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Gingival grafts are performed to correct mucogingival conditions such as recession, minimal or lack of attached gingiva, and pocket depths beyond the mucogingival junction. The goal of gingival grafting is to restore the gingival form and function, along with root...

Our article from last month indicated that occlusal discrepancies are a significant risk factor for the progression of periodontal disease.  Other studies also showed that the treatment of occlusal discrepancies can slow the progression of periodontal disease. These...

The relationship of occlusal trauma causing the progression of periodontal disease has a controversial history.  Initially it was believed that heavy occlusal contacts were responsible for periodontal disease.  Another group stated that deeper pockets and bone loss...

A large longitudinal study has found a strong correlation between periodontal disease and risk of Alzheimer’s Disease.  This study compared 9,291 patients with periodontitis and 18, 672 control patients without gum disease over 16 years.  The results were published...

One of our previous blog articles (April, 2016) introduced silver diamine fluoride 38% (Advantage Arrest by Elevate Oral Care) as a product approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2016 as treatment for dentinal hypersensitivity. The FDA has since...

Dentinal hypersensitivity is one of the most common patient complaints in a dental office. Dentinal hypersensitivity is defined as “short, sharp pain arising from exposed dentin in response to stimuli, which are usually thermal, evaporative, tactile, and osmotic or...

Xerostomia or dry mouth is a common side effect of many medications (over the counter, prescription, and dietary supplements) that lowers salivary flow, which affects oral health of patients, particularly increasing caries risk. “Studies show that 20%-30% of the...

Xylitol is a non-fermentable sugar alcohol used as a sweetener.  Unlike other natural or synthetic sweeteners, xylitol is actively beneficial in dentistry by reducing caries and is known to induce remineralization of demineralized enamel. Xylitol is categorized by the...

Dental professionals must be keenly aware of the potential hazards when prescribing opioid analgesics for patients and the possible risk of adverse physical effects as well as the potential abuse of these drugs.  Evidence from third molar extraction postoperative pain...

Opioid abuse is currently at an epidemic proportion in the US.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the death rate from opioid overdose has more than doubled in the US in the last 15 years.  A recent study in the Journal of American...