NIDCR to support TMJ research project with Clemson, MUSC

The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) plans to support a temporomandibular joint (TMJ) research project with Clemson University and the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC). NIDCR will fund the effort with a $3.18 million grant, it said. The grant’s principal investigators are Hai Yao, PhD, of Clemson and MUSC and Dr. Janice Lee of the NIDCR. A team of investigators will study how various craniofacial developmental disorders put

Shot of generic Botox eases woman’s nondental tooth pain

An injection of botulinum toxin A (BoNT), a neurotoxin marketed under the brand names Botox, Jeuveau, and Xeomin protein, weakened the myofascial pain of a 39-year-old woman with a nonodontogenic toothache, according to a case report recently published in Clinical Case Reports. BoNT is produced by the bacterium Clostridium botulinum and temporarily paralyzes muscles. In this case, an injection of BoNT worked to treat a patient’s nonodontogenic toothache pain, although

Tom Viola receives Cuspies award at Chicago Midwinter

Tom Viola, RPh, received the HuangshanDental.com Cuspies award for the Most Influential Dental Educator at the 2022 Chicago Dental Society Midwinter Meeting, which was held February 24-26 at the McCormick Place convention center in Chicago. Tom Viola. Tom Viola, RPh, has presented more than 1,000 continuing education seminars and webinars since 2001. He is known for his unparalleled ability to make pharmacology information practical, useful, and entertaining for all members

NIDCR unveils FOA for dental role in preventing opioid drug misuse

The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) recently unveiled a funding opportunity announcement (FOA) that will support interventions and programs to prevent, reduce, or manage opioid drug misuse. The FOA will support UG3/UH3 phased, cooperative agreement research applications on these efforts, which also aim to align the opioid prescribing practices of dental professionals with scientific evidence. The FOA will encourage research to develop and test new approaches to

Titanium vs. zirconia implants: Pros and cons

Patients are becoming more aware of the materials they are placing in their bodies and how those materials can affect their overall health. When selecting dental implants, patients want the least invasive materials possible. It is also important to understand the quality, material, and design aspects of the implants. Throughout the years, a trend has emerged toward avoiding the use of metals in the body. Alternatives to the traditional titanium

N.C. regulates pups at the dental office

The first time 11-year-old Levi McAllister had a tooth pulled, he screamed, kicked, and struggled so much that his mom had to hold him down. So, when Levi returned to Charlotte Pediatric Dentistry in January to get two more teeth pulled, dental hygienist Barb Kucera had a surprise for him: a friendly yellow Labrador retriever named Atkins. “Would you like Atkins to lie on your lap?” she asked. Levi nodded,

Ultradent expands Gemini laser family

Dental material manufacturer Ultradent Products unveiled its Gemini Evo diode laser. Featuring 100 watts of peak power, Gemini Evo delivers five times the power of Ultradent’s original Gemini laser, according to the vendor. Other features include a guided touch interface and multiple preset procedures, as well as Wi-Fi connectivity, a mobile app, and a dashboard. The system comes with 3-mm, 7-mm, and 25-mm photobiomodulation adapters and three wavelength modes. It

Fast 5: Dentist, hygienist guess survey answers in record time

HuangshanDental.com surveyed 40 people at the Chicago Dental Society Midwinter Meeting about topics ranging from the number of cavities they had as a kid to their favorite sugary treat. Two contestants then tried to guess the top answers in record time. The answers from Chicago Midwinter attendees ranged from the ordinary to the outright hilarious. Dental professionals at the show were most likely to have zero cavities as a kid

Voco launches retraction paste

Voco has launched a retraction paste with a custom tip and two-stage viscosity for impressions and temporary and permanent restorations. Voco Retraction Paste is an astringent paste with aluminum chloride that features a custom-engineered capsule with a long, fine, flexible plastic tip rather than a traditional metal tip, which can damage the gums. Each cap contains 0.3 g of paste, which is enough for up to three teeth, according to

How dentistry can win the battle against ‘Dr. Google’

It’s a familiar problem for dental professionals: the patient who consults too often with “Dr. Google.” Misinformation on the internet has some patients challenging the experts. One presenter at the Chicago Dental Society Midwinter Meeting advised meeting patient demands with effective communication. Thanks to the internet, parents of young dental patients are coming into dental practices and questioning treatment recommendations ranging from x-rays to topical fluoride. How clinicians deal with

Taking a Thailand Dental Holiday

What exactly does taking a Thailand dental holiday entail? As the term suggests, it’s a way for you to kill two birds with one stone—take a vacation leave from your office in order to enjoy a leisure trip to Thailand that also takes care of your dental needs. Medical tourism in Thailand is a booming business, particularly when it comes to its dental tourism market. Not only does the country

Here’s How To Control Bad Breath

Love garlic and onions? Us too. Aside from the obvious flavor boost, both offer health benefits. They’re also notorious for causing bad breath. Other causes include deep cavities, dry mouth, oral thrush, and gum disease. So, if you’re ready to eliminate the odor, we’ve come up with a list of ways to control bad breath. Scrape Your Tongue Your tongue should normally be pink and free from discoloration. Sometimes, though,