A new study published in the January 2026 issue of the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery explores a unique approach: Reiki therapy. Researchers at Ege University in Turkey wanted to know if this Japanese energy healing technique could actually lower anxiety before the procedure and reduce pain afterward.

To test the effectiveness of Reiki, researchers conducted a randomized controlled trial involving 180 healthy participants. Each participant needed a mandibular (lower jaw) wisdom tooth extraction—specifically a Class II-B impaction, which is a common but complex type of removal.

The participants were divided into three groups:

1. Reiki Group: Received genuine Reiki therapy (gentle touch to promote relaxation).
2. Sham Reiki Group: A “placebo” version where the practitioner mimicked the motions without the specific Reiki protocol.
3. Control Group: Received no intervention at all.

Researchers tracked anxiety levels using several standardized psychological scales and monitored pain levels for seven days following the surgery using a Visual Analog Scale.

The Results: A Win for Pain, but Not for Nerves

The findings were a bit of a mixed bag, showing that while Reiki isn’t a “magic bullet” for everything, it might have a place in the recovery room.

1. Preoperative Anxiety: No Significant Change

Surprisingly, the Reiki didn’t do much to calm patients down before they went under the dental drill.

• The Data: The anxiety scores for the Reiki group were lower than the other groups, but the difference wasn’t “statistically significant.”
• The Bottom Line: If you’re terrified of the dentist, Reiki might help you relax slightly, but it likely won’t eliminate those pre-surgery butterflies.

2. Postoperative Pain: A Real Difference

This is where the study got interesting. Patients who received Reiki reported significantly lower pain scores over the first week of recovery compared to both the sham and control groups.

• The Data: The Reiki group averaged a pain score of 2.7, while the group with no intervention averaged 3.5.
• The Bottom Line: Reiki appears to help the body manage pain more effectively after the anesthetic wears off.

Why It Matters

One of the most promising aspects of this study is that Reiki is non-invasive. As the authors noted, it doesn’t interfere with conventional treatments or medications. It’s an “adjunctive tool”—something you can add to your recovery plan without worrying about drug interactions or side effects.

However, there is a catch for those in the U.S. In Turkey, where the study was conducted, wisdom tooth extractions are often done with local anesthesia while the patient is awake. In the United States, IV sedation (being “knocked out”) is much more common. Because IV sedation is so effective at managing anxiety, the benefits of Reiki might be less noticeable for American patients during the surgery itself.

The Verdict

While the researchers say more trials are needed to confirm these findings, the message is clear: Reiki may be a valuable tool for patient comfort. If you’re worried about the “throb” of a post-extraction socket, a session of Reiki might just help you reach for the ibuprofen a little less often.

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The study delves into magnesium’s potential as an analgesic adjuvant. Magnesium is known to block N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors, a mechanism that has shown promise in managing postoperative pain in other contexts. While its specific effects in dentistry have lacked robust evidence, this research aimed to fill that gap by evaluating the efficacy of an oral magnesium supplement in managing pain within 72 hours following mandibular third molar (MTM) surgery.

To investigate this, 25 adult patients undergoing the removal of both wisdom teeth participated in a crossover study design. Each patient underwent two separate surgeries, at least four weeks apart. For each procedure, they were randomly assigned to receive either 400 mg of ibuprofen three times daily plus a 500 mg oral magnesium supplement, or ibuprofen with a placebo, for three days post-surgery. Researchers meticulously tracked pain intensity at rest and during movement, rescue analgesic use, and any magnesium-related adverse events.

The key finding was compelling: the combination of ibuprofen and an oral magnesium supplement significantly reduced resting pain at 24 hours postoperatively compared to the placebo group. This suggests that magnesium provides a tangible benefit during a crucial phase of initial recovery. While pain intensity at other time points (6, 48, and 72 hours) and the overall use of rescue analgesics did not differ significantly between the groups, the specific impact on resting pain at the 24-hour mark is a notable discovery for patient comfort.

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This research offers a promising, accessible, and potentially well-tolerated addition to the existing strategies for managing pain after wisdom tooth surgery. While the study itself had limitations, such as a relatively small sample size and the need for further investigation into different magnesium regimens, its findings lay the groundwork for a new approach. For patients facing wisdom tooth extractions, discussing the potential benefits of an oral magnesium supplement with their dental surgeon could become a new conversation, aiming to make that critical first day of recovery more comfortable.

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The research aimed to explore the factors influencing these crucial decisions among orthodontists in Israel. Through an online survey conducted in July 2024, 88 active orthodontic specialists and residents provided insights into their practices. The findings revealed significant variability in how different orthodontists prioritize factors when deciding whether to extract asymptomatic mandibular third molars. This highlights a complex clinical landscape where individual judgment often plays a larger role than standardized protocols.

Among the various considerations, the study found that impaction characteristics were the most frequently cited factor for prophylactic extraction, chosen by 35.2% of respondents. Mandibular arch crowding followed as the second most common consideration at 26.1%. Interestingly, only a small minority (4.5%) of orthodontists reported routinely referring patients for extraction, suggesting a cautious approach overall. While demographic factors didn’t strongly influence extraction practices, there was a weak positive correlation between an orthodontist’s age and their consideration of mandibular arch crowding.

The significant differences in how various factors are prioritized underscore the lack of a unified approach. This variability in decision-making isn’t just a curiosity; it can lead to different recommendations for patients depending on which orthodontist they see, potentially impacting treatment plans and long-term oral health outcomes. The study’s authors emphasize that this highlights a critical gap in current orthodontic practice, where personal experience or institutional norms might weigh more heavily than consistent, universally accepted guidelines.

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In conclusion, the research from strongly points to a pressing need for clearer, evidence-based guidelines concerning the management of third molars during orthodontic treatment. While the study’s focus on Israeli orthodontists and its sample from major institutions limit its direct global applicability, its findings resonate universally within the orthodontic community. Establishing robust guidelines would not only support orthodontists in making consistent, informed decisions but also ensure that patients receive the most appropriate and effective care, moving beyond individual preferences toward a more standardized, evidence-driven approach to wisdom tooth management.

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The study, titled “Prevalence of Post-Operative Infections Related to Third Molar Surgery at an Australian University Teaching Clinic: A 5-Year Retrospective Study,” delved into the records of over 1,500 patients who underwent wisdom tooth surgery. The findings were quite clear: the overall prevalence of postoperative infections was remarkably low, hovering at just about 1%. This indicates that the vast majority of patients recover from these procedures without developing an infection, even when prophylactic antibiotics aren’t routinely administered.

Perhaps the most significant takeaway from this research is the lack of a strong link between prophylactic antibiotic use and a reduced risk of infection. Despite nearly 3% of the studied patients receiving antibiotics, this did not correlate with a lower infection rate. Furthermore, the study investigated other common risk factors, such as smoking, illicit drug use, and the degree of tooth impaction, and found no significant association with the occurrence of postoperative infections. This evidence strongly suggests that for a typical wisdom tooth extraction, a “just in case” antibiotic prescription may not offer the anticipated benefit.

While the study found that patient demographics and the experience level of the operating clinician did show some connection to infection rates (though specific details weren’t elaborated in the summary), the overarching conclusion remains powerful. Given the minimal risk of infection, the authors argue that the routine use of antibiotics for third molar surgery is not supported. This aligns with broader concerns in healthcare about antibiotic resistance, where overuse of these vital medications can diminish their effectiveness for truly necessary treatments.

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This research marks an important step in evidence-based dentistry, encouraging a more targeted approach to patient care. Instead of a blanket prescription, the findings suggest that dentists could reserve antibiotics for patients with specific, high-risk factors for infection, rather than for every wisdom tooth removal. While the study acknowledges a limitation regarding infections that might develop beyond the two-week follow-up, its robust data on a large patient cohort provides compelling reasons to rethink a long-standing practice and contributes to the ongoing effort to optimize antibiotic stewardship in dentistry.

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The study put a one-hour online cognitive-behavioral therapy (o-CBT) program to the test. This innovative digital tool was designed to equip patients with coping skills by offering psychoeducation on dental anxiety, guiding them through motivational exercises, and exposing them gradually to feared dental procedures via videos. Participants were divided into groups, some receiving support from psychology staff, others from dental staff, and a control group receiving no intervention. The goal was clear: to see if this online approach could make a tangible difference in how patients experience dental care.

The results are remarkably encouraging. Both groups who underwent the online CBT intervention experienced a significant reduction in their dental anxiety levels compared to the control group. What’s even more impactful for practical application is that the intervention delivered by dental staff was just as effective as that delivered by psychology professionals. This suggests a powerful potential for this o-CBT tool to be seamlessly integrated into dental practices, empowering dental teams to offer immediate and effective support for anxious patients without requiring specialized psychology training.

While the online intervention proved highly successful in reducing the feeling of anxiety, the study also provided valuable insights. Interestingly, the one-hour session, though impactful for anxiety, didn’t directly translate into improved dental attendance rates. This highlights that while reducing fear is a critical first step, other factors might still influence a patient’s ability to consistently show up for appointments. Nevertheless, the profound impact on reported anxiety levels alone can have a meaningful effect on the overall oral health and well-being of individuals who once dreaded every visit.

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This research represents a significant leap forward in addressing a widespread public health challenge. Imagine a future where, before your dental appointment, a brief online session could equip you with the tools to calmly navigate the experience. The findings strongly suggest that this online cognitive-behavioral intervention offers a practical, scalable solution to dental anxiety, paving the way for more comfortable and consistent dental care for millions. Further studies will explore its broader application in diverse dental settings, but for now, this online tool shines as a beacon of hope for a less anxious dental future.

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