Coated gauze may help with pain and dry socket after wisdom teeth removal

An interesting article titled “Retrospective analysis for predictors of postsurgical complications from third molar extraction with use of oxytetracycline–hydrocortisone-coated gauze inserted in extraction socket” appears in Oral Science International, written by Sayumi Matsuda and et. al. and published on June 15, 2023. The article sought to explore a study of a technique of inserting gauze coated with oxytetracycline–hydrocortisone ointment into a wisdom tooth extraction socket and look at the occurence of dry socket and pain when compared to a those without the gauze. The researchers applied the gauze technique to 286 patients who had lower wisdom teeth removed. The authors found the incidence of dry socket after extraction was 1.05% (with a 95% confidence interval of 0.22% to 3.03%) and the incidence of post-extraction infection was 0.35% (with a 95% confidence interval of 0.01% to 1.91%). These percentages were lower … Read more

Risk Factors for Delayed Infection After Wisdom Teeth Surgery

An interesting article titled “Risk Factors for Delayed-Onset Infection after Mandibular Wisdom Tooth Extractions” written by A.M. Smith et al., appeared in Healthcare in 2023. The article investigated the risk factors for delayed-onset infection (DOI) after lower wisdom teeth extractions. Delayed-onset infection (DOI) is a potential complication of wisdom tooth extraction that occurs one to four weeks after surgery. Even with precautions, such the use of antibiotics and not smoking and following good oral hygiene after surgery delayed-onset infection can occur with a reported incidence from 0.5% to 1.8%. Prior studies have shown that the depth and the tilt of the tooth axis of the lower wisdom tooth are risk factors for local delayed-onset infection and the development of delayed-onset infection is related to the space distal to the second molar. The authors of the current study sought to identify … Read more

Sedative-induced sexual fantasies a risk in dentistry

An intersting article titled “The Impact of Sedative Hypnotic Drugs on Hallucinated Sexual Assault or Sexual Fantasies Involving Health Professionals: A Systematic Review” appears in the 2023 edition of the Journal of clinical pharmacology written by M. White and M. White. The article seeks to conduct a review on the issue of hallucinated sexual assaults caused by drugs used in denstry like midazolam while dental procedures are peformed on patients. This topic has been covered before on this site see for example the post Hallucinations While Taking Anesthesia: Implications for Sexual Assault. In the article discussion is made of how real sexault assaults have occured in the medical setting. An example is made of a 21 year old college woman who was given 10mg of diazepam intravenously while having a procedure performed and her doctor innappropriate touched her. Examples of … Read more

Pseudoaneurysm after wisdom teeth extraction

An interesting article titled “Pseudoaneurysm following “routine” third molar extraction: a case report and review of the literature” appears in the March 2022 edition of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Cases written by J. J. Heifetz-Li and S. Abdelsamie (vol. 8, no. 1,100249). The article presents a case of unusual bleeding following wisdom teeth surgery in a healthy 17 year-old. In the article discussion is made of a 17 year old teenage woman who has her complete bony impacted wisdom teeth extracted at an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery outpatient clinic. She had no known signficant past medical history. The removal of her wisdom teeth was considered to be a routine extraction that involved a distal “hockey stick” incision, to raise the full-thickness mucoperiosteal flap to get to the crowns. The teeth were removed without damaging any nerves nearby and no excessive … Read more

Most Cost Effective Way to Treat Persistent Trigeminal Neuropathy

An interesting article titled “Is Surgical Repair With Nerve Allograft More Cost-Effective Than Non-Surgical Management for Persistent Trigeminal Neuropathy? Initial Assessment With Q1 Markov Model,” written by Benjamin Palla and et. al. appears in the Journal of Oral an Maxillofacial Surgery published online February 17, 2023. The article explores if surgical repair with allogeneic nerve graft a more cost-effectivetreatment option than no surgery. The article explores patients who suffer from trigeminal nerve injuries and how in some patients that show no signs of improvement after 3 months they are considered to have persistent trigeminal neuropathy (PTN). This condition can result as a complication of wisdom teeth removal. This condition can affect aspects of daily life including tooth brushing, flossing, talking, eating, drinking, chewing, smiling, kissing, and sleeping. A total of 36% of patients with trigeminal neuropathy have depression and many … Read more