Endodontists give in when docs, patients push for opioids

Approximately 43% of endodontists reported they had prescribed opioids after feeling pressured by physicians or patients to order the medication, according to a new study published in the Journal of Endodontics. The findings also showed that private-practice practitioners were significantly more likely to succumb to external pressure to prescribe opioids over those clinicians in military or faculty settings. “Practice background is significant for endodontists who felt pressured to prescribe opioids,”

Pain meds don’t reduce sensitivity from teeth bleaching

Anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs may not prevent tooth sensitivity caused by in-office dental bleaching, according to a new systematic review published in the Journal of the American Dental Association. Patients who took the drugs before having their teeth bleached experienced similar levels of sensitivity as those who did not take them, the authors reported. “Despite the differences in drugs and protocols, the meta-analysis of the clinical trials evaluating the possible

Neocis installs robotic surgery devices

The Boston University School of Dental Medicine has installed two surgical robotic devices from dental implant surgery company Neocis. The school is the first U.S. dental school to acquire, install, and use the devices for dental implant surgeries. It plans to use the company’s Yomi robot-assisted surgical device to train predoctoral students and postdoctoral residents on state-of-the-art robotic technology to improve their accuracy and precision during dental surgery and augment

New imaging method to assess root position may cut radiation dose

A new imaging technique could reduce the amount of radiation that dental patients are exposed to during orthodontic treatment, according to new research. The method also shows promise for other types of dental treatment that require accurate root position assessment. The technique, called expected root position (ERP) setup, superimposes a digital model onto an existing cone-beam CT (CBCT) scan. Researchers from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) detailed how

Kulzer unveils Delara prosthetic teeth line

Kulzer has introduced the Delara midpriced prosthetic teeth line, the latest addition to its prosthetic teeth portfolio. Available in 16 Vita shades and two bleach shades, Delara teeth feature a surface structure that allows for natural light shattering and modern shading, according to the vendor. The teeth also can avoid the gray or yellowish effect that can occur in the mouth with other prosthetic teeth, Kulzer said. The Delara line

Wash. dentist charged after patient death in 2018

A Washington dentist has been charged with unprofessional conduct tied to the death of a patient in January 2018. Ellis Burke Jardine, DMD, allegedly failed to report the cardiac arrest, hospital admission, and eventual death of a 51-year-old developmentally delayed patient, according to the Washington State Department of Health’s Dental Quality Assurance Commission. Additionally, Dr. Jardine, of Excel Dental in Battle Ground, failed to record the events, including the man’s adverse

ADA duel with SmileDirectClub heats up

The American Dental Association (ADA) and SmileDirectClub have issued dueling press statements in their ongoing dispute over government regulation of SmileDirectClub’s clear-aligner business. Both the ADA and SmileDirectClub in the past week issued competing statements regarding government enforcement actions — or the lack of same — that give each group’s own spin on the dispute. Dental organizations such as the ADA and state dental boards have waged an ongoing battle

Do Dental Implants Hurt or Cost a Fortune? We Answer Your FAQs

Facing tooth loss? Ask anyone who’s got them: dentures are a pain. They’re uncomfortable. Since dentures move around, they tend to collect and trap food, which can lead to gum loss and further tooth decay. Some say food doesn’t taste the same after dentures. They may even cause you to gag! Dentures definitely aren’t fun. That’s why at our family dentist practice in Middleburg Heights, we always recommend dental

Clinician’s Choice debuts soft-tissue laser

Clinician’s Choice has launched a new soft-tissue diode laser. The Bluewave laser. Image courtesy of Clinician’s Choice. The Bluewave laser is an 810-nm diode laser that can be used for gingival contouring and tissue retraction. It features a lithium-ion battery and a wireless foot pedal. The laser offers greater patient comfort, faster healing times, and less need for anesthetic, according to Clinician’s Choice. The company will highlight Bluewave at the

Unique gum cells may prevent perio disease in the future

Newly discovered sensory cells in gums that protect the mouth from infections that cause tissue and bone damage to teeth may be the answer to periodontitis prevention treatments in the future, according to new research. A study published on October 3 in Nature Communications found that mice that didn’t have gingival solitary chemosensory cells (gSCCs) or SCC taste-signaling molecules, which help control the amount and types of bacteria in the

Invisalign gives best-selling Australian dentists deep price cuts

Align Technology’s Invisalign Australia has reportedly offered discounts of up to 35% to dentists who sell the most clear aligners to patients, according to a news report in the Sydney Morning Herald. Industry insiders have flagged their concerns to regulators, claiming the company is dangling hefty discounts in front of dentists and orthodontists to encourage them to sell as many clear aligners as possible to patients so they can boost

Cold, buzzing device succeeds at masking injection pain

A cold and buzzing bee-shaped device has once again proved to reduce children’s injection pain in a new study. The device, known as Buzzy, significantly reduced pain scores for children who received a local anesthetic prior to dental treatment. Buzzy (PainCareLabs) attempts to mask injection pain by combining a vibrating base with an accompanying ice-cold gel compress. Researchers from Turkey put the device to the test with dozens of children