AAP calls for oral health abstracts

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is calling for oral health abstracts for the Section on Oral Health (SOOH) Program to be held virtually on October 9 from 1-3 p.m. EST. Submissions can be in the form of virtual posters or oral presentations, including case reports, original research, program evaluations, and quality improvement project presentations. Topics include any aspect of pediatric oral health, medical-dental collaboration, interprofessional partnerships, medical-dental integration, HPV,

Higher doses of radiotherapy in kids linked to oral complications

Childhood head and neck cancer survivors who undergo higher doses of radiation therapy face greater risks of developing salivary and dental complications, according to a review published on May 29 in the International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology, Physics. Limiting ionizing radiation doses to children’s parotid glands, which aid in saliva production, and keeping doses as low as possible to their oral cavities may minimize their risks of developing salivary

Dental Dose: Why lidocaine is the golden child of dentistry

Everybody loves lidocaine. It is a great anesthetic agent. It has so many advantages that it’s hard to keep track of them all. But should lidocaine be held in as high regard as it is? Pharmacologist Tom Viola, RPh, asked and answered this question in the latest episode of Dental Dose. “Lidocaine has always been the gold standard,” Viola said. “Why does lidocaine have the status it does in dentistry

Biolase touts studies on its laser technology

Biolase is touting the findings of a pair of studies published in two scientific journals that investigated the company’s Waterlase laser technology for treating peri-implantitis in patients. Research about the company’s technology was published in the November/December 2020 issue of the International Journal of Periodontics & Restorative Dentistry and on April 30 in Lasers in Medical Science. For the former journal, company leaders said researchers found the laser to be

Adults remember losing baby teeth fondly

For nearly 40% of adults, losing a baby tooth is their earliest dental memory — and an event many remember fondly. The findings come from a survey released on May 26 by online market research platform DentaVox. The loss of a baby tooth was most often cited as the earliest tooth-related memory, but it was not the only one reported. Other respondents listed their earliest memory as having a toothache

Align updates iTero features

Align Technology is touting its newly released iTero Workflow 2.0 software, as well as a new autoupload feature for the iTero Element 5D imaging system. The iTero Element 5D Plus imaging system. Image courtesy of Align. iTero Workflow 2.0 includes features that provide sharper intraoral images for clearer hard- and soft-tissue details. It also helps drive practice efficiency, patient engagement, and a more seamless end-to-end digital treatment experience for doctors

Poor oral health hides case of immunoglobulin G4-related disease

A 38-year-old man was diagnosed with a rare case of immunoglobulin G4-related periodontitis after presenting with severely enlarged gums. The case was published on May 28 in BMC Oral Health. The findings can help dentists gain insight into immunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4-RD), a chronic inflammatory systemic condition. Patients who present with an abnormal accumulation of fluid and gingival hyperplasia should undergo serological examination and possibly a biopsy and other testing

AAOMS promotes Wittich to executive director

The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) has appointed Karin Wittich as its new executive director. Karin Wittich. Image courtesy of AAOMS. Wittich, who has served as the association’s associate executive director of practice management and governmental affairs since 2004, will also assume the role of executive director of the OMS Foundation. She replaces Scott Farrell, who is retiring after five years as executive director, according to the

AAE supports vital pulp therapy for mature teeth

The American Association of Endodontists (AAE) supports vital pulp therapy as a treatment option for patients who have adult teeth with injured pulps and fully formed roots, according to a position statement released on May 24. Root canals and extractions were the only recommended treatment options for these patients until now. Prior to this new statement, vital pulp therapy was reserved for adults with tooth roots that have not fully

NYU Dentistry receives funding from BioHorizons

The New York University (NYU) College of Dentistry said it has received funding and in-kind support from BioHorizons Implant Systems to enhance its implant dentistry education programs. BioHorizons will provide dental implant products for patients, including those treated at NYU Dentistry Brooklyn Patient Care and NYU Dentistry Oral Health Center for People with Disabilities. In addition, the gift will support the college’s newly launched Patient Care Access Fund aimed at

Dentsply Sirona joins forces with 3Shape

Dentsply Sirona is teaming up with 3Shape in a strategic partnership aimed at digital dentistry. In the first phase of the partnership, the companies will link 3Shape’s Trios intraoral scanner with Dentsply Sirona’s SureSmile clear aligners. The firms said they will also pursue multiple other strategic opportunities in digital dentistry.

Week in Review: Proposed anesthesia requirements | Ortho spending climbs | Perfect celebrity smiles

Dear DrBicuspid Member, Delegates of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) may adopt new rules for in-office anesthesia to ensure patient safety. Our top story of the week details what you need to know about the resolutions. The proposed anesthesia changes include requiring members to participate in simulation training, complete surveys, conduct mock emergency drills, and provide certification for anesthesia assistants. The AAOMS developed the resolutions in