Researchers use laser to trigger stem cells to form dentin

A multidisciplinary research team has become the first to use a low-power laser (LPL) to trigger stem cells inside the body to regenerate tissue. The researchers triggered dental stem cells to form dentin, and published their findings in Science Translational Medicine (May 28, 2014, Vol. 6:238, p. 238ra69). They outlined the precise molecular mechanism involved and demonstrated its ability using multiple laboratory and animal models. Their work may result in

Diatech partners with Colldent to sell Phocal fluoride disks

Diatech has partnered with Colldent to sell Phocal fluoride disks in its newly relaunched Hygienist Choice division. Phocal disks are designed to help prevent and treat interproximal caries. They deliver site-specific fluoride to prevent decay, arrest the progress of incipient caries, and enhance remineralization at natural interproximal tooth sites and tooth-restoration margins between teeth, according to Diatech. The thin, round Phocal disks can easily be inserted between the teeth to

Altarum Institute gets $9.4M for Mich. kids’ oral health

The Altarum Institute has received a $9.4 million award from the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation to reduce childhood dental disease in Michigan. The award is focused on children from birth to age 17 who are enrolled in Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program, according to the institute. Combined, these two insurance programs cover nearly half of Michigan’s children. Altarum, in collaboration with the University of Michigan School

Leaders in Dentistry: Dr. Edward H. Moody Jr.

HuangshanDental.com is pleased to present the next installment of Leaders in Dentistry, a series of interviews with researchers, practitioners, and opinion leaders who are instrumental in changing the practice of dentistry. As president-elect of the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), Edward H. Moody Jr., DDS, of Morristown, TN, is one of the leaders of an organization dedicated to improving the oral care of children. But rather than trying to

RAW helps wounded veterans rebuild their oral health

Recent news about the care of U.S. veterans has revealed long-term institutional issues. For the more than 40,000 wounded veterans returning from Afghanistan and Iraq, the problems they face involve more than just readjusting to home life. And while all veterans deserve the best care, oral health issues in these returning warriors are sometimes neglected. Rebuilding America’s Warriors (RAW), an organization based in California but dedicated to nationwide treatment, is

Complement inhibitor treatment shows promise for periodontitis

University of Pennsylvania researchers have found a promising new treatment for periodontitis using a component of the immune system called complement, according to a new study in the Journal of Immunology (May 7, 2014). Nearly half of all U.S. adults have periodontitis, and 8.5% of these adults have a severe form that can increase the risk of heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, and pregnancy complications, according to a university press release.

Delta Dental of Minn. awards $561K grant for kids’ oral healthcare

The Delta Dental of Minnesota Foundation has given Rice Regional Dental Clinic at Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar a $561,000 grant that will expand access to oral healthcare for very young children. “This three-year project will significantly improve the oral health of the youngest and most vulnerable children in the 17-county service area,” said Linda Jackson, DDS, director of the Rice Regional Dental Clinic, in a press release. The idea

Memorial Day

Many have lost friends, family and people we loved or have come to appreciate. Countries from all over the world have fought in countless wars; these wars have change history or have changed our lives. Have you ever lost someone special? A person that meant so mucho to you, that when he/she is gone you felt devastated? It is possible that all of us have experience something similar; but all

Red wine shows antimicrobial effects on oral bacteria

European researchers have found that red wine and its inherent components display antimicrobial effects on oral bacteria biofilms, according to a new study in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry (April 29, 2014, Vol. 62:20, pp. 4731-4737). Previous research has suggested that polyphenols, grape seed extract, and wine can slow bacterial growth. For the current study, researchers from Spain and Switzerland used a five-species biofilm model of supragingival plaque

Doxepin rinse may help relieve oral mucositis pain

Doxepin rinse may prove to be an option to help relieve pain associated with oral mucositis in patients with head and neck cancers, according to a new study in the Journal of Clinical Oncology (April 14, 2014). A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was done by the Alliance for Clinical Trials in Oncology cooperative group, which enrolled 155 patients being treated at 26 U.S. cancer centers between December 2010 and May

i-CAT releases new version of treatment planning software

i-CAT has released an enhanced version of its treatment planning software, Tx Studio 5.3. The new version is fully integrated and exclusively for the family of i-CAT cone-beam 3D imaging products. The software offers treatment tools for dentists and specialists working with implants, airway, temporomandibular joint disorders, orthodontics, and surgical procedures, according to the company. It also has number of new tools to precisely plan an entire implant treatment —

Study: Periodontal bacteria may cause heart disease

The same bacteria that cause periodontitis also promote heart disease, according to a University of Florida (UF) study. This discovery could change the way heart disease is diagnosed and treated, the researchers noted. The study was presented on May 18 at the American Society for Microbiology general meeting in Boston. “We report evidence that introduction of oral bacteria into the bloodstream in mice increased risk factors for atherosclerotic heart disease.