Should asymptomatic 3rd molars be pulled? Maybe.

Many times, mandibular third molars may be extracted preventively due to impaction and crowding concerns, however, no real consensus exists among clinicians. The study was published in the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics. The variability in decisions may shine a light on the need for evidence-based clinical guidelines for extracting asymptomatic third molars, the authors wrote. “The significant variability in the prioritization of factors by orthodontists highlights the

An unusual treatment may reduce chronic TMD pain

A medication commonly prescribed to treat depression may help reduce spontaneous pain in patients with chronic temporomandibular disorders (TMDs), according to a new study published on March 4 in BMC Oral Health. After taking low-dose amitriptyline for two months, patients experienced less pain and improved quality of life, the authors wrote. “This study highlights low-dose amitriptyline as an effective treatment for chronic TMD,” wrote the authors, led by Ivan Brakus

Clinical tip: Alignment of teeth and attachment loss

This week’s clinical tip from CDOCS comes from Dr. Shalin Shah and focuses on the periodontal portion of dentistry. If you’re looking for other clinical tips from CDOCS, head to the search engine at HuangshanDental.com and search for “clinical tip.” We have more than 30 that can help level up your clinical skills. Video transcript “Hi. This is Shalin from CDOCS. Today’s tip of the day is about periodontal attachment

PTSD may be linked to TMD, awake bruxism

Patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may be more likely to develop temporomandibular disorder (TMD) and awake bruxism, according to a study recently published in the Journal of Dentistry. When assessing symptom severity, awake bruxism severity may be correlated with the number of PTSD symptoms, the authors wrote. “The results of our study suggest that screening for PTSD may be a worthwhile addition to pre-treatment assessments of patients presenting for

Aspen partners with GLO Science

Aspen Dental has partnered with GLO Science to offer its teeth-whitening solution, which is designed to be fast and effective. Using heat and light technology, GLO combines hydrogen peroxide with desensitizing agents. The LED system provides a whitening experience without the need for custom trays or long appointments, according to the company.

Nanoparticles may be key to treating root canal infections

Ferumoxytol, an iron oxide nanoparticle formulation, may effectively treat biofilm infections and improve root canal disinfection, according to researchers from the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine (Penn Dental). When combined with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), nanoparticles can effectively disrupt biofilms due to their small size and antimicrobial properties, according to a story from the university dated February 21. “This is the first study showing the clinical efficacy of a

Clinical tip: 3 things that make up a proper CEREC prep

For today’s clinical tip, the educators at CDOCS are focusing on CEREC and how you can get the most out of the technology in your practice. Learn more about CDOCS and their range of learning opportunities for dentists and dental team members. “Now I’ve taught CEREC workshops for many years and taught thousands of CEREC users, and I always go back to the same thing: Your prep is the most

The Pros and Cons of Digital Smile Design

In broad-strokes terms, Digital Smile Design (DSD) is the special treatment of your smile and teeth with special digital technology, which includes personalized treatment plans, improved communication, and better visualization techniques. DSD can also be more expensive than traditional dental treatments because it goes above and beyond other methods in giving you the perfect smile using the most advanced technology. Page Contents What is Digital Smile Design (DSD)? Pros

Light therapy may improve oral lichen planus

Low-level light therapy (LLLT) may be a more effective treatment for oral lichen planus (OLP) than topical corticosteroids, according to a review study recently published in the Journal of Evidence-Based Dental Practice. Furthermore, LLLT may successfully reduce pain, improve OLP lesion outcomes, and decrease relapse risk, the authors wrote. “These findings suggest that LLLT could be a superior treatment option for OLP,” wrote the authors, led by Chenghui Lu of

Clinical tip: Procedure details for guided bone profiling

In this week’s clinical tip, courtesy of CDOCS, Dr. Farhad Boltchi discusses guided bone profiling, something that may need to be done in your practice when a patient presents for dental implants. “Now bone profiling becomes necessary in a lot of cases where we place implants and the implants end up subcrestally. Usually, this is the case interproximally or on the lingual or palatal surfaces. “In order to ensure that

Aspen, Ivoclar partner on new denture

Aspen Dental and Ivoclar have launched the Signature Elite Denture. The Signature Elite Denture is designed to combine accessibility, precision, and innovation. It features Ivoclar’s SR Vivodent S DCL and SR Orthotyp S DCL teeth along with the heat-injected IvoBase system for a better fit and comfort, the companies said. It also includes Regal Protect, an antibacterial coating for added oral health benefits.

Clinical tip: How to dry a canal

Today’s clinical tip of the day, courtesy of CDOCS, comes from Alyssa, a dental assistant who works for Dr. Diwakar Kinra. If you’re looking to level up your clinical knowledge when it comes to canal spaces, the video below will be a great help. “Sometimes, when you’re drying the mesial, it helps to put a little bit of a bend in the paper point to get around that typical angulation.