George contacted me by email a few weeks ago. He wrote, “My tooth is still hurting, and my dentist can’t find out why.” He lives outside of the U.S., found me on the internet, and wanted another opinion. I responded to him and explained, “I cannot make a diagnosis over the internet. But I will look at your x-rays and review your medical and dental history. Then, I should have
Actor Laurence Fishburne plans to highlight dental implants and how they can improve people’s lives in an upcoming episode of “In Depth.” Fishburne interviews various industry experts on a wide array of topics on his educational program, which is seen across the U.S. In this installment, the actor will talk with dental professionals about the pros and cons of dental implants. The program will also cover how the current COVID-19
America’s ToothFairy said it raised $30,000 during its annual Bid for Smiles fundraiser to support oral healthcare for kids in need. Proceeds from the online auction of dental equipment and supplies will help members of the organization’s Dental Resource Program, which supports more than 75 nonprofit dental clinics that service more than 500,000 children in the U.S. Member clinics receive financial grants, as well as dental products and equipment, educational
A Canadian researcher has developed a screening tool to assist a variety of professionals in assessing the risk of tooth decay in children younger than 6 years. Created by Dr. Bob Schroth of the University of Manitoba, the Canadian Caries Risk Assessment Tool was developed for use by doctors, daycare workers, dietitians, and social workers, according to the university. It can also be utilized by dentists who might not have many
Clustered papular growths on a woman’s lips led to a diagnosis of a rare, genetic condition that’s associated with an increased risk of breast cancer and other cancer types, according to a case report published in the April 9 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. A several-month history of multiple tender breast lumps and clustered bumps on the lips led doctors to diagnose a 32-year-old woman with Cowden
The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) has awarded EasyRx President and CEO Todd Blankenbecler its 2020 Ortho Innovator Award. The award is in its second year and highlights companies or individuals who are positively affecting orthodontic practice, the AAO said. It is judged by the AAO’s Committee on Technology. EasyRx offers orthodontists a universal lab prescription management and tracking app, a digital workflow platform for submitting cases, and software to
As many people around the U.S. celebrate the marijuana-centered holiday 4/20 today, they may not realize the plant has more to offer than a good high. Combining antibiotics with a cannabis-derived chemical may be the answer to antibiotic-resistant bacteria, according to a recent study. Mixing cannabidiol (CBD) with antibiotics enhances the effects of the germ-killing drugs, the researchers found. “The antibacterial effects of [bacitracin (BAC)] against [Staphylococcus aureus] as well
A toothache can be quite disruptive and may even cause you to avoid eating, lose sleep or be unable to concentrate during the day. However, not all toothaches are the same. A tooth signals pain when something is wrong, but this can involve different types of pain. In some cases, you can get a better idea of what is causing your toothache by distinguishing the level and type of pain
Practice management for oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMS) practices is a little like farming, in that there’s a seasonality to it. For example, most OMS practice owners and managers could tell you which weeks and months throughout the year involve preparing their practices for the “wisdom teeth harvest.” Scott Graham. We are releasing a series of articles that describe the primary management tasks OMS practices should consider addressing in the
A 7-year-old boy who had experienced months of constant redness and itching in his eye found relief when clinicians removed a mature tooth from the eye, according to a case report published on April 9 in JAMA Ophthalmology. After the procedure, the doctors determined that the underlying white outer layer of the boy’s eye appeared normal. When the tissue was examined, clinicians discovered a fibrocollagenous cyst wall with a denuded
When the COVID-19 pandemic dealt the dental industry a critical blow to its business, many dentists turned to their technology to stay productive and help their colleagues who saw their personal protective equipment (PPE) supplies dwindling. That technology is centered around 3D printing and the combination of computers and the creativity of the human mind. It’s also a technology that is expected to see a rapid amount of growth in
Dental testing specialist OralDNA Labs has rolled out a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for SARS-CoV-2 from its OraRisk line of salivary diagnostics. The Eden Prairie, MN-based company plans to apply for emergency use authorization (EUA) with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) within 15 days, as required by FDA guidance. The OraRisk COVID-19 PCR test is based on the patented CoPrimer technology of Co-Diagnostics. RNA extraction for all