Week in Review: U.S. seniors lack dental coverage; implant surfaces; and pulp biomarkers

Dear DrBicuspid Member, Season’s greetings from all of us at HuangshanDental.com. A new study analyzed access to dental care for Medicare beneficiaries, and the findings don’t look good. Only about 10% of older U.S. adults have dental insurance, and, of those who do, they still pay half of all their dental costs out of pocket. Read more and see our infographic here. Also this week on HuangshanDental.com, what makes an

Which treatments are most effective for caries prevention?

How effective are various treatments for caries prevention such as fluoride varnishes and pit-and-fissure sealants? The authors of a new study reviewed high-level evidence on caries prevention and reached some intriguing conclusions. They analyzed data from systematic reviews written in English of caries prevention treatments and published from 2002 through 2015. They summarized their findings for interventions, including topical fluoride treatments, sealants, fluoridated food, and fluoridation of water supplies, in

Biomarkers show promise for pulpitis diagnosis

Biomarkers found in pulp have the potential to improve the accuracy of the diagnosis and treatment of pulpitis, according to a new study. This may be a step toward development of a chairside test to alert patients and practitioners to the presence of inflammation. The researchers examined published studies to determine if measurements of various biomarkers in irreversible pulpitis were different compared with nondiseased conditions. Their results were published in

Nanostructures appear to determine implant performance

Differences between implant surfaces at the nanoscale level appear to at least partially determine which have a higher chance of success after an implant procedure, according to a new study. The research may lead to implants that better adhere to bone and soft tissue. Previous research has shown that the SLActive surface on titanium (Ti) and titanium-zirconium (TiZr) alloy implants made by Straumann performs better than the company’s implants with

Week in Review: EPA issues amalgam rules; Calif. pediatric sedation changes; and hygiene production

Dear DrBicuspid Member, The biggest news of the week came at its close, as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced finalized standards to reduce the discharge of mercury and other metals in wastewater from dental practices into municipal sewage treatment plants. Our coverage includes statements from the ADA and the California Dental Association. Read more here. Spurred to action by the death last year of a 6-year-old boy under

New product: TJA Health launches mouthrinse

TJA Health has introduced a new remineralizing and whitening mouthrinse. The Plaque HD remineralizing mouthrinse strengthens and remineralizes tooth enamel and also whitens teeth, according to the company. The product includes baking soda, xylitol, natural mints, tea tree oil and other natural oils, and aloe extract. It does not contain fluoride or alcohol. The mouthrinse will be available for purchase in January on the company’s website.

Is digital or conventional technique better for marginal fit?

When it comes to fitting a restoration, the combination of an intraoral scanner and a CAD/CAM system offers a simplified production process compared with the conventional impression technique. But do restorations produced in this manner offer a comparable result to those produced using the conventional method? That is the question researchers from Austria and Switzerland sought to answer in a study published in BMC Oral Health (December 8, 2016). They

EPA finalizes dental amalgam rules

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has finalized standards to reduce the discharge of mercury and other metals in wastewater from dental practices into municipal sewage treatment plants. While the rule will go into effect soon, the compliance date for most practices is not until the end of 2019. The EPA noted that these regulations don’t apply to many offices and were based on water treatment practices recommended by the

Review: Reasons for composite failure have changed

Has the failure rate of direct resin composite restorations in vital posterior teeth improved over the last decade or decreased? Researchers from Australia examined this important clinical question in a new literature review. Researchers led by Negin Alvanforoush, DDS, studied the question in a literature review published in the Australian Dental Journal (November 16, 2016). With direct composite restorations becoming more popular, clinical data on what makes these restorations succeed

Utah kids score poorly on oral healthcare

Significant numbers of Utah elementary schoolchildren have experience with cavities or have untreated dental decay requiring immediate care, according to the results of a new study. Many children are also lacking dental insurance or have not received required dental care because their parents could not afford it. These are the results of the latest survey of children between the ages of 6 and 9 conducted by the Utah Department of

Alcohol, cigarettes are risk factors for bruxism

When patients report smoking cigarettes or frequently drinking alcohol, you probably automatically think of their increased risk for caries and periodontal disease. However, you may want to also check for bruxism during your exam. A new study found those who smoke cigarettes and binge drink have an increased risk for sleep bruxism. The study authors hope dentists will use their findings to screen at-risk patients for the condition, which can

Can diet really reduce gum disease?

We, as practitioners, have to keep up with many clinical journals. Sometimes it seems like there’s not enough time to keep up with research in our own field, much less that outside our specialty. But, when performed properly, clinical research can present knowledge or proof that was previously unknown. Below, I describe two clinical research papers that have offered knowledge and proof that was previously unknown about gum disease. One