MRONJ refers to non-healing bone in the mandible or maxilla that persists for more than eight weeks in a person who received a systemic drug known to cause osteonecrosis of the jaws but who has not received radiation to the jaws. To date Bisphosphonates, RANK-L inhibitors and anti-angiogenic medications have been implicated in the onset…
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Radiation to the head and neck is a common form of adjuvant therapy for treatment of cancer. There are about 30,000 cases of H&N cancer yearly. Radiation has a greater ability to destroy neoplastic cells while sparing normal cells. It also interferes with reproduction and cell maintenance of normal tissues including hematopoietic cells/epithelial cells/endothelial cells.…
The temporomandibular joint (TMJ), is responsible for the articulation of the jaw. When there is discomfort, popping, clicking or other dysfunction of the joint, it is called temporo mandibular disease or TMD. Many etiologies exist, which cause dysfunction of the joint ranging from myofacial pain to arthritis, trauma, and pathology. The TMJ is a special…
Marsupialization When jaw lesions present, a surgeon wants to treat the lesion in completion with the least possible morbidity to the patient. There are multiple options in treating jaw lesions. Treatment options include: curettage, enucleation with or without peripheral ostectomy, marsupialization, and resection. Marsupialization is a method in treating jaw cysts, when the lesion is…
Many different types of emergencies are capable of occurring in the office. Some recent emergencies we have reviewed are asthma, hypertension, and dental trauma. A preventable emergency that can still occur with all precautions taken is swallowing or aspiration (down the windpipe) of a dental instrument or tooth. Aspiration of teeth can also occur during…
Coconut oil pulling, swishing oil in the mouth, has become the new fad in recent years. It dates back 3,000 to 5,00 years ago as an ancient Ayurvedic practice. Proponents are claiming that it will improve overall health as well as oral health and whiten teeth. These possible health benefits are believed to be true…
Steve Q. is a 62-year-old male who presents for extraction of tooth #19. The patient appears anxious and reports to have a history of high blood pressure. During his consultation his blood pressure read 173/89. The patient reports he forgot to take his metoprolol this morning because he was in a rush to get out…
Traumatic dental injuries are common in adolescents especially among those who play sports. Most dental injuries involve chipped teeth and less frequently are dislodged or “knocked-out” teeth. There are a variety of ways where the dentition can be involved in a trauma: Concussion—No loosening or displacement, tender to palpation. Subluxation—Loosening but no radiographic/clinical displacement. Lateral…
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In the upper jaw there are 2 air filled areas known as the maxillary sinus. The Maxillary sinus is located lateral to the nose; it is responsible for humidifying the air that is respired. With age the maxillary sinus can increase in size, this process is called pneumatization. When the sinushangs lower it encroaches upon…
Botox Botox is a safe and minimally invasive method to maintain that young look without all the pain, healing and downtime. Botox can be used to decrease facial wrinkles in the forehead, around the eyes (crows feet), and frown lines (11). In addition to the cosmetic benefit of botox, it has helped a population who…
Even our patients who have been told in the past that they are not good candidates for dental implants have found options at our clinic.