Category: Uncategorized
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Methemoglobinemia and Dentistry: A Potentially Lethal Combination
This post is intended to be a refresher on the causes, complications, and treatment of Methemoglobinemia –which can occur because of certain medications in dentistry. Methemoglobinemia is “A condition in which a higher-than-normal amount of methemoglobin is found in the blood. Methemoglobin is a form of hemoglobin that cannot carry oxygen.”1 Essentially, methemoglobin is still…
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2022 Dental Assistant Recognition Week Interviews
In Honor of National Dental Assistant week, I decided to interview a couple of my awesome dental assistants. Without them, my job would be 1000% more harder and a lot less fun. This post contains good information on the not so obvious parts of Assisting! Preemptive thanks to @paige.westermann and @traylee1245 for a) being great…
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Brian Laundrie’s Remains Confirmed via Dental Records: What was needed?
Forensic Odontology, aka Forensic Dentistry is “the area of dentistry concerned with the correct management, examination, evaluation, and presentation of dental evidence in criminal or civil legal proceedings in the interest of justice.”1 What Would a Forensic Dentist Need to Help Determine the Identity of Human Remains? First, an antemortem dental record of the deceased…
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A Little Dental History: Ancient Egypt
Remember learning about all of the Pyramids and Pharaohs of ancient Egypt? Unsurprisingly Egyptians from ~3000b.c. to ~300bc also had teeth, and those teeth also had the same issues we deal today. You may have seen images similar to the bridgework completed above making note that Egyptians may have been skilled in dentistry. That is…
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American Heart Association Updated Prevention of Infective Endocarditis Guide
The American Heart Association has updated their recommendations regarding Antibiotic Prophylaxis for Infective Endocarditis. No changes have been made regarding which dental procedures need prophylactic coverage. Current Dental Procedures Requiring Antibiotic Prophylaxis: Manipulation of the gingival tissues– Any type of Dental Cleanings, gum surgeries, and even deeper fillings that approximate the gum tissue Manipulation of…
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Peri-Mucositis: What To Do?
First things first: define the difference between Peri-Implantitis and Peri-Mucositis. Generally peri-implant mucositis is a precursor to peri-implantitis. Evidence suggests that peri-implant mucositis may be successfully treated and is reversible if caught early4. Peri-Mucositis: This is essentially the less concerning, yet still very concerning, condition of the two. It may present with signs similar to…
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What is a Corneal Arcus?
During a patient exam dentists take note of more than just the teeth. We look at facial symmetries, shape of the nose, bone structures, and the list goes on. Another important area to focus on is the appearance of the patient’s eyes. Conditions such as cataracts usually stand out easily at speaking distances. The opacification…
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What is a Tooth?
Our teeth have essentially three parts: The outer Enamel, middle Dentin, and inner Pulp. Enamel: The hardest tissue of the body, even harder than bone, that helps protect the softer inside of the tooth1. This is the first line of defense against acids and bacteria-causing cavities. 96% Inorganic Material: Calcium Phosphate in Hydroxyapatite crystals–this is…
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Essentials of the Emergency Kit
Here are the Bare Minimum Drugs that must be kept in your dental office’s Emergency Kit Epinephrine: When to Use: Acute allergic reaction, Hypersensitivity reaction, anaphylaxis What Does it Look Like: Starts with an itchy/runny nose, and/or a skin rash begins to develop(usually red). Progresses to much worse symptoms e.g., Hives, Shortness of breath, swollen…
Teeth & Chiefs 