Covid-19 Linked To Craniomandibular Disorder

 If you have been intubated for more than one week due to Covid-19, you need to check out this article "10% of COVID-19 survivors may develop craniomandibular disorders" written by Melissa Busch, DrBicuspid.com associate editor.

"July 19, 2022 -- Approximately 1 in 10 survivors of severe COVID-19 may develop craniomandibular disorders (CMDs) within six months following prolonged intubation, according to a study recently published in the Journal of Stomatology, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery.

Furthermore, bilateral molar loss, convex face, and higher levels of peak C-reactive protein (CRP), a protein found in the blood that indicates an increase in inflammation in the body, during intensive medical care were predictors of CMDs in these patients, the authors wrote.

"(Survivors of severe COVID-19 with these predictors) indicate CMD screening and/or referral to a CMD specialist, regardless of patients' age, gender, underlying CMDs, or previous dental checkups," wrote the authors, led by Dr. Poramate Pitak-Arnnop of the department of oral and craniomaxillofacial plastic surgery at the University of Giessen and Marburg in Germany (J Stomatol Oral Maxillofac Surg, July 7, 2022.)

Multiple predisposing or precipitating factors can lead to CMDs. These types of disorders may originate in the muscle tissue, or they may be related to a joint injury, occlusion, or comorbidities, such as autoimmune diseases.

Additionally, a temporomandibular joint (TMJ) injury is a critical risk factor for CMDs. Left untreated, CMDs can cause chronic facial pain, headache, jaw malfunctions, and deformities.

When a patient must be intubated, a clinician uses temporomandibular rotation-translation maneuvers to reach a person's maximal mouth opening. Sometimes, when excessive force is used, a patient's TMJ can be injured during intubation. Prolonged intubation with the TMJ in a stressed position can worsen the damage, the authors wrote.

To identify the predictors of CMDs in survivors of severe COVID-19 after prolonged intubation greater than or equal to one week, the paper's authors conducted a retrospective study that included 176 patients. Of those patients, 21 had CMDs and 155 did not have these conditions.

In bivariate analyses, statistically significant associations were found between CMDs and bilateral molar loss in at least one jaw, skeletal class II/convex face, and serum CRP during intensive care that was greater than or equal to 40 mg/L, they wrote.

Compared to those with no or only unilateral molar loss, patients with bilateral molar loss had 12.6 greater odds (95% confidence interval [CI], 3.9 to 41.1) for developing CMDs. Additionally, convex face subjects were at a 2.6-fold higher risk (95% CI, 1.2 to 5.9) of developing a CMD compared to those with a normal or concave profile. Finally, patients with peak CRP levels greater than or equal to 40 mg/L were 3.5 times more likely to have CMDs (95% CI, 1 to 12.1) than those with lower CRP levels, the authors wrote.

Screening about two to four survivors of severe COVID-19 who underwent prolonged intubation and had at least one of the predictors may result in one CMD event during the first six months after being mechanically ventilated, they wrote.

There are limitations to the study, including that its retrospective nature makes it difficult to control for bias and confounders, the authors stated. Further research should be conducted in multi-institutional settings with a larger cohort, they wrote.

"The benefit-risk analysis favors post-PI (prolonged intubation) CMD screening," Pitak-Arnnop and colleagues wrote."

Consider CBD Products for TMJ!

There are many causes of TMJ (Temporomandibular Joint Pain) but it seems the most common occurrence is pain. Studies have shown that by treating the causes of TMJ, pain can be greatly reduced or even alleviated.  One of the chief causes of TMJ is bruxism, or teeth grinding.  This can happen as a result of whiplash, misalignment of teeth, stress, anxiety and a variety of other reasons. It can cause damage to the teeth, headache, tinnitus and pain, among other things, over time.  It has been suggested that CBD oil (Cannabinoids) can help relieve the painful symptoms of TMJ by reducing stress, anxiety and relaxing muscles; thereby relieving pain.

Click here to read an interesting article about TMJ and treatment with CBD oil for relief without side effects!

Keep Smiling!!!

Your Dentist Said They Take Your Dental Plan... But Are They Authorized To?

We run into this a lot here at Savon Dental Plan. A valued member will call in and talk to us about their dentist only to hear the bad news from us that the dentist that they are going to is not credentialed with our office. We get the same response each time... "Our dentist said that they accept your plan." That may be the case. Most dental offices will agree to honor the plan in order to retain you as a member, but still, that does not mean that they are a credentialed provider for the plan.

The reasons that you want to make sure that the dentist or specialist you are going to is credentialed with your coverage plan are:

1. They will have the most up-to-date fee schedule.
2. They will be familiar with the plan and know what discounts are supposed to be given.
3. They will know what is covered and you will not be misinformed.
4. They will be able to verify your coverage via roster or phone call.
5. If you as a member has a problem with the pricing discount, the plan will be able to intervene and help you.

I can not stress this enough. Going to a dentist that is not credentialed with your plan puts you at financial risk! That dentist is under no obligation to give you the discounts or may be charging you off of an outdated fee schedule. So PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE, make sure that whatever dentist you are seeing is authorized BY THE PLAN to take the plan that you have. 

To see a current list of Savon Dentists, Click Here!

Original post from December 22, 2014

Nail Biting - A Nervous Disorder

 Are you a nail biter? Do you know someone who is? If so, this is something you may want to pay attention to!! Nail biting is actually considered by some psychologists and physicians to be a form of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder(OCD). Here are some fast facts about nail biting that you may not know:

• It is estimated that as many as 40% of teens and 30% of adults may be compulsive nail biters.
• It is considered to be a nervous disorder, and even an indication of anxiety and passive aggression.
• It is (in some cases) also hereditary!
• Thumb sucking and lip biting fall into the same catagory.

The effects of nail biting on the teeth and gums is a serious issue. Long term, it can weaken the structure of your teeth and cause them to loosen, chip or crack. It can also cause misalignment. Bacteria lives under your fingernails, and it is introduced into your mouth when you bite your nails, carrying the possibility of viruses like E-Coli, influenza, the common cold and other diseases that we can't even pronounce... Think about it...whatever you've touched recently may still be lurking around under your nails. Ugh! In addition to that, constant nail biting can cause permanent damage to your nails and nailbed. There are topical applications that have proven useful for kids who are nail biters, but it isn't really effective for teens and adults. Therapy is useful, but expensive. For most, it is a very hard habit to break but have faith....it can be done!
Ladies, you may benefit most from this remedy...switch to acrylic nails and manicures that include polish and artwork! I have personally known people who have successfully grown out their nails by doing this. It works!

As always, Keep Smiling!

What is malocclusion?

Malocclusion is also known as a bad bite. It is a condition in which a person's teeth are out of alignment, crooked or crowded.

There are generally two types of malocclusion.

Dental malocclusion: This is when the teeth are not lined up properly; even the jaw may be aligned. Tooth crowding causes this type of occlusion.

Skeletal malocclusion: A skeletal malocclusion occurs when the upper and lower jaws don't line up correctly. This type of malocclusion can be classed as an overbite or an underbite.

Normally malocclusion starts to appear between the ages of six and twelve when permanent teeth are coming in. A bad bite can also be the result of many things such as:

Thumbsucking
Tongue thrusting (pushing your tongue against your teeth)
Fingernail biting
Mouth breathing: Breathing primarily through your mouth instead of your nose.

Original Post from btflbutterfly77 on 10/18/10

My Teeth Could Use Some Brightening- What Actually Works?

We all know that coffee, tea, wine, dark snacks and condiments will stain our teeth. This does not mean you have to swear them off though!

The dietitian says:
Just rinse your mouth with water right after eating, or stash some sugar free chewing gum. Consider adding foods and drinks that work towards whiter teeth into your diet, such as cheese, fruit and veggies.

-Lisa Young, PH.D

The dentist says:
Use at home teeth whiting kits such as Crest 3D whiting strips for lighter stains. For darker stains or instant result you will need professional whitening.

-Marc Lowenberg, D.D.S.

The makeup artist says:.
Cool-toned lip colors create an optical illusion. Fair skin should wear pinks, medium/olive toned skin should wear reds, while darker skin tones should stick to plums. Another trick is to dust some bronzer. Tanned skin makes teeth stand out!

-Matthew VanLeeuwen, Celebrity makeup artist

 Information was found in the Redbook magazine. October 2013