NEW YORK (Reuters Health), Dec 2 – In middle-aged adults, gum disease goes hand in hand with the metabolic syndrome, U.K. researchers report. “Further studies are required to test whether improvements in oral health could affect the onset/progression of the metabolic syndrome or vice versa,” Dr. Francesco D’Aiuto of the UCL Eastman Dental Institute in London, one of the researchers on the study, told Reuters Health. Metabolic syndrome is a
NEW YORK (Reuters Health), Dec 1 – People with gingivitis (gum disease) have worse mental function than their peers whose gums are in better shape, a new analysis of U.S. data shows. The findings raise the possibility that system-wide inflammation due to gum disease could have harmful effects on brain function. However, because the study only looked at a single time point it could not gauge whether or not there
Dental implant supplier Straumann is cutting back on production of its implant products in an effort to align manufacturing with slower market growth, the company announced. Throughout the past decade, Straumann has ramped up its global production capabilities to meet the strongly growing demand for dental implants worldwide, according to a press release. The company further expanded production capacity in the first half of this year to cater to what
Violins, cathedrals, waffle irons: they don’t make ’em like they used to. To that list, Jeff Brucia, D.D.S., co-director of the Foundation for Advanced Continuing Education (FACE), would add dental adhesives. “Apply the technique of the 1970s,” Dr. Brucia told an audience of 400 at the recent ADA annual meeting. “It’s not the coolest. It just works.” One goal of the seminar, titled “Restorative Materials Update 2008,” was to review
Individuals reporting a history of periodontal disease were more likely to have increased levels of inflammation, a risk factor for heart disease, compared to those who reported no history of periodontal disease, according to a study in the American Journal of Cardiology (December 1, 2008, Vol. 102:11, pp. 1509-1513). The findings of the study, led by investigators from Columbia University Medical Center and NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, suggest persons with increased levels
Herpesviruses have long been considered the culprits behind many oral diseases. Now a new study has found a link between endodontic disease and the Epstein-Barr virus. The discovery could lead to the development of new preventive and therapeutic treatments for some endodontic diseases. Epstein-Barr is a form of herpesvirus and a pathogen found in more than 90% of the world’s population. It is associated with many diseases, including infectious mononucleosis,
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has come out in support of claims that chewing gum containing xylitol can help reduce the risk of caries. Previously the EFSA and other regulatory bodies had only allowed sugar-free chewing gums to carry the claim “Does not promote tooth decay.” In an opinion issued last month, the EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies stated that, based upon its review of 60
A dentist from Texas A&M has invented a device that decreases pain for patients getting braces by locating the precise insertion spot for the miniscrews, according to a story in the Battalion, a student publication at the university. The Miniscrew Implant Placement Kit was created by Roberto Carrillo, D.D.S., of the A&M System’s Baylor College of Dentistry in Dallas. It is one of numerous ongoing projects from the A&M System’s
The New York State Dental Association (NYSDA) is criticizing New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s proposed closings of New York City Department of Health dental clinics, according to a press release. The closures, part of sweeping citywide cuts announced recently by the mayor, would impact 44 public health dental clinics serving 17,000 of the city’s neediest children. “Shutting down New York City’s dental program exhibits a lack of understanding of
Remedent has signed three new distribution agreements with Den-Mat Holdings: The distribution of Remedent’s Haptic Arm will enable Den-Mat to tap into Remedent’s veneer design software and its haptic design arm technology. An OEM branded agreement for Remedent’s teeth sensitivity product (Remesense) whereby Den-Mat will distribute the product to the U.S. marketplace under the name Lumisense. U.S. distribution of a new tray-based foam product, Lumiboost, for the maintenance of veneers
Ten years from now in a remote Arizona town, an unemployed single mother arrives in a clean, bright clinic. An hour later she leaves with her badly decayed tooth removed and her son’s cavity filled. It’s a scene that could play out today in any dental clinic in the U.S., with one key difference: There is no dentist in this office. Such visions of the future are tearing U.S. dentistry
NEW YORK (Reuters Health), Nov 14 – As prophylaxis against ventilator-associated pneumonia, the probiotic bacterium Lactobacillus plantarum 299 (Lp299) is as effective as the antiseptic chlorhexidine in reducing the pathogenic bacterial load in the oropharynx of tracheally intubated, mechanically ventilated, critically ill patients, results of a pilot study indicate. In the study, 50 critically ill patients on mechanical ventilation were randomly assigned to standard oral mechanical cleansing followed by washing
