Patients being treated with anti-resorptive and anti-angiogenic medications have a risk of developing medication related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ). This condition can be more prevalent as a result of dental procedures which impact bone, such as simple extractions. Patients at Risk Anti-resorptive medication (such as IV bisphosphonates) are used to manage cancer related conditions associated with…
For today’s morninghuddle, we’ll back track to some information that you learned in dental school. Our hot topic: recurrent herpes labialis or more commonly known as cold sores. Caused by HSV-1 (herpes simplex virus type-1 and less frequently type 2), herpes labialis is characterized by it’s eight stages: Prodrome, erythema, papule, vesicle, ulcer/soft crust, hard crust,…
Successful management of pain is a critical aspect of dentistry. This becomes a great challenge when patients present to clinic with a painful endodontic emergency. Management of acute symptoms of irreversible pulpitis can be difficult to manage especially in the posterior lower quadrants. As IANB success in patients with irreversible pulpitis can be as low as 30%. The…
Recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) is of the most common and debilitating oral pathologies. Some studies show up to 25% of the population being affected by RAS. The disease has three clinical variants: minor, major and herpetiform aphthous. The most common form however is minor RAS. RAS can be caused by a variety of factors: immune and hematological deficiencies,…
Over the past two decades, benzodiazepine prescriptions have increased by almost 70%. Not surprisingly, overdose deaths involving benzodiazepines have increased 10 fold. How can we use these medications to aid our patients, while curbing the current opioid epidemic? Background Benzodiazepines are inherently one of the safest drugs available. In the 1970s, diazepam (Valium) was by…
Due to Covid-19, most oral health providers globally are mandated to perform emergency treatments only. It has been recommended that if odontogenic symptoms can be managed with prescriptions, it should be done so, in an effort to increase social distancing. Many of us have prescribed antibiotics, waiting for a safe time to return to the…