Anesthesia & Pain Management Insider: Why dentists should look for numb chin syndrome

Dear Anesthesia & Pain Management Insider, A patient may visit with symptoms at first appearing innocent in nature, like numbness, paresthesia, and pain. But when these symptoms affect the area near the mental nerve, they could indicate cancer. Read more about numb chin syndrome in this edition’s Insider Exclusive. Also new in the Anesthesia & Pain Management Community, computer-controlled anesthesia could cut the ouch for children undergoing dental procedures. Children

3D printers: Save or splurge?

3D printing is becoming a staple of modern dentistry, and the technology is a big investment for practices. A study published May 26 in BDJ Open compared the accuracy of 12 common printers used in dentistry to see whether a higher price point equates to better quality. Researchers judged the dimensional accuracy of 12 3D printers spanning a wide variety of budgets, including models from Planmeca, Envisiontec, and 3D Systems.

ADA praises deployment of new fluoridation technology

The American Dental Association (ADA) highlighted initiatives in several states to deploy new water fluoridation systems, according to a news article on the organization’s website. Installations of the New Wave Fluoridation Feeder developed by Florida-based KC Industries are planned in Wisconsin, Missouri, and North Carolina, the ADA reported. The sodium fluorosilicate tablet system, which works much like how chlorine is distributed into swimming pools, received National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) Standard

Are sugar taxes actually effective?

More than 45 countries and local jurisdictions have implemented taxes on sugar-sweetened beverages. But are these taxes effective? To find out, researchers systematically reviewed and meta analyzed existing literature in a new article published June 1 in JAMA Network Open. In areas where sugar-sweetened beverages were taxed, after taxes were implemented, researchers reported an 18% decline in the consumption of sugary drinks. Study findings indicate the same bottom line: Sugar-sweetened

The 12 Most Popular Dental Procedures in Thailand

Perhaps another reason why Thailand is known all over the world as the ‘Land of Smiles’ is because of its popularity as a site for dental procedures. For more than two decades, the country has been serving as a major destination when it comes to dental tourism, and the demand for dental procedures here has been steadily increasing. Page Contents What Makes Thailand Popular for Dental Work Superior Dental

How to Choose the Right Dental Implant Specialist?

It’s important to choose the right dental implant specialist if you’re planning to get dental implants. After all, dental implants are a great investment for both health and esthetic reasons. However, the process of getting a dental implant can be both physically and financially draining. Therefore, it’s important to choose the right dental implant specialist for this investment of a lifetime. Page Contents Why You Should Consider a Dental

Man develops rare abscess in chewing muscle after extraction

Imaging aided in the diagnosis of a 26-year-old man’s very unusual infratemporal fossa abscess that developed in the lateral pterygoid, a masticatory muscle, following wisdom tooth extraction. The case report was published May 27 in the Cureus Journal of Medical Science. A cone-beam computed tomography (CT) scan of the maxillofacial area revealed a collection of fluid in the man’s lateral pterygoid, which was later found to be an infratemporal fossa

Spark Clear Aligners launches #mytruesmile campaign

The Spark Clear Aligner system has launched the #mytruesmile campaign, unveiling international singer and online gamer Mark Tuan as its first brand partner. Tuan, who was 16 when he traveled alone from South Korea to Los Angeles to pursue his dreams with K-pop group GOT7, will share his orthodontic journey with the public. Tuan will soon announce that five of his social media followers will have a chance to be

Do’s and don’ts for presenting elective dentistry

Patients want to look their best, even in a down economy. After all, weddings and other life events continue taking place, and it’s important for people to have confidence in their smiles. Moreover, elective dentistry can help boost production with the patients you already have. Perform a cosmetic exam on every patient. The annual comprehensive exam should always include a cosmetic component. This helps patients gain a better understanding of

What factors contribute to halitosis in elderly patients?

Older adults are more susceptible to chronic oral health concerns, including caries, periodontal disease, and halitosis. Researchers evaluated the prevalence of halitosis and associated factors among older adults in a new study published May 25 in the Journal of Oral Biology and Craniofacial Research. The aging population will be a challenge to health systems, including aspects related to oral health. One of those factors is bad breath, which affects millions

Week in Review: Drinking mouthwash causes impaired vision | Vaping linked to gum disease | New video series

Dear DrBicuspid Member, A 77-year-old man experienced impaired vision in both eyes due to ingesting large amounts of mouthwash for more than a year following a root canal procedure. Our top story of the week summarized the case report. The man reported drinking a glass of mouthwash at least three times per day after toothbrushing since he had undergone a root canal more than a year prior. He was diagnosed

Tokyo researchers elucidate body’s response to titanium

Tokyo Medical and Dental University highlighted a study published May 6 in Science and Technology of Advanced Materials that could lead to a new generation of medical implants that last longer. TMDU scientists used photoelectrochemical measurement and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy to clarify the source of titanium’s biocompatibility when implanted into the body, such as with hip replacements and dental implants. Titanium is commonly used in medical and dental implants. Due