Less than half of youths with sickle cell received dental services in 2022

Only forty-two percent of youths with sickle cell disease (SCD) received dental services in 2022, according to a research letter published online Sept. 3 in JAMA Network Open. Ashley Kranz, Ph.D., from RAND Corporation in Arlington, Virginia, and colleagues examined receipt of dental services for youths with SCD benchmarked against the general population of Medicaid-enrolled youths in Michigan in 2022. Data were included for 1, 096 youths aged 1 to

October Summit to focus on periodontal protocols

Amber Auger, MPH, RDH, will host “Thrive Chairside: Science-Based Periodontal Protocols” October 2-3 in Boston. The event aims to train dentists and hygienists to implement periodontal workflows within a 60-minute visit. Sessions cover treatment sequencing, coding, scheduling, team communication, and patient-friendly language to improve trust and case acceptance. Attendees will see step-by-step case examples and receive a comprehensive manual for use in practice. For more information and to register, visit

Can Invisalign Do More Than Straighten Teeth?

When most people think of Invisalign, they picture discreet, clear aligners slowly guiding teeth into a straighter, more attractive position. And while that’s certainly true, Invisalign can do much more than simply improve your smile’s appearance. At Denpure in Uxbridge, we’ve seen how Invisalign transforms not just smiles, but also oral health, comfort, and confidence. So, can Invisalign really do more than straighten teeth? The answer is a resounding yes.

What you need to know about buccal infiltration with articaine

Articaine given only by buccal infiltration may not be as effective as lidocaine with standard infiltration and palatal injection for molar extractions. The study was recently published in the Journal of the American Dental Association. Furthermore, patients may be more likely to report pain when they receive articaine, the authors wrote. “Buccal infiltration with articaine only may not be sufficient to ensure adequate anesthesia for extraction of maxillary primary molars,”

Onpharma Company rolls out Onset EZ buffering pen

The Onset EZ buffering pen.The Onpharma Company. The Onpharma Company has unveiled the Onset EZ buffering pen. The pen buffers individual cartridges of local anesthetic to adjust their pH to a more neutral pH before use, Onpharma said. Each pen contains a sterile solution of 8.4% sodium bicarbonate and water and is sufficient to buffer 30 local anesthetic cartridges. The pen can be used up to 30 days after being

Top 5 Cosmetic Dental Procedures and Their Benefits

A bright, confident smile can transform more than just your appearance—it can change how you feel about yourself and how others perceive you. Cosmetic dentistry has surged in popularity across the United States, with millions of Americans seeking treatments to enhance their smiles each year. The field of cosmetic dentistry combines artistry with advanced dental techniques to create beautiful, natural-looking results. From quick fixes like teeth whitening to comprehensive smile

Medit launches aligners

Medit has launched Medit Aligners, a digital clear aligner system designed for faster treatment and more predictable results. Integrated with the Medit Orthodontic Suite, it allows orthodontists to scan, simulate, plan, and design aligners in a single visit. Additionally, the system uses AI for treatment simulations, it eliminates third-party delays, and it provides full clinical control, according to Medit.

How well do partial fixed dentures survive?

Fixed partial dentures may provide an affordable, minimally invasive treatment that delivers reliable, long-lasting results, including high survival rates, according to a study recently published in the Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry. However, treatment plans should be tailored to each patient’s habits and tooth location, the authors wrote. “Direct fiber-reinforced composite fixed partial dentures (DFRC-FPDs) represent an immediate, long-term treatment option for replacing up to 2 missing teeth with no or

Can a Leaking Filling Cause a Root Canal?

A dental filling is supposed to protect your tooth, but when it starts to break down or separate from the tooth structure, it can quietly create bigger problems. One of the most common and easily overlooked issues is a leaking filling. If caught early, a leaking filling can often be repaired without much fuss. But if ignored, it can lead to decay beneath the surface, infection, and eventually, the need

uLab, Biolux to speed up aligner treatment with light therapy

uLab Systems and Biolux Technology have partnered to bundle uSmile aligners with the OrthoPulse near-infrared light therapy device through the uDesign cloud platform. Paired with uLab’s AI aligner planning, the combined solution uses OrthoPulse’s light therapy to speed bone remodeling and tooth movement, allowing for fewer refinements and less discomfort, according to the companies.

Kids with sickle cell disease at greater risk of needing oral healthcare

Children with the inherited blood disorder sickle cell disease may face a higher risk of oral health problems; however, many don’t receive necessary care, according to researchers from the University of Michigan Medical School. Access to dental care for children with sickle cell disease may be limited by few Medicaid-accepting dentists and unclear treatment guidelines, according to a university press release dated September 3. “Sickle cell disease is known to

Clinical tip: Replacement of a congenital missing canine

In this clinical tip (lasting just over 23 minutes), Dr. Farhad Boltchi from CDOCS discusses how he treated a case in which a patient presented with a congenital missing canine (tooth #6). CMSBrowserComponents.load({ el: ‘#vue-1770697831584-585’, name: ‘OEmbed’, props: {“mountPoint”:”/__oembed”,”url”:”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Em5VJe7CH8A”,”attrs”:{“type”:”oembed”,”id”:”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Em5VJe7CH8A”,”element”:”aside”}}, hydrate: false, skipWhenExists: false });