You’re not dreaming: Hypnosis works as an anesthetic

Hypnosis is a safe, effective, and inexpensive technique that could be used in place of anesthesia during dental procedures, according to a clinical report published on July 28 in the Journal of the American Dental Association. In the small study, three women successfully underwent dental procedures under hypnosis rather than traditional sedation. The authors believe the report to be the only case series published that evaluates hypnosis as the sole

Review finds digital tops conventional for dentures

Complete dentures manufactured with digital techniques have better outcomes than those manufactured with traditional workflows, according to a systematic review published on July 29 in the Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry. Dentures created with CAD/CAM technology had better retention and tissue surface adaptation. What’s more, digitally created dentures cost less time and money to produce and left patients more satisfied with the outcome. “The assessment of CAD-CAM planning and manufacturing through

Parotid abscesses cause rare facial palsy in 2 women

Parotid gland abscesses caused unusual facial nerve palsy in two patients, according to a case report published on July 30 in the International Journal of Surgery Case Reports. Only 15 other cases of parotid abscess-induced facial palsy have been reported, the authors noted. The abscesses occurred in a 75-year-old and an 81-year-old woman. Though clinicians successfully treated both patients, neither woman experienced facial nerve improvement, the authors wrote. “Facial nerve

Survey: 9% of U.S. adults report tooth/jaw pain

Approximately 9% of adults reported pain in the tooth or jaw in the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Health Interview Survey. The survey, which was conducted in 2019, asked respondents to report whether they had experienced any kind of pain in the last three months and to note where in the body they felt pain. Researchers reported that 9.2% cited pain in the tooth or jaw. Overall,

U.S. Oral Surgery Management enters Calif. market

U.S. Oral Surgery Management (USOSM) has entered the California market with a partnership with the Center for Oral & Facial Surgery. The Center for Oral & Facial Surgery has offices in San Diego and El Cajon. With the new partnership, USOSM’s partner practice roster now includes 15 states: Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Louisiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas.

Geistlich releases new sizes for collagen matrices

Geistlich Biomaterials has released two new larger sizes of its collagen matrices for treating soft-tissue defects or extraction sites. Geistlich Mucograft now comes in a 30 x 40-mm size, joining the company’s existing 15 x 20-mm and 20 x 30-mm size options. The new matrix can be used with soft-tissue defects and consists of a stable “macrostructure” and a spongy “microstructure,” according to the firm. The company’s Geistlich Mucograft Seal

Week in Review: Stuck impression material | Anesthesia death | More IADR research

Dear DrBicuspid Member, Our top story of the week broke down the case of a 71-year-old man who got dental impression material stuck in his throat. The man visited a university dental clinic to get impressions for dentures. But when the maxillary tray was removed from the patient’s mouth, the operator saw a thin strand of impression material extending from the back of the tray, which looked like it had

Can Medicaid provide oral healthcare equity?

Can Medicaid provide oral healthcare equity to poor Americans? Three thought leaders from the American Association of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) explored that question in a commentary published in the July edition of the Journal of the American Dental Association. The commentary reflected the ideas of authors Dr. Jessica Lee, president of the AAPD; Dr. Paul Casamassimo, chief policy officer for the AAPD; and Dr. Charles Czerepak, president of the AAPD Foundation. The experts

Voco debuts adult-themed fluoride varnish

Voco announced the launch of two adult-themed profluorid varnish flavors for all high-risk age groups. The new flavors added to the company’s product line are cola lime and pina colada. The company said the new flavors seek to offer alternatives for encouraging adults to use fluoride varnish treatments just as flavors like bubblegum and caramel do for children. With the new flavors, adults and children can choose between mint, melon,

Second Opinion: Dental therapists needed for oral health equity

In this Second Opinion, Dr. Steven Krauss offers his response to a commentary by pediatric dentistry thought leaders in the July edition of the Journal of the American Dental Association. The commentary authors proposed five strategies to use the Medicaid program to increase oral health equity in the U.S. This month’s Journal of the American Dental Association contains a commentary by Drs. Casamassimo, Czerepak, and Lee with their proposition that

Roland DGA launches redesigned Roland TV hub

Roland DGA announced the launch of its redesigned Roland TV video hub, allowing customers to view educational videos on various products and applications in one place. Roland TV is made up of a series of channels, separated by category, that include videos and recorded webinars related to device operation and applications. The initial redesign includes videos covering some of the company’s most popular desktop machines, software, and dental devices, the

Dental impression material gets stuck in man’s throat

A 71-year-old man ingested a nearly 2-inch piece of dental material that ended up stuck in the lower part of his throat while having impressions taken at a Kentucky clinic. The clinical report was published in the Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry. Clinicians could not detect the lodged impression material radiologically, so an otolaryngologist planned to remove the object surgically. But while preparing for the procedure, the man bent down to