New Nanocrystals Improve Dentures

Written by Dentistry TodayMonday, 09 January 2012 16:38



A new glass ceramic has been created that will be beneficial to dentistry.

A research team at the Otto-Schott Institute for Glass Chemistry generated a new glass structure that would be ideal for dentures.

The strength of this new glass substance will be about five times stronger than similar denture ceramics, according to Dr. Christian Russel of the Friedrich Schiller University Jena in Germany.

This group has been developing high-density ceramics, but nothing that would be applicable for dentistry—until now.

The materials aren't supposed to look different than they would in natural teeth. The color is also vital, as is the look of the enamel.

To create the ideal substance for dentistry, it's essential that the glass ceramics are cooled at a certain temperature scheme. The materials are heated at 1,500°C before being cooled down. The glass is later melted and then cooled down. Any variation in the procedure would ruin the strength of the product.

There's still a lot of work to be done before the material will officially be unveiled for denture usage.

Dental Tourism Becomes Major Industry in Scotland

Written by Dentistry TodayTuesday, 10 January 2012 16:36



Dental tourism is now a big deal in Scotland.

With people looking to save money, people are flocking to Scotland for low-cost dental care. The wait time and high costs of dental treatment in other countries doesn’t exist in Scotland. Specifically, people from the United Kingdom are making these trips to cut costs.

Instead of travelling to Hungary for dental treatment, Scotland may become the new popular destination for dental care.

There are some people who are contacting dentists in Scotland and then choosing whether to travel to Scotland or Hungary.

In countries where cosmetic dentistry isn’t around or in small demand, this dental tourism may be vital. It can provide people with service they wouldn’t otherwise have access to.

As beneficial and cost-efficient as dental tourism may be, it’s still essential to do so some research before making the trip. If a procedure is messed up, you may end up paying more money in addition to suffering from some major health problems.

Dental Visits Essential to Healthy Life

Written by Dentistry TodayThursday, 12 January 2012 08:44



Despite the poor economy, there are some areas in which costs can't be cut.

One of them is dental coverage. Maintaining good oral health leads to having solid overall health.

There are no concrete statistics on the dwindling number of people visiting the dentist but many studies indicate people are visiting the dentist less often. Gallup-Healthways surveyed about 177,000 Americans from January through June 2011 and found that 35 percent of Americans didn't visit the dentist in the last 12 months.

There are plenty of issues that could develop without regular dentist visits. Plaque and tartar may build up and turn into tooth decay, among other issues.

Saving money now by skipping dental visits will result in paying more later. When a tooth begins to decay, it won't heal without any dental treatment—and sometimes it's even too late for the dentist to fix the problem.

A person may also be suffering from oral cancer or jaw diseases and not know it without visiting the dentist. There's a plethora of other health problems that may develop because of an oral health problem.

That's why it's vital for people to minimize consumption of sugary foods and beverages. Water is the best drink to enable this to happen.

Brushing and flossing between dental visits are also essential functions for maintaining oral health.

Dentists Play Pivotal Role in Looking for Oral Cancer

Written by Dentistry TodayTuesday, 10 April 2012 10:51



Regular dental visits may be the best way to detect oral cancer, according to the Academy of General Dentistry.

It’s best for people to visit a dentist once every six months based on the recommendation of the Academy of General Dentistry. This issue is being discussed now because April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month.

A dentist may check for lumps or obscure tissue changes in the neck area, head, cheeks and oral cavity. The dentist will also look to see if there are any sores or tissues that are discolored.

More than 30,000 new cases of oral cancer are diagnosed in the United States each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More than 8,000 of those people die from oral cancer. The five-year survival rate from oral cancer stands at 50 percent.

Like many forms of cancer, the key in treating oral cancer is diagnosing it early enough before it spreads.

Some of the warning signs include bleeding sores in the mouth, sores that don’t heal, lumps in the mouth, a feeling that something is caught in the throat, trouble chewing or swallowing, and many other symptoms. The worries associated with these symptoms can be eased by simply visiting the dentist on a regular basis.

Women in 40s Impacted by Dental Phobia

Written by Dentistry TodayFriday, 13 April 2012 07:25



Women older than 40 are often scared to visit the dentist.

A University of Sydney study came to this conclusion after conducting research among a wide range of age groups. The research had been happening for five years. The conclusion was that women in the 40-plus age range had the greatest chance to be struck by depression and anxiety regarding dental visits.

The study also determined that 40 percent of people in the western world experience some type of fear when visiting the dentist.

The study analyzed the differences among the people who didn’t have a fear of the dentist and people who feared the dentist among patients in Australia in reference to how long they would wait before contacting the dentist. People without a fear of the dentist generally waited 3 days before contacting the dentist about a problem. The people who feared dental visits waited about 17 days before calling the dentist.

There are other studies, like one that the Columbia University College of Dental Medicine did, that indicated that around 30 to 40 million Americans don’t go to the dentist. These people will do anything to avoid going to the dentist because of their fear.

New Test Could Enable Dentists to Detect Oral Cancer Faster

Written by Dentistry TodayTuesday, 17 April 2012 15:20



It’s possible that it may take only 20 minutes to diagnose oral cancer.

The new test involves the dentist collecting stem cells from the patients’ mouths and then utilizing a computer program to analyze the diagnosis one way or the other. The whole process takes 20 minutes, light years ahead of the current methods, which include taking a biopsy and then awaiting the results from a lab. The results may not be in for roughly two to three weeks.

Researchers from the University of Sheffield in the United Kingdom and researchers from Rice University have been working on a two-year trial. If the trial is a success, the new method will first be utilized in the UK.

The test uses small sensors and biologic agents that are attached to a portable machine. The actual testing device, known as lab on a chip, is about the size of a credit card. The test can be used in dental practices, providing dentists with the opportunity to test for oral cancer at their practice. The patients wouldn’t have to be anxious about the results for a period weeks and, instead, could learn the results that day.

There are 275 people who have signed up for the trial in the UK. There were 20 of those patients that tested positive for oral cancer and didn’t know they had the disease. The current rate of survival for oral cancer (50 percent) may receive a huge increase because of this test. Early treatment of oral cancer can result in about a 90-percent survival rate.

Professor Martin Thornhill, one of the leaders of the study, thinks the test will become a standard part of dentistry in the UK during the next five years. The test is useful because it can test patients who come in for a basic dental checkup or those patients that have an ulcer, a lesion or some reason to suspect they may have oral cancer. Oral cancer can be confirmed or ruled out in a matter of minutes based on this test.

Controversy Over Proposed Dental Legislation in N.C.

Written by Dentistry TodayTuesday, 05 June 2012 15:34



Legislation has been proposed in North Carolina that will revamp the regulations for dental treatment. Many people are divided on how the impact will be felt.

The purpose of the bill, according to legislators, is to regulate companies in the way billing is handled between dental management companies and the dentist. This issue came to the forefront because some of the dental management companies allegedly profited from some treatment in recent years instead of performing only necessary dental work that was in the best interest of the patient. If these allegations are true, the taxpayers end up paying more money than they should be paying.

There are laws in North Carolina and many other states that prohibit corporate dentistry for that reason. Changes have been made in other states already, like Texas.

Many dentists associated with the North Carolina Dental Society are in favor of the bill because they feel the state dental board should pay closer attention to billing to make sure dentists only bill for necessary treatment.

Many other people, including some of the investors of the dental companies, are doing everything to prevent the bill from passing. They held a news conference outside of the Legislative Building to oppose the bill and have raised money for a campaign against the bill.

Both sides have sponsored commercials about the issue.

The bill has not yet taken effect and the issue is still ongoing.

Laser Treatment May Significantly Aid Gum Disease Patients

Written by Dentistry TodayWednesday, 06 June 2012 15:29



People with gum disease may not have to deal with all of the headaches associated with the condition.

A new treatment the utilized water and laser technology may be on the way. The treatment includes spraying a combination of water and air through a handpiece while the lasers are directed toward the mouth.

The lasers generate an explosion from the water molecules, which demolishes the diseased tissue. That tissue is then removed. The lasers don't come into any contact with the body, making the process painless. There is also no anesthetic involved.

This type of treatment may also be used for teeth whitening, removal of decayed tooth tissue and extractions.

Gum disease impacts roughly 90 percent of people at some point in their lives, with many cases being minor. The other 10 percent of people would be considered susceptible to the disease.

The current treatment for gum disease is generally complex and requires many visits. In some cases, surgery is necessary.

Debate About Dental Therapists’ Qualifications Rages On

Written by Dentistry TodayThursday, 07 June 2012 14:52



More people are starting to visit dental therapists for dental treatment as opposed to seeing a dentist. But is that a good thing?

Since roughly 17 million people don’t see a dentist each year—according to the Pew Charitable Trust—the market for dental therapists has opened. They can’t perform all of the procedures that dentists can, but the cost could be significantly lower in some cases.

Alaska was the first state to set up a dental therapy program, having done so in 2005. Minnesota passed legislation in 2008 that opened up the possibility for dental therapists to treat patients. California, Oregon, Connecticut and New Hampshire are looking at similar legislation.

Evidence doesn’t suggest that an influx of dental therapists causes dentists to lose business based on the fact that there is a wide array of procedures that dental therapists cannot perform.

According to the American Dental Association, however, flooding the market with more people that can provide basic dental care isn’t the answer to helping more people receive treatment. Informing people about the importance of maintaining good oral health is the answer.

Still, dental therapists have an important role to fill in remote areas where there is a lack of dentists or no dentists at all. It’s too be determined, however, how the roles of dentists and dental therapists will impact each other and dental patients in the future.

Dental Phobia Poses Problems for Many

Written by Dentistry TodayFriday, 13 July 2012 10:35



There are many reasons why people don't visit the dentist. A fear of the dentist is a major one.

Dental phobia could prevent some people from going for a routine dental visit for years. The result is obviously poor oral health. A small problem often turns in a larger one that could have easily been prevented.

For some, a bad experience as a child may have set them on the path toward fearing future visits.

But this issue can be fixed for many people based on the advances in many dental offices. There are many techniques and tools in modern dental offices that can alleviate fear. There are also various anesthetics and anti-anxiety drugs available to ease one's nerves.

There are even some dentists that give the patients the ability to say when they want to start and stop treatment after explaining exactly what will be done. This allows the patient to believe they are in control, a feeling many feel they don't possess during a dental visit.

There are even some dentists who could be considered dental phobic specialists, enabling them to work with a patient to overcome his or her dental phobia.

Based on all of these innovations, there should be fewer people who fear dental visits. Lowering the amount of people that fear dental visits would be a big step for more people to maintain solid oral health.

BPA Fillings Could Lead to Increased Risk of Behavioral Issues

Written by Dentistry TodayWednesday, 18 July 2012 11:17



Bisphenol A fillings may have some unintended results.

A new study indicates that BPA fillings may be linked to behavioral problems in children. The research showed that children who had some type of dental fillings made from BPA had a higher chance to encounter some type of behavioral or emotional problem.

The research did not take into account the level of BPA in the fillings. There was no research done on some of the other chemicals that may have been present in the fillings, either.

The study was done, according to lead researcher Nancy Maserejian of the New England Research Institutes in Waretown, Mass., because the leaching process of chemicals from fillings is a hot-button issue in dentistry.

BPA fillings are becoming more prevalent because of their color, which blends in with teeth. BPA, however, is also a substance utilized in the manufacturing of packaging materials and tinned items.

The researchers poured through data of 534 children ages 6 through 10 who had some type of amalgam or composite filling. BPA was utilized in one of the two newer kinds of fillings.

Five years after the receiving the filling, the parents answered questions about their child’s behavior and attitude, in addition to school and any feelings of anxiety/depression. The researchers concluded that children with BPA fillings had a higher point score on average (signifying behavioral issues).

The research also concluded that children with fillings on chewing surfaces of their teeth also had a higher point score. The possible leaching of chemicals in this case may come from the constant chewing and grinding of the teeth.

Americans Aren’t Knowledgeable About Oral Health

Written by Dentistry TodayWednesday, 18 July 2012 14:17



If it were up to the average American, oral health would be in a bad place right now.

A survey conducted by the American Dental Association indicates that the average American’s oral health knowledge earns a letter grade of D.

The results come from a recent ADA survey about how educated people are about their oral health.

The survey concluded that 90 percent of adults think it’s best to brush their teeth right after each meal. In actuality, a person should brush when they wake up and before going to sleep. If a person brushed after each meal, he or she could spread around the possible acidic food just consumed, which could damage the enamel.

The survey also showed that 65 percent of people believe they should change their toothbrush every six months. The ADA recommends changing your toothbrush every 3 to 4 months.

Roughly 75 percent of American adults were unaware of the time in which they should take their child for his or her first dental appointment. This is something that should be done when the child is a year old, according to the ADA. The survey also showed that people think flossing should be done twice per week. The ADA suggests flossing once per day.

Heartland Dental Looking for Buyer

Written by Dentistry TodayMonday, 10 September 2012 15:50



A dental company may be sold for in excess of $1 billion.

Heartland Dental Care, one of the largest practice management companies in the country, could be sold for as much as $1.4 billion, according to sources.

The company—which Chicago-based private equity firm CHS Capital Partners has a stake in—hired investment banks Jefferies and Moelis to find a buyer. It has mostly gotten interest for other buyout firms.

Heartland Dental has roughly $120 million in annual earnings before tax, deprecation and amortization.

The auction is in the second round and the final bids will happen in roughly one month.

Effingham, Ill.-based Heartland Dental manages more than 350 dental practices in 19 states. It provides dentists with essential administrative services like personnel staffing, purchasing, financial, marketing and technology support.







The company was founded by a dentist, Rick Workman.

Scientist Finds Way to Lower Bone Less, Inflammation Associated with Gum Disease

Written by Dentistry TodayTuesday, 11 September 2012 15:53



A University of Louisville scientist discovered a way to stop the inflammation and bone loss that come from gum disease.

The researcher, David Scott, successfully accomplished this by blocking the natural signaling pathway of the enzyme GSK3b. This enzyme is a key factor in leading the immune response.

The information appears on the Internet in the journal Molecular Medicine.

This research may not only be pivotal in stopping periodontal disease but it may also be helpful when it comes to other chronic inflammatory diseases. Since GSK3b is associated with numerous inflammatory signaling pathways, it also is a factor in many other diseases. Further tests are being conducted to determine its importance in Alzheimer’s disease, Type II diabetes and some forms of cancer.

This approach differs from the normal approach in handling periodontal disease because instead of preventing plaque at the gumline, this method targets the natural mechanism to limit inflammation.

SB216763 is the enzyme that stopped the inflammation process and eventual bone loss that normally stems from GSK3b.

The next part of this study includes whether or not SB216763 has any side effects or if something else needs to be discovered to thwart GSK3b.

Children in New Zealand Missing Out on Dental Care

Written by Dentistry TodayWednesday, 12 September 2012 15:49



Children in New Zealand aren’t taking advantage of free dental care.

The information was mentioned at World Oral Health Day. Many parents aren’t enabling their children to receive the dental treatment that is free for children under 18 in New Zealand.

It’s essential for children to receive necessary dental treatment to prevent problems from developing in the future. It’s also important because good oral health leads to good overall health.

Dental care in the country has been free for many years now. There is also a major investment program in the works that will further aid dental care in the country. It will update and improve the current dental care that’s available for all children and teenagers through age 18.







The state of oral health in New Zealand has gotten better during the last quarter century but this investment will take it to the next level.

Alcohol Can Have Disastrous Impact on Oral Health

Alcohol Can Have Disastrous Impact on Oral Health

Written by Dentistry TodayThursday, 15 November 2012 16:37

It’s not a stretch for oral cancer to develop after excessive alcohol consumption.

The Finnish Dental Association recently issued a warning about the danger of drinking alcohol and the adverse effect it may have on one’s oral health. According to recent data, around 400,000 to 600,000 people in Finland consume too much alcohol. Alcohol and smoking are two of the top risk factors for oral cancer.

Oral cancer can be extremely serious. It kills more people than cervical cancer and Hodgkin’s disease.

Alcohol’s danger stems from the fact that it enables more tobacco to be absorbed into bodily systems, which obviously is not a good thing for the body. Therefore, people who drink and smoke are at a higher risk for developing oral cancer than people who don’t smoke or drink.

In Finland, dentists are advising people to only drink alcohol in moderation to lower the risk of mouth cancer.

Parents Pass Fear of Dentist onto Children

Parents Pass Fear of Dentist onto Children

Written by Dentistry TodayFriday, 16 November 2012 15:53

Children may be afraid to visit the dentist thanks to their parents.

A new study indicates that when a person fears a dental visit, his or her children will also develop that fear. The research at the Rey Juan Carlos University of Madrid analyzed the role that parents played in some of the fears their children develop.

The study appeared in the International Journal of Pediatric Dentistry. It explored data from 183 children ages 7 to 12 and compared it to data from the children’s parents. The data confirmed the belief that the children had many of the same fears as their parents had.

The data showed that fathers play a large role in dental fears because they act as the mediating variable between the mother and the child. In other words, a child bases his or her dental fears on the way in which the father reacts to the situation. In this particular case, the transmission of fear from the mother to the child is impacted by the father’s reaction.

Based on this information, it would make sense to involve mothers and fathers in campaigns to prevent dental fears. It would also be key for a father to visit the dentist and show no signs of fear even if he is fearful.

When parents show composure regarding dental visits, they should have nothing to worry about when it comes time for their child to see the dentist

Disparity Exists in Dental Care in Taiwan

Disparity Exists in Dental Care in Taiwan

Written by Dentistry TodayMonday, 19 November 2012 16:35

People in rural locations often have more difficulty receiving dental treatment. That trend is happening at an alarming rate in Taiwan.

There are 13,000 dentists in Taiwan, with 2,800 practicing in Taipei. At the same time, there are 43 of 368 villages in the country that don't have a dentist.

The reason for this problem is simple: most dentists opt to stay in the more heavily populated areas. Roughly 20 percent of all dentists in the country are in Taipei.

A dentist in a rural area would have a disproportionate number of dentists when compared to a dentist in a more urban area.

Exacerbating the issue in the country is the fact that there are no age laws regarding retirement, so a dentist can work well into his or her 70s if he or she chooses to do so. The numbers indicate that roughly 300 dentists graduate from dental school each year while only 100 dentists retire. The impact could lower the quality of care in the sought-after urban dental practices.

The research also shows that more people in the country that are interested in a medical career are choosing dental school over medical schools because of the stabilized income, among other reasons.