• Subscribe
  • Podcast
  • Free Samples
  • Conference
  • Earn CE
  • Best DSOs to Work For
  • Home >
  • Pathology

    • Oral Pathology

    A new adjunct to periodontal therapy
    Oral Pathology

    Removal of the root surface smear layer

    Shelley Brown, MEd, BSDH, RDH
    Check out a new FDA-approved way to desiccate biofilm in these Hygiene Edge videos. Biofilm contributes to periodontal diseases, and the more we can remove, the better.
    Photo provided by a 24-year-old Wegener’s Granulomatosis patient.
    Figure 1: Intraoral photo (left) prior to seeing a general dentist. Pt. experienced three small holes in soft palate. General dentist referred to oral surgeon. The three small holes expanded into one large hole (center) before oral surgeon could be seen. Oral surgeon diagnosed necrotic tissue and took biopsy that confirmed Wegener's Granulomatosis diagnosis. After the biopsy, stitches were placed (right).
    Image copyright Whitaker JK, Alexander P, Chau DY, Tint NL, BMC Ophthalmology. Creative Commons Attribution 2.5 Generic.
    Figure 1: (left) depicts the elasticity of the skin with profound flexibility; (right) demonstrates joint mobility.