1 in 12 cases of dental sedation in kids lead to problems

Adverse events (AEs), including airway and breathing complications, occur in 1 in 12 instances of deep sedation (DS) performed in children at outpatient dental settings. The study was published on September 5 in the Journal of the American Dental Association. It is believed to be the first study to provide epidemiological estimates of the prevalence of AEs linked with deep sedation in the outpatient dental setting. As an increasing number

Marijuana use may not affect dental anesthetic requirements

Anesthesia medication dosage requirements may not need to be changed for regular marijuana users undergoing oral and maxillofacial surgery. The abstract was recently published in the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Although patients who regularly used marijuana needed higher doses of Versed and propofol, the change was insignificant after adjusting for patient weight and the length of the procedure performed, the authors wrote. “Having a history of marijuana use

Researchers develop at-home device for diagnosing gingivitis

Researchers at the University of Cincinnati in Ohio are developing a device people can use at home to diagnose gingivitis. The condition is caused by bacteria, but isolating the particular type of bacteria that causes gingivitis can be tricky, according to lead researcher Andrew Steckl, PhD. “It’s been quite the challenge to get to the point where we can detect [the particular] toxin created by the bacteria responsible for gingivitis,”

A hot way to cool burning mouth syndrome is in development

A research team in Norway is attempting to develop a better way to treat burning mouth syndrome by creating a carrier that keeps capsaicin, the active ingredient in chili peppers, in the oral cavity for longer. When capsaicin is applied to the mouth, it is often washed away by saliva and quickly disappears with tongue movements. Therefore, the team is attempting to develop a carrier that has sufficient stickiness so

Ormco launches digital bracket bonding

Ormco has launched Ormco digital bonding for orthodontics. The digital bonding aims to streamline orthodontists’ daily workflow and achieve customized bracket positioning by leveraging Damon Ultima brackets and Spark Approver software. Also, it offers one case portal for Ormco digital bonding cases and Spark clear aligner cases. Ormco digital bonding is available in the U.S. and will soon be available in Canada and Australia.

More than half of adults are self-conscious of their smile

More than half of adults report feeling as insecure today about their smile as they did when they were teens, according to survey results recently published by OnePoll on behalf of Smile Express. The survey, which included 2,000 U.S. adults ages 25 to 45 years, reported that while 61% of respondents reported feeling insecure about their smile as teenagers, 52% were still uncomfortable as adults. The results also showed that

NY Jets fan’s teeth fall out yelling at team

A fan lost his temper and nearly his teeth while watching the New England Patriots clobber the New York Jets during a September 24 game, according to a viral post on X, formerly known as Twitter. While getting pelted with rain, the unknown man’s dentures slipped out while screaming about the performance of the Jets and quarterback Zach Wilson, who was met with boos throughout the game. Fortunately, the fan

What oral health conditions can be signs that kids have celiac disease?

The prevalence of dental enamel defects and recurring oral lesions may be far more common in children with celiac disease, according to a systematic review published on September 15 in the Journal of Pediatrics and Child Health. Since celiac disease is known to cause oral cavity manifestations, including some that may precede gastrointestinal symptoms, children presenting with oral lesions and enamel defects should be screened for this chronic immune disorder

Bone marrow treatment may reverse TMJ osteoarthritis

Treatment with bone marrow aspirate concentrate (BMAC) may reverse the degenerative effects of osteoarthritis of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), according to a study published in late September in the Journal of Stomatology, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Patients treated with BMAC, a procedure in which person’s own bone marrow is injected into a site of pain or injury, showed long-term joint repair after a year-plus, while those treated with hyaluronic acid

Should the AAPD create a guide about fluoride-free alternatives?

Dentists regularly meet with parents who shun fluoride for their kids, yet there is no guidance from American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) about alternative remineralizing agents. The study was published in the Journal of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry. The lack of guidance or current policy from the AAPD may be why about half of pediatric dentists reported that they have a strong or moderate recognition of fluoride-free remineralizing agents, but

Theradaptive awarded $7.4M for dental repair product trial

Theradaptive was awarded $7.4 million to conduct a clinical trial for OsteoAdapt, a regenerative bone and tissue repair for orthopedic, craniomaxillofacial, and dental injuries. Though the money was provided via the U.S. Department of Defense Clinical Trial Award, which funds biologics or medical devices focused on improving members of the military and veterans, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration must approve the start of the phase I/II clinical studies. Upon

U.S. dentists’ use of articaine climbs despite risks

Though many clinicians reported being concerned about the risk of paresthesia associated with articaine, the use of the anesthetic has expanded among dentists in the U.S. The study was published on October 1 in the Journal of the American Dental Association. About three-fourths of dentists reported administering articaine for all injections without or without the exception of nerve blocks, but only a very small percentage stopped using the anesthetic, the