school-age children in Northeast London (NEL), significant disparities exist in extractions under dental general anesthetic (DGA), primarily due to a lack of access to preventive care, the authors

OrthoPulse debuts in U.S., backed by new leadership

Biolux Technology announced the launch of OrthoPulse into the U.S. orthodontics market. Additionally, Michael Hendricks, the chief business officer of North America, will lead the endeavor, Biolux said. OrthoPulse uses low levels of light energy, photobiomodulation, to stimulate the bone surrounding the roots of teeth to help enable a faster and more comfortable orthodontic treatment, Biolux said.