I had the pleasure to welcome Dr. Lauren Levi to a CDA Oasis conversation about treating patients with head and neck cancer. Oral cancer therapy is associated with a multitude of head and neck sequelae and dentists are pressed to come up with a treatment plan that not only minimizes the risk of these sequelae but also help educate the patient about oral hygiene instruction and methods to help reduce risk for developing these conditions. Dr. Levi is is Clinical Instructor in the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York.  My hope is that you find the information ...

Dr. Aviv Ouanounou explores with Dr. Suham Alexander the topic of xerostomia in the elderly patient.  Video Highlights Xerostomia or dry mouth is a common condition that occurs in the elderly population. In xerostomia, salivary flow is reduced. Because saliva has several important functions in the oral cavity including but not limited to antimicrobial effects, digestion, swallowing and speech, decreased salivary flow has many important implications. Prevalence in the elderly ranges from 45-50% compared to 10-14% in the general population 3 main causes in the elderly Use of non- and prescription medications Medical conditions such as salivary gland disorders (Sjogren’s syndrome), ...

This paper is an adaptation, with permission, of the recent systematic review published in the Journal of Bone and Mineral Research by the International Task Force on Osteonecrosis of the Jaw. Archibald Morrison, DDS, MS, FRCD(C); Aliya Khan, MD, FRCPC, FACP, FACE; Sotirios Tetradis, DDS, PhD; Edmund Peters, DDS, MSc, FRCD(C) Read the full article (PDF)   This work provides a systematic review of the literature from January 2003 to April 2014 pertaining to the incidence, pathophysiology, diagnosis, and treatment of osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ), and offers recommendations for its management based on multidisciplinary international consensus. Purpose of the ...

This summary is based on the article published in the Australian Dental Journal: Rhinosinusitis in oral medicine and dentistry (September 2014) M Ferguson     Context Rhinosinusitis is a very common condition which is normally readily recognizable. Given the intimate anatomic relationship between the antrum and the posterior maxillary teeth, maxillary sinusitis can present as odontalgia. Distinguishing between odontogenic orofacial pain and pain associated with maxillary sinusitis is important to prevent unnecessary dental intervention and to direct patients to medical colleagues. Conversely, odontogenic infection can spread to involve the antrum, termed odontogenic sinusitis, or maxillary sinusitis of dental origin. Odontogenic ...

On July 7, 2014, a new study was published in the journal Pediatrics, published by the American Academy of Pediatrics, about the use of Hookah by US high-school seniors: Hookah Use among US High School Seniors. The study examined the prevalence of hookah use which is significantly increasing among adolescents and aimed at delineating demographic and socioeconomic correlates of hookah use among high-school seniors in the United States. Researchers evaluated data from 5,540 students who were asked about hookah use from 2010-2012. They found that nearly 1 in 5 high school seniors had smoked using a hookah at least once in ...

This summary is based on the article published in the British Dental Journal: General medicine and surgery for dental practitioners: part 5. Immunological disease and dental practice (August 2014) M. Greenwood, J. G. Meechan and C. Stroud   Context At some stage in clinical practice all dental practitioners will encounter patients with disorders of the immune system. It is therefore important that dental practitioners are aware of the potential implications for safe practice. Purpose of the Paper Provides an overview of clinical immunology and how it interfaces with dentistry. Highlights signs of possible immunodeficiency. Discusses oral conditions that may be ...

This summary is based on the article published in Oral Diseases: Interactions between sleep disorders and oral diseases (April 2014) N.T. Huynh, E. Emami, J.I. Helman, R.D. Chervin Context Dental sleep medicine is a rapidly growing field that is in close and direct interaction with sleep medicine and comprises many aspects of human health. As a result, dentists who encounter sleep health and sleep disorders may work with clinicians from many other disciplines and specialties. The main sleep and oral health issues that are covered in this review are obstructive sleep apnea, chronic mouth breathing, sleep-related gastroesophageal reflux, and sleep ...

Revisit the Case Presentation and Clinical Evaluation This case is presented by:  Dr. Eric T. Stoopler, D.M.D., FDS RCSEd, FDS RCSEng Dr. Juan M. Bugueno, D.D.S. Dr. Kevin Sweeney, D.D.S. Dr. David C. Stanton, D.M.D., M.D., F.A.C.S  We would like to thank all our dentists who submitted their responses to the diagnosis and treatment challenge. Case Diagnosis The Clinical diagnosis was bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the maxilla. Treatment The patient’s oncologist discontinued the ZA therapy. The patient was evaluated by an oral and maxillofacial surgeon who recommended surgical debridement of the affected areas and the patient underwent the procedure five months after cessation ...