New biodegradable rods combat periodontal disease

Researchers from Germany have developed biodegradable rods that can limit the application of antibiotics for periodontal disease to the mouth, reducing the side effects of standard pill-based antibiotic treatments. More than 50% of adults in Germany are at some point affected by periodontal disease, which exposes the body to harmful bacteria and may lead to pneumonia and heart attack, said lead author Karsten Mäder, PhD, of Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg

Rise in e-scooter use leads to more head, face injuries

Riders of standing electric scooters (e-scooters) commonly experience head and face injuries due to multiple factors, including the troubles they have breaking their own falls, according to a study published in the November issue of the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. About 60% of patients who visited the emergency department in a major urban area with scooter-related trauma had head and face injuries, the researchers found. “Although providing an

Dentists should be aware of rising antidepressant use

The use of antidepressants in the U.K. has more than doubled over the past two decades, according to a recent study published in the British Journal of Psychiatry (October 7, 2019). This is a statistic that dental professionals should be mindful of during patient consultations for oral procedures. The researchers, led by Antony Arthur, PhD, from the University of East Anglia, investigated the prevalence of depression and the use of

Hu-Friedy launches flexible composite instrument

Hu-Friedy has launched its new Akro-Flex restorative composite spatula. The flexible instrument features hyperthin working ends made from nickel-titanium, an alloy known for its elasticity. This pliable spatula fits easily into narrow interproximal space and returns to its initial shape after use, according to the company. The lightweight, ergonomic design allows for an enhanced grip with less hand fatigue, and its smooth finish prevents excess composite material from building up,

Week in review: Delta Dental antitrust lawsuit | Assistant sues over breaks | DSO survey

With the news that various antitrust lawsuits have been filed against Delta Dental, we thought it was important to get opinion and fact on what is happening and how it could affect you and your practice from dental insurance expert Teresa Duncan. If you need a good weekend listen, check out her in-depth podcast where she breaks down what the lawsuits mean. Speaking of lawsuits, a dental assistant in Oregon

Bottle removed from boy’s tongue with uncorking method

Clinicians removed a glass bottle stuck to a 7-year-old boy’s tongue by injecting air into it, which was a technique inspired by the doctor’s unconventional method of opening a wine bottle, according to a case report published as a letter in the December issue of the European Journal of Anaesthesiology. Using this unusual technique allowed the doctors to avoid more complex techniques involving general anesthesia and physically cutting the bottle

Neolithic people in Near East made necklaces of human teeth

Human teeth that were worn as pendants were unearthed from the ruins of the 9,000-year-old Turkish city Çatalhöyük. This is the first documented case of human teeth being made into jewelry in the Near East, according to a new study published in the Journal of Archaeological Science. Archeologists discovered three teeth dating back between 6,700 B.C. and 6,300 B.C. in Central Anatolia region of Turkey. Two of the teeth were

Which MRI sequences can best handle metal braces?

What is the best way to overcome artifacts in patients wearing metallic orthodontic devices? The authors of a new study published November 12 in Radiology recommend slight modifications in functional MRI (fMRI) and diffusion-tensor MR imaging (DTI-MRI) sequences to complete the task. Researchers from Johns Hopkins University took a cue from a previous study that used T2-prepared blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) fMRI and a diffusion-prepared DTI sequence to work around

Pitt commits to opioid-free pain management

The University of Pittsburgh (Pitt) School of Dental Medicine has established opioid-free pain management guidelines for most procedures performed at its clinics. It is the first educational institution in the U.S. to take such action, according to the school. The university’s dental school created pain management guidelines to help clinicians make the best choices for their patients. The school revamped its guidelines because current studies show that nonopioid medications generally

5-year-old falls while brushing, leaving hole in throat

A 5-year-old girl in Utah required emergency surgery after she fell off the bed while doing her evening toothbrushing, causing the brush to puncture her throat. The force of the brush left a 1-inch hole in her throat, according to news reports. The girl, Celeste, underwent surgery in October that lasted more than two hours to close the hole in her throat. Though she is expected to make a full

The important role photography plays in the success of your practice

Is a picture worth a thousand words? Or is it worth far more? I could show you the rest of the series we recently took on this new patient. This single image, however, has so much to say. Have a good look at it. What do you think about the following? The size of the anterior six The contour The angulation The color The opacity Here are a few more

Pa. dental assistant faces drug charge

A dental assistant in Pennsylvania was charged with drug possession after a bag of methamphetamine was found in her pocket during a root canal, according to a November 19 report in the Morning Call. The bag, allegedly belonging to Cindy Lou Kametler, of Whitehall, PA, was allegedly found by a dentist at Upper Bucks Dental Arts in Milford Township on October 23. According to the police, the dentist requested a