Marty Jablow DMD - Dental News and Technology

Kodak Situation Has No Impact on Dental Imaging Products

2012-01-30T09:00:00.000-05:00

Carestream Dental has received questions about Eastman Kodak Company’s recent filing for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Protection and the challenges this might have on product support and development.

We have been a stand alone company since 2007 and we will continue to develop and manufacture high quality, innovative products, provide outstanding customer support and help our customers succeed. Carestream Dental simply licenses the right to use the KODAK name on some of the products that we manufacture.

For more than 100-years Carestream Dental has worked tirelessly to become one of the world’s largest dental imaging and dental software companies. More than 1 million dentists in 120 countries use Carestream Dental products to enhance their efficiency and improve their patient care through better workflow and more precise diagnoses.
Carestream is a strong, profitable and growing company. Be assured that Kodak’s financial challenges do not affect Carestream in any way, and that we are as committed as ever to our customers’ success and advancing the state of dental care around the world.
Sincerely,
Richard Hirschland
President, Dental Systems

Carestream Health’s Shipments of Innovative Wireless DRX Detector Reach New High

2012-01-28T13:57:00.000-05:00

Affordable Digital X-ray Systems Provide Immediate Images in Diverse Patient Care Settings

ROCHESTER, N.Y., Jan. 24 — High-quality, affordable digital X-ray images in about four seconds— with wireless communication that allows clinicians to immediately view images from any location. This compelling workflow is the driving force behind the rapid adoption of Carestream Health’s flexible, wireless DRX detectors.

The company has shipped more than 3,300 DRX detectors since launching the CARESTREAM DRX-1, the radiology profession’s first wireless, cassette-size X-ray detector. Carestream’s comprehensive product portfolio serves diverse applications—from surgical suites, ER/ICU and radiology departments to clinics, imaging centers, nursing homes and field military hospitals.

The company’s family of DRX-based systems help streamline workflow, improve productivity and enhance patient care in both in-room and mobile environments. For example, these lightweight, digital X-ray detectors can be used in general radiology exam rooms and mobile units during the day, and are easily moved to serve the emergency department at night.

Carestream’s DRX-based portfolio includes the CARESTREAM DRX-1 System, CARESTREAM DRX-Mobile Retrofit kit, CARESTREAM DRX-Evolution suite, CARESTREAM DRX-Transportable System and CARESTREAM DRX-Ascend System.

The DRX family also includes a second detector, the cesium iodide-based CARESTREAM DRX-1C, that offers exceptional image quality and improved DQE (detective quantum efficiency). The DRX-1C detector’s superior image quality makes it an ideal fit for orthopedic, trauma, pediatric and other specialty environments, in addition to general radiography exams.

Patient care in ED, ICU, pediatric ICU and other environments is enhanced with an innovative Tube and Line Visualization feature that uses a single exposure to display an enhanced companion image with more precise visualization of lines and tubes, which are typically difficult to view. Allowing physicians to verify correct placements in seconds helps improve patient care and comfort, while simultaneously reducing the need for multiple imaging exams.

Carestream’s DRX detectors work with existing x-ray equipment and can easily be moved to any DRX room or mobile DRX system, a feature the company refers to as the “X-Factor.” Healthcare providers can also move the detectors to new imaging systems when existing x-ray systems become outdated.

For more information on Carestream’s medical imaging and healthcare IT solutions please visit www.carestream.com.

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About Carestream Health

Carestream Health is a worldwide provider of dental and medical imaging systems and healthcare IT solutions; molecular imaging systems for life science research and drug discovery/development; X-ray film and digital X-ray systems for non-destructive testing; and advanced materials for the precision films and electronics markets.

For more information about the company’s broad portfolio of products, solutions and services, please contact your Carestream Health representative or visit http://www.carestream.com/.

CARESTREAM is a trademark of Carestream Health.

Antioxidants Counteract Nicotine and Promote Migration via RacGTP in Oral Fibroblast Cells

2012-01-27T08:00:00.000-05:00

Journal of Periodontology

2010, Vol. 81, No. 11, Pages 1675-1690, DOI 10.1902/jop.2010.100187

(doi:10.1902/jop.2010.100187)

Symone M. San Miguel,^* Lynne A. Opperman,^* Edward P. Allen,^† Jan Zielinski,^‡ and Kathy K.H. Svoboda^*

indicates supplementary video in the online Journal of Periodontology.

Background: Smoking is associated with an increased risk of oral health and dental problems. The aim of this study is to address the hypothesis that nicotine impairs wound healing by increasing reactive oxygen species and inhibiting cell migration, and antioxidants (AOs) may counteract nicotine effects.

Methods: Primary human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) and human periodontal ligament (HPDL) fibroblasts were grown to confluence, pretreated with 6 mM nicotine for 2 hours, and treated with AOs in the presence of nicotine. The pure AO compounds ferulic acid (F), phloretin (P), tetrahydrocurcuminoid Cockroft Gault (T), and resveratrol (R) were tested in single, double, or triple combinations (10⁻⁵ M). The migratory behavior at a scratch-wound edge was recorded every 15 minutes for 10 hours by using live-cell imaging. The active form of the Rho-associated protein (Rac) and guanosine triphosphate (GTP) (RacGTP) was immunolabeled and analyzed using confocal microscopy.
Results: Combinations of double and triple AOs had a greater effect than single AOs on migration rates and Rac activation. The triple combinations PFR and RFT clearly and unambiguously counteracted the effects of nicotine and significantly increased migration rates in HGF and HPDL fibroblast.

Conclusions: Treatment with AO combinations clearly counteracted the effects of nicotine by restoring and increasing cell-migration rates. We found the combination of PFR was the most effective in HGFs, whereas, RFT was the most effective combination in HPDL fibroblast. These results clearly demonstrate that PF, RFT, and PFR counteract the negative effects of nicotine on cultured oral fibroblasts via the RacGTP signal-transduction pathway.

Lexicomp Launching New Online Interface

2012-01-26T10:00:00.000-05:00

Dear Valued Customer,

I want to take a moment and share some exciting Lexicomp news with you, one of our valued customers.

Very soon, we will be launching a new interface for our Online product — The Next Generation of Lexicomp Online for Dentistry. Re-engineered for increased speed, ease and intelligence, this new interface will provide you with more direct access to the comprehensive drug information and dental reference databases you've always trusted to make informed decisions.

The Next Generation of Lexicomp Online for Dentistry has been an important development project for us and our product development team has worked very hard to maintain the features you love while making several enhancements to the content and navigation capabilities. Additionally, the new interface has been reviewed and evaluated by a team of your peers who offered assistance during an extensive beta testing period. Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, including how easy and seamless it was to transition to the new interface.

Our commitment to patient safety remains steadfast and I am confident you will agree these enhancements will have you finding answers faster and discovering more information, while improving your overall user experience.

As always, we appreciate your business and are excited about Lexicomp's continued support of your drug information needs. Please watch for future announcements regarding the launch of The Next Generation of Lexicomp Online for Dentistry.

Sincerely,

Steven Kerscher
Vice President & General Manager of Lexicomp

If you would like to contact Lexicomp with questions, concerns or for general information, please visit our Contact Us page. Do NOT reply to this e-mail.

The information contained in this email is subject to specific Terms and Conditions.

Product names, logos, brands, and other trademarks featured or referred to within this email are the property of their respective trademark holders. Use of these marks does not imply endorsement or affiliation. Visit our Trademarks & Logos page for more information.

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Resistance to compression of weakened roots subjected to different root reconstruction protocols

2012-01-25T11:00:00.000-05:00

Journal of Applied Oral Science

Print version ISSN 1678-7757

J. Appl. Oral Sci. vol.19 no.6 Bauru Nov./Dec. 2011

ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated, in vitro, the fracture resistance of human non-vital teeth restored with different reconstruction protocols.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: Forty human anterior roots of similar shape and dimensions were assigned to four groups (n=10), according to the root reconstruction protocol: Group I (control): non-weakened roots with glass fiber post; Group II: roots with composite resin by incremental technique and glass fiber post; Group III: roots with accessory glass fiber posts and glass fiber post; and Group IV: roots with anatomic glass fiber post technique. Following post cementation and core reconstruction, the roots were embedded in chemically activated acrylic resin and submitted to fracture resistance testing, with a compressive load at an angle of 45º in relation to the long axis of the root at a speed of 0.5 mm/min until fracture. All data were statistically analyzed with bilateral Dunnett's test (α=0.05).
RESULTS: Group I presented higher mean values of fracture resistance when compared with the three experimental groups, which, in turn, presented similar resistance to fracture among each other. None of the techniques of root reconstruction with intraradicular posts improved root strength, and the incremental technique was suggested as being the most recommendable, since the type of fracture that occurred allowed the remaining dental structure to be repaired.
CONCLUSION: The results of this in vitro study suggest that the healthy remaining radicular dentin is more important to increase fracture resistance than the root reconstruction protocol.

Differences Between Reported And Actual Restored Caries Lesion Depths: Results From The Dental PBRN

2012-01-24T09:00:00.000-05:00

Journal of Dentistry

doi:10.1016/j.jdent.2011.12.015

Abstract

Objective

The objectives of this research were to (1) quantify the discordance between the caries lesion depth at which dentists restored initial lesions during a clinical study (“actual depth”) and the lesion depth that they reported during a hypothetical clinical scenario (“reported depth”); (2) test the hypothesis that certain practitioner, practice, patient, and caries lesion characteristics are significantly associated with this discordance.

Methods

: Practitioner-investigators who perform restorative dentistry in their practices completed an enrollment questionnaire and participated in two consecutive studies on caries diagnosis and treatment. The first study was a survey asking about caries treatment. The second study collected data on restorations placed in routine clinical practice due to caries in patients over 19 years of age on occlusal surfaces only or proximal surfaces only. We report results on 2691 restorations placed by 205 dentists in 1930 patients with complete data.

Results

: Discordance between actual depth and reported depth occurred in only about 2% of the restorations done due to proximal caries, but about 49% of the restorations done due to occlusal caries. Practice type, restorative material used and the diagnostic methods used were significantly associated with discordance.

Conclusion

: Dentists frequently restored occlusal caries at a shallower depth as compared to their reported depth, but the discordance was very small for proximal lesions. Discordance for occlusal caries was more common when radiographs were not taken or if a resin restoration was placed.

Free Color Matching CE

2012-01-23T08:16:00.000-05:00

Dental Color Matcher, an online education and training program for esthetic dentistry. This program is designed to help improving the appearance and overall esthetics of your clinical/lab work associated with color matching, color communication, color reproduction. It will take approximately 90 minutes to complete the Dental Color Matcher. Please follow the instructions on how to perform the training part of the program and pay attention to its didactic portion.

Go Check It Out by clicking here.

Association between chronic periodontitis and rheumatoid arthritis: a hospital-based case–control study

2012-01-21T17:42:00.000-05:00

Rheumatology International

DOI: 10.1007/s00296-011-2284-1

Abstract

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and chronic periodontitis are the most common chronic inflammatory diseases with remarkable pathological and clinical similarities. A lot of similarities exist between RA and periodontitis at cellular and molecular levels. The relationship between these two chronic inflammatory diseases is still unclear. This case–control study was undertaken to determine the possible association between chronic inflammatory diseases like RA and periodontitis. The case group consisted of 100 patients attending the Rheumatology clinic who have rheumatoid arthritis (RA group). Age- and gender-matched 112 patients without RA attending the Outpatient wing of Department of General Medicine formed the control group (NRA group). The number of missing teeth, gingival index (GI), oral hygiene index-simplified (OHI-S), probing pocket depth (PPD) and clinical attachment levels (CAL) were evaluated in both the groups. Rheumatoid disease activity was assessed by DAS-28 score system. Systemic markers of inflammation like erythrocytic sedimentation rate (ESR) and serum levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) were assessed. There was a statistically significant difference in GI, OHI-S, PPD, CAL, ESR and CRP levels between cases (RA group) and controls (NRA group) (P < 0.05). Among subjects with RA, there was no association between the rheumatoid disease activity and the severity of periodontal disease. The occurrence and severity of periodontitis was found to be higher in RA subjects as compared to subjects without RA, suggesting a positive relation between these two chronic inflammatory diseases.

Dental staff doses with handheld dental intraoral x-ray units.

2012-01-20T09:00:00.000-05:00

Health Phys. 2012 Feb;102(2):137-42.

Gray JE, Bailey ED, Ludlow JB.

Abstract

A handheld portable dental intraoral x-ray system is available in the United States and elsewhere. The system is designed to minimize the user's radiation dose. It includes specially designed shielding of the x-ray tube housing and an integral radiation shield to minimize backscatter. Personnel radiation dose records were obtained from 18 dental facilities using both the handheld system and a wall mounted dental x-ray system, providing 661 individual dose measurements. Dental staff doses were also compared for the handheld and conventional systems using both film and digital imaging for the same facilities and staff members. The results indicate that the doses for the handheld systems are significantly less than for wall-mounted systems. The average monthly dose for the handheld systems was 0.28 μSv vs. 7.86 μSv (deep dose equivalent) for the wall-mounted systems, a difference that is statistically significant at the p = 0.01 level. Consequently, there should be no concern about the use of this handheld dental intraoral x-ray system. Additional shielding efforts, (e.g., wearing a lead apron) will not provide significant benefit nor reduce staff radiation dose.

CLEARCORRECT LAUNCHES NEW PROJECT TO CHANGE THE WORLD—ONE PHASE AT A TIME

2012-01-19T09:30:00.000-05:00

Houston, Texas—January11, 2012—ClearCorrect™, the manufacturer of orthodontic clear aligners (namedAmerica’s fastest-growing health company for 2011 by Inc. magazine), recentlylaunched Phase Out™, a new project focused on making adifference.

In a post on the company’s blog, ClearCorrect CEO,Jarrett Pumphrey, said, “Five years ago, we started ClearCorrect out of apassion to help. Doctors had no choice in clear aligners, and we wanted tochange that. Since then, we've remained focused on changing the clear alignerindustry. Well, now our ambitions have grown. I’m very happy to announce Phase Out, a new ClearCorrectproject we’re kicking off this year. The purpose of the project: To change the world.”

ClearCorrect’s unique phase-based approach toclear aligners is at the heart of the project: Every ClearCorrect case includesa certain number of phases (a phase is a box with 4 sets of clear aligners). More often than not, a few phases are left over at the endof treatment. Starting January 1, 2012, for each leftover phase, $20 will gotoward phasing out life-impacting issues for people in need.

ClearCorrect is partnering with charity: waterto launch the first of several Phase Out initiatives envisioned for the project: phase out unsafe drinking water.

“It’s unbelievable that nearly abillion people on the planet still don’t have access to something so basic as cleandrinking water,” says Pumphrey. “charity: water is an incredible organization workingto change that. They have a big job to do, and we want to help them.”

Through Phase Out, every time a phase is left over at the end of ClearCorrecttreatment, $20 will go toward building wells and other water projects indeveloping nations with charity: water. One phase = one person with access toclean, safe drinking water.

To learn more about this project or get involved,visit: http://clearcorrect.com/phaseout.

About ClearCorrect

Headquartered in Houston, Texas,ClearCorrect was founded by dentists to serve the dental and orthodonticindustry by providing a more affordable and doctor-friendly clear alignersystem. The system provides dentists and orthodontists an alternative totraditional metal braces when straightening teeth. With this system, teeth arestraightened using a series of clear, custom, removable aligners. The company'smodern, needs-based approach for serving doctors and patients has earned it aleadership position within the dental industry.

Now in its fifth year,ClearCorrect continues to gain popularity with over 11,000 dentists who areproviders. For informationabout ClearCorrect, the company and its products, visit www.clearcorrect.com or call toll-free: (888) 331-3323.

About charity: water

charity: water is a non-profit organization bringing clean, safedrinking water to people in developing nations. 100%of public donations godirectly to fund sustainable water solutions in areas of greatest need. Unsafewater and lack of basic sanitation cause 80 percent of diseases and kill morepeople every year than all forms of violence, including war. Children areespecially vulnerable, as their bodies aren't strong enough to fight diarrhea,dysentery and other illnesses. Just $20 can give one person access to a cleanwater project. Learn more at: www.charitywater.org.

Immediate Postextractive Dental Implant Placement with Immediate Loading on Four Implants for Mandibular-Full-Arch Rehabilitation: A Retrospective Analysis

2012-01-18T08:00:00.000-05:00

Mozzati, M., Arata, V., Gallesio, G., Mussano, F. and Carossa, S. (2012), Immediate Postextractive Dental Implant Placement with Immediate Loading on Four Implants for Mandibular-Full-Arch Rehabilitation: A Retrospective Analysis. Clinical Implant Dentistry and Related Research. doi: 10.1111/j.1708-8208.2011.00412.x

ABSTRACT

Background: To date, only few studies have reported on the clinical outcomes of immediate postextraction implant placement and immediate loading.

Purpose: The purpose of this retrospective study was to report the results of immediately loading four implants placed in fresh extraction sockets in the mandible after a follow-up of 24 months.

Materials and Methods: Between January 2001 and January 2009, 50 patients (28 women and 22 men, average age 54 years), had 347 teeth extracted and a total of 200 dental implants placed in the mandible. The patients received a provisional fixed bridge the same day and a permanent one 3 months later. Clinical checkups were performed after 1, 2, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months. Marginal bone measurements were made in intraoral radiographs taken 1 day after surgery and after 1 year. A questionnaire was used to evaluate self-perceived factors related to comfort, aesthetics, and function.

Results: All bridges were stable and no implant failures were recorded during the follow-up, giving a survival rate of 100%, at 2 years. The marginal bone loss amounted to 1.33 ± 0.36 mm after 1 year and 1.48 ± 0.39 mm after 2 years. Ten patients showed prosthetic complications with the provisional bridge, but all the definitive prostheses remained stable throughout the study period without any complications. The patients reported satisfaction with the treatment.

Conclusions: The present retrospective study showed that immediate loading of four implants immediately placed in extraction sockets is a valid treatment modality for the totally edentulous mandible.

Join Me As I Am Interviewed Tonight on the Whole Tooth

2012-01-17T10:59:00.000-05:00

Join me tonight at 8PM EST.

We are honored to have Dr. Marty Jablow on to educate us all about "What's new in High-Tech Dentistry”. Like always, join your hosts Hogan Allen & Richard Train, along with occasional clinical guest hosts, for "The Whole Tooth". The show airs every Tuesday at 8 P.M. EST, with a weekly conversation with not only the "who's who" in dentistry, but many other experts who you ‘should’ get to know. "The Whole Tooth" is the premier internet radio show for dental practices which discusses how you can make more money, save more money and improve processes for everyone in your dental office. Topics include: clinical dentistry, what’s “hot” in hygiene, practice management, internet strategies, finance and more. "The Whole Tooth" is a fun half hour filled with great information and can fit into any schedule. If you miss a show, feel free to download the archive, or catch us on iTunes for FREE!

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/thewholetooth/2012/01/18/whats-new-in-high-tech-dentistry-with-dr-marty-jablow

Reasons for replacement of restorations: dentists' perceptions.

2012-01-16T07:59:00.000-05:00

Acta Odontol Scand. 2012 Jan 3. [Epub ahead of print]

Palotie U, Vehkalahti MM.

Source

Institute of Dentistry, Department of Oral Public Health, University of Helsinki , Helsinki , Finland.

Abstract

Abstract Objective. This study aimed at evaluating dentists' perceived reasons for replacement of restorations and ascertaining the differences arising from dentists' gender, time since graduation and working sector (salaried vs private). Materials and methods. A postal questionnaire was sent to a total of 592 working-age general dental practitioners in Finland, 57% (n = 339) responded. The dentists were asked to rank in order of priority the six most common reasons for replacement of composite in the incisors and posterior teeth and amalgam in the posterior tooth from a list of 12 reasons. Ranking order 1 was worth six points and order 6 one point; the non-ranked reasons were equal to zero. Differences in the means of the summed scores of caries-related (RC), fracture- and failure-related (RF) and miscellaneous (RO) groups were evaluated by ANOVA. The level of significance was set at p = 0.05. Results. For each of three restorations, the RF group comprised 48-56% of the sum-scores. Of the single reasons, secondary caries predominated (20-24%). For composite restorations in the incisors, the mean sum-score of the RO group was greater for private-sector dentists (p = 0.04). For composite restorations in the posterior teeth, the mean sum-score of RF group was higher for male than female dentists (p = 0.009). For amalgam, mean score for RF was 10.2, followed by RC (8.5) and RO (1.1). Conclusion. Secondary caries and various fractures and failures predominate as dentists' perceived reasons for replacement of restorations. Private dentists included miscellaneous reasons as one of their six reasons more often than did the salaried dentists. The complex process of treatment planning and decision-making is influenced by many as of yet unknown factors, calling for emphasis on investigating of perceptions.

Chronic Maxillary Sinusitis Associated with an Unusual Foreign Body: A Case Repor

2012-01-14T07:56:00.000-05:00

Case Reports in Otolaryngology
Volume 2012 (2012), Article ID 903714, 4 pages
doi:10.1155/2012/903714

Abstract
Foreign bodies in maxillary sinuses are unusual clinical conditions, and they can cause chronic sinusitis by mucosal irritation. Most cases of foreign bodies in maxillary sinus are related to iatrogenic dental manipulation and only a few cases with non-dental origin are reported. Oroantral fistulas secondary to dental procedures are the most common way of insertion. Treatment is surgical removal of the foreign body either endoscopically or with a combined approach, with Caldwell-Luc procedure if endoscopic approach is inadequate for visualisation. In this case, we present a 24-year-old male patient with unilateral chronic maxillary sinusitis due to a wooden toothpick in left maxillary sinus. The patient had a history of upper second premolar tooth extraction. CT scan revealed sinus opacification with presence of a foreign body in left maxillary sinus extending from the floor of the sinus to the orbital base. The foreign body, a wooden toothpick, was removed with Caldwell-Luc procedure since it was impossible to remove the toothpick endoscopically. There was no obvious oroantral fistula in the time of surgery, but the position of the toothpick made us to think that it was inserted through a previously healed fistula, willingly or accidentally.

Parents' ability to recall past injuries to maxillary primary incisors in their children*

2012-01-13T07:54:00.000-05:00


Sheinvald-Shusterman K, Holan G. Dent. Traumatol. 2011; ePub(ePub): ePub.
Affiliation: Department of Pediatric Dentistry, The Hebrew University - Hadassah School of Dental Medicine, Jerusalem, Israel.
DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-9657.2011.01080.x


Abstract - Aim: To evaluate the ability of parents to recall past injuries to their children's maxillary primary incisors. Materials and methods: Clinical and radiographic trauma-related major and minor signs observed in the first dental visit of 727 preschool children were recorded. Major signs included crown fracture, coronal discoloration, internal resorption, pulp canal obliteration, swelling, fistula, and periapical lesion. Minor signs included enamel cracks, sensitivity to percussion, dull or metallic sound on percussion, increased mobility, and widened periodontal ligament. Children were divided into groups: CT = certainly traumatized (presenting with at least one major sign or a combination of three minor signs), PT = probably traumatized (presenting with one or two minor signs) and NT = not traumatized. Accompanying parents were asked to recall past injuries to their children's teeth. Possible replies were 'no', 'yes' and 'probably yes'. Disagreement when both parents were present was recorded as 'yes'. Crown fractures involving dentin, coronal discoloration, swelling and fistula were defined as 'observable signs of trauma'. Results: One-hundred and eighteen children were accompanied by fathers, 411 by mothers and 198 by both. The CT group comprised 464 children; the PT group, 103; and the NT group, 160, with no statistically significant differences by gender. Parents' positive recall was similar for boys (33.3%) and girls (31.0%). Mothers recalled trauma in 32.6% and fathers in 27.1% of their children. Parents failed to recall trauma in 52.6% of the CT-group children and in 43.5% of the PT-group children. Parents failed to recall trauma in 37.6% of the children who had observable signs of trauma. Conclusions: Parents' recall of dental trauma occurring in their children's maxillary primary incisors was reliable in <50% of the cases.

AADOM Launches new website

2012-01-12T07:00:00.000-05:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Red Bank, NJ – January 6, 2012 – The American Association of Dental Office Managers (AADOM) has launched a new version of their interactive website at www.dentalmanagers.com. The website has been completely revamped. It has a new, sleek look and it is more user-friendly and navigable. Prominent features include: the AADOM Member Spotlight which highlights an outstanding AADOM member each month, an easy-to-search calendar of events as well as a continuously updated “Latest News” section. Members Only features are a part of the new site as well. These include the ever-popular AADOM Member Forum, the on-line Article Library and the AADOM Job Board.

“Great job on the new website!” says dental practice administrator Jennifer Russell of Olathe, KS. She adds: “The website is so nice and is much easier to navigate. The ADDOM team never lets anything slow them down and that is why the members love them so”! AADOM Executive Director Lisa Forsberg worked closely with AADOM’s web team to create the new site. She says, “The new website design was developed from specific member feedback and gives us the opportunity to continue to deliver a high quality member experience. I am excited about the new website because it is our 'office building' and the place where everyone gathers together. The goal is to provide a more visually pleasing and intuitive interface keeping members easily informed.”

AADOM will continue to make improvements to the new site as member feedback and comments are submitted.

About AADOM: AADOM is the nation's largest educational and networking association dedicated to serving dental practice management professionals. The 8th Annual Dental Managers Conference will be September 6-8, 2012 in Scottsdale, AZ. Learn more at www.dentalmanagers.com

Regenerating The Dental Pulp

2012-01-11T17:49:00.000-05:00

Considerations for Regenerative Procedures

These recommendations are based on best available data at this time and should be one possible source of information used by clinicians to make treatment decisions. Moreover, given the rapid evolving nature of thus field, clinicians should actively review new findings as they become available.

Case Selection

Tooth with necrotic pulp and an immature apex
Pulp space not needed for post/core, final restoration
Compliant patient

Read the procedure

New Identafi® Special Pricing!

2012-01-10T09:00:00.000-05:00

Oral cancer is real and using any device to try and identify areas of displasia which may be cancer is important for all patients at every recare visit. MJ

Now that the New Year has begun, we’re pleased to announce first quarter special pricing on the Identafi Oral Cancer Screening Device. This great price point comes in at only $2,795, that’s $1,000 off the retail price! The Identafi is a simple, yet effective screening tool that utilizes three distinct wavelengths.

It’s the only screening system of its kind using white light reflectance.
It has a unique reflectance and autofluorescence technology makes it easier to distinguish morphology and vasculature.
The three-wavelength optical illumination and visualization system allows dental professionals to identify oral mucosal abnormalities not visible to the naked eye.

Take advantage of this great price and help protect your patients from oral cancer. To learn more about the device, please visit www.identafi.net

Dentists Could Screen 20 Million Americans For Chronic Physical Illnesses

2012-01-07T10:30:00.000-05:00

Nearly 20 million Americans annually visit a dentist but not a general healthcare provider, according to an NYU study published in the American Journal of Public Health.

The study, conducted by a nursing-dental research team at NYU, is the first of its kind to determine the proportion of Americans who are seen annually by a dentist but not by a general healthcare provider.

This finding suggests dentists can play a crucial role as health care practitioners in the front-line defense of identifying systemic disease which would otherwise go undetected in a significant portion of the population, say the researchers.

"For these and other individuals, dental professionals are in a key position to assess and detect oral signs and symptoms of systemic health disorders that may otherwise go unnoticed, and to refer patients for follow-up care," said Dr. Shiela Strauss, an associate professor of nursing at the NYU College of Nursing and co-director of the statistics and data management core for NYU's Colleges of Nursing and Dentistry.

During the course of a routine dental examination, dentists and dental hygienists, as trained healthcare providers, can take a patient's health history, check blood pressure, and use direct clinical observation and X-rays to detect risk for systemic conditions, such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease.

The NYU research team examined the most recent available data, which came from a nationally representative subsample of 31,262 adults and children who participated in the Department of Health & Human Services 2008 annual National Health Interview Survey, a health status study of the U.S. population, which at that time consisted of 304,375,942 individuals. Physicians, nurses, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants were among those categorized as general health care providers for the purposes of the survey.

When extrapolated to the U.S. population, 26 percent of children did not see a general health care provider. Yet over one-third of this group, representing nearly seven million children, did visit a dentist at least once during that year, according to survey results.

Among the adults, one quarter did not visit a general healthcare provider, yet almost a quarter -- nearly 13 million Americans -- did have at least one dental visit. When combined, adults and children who had contact only with dentists represent nearly 20 million people.

Ninety-three percent of the children and 85 percent of the adults had some form of health insurance, suggesting that while many of those who did not interact with a general healthcare provider may have had access to general health care, they opted not to seek it.

PHILIPS ORAL HEALTHCARE SELLS RESTORATIVE AND IMPRESSION PRODUCTS TO DENMAT

2012-01-06T06:53:00.003-05:00

January 5, 2012

We are pleased to announce that Philips Oral Healthcare (formerly known as "Philips Discus") has reached an agreement to sell its restorative and impression portfolio to DenMat. This includes: Splash® and Precision® impression materials, Vanilla Bite™, Chocolate Bite™, MegaBite®, and Clear Bite™ registration materials, MOXIE™, bonding agents, Gripper™ and PERFECtray® bite trays, PERFECtemp® crown and bridge material, and FLASHlite™ (Magna and 1401) curing lights.

Philips Oral Healthcare will continue to support dental professionals by providing its category-leading lineup including Zoom®, DayWhite®, NiteWhite® and BriteSmile® tooth whitening solutions, Sonicare® power toothbrushes, NV™ and SL3™ Lasers, Zen™ cordless prophy, Insight™ ultrasonic inserts, Fluoridex® fluoride toothpaste, PerioRx® chlorhexidine rinse, Relief® ACP gel and BreathRx®.

In the coming weeks, Philips Oral Healthcare and DenMat will work together to transition all operations of the restoratives and impression business into DenMat's facilities in Santa Maria, California.

Be assured that both companies are committed to making this transition as seamless as possible. Questions and answers are provided below. If there is a question we have not addressed, please feel free to contact either company using the contact information provided below.

Sincerely,

Frank McGillin
General Manager, Philips Oral Healthcare
Vice President, Philips Consumer Lifestyle

Steve Semmelmayer
Chief Executive Officer
DenMat Holdings, LLC

Contact Information:

Philips Oral Healthcare:
(800) 817-3636

DenMat Holdings, LLC:
(800) 445-0345

Answers to commonly asked questions

What products are being sold to DenMat?
- DenMat has acquired the Philips Oral Healthcare restoratives and impression portfolio. This includes: Splash and Precision impression materials, Vanilla Bite, Chocolate Bite, MegaBite, and Clear Bite registration materials, MOXIE bonding agents, Gripper and PERFECtray bite trays, PERFECtemp crown and bridge material, and FLASHlite (Magna and 1401) curling lights.

When will this transition begin and how long is it expected to last?
- During January, responsibility for the sale and distribution of these products will transition from Philips Oral Healthcare to DenMat. In the near-term, all sales and customer service functions will remain with Philips Oral Healthcare. On or before February 1st, you will be able to begin purchasing all of these products exclusively from DenMat by calling (800) 445-0345.

When will I need to place my next order and how will I know which company to contact?
- During the transition period, questions regarding orders placed with Philips Oral Healthcare should be addressed with the Philips Oral Healthcare sales and customer service teams.
- New orders placed in January should be directed to the Philips Oral Healthcare sales team, who will notify you when the responsibility for taking orders has moved to DenMat and provide an introduction to your DenMat sales representative.
- On or about February 1st, new orders should be placed with DenMat by calling (800) 445-0345.

How long will I continue to be able to place product orders on Philips Oral Healthcare's website? Does DenMat have a similar on-line ordering system and, if so, when will I be able to order my impression and restorative products on-line from DenMat?
- Orders will not be accepted by Philips Oral Healthcare after February 1st.
- Orders can be placed with DenMat via phone on or about February 1st. Online orders can be placed through www.denmat.com beginning in February.

Does DenMat plan to offer hands-on workshops that cover its new restorative and impression products, or integrating the new portfolio into their current course curriculum?
- DenMat plans to integrate the new restoratives and impression portfolio into its existing course curriculum.

Will the current Philips Oral Healthcare part numbers (SKU's) remain the same or will they be changed to a DenMat numbering system? If a change will be made, how will I be notified?
- DenMat intends to maintain the current part numbers.

What affect will this change have on the timing of delivery of products that I have currently on order with Philips Oral Healthcare? What about those ordered in the near future?
- Orders that were placed with Philips Oral Healthcare before February 1st will be shipped from Philips Oral Healthcare.
- New orders placed with DenMat after February 1st will ship via ground from Santa Maria, CA. 2-day and overnight delivery options are also available.

If I have a warranty issue or return already in progress, how will this be handled? For issues and returns on products that I had previously purchased from Philips Oral Healthcare, which company should I contact?
- For products shipped on or before February 1st, Philips Oral Healthcare's normal procedures should be followed for warranty claims and all returns and credit requests received by February 1st will be handled by Philips Oral Healthcare.
- For products shipped after February 1st, contact DenMat Customer Care at (800) 433-6628.
- DenMat will handle all warranty claims, returns and credit requests received after February 1st.

Will Philips Oral Healthcare's return and warranty terms and conditions be honored by DenMat or will the products that I previously purchased from Philips Oral Healthcare be transferred to the terms and conditions of DenMat policies? What are the terms and conditions of DenMat's warranty and return policies?
- DenMat will honor the warranties of all products sold by Philips Oral Healthcare on or before February 1st.
- To view DenMat's ordering and shipping policy, visit www.denmat.com/Ordering_Shipping_Policy_-_Products.

Will the price of any of the impression and restorative products change in the near future?
- DenMat will continue selling all products at the same prices subject to DenMat's customary price review from time-to-time.

If I have been purchasing products from Philips Oral Healthcare on a VIP, University, Group Practice, or Speaker discount basis, will these discounts be honored by DenMat?
- Discounts will continue to be honored by DenMat subject to DenMat's customary price review from time-to-time.

Will any restorative or impression products be discontinued or changed? If so, how much notice will be given before a product change or discontinuation takes place?
- Most, if not all, of the products will continue to be available. There may be several obsolete and/or redundant products that will be discontinued; however, this determination has not yet been made.
- Your DenMat sales representative will advise you of either product changes or discontinuations.
- DenMat is committed to maintaining continuity of product quality and will be utilizing the same materials, quality standards, manufacturing practices, suppliers and even the same filling equipment, to produce these fine products. Additionally, these products will continue to be packaged/filled and/or manufactured/assembled in California, as applicable.

If I need a sales representative to visit my office for technical support or service, how long will my current Philips Oral Healthcare representative be available and will they be replaced by a DenMat representative?
- Technical support and service will transition to DenMat's sales and customer service teams on or before February 1st.

Will I need to set up a new account with DenMat or will my Philips Oral Healthcare account be transferred?
- Yes, you will need to set up a new account if you do not currently have an account with DenMat. Your DenMat sales representative will assist you with account set-up, which is a quick and simple procedure.

In vitro study of the effects of fluoride-releasing dental materials on remineralization in an enamel erosion model

2012-01-05T09:00:00.000-05:00

Journal of Dentistry
doi:10.1016/j.jdent.2011.12.016

Abstract

Objectives

This study was conducted to compare the remineralization effects of five regimens on the loss of fluorescence intensity, surface microhardness, roughness and microstructure of bovine enamel after remineralization. We hope that these results can provide some basis for the clinical application of these materials.

Methods

One hundred bovine incisors were prepared and divided into the following five groups, which were treated with distinct dental materials: (1) Clinpro™ XT varnish(CV), (2) F-varnish(FV), (3) Tooth Mousse(TM), (4) Fuji ? LC^® light-cured glass ionomer pit and fissure sealant(FJ), and (5) Base Cement^® glass polyalkenoate cement(BC). Subsequently, they were detected using four different methods: quantitative light-induced fluorescence, microhardness, surface 3D topography and scanning electron microscopy.

Results

The loss of fluorescence intensity of CV, BC and FJ groups showed significant decreases after remineralization (p < 0.05). The microhardness values of the BC group were significantly higher than those of the other groups (p < 0.05) after 6 weeks of remineralization. The CV group's surface roughness was significantly lower than those of the other groups after 6 weeks of remineralization (p < 0.05). Regarding microstructure values, the FV group showed many round particles deposited in the bovine enamel after remineralization. However, the other four groups mainly showed needle-like crystals.

Conclusions

GIC-based dental materials can promote more remineralization of the artificial enamel lesions than can NaF-based dental materials. Resin-modified GIC materials (e.g., CV and FJ) have the potential for more controlled and sustained release of remineralized agents. The effect of TM requires further study.

A practice-based study on the effect of a short sucrose/xylitol exposure on survival of primary teeth caries free

2012-01-04T11:00:00.000-05:00

ANTTONEN, V., HALUNEN, I., PÄKKILÄ, J., LARMAS, M. and TJÄDERHANE, L. (2011), A practice-based study on the effect of a short sucrose/xylitol exposure on survival of primary teeth caries free. International Journal of Paediatric Dentistry. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-263X.2011.01205.x

Background. In a randomized double-blinded clinical trial, preschool children used sucrose or xylitol chewing gum regularly for 2 months to study the preventive effect of xylitol on acute otitis media (AOM). Salivary mutans streptococci (sm) levels of the children were measured before the exposure. Those with ≥10⁵sm CFU in 1 mL saliva were considered to have high sm levels (sm+); and those with <10⁵ CFU low sm levels (sm−).

Aim. This practice-based study aims to evaluate long-term dental effects of the sucrose/xylitol exposure on primary teeth.

Design. For analyses, individuals were divided into sub groups according to their study group in the original AOM trial and baseline sm levels. Outcome events owing to dental caries of their all primary teeth were followed from dental records up to 12 years. Survival of teeth caries free was determined by Kaplan–Meier method and analysed statistically by Wilcoxon testing.

Results. Survival of primary teeth caries free of children with high sm levels in the sucrose group was significantly shorter compared with all other groups when followed until shedding.

Conclusions. Two months’ regular exposure to sucrose was sufficient to induce dental caries in primary teeth of children with elevated sm levels at baseline.

Trainee dentists 'left with no job' in NHS

2012-01-03T13:16:00.000-05:00

Despite spending more than £30m on two new dental schools to increase the numbers of dental graduates and boost access to NHS dentistry there are too few training places for them to ensure they can work in the health service, it has emerged.

It costs £250,000 to put each graduate through dental school and around 100 have been left without a place on the postgraduate training course which is compulsory for them to work in the NHS.

Their only option is to enrol in a private postgraduate course which means they will not be able to work in the NHS or leave the country and practice elsewhere.

read the rest of the story

Updating the Management of the Dental Patient at Risk for Osteonecrosis of the Jaw Bone (ONJ) While Taking Bisphosphonates or Denosumab (Prolia®) - Latest Reports from the American Dental Association

2012-01-02T08:00:00.000-05:00

Clinical Update From LexiComp

The American Dental Association (ADA) has released two reports which update previous reports on the management of the dental patient at risk for osteonecrosis of the jaw bone (ONJ) while taking bisphosphonates. The first is a 47-page report, dated December 2011 and posted on the ADA web site, entitled "Managing the Care of Patients Receiving Antiresorptive Therapy for Prevention and Treatment of Osteoporosis: Recommendations from the American Dental Association Council on Scientific Affairs." The second report was published as an executive summary on the same topic in the December 2011 issue of the Journal of the American Dental Association. Both reports update a 2008 report on the management and care of patients receiving oral bisphosphonate therapy, which was described in an earlier newsletter by this author. This month's newsletter describes and summarizes these latest reports.

Read full article

Old Years Night / New Years Eve

2011-12-31T06:46:00.002-05:00

I big hearty thank you to all the readers of the blog in 2011.

As Benjamin Franklin said
"Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each New Year find you a better man."

Best Wishes for a Happy, Healthy and Profitable 2012!
Marty

The Madow Brothers Announce Nation-Wide “Love Dentistry, Have Fun, and Prosper” Tour in 2012

2011-12-30T16:31:00.000-05:00

Madow Brothers’ “LoveDentistry” Seminars Coming to a City Near You!

Baltimore, MD (December 21, 2011) – Dr. Richard H. Madow and Dr. David M. Madow, betterknown in the dental industry as “The Madow Brothers,” have officially announcedtheir 2012 “Love Dentistry, Have Fun, and Prosper” seminar schedule. The seminars will be held in 25 citiesthroughout the U.S., and additional locations will be added upon populardemand.

Thefull-day seminars will reveal The Brothers’ inside secrets to extremelysuccessful dental practices, and all attendees will receive six hours ofContinuing Education credits. The fun,fast-paced seminars are intended for all dentists, spouses, and staff members,and will be held in typical Madow Brothers-style, a blend of invaluableinformation mixed with fun and entertainment for all. The “Love Dentistry” seminars are alsoupdated with brand new topics such as social media marketing and profitabledental scheduling.

Duringthe seminars some of The Brothers’ “Best Kept Secrets” will be revealed, suchas:

· Closing everyphone call with seven words that will make your office profits explode

· A simpletechnique to ensure you will never run late again

· How to savethousands of dollars in dental supplies each year

· Twenty things toremove from your dental office IMMEDIATELY

· ALMOST free waysto get and retain new patients

· One thing youneed to do each and every morning before going to the office

· The number onecritical element in operating a profitable practice

· Five magic wordsthat will increase revenue by 10%

· How to retireyoung and rich

Inaddition, all who register for the “Love” seminar will be automaticallyregistered to win a Flip video camera. For those unable to attend The Madows’ “Love” seminar, a “Love Dentistryin a Box” series will be available for purchase in early 2012.

Fora complete list of Madow Brother seminars, please visit www.madow.com, or call 1-888-88-MADOW.

About The Madow Brothers

Forover two decades, the Madow Brothers have been teaching dentists and teammembers how to be more successful in their personal lives and professionalpractices. Founders of The Best SeminarEver, The Madow Brothers have taken the industry by storm with their unique andmotivational teaching approach. Thein-demand national speakers incorporate entertaining skits and songs into theirseminars.

Oral Cancer Rap

2011-12-29T15:18:00.000-05:00

What Changed The Way I Practiced In 2011

2011-12-28T10:00:00.000-05:00

Q: What changed the way you practiced in 2011?

A: As usual nothing remained constant in my practice in 2011.I really enjoy writing this column as I get to do a retrospective of the pastyear and see the changes technology makes in my practice. There were some new technologies thathave supplemented and replaced my previous way of doing things. The big thingabout 2011 is that I can now say there is nothing that I do on a regular basisthat I was taught in dental school. This is not to say I don’t fall back to the tenants of my dental schooleducation at times but those teachings are not the first way I do things in2012.

So what was the last procedure to change in my office? Itwas extractions. I acquired the Golden Physics Forceps. Physics Forceps areuseful for achieving atraumatic extractions of all teeth. The unique designdelivers a powerful mechanical advantage by employing an efficient first-classlever. Think of it the same way you take the top off a beer bottle with anopener.

When the periodontal ligament istraumatized with the Physics Forceps or elevators, hyaluronidase (hyaluronateglycanohydrolase) is released. These forceps in many cases makeextractions easier for me and less traumatic for the patients. In this age ofregularly placing dental implants the need to preserve bone is paramount. These forceps help preserve the buccalplate and have made extractions less stressful for me. Get a discount when purchasing the Physics Forceps by using promo code Marty100.

I am a big fan of the use of magnification and illuminationin the practice of dentistry for use in every procedure. I have been wearingsurgical loupes for years and have gone on a progression from tethered halogenlamps to battery powered LED’s along with increasing my magnification.

The tethered halogens would give mewhiplash when I would forget to remove the light from my head as I exited the operatoryand were expensive to repair the broken fiber. I was very happy to switch tothe smaller and lighter LED’s. Initially the battery packs were large but theyhave since come down in size and weight. The only problem with these portableLED’s lights and batteries for me was the cord was like a magnet for anydoorknob or object jutting out in my office. I would occasionally watch thebattery back fly down the hallway as it snagged on something. This year Iacquired the Orascoptic Freedoms surgical loupes. They are surgical loupes witha cordless LED light attached. I chose the 4.8 magnifications. They areavailable in magnifications from 2.5 X to 4.8.

The battery packs are attached to the back of the eyeglassframe. I love the fact I can now wander around the office with them on or dangling from my neckand I no longer have any errant battery packs being launched around the office.

The face of oral cancer is changing and I decided to step upmy ability to find pathology in my patients so I acquired both a Velscope andan Identifi.

These devicesassist me through the use of fluorescent technologies to help identify anyareas of potential dysplasia in the mouth. So why did I need both? Because oneis an extra oral device and the other is an intraoral device. Many HPV relatedoral pharyngeal cancers are located far back at the base of the tongue. This can make visualization difficult.Each device has its benefits and weakness and I chose both to offer my patientsall the possible tools to assist in identifying pathology. I can say that bothof these devices have assisted me in detecting potential pathologic areas thatrequired further follow up and that I may have previously missed with astandard white light examination. In retrospect it is not that the areas were notvisible under white light exam but both the Velscope and Identifi helped tohighlight these potential pathologic areas and assisted me in theirvisualization.

The use of cone beam 3-D imagining technology is assistingme in the treatment planning of implants and retreatment of failing endodontics.I have not yet purchased a cone beam machine but I hope to do so in thefuture. I am lucky that there is amobile cone beam scanning service available in my area that will either come tomy office or the patient’s home or office to take the scan. This makes it easyto use the latest imaging technology without the capital outlay at this time.

I had never done orthodontics in my office but I started doingshort term orthodontic treatment using the 6 Month Smile program in 2011. The excellent 2-Day course gave me theconfidence to try orthodontics. This easy to use system has allowed me toenhance the smiles of many of my patients in a way I had never been able to do before. Treating cases has been easy and assistancefrom the 6 Month Smile webs site has been excellent. The orthodontist that Irefer to is also happy because I have a better understanding of orthodonticsand have referred additional cases to him that are outside the 6 Month Smileprotocols and beyond my capabilities. Get a discount on the 6 Month Smile Course by using promo code Marty100.

The last thing that changed the way I practice in 2011 hasbeen Kerr’s Sonicfill. Sonicfill is a specially formulated bulk fill compositeand handpiece combination. Through the use of sonic forces the compositechanges from a very high viscous state to a lower one.

The composite comes out of the handpiece and is fluffy. Itreminds me of a soft ice cream machine dispensing my favorite flavor. As thesonic energy dissipates the composite starts to harden making for very easycarving of the composite. You can place up to 5mm increments into yourpreparations and light cure. This bulk filling greatly reduces the time andeffort to place posterior composites. Watch the Sonicfill video for how easy it is to place thecomposite restoration.

So these are the new technologies and procedures that I haveincorporated into my practice in 2011. What new technologies will be incorporated into my practice in 2012? Ihave some ideas of what is coming down the road in my practice and I am sure Iwill be in for a few surprises. Ihave a whole year to see what new technologies enhance my practice of dentistryand make the 2012 list of things that changed the way I practice.

Plamsa Brush is coming

2011-12-27T11:59:00.000-05:00

“Painless ” Plasma Brush Is Becoming Realistic In Dentistry, MU Engineers Say from MU News Bureau on Vimeo.

New Orascoptic Endeavor

2011-12-26T10:00:00.000-05:00

Lightweight Comfort and Power Combined

Orascoptic's lightest & smallest light system ever! For over 30 years, Orascoptic has been a leader in lighting innovation. Applying advanced technology, Orascoptic has created the Endeavour™, a high resolution headlight system that incorporates today's best technology at an affordable price.

Compact and lightweight for comfort. Designed with comfort in mind, the compact light and battery unit allow you to focus on your patients.
Innovative "Gumdrop" technology. The miniature light delivers a high quality focused beam for better visibility during treatment and diagnosis.
Advanced Light-Touch controls allow you to easily and quickly adjust light settings without reaching into a coat or pants pocket.
Four-year warranty on the LED and cable, and one-year warranty on the battery unit.

Watch the video

Thank You For Being There!

2011-12-24T09:12:00.000-05:00

I wish everyone Happy Holidays. I want to especially thank those people who put themselves in harms way to protect my family and allow us to enjoy the freedom and safety at home while they are out doing their jobs. To all of the soldiers, first responders police etc. a big THANK YOU! Stay safe.
Marty

F. Nucleatum Enables Breaking Bond On Blood Vessels To Allow Invaders In

2011-12-23T07:53:00.000-05:00

A common oral bacteria, Fusobacterium nucleatum, acts like a key to open a door in human blood vessels and leads the way for it and other bacteria like Escherichia coli to invade the body through the blood and make people sick, according to dental researchers at Case Western Reserve University.

Yiping Han, professor of periodontics at the Case Western Reserve School of Dental Medicine, made the discovery in her continued work with the Fusobacterium nucleatum bacterium, one of the most prevalent of the more than 700 bacteria in the mouth.

She found the gram-negative anaerobe has a novel adhesin or bonding agent she's named FadA that triggers a cascade of signals that break the junctures in an interlocking sheath of endothelial cells on blood vessel's surface just enough to allow F. nucleatum and other bacteria into the blood.

A description of bond-breaking process was described in the Molecular Microbiology article, "Fusobacterium nucleatum adhesin FadA binds vascular endothelial cadherin and alters endothelial integrity."

The microbiologist at the dental school has studied the oral bacteria over the past decade and was the first to find direct evidence that linked it to preterm labor and fetal death. But its presence is found in other infections and abscesses in the brain, lungs, liver, spleen and joints.

After finding and genetically matching the oral bacteria in the fetal death, she began to unravel the mystery of how an oral bacterium can be found throughout the body and jumps the blood-brain and placental barriers that usually block disease-causing agents.

Through years of lab work, her research led to the vascular endothelial (VE)-cadherin, cell-cell junctures that link the endothelial vascular cells together on the blood vessels.

These junctures are like a hook and loop connection, but for some unknown reason when F. nucleatum invades the body through breaks in the mucous membranes of the mouth, due to injuries or periodontal disease, this particular bacterium triggers a cascade of signals that causes the hook to recede back into the endothelial cell. The oral bacterium leads the way with any other harmful invaders following along.

This "deceding" was observed by confocal microscopy when Han used cells from human umbilical cords. The researchers introduced F. nucleatum and demonstrated the VE-cadherins break on bonds on the endothelial cells and creating enough space in the endothelium for the invaders to move in.

Lab tests included introducing F. nucleatum with and without other bacteria. When E. coli alone was introduced, the bond did not break. But when F. nucleatum was introduced first, the bond broke, and the E. coli bacteria were able to move through the otherwise intact cell layers.

"This cascade knocks out the guard on duty and allows the bacteria to enter the blood and travel like a bus loaded with riders throughout the system. Whenever the F. nucleatum wants to get off the bus at the liver, brain, spleen, or another place, it does," Han said.

When it disembarks from its ride through the blood, it begins to colonize. The colony of bacteria induces an inflammatory reaction that has a range of consequences from necrosis of tissue to fetal death.

Addition Of Mannitol Increases Effectiveness Of Dental Nerve Block Anesthesia

2011-12-22T07:50:00.000-05:00

Allowing a patient to be comfortable and pain-free during surgical and restorative dental procedures is an essential part of the process. The most commonly used local anesthetic injection for lower teeth is the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) block. However, failure rates ranging from 10 to 39 percent have been reported.

The current issue of the journal Anesthesia Progress presents a study testing the efficacy of adding a solution of mannitol to the anesthetic typically used in IAN blocks. Forty adult subjects participated in the study, receiving an IAN block at each of three separate appointments at least one week apart.

The study compared the effectiveness of the standard anesthetic, lidocaine with epinephrine, to the effectiveness of two different volumes of lidocaine with epinephrine plus 0.5 M mannitol. Mannitol is a sugar alcohol that occurs naturally in fruits and vegetables. It is rapidly excreted by the kidneys.

Though its impact is short-lived, mannitol has the positive effect of opening the perineurial membrane. It is believed that, in cases of IAN block failure, the perineurial barrier around the nerve does not allow complete diffusion of the anesthetic into the nerve trunk. The addition of mannitol apparently allows enhanced permeability, increasing the success of an IAN block when administered concurrently.

After injections of the IAN block solutions, subjects' pain levels were measured by an electric pulp test of their mandibular teeth at 4-minute intervals for 60 minutes. The study concluded that the addition of mannitol to lidocaine with epinephrine significantly increased the effectiveness of the anesthesia.

What is your imaging IQ?

2011-12-21T10:30:00.000-05:00

I was interviewed for this article.
http://www.dentalproductsreport.com/dental/article/whats-your-imaging-iq

Bone Fractures Can Be Predicted By Dental X-Rays

2011-12-20T11:30:00.000-05:00

It is now possible to use dental X-rays to predict who is at risk of fractures, reveals a new study from researchers at the Sahlgrenska Academy reported in the journal Nature Reviews Endocrinology.

In a previous study, researchers from the University of Gothenburg's Sahlgrenska Academy and Region Västra Götaland demonstrated that a sparse bone structure in the trabecular bone in the lower jaw is linked to a greater chance of having previously had fractures in other parts of the body.

X-rays investigates bone structure

The Gothenburg researchers have now taken this a step further with a new study that shows that it is possible to use dental X-rays to investigate the bone structure in the lower jaw, and so predict who is at greater risk of fractures in the future. Published in the journal Bone, the results were also mentioned in both Nature Reviews Endocrinology and the Wall Street Journal.

Linked to risk of fractures

"We've seen that sparse bone structure in the lower jaw in mid-life is directly linked to the risk of fractures in other parts of the body, later in life,"says Lauren Lissner, a researcher at the Institute of Medicine at the Sahlgrenska Academy.

Study started 1968

The study draws on data from the Prospective Population Study of Women in Gothenburg started in 1968. Given that this has now been running for over 40 years, the material is globally unique. The study included 731 women, who have been examined on several occasions since 1968, when they were 38-60 years old. X-ray images of their jaw bone were analysed in 1968 and 1980 and the results related to the incidence of subsequent fractures.

For the first 12 years fractures were self-reported during followup examinations. It is only since the 1980s that it has been possible to use medical registers to identify fractures. A total of 222 fractures were identified during the whole observation period.

One out of five in higher risk

The study shows that the bone structure of the jaw was sparse in around 20% of the women aged 38-54 when the first examination was carried out, and that these women were at significantly greater risk of fractures.

The study also shows that the older the person, the stronger the link between sparse bone structure in the jaw and fractures in other parts of the body.

Applies for both sexes

Although the study was carried out on women, the researchers believe that the link also applies for men.

"Dental X-rays contain lots of information on bone structure," says Grethe Jonasson, the researcher at the Research Centre of the Public Dental Service in Västra Götaland who initiated the fractures study. "By analysing these images, dentists can identify people who are at greater risk of fractures long before the first fracture occurs."

Rutgers study: When it comes to use of dental services, not all NJ youngsters are equal

2011-12-19T09:00:00.000-05:00

When it comes to receiving dental care, New Jersey has its share of underserved children, according to a Rutgers study.

In 2009, more than one-fifth of the state's children between 3 and 18 received no dental care within the previous year. While an improvement over 2001, when almost one-third of the state's children received no care, the study found that foreign-born children and those without health insurance were still likely to forgo visits to the dentist.
The Facts & Findings report, New Jersey Children without Dental Services in 2001 and 2009, was prepared by Rutgers' Center for State Health Policy (CSHP). The study used data from the center's 2001 and 2009 New Jersey Family Health surveys (NJFHS) to describe the characteristics of children ages 3 to 18 who received no dental services within a year. The report concludes that generally, New Jersey's children experienced improved access to dental care between surveys but that gaps remain largely based on race/ethnicity, health insurance status and family income.
The NJFHS, funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, provides population-based estimates of health care coverage, access, use and other topics important for New Jersey policy formulation and evaluation.
Many groups recommend regular trips to the dentist for children. An American Dental Association report calls for regular dental check-ups, including a visit to the dentist within six months of the eruption of the first tooth and no later than the child's first birthday. An American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry advisory calls for a dental check-up at least twice a year for most children.
"Tooth decay remains one of the most preventable common chronic diseases among children," said José Nova, research project coordinator and lead author of the study. He cited a U.S. Surgeon General report that tooth decay affects more than 25 percent of American children ages 2 to 5 and 50 percent of those ages 12 to 15.
CSHP found that the percentage of study-age children without dental care in the previous year decreased between surveys by 11 percentage points to 22 percent in 2009. A high percentage of Hispanic children did not have a dental visit in each year (51 percent and 38 percent, respectively). By about a 2 to 1 margin, non-Hispanic black children were also less likely than white children to have had a visit to the dentist in each survey year. This group, however, also experienced the most improvement: nonvisitors fell 18 points to 28 percent in 2009.
Health insurance status is a major determinant of dental care utilization, the research found. The rate of uninsurance for New Jersey children fell by almost 50 percent to 7 percent in 2009, but the percentage of uninsured children who went without dental care increased from 68 percent to 76 percent. The large majority of publicly insured children are covered by Medicaid/NJ Family Care. Still, about one-third did not see a dentist in 2009. Children with employer-sponsored or privately purchased insurance were much more likely to receive dental care.
Youngsters in families with incomes less than double the federal poverty level (FPL) were less apt to receive dental care. About half of children whose family's income was below the FPL did not see a dentist in both 2001 and 2009. Also, foreign-born children were much more likely to lack dental care than U.S.-born children with or without an American-born parent.
The report also called well-care doctor visits an important indicator of the likelihood of a child receiving dental care, perhaps due to concerted efforts to increase dental referrals in managed care plans and the expansion of dental care in federally qualified health centers. "The odds were three times as great for children who did not have a well-child doctor visit in the past year to not receive dental care as those who visited a doctor," Nova said. He added that care for underserved youngsters could be improved with expanded health coverage under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

Effect of vegetable oil (Brazil nut oil) and mineral oil (liquid petrolatum) on dental biofilm control

2011-12-17T22:25:00.000-05:00

Brazilian Oral Research

Print version ISSN 1806-8324

Braz. oral res. vol.25 no.6 São Paulo Nov./Dec. 2011

http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1806-83242011000600014

ABSTRACT
Dental biofilm control represents a basic procedure to prevent caries and the occurrence of periodontal diseases. Currently, toothbrushes and dentifrices are used almost universally, and the employment of good oral hygiene allows for appropriate biofilm removal by both mechanical and chemical control. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of adding vegetable or mineral oil to a commercially available dentifrice in dental biofilm control. A comparison using the Oral Hygiene Index Simplified (OHI-S) was performed in 30 individuals who were randomly divided into three groups. Group 1 (G1) received a commercially available dentifrice; the composition of this dentifrice was modified by addition of mineral oil (Nujol^®) for group 2 (G2) or a vegetable oil (Alpha Care^®) for group 3 (G3) at 10% of the total volume, respectively. The two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance (two-way ANOVA) was used to test the effect of group (G1, G2 and G3) or time (baseline, 45 days and 90 days) on the OHI-S index scores. Statistical analysis revealed a significant reduction in the OHI-S at day 90 in G2 (p < 0.05) and G3 (p < 0.0001) in comparison to G1. Therefore, the addition of a vegetable or a mineral oil to a commercially available dentifrice improved dental biofilm control, suggesting that these oils may aid in the prevention and/or control of caries and periodontal disease.

Landmark identification errors on cone-beam computed tomography-derived cephalograms and conventional digital cephalograms

2011-12-16T04:50:00.000-05:00

American Journal of Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics
Volume 140, Issue 6 , Pages e289-e297, December 2011

Introduction

In this study, we investigated the landmark identification errors on cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT)-derived cephalograms and conventional digital cephalograms.

Methods

Twenty patients who had both a CBCT-derived cephalogram and a conventional digital cephalogram were recruited. Twenty commonly used lateral cephalometric landmarks and 2 fiducial points were identified on each cephalogram by 11 observers at 2 time points. The mean positions of the landmarks identified by all observers were used as the best estimate to calculate the landmark identification errors. In addition to univariate analysis, regression analysis of landmark identification errors was conducted for identifying the predicting variables of the observed landmark identification errors. To properly handle the multilayer correlations among the clustered observations, a marginal multiple linear regression model was fitted to our correlated data by using the well-known generalized estimating equations method. In addition to image modality, many variables potentially affecting landmark identification errors were considered, including location and characteristics of the landmark, seniority of the observer, and patient information (sex, age, metallic dental restorations, and facial asymmetry).

Results

Image modality was not the significant variable in the final generalized estimating equations model. The regression coefficient estimates of the significant landmarks for the overall identification error ranged from −0.99 (Or) to 1.42 mm (Ba). The difficulty of identifying landmarks on structural images with multiple overlapping—eg, Or, U1R, L1R, Po, Ba, UMo, and LMo—increased the identification error by 1.17 mm. In the CBCT modality, the identification errors significantly decreased at Ba (−0.76 mm).

Conclusions

The overall landmark identification errors on CBCT-derived cephalograms were comparable to those on conventional digital cephalograms, and Ba was more reliable on CBCT-derived cephalograms.

Implications of caries diagnostic strategies for clinical management decisions

2011-12-15T07:00:00.000-05:00

Baelum, V., Hintze, H., Wenzel, A., Danielsen, B. and Nyvad, B. (2011), Implications of caries diagnostic strategies for clinical management decisions. Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0528.2011.00655.x

Abstract – Objectives: In clinical practice, a visual–tactile caries examination is frequently supplemented by bitewing radiography. This study evaluated strategies for combining visual–tactile and radiographic caries detection methods and determined their implications for clinical management decisions in a low-caries population.

Methods: Each of four examiners independently examined preselected contacting interproximal surfaces in 53 dental students aged 20–37 years using a visual–tactile examination and bitewing radiography. The visual–tactile examination distinguished between noncavitated and cavitated lesions while the radiographic examination determined lesion depth. Direct inspection of the surfaces following tooth separation for the presence of cavitated or noncavitated lesions was the validation method. The true-positive rate (i.e. the sensitivity) and the false-positive rate (i.e. 1-specificity) were calculated for each diagnostic strategy.

Results: Visual–tactile examination provided a true-positive rate of 34.2% and a false-positive rate of 1.5% for the detection of a cavity. The combination of a visual–tactile and a radiographic examination using the lesion in dentin threshold for assuming cavitation had a true-positive rate of 76.3% and a false-positive rate of 8.2%. When diagnostic observations were translated into clinical management decisions using the rule that a noncavitated lesion should be treated nonoperatively and a cavitated lesion operatively, our results showed that the visual–tactile method alone was the superior strategy, resulting in most correct clinical management decisions and most correct decisions regarding the choice of treatment.

Repairing Spinal Cord Injury With Dental Pulp Stem Cells

2011-12-14T21:52:00.000-05:00

One of the most common causes of disability in young adults is spinal cord injury. Currently, there is no proven reparative treatment. Hope that a stem cell population, specifically dental pulp stem cells, might be of benefit to individuals with severe spinal cord injury has now been provided by the work of Akihito Yamamoto and colleagues, at Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Japan, in a rat model of this devastating condition.

In the study, when rats with severe spinal cord injury were transplanted with human dental pulp stem cells they showed marked recovery of hind limb function. Detailed analysis revealed that the human dental pulp stem cells mediated their effects in three ways: they inhibited the death of nerve cells and their support cells; they promoted the regeneration of severed nerves; and they replaced lost support cells by generating new ones. Yamamoto and colleagues therefore hope that this approach can be translated into an effective treatment for severe spinal cord injury.

Associations between sleep-disordered breathing symptoms and facial and dental morphometry, assessed with screening examinations

2011-12-13T11:00:00.000-05:00

American Journal of Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics
Volume 140, Issue 6 , Pages 762-770, December 2011

Introduction

Chronic snoring is considered abnormal in a pediatric population. This disorder is often attributed to enlarged tonsils and adenoids, but multiple anatomic obstructions should also be considered. Facial and dental morphometry associations with various sleep-disordered breathing symptoms were investigated at an orthodontic clinic.

Methods

Parents or guardians were asked to complete a 4-part questionnaire on behalf of their children (n = 604; <18 years of age), including medical and dental history, bruxism and temporomandibular disorder habits, sleep and daytime behavior, and sleep duration and quality. All subjects underwent a clinical screening assessment by the same orthodontist to identify standard dental, skeletal, functional, and esthetic factors.

Results

In contrast to sleep-disordered breathing or sleep apnea in adults, which is predominantly associated with obesity, sleep-disordered breathing symptoms in this pediatric cohort were primarily associated with adenotonsillar hypertrophy, morphologic features related to a long and narrow face (dolichofacial, high mandibular plane angle, narrow palate, and severe crowding in the maxilla and the mandible), allergies, frequent colds, and habitual mouth breathing.

Conclusions

Because of the recognized impact of pediatric snoring on children’s health, the determination of these good predictors can help in preventing and managing sleep-disordered breathing. If a health professional notices signs and symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing, the young patient should be referred to a sleep medicine specialist in conjunction with an orthodontist if there are dentoskeletal abnormalities.

DentalEZ® Group Updates its Identafi® Website with Free Marketing Kit for Clinicians

2011-12-11T10:54:00.000-05:00

Malvern, PA – (December8, 2011) – DentalEZ^®Group, a supplier of innovative products and services for dental healthprofessionals worldwide, has officially updated its Identafi^®website to include a useful section that provides various marketing toolsto help clinicians increase oral cancer awareness and promote the benefits of theIdentafi oral cancer screening device.

The new clinician section nowincluded on the Identafi website, www.Identafi.net, offers cliniciansseveral easy-to-use patient education and marketing materials targeted to localresidents and existing patients who may not know that their dental officeoffers the advanced oral cancer screening technology device. Dental professionals who offer theIdentafi oral cancer screening examination in their practices can now download theseFREE useful marketing tools, such as:

UCLA researchers identify new method for generating stem cell-like cells from human ski

2011-12-10T08:00:00.000-05:00

Researchers from the UCLA School of Dentistry investigating how stem cells can be used to regenerate dental tissue have discovered a way to produce cells with stem cell–like characteristics from the most common type of human skin cell in the epidermis.

These skin cells, called keratinocytes, form the outermost layer of skin and can be cultured from discarded skin tissues or biopsy specimens.

The findings, published in the Nov. 4 edition of the peer-reviewed Journal of Biological Chemistry, may be beneficial for individuals with limited sources of endogenous stem cells.

The gene known as ∆Np63α is highly synthesized in regenerating cells of various tissues. The UCLA researchers found that introducing ∆Np63α into skin keratinocytes makes them lose their skin-cell characteristics and de-differentiate to resemble mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), undifferentiated cells that can self-renew and differentiate to yield specialized cells of various tissue types.

MSCs may serve as an internal repair system by replenishing cells needed for tissue regeneration and homeostasis and are currently being investigated for a number of regenerative therapeutics.

The conversion of keratinocytes into mesenchymal-like cells involves a process known as epithelial–mesenchymal transition. This is the first study to show that the gene ∆Np63α triggers this process in human skin keratinocytes and that the transformed cells acquire multipotent stem cell characteristics.

Since the skin cells transformed by ∆Np63α are induced to acquire the mesenchymal and stem cell characteristics, the research team named them "induced mesenchymal stem cells," or iMSCs. Specifically, the researchers demonstrated that iMSCs can be triggered to form bone-like tissues or become fat tissues in a laboratory setting.

Dr. Mo K. Kang, the Jack A. Weichman Chair of Endodontics at the UCLA School of Dentistry and a member of the research team, said the finding had great significance for human health.

"Since iMSCs may be obtained by taking a small punch-biopsy of skin tissues from patients, these cells are an easily accessible, patient-specific source of stem cells, which can be used for regenerative purposes," Kang said.

Stem cell–based therapies are currently being developed to treat degenerative conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, neuronal disorders and liver diseases. Many of these diseases are strongly associated with aging. Endogeneous MSCs found in various tissues, such as bone marrow, fat tissues and, in certain cases, dental tissues such as dental pulp, lose their regenerative potential during the aging process.

"It is possible that iMSCs retain their stem-cell characteristics even when derived from aged patients," Kang said. "In such cases, this new approach may be useful, especially for geriatric patients or individuals with limited therapeutic value of their endogenous stem cells."

"The UCLA School of Dentistry is very proud to be at the forefront of this research inquiry, which may facilitate future advances in regenerative dentistry and medicine," said Dr. No-Hee Park, dean of the UCLA School of Dentistry and one of the study's co-authors. "While the focus of this study was on the use of adult stem cells to regenerate dental tissue, including dental pulp and periodontal ligament, these findings could lead to further development of a variety of cell-based therapies."

The research was funded in part by the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research and the Jack A. Weichman Endowed Fund.

The UCLA School of Dentistry is dedicated to improving the oral health of the people of California, the nation and the world through its teaching, research, patient care and public service initiatives. The school provides education and training programs that develop leaders in dental education, research, the profession and the community; conducts research programs that generate new knowledge, promote oral health and investigate the cause, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of oral disease in an individualized disease-prevention and management model; and delivers patient-centered oral health care to the community and the state.

Undersized Implant Site Preparation to Enhance Primary Implant Stability in Poor Bone Density: A Prospective Clinical Study

2011-12-09T10:11:00.000-05:00

Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Volume 69, Issue 12 , Pages e506-e512, December 2011

Purpose

Achieving primary implant stability in areas with poor bone density is often challenging to the clinician. Previous research has suggested that modified surgical protocols might be beneficial in such situations. The objective of the present clinical study was to evaluate the survival rate of implants placed using undersized implant site preparation in areas with poor bone density.

Materials and Methods

A total of 52 implants were placed in 29 patients. Of the 52 implants, 26 were surgically placed according to the standard drilling protocol (control group) and 26 were placed in low-density bone using an adapted bone drilling method (test group). The maximum insertion torque values and resonance frequency analysis measurements were also recorded. All implants were examined clinically and radiographically at follow-up visits during the study period. Oral hygiene status, bleeding on probing, peri-implant probing depth, and implant survival rate were assessed.

Results

According to the survival criteria used in the present study, no failure was recorded, and the overall survival rate was 100% for both groups after 12 months. The mean probing depth was 2.75 ± 0.75 mm in the test group and 2.87 ± 0.79 mm in the control group. The mean insertion torque value was 35.19 ± 4.79 Ncm in the test group and 34.62 ± 5.82 Ncm in the control group. The resonance frequency analysis value was 68.58 ± 4.81 implant stability quotient and 66.69 ± 5.41 implant stability quotient in the test and control groups, respectively. The observed differences were not statistically significant (P > .05).

Conclusions

The results of the present study suggest that placement of implants by an adapted drilling technique in sites with poor bone density is beneficial in enhancing primary implant stability and improving the implant survival rate.

FTC issues final order in teeth whitening case

2011-12-08T11:01:00.001-05:00

December 07, 2011

Washington—The North Carolina State Board of Dental Examiners “sought to, and did, exclude nondentist providers from the market for teeth whitening services,” the Federal Trade Commission said in a unanimous ruling and final order issued Dec. 2. The board has 60 days to file a petition for review with the U.S. Court of Appeals.
“As a result of the Board’s actions, many nondentists stopped providing teeth whitening services and several marketers of teeth whitening systems stopped selling their products and equipment in North Carolina,” the FTC said in upholding an administrative ruling. “In addition, several mall operators refused to lease space to, or cancelled existing leases with, nondentist teeth whitening providers.”
The FTC order, effective through Dec. 2, 2031, bars the board from:

directing a nondentist provider to cease providing teeth whitening goods or services;
prohibiting, restricting, impeding or discouraging provision of teeth whitening goods or services by a nondentist provider;
communicating to a nondentist provider that the provider is violating or has violated the Dental Practice Act by providing teeth whitening goods or services, or that providing such services would violate the Act;
communicating to a prospective nondentist provider that the provider would violate the Act by providing teeth whitening goods or services or that providing such services would violate the Act;
communicating to a commercial property lessor or other third party that the provision of teeth whitening goods or services by a nondentist provider is a violation or that any nondentist provider is violating the Act by providing such services;
communicating to an actual or prospective manufacturer, distributor or seller or any third party that providing such goods or services is a violation;
inducing, encouraging, assisting or attempting to induce anyone to engage in any action that would violate the above-listed restrictions.

Nothing in the order prohibits the board from investigating other non-dental providers for suspected violations of the Act, filing a court action against a nondentist for alleged violations or communicating the board’s “belief or opinion” whether a particular method of providing teeth whitening goods or services may violate the Act.

Glass ionomer cement as an occlusive barrier in Class III furcation defect

2011-12-07T10:05:00.000-05:00

Singhal R. Glass ionomer cement as an occlusive barrier in Class III furcation defect. Indian J Dent Res 2011;22:583-6

Predicting the prognosis of molars that have experienced furcation invasion, is often a frustrating experience to the dental clinician and disappointing report to the patient involved. Although multiple treatment modalities have been attempted to retain teeth with severe furcation invasion, clinical success has not been predictable. A case report involving the use of glass ionomer cement (GIC) as an occlusive barrier in the management of Class III furcation defect involving mandibular first molar is presented. A literature review on the subject matter was conducted using Medline, Google search engines, and manual library search. GIC restoration of Class III furcation invasion gives a satisfactory result. Surgical and nonsurgical treatment options are available for the management of the condition. GIC as an occlusive barrier in Class III furcation invasion is an economical and less invasive treatment option. It also makes home care easy for the patient.

Invisaligns Response To Social Coupons

2011-12-06T09:30:00.000-05:00

December 5, 2011
Dear Doctor,
A small number of Invisalign practices have recently elected to offer their dental services and Invisalign treatment specifically through social coupons such as Groupon and Living Social. In response to this marketing practice, Align has received a number of complaints from other Invisalign customers who highlight that Invisalign is a rigorously regulated class II medical device which requires specialized medical training and a doctor’s prescription. As neither Invisalign nor the associated dental services are generic commodities, these Invisalign customers feel the use of social coupons is not in the patient’s best interests, and is unethical and demeaning to the dental profession.
We agree. In fact, Align does not endorse the arbitrary sale of dental services and Invisalign treatment through social coupons and is not a party to any such offerings. Align believes that the interests of both prospective patients and the practitioner are best protected by requiring a patient examination to confirm a patient`s suitability for Invisalign treatment before extending an offer to treat. Because both your services and each Invisalign treatment are unique (like the needs of each patient), we do not believe that either are appropriate for the web-based, group-buying social coupon process.
You should also be aware that the laws of most States prohibit practitioners from splitting fees with third-parties or non-practitioners. In response to the increase in the sale of medical services through social coupons, there is a growing sentiment that the sharing of fees between a doctor and social coupon sponsor may constitute such an illegal fee splitting arrangement. As a result, we encourage all Invisalign practitioners who may be considering participation in the social coupon process to consult with their attorney to evaluate the legal risks associated with such a transaction.
We hope you find information on these issues helpful. Because the dental services environment is evolving almost as rapidly as the technology itself, we intend to keep you current with our assessment of the latest trends so you can better achieve your practice goals. If you have any questions or comments, please contact your Invisalign representative or email us at customersupport@aligntech.com.
Best Regards,
Dan Ellis
Vice President, North America Sales
Align Technology, Inc.

Imaging For Better Diagnosis and Patient Education

2011-12-05T11:03:00.000-05:00

Imaging For Better Diagnosis and Patient Education
Join me for this webinar on Wednesday December 7th at 7:30PM EST.
Earn 1 CE credit.
To register contact by email: kmenekou@airtechniques.com

Influence of the LED curing source and selective enamel etching on dentin bond strength of self-etch adhesives in class I composite restorations

2011-12-03T10:08:00.000-05:00

Lasers in Medical Science

DOI: 10.1007/s10103-011-1030-y

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of the LED curing unit and selective enamel etching on dentin microtensile bond strength (μTBS) for self-etch adhesives in class I composite restorations. On 96 human molars, box-shaped class I cavities were made maintaining enamel margins. Self-etch adhesives (Clearfil SE – CSE and Clearfil S³ – S3) were used to bond a microhybrid composite. Before adhesive application, half of the teeth were enamel acid-etched and the other half was not. Adhesives and composites were cured with the following light curing units (LCUs): one polywave (UltraLume 5 - UL) and two single-peak (FlashLite 1401 - FL and Radii Cal - RD) LEDs. The specimens were then submitted to thermomechanical aging and longitudinally sectioned to obtain bonded sticks (0.9 mm²) to be tested in tension at 0.5 mm/min. The failure mode was then recorded. The μTBS data were submitted to a three-way ANOVA and Tukey’s (α = 0.05). For S3, the selective enamel-etching provided lower μTBS values (20.7 ± 2.7) compared to the non-etched specimens (26.7 ± 2.2). UL yielded higher μTBS values (24.1 ± 3.2) in comparison to the photoactivation approach with FL (18.8 ±3.9) and RD (19.9 ±1.8) for CSE. The two-step CSE was not influenced by the enamel etching (p ≥ 0.05). Enamel acid etching in class I composite restorations affects the dentin μTBS of the one-step self-etch adhesive Clearfil S³, with no alterations for Clearfil SE bond strength. The polywave LED promoted better bond strength for the two-step adhesive compared to the single-peak ones.

Carestream Dental Inks Partnership with Lexicomp for Access to Clinical Data

2011-12-02T13:21:00.001-05:00

I am a Lexicomp Online user and recommend their products. This integration will make it easier for Carestream users to get valuable information. MJ

Integration of drug and clinical content database with practice management software improves patient care, further streamlines office administration

ATLANTA and HUDSON, OHIO – Carestream Dental LLC, a subsidiary of Carestream Health, Inc., and the exclusive manufacturer of KODAK Dental Systems, announces today it has entered into a comprehensive data-sharing agreement with Lexicomp, a global provider of drug information and drug data solutions for healthcare professionals.

Through this venture, Lexicomp’s vast, subscription-based database of comprehensive drug information and clinical reference content will be made accessible through Carestream Dental’s SoftDent, PracticeWorks, Windent and WinOMS CS software.*

“As with many of our products and services, our goal for this partnership is to maximize oral health professionals’ ability to further streamline office management and spend quality time on patient care,” said Patrik Eriksson, president and CEO, Carestream Dental LLC.

“By giving practice professionals the ability to access Lexicomp data and pull it directly into patient records with their existing practice management software, we can improve decision support to ensure patient safety and eliminate several steps in an otherwise lengthy data entry process,” Eriksson said. “This reduces the chance of errors and saves practices valuable time as they check on drug interactions.”

Lexicomp maintains an in-house clinical team comprised of advanced-degreed pharmacists with significant clinical and academic experience. This team performs daily surveillance of announcements by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration plus pharmaceutical manufacturers. This critical information is compiled and made available to heath care systems regarding drug availability; new dosage forms; and revisions to contraindications, warnings or other changes.

For more information, call (800) 944-6365 or visit www.carestreamdental.com.

*The release date will vary for each software platform.

About Carestream Dental LLC

Carestream Dental LLC, the exclusive manufacturer of KODAK Dental Systems, provides industry-leading imaging, software and practice management solutions for dental and oral health professionals. With more than 100 years of industry experience, Carestream Dental products are used by seven out of 10 practitioners globally and deliver more precise diagnoses, improved workflows and superior patient care. For more information or to contact a Carestream Dental representative, call (800) 944-6365 or visit www.carestreamdental.com.

About Carestream Health, Inc. Carestream Health, Inc., is a worldwide provider of dental and medical imaging systems and healthcare IT solutions as well as molecular imaging systems for the life science research and drug discovery/development market segments, and X-ray film and digital X-ray products for the non-destructive testing market. For more information about the company’s broad portfolio of products, solutions and services, please contact a Carestream Health representative at (888) 777-2072 or visit www.carestreamhealth.com.

WSU researchers use a 3-D printer to make bone-like material

2011-12-01T10:03:00.000-05:00

Clears way for custom-made replacement tissue



		IMAGE: Using a 3D printer, Washington State University Mechanical and Materials Engineering Professor Susmita Bose created a bone‑like material that can be used for orthopedic and dental work.Shelly Hanks photo courtesy... Click here for more information.

PULLMAN, Wash. -- It looks like bone. It feels like bone. For the most part, it acts like bone.
And it came off an inkjet printer.
Washington State University researchers have used a 3D printer to create a bone-like material and structure that can be used in orthopedic procedures, dental work, and to deliver medicine for treating osteoporosis. Paired with actual bone, it acts as a scaffold for new bone to grow on and ultimately dissolves with no apparent ill effects.
The authors report on successful in vitro tests in the journal Dental Materials and say they're already seeing promising results with in vivo tests on rats and rabbits. It's possible that doctors will be able to custom order replacement bone tissue in a few years, says Susmita Bose, co-author and a professor in WSU's School of Mechanical and Materials Engineering.
"If a doctor has a CT scan of a defect, we can convert it to a CAD file and make the scaffold according to the defect," Bose says.



		IMAGE: Washington State University researchers used a 3‑D printer to make a variety of bone‑like materials, including pieces of hip bone. Click here for more information.

The material grows out of a four-year interdisciplinary effort involving chemistry, materials science, biology and manufacturing. A main finding of the paper is that the addition of silicon and zinc more than doubled the strength of the main material, calcium phosphate. Theresearchers also spent a year optimizing a commercially available ProMetal 3D printer designed to make metal objects.
The printer works by having an inkjet spray a plastic binder over a bed of powder in layers of 20 microns, about half the width of a human hair. Following a computer's directions, it creates a channeled cylinder the size of a pencil eraser.
After just a week in a medium with immature human bone cells, the scaffold was supporting a network of new bone cells.

###

The research was funded with a $1.4 million grant from the National Institutes of Health.
Video of Bose discussing her work can be found at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvkfMu76drE.

Association of Endodontic Infection with Detection of an Initial Lesion to the Cardiovascular System

2011-11-30T13:29:00.000-05:00

Journal of Endodontics
Volume 37, Issue 12 , Pages 1624-1629, December 2011

Abstract

Introduction

Dental infections might predispose toward the onset of cardiovascular disease (CVD). To date, only a few studies, yielding inconclusive findings, have investigated the potential correlation between apical periodontitis (AP) and CVD. The aim of this study (as the first part of a prospective study) was to evaluate, in the absence of CV risk factors, whether subjects with AP were more exposed to the pathogenetic indices of an atherosclerotic lesion.

Methods

Forty men between the ages of 20 and 40 years who were free from periodontal disease, CVD, and traditional CV risk factors were enrolled in the study; 20 subjects had AP, and 20 acted as controls. All subjects underwent dental examination and complete cardiac assessment: physical examination, electrocardiogram, conventional and tissue Doppler echocardiography, and measurement of endothelial flow reserve (EFR). The following laboratory parameters were tested: interleukins -1, -2, and -6 (IL-1, IL-2, IL-6), tumor necrosis factor alpha, and asymmetrical dimethylarginine (ADMA). Data were analyzed by using the 2-tailed Student's t test, Pearson t test (or Spearman t test for nonparametric variables), and multivariate linear regression analysis.

Results

Echocardiography revealed no abnormalities in any of the subjects studied. ADMA levels were inversely correlated with EFR (P < .05) and directly correlated with IL-2 (P < .001). Patients with AP presented with significantly greater blood concentrations of IL-1 (P < .05), IL-2 (P < .01), IL-6 (P < .05), and ADMA (P < .05) and a significant reduction of EFR (P < .05).

Conclusions

Increased ADMA levels and their relationship with poor EFR and increased IL-2 might suggest the existence of an early endothelial dysfunction in young adults with AP.

Dental Services Group™ Provides Rebate and Placement Program for CEREC® AC Connect Users

2011-11-30T11:45:00.001-05:00

Charlotte, NC (November 30, 2011) – Sirona Dental Systems, LLC announced today that Dental Services Group™ (DSG), a network of 25 North American laboratories, is now providing CEREC® and CEREC® AC Connect users with an attractive rebate and placement program.

Both new and existing CEREC AC Connect users who choose to use Dental Services Group for any laboratory needs will earn a generous rebate to help cover the cost of their CEREC AC Connect digital impression system. Rebates are issued in the form of laboratory credits, and are applied to the user’s DSG lab invoice. Rebates range in size based on monthly DSG lab bills, and can cover all financing costs, service contracts, and provide savings on restorations at the highest level. The program is based on incremental business done with DSG.

In addition, DSG created a Placement Program for dental professionals interested in having a CEREC AC Connect placed in their practice with no up-front costs. Interested parties simply commit to a certain amount of incremental annual lab work with DSG, and DSG will cover the cost of the scanner.

"Our goal at DSG is to provide services that help make our lab customers successful,” according to Buddy Pickle, Dental Services Group CEO. “Providing CEREC milling capabilities and including the CEREC AC Connect in our rebate and placement programs are services we offer to help achieve that goal."

“We are very excited about DSG’s digital impression program for CEREC and CEREC AC Connect users,” remarked Norbert Ulmer, Director of Laboratory CAD/CAM for Sirona. “We consider DSG to be an active driver in expanding the usage of digital impression technology. By providing these attractive incentives, DSG is striving to elevate dental care and introduce efficiencies to the entire restorative process. The programs are substantial steps towards making digital impressions a reality for all, and, in turn, will benefit patients, dentists, and ultimately the entire dental community.”

For more information, please contact your DSG representative, call Sirona at 855-465-2248, or visit www.inLab.com.

About Sirona Dental Systems, LLC

Recognized as a leading global manufacturer of technologically advanced, high-quality dental equipment, Sirona has served equipment dealers and dentists worldwide for more than 125 years. Sirona develops, manufactures, and markets a complete line of dental products, including CAD/CAM restoration equipment (CEREC® and inLab®); digital and film-based intraoral, panoramic, and cephalometric X-ray imaging systems; dental treatment centers; and handpieces. Visit www.sirona.com for more information about Sirona and its products.

About Dental Services Group™

Dental Services Group™ is a network of quality-focused, local labs throughout North America. Partnering with one of DSG’s 25 laboratories provides the personal relationship and care of a local laboratory—combined with the technical expertise and full suite of offerings of a national laboratory. While the foundation of their business is providing high-quality restorations and dental appliances, DSG labs go a step beyond by offering ways to support and grow dental practices. Their vision is to provide relevant services and solutions that will help make practitioners more successful. Learn more at www.dentalservices.net.

NYUCD awarded $2.2 million NIH grant to decode genome of caries-causing bacteria

2011-11-29T07:19:00.000-05:00

Whole genome sequencing to be used to identify strains of Lactobacilli bacteria which contribute to the development of severe early childhood caries

Severe early childhood caries can destroy most of a child's teeth by age three, and disproportionately affects underserved populations, including American Indians and Alaskan natives. Although the link between Lactobacilli bacteria (Lb) and severe early childhood caries has been known for almost a century, progress in delineating which of 140 Lb species are responsible for the disease has remained elusive.
The recent development of whole genome sequencing has made it much easier to identify destructive bacteria. Now, an New York University dental research team has received a four-year, $2.2 million dollar grant from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), to use whole genome sequencing to identify those strains of Lb that contribute to the development of severe early childhood caries.
The study's principal investigators, Dr. Page W. Caufield, professor of cariology and comprehensive care, and Dr. Yihong Li, professor of basic science and craniofacial biology, will analyze several hundred bacteria samples from children with severe early childhood caries and their parents, and from caries-free children and their parents. Sampling and collection will take place at Bellevue Hospital Center in New York.
Sequencing will be conducted by co-investigators at University College in Ireland and at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute in the United Kingdom. Drs. Caufield and Li will collaborate with experts on bacterial genome evolution at the American Museum of Natural History to identify sequences common to children with severe early childhood caries and to their parents.
Earlier research led by Drs. Caufield and Li identified virulent strains of Streptoccocus mutans, another group of bacteria commonly associated with severe early childhood caries. Dr. Caufield, a microbiologist and infectious disease specialist, and Dr. Li, a molecular epidemiologist, demonstrated that these bacteria are transmitted from mother to infant during intimate contact.
"The findings from our new study, as well as the earlier research on Streptoccocus mutans, will help propel the development of a diagnostic test that dentists can administer chairside to identify those at risk," said Dr. Caufield.
"Severe early childhood caries is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases in underprivileged populations," added Dr. Li. "Much still needs to be learned about how the disease develops, and how it can be prevented. Our study will help to fill those gaps."
Co-investigators on the Lb study include Dr. Silvia Argimon, research scientist in cariology and comprehensive care; Dr. Charles Larsen, clinical assistant professor of pediatric dentistry, Dr. Untray T. Brown, clinical associate professor of pediatric dentistry; Dr. Robert Norman, research associate professor of epidemiology & health promotion; and Dr. Peter Catapano, Jr., clinical associate professor of pediatric dentistry, all of the NYU College of Dentistry. Dr. Catapano is also a clinical associate professor of pediatrics at the NYU School of Medicine and director of the pediatric dental clinic at Bellevue Hospital Center.
Additional co-investigators include Dr. Paul O'Toole, senior scientist at University College, Ireland; Dr. Julian Parkhill, senior scientist at the Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute; Dr. Rob Desalle, curator of the Sackler Institute for Comparative Genomics of the American Museum of Natural History; and Dr. Paul J. Planet, a research associate at the American Museum of Natural History and a fellow in the pediatric infectious disease division of the Columbia College of Physicians and Surgeons Children's Hospital of New York.
Drs. Caufield and Li are also focusing on how severe early childhood caries affects children living on American Indian reservations. They are participating in a series of outreaches to Indian reservations, under the auspices of the American Dental Association, and will incorporate their observations into the NIH study.

Assessment of a prototype computer colour matching system to reproduce natural tooth colour on ceramic restorations

2011-11-28T13:33:00.000-05:00

Journal of Dentistry

doi:10.1016/j.jdent.2011.11.009

Abstract

Objectives

The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of a prototype computer colour matching (CCM) system for dental ceramics targeting the colour of natural maxillary central incisors employing a dental spectrophotometer and the Kubelka–Munk theory.

Methods

Seventeen human volunteers with natural intact maxillary central incisors were selected to participate in this study. One central incisor from each subject was measured in the body region by a spectrophotometer and the reflectance values were used by the CCM system in order to generate a prescription for a ceramic mixture to reproduce the target tooth's colour. Ceramic discs were fabricated based on these prescriptions and layered on a zirconia ceramic core material of a specified colour. The colour match of each two-layered specimen to the target natural tooth was assessed by CIELAB colour coordinates (ΔE^*, ΔL^*, Δa^* and Δb^*).

Results

The average colour difference ΔE^* value was 2.58 ± 84 for the ceramic specimen–natural tooth (CS–NT) pairs. ΔL^* values ranged from 0.17 to 2.71, Δa^* values ranged from −1.70 to 0.61, and Δb^* values ranged from −1.48 to 3.81. There was a moderate inverse correlation (R = −0.44, p-value = 0.0721) between L^* values for natural target teeth and ΔE^* values; no such correlation was found for a^* and b^* values.

Conclusion

The newly developed prototype CCM system has the potential to be used as an efficient tool in the reproduction of natural tooth colour.

Fracture strength of incisor crowns after intracoronal bleaching with sodium percarbonate

2011-11-26T13:31:00.000-05:00

Kuga, M. C., dos Santos Nunes Reis, J. M., Fabrício, S., Bonetti-Filho, I., de Campos, E. A. and Faria, G. (2011), Fracture strength of incisor crowns after intracoronal bleaching with sodium percarbonate. Dental Traumatology. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-9657.2011.01077.x

Abstract – Objectives: To compare the fracture resistance of bovine teeth after intracoronal bleaching with sodium percarbonate (SPC) or sodium perborate (SP) mixed with water or 20% hydrogen peroxide (HP). Materials and methods: Fifty extracted bovine teeth were divided into four experimental groups (G1–G4) and one control (n = 10) after endodontic treatment. Following root canal obturation, a glass ionomer barrier was placed at the cemento–enamel junction. After that, the pulp chambers were filled with: G1 – SP with water; G2 – SP with 20% HP; G3 – SPC with water; and G4 – SPC with 20% HP. No bleaching agent was used in the control group. Coronal access cavities were sealed with glass ionomer and specimens were immersed in artificial saliva. The bleaching agents were replaced after 7 days, and teeth were kept in artificial saliva for an additional 7 days, after which the pastes were removed and the coronal access cavities were restored with glass ionomer. Crowns were subjected to compressive load at a cross head speed of 0.5 mm min⁻¹ applied at 135° to the long axis of the root by an EMIC DL2000 testing machine, until coronal fracture. Data were statistically analysed by anova and Tukey test. Results: No differences in fracture resistance were observed between the experimental groups (P > 0.05). However, all experimental groups presented lower fracture resistance than the control group (P < 0.05). Conclusion: SPC and SP led to equal reduction on fracture resistance of dental crowns, regardless of being mixed with water or 20% HP.

New Casey Education Presentations

2011-11-25T09:32:00.000-05:00

ST. PAUL, Minn. – (November 22, 2011) – Patterson Dental Supply, Inc. announces new updates to CAESY Cloud, its online portal that gives users instant access to CAESY Patient Education multimedia presentations via the Cloud. Six new Orthodontics presentations are now available to help practices keep patients informed:
Braces Care for Adults, Early Intervention, Retainers, Molar Uprighting, Invisalign Teen, and Identifying Oral Habits for Kids. Additionally, a number of existing presentations have already been updated, including Orthodontic Alternatives, Invisible Braces Alternatives, Adult Braces Procedure, Child Braces Procedure and
Invisalign for Adults.

Launched in July 2011, CAESY Cloud currently offers more than 280 multimedia presentations, which dental offices can access on PC and Mac desktop computers, Smartphones, and the iPad, iPhone and iPod. In addition to the new Orthodontics content, the latest updates to the online system include a new banner at the
login page that immediately notifies users of updates or new features. With all content accessible through the Cloud, subscribers just need to log in to access the latest videos and updates.

CAESY Cloud requires no installation. All that is needed to access CAESY Cloud is an Internet connection—networked connections between participating computers are not required. Dental professionals can simply sign up for the service by visiting www.CAESYCloud.com and gain access to the presentations for immediate use
from anywhere. After subscribing, users simply visit the website to access the full library of CAESY’s robust patient education presentations. A low monthly subscription fee makes CAESY Cloud available to dental practices with little initial investment.

CAESY Education Systems has been dentistry’s premier developer of leading-edge patient education technology and content since 1993. Patterson Dental Supply, Inc. acquired CAESY in May 2004. The award-winning multimedia information on preventive, restorative and esthetic treatment options helps dental practices worldwide educate their patients and grow their practices. The CAESY content is distributed via video and computer networks, DVD players and CAESY Cloud throughout the clinical and reception areas of the dental practice. The family of products includes CAESY Cloud, CAESY DVD, Smile Channel DVD, and CAESY Enterprise, which includes CAESY, Smile Channel and ShowCase. For more information, visit www.caesy.com.

Take 5 With Marty- Happy Thanksgiving

2011-11-23T10:00:00.000-05:00

Dental IndustryThought Leader Dr. Marty Jablow Launching

“Take Five with Marty”Web Video Series

Woodbridge,NJ – November 23, 2011 – Dr. Marty Jablow, nationally-known dental industrythought leader, author and lecturer is preparing to launch a web video seriesentitled “Take Five with Marty” in early 2012.

Dr. Jablow, a full-time practicingclinician who is known for his “tell itlike it is” evaluations, explanations and demonstrations of new dental productsranging from advanced dental technology to the latest dental materials, willtake the same no-nonsense approach during his “Take Five with Marty” segments.

According to Dr. Jablow, “Those that haveseen my live presentations know that although I don’t pull any punches, I liketo have fun as well. I’ll never fit into the stuffy college professor category.Maybe it’s my New Jersey attitude.”

“Take Five with Marty” will feature reportson the hottest dental industry news, hands-on product demonstrations, thoughproving interviews and clinical spotlights – all in five minutes or less.” A video preview is availableonline and interested dental professionals can sign up to be the first to receive bulletins on upcoming “TakeFive with Marty segments.

“I know how busy dental professionals are,”commented Jablow. “My role is to inform, pique interest and be the catalyst forongoing discussion.”

AboutDr. Marty Jablow:Martin Jablow, DMD,Americaʼs Dental Technology Coach is a clinician, speaker and author. Hepresents and publishes worldwide on many topics, including state of the artdental technology and dental materials. His recurring columns can be found onDrBicuspid.com and Dental- LearningHub.com’s Apex Magazine. Dr. Jablow ispresident of Dental Technology Solutions, a lecture andconsulting company.

Dental Hygiene and Oral Care Market in US Examined in New iData Research Report

2011-11-22T11:28:00.000-05:00

LONDON, Nov 08, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) --Recovering from the global economic recession, the U.S. dental hygiene and oral care market reached over USD 1.6 billion last year. Forecasts say the market, and the professional teeth whitening segment in particularly, will cross USD 2 billion mark by 2017, driven by the fast-growing digital caries/cavity detection, professional teeth whitening and fluoride varnish segments. In the U.S., dental caries/cavities affect more than 95% of the adult population.

Association between carotid area calcifications and periodontal risk: a cross sectional study of panoramic radiographic findings

2011-11-21T13:00:00.000-05:00

BMC Cardiovascular Disorders 2011, 11:67doi:10.1186/1471-2261-11-67

Background
The aim was to investigate the extent to which it is possible to diagnose suspected carotid calcification from dental panoramic radiography (PR) and to establish an association to periodontal risk.

Methods

824 PRs from one dental practice were investigated. Parameters considered were gender, age, bone loss - age index, tooth loss, periodontal risk and suspected carotid calcification (left, right, both sides). Periodontal risk was classified: low risk (under 4 missing teeth, bone loss - age index under 0.5), moderate risk (5 to 8 missing teeth and/or bone loss - age index 0.5 to 1.0) and high risk (more than 9 missing teeth and or bone loss - age index greater than 1.0).

Results

Of 824 patients, 349 were male (42.4%) and 475 female (57.6%); the mean age was 48.32+/-16.52 years. In 9.0% (n=74) of PRs, suspected carotid calcification was diagnosed (right: 5.5%, left: 2.3%, both sides: 1.2%). The mean tooth loss was 4.16+/-5.39 teeth. In the case of 282 patients (34.2%), there was a low, in 335 patients (40.7%) a moderate, and in 207 patients (25.1%) a high periodontal risk. There was a significant correlation found between number of cases of suspected carotid calcification and periodontal risk, tooth loss and age (p=0.0001). However, only age showed a significant association (OR: 4.9; CI: 2.4-9.8; p<0.0001) in contrast to periodontal risk (OR 1.4; CI: 0.9-2.4).

Conclusion

PR can provides indication of carotid calcification as a secondary (chance) finding. In addition, periodontal risk may be correlated with positive findings of carotid calcification.

Mathematics Provides Better Attachment For Dental Crowns

2011-11-19T10:00:00.000-05:00

Dental treatment involving crown replacements costs the Swedish tax payers hundreds of millions SEK each year. Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology are developing a new method for determining exactly how to optimally prepare a tooth to place a crown on it. The method is expected to result in significantly cheaper and faster treatment, and improved quality and reliability of the crown replacements.

Each year, dentists put hundreds of thousands of new dental crowns into the mouths of Swedish patients. They firstly have to grind the teeth to which the crowns are to be attached. This is a procedure that is still much of an art and depends completely on the individual dentist's skill. But dentists will soon benefit from a computer program being produced by a group of researchers at Chalmers, at the initiative of the company Nobel Biocare. The researchers are now planning to run clinical tests.

"With current software, you can measure the damaged tooth's dimensions by laser scanning," explains Chalmers researcher Evan Shellshear. "The software then computes the optimal shape of the ground tooth, and the output is a 3-D visualisation of it. You also get a 3-D animation showing precise suggestions for manoeuvring the cutting tool in order to achieve the final tooth shape safely."

The software is based on advanced mathematical models and on state-of-the-art visualisation technology. The researchers have based their computations on roughly a dozen international guidelines for how teeth should be shaped before being fitted with dental crowns.

The guidelines cover things like the ratios between the height and width of the tooth, and how thick a layer needs to be ground down in order to leave enough space for the crown. The researchers have converted every guideline into an equation, dividing each tooth into tens of thousands of sections. From that, the software performs an optimisation, leaving the patient with as much of the healthy tooth as possible.

"Most dentists are very skilful, but no human being can achieve this sort of optimisation as efficiently as a computer program," says the Chalmers researcher and dentist Matts Andersson. "If the tooth does not have a good fit with the crown, bacteria can accumulate in the gaps, resulting in caries and loosening of the teeth. A bad fit can also lead to problems with the jaw joint or that the dental crown simply falls off."

The researchers' new method should therefore reduce the risk of patients suffering such problems. It would also shorten the time needed for treatment, and save large amounts of money.

"I estimate that the treatment sessions would be 10% shorter," says Matts Andersson. "That would result in savings of SEK 176 million per year. But the biggest benefit would probably be an improvement in quality, increasing the life of the dental crowns and reducing the number of remakes."

The Chalmers researchers have also produced 3-D software that dental students can use for learning how to grind teeth. Currently, students have no access to simulation programs with defined objectives. In the new software, the objective is the optimum tooth shape, and those undergoing training will know how close to the objective their effort has come.

Effect of JPEG compression on the diagnostic accuracy of periapical images in the detection of root fracture

2011-11-18T09:00:00.000-05:00

Noujeim, M., Geha, H., Shintaku, W., Bechara, B. and Kashi, K. A. (2011), Effect of JPEG compression on the diagnostic accuracy of periapical images in the detection of root fracture. Dental Traumatology. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-9657.2011.01076.x

Abstract – The ability of a periapical radiograph to exhibit the fracture depends on many factors including, but not limited to, the resolution of the image. The quality can be reduced by the image compression. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) compressions on the diagnostic capability of periapical images in the detection of root fractures. Ten dry human mandibles containing 151 teeth were used in this study. Mandibles were radiographed with direct digital imaging sensor using the paralleling technique. Four observers detected root fracture on the images saved in one uncompressed and two compressed formats. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) and anova analyses were performed to compare the performance of the three different systems and evaluate the effect of the compression on the accuracy of root fracture detection. Results did not show any statistically significant difference between the original, large images presented in tagged image file format (TIFF) and the two compressed images (JPEG medium file and JPEG small file images) in the detection of root fractures. The intra-rater comparison showed a significant consistency in the detection of the fracture. The compression reduced the file size considerably (from 1.77 MB to 453 and 95 Kb), but it did not affect the accuracy of root fracture detection. The file size reduction, on the other hand, is very beneficial for image electronic storage and mainly in teleradiology.

Prediction and diagnosis of clinical outcomes affecting restoration margins

2011-11-17T10:00:00.000-05:00

DENNISON, J. B. and SARRETT, D. C. (2011), Prediction and diagnosis of clinical outcomes affecting restoration margins. Journal of Oral Rehabilitation. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2842.2011.02267.x

Summary The longevity of dental restorations is largely dependent on the continuity at the interface between the restorative material and adjacent tooth structure (the restoration margin). Clinical decisions on restoration repair or replacement are usually based upon the weakest point along that margin interface. Physical properties of a restorative material, such as polymerisation shrinkage, water sorption, solubility, elastic modulus and shear strength, all have an effect on stress distribution and can significantly affect margin integrity. This review will focus on two aspects of margin deterioration in the oral environment: the in vitro testing of margin seal using emersion techniques to simulate the oral environment and to predict clinical margin failure and the relationship between clinically observable microleakage and secondary caries. The many variables associated with in vitro testing of marginal leakage and the interpretation of the data are presented in detail. The most recent studies of marginal leakage mirror earlier methodology and lack validity and reliability. The lack of standardised testing procedures makes it impossible to compare studies or to predict the clinical performance of adhesive materials. Continual repeated in vitro studies contribute little to the science in this area. Clinical evidence is cited to refute earlier conclusions that clinical microleakage (penetrating margin discoloration) leads to caries development and is an indication for restoration replacement. Margin defects, without visible evidence of soft dentin on the wall or base of the defect, should be monitored, repaired or resealed, in lieu of total restoration replacement.

Pitt Offers Dental Informatics Program

2011-11-16T08:00:00.000-05:00

Pittsburgh, pA: November 15, 2011- The University of Pittsburgh is seeking applicants for MS, PhD, and postdoctoral positions for its training program in dental informatics. These programs provide training in a cutting-edge discipline which is focused on the application of computer and information science to improve dental practice, research, education, and management. A full scholarship, stipend, and health insurance are being offered by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to eligible individuals.

Dental informatics is a relatively new field with significant potential for affecting the future of dentistry. The program is based on the premise that information technology has the potential to help dentistry improve individual and general oral health systematically and consistently. Advances in the integration, miniaturization, and sophistication of computer technology, as well as innovations in digital imaging, signal processing, data visualization, and human factors design can fundamentally improve the delivery of dental care.

The Center for Dental Informatics at the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Dental Medicine provides training to individuals from a variety of backgrounds (DDS, DMD, MD, computer science, etc.). Students conduct innovative research on human-computer interaction, reuse of clinical data for research, evidence-based dentistry, electronic dental records, decision support, and teledentistry. The program is highly multidisciplinary and can lead to unique career opportunities in software development, information technology management, academic teaching and research, and consulting.

Applications for these positions are currently being accepted; the program starts in August 2012. For more information, go to: http://di.dental.pitt.edu/postgrad.php, or email Titus Schleyer, DMD, PhD, at titus@pitt.edu

Patient responses to Er:YAG laser when used for conservative dentistry

2011-11-15T07:21:00.000-05:00

Lasers in Medical Science

DOI: 10.1007/s10103-011-1012-0

Abstract

The utilization of laser technology in conservative dentistry offers several advantages compared with traditional instruments, but one of the still unsolved problems is the difficulty in describing and explaining these advantages to patients. The aims of this study were to verify the efficacy of the way patients are informed and to evaluate their satisfaction with laser-assisted treatment. Before treatment, 100 patients were given a brochure that explained the relevant laser-assisted dental procedures, and after dental treatment an 11-item questionnaire was administered to the patients to evaluate their satisfaction with the treatment. Statistical analysis showed high levels of satisfaction for all the questions, especially those regarding the choice between laser therapy and traditional instruments (100%), choosing laser in the future (89%), and recommending it to family and friends (84%). This study may be relevant when determining the overall satisfaction of patients with this new technology.

Immediate loading of 2 (all-on-2) versus 4 (all-on-4) implants placed with a flapless technique supporting mandibular cross-arch fixed prostheses: preliminary results from a pilot randomised controlled trial.

2011-11-14T07:14:00.000-05:00

Eur J Oral Implantol. 2011 Autumn;4(3):205-17.

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the clinical outcome of 2 implants versus 4 implants placed flapless in fully edentulous mandibles and immediately restored with metal-resin screw-retained cross-arch prostheses. Materials and methods: Sixty patients from two different centres were randomised: 30 to the allon- 2 group and 30 to the all-on-4 group. To be immediately loaded, implants had to be inserted with a minimum torque of 40 Ncm. Outcome measures were prosthesis and implant failures, and biological and biomechanical complications. Results: Flaps were raised in 18 patients. Two implants in 2 patients did not reach the planned insertion torque and were immediately replaced by larger diameter ones. Four months after loading, no drop-out or implant failure occurred. One biomechanical complication occurred in the all-on-2 group versus 4 in the all-on-4 group. There were no statistically significant differences between groups for complications. There were no differences between centres. Conclusions: These very preliminary results, just 4 months after loading, suggest that immediately loaded mandibular cross-arch fixed dental prostheses can be supported by only 2 dental implants. Longer follow-ups (around 10 years) are needed to understand whether cross-arch mandibular prostheses can be successfully supported by only 2 dental implants.

Treatment of the atrophic edentulous maxilla: short implants versus bone augmentation for placing longer implants. Five-month post-loading results of a pilot randomised controlled trial.

2011-11-12T07:22:00.000-05:00

Eur J Oral Implantol. 2011 Autumn;4(3):191-202.

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate whether short (5 to 8.5 mm) dental implants could be a suitable alternative to longer (>11.5 mm) implants placed in atrophic maxillae augmented with autogenous bone for supporting dental prostheses. Materials and methods: Twenty-eight patients with fully edentulous atrophic maxillae having 5 to 9 mm of residual crestal bone height at least 5 mm thick, as measured on computerised tomography scans, were randomised into two groups either to receive 4 to 8 short (5 to 8.5 mm) implants (15 patients) or autogenous bone from the iliac crest to allow the placement of at least 11.5 mmlong implants (13 patients). Bone blocks and the windows at maxillary sinuses were covered with rigid resorbable barriers. Grafts were left to heal for 4 months before placing implants, which were submerged. After 4 months, provisional reinforced acrylic prostheses or bar-retained overdentures were delivered. Provisional prostheses were replaced, after 4 months, by definitive screw-retained metal-resin cross-arch fixed dental prostheses. Outcome measures were: prosthesis and implant failures, any complications (including prolonged postoperative pain) and patient satisfaction. All patients were followed for 5 months after loading. Results: All patients could be rehabilitated with implant-supported prostheses and none dropped out. One bilateral sinus lift procedure failed due to infection, though short implants could be placed. One implant failed in the augmented group versus 2 short implants in 2 patients. All failures occurred before loading. Significantly more complications occurred in augmented patients: 8 complications occurred in 5 augmented patients (all complained of pain 1 month after bone harvesting from the iliac crest). No complications occurred in the short implant group. All patients were fully satisfied with the treatment and would do it again. Conclusions: This pilot study suggests that short implants may be a suitable, cheaper and faster alternative to longer implants placed in bone augmented with autogenous bone for rehabilitating edentulous atrophic maxillae. However, these preliminary results need to be confirmed by larger trials with follow-ups of at least 5 years.

Marginal analysis of resin composite restorative systems using optical coherence tomography

2011-11-10T22:49:00.001-05:00

Dental Materials
Volume 27, Issue 12 , Pages e213-e223, December 2011

Abstract

Objectives

To analyze marginal integrity of resin composites dental restorations using optical coherence tomography (OCT).

Methods

Thirty extracted human premolars had occlusal cavities prepared and were randomly divided according to the restorative systems evaluated: Filtek P90™/P90 Adhesive System™, Filtek Z350™, and Filtek Z250™/Single Bond™ (3M/ESPE). The teeth were then stored in the dark for 24h in 0.9% saline solution. Restorations were finished and polished and stored again for 24h before thermocycling (500 cycles, 5–55°C). A commercially available OCT system was used (SR-OCT: OCP930SR/Thorlabs) with 930nm central wavelength. Cross-sectional images were obtained every 250μm and evaluated using Image J. A-scans were analyzed using the Origin 8.0 program, after a filter treatment using Matlab.

Results

The qualitative analysis of the internal margins did not observe gaps even after A-scan examination, although distinctive patterns were found for each restorative system. Penetration of Single Bond and Filtek P90 self-etch primer into dentin was also observed. A thick adhesive layer was found for Filtek P90 bonding agent.

Significance

Considering the characteristics of the OCT system, the setup used in this study was capable of evaluating the marginal integrity of resin composite restorations and detecting some interaction between dental bonding agents and dental substrates. OCT can be considered a promising method for the evaluation of the internal margins of restorations in vivo.

Sunstar Americas, Inc. Challenges Consumers to Address the Diabetes, Dental Health and Diet Connection

2011-11-10T15:23:00.000-05:00

CHICAGO, Nov. 3, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- In honor of National Diabetes Awareness Month, oral healthcare company Sunstar Americans, Inc., manufacturer of GUM® branded oral care products, has partnered with celebrity nutritionist, author and motivational speaker Robert Ferguson to create The GUMline to Waistline Challenge.
The GUMline to Waistline Challenge is an exciting eight-week initiative focusing on the correlation between oral health and diabetes management.
Starting November 1, 2011, registered participants will be provided with the information and tools needed to improve their oral health, reduce fat and embrace a healthier lifestyle.
Participants will receive step by step instructions on establishing and achieving realistic weight loss goals, a Diet Free Life Workbook and Journal, daily nutrition and exercise tips, and optional additional support by SMS and email.
"For everyone, the link between oral health and overall health is important to consider – but this relationship is particularly crucial when patients are at high risk for diabetes," said Dan Descary, Managing Director of Sunstar Americas, Inc. "The GUMline to Waistline Challenge is an opportunity for patients to learn about this link while challenging themselves to adopt changes and new habits that can help manage or prevent the onset of diabetes."
Registration is currently open to individuals, groups and families. To register, log on to www.dietfreelife.com and become a member using the discount code: GUM - or call (805) 642-8440. The outcome? Better oral health and a healthier you!
Participants in the GUMline to Waistline Challenge as well as other interested parties are encouraged to listen and participate in weekly radio webinars hosted online at www.dietfreelife.com. Sunstar Americas, Inc. and Robert Ferguson are excited to raise awareness of the relationship between oral health and total health, and to offer a plan that connects the dots between the gumline and the waistline.
About Sunstar Americas, Inc.Chicago-based Sunstar Americas, Inc., (formerly, John O. Butler Company) is a member of the Sunstar Group of companies, a global organization headquartered in Switzerland that serves oral health care professionals and consumers in 90 countries around the world. Sunstar's mission is to enhance the health and well-being of people everywhere via its four business areas: mouth and body, healthy and beauty, healthy home, and safety and technology.

New Techniques for Visual Caries Detection

2011-11-09T07:26:00.000-05:00

Join me for this webinar tonight:

New Techniques for Visual Caries Detection
Presenter: Dr. Martin Jablow CE Credits: 1
Webinar Begins: 11/9/11 8:00 PM ET, 5:00 PM PT Learn the latest advances in visual caries detection. How the use of state of the art imaging can improve caries detection and removal. What is the latest and future in caries detection?

Sign up and receive CE credit by clicking here

RecordLinc Enables Sharing of Patient Dental Records to Maximize Quality of Patient Care

2011-11-08T12:00:00.000-05:00

Electronic Record Technology Revolutionizesthe Dental Industry

SILICON VALLEY, CA (November 3, 2011) – RecordLinc Inc., a company created bydental professionals dedicated to providing communication solutions for fellow dentalprofessionals, has released an innovative electronic dental record solution forpatient file-sharing, dentist-to-dentist communication, and dental practitionercollaboration that will increase efficiency and improve patient care.

RecordLinc software creates a bridge between dentalpractices so general dentists, dental specialists, treatment coordinators,dental labs, and all dental office team members can share and collaborate onpatients’ files through an HIPAA-compliant application. The software can be easily accessed anywherewith an Internet connection and enables real-time discussions and patientfile-sharing.

This convenient and safe access program allows doctors toupload dental records, collaborate on patient cases, and even form study groupsthat will improve patient care across the industry. Dr. Gregory Burnett, DDS,a leading California orthodontist, designed the Internet-based application inorder to maximize quality of patient care by making records more accessible.

RecordLinc’s exclusive network of dental professionals isthe largest in the world, which makes it easy for the dentist to collaborate ontreatment plans and connect with colleagues they may know from school, studyclubs, or simply afar.

At first glance, RecordLinc looks like a professionalnetworking tool, but the real power of the system is the ability to integrate intovarious practice management systems. Therefore, doctors can easily send patient referrals and transfers, aswell as join the largest online network of associations, alumni groups, andstudy clubs.

According to CEO and Co-Founder Travis Rodgers, “Our goal isfor RecordLinc to be considered the backbone for the exchange of dental recordsand doctor collaboration around the world.”

Over 600 thousand dental professional profiles are currentlyloaded in the RecordLinc system, and the new software continues to beimplemented in many leading practices throughout the country and the world.

“It’s time for a change,” says Rodgers. “The medical field is moving in thisdirection; why shouldn’t the dental industry? This is a huge time saver for all dentalpractitioners. We feel our product hasthe potential to revolutionize and improve the dental industry.”

Future updates of the RecordLinc software are already underdevelopment. Forthcoming enhancementsfor the product will likely include patient and guardian access to the system,e-filing for insurance claims, pre-treatment forms, online prescriptions, andan application to allow full integration into all leading practice managementsoftware programs.

About RecordLinc

Dr. Greg Burnett (orthodontist) and Dr. Bruce Bohannan (oralsurgeon) envisioned a product that would save time, money, and resources. The result was RecordLinc — a product thateffectively elevates customer care to a new level of excellence. Created by a dental professional for dentalprofessionals, RecordLinc is a unique technology that creates living patientfiles online. These files are able tolast for the lifetime of each patient, and can be transferred from doctor to doctoras each patient's needs change. RecordLincusers have access to images, communication, and the ability to respond, in realtime, with the messaging system. From Dr.Burnett’s commitment to improving the field of dentistry, he recruited leadingsoftware developers to turn existing needs into a functional product and aninnovative solution. Simply put,RecordLinc was born through forward-thinking design, application developmentexpertise, and healthcare industry knowledge directed at facilitatingindustry-wide needs.

For more information pleasevisit RecordLinc online at www.RecordLinc.com.

Stay updated on future developments and product news by following RecordLinc onFacebook.

The effect of autoclaving on torsional moment of two nickel–titanium endodontic files

2011-11-07T08:12:00.000-05:00

I am a Sybronendo Twisted File user and love the files. I do endo using just 1 or 2 files in most cases. MJ

King, J. B., Roberts, H. W., Bergeron, B. E. and Mayerchak, M. J. (2011), The effect of autoclaving on torsional moment of two nickel–titanium endodontic files. International Endodontic Journal. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2591.2011.01958.x

Abstract

Aim To evaluate the effects of repeated autoclaving on torsional strength of two nickel–titanium (NiTi) rotary endodontic files: Twisted Files (SybronEndo, Orange, CA, USA) and GT Series X files (Dentsply Tulsa Dental Specialties, Tulsa, OK, USA).

Methodology Four groups of 20 GT Series X (size 20, .06 taper) and four groups of 20 Twisted Files (size 25, .06 taper) were subjected to 0, 1, 3 or 7 autoclave cycles. The nonautoclaved files served as controls. Failure in torsion was recorded using a torsiometer according to ANSI/ADA 58 and ISO 3630-1 standards. Mean results were analysed using analysis of variance (anova) at a 95% confidence level. Dunnett’s procedure was used for post hoc analysis.

Results There was no significant difference in torsional moment between the number of autoclave cycles for Twisted Files. However, the mean torque at failure was significantly lower for GT Series X files after three (P < 0.001) and seven (P < 0.001) autoclave cycles. For Twisted Files, there was a significant increase (P < 0.001) in mean number of degrees of rotation to failure with more autoclave cycles compared to nonautoclaved files. For GT Series X files, there was no significant association (P = 0.527) between the number of autoclave cycles and the degrees of rotation to failure.

Conclusions Repeat autoclaving of unused GT Series X files between three and seven times resulted in a significant reduction in torsional strength, whilst there was no effect observed for Twisted Files.

VitalSleep Anti Snore Guard Has Been Improved To Prevent Snoring

2011-11-06T07:18:00.003-05:00

New York, NY (PRWEB) October 28, 2011

David Brians of Tuscan, AZ had a problem many Americans suffer from regularly. He’s a snorer. He’s not the only one battling restlessness and lack of sleep though. His wife has been dealing with it too.
“I tried the nose strips, throat sprays, everything,” he said. “But I’m happy to say I am finally sleeping soundly, and with my wife, for the first time in four months.”
How is this possible?
“I came across the VitalSleep anti snoring mouth guard while searching for something, anything, that would help me sleep and feel rested,” Brians said.
VitalSleep is more than a ‘mouth guard’ however. It’s an FDA cleared, fully customizable, stop snoring device that sells for just under $50. In addition, unlike many other anti-snoring devices, VitalSleep is very durable and comes with a 1-year warranty that covers free replacements, if needed.
“We always strive for improving the product,” says David Hernandez, inventor of the device with Dr. Richard Koffler M.D. “Based on a number of comments from users and our testing, we increased the depth of the bite so it would allow for a better fit for more users.”
VitalSleep is made of a flexible latex free and BPA free material that molds to the shape of the mouth. However, unlike most other products, this device is unique because it can also be adjusted to suit the severity of snoring, rather than being a ‘one size fits all’ type of appliance.”

Here’s how it works: The device opens the mouth and also positions the lower jaw forward which helps prevent the tongue from blocking the airway. When this happens, it reduces the blockage at the back of the throat that causes snoring. Now, since this oral appliance is unlike many others on the market, it can be adjusted. The wearer has the power to modify how far forward the lower jaw sits. A number of cost-effective snoring devices lack this important feature, which makes them either uncomfortable or ineffective to use.
Mr. Brians isn't the only one who’s solved his snoring issue. Mark Kolin of Chicago, IL said, "Over the past year, I developed a serious problem with snoring. It got so bad that I would go to bed with my wife, but when I wake in the morning she wasn't lying beside me. She would be disturbed by my snoring to the point that she would simply get up and go sleep in the spare bedroom. It was so frustrating for both of us. But I ordered the VitalSleep "Stop Snoring Mouthpiece" and since the very first night I used it, I wake every morning to find that my wife still beside me in the bed. Plus, I wake feeling more refreshed from getting a better night sleep too.”
It’s not just individuals who find VitalSleep useful. Many dentists and doctors are now ordering them to supply to their patient with this cost-effective snoring solution. So when it comes to better rest (and possibly a better marriage) then VitalSleep might be the answer.
Learn more about this groundbreaking anti-snoring mouthpiece by visiting http://www.VitalSleep.com.

Diet and the risk of head and neck cancer: a pooled analysis in the INHANCE consortium

2011-11-05T08:10:00.000-04:00

Cancer Causes and Control

DOI: 10.1007/s10552-011-9857-x

We investigated the association between diet and head and neck cancer (HNC) risk using data from the International Head and Neck Cancer Epidemiology (INHANCE) consortium. The INHANCE pooled data included 22 case–control studies with 14,520 cases and 22,737 controls. Center-specific quartiles among the controls were used for food groups, and frequencies per week were used for single food items. A dietary pattern score combining high fruit and vegetable intake and low red meat intake was created. Odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the dietary items on the risk of HNC were estimated with a two-stage random-effects logistic regression model. An inverse association was observed for higher-frequency intake of fruit (4th vs. 1st quartile OR = 0.52, 95% CI = 0.43–0.62, p _trend < 0.01) and vegetables (OR = 0.66, 95% CI = 0.49–0.90, p _trend = 0.01). Intake of red meat (OR = 1.40, 95% CI = 1.13–1.74, p _trend = 0.13) and processed meat (OR = 1.37, 95% CI = 1.14–1.65, p _trend < 0.01) was positively associated with HNC risk. Higher dietary pattern scores, reflecting high fruit/vegetable and low red meat intake, were associated with reduced HNC risk (per score increment OR = 0.90, 95% CI = 0.84–0.97).

IADR/AADR publish study on obesity link to periodontitis

2011-11-04T08:09:00.000-04:00

Alexandria, Va., USA - In a study titled "MicroRNA Modulation in Obesity and Periodontitis," lead author Romina Perri, University of North Carolina School of Dentistry, Oral Health Institute, conducted a pilot investigation to determine whether obesity or periodontal disease modified microRNA expression and whether there was any potential interaction between obesity and periodontitis that could involve microRNA modulation. This study is published in the Journal of Dental Research, the official publication of the International and American Associations for Dental Research (IADR/AADR).

In this investigation, total RNA was extracted from gingival biopsy samples collected from 20 patients in 4 groups (5 non-obese [BMI < 30kg/m2] participants with a healthy periodontium, 5 non-obese participants with periodontitis, 5 obese [BMI > 30kg/m2] participants with a healthy periodontium and 5 obese participants with periodontitis).
Two microRNA species (miR-18a,miR-30e) were up-regulated among obese individuals with a healthy periodontium. Two microRNA species (miR-30e,miR-106b) were up-regulated in non-obese subjects with periodontal disease and in the presence of periodontal disease and obesity, nine microRNAs were significantly up-regulated (miR-15a,miR-18a,miR-22,miR-30d,miR-30e,miR-103,miR-106b, miR-130a,miR-142-3p,miR-185 and miR-210). The authors conclude that the data are consistent with the concept that miRNA that are induced by chronic nutritional stress leading to obesity may also non-parsimoniously modulate inflammatory pathways within periodontal tissues and affect disease expression.
"The expression of specific microRNA species in obesity provides new insight into possible mechanisms of how risk factors might modify periodontal inflammation and may represent novel therapeutic targets," said JDR Editor-in-Chief William Giannobile.
A perspective article titled "Obesity, Inflammation and Oral Infections: are microRNAs the Missing Link?" was co-authored by Francesco D'Aiuto and Jean Suvan, University College London Eastman Dental Institute. In it, the authors suggest that these data could represent a mechanistic breakthrough in our understanding of the modulatory effects of obesity on periodontal tissue destruction, but caution reproducibility of these findings is needed in larger and well-characterized cohorts.

Family history and oral health: findings from the Dunedin Study

2011-11-03T12:48:00.000-04:00

Did we really need a study to validate what most dentists know? MJ

Shearer, D. M., Thomson, W. M., Caspi, A., Moffitt, T. E., Broadbent, J. M. and Poulton, R. (2011), Family history and oral health: findings from the Dunedin Study. Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0528.2011.00641.

Abstract – Context: The effects of the oral health status of one generation on that of the next within families are unclear.

Objectives: To determine whether parental oral health history is a risk factor for oral disease.

Methods: Oral examination and interview data were collected during the age-32 assessments in the Dunedin Study. Parental data were also collected on this occasion. The sample was divided into two familial-risk groups for caries/tooth loss (high risk and low risk) based on parents’ self-reported history of tooth loss at the age-32 assessment interview.

Main outcome measures: Probands’ dental caries and tooth loss status at age 32, together with lifelong dental caries trajectory (age 5–32).

Results: Caries/tooth loss risk analysis was conducted for 640 proband-parent groups. Reference groups were the low-familial-risk groups. After controlling for confounding factors (sex, episodic use of dental services, socio-economic status and plaque trajectory), the prevalence ratio (PR) for having lost 1+ teeth by age 32 for the high-familial-risk group was 1.41 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.05, 1.88] and the rate ratio for DMFS at age 32 was 1.41 (95% CI 1.24, 1.60). In the high-familial-risk group, the PR of following a high caries trajectory was 2.05 (95% CI 1.37, 3.06). Associations were strongest when information was available about both parents’ oral health. Nonetheless, when information was available for one parent only, associations were significant for some outcomes.

Conclusions: People with poor oral health tend to have parents with poor oral health. Family/parental history of oral health is a valid representation of the intricacies of the shared genetic and environmental factors that contribute to an individual’s oral health status. Associations are strongest when data from both parents can be obtained.

Transmission of Nonviral Sexually Transmitted Infections and Oral Sex

2011-11-02T12:44:00.000-04:00

This is important for dentists to understand as there is a correlation between HPV and oral pharyngeal cancers. More research is need to determine if there are other STD's that may contribute to oral cancer. Don't be afraid to broach the subject with your patients. MJ

Ballini, A., Cantore, S., Fatone, L., Montenegro, V., De Vito, D., Pettini, F., Crincoli, V., Antelmi, A., Romita, P., Rapone, B., Miniello, G., Perillo, L., Grassi, F. R. and Foti, C. (2011), Transmission of Nonviral Sexually Transmitted Infections and Oral Sex. The Journal of Sexual Medicine. doi: 10.1111/j.1743-6109.2011.02515.x

ABSTRACT

Introduction. Oral sex is usually considered a lower-risk sexual activity when compared with sex, but it is frequently the cause of sexually transmitted infections (STI). In particular, STI transferred through oral sex might have no visible symptoms, depending on the type of infection.

Aims. The aim of this study is to review the literature about the role of oral sex in the transmission of nonviral STI.

Main Outcome Measures. State-of-the-art information in the area of STI in relation to sexual function and self–care, this last important for development of STI prevention products such as vaginal microbicides. Sexual behaviors assessed focusing on receiving oral sex and giving oral sex.

Methods. A search of the main electronic databases including registers of clinical controlled trials was performed in addition to a hand search of the most relevant Journals. The following electronic databases were searched: PubMed, Embase, Google Scholar, literature review of research articles, and public health department Internet Web sites, for the period of 1945–2011. In addition to searching the Clinical Trials Registry at the US National Institutes of Health, we also used the meta Register of Controlled Trials and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials.

Results. STI affect the mucous membranes both directly and indirectly producing characteristic diagnostic signs and lesions. Daily dental clinical activity needs an appropriate knowledge of any kind of oral lesions-related STI. The reader is offered a practical approach with clinically relevant recommendations that may prove useful in his/her daily practice when dealing with STI.

Conclusions. These data provide a foundation for understanding diverse STI. We advise physicians to be receptive to discuss sexuality issues and provide patients with adequate therapy.

IADR/AADR publish study on dental caries vaccine

2011-11-01T12:42:00.000-04:00

Alexandria, Va., USA - In a report on a preclinical investigation titled "Flagellin Enhances Saliva IgA Response and Protection of Anti-caries DNA Vaccine," lead author Wei Shi, Wuhan Institute of Virology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, and his team of researchers demonstrate that anti-caries DNA vaccines, including pGJA-P/VAX, are promising for preventing dental caries. However, challenges remain because of the low immunogenicity of DNA vaccines. This study is published in the Journal of Dental Research, the official publication of the International and American Associations for Dental Research (IADR/AADR).

In this study, Shi and team used recombinant flagellin protein derived from Salmonella as mucosal adjuvant for anti-caries DNA vaccine (pGJA-P/VAX) and analyzed the effects of Salmonella protein on the serum surface protein immunoglobulin G and saliva surface protein immunoglobulin A antibody responses, the colonization of Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) on rodent teeth, and the formation of caries lesions. The results showed that Salmonella promoted the production of surface protein immunoglobulin G in serum and secretory immunoglobulin A in saliva of animals by intranasal immunization with pGJA-P/VAX plus Salmonella.
Furthermore, Shi found that enhanced surface protein immunoglobulin A responses in saliva were associated with inhibition of S. mutans colonization of tooth surfaces and endowed better protection with significant less carious lesions. In conclusion, the study demonstrates that recombinant Salmonella could enhance specific immunoglobulin A responses in saliva and protective ability of pGJA-P/VAX, providing an effective mucosal adjuvant candidate for intranasal immunization of an anti-caries DNA vaccine.
Daniel Smith, The Forsyth Institute, wrote a corresponding perspective article in response to the Shi et al report titled "Prospects in Caries Vaccine Development." In it, he states that DNA vaccine approaches for dental caries have had a history of success in animal models. Dental caries vaccines, directed to key components of S. mutans colonization and enhanced by safe and effective adjuvants and optimal delivery vehicles, are likely to be forthcoming.
"These papers highlight the exciting potential of using vaccines to protect against dental caries," said JDR Editor-in-Chief William Giannobile. "This research is promising and provides optimism to help promote public health of caries-susceptible individuals."

###

Visit http://jdr.sagepub.com/content/early/recent for links to the complete articles

Most U.S. toddlers haven't seen a dentist

2011-10-31T12:41:00.000-04:00

ANN ARBOR, Mich., Oct. 25 (UPI) -- Child health experts recommend children begin dental care by age 1, but most U.S. children ages 1-2 have not yet seen a dentist, researchers say.
Sarah Clark, associate director of the Child Health Evaluation and Research Unit at the University of Michigan, said the National Poll on Children's Health asked 571 parents of children ages 1-5 about dental healthcare for young children.
The survey, conducted in May, indicated 23 percent of 1-year-olds had been to the dentist and 44 percent of 2-year-olds had been to the dentist.

Antibiotics: Use and misuse in pediatric dentistry

2011-10-29T12:30:00.000-04:00

This is a very interesting read. MJ

Peedikayil FC. Antibiotics: Use and misuse in pediatric dentistry. J Indian Soc Pedod Prev Dent 2011;29:282-7

Antibiotics are commonly used in dentistry for prophylactic as well as for therapeutic purposes. Most often antibiotics are used in unwarranted situations, which may give rise to resistant bacterial strains. Dentists want to make their patients well and to prevent unpleasant complications. These desires, coupled with the belief that many oral problems are infectious, stimulate the prescribing of antibiotics. Good knowledge about the indications of antibiotics is the need of the hour in prescribing antibiotics for dental conditions.

Read the entire article.

http://www.jisppd.com/text.asp?2011/29/4/282/86368

Effects of different concentrations of carbamide peroxide and bleaching periods on the roughness of dental ceramics

2011-10-28T12:26:00.000-04:00

Sérgio Augusto Morey Ourique; César Augusto Galvão Arrais; Alessandra Cassoni; Cláudia Ota-Tsuzuki; José Augusto Rodrigues
Department of Restorative Dentistry, Guarulhos University - UnG, Guarulhos, SP, Brazil
Brazilian Oral Research

Print version ISSN 1806-8324

Braz. oral res. vol.25 no.5 São Paulo Sept./Oct. 2011

http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1806-83242011000500013

ABSTRACT
The wide use of dental bleaching treatment has brought concern about the possible effects of hydrogen peroxide on dental tissue and restorative materials. The objective of this study was to evaluate in vitro the effect of nightguard bleaching on the surface roughness of dental ceramics after different periods of bleaching treatment. Fifteen specimens of 5 × 3 × 1 mm were created with three dental ceramics following the manufacturers' instructions: IPS Classic (Ivoclar-Vivadent); IPS d.Sign (Ivoclar-Vivadent); and VMK-95 (Vita). A profilometer was used to evaluate baseline surface roughness (Ra values) of all ceramics by five parallel measurements with five 0.25 mm cut off (Λc) at 0.1 mm/s. Afterwards, all specimens were submitted to 6-h daily bleaching treatments with 10% or 16% carbamide peroxide (Whiteness- FGM) for 21 days, while control groups from each ceramic system were stored in artificial saliva. The surface roughness of all groups was evaluated after 18 h, 42 h, 84 h, and 126 h of bleaching treatment. The surface roughness of each specimen (n = 5) was based on the mean value of five parallel measurements in each time and all data were submitted to two-way repeated measures ANOVA and Tukey's post-hoc test (α = 0.05). No significant differences in ceramic surface roughness were observed between untreated and bleached ceramic surfaces, regardless of bleaching intervals or bleaching treatments. This study provided evidence that at-home bleaching systems do not cause detrimental effects on surface roughness of dental ceramics.

Updates from Patterson Dental

2011-10-27T18:29:00.001-04:00

Caesy Cloud is Patterson's new patient education service which is available online. It can can be accessed from a PC, Mac or tablet. www.caesycloud.com

Eaglesoft 17 is slated for a summer release. Look for a customizable medical history form, along with better imaging integration and other software updates.

Dr. Larry Emmott

2011-10-27T10:34:00.003-04:00

Entering the facility

Digital Support Room

2011-10-27T10:34:00.001-04:00

Lots of cool imaging products

Cerec Room

2011-10-27T10:31:00.001-04:00

Patterson Technology Center

2011-10-27T09:52:00.001-04:00

I am at the opening of Paterson's new technology center. Getting ready for a busy day. More updates as the day goes on.

The Progressive Dentist Magazine- Teaching the Business of Dentistry

2011-10-26T08:53:00.000-04:00

After two years ofpublishing The Progressive Orthodontistmagazine, Owner and Executive Editor, Bonnie Hixson, has launched The Progressive Dentist magazine. Ispoke with her recently at the ADA meeting in Las Vegas, and asked her about the newmagazine. “The Progressive Dentist examines thebusiness side of dentistry. In today's world, dentists have to be savvybusiness men and women as well as excellent clinicians. TPD has access torespected experts and resources and provides new insights and fresh ideas to help greatpractitioners compete in an ever more competitive marketplace."

The magazine is different in several ways. I asked Bonnie aboutthe logic behind charging an annual subscription of $139 for The Progressive Dentist Magazine. "There are lots of good "free"publications available to dentists today. But somehow, someone has to pay toproduce them, and it’s not an inexpensive task. Our model makes the subscribingdentist our customer and allows us the freedom to write about the things thatare of interest to them - topics that are vital to their success. Also, becausewe are not dependent on advertising revenue, we can be very particular aboutwhat products and services we promote. A subscription model is the only one thatgives us journalistic independence and the ability to stand behind ourconvictions".

Given the fact thatthey offer an unconditional money back guarantee, this is a minimal andworthwhile investment for any practice. They partner with some of the industry’s most respected experts, as wellas leaders in the business community to offer expertise on the business ofrunning a profitable practice. The Progressive Dentist will also be available in digital format beginning in thefirst quarter of 2012, and if you subscribe before November 15th, 2011 you’llget both print and digital magazines, and access to additional online content for just $139 per year.

To start your subscription, go to www.TheProDentist.com.
Click subscribe and in the comments section,type "Marty" to receive a special bonus book from TPD's suggested reading list!

CAO Group Announces SheerWhite!® Special Offers for Both New and Existing Users

2011-10-25T12:01:00.000-04:00

West Jordan, UT (October 21, 2011) – The CAO Group, Inc. (CAO), a worldwide provider of innovative dentaldevices and materials, recently announced two special limited-time offers fordental professionals who purchase SheerWhite!^® teeth whiteningfilms. Both new and existing usersof SheerWhite! can take advantage of these two separate special limited-timeoffers.

Effectivethrough December 31, 2011, the special offers are as follows:

New users – Purchase1 Sheer White! 24-pack Bulk Kit and receive 1 SheerWhite! Intro Kit
(6-pack) FREE! 25% More ProductFREE! We guarantee that you willlike it – try it for 30 days; if you are unhappy for any reason, return theproduct for a full refund.

Existing users –Purchase 3 Sheer White! 24-pack Bulk Kits and get 1 Bulk Kit FREE! 33% More Product FREE!

“We hope that thesespecial promotions make SheerWhite! more accessible to dental professionals,especially those who may not have had the chance to try our superior teethwhitening films,” remarked Robert Nordquist, VP of Sales and Marketing for theCAO Group. “Patients and dentistswho have tried SheerWhite! agree that our SheerFilm^™ technology islike no other.”

Sheer White! wasdeveloped to provide the patient with a fast, effective, more comfortablewhitening experience and to provide the office with a system that increasespatient satisfaction, decreases the cost and time involved, and increases theprofitability of the procedure. No more trays! Unlike traditional “whitening strips,” patients can actuallywhiten with SheerWhite! anytime, anywhere.

Users who arenot completely satisfied with SheerWhite! teeth whitening films are able toreturn the product with no questions asked.

For moreinformation on all SheerWhite! promotions, please contact your local HenrySchein^® sales consultant, or call 800-372-4346 to take advantage ofthese limited-time special offers.

For moreinformation on SheerWhite!, please call 877-236-4408, or log onto www.CaoGroup.com/Dental.

About theCAO Group, Inc.

For over adecade, the CAO Group has been a leading OEM company in dental devices andmaterials. They are the originalpioneers of the LED curing light and innovators of diode laser technologies fordentistry, and every product produced by the CAO Group is from its owninnovation. CAO has more than 90issued and 80 pending US and international patents. Advanced technology, high quality, superior service, andcompetitive prices enable all CAO Group products to be easier to use, faster toapply, and better than other products in their class. Easier. Faster. Better.™ That’s the CAO way.

MIS Implants Technologies Launches New Website Dedicated to its New PeriZone™ Brand of Oral Care Products

2011-10-24T12:00:00.000-04:00

PeriZoneOnline.com Explains and alsoEnables Dentists to Request

Free Samples of its Debut OralWound-Healing Product, PerioPatch^®

Fair Lawn, NJ (October 20, 2011) – PeriZone™, an oral health product division of MIS ImplantsTechnologies, Ltd., recently launched an independent new website, which willserve as the main means for dental professionals and the general public tolearn about all aspects of PeriZone and its products.

PeriZoneOnline.comwas designed to be very informative, and features a highly intuitive layout andeasy navigation. Upon visiting thewebsite, dental professionals and patients alike can learn more aboutPeriZone’s first product, PerioPatch^®, a unique oral wound barrierthat absorbs wound exudates and thus promotes the natural healing of gingivalinflammation and irritated gums.

PeriZoneOnline.comfeatures general information about PerioPatch, including how to use the hydrogelpatch and how the product works to promote oral wound healing. What’s more, the website enables dentiststo request free samples of the unique oral care product.

According toNoel Wilford, RDH, Director of MIS Implants’ Oral Health Division, “We’re veryexcited about having an independent PeriZone website and believe strongly in the effectiveness ofPerioPatch for oral wound management, which is why we are offering dentists freesamples of our innovative hydrogel wound dressing. We intend to keep this site updated with useful informationregarding PerioPatch and other innovative PeriZone oral care products that wehave in the in the pipeline.”

AboutPeriZone™

The PeriZone™ brand of oral healthproducts was founded in 2011 by MIS Implants Technologies, Ltd., a companyknown for its comprehensive range of dental implants, surgical kits, andsuperstructures. In extending thecompany’s product development expertise into the oral health sector, a divisionof PeriZone products is being developed to provide dental professionals andtheir patients with advanced technologies in non-invasive oral care.

MIS Implants intends to develop and commercialize a number of products underthe PeriZone brand that will provide dental professionals with the productsthey need to provide their patients with advanced oral care. To learn more about PeriZone, pleasevisit www.perizoneonline.com or follow onFacebook at www.facebook.com/PeriZone.

Comparison among four commonly used demineralizing agents for root conditioning. A scanning electron microscopy

2011-10-22T16:52:00.000-04:00

Journal of Applied Oral Science

J. Appl. Oral Sci. vol.19 no.5 Bauru Sept./Oct. 2011

ABSTRACT
Dental roots that have been exposed to the oral cavity and periodontal pocket environment present superficial changes, which can prevent connective tissue reattachment. Demineralizing agents have been used as an adjunct to the periodontal treatment aiming at restoring the biocompatibility of roots.
OBJECTIVE: This study compared four commonly used demineralizing agents for their capacity of removing smear layer and opening dentin tubules.
METHODS: Fifty fragments of human dental roots previously exposed to periodontal disease were scaled and randomly divided into the following groups of treatment: 1) CA: demineralization with citric acid for 3 min; 2) TC-HCl: demineralization with tetracycline-HCl for 3 min; 3) EDTA: demineralization with EDTA for 3 min; 4) PA: demineralization with 37% phosphoric acid for 3 min; 5) Control: rubbing of saline solution for 3 min. Scanning electron microscopy was used to check for the presence of residual smear layer and for measuring the number and area of exposed dentin tubules.
RESULTS: Smear layer was present in 100% of the specimens from the groups PA and control; in 80% from EDTA group; in 33.3% from TC-HCl group and 0% from CA group. The mean numbers of exposed dentin tubules in a standardized area were: TC-HCl=43.8±25.2; CA=39.3±37; PA=12.1±16.3; EDTA=4.4±7.5 and Control=2.3±5.7. The comparison showed significant differences between the following pairs of groups: TC-HCl and Control; TC-HCl and EDTA; CA and Control; and CA and EDTA. The mean percentages of area occupied by exposed dentin tubules were: CA=0.12±0.17%; TC-HCl=0.08±0.06%; PA=0.03±0.05%; EDTA=0.01±0.01% and Control=0±0%. The CA group differed significantly from the others except for the TC-HCl group.
CONCLUSION: There was a decreasing ability for smear layer removal and dentin tubule widening as follows: AC>TC-HCl>PA>EDTA. This information can be of value as an extra parameter for choosing one of them for root conditioning.

UCLA study pinpoints types of bacteria in saliva associated with pancreatic cancer

2011-10-21T16:50:00.000-04:00

FINDINGS:

A UCLA study has found variations in the types of bacteria found in the saliva of patients with pancreatic cancer and pancreatitis, compared with healthy controls. The findings may offer a new non-invasive biomarker to diagnose and track the development of these diseases. Pancreatic cancer is extremely deadly — only 5 percent of patients survive five years after diagnosis.

Previous studies have highlighted periodontal disease, which is related to inflammation of the gums, as playing a possible role in the development of systemic diseases such as heart disease. The current study demonstrates a possible link between this type of inflammation and pancreatic cancer and pancreatitis.

Researchers found that 31 types of bacterial species were increased in the saliva of patients with pancreatic cancer, compared with healthy controls, and that 25 types of bacteria were reduced. For example, a type of bacteria known as Granulicatella adiacens, which is associated with systemic inflammation, was found to be elevated in pancreatic cancer patients. Also, a bacteria called Streptococcus mitis, which may play a protective role against inflammation, was lower in patients with pancreatic cancer.

IMPACT:

The findings add to growing evidence that saliva may be a credible biomarker source to track and diagnose non-oral diseases. The study also offers new research directions for focusing on inflammation as a contributor to pancreatic diseases.

Character traits of malodor patients.

2011-10-20T16:48:00.000-04:00

Bull Tokyo Dent Coll. 2011;52(3):123-8.

Sugiyama T, Kameyama A, Yamakura D, Morinaga K, Tsunoda M.

Source

Division of General Dentistry, Tokyo Dental College Chiba Hospital.

Abstract

Many patients visit oral malodor clinics because of malodors which are brought to their attention by friends and family, or because they note the behavior of people around them, they suspect a problem and develop a fear of having an oral malodor. However, only around 30% of such patients actually have levels of malodor high enough to bother other people. Many patients exhibit halitophobia symptoms, which present as selfperception of malodor, and thus have a strong obsession about their smell which results in distress. Here, we carried out a study on 300 outpatients who visited the Tokyo Dental College Chiba Hospital Odor Clinic. We used the Tokyo University Egogram (TEG) to elucidate character traits of affected outpatients and compared the occurrence of TEG types in these patients with those of normal individuals. We discovered that 10.4% of patients were A-dominant type, which was 10.6% lower than the 21.0% of normal individuals. On the other hand, 18.4% of patients were N-type (NP high, FC low), which was 9.9% higher than the 8.5% of normal individuals. Results revealed that very few of the malodor outpatients exhibited the trait that shows intelligence, calm judgment, and self-affirmation, and as a result enjoy their life. Instead, many of these patients tended to show high levels of kindness and appeared to be holding themselves back and exercising patience.

Q3 Healthcare Transparency Index Reveals Wide Cost Variances for Dental Services

2011-10-19T15:12:00.000-04:00

Report from Change Healthcare finds women and seniors more likely to visit dentist; frequency of visits declines rapidly after midyear

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Oct 17, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) --Healthcare costs continue to rise, driving more employers to stop offering dental coverage -- resulting in only 57 percent of Americans covered by a dental plan, as compared to more than 85 percent who have medical insurance. In addition, dental plan designs typically vary widely from medical coverage, creating higher out-of-pocket costs for patients and making the market for dental services much more consumer-driven. These cost and economic concerns have combined to create an alarming trend: employees and their dependants are skipping regular visits and neglecting dental care.

With an estimated $108 billion spent on dental services in 2010 according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Change Healthcare's latest Healthcare Transparency Index revealed considerable price disparities and local savings potential for the most common dental services, including adult and pediatric preventive exams with and without x-rays, adult cavity repair, application of braces with pre- and follow-up visits, and wisdom teeth removal with sedation or anesthesia. The Index, compiled from a sub-set of the Change Healthcare client database, which analyzed more than 30,000 in-network claims nationwide over a 12-month period, found that the billed amounts for dental services could vary by more than 400 percent in the same area for the same service.

-- Preventive Dental Exams: Routine dental exams are the primary way to prevent tooth decay and gum disease. An estimated 75 percent of adults suffer from gum disease, and while tooth decay is the most common and preventable disease in children, a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services study cites that only 48 percent of children entering kindergarten had seen a dentist in the previous year. With cost now a significant barrier to proper care, the Index found that the same preventive exam for adults could cost as much as $240 and as low as $55 in the same area, and pediatric exams ranged from $180 to just $35.

-- Cavity Fill and Repair: One of the most common dental corrective procedures, cavity repair offers great savings potential. The Index revealed that patients could be paying up to three times as much per cavity. Claims data indicated that cavity repair at the high-end could cost as much as $360, making these services unattainable for many -- leading to much more expensive long-term health issues.

-- Orthodontics: Having braces is a fact of life for millions of American children and even adults. However, insurance carriers often offer a fixed amount or maximum benefit allowance for braces application, and in many cases individuals may need braces twice in their lifetime. This Index reported a high cost for orthodontic services (including a pre-visit, braces application and follow-up visit) of $6,960, compared to a low cost of $2,400 in the same area.

-- Wisdom Teeth Removal: Recommended by most dentists as a way to maintain oral health and appearance, removal of wisdom teeth is a generally painful procedure, both physically and economically. The Index revealed that a patient could save more than $2,000 by simply switching providers. Many medical plans cover wisdom teeth removal, and as more employers and consumers switch to consumer-driven health plans, cost transparency offers tremendous savings opportunities.

Interestingly, the Index also uncovered other trends regarding dental utilization rates. The data indicated there was a steady decline in dental visits in each quarter, with 38 percent of all services occurring in Q1 and trailing to only 16 percent in Q4. This is in stark contrast to the medical industry, where claims typically increase toward year-end. In addition, women were more likely to receive dental care, averaging 1.31 visits per year versus only 1.11 for men. Seniors aged 60 and above were also the most likely to receive dental care, compared with young adults aged 21 to 30 representing the least likely.

"Unfortunately, dental services are one of the first benefits to be cut when the budget gets tight, creating risk related to a lack of compliance with recommended dental care, including checks for secondary conditions such as mouth cancer," said Howard McLure, Change Healthcare's chairman and CEO. "This quarter's Healthcare Transparency Index demonstrates that patients do have significant cost saving options for common dental services, especially important as the employee's share of these expenses increases."

Additional Resources

-- Report: http://www.changehealthcare.com/hcti/index.html

-- Blog: http://www.trendsparency.net/

-- Tweet this: Q3 #Healthcare Transparency Index from @askch reveals savings on #dental services http://bit.ly/nLmIK1

About the Healthcare Transparency Index

Due to rising healthcare costs, employers are increasing deductibles and considering aggressive benefit plan design changes. Employees and their families will be increasingly accountable for "shopping" and paying for their healthcare, making it more critical than ever to understand the costs involved. Currently, consumers of healthcare have no information and no tools to help them make decisions. The Healthcare Transparency Index (HCTI) is the first to provide healthcare consumers with ongoing trends data about actual healthcare costs, offering insight into critical opportunities for savings. The data is sourced from Change Healthcare's proprietary, HIPAA-compliant database generated from client activity. This quarter's Healthcare Transparency Index includes data compiled from a sub-set of the company's database including more than 30,000 dental claims. The report's pricing and behavioral content is derived from the Change Healthcare Transparency Messenger(TM). For more information, please call 800-655-0732.

About Change Healthcare

Change Healthcare ( www.changehealthcare.com ) has set the industry standard for true healthcare cost transparency -- a critical component to combating rising healthcare costs and insurance premiums while also reducing out-of-pocket responsibilities for consumers. Built on more than three years of medical claims data, the company's web-based solution, Transparency Messenger(TM), provides employees with personalized views of pricing information and proactive alerts that highlight opportunities to save money on routine care and prescriptions in their local area. By enabling informed decision-making prior to selecting and receiving care, Change Healthcare delivers substantial cost savings to both employers and employees. Change Healthcare works with more than 400 self-insured businesses across the U.S., representing more than 212,000 lives.

Patients' attitudes toward screening for medical conditions in a dental setting

2011-10-18T09:57:00.000-04:00

Greenberg, B. L., Kantor, M. L., Jiang, S. S. and Glick, M. (2011), Patients' attitudes toward screening for medical conditions in a dental setting. Journal of Public Health Dentistry. doi: 10.1111/j.1752-7325.2011.00280.x

Abstract

Objectives: Previous studies demonstrated the efficacy of chairside medical screening by dentists to identify patients who are at increased risk for developing cardiovascular-associated events and the favorable attitude of dentists toward chairside medical screening. This study assessed patient attitudes toward chairside medical screening in a dental setting.

Methods: A self-administered questionnaire of eight five-point response scale questions was given to a convenience sample of adult patients attending an inner-city dental school clinic and two private practice settings. Wilcoxon–Mann–Whitney tests and t-tests were used to compare responses between study groups. Friedman nonparametric analysis of variance was used to compare response items within each question.

Results: Regardless of setting, the majority of respondents was willing to have a dentist conduct screening for heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, human immunodeficiency virus infection, and hepatitis infection (55-90 percent); discuss results immediately (79 percent and 89 percent); provide oral fluids, finger-stick blood, blood pressure measurements, and height and weight (60-94 percent); and pay up to $20 (50-67 percent). Respondents reported that their opinion of the dentist would improve regarding the dentist's professionalism, knowledge, competence, and compassion (48-77 percent). The fact that the test was not done by a physician was ranked as the least important potential barrier. While all respondents expressed a favorable attitude toward chairside screening, the mean score was significantly lower among clinic patients across most questions/items. The priority rankings within an item were similar for both groups.

Conclusions: Acceptance by patients of chairside medical screening in a dental setting is a critical element for successful implementation of this strategy.

High-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) screening and detection in healthy patient saliva samples: a pilot study.

2011-10-17T09:50:00.000-04:00

BMC Oral Health 2011, 11:28doi:10.1186/1472-6831-11-28


Published:	10 October 2011

Background

The human papillomaviruses (HPV) are a large family of non-enveloped DNA viruses, mainly associated with cervical cancers. Recent epidemiologic evidence has suggested that HPV may be an independent risk factor for oropharyngeal cancers. Evidence now suggests HPV may modulate the malignancy process in some tobacco- and alcohol-induced oropharynx tumors, but might also be the primary oncogenic factor for inducing carcinogenesis among some non-smokers. More evidence, however, is needed regarding oral HPV prevalence among healthy adults to estimate risk. The goal of this study was to perform an HPV screening of normal healthy adults to assess oral HPV prevalence.

Methods

Healthy adult patients at a US dental school were selected to participate in this pilot study. DNA was isolated from saliva samples and screened for high-risk HPV strains HPV16 and HPV18 and further processed using qPCR for quantification and to confirm analytical sensitivity and specificity.

Results

Chi-square analysis revealed the patient sample was representative of the general clinic population with respect to gender, race and age (p < 0.05). Four patient samples were found to harbor HPV16 DNA, representing 2.6% of the total (n = 151). Three of the four HPV16-positive samples were from patients under 65 years of age and all four were female and Hispanic (non-White). No samples tested positive for HPV18.

Conclusions

The successful recruitment and screening of healthy adult patients revealed HPV16, but not HPV18, was present in a small subset. These results provide new information about oral HPV status, which may help to contextualize results from other studies that demonstrate oral cancer rates have risen in the US among both females and minorities and in some geographic areas that are not solely explained by rates of tobacco and alcohol use. The results of this study may be of significant value to further our understanding of oral health and disease risk, as well as to help design future studies exploring the role of other factors that influence oral HPV exposure, as well as the short- and long-term consequences of oral HPV infection.

Are sugar-free confections really beneficial for dental health?

2011-10-15T09:48:00.000-04:00

British Dental Journal 211, E15 (2011)
Published online: 7 October 2011 | doi:10.1038/sj.bdj.2011.823

Sugar-free does not mean calorie-free. Some sugar-free products generate nearly 50% of calories produced by table sugar.
In general, sugar-free products may help prevent dental caries. However, if they contain acidic additives, it may increase the probability of demineralising enamel, thus causing dental erosion.
Avoiding acid-containing, usually fruit-flavoured sugar-free products may be beneficial.

Background Various sugar substitutes have been introduced and are widely used in confections and beverages to avoid tooth decay from sugar and other fermentable carbohydrates. One group of sugar substitutes are sugar alcohols or polyols. They have been specifically used in foods for diabetic patients because polyols are not readily absorbed in the intestine and blood stream, preventing post-prandial elevation of glucose level. Additionally they may lower caloric intake.

Methods We searched PubMed, Cochrane Controlled Trials Registry, Cochrane Oral Health Review, Centre for Reviews and Dissemination in the UK, National Library for Public Health and a Centre for Evidence Based Dentistry website up to the end of October 2010, using the search terms 'sugar alcohol' or 'sugar-free' or 'polyols' and combined with a search with terms 'dental caries' or 'dental erosion'.

Results Xylitol, a polyol, has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for its non-cariogenic properties that actually reduce the risk of dental decay and recently, the European Union also officially approved a health claim about xylitol as a 'tooth friendly' component in chewing gums. Although the presence of acidic flavourings and preservatives in sugar-free products has received less attention, these additives may have adverse dental health effects, such as dental erosion. Furthermore, the term sugar-free may generate false security because people may automatically believe that sugar-free products are safe on teeth.

Conclusion We concluded that polyol-based sugar-free products may decrease dental caries incidence but they may bring another dental health risk, dental erosion, if they contain acidic flavouring. There is a need for properly conducted clinical studies in this area.

The estimation of patients' views of organizational aspects of a general dental practice by general dental practitioners: a survey study

2011-10-14T09:46:00.000-04:00

BMC Health Services Research 2011, 11:263doi:10.1186/1472-6963-11-263

Background

Considering the changes in dental healthcare, such as the increasing assertiveness of patients, the introduction of new dental professionals, and regulated competition, it becomes more important that general dental practitioners (GDPs) take patients' views into account. The aim of the study was to compare patients' views on organizational aspects of general dental practices with those of GDPs and with GDPs' estimation of patients' views.

Methods

In a survey study, patients and GDPs provided their views on organizational aspects of a general dental practice. In a second, separate survey, GDPs were invited to estimate patients' views on 22 organizational aspects of a general dental practice.

Results

For 4 of the 22 aspects, patients and GDPs had the same views, and GDPs estimated patients' views reasonably well: 'Dutch-speaking GDP', 'guarantee on treatment', 'treatment by the same GDP', and 'reminder of routine oral examination'. For 2 aspects ('quality assessment' and 'accessibility for disabled patients') patients and GDPs had the same standards, although the GDPs underestimated the patients' standards. Patients had higher standards than GDPs for 7 aspects and lower standards than GDPs for 8 aspects.

Conclusion

On most aspects GDPs and patient have different views, except for social desirable aspects. Given the increasing assertiveness of patients, it is startling the GDP's estimated only half of the patients' views correctly. The findings of the study can assist GDPs in adapting their organizational services to better meet the preferences of their patients and to improve the communication towards patients.

Periodontal healing following avulsion and replantation of teeth: a multi-centre randomized controlled trial to compare two root canal medicaments

2011-10-13T09:45:00.002-04:00

Day, P. F., Gregg, T. A., Ashley, P., Welbury, R. R., Cole, B. O., High, A. S. and Duggal, M. S. (2011), Periodontal healing following avulsion and replantation of teeth: a multi-centre randomized controlled trial to compare two root canal medicaments. Dental Traumatology. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-9657.2011.01053.x

Abstract – Background: Non-setting calcium hydroxide (Ultracal XS^®) is recommended by the International Association of Dental Traumatology as the initial medicament following avulsion and replantation for mature teeth. There is experimental evidence to suggest Ledermix^®, placed as an alternative inter-visit dressing may improve periodontal healing. Aim: This study investigated, using a multi-centre randomized controlled trial, the effect of two root canal medicaments, Ledermix^® and Ultracal XS^®, on periodontal healing of avulsed and replanted teeth. Material and methods: Children were recruited if they fulfilled all inclusion criteria. Treatment followed a standardized protocol. Assessment of periodontal healing or ankylosis was made clinically and radiographically by an experienced, ‘blinded’, clinician at 12 months. Results: Over 200 patients were assessed for eligibility at five centres. Twenty-nine patients were eligible for inclusion. Final analysis involved 22 patients with 27 teeth. Ankylosis was detected in four of the 12 teeth in the Ledermix^® group and nine of 15 in the Ultracal XS^® group. No significant difference between medicaments was found in the proportion of teeth or patients showing periodontal healing. Discussion: There was no significant difference in periodontal healing between the two medicaments at either a tooth or patient level. The numbers recruited fell short of an estimated power calculation. For patients meeting the inclusion criteria and completing the trial, periodontal healing was seen in 52% of teeth at the 12-month assessment between both groups. The only factor found to significantly influence the periodontal outcome was dry time.

Study Shows Bone Growth From Implanted Tooth And Dental Pulp Stem Cell

2011-10-12T03:57:00.000-04:00

Researchers in Japan have completed a study showing that stem cells derived from deciduous canine teeth and dental pulp can be grafted and produce bone regeneration between parents and offspring. Their results are published in the current issue of Cell Transplantation (20:7), now freely available on-line.

"Bone defects can occur for a number of reasons, and autogenous bone grafting - using the patient's own bone - has been a standard approach to treatment," said study corresponding author Dr. Yoichi Yamada of the Center for Genetic and Regenerative Medicine at the Nagoya University School of Medicine. "However, considering severe invasiveness in self-donor bone sites, and the limited supply of autogenous bone, alternative donor sources are needed."

The researchers note that previous studies have shown that oral and maxillofacial dental tissues contain a variety of stem cells, such as dental pulp stem cells and stem cells from deciduous teeth. Stem cells, they note, can be easily extracted from deciduous teeth, which are routinely lost in childhood and generally discarded.

"Stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth were identified as a novel population of stem cells, capable of differentiating into various cell types, such as osteoblasts, odontoblasts, adipocytes and neural cells," explained Dr. Yamada.

Their study extracted deciduous teeth from canine puppies and grafted them onto parent canine mandibles as an allograft. After four weeks, bone defects were prepared on both sides of the host mandible. The newly formed bone was evaluated at two, four and eight weeks. When compared to controls, the study group demonstrated well-formed mature bone and neovascularization.

The researchers reported that stem cells derived from dental pulp "display increased immunosuppressive activity when compared to bone marrow mesenchymal cells" and will likely have "immunosuppressive activity with potential clinical applications in allogenic in vivo stem cell transplantation, particularly for calcified tissue reconstruction."

Their pre-clinical study could pave the way for stem cell therapy in othropedics and oral maxillofacial reconstruction, concluded Dr. Yamata.

"This study highlights the promise of obtaining stem cells from unusual sources, such as teeth, and their potential benefit in familial treatments for bone reconstruction" said Dr. Julio Voltarelli, professor of Clinical Medicine and Clinical Immunology at the University of Sao Pãulo, Brazil, and section editor for Cell Transplantation. "Due to their potential to also become other cell types such as neural cells, it will be interesting to see what future studies reveal about the possible uses of these cells."

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Print version ISSN 1678-7757

J. Appl. Oral Sci. vol.19 no.6 Bauru Nov./Dec. 2011

Differences Between Reported And Actual Restored Caries Lesion Depths: Results From The Dental PBRN

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Conclusion

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In vitro study of the effects of fluoride-releasing dental materials on remineralization in an enamel erosion model

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Conclusions

A practice-based study on the effect of a short sucrose/xylitol exposure on survival of primary teeth caries free

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Effect of vegetable oil (Brazil nut oil) and mineral oil (liquid petrolatum) on dental biofilm control

Brazilian Oral Research

Print version ISSN 1806-8324

Braz. oral res. vol.25 no.6 São Paulo Nov./Dec. 2011

http://dx.doi.org/10.1590/S1806-83242011000600014

Landmark identification errors on cone-beam computed tomography-derived cephalograms and conventional digital cephalograms

American Journal of Orthodontics & Dentofacial OrthopedicsVolume 140, Issue 6 , Pages e289-e297, December 2011

Introduction

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Implications of caries diagnostic strategies for clinical management decisions

Repairing Spinal Cord Injury With Dental Pulp Stem Cells

Associations between sleep-disordered breathing symptoms and facial and dental morphometry, assessed with screening examinations

American Journal of Orthodontics & Dentofacial OrthopedicsVolume 140, Issue 6 , Pages 762-770, December 2011

Introduction

Methods

Results

Conclusions

DentalEZ® Group Updates its Identafi® Website with Free Marketing Kit for Clinicians

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