Jordan Soll If you look up the word experience in the dictionary it says “see Mistakes.” Janice Goodman My dad gave me the best advice I’ve ever received the day I graduated in Dentistry. The most valuable asset you will ever have is your reputation. He was right of course. Les Rykiss … Read more
Malocclusion (HM) is a rising public health epidemic that is seen mainly within industrialized/industrializing cultures. To date, there is no published evidence that malocclusion had ever been a significantly observed human trait prior to the Industrial Revolution in Europe and North America during late 18th/early to mid/late 19th-Centuries; its relatively recent appearance as a common … Read more
There is an Airway Centric paradigm shift in dentistry. We are excited that this edition of Oral Health is being devoted to Airway Health and Airway in Dentistry. The term AirwayCentric® was created to give healthcare practitioners and consumers and new way of looking at dentistry and healthcare. We invite you to be part of … Read more
As parents, we absolutely want what is best for our children in every way. Many parents are well aware of the specific milestones that our children should reach during the first 18-months of life, however, there are several important growth and development factors that must be evaluated in each child during the first decade of … Read more
Ten years ago, I took a weeklong survival class in the SE Utah high desert with my son. No food, water, tent, sleeping bag or phone, just you, your clothes, a knife and a compass. There were two guides and twelve of us. They trained us in the art and science of survival for the … Read more
The future of dentistry involves evaluation of the patient providing collaborative optimal care alongside other healthcare practitioners. The increased interest and involvement with sleep, pain and airway requires the dentist to view their patient with new and expanded vision and thinking. The successful treatment of patients with sleep, TMD, and chronic pain will be based … Read more
Bullet points: 1. Definition-orthopedic/functional breathing 2. Comorbidity of orthopedic and facial pain and breathing 3. Answers to our questions 4. Method or technique-paradigm shift 5. Integrating myofunctional techniques This article defines “Airway Centered Dentistry”, explains the mechanism of chronic face/jaw pain and dysfunction, reviews the technique and triage systems that have been successful in the … Read more
Dentists have become involved in the treatment of sleep apnea for several reasons. An oral appliance is usually less uncomfortable than sleeping with a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) mask, so dentists offer a welcome alternative for CPAP intolerant patients. Also, the growth and development of the jaw and palate control airway function, therefore; dentists … Read more
This article is not about the “how” of airway orthodontics. It’s about the “why”. But it does suggest that a regard for the rationale of airway orthodontics will spur a change in the way we do things in orthodontics altogether. For years, the orthodontic profession has polarized around many issues: genetic vs environmental etiology of … Read more
Breathing is one of the most vital functions of the human body. Every breath we take can have a positive or negative impact on our bodies depending on how it is performed; and it has been well established that normal breathing should be achieved through the nose. However, it may be detoured to the oral … Read more
The FDIC has a new definition of the term “oral health”; it “includes the ability to speak, smile, smell, taste, touch, chew, swallow and convey a range of emotions through facial expressions with confidence and without pain, discomfort and disease of the craniofacial complex”. Oh my. How do we interpret this? The FDIC has subtly … Read more
The Book GASP Is A Game Changer I was in dire need of a tool to help me explain to patients that some dental symptoms can be tracked back to an underlying airway issue and that there were solutions to these problems. GASP gives credibility to what I am saying and covers the myriad of … Read more
In the past few years, the cloud-based dental software was introduced to the dental industry. Many articles and blogs were written to explain this new technology and why dental professionals should consider it for their business. However, most of those articles and blogs were too complex to understand or too vague. This article is written … Read more
“How’s your dog?” “What’s new with the kids?” “Are there any changes in your health history?” These are typical and appropriate questions to ask patients during their recare visit. But there is one question that sometimes isn’t asked that should be the first review when the patient sits in the hygiene chair, and it can … Read more
Regardless of where your office is located or what type of practice you work in, a common factor is Infection Control. Everyone needs a surface disinfectant to keep the workplace clean and safe. Not all surface disinfectants are created equally. Understanding the differences will ensure you make an informed decision. With so many products flooding … Read more
Dental professionals hear a lot of opinions about toothpaste abrasivity. There are misunderstandings about the meaning of relative dentin abrasion (RDA) values and what they convey about the safety of a toothpaste. It can be difficult to distinguish fact from fiction. For example, a common misperception is that a toothpaste with an RDA below 100 … Read more
The question, “paper or plastic” takes on an entirely new meaning when related to instrument sterilization in the dental office. Classified as a medical device, there are stringent criteria for manufacturing of sterilization packaging. Quality sterilization pouches, usually constructed of paper and plastic, are a key component of any sterility assurance protocol. The goal of … Read more
US-based The Pew Research Group has a special unit following oral healthcare. Recently, it released a blog on three issues facing Americans (yes, it translates to us) oral healthcare: affordability, affordability, affordability. Dental care is one of the most unmet healthcare needs in the United States. Lack of insurance coverage and access to providers, even … Read more
Congratulations for lunching AT THE ROOT in your January 2017 edition! The column promises to maintain and enhance Oral Health relevance. Over the years, the journal has maintained an effective balance between the business and the scientific sides of dentistry. The January 2017 editorial by Drs. Titley and Sigal is a fine example of scientific … Read more
Introduction Ludwig’s angina was first reported by Wilhelm Frederick von Ludwig in 1836. It is a severe and quickly spreading cellulitis characterized by significant involvement of the submandibular, sublingual and occasionally submental space. This condition is potentially fatal if not treated aggressively and promptly due to the cellulitis leading to airway compromise. 1,2 Prior to … Read more