Sometimes kids trip and fall, and their teeth take the hit. Nearly half of children suffer some injury to a tooth during childhood. When that trauma affects an immature permanent tooth, it can hinder blood supply and root development, resulting in what is essentially a “dead” tooth. Until now, the standard of care has entailed a procedure called apexification that encourages further root development, but it does not replace the

Periodontal disease is a growing public health issue in the United States as the nation’s population ages, yet it’s underdiagnosed and undertreated. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 47 percent of adults aged 30 years and older and 79 percent of adults 65 years and older have some form of periodontal disease. Researchers from Regenstrief Institute and Indiana University School of Dentistry have developed computer

To pull or not to pull? That is a common question when patients have the potentially dangerous combination of abscessed or infected teeth and the need for heart surgery. In such cases, problem teeth often are removed before surgery, to reduce the risk of infections including endocarditis, an infection of the inner lining of the heart that can prove deadly. But Mayo Clinic research suggests it may not be as

Researchers at Umeå University in Sweden have made a novel discovery connecting genetic innate immunity deficiencies to rampant caries and increased risk of dental caries affecting about one in five children. The results could lead to a better way of identifying high-risk patients and treat their caries. The study has been published in the journal EBioMedicine. In a five-year study, in which saliva and isolated bacterial strains from a large number

Different methods of cooking vegetables could vary their effects on dental erosion, a study by researchers at the University of Dundee has found. A research team led by Dr Graham Chadwick in the School of Dentistry have investigated whether the method of cooking a popular vegetarian dish, Ratatouille, would have any impact on the acidity of the food, and therefore the potential for contributing to dental erosion. Their research found that, however

Almost everyone experiences tooth decay (caries), it seems, making this among the most common conditions caused by bacterial infection. The costs of treating this condition are among the highest for bacterial conditions. However, the problem with treating dental decay is that it comes back again. Tel Aviv scientists have now discovered that certain novel materials have powerful antibacterial properties which can be harnessed in restorative dental fillings, to prevent recurrent tooth decay.

BioMers Pte Ltd, a portfolio company of Nanostart AG, has announced the initial market launch of its new flagship product line, the SimpliClear™ Full orthodontic system. These completely translucent dental braces may be used to treat patients even with severe misalignment of teeth which has, until now, only been possible with unsightly metal braces. “Earlier this year, we launched SimpliClear™ Express, which was suitable for limited cases, such as orthodontic

A medical device case study: UCL researchers and dental materials manufacturer collaborate to speed up the development of a new dental filling material for children.   The phase out of mercury in dental fillings to reduce mercury exposure and pollution began in 2018, with the ban of silver coloured amalgam in children under 15. The current filling alternative exists as an invasive process involving drilling and discomfort for children under local

KAIST researchers used atomic force microscopy to quantitatively evaluate how acidic and sugary drinks affect human tooth enamel at the nanoscale level. This novel approach is useful for measuring mechanical and morphological changes that occur over time during enamel erosion induced by beverages. Enamel is the hard-white substance that forms the outer part of a tooth. It is the hardest substance in the human body, even stronger than bone. Its

The rising prevalence of dental erosion and dentin hypersensitivity has led to the emergence of more and more toothpastes on the market that claim to treat these problems. While no such toothpaste existed 20 years ago, today, many brands with different attributes are being offered. However, a study conducted at the University of Bern in Switzerland with the participation of a researcher supported by a scholarship from the São Paulo

New research from the University of Bristol shows that admissions for the surgical treatment of dental abscess have doubled in the last ten years despite the fact that these serious infections are preventable with regular dental care. The findings, published in the British Medical Journal today, could reflect a decline of oral health, changes in access to dental treatment or changes in attitudes to dental care. The analysis was conducted by Dr

Children in care, including those in foster and residential care, have double the rates of urgent dental treatment and are half as likely to attend dental services as the general child population. Children in care are also twice as likely to have a tooth extraction under general anaesthetic. A new study led by the University of Glasgow and published in the journal Archives of Disease in Childhood, has found that there are