What every dentist needs to know about chocolate.

Chocolate is one of the most popular treats in the world. Debate over the potential benefits of its consumption has made chocolate a widely researched health topic. This article reviews the general health benefits of chocolate consumption, focusing on its involvement with the oral microbiota, caries development, and biofilm control, and discusses the potential negative consequences of excess chocolate consumption.

What every dentist needs to know about in-house clear aligner therapy.

Clear aligner therapy (CAT) has gained popularity in recent years. As technological advancements increase within the field of dentistry, clinicians have opted to prouce orthodontic appliances within their own offices or clinics, often referred to as in-house CAT. Construction of in-house aligners utilizes 3-dimensional printing devices, potentially offering practitioners enhanced control and improving patient comfort. The aim of this article is to review the materials, methods, advantages, disadvantages, and procedural outcomes associated with the fabrication of aligners within a dental office or clinic.

What every dentist needs to know about the use of artificial intelligence in dentistry.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a division of computer science that allows machines to emulate human cognitive processes. In dentistry, AI is applied in clinical decision-making and can aid in detecting disease and predicting patterns based on existing data sets. AI can assist clinicians by quickly analyzing massive amounts of data to improve workflow, identify patterns of disease, provide risk assessment, and create individualized patient-centered treatment plans. AI has been shown to increase efficiency in the office by aiding in scheduling, tracking, and updating patient records to better organize patient data. The objective of this article is to outline the various applications of AI in different dental specialties. Applications range from business functions such as marketing, cyber security, and report writing to clinical uses such as lesion detection and surgical guidance. This review will also discuss some of the ethical considerations and drawbacks associated with implementing AI in the dental practice.

What every dentist needs to know about electronic cigarettes.

Electronic cigarette (EC) use is on a steady rise, leading to increased concerns about its efficacy with regard to tobacco cessation goals and safety with regard to systemic and oral health. Recent studies have shown that EC flavoring agents can have adverse effects similar to those of combustible tobacco products. Evidence is mounting that EC use should not be considered a healthier alternative to tobacco smoking. The aerosols produced by ECs have been associated with respiratory, cardiac, and central nervous system disease as well as oral mucosal alterations. In addition, ECs can affect kidney and liver function. Their use has also resulted in EC explosions and burn injuries, some of which have been fatal. The aim of this article is to review the systemic and oral health concerns associated with EC use.

What every dentist needs to know about human papillomavirus.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) has a nearly ubiquitous prevalence within the adolescent and adult populations worldwide. The virus has been implicated for decades in cervical and uterine cancers, but recent data have shown an increase in cases of virally related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma in both male and female cohorts. The objective of this article is to review the oral health implications of HPV infection, including oral and oropharyngeal prevalence, manifestations, neoplastic potential of HPV-associated head and neck lesions, treatment modalities, and vaccine use. The article will also discuss the continuing education needs of oral healthcare providers. Dental professionals should routinely screen patients for oral and oropharyngeal manifestations of HPV infection, seek timely referral for therapeutic intervention of potentially malignant lesions, and become strong proponents of HPV vaccinations for at-risk patients.

What every dentist should know about oral mucosal wound healing.

The oral mucosa has superior wound healing potential compared to other mucosal tissues. The objective of this article is to review the current state of evidence on the mechanisms that govern accelerated oral mucosal wound healing and explore clinical approaches that facilitate the natural course of these processes.

What every dentist needs to know about obstructive sleep apnea.

Sleep apnea has 2 variants that are classified by their etiologic mechanism, namely, an obstructive or a central origin. Despite the clinical and scientific advancements in obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) over the past 20 years, a majority of affected patients remain undiagnosed. This article reviews aspects of unmanaged OSA, including the oral and maxillofacial signs and symptoms, systemic risk factors, diagnostic criteria, guidelines for patient referral to a sleep physician, and clinical management techniques. Additionally, the role of dentists in oral appliance therapy is explored.

What every dentist needs to know about clear aligners.

In recent years, the demand for esthetic orthodontic treatment options for adult patients has increased dramatically. Clear aligner therapy (CAT) has become a popular method of orthodontic therapy that now allows for comprehensive treatment with more complex dental movements. Moreover, the increasing role of technology in dental treatments has made CAT more appealing to providers and patients. The aim of this article is to highlight the clinical scope and limitations of CAT and to outline the differences among various clear aligner products.

What every dentist should know about antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

The emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria has complicated patient treatment and yielded poorer outcomes. This article provides an overview for dental professionals of the challenges posed by resistant microbial strains and the research efforts to overcome this significant obstacle.

What every dentist needs to know about liquid biopsies.

Integral components of the examination of the oral and maxillofacial region include the early detection of benign and malignant lesions and recognition of manifestations of systemic disorders. The gold standard for establishing a diagnosis has entailed excision of tissue and submission to a laboratory for histopathologic review or, to a lesser extent, microcollection of cells via a fine-needle aspiration biopsy. A revolutionary technology in the medical and dental fields, referred to as a liquid biopsy, involves the harvesting of fragments of DNA or RNA for surveillance of an array of pathological processes from various body fluids, such as blood, plasma, and saliva. This article provides an overview of this developing diagnostic field.

Botulinum toxin: a review of applications for the head and neck.

Botulinum toxin (BTX) is a popular cosmetic therapy administered by both dentists and physicians. The ability of the toxin to locally paralyze muscles has led to the use of BTX as a potential therapy for a variety of medical conditions. This article will discuss the current head and neck applications of BTX. In addition, a brief review of other potential clinical benefits is provided.

What every dentist and patient should know about accelerated orthodontic tooth movement.

Within the last few decades, an increasing number of adults have sought orthodontic therapy. One disadvantage of pursuing orthodontic treatment in adulthood is the lengthened time span required to complete tooth movement. The purpose of this article is to review the biologic mechanisms of accelerated tooth movement as well as the literature on nonsurgical and surgical techniques that may reduce the duration of orthodontic treatment.

What every dentist should know about statins.

Statins are well known for their ability to combat cardiovascular disease. There is new evidence that statins can influence a variety of cellular pathways, suggesting that their benefits may extend beyond lowering cholesterol. This review will explore potential new therapeutic roles for statins in medical and dental settings.

What every dentist should know about opioids.

Prescription drug abuse is on the rise, causing detrimental health consequences and taking lives. Since dentists comprise a large percentage of opioid prescribers, they should be well educated on the uses and effects of opioids. This article discusses the consequences of long-term opioid use, how to identify signs of dependence, and how to prevent future abuse.

What every dentist needs to know about cannabis.

As the prevalence of marijuana use rises along with its legalization, it has become increasingly important for dentists to understand the potential benefits and risks of marijuana use. This article reviews potential effects of cannabis on oral and systemic health.

What every dentist should know about coffee.

Coffee is one of the most widely consumed beverages throughout the world. Its stimulating nature is responsible for much of its popularity, which paradoxically has resulted in its reputation for negative effects on consumer health. This review will address recent research on the systemic and dental health effects of coffee. Many of its supposed harmful effects have been disproved, while many protective and beneficial roles for coffee are emerging.

What every dentist needs to know about obesity and oral health.

Obesity has an adverse effect on the body as a whole and greatly increases an individual's risk for numerous diseases, including type 2 diabetes, coronary artery disease, stroke, and cancer. In addition, the link between diabetes and periodontitis has been well documented, and possible links between obesity and other oral health problems, such as caries, are being investigated. As more has been learned about the association between periodontal disease and other inflammatory diseases, including obesity, dentists have gained greater responsibility in the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases. Dentists should be aware of the early signs of obesity and its oral manifestations and equipped with the proper knowledge to educate their patients. This article reviews recent findings on obesity and its relationship to other diseases and in particular to oral health.

What every dentist should know about metformin, diabetes, and cancer.

Metformin has long been the drug of choice for treating patients with type 2 diabetes. Because of its effectiveness, safety profile, and affordability, it is used by millions of people worldwide. Emerging evidence indicates that metformin might also have antineoplastic effects in both diabetic and nondiabetic individuals. This article reviews studies that examine the potential mechanisms of action underlying the anticancer properties of metformin and discusses the possible use of this antidiabetic biguanide in the chemoprevention and treatment of head and neck cancer.

What every dentist should know about artificial sweeteners and their effects.

Artificial sweeteners are a ubiquitous commodity on the market. The idea that people can consume a sweet food or beverage with "zero" calories seems too good to be true, and perhaps it is. The longevity and abundance of these products on the market necessitate the study of their mechanisms and their relationships to health and disease, including possible links to obesity, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes.

What every dentist needs to know about the human microbiome and probiotics.

Bacterial cells in the human body outnumber human cells by a ratio of 10:1. Apart from their well-known pathogenic potential, bacteria are proving to be integral to the overall health of the body. Residential microbes have critical roles in diverse processes, such as nutrient harvesting, internal environment regulation, immune system development, neurological modulation, and drug metabolism, as well as providing protection against pathogens. There is a growing body of research on the microbiome and probiotic therapies to restore or augment these functions throughout the body. In particular, increasing numbers of bacterial species and bacterial interactions have been discovered in the oral cavity, and probiotic interventions for common dental problems such as caries, periodontal diseases, and oral malodor are being developed and reviewed.