Naloxone as a Potential Lifesaving Medication: A Primer for Dentists.

Despite garnering considerable attention in recent years, the opioid epidemic in the United States has remained a challenge. Oral healthcare practitioners have been urged to take a leadership role in the face of this epidemic and consider carrying naloxone in dental offices. The US Food and Drug Administration recently deregulated naloxone 4-mg nasal spray to nonprescription status to increase its availability and access.

Analgesics in Pregnancy and Lactation: Safe Medication Practices.

Studies have found that the use of prescription drugs during pregnancy is common and has been increasing over time, with some researchers showing that two-thirds of women take prescription medications during pregnancy. Additionally, it is generally accepted that breastfeeding women take significantly more medications per month than pregnant women. Within the context of the recent opioid epidemic and renewed concerns for appropriately addressing patients' pain, along with the publication of recent guidelines and updated safety concerns for certain pain medications such as acetaminophen, some uncertainty may exist regarding the safe analgesic prescribing for pregnant and/or breastfeeding women.

Acetaminophen: Is Too Much of a Good Thing Too Much?

Acetaminophen is a popular, universally used, over-the-counter pain medication contained in more than 600 different products and available in a plethora of dosage forms. Acetaminophen is an important adjunct to manage postoperative dental pain in combination with a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug such as ibuprofen. For the treatment of more severe pain, acetaminophen is often formulated with non-opioid and opioid agents.

Emerging antiresorptive medications and their potential implications for dental surgeries.

Background: The aim of this review was to discuss the current and newly emerging antiresorptive medications and their potential implications for dental surgeries.

Types Of Studies Reviewed: The authors searched PubMed (MEDLINE), Cochrane, Embase, and other electronic databases for articles related to osteonecrosis of the jaw and medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ). In addition, the authors hand searched the bibliographies of all relevant articles, the gray literature, textbooks, and guidelines in association position statements.

Taking Local Anesthesia to the Next Level: Four Strategies Clinicians May Consider.

The importance of effective local anesthesia delivery in dentistry cannot be overstated, as many dental procedures could not be performed without it. Despite the availability to oral healthcare professionals of various successful local anesthetics, the administration of local anesthesia continues to provoke anxiety among dental patients and remains an often unpleasant experience. A number of techniques may be utilized to help mitigate injection pain and improve the patient experience.

Perioperative Antiplatelet and Anticoagulant Management with Endodontic Microsurgical Techniques.

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to review evidence-based recommendations for the safe perioperative management of patients undergoing endodontic microsurgery who are currently taking antiplatelet or anticoagulant medications. Using the PICO (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome) format, the following scientific question was asked: In patients taking anticoagulant or antiplatelet agents, what is the available evidence in the management of endodontic microsurgery?

Methods: MEDLINE, Scopus, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov databases were searched to identify current recommendations regarding the management of antiplatelet and anticoagulant medications in the context of outpatient dental surgical procedures.

Endophthalmitis and Bacteraemia following Complicated Cataract Surgery.

A 93-year-old male presented with left eye pain, fever and loss of vision two days after complicated cataract surgery. A diagnosis of Serratia marcescens endophthalmitis and systemic bacteremia was made after the organism was identified on vitreous and peripheral blood cultures. This case demonstrates that an aggressive intraocular infection can lead to bacteremia.