Black tooth stains may protect against caries

Black stains on primary and permanent teeth may protect against caries. A new review found patients with extrinsic black stains had fewer cavities than the general population. The authors hypothesized the difference could result from biological or nutritional factors. Researchers from Brazil reviewed more than a dozen studies evaluating whether extrinsic black stains made a difference in the occurrence of caries. They published their systematic review in Caries Research on

Endodontics Insider: Review focuses on avoiding discoloration after regeneration

Dear Endodontics Insider, Regenerative endodontic procedures such as root canal revitalization can be successful, but tooth discoloration caused by the materials used may occur. Researchers reviewed the literature to see which materials could cause tooth discoloration and how to successfully avoid this issue. Read our Insider Exclusive. Which imaging modality is more effective at locating microcracks on root dentin after root canal prep: microcomputed tomography or cone-beam CT? Researchers scanned

New product: At-home whitening kit with blue light introduced

ARC has introduced a new at-home teeth-whitening system with a blue light device. The ARC Blue Light teeth-whitening kit includes whitening strip treatments and a blue light device. The LED blue light technology helps weaken yellow stains below the tooth enamel surface, increasing the whitening results, according to ARC. The kit is available at Target and on the company’s website. The ARC Blue Light teeth-whitening kit. Image courtesy of ARC.

Stem cells may be key to tooth repair in the future

Researchers have discovered a new population of stem cells that holds the possibility of innovative treatment solutions for tooth decay, caries, and trauma in the future. A group of international researchers uncovered a host of mesenchymal stem cells that become activated through the molecular gene DLK1, according to a study published in Nature Communications (August 9, 2019). These cells make up skeletal tissues and contribute to the formation of dentin.

New product: Glidewell releases sleep apnea device

Glidewell Dental has released a new mandibular advancement device for patients with mild to moderate obstructive sleep apnea. The Oasys Hinge Appliance is designed to shift a patient’s lower jaw forward during sleep, which activates the airway muscles and ligaments to prevent the airway from collapsing. The telescope-style hinge can be adjusted chairside or at home, according to Glidewell Dental. Patients with Medicare qualify for reimbursement as the device is

Doctors find dentures in man’s throat 8 days after surgery

Removable dentures got stuck in a 72-year-old man’s throat during surgery to remove a benign lump. Doctors didn’t find the false teeth until eight days later when the patient complained of pain, bleeding, and swallowing difficulties. U.K.-based ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist Dr. Harriet Cunniffe wrote about the experience and key learnings in the journal BMJ Case Reports (August 12, 2019). She cautioned that dentures should be taken out before

Smartphone use puts kids at risk for dental injuries

Increased smartphone use is putting children at higher risk for traumatic dental and facial injuries, such as displaced teeth, according to an article published in Dental Traumatology (August 7, 2019). Younger children who watch videos, play games, or take selfies while lying on their backs or during bedtime are at risk for these injuries. Traumatic dental injuries are considered the fifth most common disease in the world and affect more

Dental pain a top reason Medicaid patients given opioids

Approximately 17% of Medicaid recipients who are prescribed opioids to manage pain receive them for dental reasons, according to a new study. Overall, about half of the Medicaid opioid prescriptions are for either orthopedic or dental-related reasons. Additionally, emergency department healthcare providers are more likely than their colleagues to prescribe opioids, the study authors reported in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine (August 1, 2019). These findings are important because

Week in Review: Unvaccinated patients | Cannabis conversations | Effective social media

Dear DrBicuspid Member, Measles was declared eliminated from the U.S. nearly 20 years ago, but it has made a comeback. How do you respond when you learn that your pediatric patients are not up to date on their vaccinations? Are you ethically bound to treat these patients? Experts from the risk management staff of The Dentists Insurance Company explored the ethical and legal considerations of these questions and offered practical

Study compares imaging modalities for microcrack detection

When trying to locate microcracks on root dentin after root canal prep, is microcomputed tomography (micro-CT) or cone-beam CT (CBCT) a more effective imaging modality? Researchers scanned 30 molars to find out. They wanted to see how the two imaging methods compared in finding microcracks on root dentin, while also evaluating the frequency of dentinal microcracks after root canal preparation using the ProTaper Universal system. Their study was published in

75% of dentists don’t talk about cannabis — here’s why you should

Do you discuss cannabis use with your patients? Researchers from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) hope the answer is yes. They outlined the oral health considerations of marijuana and other noncigarette products in a recent study. “Any product that involves breathing in smoke, including cannabis, is likely to exacerbate periodontal disease and impair wound healing,” lead author Benjamin Chaffee, DDS, MPH, PhD, told HuangshanDental.com. “Smoked tobacco and chewing

Carestream partners with implant guide companies

Carestream Dental has announced partnerships with Swissmedia and 360imaging, two companies that create implant surgical guides. Swissmedia is the developer of the Swissmeda Dental Planning System (SDPS), a software system to design implant cases and create customizable guide designs for guided surgery procedures. Through the partnership, users of Carestream’s CS Solutions for Implants software can export data from Carestream’s Prosthetic-Driven Implant Planning module to SDPS. 360imaging creates digital implantology products,