What new oral symptom could indicate your patient has COVID-19?

COVID-19 may cause patients to produce excessive saliva, resulting in angular cheilitis (AC), a painful inflammation of the corners of the mouth, according to a letter published on October 11 in Oral Diseases. Dentists should take notice of patients who have inflammation around the mouth because it may be an indicator of SARS-CoV-2 infection, the authors wrote. “AC of COVID-19 patients can be attributed to numerous local irritants, including hypersalivation,”

SmileDirectClub inks deal with DECA Dental

SmileDirectClub has partnered with Texas dental service organization (DSO) DECA Dental to offer the company’s signature invisible aligner treatment at DECA-affiliated practices. The partnership gives patients at DECA’s more than 100 affiliated dental practices the option to begin telehealth orthodontic treatment at a dental office. DECA signed the deal to give dentists the ability to offer more affordable teeth-straightening options, according to founder and CEO Dr. Sulman Ahmed. The partnership extends

Carestream, Simply Implants Institute form partnership

Carestream Dental has partnered with dental learning firm Simply Implants Institute to offer dentistry continuing education (CE) courses in conjunction with Carestream’s software and services. Simply Implants Institute provides full-mouth dentistry postgraduate learning with live patients, as well as case presentation and sales training. The firm’s courses feature Carestream’s 9600 cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) system, according to the institute. Simply Implants Institute is based in Glendale, AZ, and offers in-person

Align unveils Invisalign G8

Align Technology has released Invisalign G8, a new aligner technology. The new technology includes the company’s SmartForce Aligner Activation and treats crowding, crossbite, and deep bite cases. SmartForce contours parts of the aligner surface to apply appropriate force to tooth surfaces and control the location, direction, and intensity of the force, according to the firm. For cases of crowding and crossbite, SmartForce Aligner Activation helps posterior arch expansion, while for

Ovarian cyst containing jaw, 8 teeth removed from teen in NY

A 5 x 3-cm mandibular structure and eight teeth were found inside an asymptomatic ovarian dermoid cyst that was removed from a 15-year-old girl in New York, according to a case report published online on October 9 in the Journal of Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology. This is believed to be the first reported case of a cyst containing teeth within a mandibular-like bone in a pediatric patient. There are only

TJz Balm releases topical remedy for teeth grinding, jaw pain

TJz Balm has released an organic and botanical over-the-counter topical pain relief balm for teeth grinding and jaw pain. The balm, also called TJz Balm, consists of a formula derived from plants such as lavender, ginger, and jojoba. More than 40 million Americans have jaw pain related to the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), according to the firm. TJz Balm helps relax the jaw with a hands-free massage applicator and offers an alternative

GSO gives free braces to 4 kids in Ga.

The Georgia School of Orthodontics (GSO) has awarded four children in Atlanta with free orthodontic care through its Gift of a Smile program. The program has provided free orthodontic care to 17 children in the metro Atlanta area since its inception in 2016. The program aims to provide $100,000 in complimentary orthodontic care to children who need braces but cannot afford them.

OrVance debuts campaign for nontraditional dental wax

OrVance has released a 30-second commercial intended to educate orthodontic patients about the deficiencies of traditional dental wax. The Ax the Wax campaign follows research from Michigan State University advertising students on the importance of educating parents about the safety of dental wax. It also emphasizes OrVance’s request that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration take action against companies that sell misbranded dental wax to orthodontic practices. Currently, 25 companies

Align offers 4-part digital excellence series

Align Technology is offering a free four-part webinar series on the benefits of a digital dental workflow. Designed for general dentists, orthodontists, and laboratory owners, Align’s Digital Excellence Series will address topics such as converting to digital practice workflows, adapting and thriving within the COVID-19 environment, implementing more efficient ways to engage patients and manage chair time, maximizing the benefits of owning an intraoral scanner, and exploring the opportunities within

AAOMS announces new president

The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) has named Dr. B.D. Tiner as its new president. Dr. B.D. Tiner. Image courtesy of the AAOMS. Tiner is a surgeon with Alamo Maxillofacial Surgical Assoc. in San Antonio, and his private practice encompasses all areas of oral and maxillofacial surgery, the AAOMS said. In addition, Tiner is a diplomate and past president of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery,

Mouth ulcers may be early sign of autoimmune disease

People in South Korea who were diagnosed with recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) were at a much greater risk for developing several autoimmune diseases, according to a study published on October 3 in Oral Diseases. Patients with recurring mouth ulcers faced a significantly higher risk of developing Behcet’s disease, systemic lupus erythematosus, ankylosing spondylitis, gout, Hashimoto thyroiditis, Graves’ disease, and rheumatoid arthritis, according to the authors. “RAS like lesion may be

Week in Review: EPA and amalgam | Oral cancer in the spotlight | Dental ‘splinters’ to avoid

Dear DrBicuspid Member, It was a busy week here at HuangshanDental.com, so let’s dive right in and cover some of the editorial highlights from the past few days. October 12 (Monday) is a big day when it comes to your dental practice and your amalgam separator. Yes, Monday is the deadline for submitting your dental practice’s one-time compliance report for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) amalgam rule to the control