General dentistry
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Dealing with pain is an inevitable sequela to dental treatment. Although several drug regimens primarily involving narcotics have been used in the past, availability of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) has increased recently. ⋯ Data analysis of a survey of 130 dentists revealed that respondents still rely on narcotic analgesics for pain relief and generally exceed needed potency and quantities in their prescribing habits. Dentists are treating rather than preventing pain, and NSAIDs are underused.
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Body-piercing is growing in popularity. Intraoral sites are being selected more frequently for piercing. A case of a lingual barbell is described.