Antimicrobial Gel To Improve Root Canal Procedures

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The American Association of Endodontists estimates that more than 15 million root canals are done each year. During the procedure, the tooth’s pulp and nerve are removed before the tooth is cleaned and sealed. In some cases bacteria, viruses, or yeasts contaminate the tooth which leads to additional follow up dental work having to be performed such as an additional root canal. Researchers at the Indiana University School of Dentistry have developed an injectable antimicrobial gel that could disinfect a tooth during a root canal procedure. The gel has advantages over traditional medications used as antibacterial agents, including calcium hydroxide. The gel offers extended and significantly longer residual antibacterial properties. The gel is biocompatible and contains a low concentration of antimicrobial elements. The researchers feel that creating an antimicrobial space is important during clinical regenerative endodontic procedures. The gel provides sustained antimicrobial properties even when it is … Read more

More Oral Pathogens and Less Bacterial Diversity in the Mouth Could Precede Stomach Cancer

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Researchers at the New York University College of Dentistry (NYU Dentistry) and New York University School of Medicine have found that elevated pathogen colonization and a lack of bacterial diversity in the mouth were identified in people with precancerous lesions that could precede stomach cancer. This work provides evidence that the increase in pathogens associated with periodontal disease (gum disease) could contribute to the development of precancerous lesions of stomach cancer. The specific finding of the study is that poor oral health is associated with an increased risk of precancerous lesions of stomach cancer. The potential of developing periodontal disease is one of the main risks of keeping wisdom teeth as discussed over at http://www.teethremoval.com/risks_of_keeping_wisdom_teeth.html. The American Cancer Society estimates that 26,370 new cases of stomach or gastric cancer were diagnosed in 2016, and this lead to 10,703 deaths.  Evidence suggests that chronic … Read more

Acupuncture for dental anxiety

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An interesting article titled “Acupuncture for anxiety in dental patients: Systematic review and meta-analysis,” by Allan et al. appears in the European Journal of Integrative Medicine (vol. 20, pp. 22-35, 2018). The article sets to look at previous trials done to explore acupuncture and it’s potential effect on dental anxiety. Some dental patients experience anxiety which is estimated to be between 4% and 30% of the population in the world. Reasons for dental anxiety include fear of pain, fear of needles, fear of anesthesia, and the fear of losing control. In the past several articles on this site have explored dental anxiety including: 1.) How To Manage Dental Anxiety in Elderly Patients, 2.) Can Providing Audiovisual Information Help Relieve Anxiety in Patients Having Wisdom Teeth Removed?, 3.) Anxiety in Dental Patients Before and After Tooth Extraction, 4.) Dental Phobia – Therapy Treatments … Read more

Dental Material that Kills Bacteria and Resists Biofilm Growth

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Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania have developed a dental material tethered with an antimicrobial compound that can kill bacteria and resist biofilm growth. The material is also effective with minimal toxicity to the surrounding tissue, as it contains a low dose of the antimicrobial agent that kills only the bacteria that crosses it’s path. The researchers were motivated to develop a new dental material because the current composite materials to perform restorative procedures, such as filling cavities, are vulnerable to the growth of plaque, the biofilm that leads to tooth decay. The researchers had two goals in mind when developing the dental biomaterial: 1) kill pathogenic microbes effectively, and 2) withstand severe mechanical stress. The newly developed material is composed of a resin embedded with the antibacterial agent imidazolium. Unlike some traditional biomaterials that slowly release a drug, this material is non-leachable … Read more

Pseudoaneurysm after Wisdom Teeth Removal

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There are many complications that can occur as a result of wisdom teeth removal. Such complications from wisdom teeth removal are discussed on this website at http://www.teethremoval.com/complications.html. One complication that does not receive much attention, perhaps because it does not occur much, is a pseudoaneurysm or false aneurysm. A pseudoaneurysm usually occurs from an aterial breach or rupture in an artery which leads to a leakage of blood and a resulting hematoma. One case of this occurring in a 25 year old man is on the complications page. The pseuodoaneurysm and adjacent parent artery were occluded through the use of cannulization aided by computed tomographic angiography. Another more recent case of pseuodoaneurysm occuring after wisdom teeth removal is described in an article by Rawat et al., titled “Traumatic Pseudoaneurysm: A Life-Threatening Complication After Surgical Extraction of Impacted Maxillary Third Molar,” appearing in … Read more