Gold dental implants linked to rare oral lichen planus

Gold-containing dental implants may have caused an allergic reaction in a 64-year-old woman’s mouth that developed into the chronic inflammatory disease oral lichen planus. The case report was published on February 2 in the Cureus Journal of Medical Science. Tests revealed that the woman had a gold allergy, and it was recommended that her implants be replaced. Clinicians should consider factors that may contribute to the development of oral lichenoid

Benco Dental acquires Popp Dental Supply

Dental distributor Benco Dental has acquired Wisconsin-based dental supplier Popp Dental Supply. The announcement comes just months after Benco’s acquisition of American Dental Industries (ADI) Mobile Health fell apart. In June, Benco announced plans to acquire the Oregon-based maker of mobile dental and medical clinic vehicles. In August, the deal fell through due to their “inability to reach final terms.”

DentalPlans.com offers tips to cut kids’ dental anxiety

In recognition of National Children’s Dental Health Month, online dental savings plan marketplace DentalPlans.com is offering tips for reducing children’s dental anxiety. DentalPlans.com, which is part of Henry Schein One, offers the following tips for making trips to the dentist less stressful for children and their caretakers: ul.editorialList li {margin-bottom:6px;} Schedule frequent visits, which lessens the likelihood that children will need more treatment for more significant dental issues. Avoid setting

SARS-CoV-2 may reside in perio pockets, cavities

SARS-CoV-2 can be detected in cavitated tooth decay and periodontal pockets, suggesting that these sites may act as reservoirs for infection, according to an article recently published online in Molecular Oral Microbiology. The findings indicate a potential direct link between SARS-CoV-2 and oral tissues. It’s the first study to demonstrate the direct presence of the virus that causes COVID-19 in periodontal pockets and cavitated caries lesions, according to the group

Taste disorders, xerostomia common in COVID-19 patients

Dentists should stay abreast of the most common oral manifestations of COVID-19 such as taste disorders and xerostomia, according to a recent study published online in the Journal of Evidence-Based Dental Practice. In the study, researchers led by J. Amorim dos Santos of the University of Brasilia in Brazil measured the prevalence of taste disorders and xerostomia among people who tested positive for COVID-19. They also measured the relationships among

Pictorial health warnings curb purchases of sugary drinks for children

A picture may be worth a thousand words of warning about the dangers of sugar, according to research published on February 1 in PLOS Medicine. Parents were less inclined to purchase sugary drinks for their children if the products contained pictorial health warnings, the study found. The results of the randomized controlled trial suggest that adding image-based warning labels could be an effective strategy for reducing sugary drink purchases and

WildSmiles joins forces with Smiles Change Lives

Designer braces firm WildSmiles and nonprofit organization Smiles Change Lives are teaming up on an initiative aimed at facilitating free orthodontic treatment for children in need. WildSmiles will provide program recipients with free designer brackets. The company will also donate 5% of its total revenue from affiliated providers. More information on the program can be found on the WildSmiles website.

Oral-B launches new smart toothbrush

Oral-B has added a new smart toothbrush to its iO line of products that offers users oral health coaching. The iO10 smart toothbrush. Image courtesy of Oral-B. The iO10 with iOSense is a rechargeable electric toothbrush that guides brushing time, pressure, and tooth coverage. It features seven different cleaning modes. The company is also highlighting its iO4 and iO5 electric brushes, which it expects to release early this year. Oral-B

Imaging aids removal of dentures from woman’s bowel

Imaging aided in the retrieval of dentures from the bowel of a mentally competent 52-year-old woman who unknowingly swallowed them, according to a case report published online January 28 in the International Journal of Surgery Open. A 3D reconstruction of a computed tomography (CT) scan allowed clinicians to identify that she had swallowed a sharp, hooked object, which guided their surgical planning. Also, this case highlights the fact that populations

Do patients with prosthetics need antibiotic prophylaxis?

Dental professionals may want to reconsider the use of antibiotic prophylaxis in patients with prosthetic joints. The findings of a new study in JAMA Network Open refute the recommendation for patients with prosthetic joints undergoing invasive dental procedures. The cohort study evaluated the association between late prosthetic joint infection (LPJI) in nearly 8,5000 patients admitted to hospitals in England. Despite the urging of orthopedic surgeons to provide these patients with

How to Prepare for Your Oral Surgery

Oral surgery can involve procedures ranging from a simple tooth extraction to a complex corrective jaw surgery. Regardless of what type of oral surgery you are scheduled for, it is important to plan. The following preparation tips for oral surgery can make your recovery period smoother and faster. Know What to Expect It is important to understand exactly what your oral surgery entails and what you can expect when you

Female dentists are more diverse, get paid less than men

Female dentists in the U.S. are more diverse in race, ethnicity, nativity, and spoken languages than their male colleagues. However, they also report significantly lower annual incomes than male dentists, according to research from the State University of New York (SUNY). The diversity of female dentists may help improve access to dental care but may also come at a cost. Female dentists reported mean annual incomes 25% lower than those