Dear Restoratives & Cosmetics Insider,
Dental sealants that contain the element selenium may prevent caries-causing bacteria from forming on and below sealed teeth, possibly paving a new way to halt tooth decay, according to a study published in Dental Materials. Read more in our Insider Exclusive.
Also in the Restoratives & Cosmetics Community, a 51-year-old man unintentionally swallowed a dental crown, resulting in an unusual case of appendicitis caused by ingestion of a foreign body, according to a recent case report. Though the man made a complete recovery following removal of the dental crown, the rarity of a foreign object causing appendicitis makes this case important.
Is it time to overhaul antibiotic prophylaxis guidelines? Maybe. A group of dentists and physicians called for the ADA and the American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons to reevaluate the use of antibiotic prophylaxis for patients with prosthetic joints in a commentary published in the Journal of the American Dental Association. The call follows a recent noteworthy study that showed no significant relationship between invasive dental procedures and subsequent joint infections.
In other antibiotic prophylaxis news, pharmacologist Tom Viola shares what clinicians need to know about new guidelines from the American Heart Association regarding the use of antibiotic agents to help prevent infective endocarditis following dental procedures. Learn more by watching our latest episode of Dental Dose.
Finally, an analysis of cone-beam computed tomography scans found antihypertensive drugs may positively affect the thickness of the jawbone cortex by possibly preventing bone loss. If more research proves that these medications have the potential to improve the density and cortical thickness of the jaw, clinicians may change how they assess and select patients for treatment, including dental implant therapy.
