COVID-19 or dental work: What caused man’s death from sinus thrombosis?

Imaging helped diagnose a COVID-19-positive man with cavernous sinus thrombosis (CST), according to a case report published on February 26 in the Indian Journal of Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery. The condition may have resulted from his teeth being pulled; however, it could also have been caused by the novel coronavirus, clinicians found. Though the man died three days after his diagnosis, the cause of CST remained unclear. An

Searches for toothaches up during COVID-19 lockdown

The COVID-19 lockdown increased online searches for toothaches in Iran, according to a study published on February 15 in BMC Oral Health. Pain is seen as one of the biggest dental complaints around the world. Researchers analyzed five years of Google Trends data to understand how searches for toothaches during the COVID-19 lockdown in Iran compared to other time periods. Searches for tooth pain spiked in 2020 compared to 2016

Crest debuts whitening line in U.S.

Procter & Gamble’s Crest has debuted its Crest Whitening Emulsions leave-on teeth whitening treatment line, including an LED option, at retailers in the U.S. The Crest Whitening Emulsions line was first launched at select retailers in the fall of 2020. The products contain a microthin layer of active peroxide droplets that stay on teeth and continue working to remove and prevent stains without rinsing or brushing, according to the company.

DentalEZ introduces hands-free aid to help clear aerosols

DentalEZ has introduced a high-volume evacuator (HVE) holder that it said will help clear microscopic droplets during aerosol-generating procedures without the need for supplemental staff. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has advised dental offices to minimize droplet spatter and aerosols during aerosol-generating procedures. Options to do this include using high-volume evacuation suction and the involvement of additional personnel. DentalEZ said that its

95% of opioid prescriptions are for 5 dental procedures

Dentists wrote about 2.7 million opioid prescriptions to patients during a five-year period, according to a study published on February 23 in the Journal of the American Dental Association. About 95% of these prescriptions were written for five dental procedures. Approximately two-thirds of opioid prescriptions were written for patients who underwent tooth extractions, according to the authors. Implant placement, root canals, alveoloplasty, and addressing a problem from a limited exam rounded

Dentist sued for keeping kids in braces for too long

The state of Massachusetts is suing orthodontist Dr. Mouhab Rizkallah for allegedly submitting more than $1 million in false claims to MassHealth, the state’s Medicaid program. The scam reportedly included keeping kids in braces longer than required and deceptive billing for mouthguards. The lawsuit, filed in Suffolk County Superior Court on February 25, asserts that Rizkallah submitted false claims from at least November 2013 to the present with the intent

COVID-19 pandemic spurs stress-related dental conditions

Dentists are seeing an increase in patients experiencing dental conditions associated with stress, such as teeth grinding, cracked teeth, and temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) symptoms, according to new poll data released by the ADA on March 2. The ADA has surveyed dentists throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, helping to gauge how pandemic-related stress has affected oral health. The results show that stress-related dental conditions have continued to increase throughout the pandemic,

Biolase launches periodontist community

Biolase is looking to unite a community of periodontists through the newly launched Waterlase Perio Academy. The academy, which is open to all periodontists using the company’s Waterlase technology, will provide a network for improving outcomes through peer-led learning, mentorship, online meetings, virtual training, and case study review, Biolase said. Its leadership includes Drs. Paul Chang, Curry Leavitt, Stephen John, Todd Jorgenson, James Papp, and Bret Dyer. The initiative is

Garrison debuts anterior composite matrix system

Garrison has debuted the Fusion anterior matrix system, a composite matrix system specifically designed for challenging anterior restorations. Garrison designed the Fusion system with input from customers who used the metal posterior matrix bands in a unique way. The bands are thinner than traditional plastic strips and can be inserted through existing contacts for deeper restorations, the company noted. In addition, the wedge has a radical curvature to help the

No one-size-fits-all solution for antibiotic resistance

There is no one-size-fits-all solution for tackling antibiotic resistance, according to a commentary published on February 10 in the International Dental Journal. Instead, a variety of approaches are needed to craft tailor-made solutions for factors that drive the unnecessary use of dental antibiotics. Factors influencing resistance differ among locations and over time, wrote the authors, led by Wendy Thompson of the division of dentistry at the University of Manchester in

School-based program leads to 50% drop in untreated caries

A school-based oral health program resulted in a 50% reduction in untreated cavities in a study of 7,000 elementary students in the U.S. The findings were published in the March issue of the Journal of the American Dental Association. School-based cavity prevention programs targeting students in need have the potential to improve children’s oral health while reducing health disparities and the cost of care, according to the authors. “This school-based

U.S. bill aims to expand dental coverage for moms

Lawmakers in the U.S. introduced a bill on March 3 that aims to expand dental coverage and improve oral health for pregnant and postpartum women, as well as address racial disparities. The Oral Health for Moms Act would require Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) to cover dental healthcare — including preventive care and basic, major, and emergency dental services — for expecting and postpartum women, according to