Dental abscess germ causes rare carotid artery aneurysm

A 53-year-old woman was treated for a rare mycotic internal carotid artery (ICA) aneurysm that developed when a dental abscess-linked germ infected the artery, according to a case report published in the Journal of Vascular Surgery Cases, Innovations, and Techniques. It is believed to be the first reported case in which this rare vascular phenomenon developed from Haemophilus parainfluenzae, a small Gram-negative pathogen that is a common part of the

Orthobrain teams up with DSO Oakpoint

Orthodontic services developer Orthobrain has partnered with dental service organization (DSO) Oakpoint. Oakpoint will integrate Orthobrain’s Core service to drive orthodontic activation, increased patient acquisition, and practice growth. Currently, Oakpoint has 34 affiliated practices.

Week in Review: Toothbrushing linked to COVID-19 symptoms | Prepare for monkeypox | New pain research

Dear DrBicuspid Member, In a study of more than 20,000 people in Japan, those who changed the length and frequency of their toothbrushing routine were more likely to have the three main symptoms of COVID-19. Our top story of the week details the findings and explains why the oral cavity may be an important site for SARS-CoV-2 viral replication. Prepare for monkeypox in the office Monkeypox is a highly contagious

Virtual reality can decrease pain for pediatric patients

Want to reduce pain for your pediatric patients during painful or uncomfortable procedures? Try distracting them. In a study of pediatric patients, using virtual reality (VR) as a distraction reduced pain during rubber dam placement, according to a study published on August 6 in the International Dental Journal. “An ideal distractor involves a number of senses and triggers emotional reactions that assure that the patient is focused on the distracting

Painkillers for acute pain may cause hurt in the long run

Researchers have long thought that inflammation, a key part of the body’s healing process, is somehow involved in the switch from acute to chronic pain when that inflammation is excessive or prolonged. But a new study turns that thinking on its head, finding that rather than contributing to the development of chronic pain, inflammation appears to help curb it. The research, which was supported by the U.S. National Institute of

Owandy adds AI features to QuickVision 3D

Owandy Radiology has upgraded its QuickVision 3D implant planning software to include artificial intelligence (AI)-based functionality and an expanded dental implant library. With the new AI platform developed by Owandy, QuickVision 3D software supports automatic matching of DICOM and standard tessellation files to easily create customized surgical guides, according to the company. Owandy said it has also expanded the number of implant manufacturer libraries in QuickVision 3D, which now supports

10 reasons why dentists do — and don’t — prescribe opioids

A dentist’s decision whether or not they will prescribe opioids is influenced by several factors and their personal experiences. Researchers identified 10 major factors that impact dental opioid prescriptions in a recent study published in the Journal of the American Dental Association. The study was based on one-on-one interviews with dozens of dentists to better understand the nuances of opioid prescribing. It was a collaboration with the National Dental Practice-Based

ADA calls for public comments on caries lesions treatment guideline

The ADA Science & Research Institute is seeking public comments for its proposed clinical practice guideline on restorative treatments for caries lesions. The draft guideline is available on the ADA’s website. Comments are due by August 31.

Patient with cancer receives 1st 3D-printed titanium jaw

A patient with head and neck cancer received the first 3D-printed titanium lower jaw in a successful operation, according to an August 4 press release from the Netherlands Cancer Institute (NCI). The jaw was reconstructed based on the patient’s imaging. Following four years of research led by head and neck surgeons from the NCI and 3D printing service company Dutch Mobius 3D Technology (M3DT), the new type of 3D-printed mandible

USOSM partner Schultz tapped for Georgia Board of Dentistry

U.S. Oral Surgery Management (USOSM) surgeon partner Dr. Jeffery D. Schultz has been appointed by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp to serve on the Georgia Board of Dentistry. Dr. Jeffrey D. Schultz. Image courtesy of USOSM. Schultz is a practicing oral surgeon with South Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, a USOSM partner practice with sites in Newman, Peachtree City, and Fayetteville. Along with four others, Schultz was named to the board to

What you need to know about the use of sevoflurane in kids

Clinicians can use 8% sevoflurane to safely induce anesthesia in children despite anecdotal reports that the sweet-smelling anesthetic can cause seizurelike, jerking movements, according to a recent review published in Pediatric Anesthesia. Though epileptiform electroencephalographic (EEG) discharges, which are biomarkers for seizures and epilepsy, occur in children given sevoflurane, they are uncommon, and recommended strategies to mitigate against these discharges may be more harmful than beneficial, the author wrote. “There

Week in Review: Man with fused 3rd molar | Settlement over sedation | New periodontitis research

Dear DrBicuspid Member, An otherwise healthy 26-year-old man with good oral hygiene experienced two days of severe spontaneous pain on the right side of his lower jaw. Our top story of the week covers his journey from diagnosis to treatment, including the discovery that his third molar had fused with a supernumerary tooth. Settlement over sedation dentistry Attorney and dentist Dr. Marc Leffler is back writing for HuangshanDental.com with a fascinating