Saliva plays key role in meth mouth; CBCT aids in 3rd molar removal

Dear DrBicuspid Member,

Dental researchers are working to unravel a complex mix of physical and behavioral factors contributing to "meth mouth," a condition that often develops in the oral cavities of methamphetamine abusers and can lead to caries, tooth decay, periodontal disease, and related systemic conditions.

Now a new study in Quintessence International has found that salivary pH may play a more important role in the development of meth mouth than previously thought. Read more in this Hygiene Community feature.

Meanwhile, in Cosmetics Community news, young children who snore a lot or have other breathing problems at night may have a heightened risk of behavioral and emotional problems later on, according to a new study in Pediatrics.

And over in the Imaging & CAD/CAM Community, cone-beam CT appears to be as accurate as 2D panoramic radiography for predicting whether the inferior alveolar nerve will be exposed during mandibular third-molar extraction in adults. Click here to read more.

Finally, don't forget to check out our Special Report on Advances in Periodontal Research. It provides a comprehensive look at the pros and cons of oral bacteria, the causes of periodontal disease, and what lies ahead in the commercial development of salivary diagnostics.