Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) are the most common non tooth-related reasons for chronic orofacial pain, affecting 5-12% of the population with 75% of the population presenting at least one sign and 35% presenting at least one symptom of TMD. Women are twice as likely to experience pain symptoms due to hormonal, biological and psychosocial factors. A … Read more
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
It looks like 2020 is bringing the Canadian dental profession a gift, in the new selection of molecular iodine (I2) products from ioTech International. These products, surpass all of the existing gold standard disinfectants. Coming out of the gate, these products appear to be game changers in antimicrobial chemistry. Dr. Gordon Christenson named ioRinse the … Read more
One of the most gratifying, yet often overlooked procedures, in dentistry today, is the treatment of excessive gingival display (EGD), or the “gummy smile”. A multi-disciplinary approach to treatment includes: the general dentist; the periodontist; and perhaps the treating orthodontist. This approach enables the patient to receive the most comprehensive treatment, with the best final … Read more
Introduction Er,Cr:YSGG laser has been chosen to perform the apicoectomy1,9,13 as an alternative for the use of a scalpel and rotary instruments due to the laser’s precision, lack of vibration16,17 and lack of microfracture occurrence on hard tissues, such as bone and root. Additionally, laser apicoectomy had the benefit of less post-operative discomfort1, capability to … Read more
As the saying goes, “do you know what the best camera is?” It’s the one that you have with you. Photography usage in dentistry is an essential part of proper documentation of a patient’s current condition. Just as a dentist needs radiographs for a proper diagnosis of health and disease, photography can also help with … Read more
Pulpdent’s dual-cure ACTIVA BioACTIVE-CEMENT is a game changer. As a bioactive product, the cement not only is a superb adhesive agent but also mimics nature and utilizes saliva as a source of minerals to aid in the natural development of crystalline structure by recharging calcium, phosphates and fluoride along the margins of the crown. These … Read more
These are exciting times in dentistry. We have technology available today which allows us to complete dental surgery with greater precision and more comfort for our patients than we ever could before. More and more general practitioners are performing what used to be considered complex surgeries, previously reserved only for the specialists, on a daily … Read more
Introduction Oral mucositis (OM) is an acute complication resulting from chemoradiotherapy in the management of head and neck malignancies causing pain, decreased oral intake, risk of infection, and modifications to a patient’s treatment regimen. Over the last decade, the prevalence of oral mucositis has increased due to new chemotherapy, introduction of targeted agents such as … Read more
Abstract Orofacial pain can pose a diagnostic challenge to a practitioner who is examining a patient with history of facial pain. Known and unknown aetiologies can contribute to pain symptoms. There are often problems arising from the subjective nature of pain due to the presence of multi-factorial causes. This may lead to differential diagnoses including … Read more
Abstract The dental profession represents a significant player in the future trajectory of the current opioid crisis. Exercising sound clinical judgement and adhering to evidence-based principles of pain management are essential. The aim of the present report is to review the current landscape of the opioid crisis and present evidence-based acute pain management strategies in … Read more
Remember a few years back, when a new regulation came into effect that required us to ask our patients for a piece of ID when we wanted to prescribe something as common as Tylenol #3? Personally, I thought, “Oh sure, bring on more rules and restrictions!” Actually, it forced me away from prescribing opioids and … 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
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
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