Among the main risks associated with delivery of a local anesthetic, to block to produce numbing of the mandibular teeth, is injury to the inferior alveolar or the lingual nerve. The result of such injury is often persistent neuropathic pain, dyesthesia, or anesthesia involving the distribution of the injured nerve. This article discusses a number of studies that assessed the effects of several anesthetics when causing such injury.

Dentists often treat patients with chronic facial pain. This article discusses the current literature discussing the neurophysiology of central pain that is thought to be a primary cause of pain persistence. The problem of chronic facial pain is complex and those managing this type of pain need to take this complexity into account in prescribing intervention.

This article discusses the use of Zoledronic acid, a biphosphonate compound, for reducing the bone loss of the jaw that takes place with squamous cell carcinoma in the mouth. The article also highlights the risks and side-effects associated with Zoledronic acid such as osteonecrosis.

This article discusses the relation between the infection with MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) and Dentistry. The article highlights a number of oral diseases caused by MRSA and the best approaches to control that infection.

In May of 2010 an article authored by A Memon, et al, was published in Acta Oncol that describes the results of a case control study of thyroid cancer and dental x-rays. The implication of the study is that exposure to dental x-rays may be associated with an increased risk of thyroid cancer. This published article makes an important contribution to the scientific understanding of thyroid cancer and its potential link to dental x-rays. Since it has also generated extensive reviews in the lay press touting its results, it may be worthwhile to look closer at the research methodology (the study design) as well as the other research exploring this issue.