Dental Research

Infection is one of the biggest risks of any surgical procedure, and no dentist wants his or her patients to suffer from ongoing problems. But according to a study of Minnesota dental patients in five counties, prescribing antibiotics as a "just in case" measure may have repercussions that dentists don't see. The results of the 7-year study, shared with attendees...

Gum disease runs the range of being mildly uncomfortable to downright painful. Researchers at the Centers for Disease Control estimate that nearly half -- 47.2 percent -- of adults over age 30 have some form of periodontal disease. Caused by harmful oral bacteria that proliferate in our mouths, periodontal disease symptoms range from sensitive or bleeding gums to gums pulling...

Chronic periodontitis is a chronic inflammation of the gum tissues, caused by an excess of dental plaque and the body's immune response to the harmful bacteria. Over time, it causes loss of bone and soft tissues, and evidence exists that links chronic periodontitis with an increased risk of certain cancers, rheumatoid arthritis, and even Alzheimer's Disease. Periodontitis is a common health problem, affecting nearly half...

Cancer Research, a journal by the American Association for Cancer Research, published an article which revealed a potential link between periodontal disease and esophageal cancer. Dr. Jiyoung Ahn, an Associate Professor and Associate Director for Population Science at the Laura and Isaac Perlmutter Center at New York University Langone Health, conducted a decade-long study focused on how oral bacteria can lead to...

The International Journal of Dental Hygiene recently released an article, "Success of non‐surgical periodontal therapy in adult periodontitis patients‐a retrospective analysis," that studied adult patients who had undergone periodontal treatment. About the Netherlands Study The study that was published in the International Journal of Dental Hygiene was led by G.A. Van der Weijden. Van der Weijden is a periodontist and works at the...

Dentin hypersensitivity (DH) is a prevalent complaint among dental patients. When patients complain of a sharp, transient toothache, especially when ingesting something hot or cold, dentin hypersensitivity may be the culprit. A 2018 study published in Nature published by Hiller et al. examined how effectively three kinds of toothpaste blocked the dentinal openings which lead to the symptoms of dentin hypersensitivity. The active substances...

Studies show the oral bacteria present in a pregnant woman can impact the health of her baby. More recently, researchers have unearthed more evidence which links periodontitis with low birth weight and premature birth. A study published in the Journal of Maternal-Fetal and Neonatal Medicine, "Association of periodontitis with preterm birth and low birth weight: a comprehensive review," and another titled,...

The field of nanodentistry is progressing rapidly from theory to practice as dental researchers seek ever more precise methods for dentists to maintain and improve oral health. Nanotechnology has been at the forefront of scientific advances for decades. It has not had, until recently, viable clinical applications. Nanotechnology is based on manipulating matter at the cellular level. The term nano is...

Dentists play an active role in managing the dental pain of their patients. It's important for every dental professional to maintain a delicate balance between the side effects and benefits of opioid and non-opioid therapies while providing the best pain relief possible. New evidence was published in The Journal of the American Dental Association that will affect how dentists prescribe medication to...

Scientists at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York recently examined the facilitators and potential barriers to implementing Oral Rapid HIV testing in the dental setting. The test is very helpful for patients who are unaware of their positive HIV status. The study, "Oral Rapid HIV Testing: Implementation experiences of dental hygiene faculty and students," was published in the Journal...