Tooth Patch May Aid Whitening

Written by Dentistry TodayThursday, 27 September 2012 12:21



A tooth patch may be just what many people are looking for to improve their smile.

Japanese scientists have come up with a tooth patch that could be applied to make one’s teeth whiter. The patch could also aid people that suffer from any type of tooth sensitivity.

The sheet, which is just 0.004 mm, is made of hydroxyapatite, the main mineral in tooth enamel.

To formulate the patch, lasers were pointed at compressed blocks of the mineral in a vacuum to make individual particles pop out. The particles then fell onto a separate block of salt. This was later heated to crystallize the components.

After the salt cube was dissolved in water, the dried tooth patch was left.

The patch is also invisible, so people wouldn’t notice it when it’s in the mouth. The patch, however, can take an extensive period time of time—possibly a full day—to stick to the teeth in an optimal fashion.









The patch won’t be ready for usage for a while, however. It will be at least three years before the patch could even be used for cosmetic purposes.

People Prefer Perfect Smile Over Perfect Body

Written by Dentistry TodayThursday, 27 September 2012 12:41



People would rather have a great smile than be in great shape.

The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry conducted a study regarding this issue and found an overwhelming majority opted for the smile.

There were 80 percent of American adults who said they would spend money to fix a flaw due to aging. Among these people, 62 percent said they would choose to improve the quality of their teeth while 48 percent stated that they would devote the money toward weight loss.

About 45 percent of Americans think a smile can successfully battle the effects of aging. The second choice for defying age was a person’s eyes, and 34 percent of the people believed that option. Only 10 percent of the people surveyed thought body shape could defy age, while 6 percent said hair and 5 percent said legs.

The study also showed that 54 percent of Americans older 50 thought that a smile could thwart the effects of aging. Just 38 percent of people ages 18 to 29 believe a smile can have that impact.

“A great smile is always in style, and these results prove it,” AACD President Dr. Ron Goodlin said. “Cosmetic dental professionals can rest assured that their services will be needed.”









The research for the study was done through Kelton Global and was scheduled in September, which is Healthy Aging Month. There were 1,018 adults who were 18 and older that took part in the study.

West Virginia Awards Grant to Raise Number of In-State Dentists

Written by Dentistry TodayMonday, 01 October 2012 08:49



West Virginia is doing its best to increase the number of dentists in the state.

West Virginia University’s School of Dentistry recently awarded a $1.5 million grant to the state. The goal is to entice the school’s graduates to practice dentistry in the state.

The grant will aid in the funding for loan repayment programs for West Virginia students who end up staying in state.

West Virginia already has a shortage of dentists. The problem is exacerbated by the fact that 35 percent of the state dental workforce is likely to retire during the next 10 years. Programs like this are the best way to add an influx of dentists.

Students at WVU had previously lobbied legislators for some type of loan repayment program.

Gum Problems, Erection Problems May be Related

Gum Problems, Erection Problems May be Related

Written by Dentistry TodayWednesday, 05 December 2012 10:44

Men in their 30s with inflamed gums may also have erection problems, according to a new study.

The study appeared in the Journal of Sexual Medicine. The correlation involving inflamed gums and erection problems was shown to exist when the inflammation was caused by severe periodontal disease.

To compile the data, a group of Turkish researchers analyzed information about 80 men ages 30 to 40 with erectile dysfunction and compared the results to 82 men without any erection problems.

The information showed that about 53 percent of the men with erectile dysfunction had inflamed gums while only 23 percent of the men with without erectile dysfunction had inflamed gums.

When other factors were taken into account, such as age, body mass index, education, etc. the men with severe periodontal disease were 3.29 times more likely to have erection problems when compared to men with healthy gums.

The average age of the men in the study was just under 36 and there weren’t many differences in the other factors that could have had an impact on the study participants. Their sexual function was determined by utilizing the International Index of Erectile Function and gum health was based on the plaque index, bleeding on probing, probing depth and clinical attachment level.

Erectile dysfunction and chronic periodontitis have similar risk factors, which could explain the results of the survey. This study explored men ages 30 to 40 to analyze the impact of chronic periodontitis on erectile dysfunction without being affected by aging

Fluoridation Issue Pops Up Again in Florida

Fluoridation Issue Pops Up Again in Florida

Written by Dentistry TodayThursday, 06 December 2012 12:15

An area of Florida will begin to fluoridate its water again.

Pinellas County in Florida finally came to this conclusion after a heated public debate, grassroots education and advocacy from dentists, and voters’ rejection of two previous county commissioners. That’s all it took for the Pinellas County Commission to vote, 6-1, in favor of reinstating fluoridation to the county’s roughly 700,000 residents. The decision was made after three hours of public testimony for and against fluoridation.

The water fluoridation will take effect in March.

The issue began in October 2011 after the commission voted, 4-3, against fluoridating water. The original goal was to cut costs for the county but it developed into a debate about fluoridation.

Each side made its opinion heard, with dentists and dental societies in the area starting a grassroots program to inform people about fluoridation.

The tide turned in favor of fluoridating water when Republicans Nancy Bostock and Neil Brickfield lost their seats in the county commission to Democrats Charlie Justice and Janet Long. It was only a matter of time before the previous vote against fluoridation was overturned.

The issue will likely turn out as something beneficial for Pinellas County. The people are now more educated about the impact of fluoridation than they previously were. The debate about the positive or negative impact of fluoridation will continue for some people but the residents of Pinellas County don’t have to worry about it for now.

Periodontitis may be Preventable

Periodontitis may be Preventable




Written by Dentistry TodayFriday, 07 December 2012 16:50



There could be a new method to stop periodontitis.

By blocking a molecular receptor that is usually targeted by bacteria, scientists from the University of Pennsylvania have shown the ability to prevent periodontitis in a mouse model. They also demonstrated the ability to stop the progression of the disease once it has already begun developing.

The study appeared in the Journal of Immunology.

Previous research showed that Porphyromonas gingivalis, which is the bacterium that causes periodontitis, basically hijacks a receptor on white blood cells. The receptor, C5aR, is part of the complement system, which is also part of the immune system that aids in fighting infection.

There were several other studies that enabled these researchers to come to their conclusion. These studies confirmed the idea that the C5aR receptor could be successful in curbing all types of periodontitis, not just the form that includes P. gingivalis.

More tests will be conducted on mice and other animals to make sure the results would have the same impact on humans.

Gum Disease During Pregnancy May Stem from Higher Estrogen Levels

Written by Dentistry TodayWednesday, 09 January 2013 16:52



There may be a clear reason why there as an increase in gum disease risk for pregnant women: higher estrogen levels.

A research team recently concluded that women are at increased risk of gum disease when estrogen levels are raised. Regardless of trimester, the study found pregnant women are at a higher risk for gum disease based on estrogen levels.

The increased risk of developing gum disease for pregnant women is not a new fact. The impact of estrogen, however, on gum disease risk was is still a relatively unknown factor. This University of Helsinki study explored the possible impact of hormones on gum disease.

If proven to be definitively true, this information could be vital in the way pregnant women are treated regarding their oral health. It’s even more essential for pregnant women to visit the dentist regularly compared to everyone else.

If gum disease persists in a pregnant woman, the results could be disastrous, with issues like premature birth and complications during labor, among others.