Dr Morgan graduated from the University of Illinois School of Dentistry in Chicago. He studied the art of cosmetic dentistry at Baylor University, The Las Vegas Institute for Advanced Dental Studies, The Pacific Aesthetic Continuum, and the University of Geneva in Switzerland.

Dr Morgan is a published author and international lecturer on cosmetic dentistry, conservative composite restorations, digital photography, and complex treatment planning.

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Videos

This clinical example from Michael S. Morgan, DDS, demonstrates the use of Kuraray Noritake’s CLEARFIL MAJESTY ES-2 Premium composite material for direct bonding in the anterior region.

Technique in 2 Minutes: How To Create Conservative Smile Rejuvenation On a Patient With Peg Laterals

Kristin Hohman serves as Associate Editor for DPR. 

7 Famous Forensic Dentistry Cases

Articles

Our mouths are carrying mountains of information. Systemic health, diet, habits, and geography can all be determined by studying teeth. Dentistry has also been used in the identification of human remains and in murder convictions. We take a look at several cases involving forensic dentistry.

Notable Forensic Dentistry Cases

The recently introduced Perma Sharp PTFE sutures from HuFriedyGroup were created to provide an additional option for clinicians performing implant surgery, oral surgery, periodontal surgery, and other related dental procedures.

The sutures are designed specifically for use in dental procedures and feature 300 series stainless steel needles designed to retain sharpness through the tissue closure process. Available in multiple sizes, the non-absorbable sutures provide moderate to high tensile strength and feature reverse cutting needles. 

The new PTFE sutures include the same features as other Perma Sharp sutures.

HuFriedyGroup Adds PTFE Options to Perma Sharp Suture Line

It was not until January 2021 that I finally got up the courage to make an appointment for 3-month periodontal maintenance. I was now almost a 2-hour drive away from my favorite hygienist, Lori, but it was worth the trip to receive excellent supportive therapy in a periodontal practice. It is also embarrassing to report that it had been about 12 months since I last saw Lori. Most of the procrastination was because of a trimalleolar ankle fracture that kept me preoccupied and in physical therapy. Lori offered me a 1% hydrogen peroxide preprocedural rinse before treatment and mentioned that it was being used in most dental practices during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Being a scientific skeptic, which most of the time I am proud of, I knew right then that a column on the topic was forthcoming.

Let me also mention that I am a member of several dental hygiene chat groups on Facebook and am always curious to read questions/answers on various topics. Over the course of a year, I have read questions about COVID-19 oral prerinsing and they usually go something like this: “What is everyone using as a COVID-19 prerinse for hygiene appointments? Which one is your favorite and why?”

Preprocedural rinsing has been suggested by some sources (authors/speakers/dental practices, and other commercial interests) as a way to reduce the SARS-CoV-2 viral load, so I would like to explore the literature on the subject and ask the following question: Is there evidence to support the use of antimicrobial mouth rinses to reduce the viral load of SARS-CoV-2 and protect dental health care workers and patients?

Cochrane is always my first go-to when looking for objective evidence; years ago, I visited their editorial-based team at the University of Manchester, Division of Dentistry, in Manchester, England. This large review group publishes summaries of quality research to assist practitioners in making informed decisions.

Cochrane reviewed the evidence on antimicrobial mouthwashes and nasal sprays for individuals with COVID-19 as a way to fight the transmission and prevent them from infecting health care workers who treat them.

 They also were interested in determining whether these measures would protect health care workers, especially before undertaking aerosol-generating procedures.

The Cochrane team searched the medical literature for studies comparing effects of any antimicrobial mouth rinses or nasal sprays administered to patients or health care workers against no treatment or water or even a salt solution.

 The team investigated benefits and risks for patients and health care workers and effects of these medicaments on:

Patient deaths and health care situations like the need for hospitalization, artificial breathing support, dialysis, or hemofiltration (treatment required when kidneys are not working properly)

New COVID-19 infections and health care workers

Change in patients’ COVID-19 viral load

Results were as follows: there were no completed studies to include in this review. Cochrane found 16 studies underway investigating mouthwashes and nasal sprays, but none had been completed or published.

When examining another aspect of antimicrobial mouthwashes and nasal sprays to protect health care workers when undertaking aerosol-generating procedures on patients without suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection, Cochrane again found no completed or ongoing studies to include in this review.

A third aspect of the assignment was to review evidence pertaining to the use of antimicrobial mouthwashes and nasal sprays by health care workers to protect themselves while treating patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infection. Again, Cochrane found no evidence concerning benefit or risk to health care workers who used antimicrobial mouthwashes or nasal sprays to protect themselves while treating these patients.

The Cochrane review group did find 2 randomized controlled trials and 1 nonrandomized study that are underway. Until these clinical trials are analyzed, and reviews are updated based on available evidence, we do not know whether there are any benefits (or risks) of antimicrobial rinses and nasal sprays regarding risk mitigation.

In March 2020, the American Dental Association recommended having patients rinse with a 1% hydrogen peroxide solution before each appointment.

 No reference was given for this recommendation.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports no published evidence of antimicrobial mouth rinses regarding clinical effectiveness in reducing SARS-CoV-2 viral loads or in preventing transmission.

 Even so, they cite preprocedural mouth rinses with antimicrobial products like chlorhexidine gluconate, essential oils, povidone-iodine, or cetylpyridinium chloride as a possible means of reducing the level of oral microorganisms in aerosols and spatter generated during dental procedures

When there is no evidence, what do we do? We need to be aware and not dupe ourselves and patients into thinking there is. Therefore, until we have some evidence, whatever antimicrobial rinse we are administering during the pandemic might or might not be of benefit to ourselves or to our patients. Should you choose to use an OTC rinse like one of your favorites with licorice root extract or a more expensive antimicrobial rinse like chlorhexidine gluconate, do your homework and do not rely on a Facebook group to give you the answer you are looking for.

Without looking at the evidence from a reliable source like Cochrane, it is easy to be duped or “educated” by marketers to champion their products. Professional associations are not always a reliable source of evidence, either, even though we have come to expect a culture of integrity for every organization and business.

When there is no evidence, what do we do? In committing to a high standard of integrity in everything we do, always mitigate the risk of wrongdoing by following published research guidelines to the best of our ability. If I am offering a chlorhexidine prerinse, for example, I will tell the patient that chlorhexidine is the gold standard in plaque control. When there is no evidence to support a product, don’t cherry-pick it to support your or a particular group’s point of view.

Antimicrobial mouthrinses and nasal sprays to protect healthcare workers and patients at risk of COVID-19. Cochrane Oral Health. Accessed February 2021. 

https://oralhealth.cochrane.org/news/antimicrobial-mouthrinses-and-nasal-sprays-protect-healthcare-workers-and-patients-risk-covid

Versaci, MB. ADA adds frequently asked questions from dentists to coronavirus resources. American Dental Association. March 12, 2020. Accessed February 2021. 

https://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2020-archive/march/ada-adds-frequently-asked-questions-from-dentists-to-coronavirus-resources

Guidance for dental settings. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Updated December 4, 2020. Accessed February 2021.

 https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/dental-settings.html

It's important to find objective, evidence-based science before determining whether to use preprocedural rinses in practice.

Becoming Scientifically Objective About COVID-19 Preprocedural Rinsing

DGSHAPE Americas has expanded the capacity of its DWX-42W Wet Dental Mill with the introduction of a new 6-Pin Adapter, which is designed to increase the dimensions of the milling unit.

The new adapter will enable the DWX-42W to mill up to six 14 mm material blocks, which is twice the total allowed by the standard adapter. In addition, the 6-Pin Adapter base can be used with DGSHAPE’s AK-1 Abutment Kit.

“This innovative 6-pin adapter is another great accessory developed to further expand the functionality and productivity of our state-of-the-art DWX series milling machines,” said Roland DGA Product Manager of Dental Solutions, Lisa Aguirre. “Simple to install and easy to use, it significantly increases the DWX-42W’s milling capacity, saving clinicians and dental lab technicians time and money.”

The DWX-42W is a wet dental mill that is designed for the milling of glass ceramics, nano-composites, inlays, onlays, veneers, and custom titanium abutments using the AK-1 Abutment Kit. It’s an open architecture unit that features a 6-station Automatic Tool Changer, Virtual Machine Panel, and new grinding burs.

Both the DWX-42W and the 6-Pin Adapter are available from authorized Roland DGA dealers. For more information, visit 

The new 6-Pin Adapter increases the capacity of the company's wet mill system.

DGSHAPE Expands DWX-42W Mill Capacity With New Adapter

Described as industry-first dental vacuum exhaust air filtration systems, Air Technique is debuting the new Mojave Vent-Less and VacStar Vent-Less systems at this week’s virtual CDS Chicago Midwinter Meeting. The new products and others will be showcased at Air Techniques’ virtual booth #305.

These new models are ideal for high-rise buildings, current offices without vents, and any office that wants to upgrade its vacuum system. Each model has a medical-grade ULPA filter with a 99.995% retention rate, ensuring it safe to exhaust directly into the mechanical room. No longer are practices restricted by mechanical rooms that cannot externally vent.

Mojave and VacStar Vent-Less Systems take away the need for installing a costly vent line. The Air Techniques proprietary designed Exhaust ULPA Filter with Diffuser are designed to provide maximum airflow from your vacuum equipment, while also helping to eliminate biological cross-contamination. It will keep your practice and surrounding shared areas free of infectious airborne pollutants. Like other Air Techniques utility equipment, these systems only require an easy filter change once per year.

Also at the Midwinter Meeting, Air Techniques sponsored the course “A Practical Approach to Aerosol Mitigation,” presented by Dr. Martin Koch. This course addressed the increased risk of exposure to dental aerosols if not treated correctly.

For more information on Air Techniques, please visit airtechniques.com.

New Mojave Vent-Less and VacStar Vent-Less systems showcased this week at virtual CDS Chicago Midwinter Meeting.

Air Techniques Debuts 2 Vent-Less Vacuum Systems at Virtual Chicago Midwinter Meeting

The 2021 Chicago Midwinter Meeting is winding down, and while the show looked different in a virtual format, exciting new products and industry excellence were still celebrated just as in years past.

During the meeting’s opening session, the Chicago Dental Society recognized 3 individuals for their contributions to the profession. Dr Mark Humenik, Dr Jeffery Dalin, and Lois Banta were presented with their honorary awards due to their dedication to academic and scientific excellence, volunteer services, and efforts to provide care to underserved communities.

“We are thrilled to recognize Dr. Jeffrey Dalin, Lois Banta, and Dr. Mark Humenik for their leadership and outstanding contributions to the field of dentistry,” said CDS President Dr. Dean Nicholas.  “Their dedication to the dental profession and positive impact in their communities is exactly the kind of contribution we encourage and seek to recognize with these awards.”

Banta, who is COO of eAssist Dental Solutions, was presented with the Gordon J. Christensen Lecturer Recognition Award in honor of her contributions to the Midwinter meeting and dentistry as a whole.

The CDS Foundation Vision Award is given to dedicated volunteers who support access to dental care for the underserved community and was awarded to Dr Humenik for his mission work in Mexico and for starting the Mission of Mercy at the Illinois State Dental Society.

Dr Dalin was honored with the George H. Cushing Award, given to individuals who raise public awareness about oral health issues. With a committee of dentists, he planned the Give Kids A Smile program to deliver care to children without access to dental care.

Henry Schein, Inc. had a large presence at this year’s show despite its virtual nature. Visitors to the company’s virtual booth were able to schedule consultation appointments and showroom tours, as well as view demonstrations with Henry Schein’s digital workflow experts.

“At Henry Schein, our customers can rely on us for solutions to help grow and manage their practices,” said AJ Caffentzis, president, U.S. Dental Distribution, Henry Schein. “The Chicago Midwinter Dental Meeting is an opportunity for us to continue to help oral health professionals navigate the world of dentistry with our educational offerings, solutions, and expansive portfolio of products. Throughout this year’s virtual meeting, attendees can explore our office space planning services, digital technology solutions, and business solutions while also learning about the latest strategies, resources, and tools to enhance their business.”

The company also announced 2 live programs and 1 on-demand program for industry professionals interested in practice design and digital technology integration. On March 3, 

 will focus on practice designs, and on March 2 and 23 

 will feature digital technologies and integration. The on-demand program, “From Vision to Completion” is available 

exocad's new DentalCAD 3.0 Galway software.

Like in most years, the Midwinter Meeting is rife with new product launches from industry leaders, and this year was no different. exocad America introduced its

software. It is said to include over 90 new features, including an updated user interface; Instant Anatomic Morphing designed to offer automatic adaption of teeth in real-time; parametric shape adjustment; virtual tooth extraction on optical scans, and more.

Kulzer expanded its Ivory® Releaf™ line with 

, a hands-free HVE for smaller arches. Designed to provide 280° of suction while maintaining patient comfort, the ReLeaf Minis are 25% smaller and work with existing ReLeaf hoses and connections. They are well-suited for pediatric, elderly, TMJ, and special needs patients.

Chairside Attachment Processing Material from Zest Dental Solutions.

Chairside® Attachment Processing Material

 is designed for predictability and ease of use when processing attachments into full and partial overdentures. The material reportedly requires no primer and bonds to itself for void-fills and touch-ups. Available in Normal and Fast Sets, Chairside is designed to reduce chair time.

Despite a virtual format, the 2021 iteration of the Chicago Midwinter Meeting introduced guests to dozens of exciting new products and celebrated excellence.

Highlights From The 2021 Chicago Midwinter Meeting

Dental Products Report editorial advisory board member Jason Goodchild, DMD, talks with Managing Editor Stan Goff about the benefits of anesthetic buffering and how to begin using this technique to provide patients with faster-acting, more comfortable anesthetic.

The Benefits of Local Anesthetic Buffering: A conversation with Jason Goodchild, DMD

The Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations (JCNDE) has collaborated with Prometric on the successful implementation of the Dental Licensure Objective Structured Clinical Examination (DLOSCE), a new professionally developed examination that was designed for clinical licensure purposes.

This content-valid examination assesses a candidate’s judgment in a clinical setting and skills using 3D models without the use of patients. The exam is said to have been developed by industry experts, who designed the exam’s computerized models and composed questions to reflect life-like clinical settings.

The DLOSCE is said to not require candidates to perform procedures on patients, and instead replaces patients with life-like 3D models. This is said to eliminate many weaknesses of traditional clinical exams, increase validity, and decrease COVID-19 exposure.

"The DLOSCE provides a comprehensive evaluation of the clinical judgment that is necessary to safely practice dentistry, advancing assessment technology and helping to address ethical concerns with current clinical licensure examinations," said JCNDE Chair Dr Kanthasamy Ragunanthan. "This examination promotes clinical fidelity, fairness, objectivity, and validity, at a time of great need in our country." The DLOSCE is designed to help state dental boards protect public health, Dr Ragunanthan added.

The DLOSCE is reportedly the first licensure examination that focuses on clinical judgment to protect the public, said Dr. William F. Robinson, a former member of the Florida Board of Dentistry who also served on the DLOSCE Steering Committee. "That's a key reason why it was quickly accepted in six states, all within six months of its release. This is an unmatched advancement in dental licensure and will ultimately have a positive impact on the oral and overall health of the public,” he said.

Prometric has helped by providing infrastructure and will serve as the primary administrator of this new examination in the US. For more information, visit 

The new DLOSCE exam is designed to test a candidate's clinical judgment and skill.

Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations, Prometric Launch New Licensure Exam

The long dental career of John Stropko, DDS, is winding down and Vista Apex is being tasked with taking over one of his key product innovations, the Stropko™ Irrigator.

After 6 decades in dentistry, Dr Stropko, microendodontist and inventor, has decided it is time to retire effective February 2021. He has decided to hand the manufacturing and sale of the Stropko Irrigator off to Vista Apex.

The Stropko Irrigator is an instrument used for precise control of air and/or water in any dental procedure (crown, bridge, restorative, endodontic, periodontic, surgical, implant, etc.) that requires irrigation or drying during the process. It is especially useful when performing procedures with the Surgical Operating Microscope (SOM) when precision and control of the irrigation is essential.

After receiving his DDS from Indiana University in 1964, Dr Stropko served as a captain in the Air Force Dental Corp until 1966. For the next 24 years he had a private practice limited to adult restorative dentistry. In 1987, Dr Stropko was accepted into the post-graduate endodontic program to study under Herbert Schilder, DDS, at Boston University and received his Endodontic Specialty Certificate in 1989.

In addition to producing the irrigator, Dr Stropko contributed to textbooks and published an extensive clinical morphology study in the 

 in June of 1998. In 1995, as an Adjunct Assistant Professor, he was responsible for starting the micro-endodontic program at Boston University. The well-known lecturer has given numerous presentations and live micro-surgical demonstrations around the world. He currently is the Program Administrator for the Horizon Dental Institute in Scottsdale, Arizona. He and his wife, Barbara, currently reside in Prescott, Arizona.

Vista Apex CEO Scott Lamerand is excited about the opportunity to carry on Dr Stropko’s legacy, saying, “Dr Stropko has made enormous strides in the advancement of micro-endodontics. His knowledge, commitment, and engagement made a profound difference that will have a lasting impact. We’re honored to have the opportunity to carry on his legacy.”

Dentist John J. Stropko retires and hands his invention off to Racine, Wisconsin company.

Air Techniques Debuts 2 Vent-Less Vacuum Systems at Virtual Chicago Midwinter Meeting

Highlights From The 2021 Chicago Midwinter Meeting

The Benefits of Local Anesthetic Buffering: A conversation with Jason Goodchild, DMD

Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations, Prometric Launch New Licensure Exam

Vista Apex Now Oversees Stropko Irrigator