Is there a better way to treat severe periodontitis?

Combining conventional scaling with an anti-infective drug treatment may improve outcomes for patients with severe periodontitis, according to a commentary published on August 1 in Periodontology 2000. In addition to ultrasonic scaling, using antibiotics and an antiviral drug treatment for cold sores and shingles would target key herpes viruses and bacteria, possibly leading to better control of severe gum disease, wrote author Dr. Jørgen Slots, PhD, of the University of Southern

Top Dentists for Getting Dental Implants in Los Algodones

Why get dental implants? Tooth loss is a problem a lot of people have to face, it is far more than just an esthetic issue, and this affects their day-to-day life and overall quality of it. People who suffer from tooth loss can experience many functional and health problems due to missing teeth. Dental implants are the best solution for this; not only do they provide health-related benefits, but they

Legal Case: Are you ready to perform sedation dentistry?

Dr. E, a general dentist in practice for more than 30 years, decided to take advantage of a change in her state’s laws regarding dentists being permitted to provide sedation in conjunction with dental procedures by attending a weekend course on dental sedation management. Dr. E maintained basic life support certification, as did one of her three dental assistants. Brochures in her office waiting room made it known that patients could

Patients willing to pay more for convenient restorations

Patients in need of restorations value reduced wait times, no post-treatment pain, and other conveniences over longevity, according to recent research published in the Journal of Dental Research. What’s more, they may be willing to pay for their preferences. Patients in the U.K. were willing to pay between approximately 39 pounds ($48) and 116 pounds ($142) for a variety of attributes that they found important when receiving direct posterior restorations,

The Difference Between Crowns and Veneers

Crowns and veneers are two of the most well-known words in dentistry, and they both serve as methods of dental restoration. However, they’re not used as interchangeable services. Although they can both improve the function and form of damaged or misshapen teeth, they each have their own specific applications. Whether you’re using a crown or veneer, it can restore the function and look of your natural teeth. Which one you’d

Imaging aids in treatment of man’s fused 3rd molar

Imaging assisted in the treatment of a man’s third molar that had fused with a supernumerary tooth, according to a case report published July 27 in the American Journal of Case Reports. The man was diagnosed with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis with apical periodontitis. Fused teeth are a developmental dental anomaly that clinicians need to be aware of, because they show excessive width and irregular anatomy, which can complicate endodontic treatment.

Evidence lacks on benefit of school dental screenings for kids

Will children visit the dentist more often if they undergo oral health screenings at school? There’s not enough research that shows screenings improve dental attendance, according to a review published on July 27 in the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. Also, it’s unclear whether improved dental attendance leads to better oral health, the authors wrote. The issue stems from insufficient evidence to conclusively say whether school dental screenings improve dental

All That You Need to Know About Dental Bonding

Do you have chipped or broken teeth? Are you embarrassed by them and wish to literally get back your smile one tooth at a time? Or do your teeth sometimes make your jaw ache because the exposed dentin makes it likelier to suffer from infection? Dental bonding can save you from toothache and pain or being forced to hide your teeth and smile because of their appearance! Page Contents

Another study links periodontitis to Alzheimer’s disease

Yet another study has linked periodontal and Alzheimer’s disease. The bacteria behind periodontal disease may also contribute to the development of Alzheimer’s, according to a review published on July 21 in the Journal of Dental Sciences. Until now, studies analyzing the association between the diseases have lacked clarity on the role of the oral microbiome. In their analysis of 26 studies using databases or the next-generation sequencing technique, researchers reaffirmed

Week in Review: Dentigerous cyst found in infant | Dental tourism gone wrong | Root canals and a rare syndrome

Dear DrBicuspid Member, A bone-encased dentigerous cyst was removed from a 6-month-old infant in New York. Our top story of the week covers the details of what is believed to be the first reported case of a dentigerous cyst involving an infant. When dental cases go wrong Amid a rise in dental tourism in Europe, many U.K. dentists are increasingly treating patients who are experiencing complications following treatment abroad. In

Root canals linked to rare Eagle syndrome

Imaging aided in revealing that the rare Eagle syndrome, which is caused by a calcified stylohyoid ligament (SHL), may be linked to dental inflammatory events, specifically root canal treatments, according to a study published on July 26 in the International Dental Journal. Patients with the syndrome can present with nonspecific difficulty with swallowing, face and neck pain, and dizziness. While Eagle syndrome is not known to cause other medical conditions,

Most guidelines support antibiotics to prevent endocarditis

Antibiotic prophylaxis guidelines to prevent endocarditis following dental care vary, but most support its use despite the risk of antimicrobial resistance, according to a systematic review published on July 25 in Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology and Oral Radiology. Though guidance from the U.K.’s National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) scored highest on a development methodology and reporting transparency assessment in comparison to clinical practice guidelines (CPGs)