What’s the most economical way to treat orofacial pain?

Nerve allograft surgery may be more effective and have a lower long-term cost than nonsurgical treatment for persistent trigeminal neuropathy (PTN), according to a study recently published in the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. After five years, the total cost of nonsurgical treatment rises continuously and remains higher than surgical treatment. The net monetary benefits, which were calculated from a fixed willingness-to-pay threshold and which then measured the health

Cayster, Ivoclar announce collaboration

Cayster, a digital dentistry software developer, announced a strategic collaboration with Ivoclar involving Ivoclar’s VivaScan intraoral scanning technology. The collaboration will leverage Ivoclar’s digital workflow and expertise and fuse it with Cayster’s technology to allow dentists, laboratories, trainers, and mentors to collaborate seamlessly in real time, Cayster said in a press release. More broadly, the collaboration will help improve the user experience and deliver an elevated standard of patient care,

Fla. dentist pulls car with teeth in bid to break world record

The world record for pulling a 2,000-lb car by the teeth for 30 m is 18.13 seconds. A Florida dentist aims to have his name published in the Guinness World Records by beating that time, according to news reports. Dr. Michael Foley is already on his way. Using a mouthpiece made of leather, which is referred to as an iron jaw, the dentist can pull his Lotus 30 m in 30

Is gum disease linked to atrial fibrillation?

Researchers at Newcastle Dental Hospital in Tyne, England, will check patients to see if there is a link between gum disease and a heart condition called atrial fibrillation (AF), according to ITV News. The trial will involve 1,000 patients over the age of 65 who will be screened for AF while they wait for their dental appointments. Screening for AF involves using a handheld monitor for 30 seconds. If AF

Ceramic implants 101: How far we’ve come

The superior biocompatibility of ceramic implants compared to other implant materials has been proven many times in both in vitro and in vivo studies. This has led to an “explosion” in the use of zirconia in dentistry and dental implantology in particular. But it took a long time for ceramic implants to gain traction in dentistry. Dr. Sammy Noumbissi. Despite having been in clinical use for more than 40 years,

How to replicate a natural smile with a digital workflow

By combining a digital workflow and shell technique, CAD/CAM restorations can be created with the form and texture of natural teeth, resulting in an authentic-looking smile, according to a case report published in the Journal of Esthetic and Restorative Dentistry. Having access to digital libraries that contain images of real teeth of varying sizes and shapes made it plausible to perform an anatomic shell technique that resulted in restoring a

Md. may require proof of dental exams for kids in school, childcare

Parents of children enrolled in public school or childcare in Maryland may be required to provide evidence that their kids underwent oral health screenings before specified ages, according to bills recently introduced by state lawmakers. If lawmakers vote in favor of either SB 237 or HB 290 and the governor signs one into law, the legislation would be effective in Maryland on July 1, 2023. Neither bill calls for punishing

U.S. Air Force applies for ‘self-healing’ dental composite patent

U.S. Air Force and Navy researchers have applied to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for a 20-year patent on a “self-healing” dental composite, according to an article published on February 28 in TechLink. The February 16 patent application lists eight inventors, including Col. Wen Lien, who is director of Dental Materials Research at the 59th Medical Wing, and Amber Mallory, PhD, who is formerly from the 59th Medical Wing

What to consider when prescribing high-strength fluoride

Using a high-strength prescription fluoride toothpaste or gel may boost the remineralization of teeth in adults under ideal conditions, but it’s unclear how well it works in a real-world setting, according to a commentary published in the Journal of the American Dental Association. Since there is limited research that differentiates between the effectiveness and efficacy of 1.1% sodium fluoride (NaF) toothpaste or gel in adults with an elevated risk of

Smile Brighter: Your Short Guide to Braces

Braces are often associated with teenagers, but the truth is that braces are for adults too. In fact, more and more adults in Sugarland are getting braces to improve their dental health and the appearance of their teeth. One of the reasons that braces are becoming more popular among adults is that there are now more discreet options available. Traditional metal braces are still an option, but there are

Smartphone app remotely screens children’s teeth

The University of Western Australia is highlighting a feasibility study showing that a smartphone app can remotely screen children’s teeth. The study was published in the International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry. The app, designed by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization, was created in response to restrictions on healthcare delivery caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The study, led by Dr. Somayyeh Azimi from the university, involved 42 families who used

Supplement focuses on dental-medical integration

Two studies led by researchers at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine in Boston were among articles highlighted on February 27 in an Annals of Family Medicine special supplement. Both studies focused on how nondental professionals can support dental health. The supplement, titled “Advancing Primary Care through Research, Education and Practice: Work of the Health Resources and Services Administration-Supported Academic Units for Primary Care Training and Enhancement,” highlights the activities