Innovation is a term that gets tossed around quite a bit, but it is a rare privilege to bear witness to truly pioneering technology.1 Nanodentistry –the application of nanotechnology to dentistry – is one such technology, and one that I am confident will have a monumental impact on our profession. Nanotechnology is a field that … Read more
The July edition of Oral Health regularly highlights new products, new techniques, and new technologies. These are the innovations that improve our patients’ oral and general health, and make clinical dentistry better, faster, and easier. Inventive approaches make the practice of dentistry more exciting, something to look forward to each and every day. It should … Read more
It has often been said that to bring attention to a controversial matter simply affirms its existence, memorializes it and gives it credibility. The corollary is to ignore it and allow wrong and negligent statements to pass as science. Instead of burying our heads in the sand, we would much rather bury bad science once … Read more
When the American Dental Association ratified its “Policy on the Role of Dentists in the Treatment of Sleep-related Breathing Disorders” in 2017, the intention was to clarify the boundaries between medicine and dentistry to make sure dentists didn’t overreach into the diagnosing of apnea. The policy statement, recognizing the many comorbidities that also occur in … Read more
As humans, we are obligate nasal breathers but mouth breathing has become prevalent and almost the norm. The dentist can play an important role in reversing this trend by both diagnosing and treating. Mouth breathing has been considered a factor in Sleep Disordered Breathing (SDB) especially in children. It may be present from a combination … Read more
Dentists wield enormous power over their patients’ medical outcomes – positive and negative – and it starts with our intimacy with people’s airways. 2019 will be remembered as a seminal moment for dentistry. Are you and your practice prepared? The important role that dentistry can play in airway centered disorders (ACD) is being discovered by … Read more
“The human language capacity is overlaid in sensorimotor systems that originally evolved to do things other than support language” – Philip Lieberman Introduction According to Philip Lieberman, a scientist and recognized expert on the human brain and the evolution of speech, cognition and language, evidence from contemporary neuroscience indicates that our brains do not operate … Read more
Abstract The nasopalatine duct cyst is the most common non-odontogenic developmental cysts. This case report presents a nasopalatine duct cyst in a patient with a history of orofacial pain over one year with multiple doctor visits and only limited success. This nasopalatine duct cyst is the largest reported to date. It was treated with enucleation … Read more
Introduction Cannabis refers to drug products produced from plants of the genus Cannabis. 1 One of the most commonly used recreational drugs, 2 cannabis is capable of producing feelings of euphoria and relaxation in users. 3 While historically cannabis has been an illegal substance, in many countries there has been increasing acceptance of its usage … Read more
Abstract This article will present a review of the literature regarding the high rates of hearing loss, tinnitus and related comorbidities, affecting general dentists, specialists and assistants, as a result of the excessive noise produced by the dental high-speed handpiece (HP) (Fig. 1A). In comparison to other medical practitioners, including dentists who rarely use the … Read more
A Systematic Approach to Obstructive Sleep Apnea: A workflow using SICAT and Zephyr Sleep Technologies: SICAT Air and the MATRx plus in Tandem Introduction: Obstructive Sleep Apnea Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a prevalent chronic disease seen by both doctors and dentists. OSA is characterized by the prevention of regular breathing due to the upper … Read more
Breastfeeding goes back thousands of years, as in other mammalian species for good reason. At birth, the infant is nourished by breastfeeding which coordinates the respiratory system, cardiovascular system and orofacial reflexes. There is obligate nasal breathing in the human infant during the first six months of breast suckling achieved through an epiglottic-palatal lock. The … Read more
Following over 50 years of study and listening to experts, I want to share with you why good growth and good functioning of the mouth is so important. Let me explain why the Mouth is the Mirror of your Life. Good jaws mean a better neck alignment and a better airway and less snoring and … Read more
The Academy of General Dentistry has installed Neil Gajjar, DDS, MAGD, of Mississaugua, Ontario as the organization’s new president. Dr. Gajjar is the second Canadian and the youngest AGD member elected to the seat of president. The newly installed president was sworn into his role during the AGD’s Annual Meeting in Chicago, Nov. 2- 4. … Read more
Why Do We Have a Problem? The apparent epidemic of OSA which is occurring in all industrialized countries should not come as a surprise. Many in the sleep community routinely cite the increase in obesity rates over the last three to four decades as the cause of this epidemic. 1-7 There is no question that obesity … Read more
Abstract The development of the dental drill was one of the most significant innovations in dentistry, occurring in the late 1800’s; 150 years later, it is still our “go-to” instrument for most procedures, whether for removal of decay, endodontic instrumentation or surgical extraction. We have witnessed these machines being powered in many different ways, as … Read more
Many people experience a deep fear of sitting in the dental chair even though dentistry can significantly improve their health. By understanding a few key basics about the nervous system (and how fear, pain, and anxiety work in the body), you can help minimize pain, shut down fear responses, and decrease inflammation. This understanding can … Read more
Throughout history, successful treatment of a health condition has often preceded an understanding of what caused the problem. This is surely true of malocclusion. A malocclusion of any significance is not a disease but it does represent a failure of development. Understandably, the great majority of effort by the dental profession is directed towards treating … Read more
What is functional dentistry and why is it worth talking about? I am curious if this is a movement or new direction in dentistry. Here are my thoughts. Functional medicine and dentistry are using your detective skills and sleuthing out underlying root causes and abnormalities that have lead to a patient’s complaints or symptoms and … Read more
Before you were born, there were countless forces shaping your growth and development. You had your own set of prenatal conditions and a unique path to birth before your very first taste of oxygen. This inaugural breath was then shaped by primitive reflexes, breast feeding (or lack thereof), oral tethered tissues, oral habits, oral nasal … Read more