To prevent serious complications from the correlation between dental infections and sinus disease, collaboration between dentists and otolaryngologists is crucial. These conditions are easily misdiagnosed by dentists and ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialists, which can lead to serious health risks. Maintaining a supply of state-of-the-art dental equipment is critical to avoiding these risks.
Odontogenic sinusitis (ODS) is a common condition caused by dental infection, possibly due to poor oral hygiene or dental surgery, but it is easily misdiagnosed.1 A collaborative approach between otolaryngologists and dental surgeons may be required to effectively assess, manage, and treat patients. Creating synergies between dentistry and ENT through products plays an important role in solving this problem.
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The Importance of Good Oral Health
Educating the public about the connection between oral health and overall health is an ongoing concern. Oral health is a window into a person’s overall health. Poor oral health can lead to a variety of illnesses, including cardiovascular disease. Additionally, certain diseases, such as diabetes or HIV, can have a negative impact on oral health.2 Prompt resolution of oral problems is vital to a person’s overall health.
What makes the SDGs so important for oral health? ODS accounts for approximately 10% of sinus infections, making it a common problem. It is recognized that more than 40% of maxillary sinusitis cases may be caused by dental infections and sinus disease.3 Although 29% to 40% of chronic sinusitis cases have dental lesions and 10% to 64% are caused by alveolar surgery, dentists and otolaryngologists frequently misdiagnose ODS.4 ODS is particularly suitable for diagnosis and treatment by dental and otolaryngology specialists. Successful diagnosis and treatment of ODS requires a coordinated effort between otolaryngologists and dental physicians.
If left untreated, ODS can cause serious health risks, such as vision loss, eye infections, or pneumonia.5 Chronic sinusitis can be life-threatening if the infection spreads to the bones, spinal fluid, or brain, leading to meningitis and brain abscesses.6
Confirmation of ODS requires diagnosis of infectious sinusitis by an otolaryngologist and confirmation of pathology in adjacent maxillary teeth by a dental specialist. When both dental pathology and sinusitis are addressed, resolution is expected in 90 to 100 percent of cases.7
The role of state-of-the-art dental equipment
General practitioners provide referral services to specialists in all areas of oral care that overlap with medical care. Exploring more products that can better serve these healthcare industry relationships is key. By improving and specializing products to meet the needs of orthodontists, oral surgeons, pediatric dentists, endodontists, and otolaryngologists, providers have evolved in recent years in overall health services for the oral, jaw, otolaryngology, and more. Many changes can be addressed.
From exam chairs, microscopes and treatment cabinets to dental exam, treatment and oral surgery chairs, rugged equipment helps professionals and their practices deliver state-of-the-art patient care. Innovative care provides patients with fast, enjoyable appointments and avoids other health issues.
The need for dental care is greater than ever. Dentist visits have dropped dramatically during the pandemic, necessitating the need for more invasive dental procedures once lockdowns are eased. One study found that dental care utilization dropped 80.9% in 2020 from 2019.8 This is not only a matter of one’s health, but also a financial issue. Integrating medical and dental care, such as oral health and chronic disease prevention programs, saves money and benefits patients.9
Because of this demand for care, many dental practices are anticipating growth despite questionable economic conditions.10 But supply chain issues remain and questions about the economy remain, threatening to disrupt the production and distribution of products across industries, including medical and dental supplies. This has resulted in increased spending on dental supplies for many practices, from an average of 5.5% to 6.0% of revenue before the pandemic to a recent 8.0% to 9.0%.eleven Cutting-edge dental equipment with exceptional durability and proven reliability helps professionals and their practices deliver the personalized products they need to focus on delivering the most advanced patient care.
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