Melatonin to Reduce Pain and Swelling Following Wisdom Teeth Removal

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An interesting article titled “The Effect of Local Melatonin Application Following the Removal of an Impacted Mandibular Third Molar” appears in the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery written by Shaimaa Mohsen Refahee and et. al. The article seeks to measure the effect of applying melatonin in the socket of an impacted lower wisdom tooth with osteogenic activity, painkilling effect, and anti-inflammatory effect. A prior article exploring the use of melatonin after wisdom teeth extraction has been discussed on this site before see Should Melatonin be Used for Wisdom Teeth Surgery?. In the current article, the authors conducted a prospective, randomized, blinded trial comprised of patients who required removal of the impacted lower wisdom tooth. Melatonin has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and promotes osteoblast differentiation and bone formation, which could potentially limit problems like intrabony defects and bone loss associated … Read more

Periodontitis has a relationship to atrial fibrosis in atrial fibrillation

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An interesting article titled “Relationship Between Periodontitis and Atrial Fibrosis in Atrial Fibrillation: Histological Evaluation of Left Atrial Appendages” appears in the JACC: Clinical Electrophysiology written by Shunsuke Miyauchi and et. al. (Volume 9, Issue 1, January 2023, Pages 43-53). The article seeks to explore the relationship of periodontitis with atrial fibrillation (AF) and atrial fibrosis. Periodontitis (periodontal disease) is an inflammatory disease where bacteria accumulates at the gum line. The likelyhood of periodontal disease occurring later in life in the wisdom tooth region is a reason dentists and oral surgeons give to support removing healthy wisdom teeth in the teenage and twenty years of age. Various associations to periodontitis has been showed over the years as covered before on this site see for example the posts Omega 3 Fatty Acids Inversely Proportional to Periodontitis, Blueberry extract could help treat periodontitis, Estrogen … Read more

Recreational Marijuana Uses Effect on Vital Signs and Anesthetic Requirements During Oral Surgery

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An interesting article titled “Is Recreational Marijuana Use Associated With Changes in the Vital Signs or Anesthetic Requirements During Intravenous Sedation?” appears in the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in January 18, 2023, written by Pooja Gangwani and et. al. The article sough to explore the association of cannabis’ psychoactive element tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) use on the vital signs and anesthetic requirements during sedation procedures. The study was the first to explore this findings on THC and its effects on sedation in the oral and maxillofacial surgery literature. In the article the authors used a retrospective cohort of 53 patients who were treated at an oral and maxillofacial surgery department between July 2018 and May 2022. The patients included in the study had undergone toxicology screening due to their history of recent drug use and received IV sedation. THC status was … Read more

The Mental Health Issues Experienced by Health Professional

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An interesting article titled “The pathway from mental health, leaves of absence, and return to work of health professionals: Gender and leadership matter,” appears in Healthcare Management Forum written by Ivy L. Bourgeault and et. al. (June 9, 2022, pp. 1-8). The article discusses the results of four health professional case studies involving nurses, physicians, midwives, and dentists as it pertains to their mental health experiences. In the article the authors sent an online survey was sent to dentists, nurses, doctors, and midwives in Canada between November 2020 and May 2021. The survey asked respondents about mental health, leave of absences, and return to work issues which included items on psychological or mental stress or distress, anxiety, burnout, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, mood disorders, thoughts of suicide, and substance use or dependence. The authors analyzed a total of 1860 survey … Read more

Is it Safe to Not use Suture or Stitches When Removing Wisdom Teeth?

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An interesting article titled “Sutureless socket technique after removalof third molars: a multicentric, open, randomized controlled trial” appears in BMC Oral Health written by Sarah Takadoum and et. al. (vol. 22, Article number: 256, 2022). The article conducted a clinical trial to compare pain following removal of impacted wisdom teeth with and without sutures also known as stiches. In the article the authors mentioned how questions remain regarding the best operative techniques during wisdom teeth surgery particularly the mucosal closure stage on impacted mandibular (lower) wisdom teeth. There are some who recommend suturing sockets after extraction, justfying this by saying that it limits bleeding and contamination of the postoperative site to thus improve the quality and speed of healing. There are others who prefer natural healing while the site is closed via cheek pressure. The authors set out to compare postoperative pain … Read more