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.

Caries history may nudge parents to accept fluoride for kids

Parents of children with a history of untreated cavities may be more likely to accept fluoride treatment for their children. The study was published in the Journal of the American Dental Association. Therefore, dental professionals should assess and communicate a child’s risk of cavities before recommending topical fluoride treatment, the authors wrote. “Parents of children with a history of caries are less likely to refuse topical fluoride treatment, which suggests

Clinical tip: Ditch the flipper and wow your patients with a one-wing Maryland bridge

For clinicians restoring anterior implants, finding an ideal temporary solution can be challenging. Traditional options like flippers, Essix retainers, or stay plates often disappoint patients with compromised aesthetics, stability, comfort, and burdensome oral hygiene maintenance. What if there were a way to provide your patients with a permanent-looking bonded provisional that looks, feels, and functions just like the final prosthetic? In the latest “Weekly Bytes” video from Dr. Dan Butterman,

Is this the easy way to get patients to improve gum health?

Personalized instructional videos plus using antigingivitis toothpaste and an interdental brush may improve gum health better than using that same toothpaste and following standard oral hygiene advice. The study was published in the Journal of Dentistry. Videos with tailored oral hygiene advice (OHA) enhance adherence to oral hygiene (OH) practices and offer visual cues and the option of replaying the advice, which may lead to better comprehension and reinforcement, the

Severe tooth pain leads to rare cancer discovery

What began as “extreme pain” for Brian Hooks eventually turned into a head-shaking and life-changing discovery. Hooks, a veteran of the U.S. Army, went to his local dentist trying to figure out what was causing the pain. After multiple visits to his dentist as well as an endodontist, oral surgeon, and ear, nose and throat specialist, the pain was still there. “I’ve been grinding my teeth since I was a

The real cause of jaw pain imitating TMD revealed

A man was diagnosed and treated for a rare infection that caused a mass in the lateral pterygoid muscle after temporomandibular disorder (TMD) treatment failed to ease his persistent jaw pain. The case report was published in the Cureus Journal of Medical Science. Ultimately, the man was diagnosed with cysticercosis, an infection caused by the larval stage of the tapeworm. This case emphasizes the importance of clinicians considering various diagnoses and

Man sues, claiming device left him with permanent dental injuries

A man in California has filed a lawsuit against the designers of a device that was marketed to correct dental and facial abnormalities, claiming it is dangerous and left him with pain, jaw problems, tooth damage, and permanent injuries. Joseph Dimola filed on July 10 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, Terre Haute Division, a product liability lawsuit against the makers of the Anterior Growth

CBT may improve pain relief, well-being in TMD patients

Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) may effectively improve pain and quality of life in patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMDs), according to a systematic review published in the Journal of Oral Rehabilitation. Patients experienced significant pain reduction, improved jaw function, and better psychological well-being when receiving CBT alone, combined with conventional treatments, or paired with hypnotic therapy, the authors wrote. “This systematic review highlights the potential benefits of CBT in managing TMDs, suggesting

Probiotics may reduce this oral bacterium but little else in kids

In children, probiotics may reduce the presence of Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans), a germ commonly linked to caries, but they do not significantly affect other dental issues. The meta-analysis was recently published in the International Dental Journal. Furthermore, probiotics showed no significant impact on dental caries, the Lactobacillus count, the bacterial plaque index, the gingival index, or salivary pH, the authors wrote. “Probiotics were likely to decrease the amount of S.

Most don’t know about the periodontitis-chronic disease link

About 75% of patients are unaware of the connection between periodontitis and other diseases regardless of their socioeconomic status, periodontal health, or access to care. This large study was recently published in the Journal of Periodontal Research. Despite the well-documented associations between these conditions and periodontitis, this lack of awareness persists even among those with periodontitis, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and diabetes, the authors wrote. “The present findings highlight the urgent