People with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) appear more alert, youthful and attractive after two months of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) therapy, according to a new study in Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine (September 15, 2013, Vol. 9:9, pp. 845-852). Researchers at the University of Michigan studied 20 adults with OSA and excessive daytime sleepiness. Digital photos of their faces were taken with a 3D camera before and after at
An orthodontist summoned before the Arkansas State Board of Examiners last week is defending his offering of prophylaxes at one of his practices, saying it is within the realm of his specialty and not a violation of the state’s Dental Practice Act. During an hour-long session with the dental board on September 13, Ben Burris, DDS, MDS, said the service, which is performed by staff hygienists, is helping to address
Nasseo’s TiArray dental implant system has received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). It is the first commercial application of Nasseo’s proprietary surface modification technology, which was initially developed over eight years out of the bioengineering department and the materials science and engineering department at the University of California, San Diego and the Bio-Implant Laboratory at Lund University. Existing implant surface modifications focus on grit-blasting techniques
Patients with more dental caries are less likely to be diagnosed with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) than patients with fewer or no caries, according to a new study in JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery (September 12, 2013). The findings suggest for the first time an independent association between dental caries and HNSCC, the researchers noted. “Dental caries results from demineralization of teeth by lactic acid produced from
While researchers and clinicians have long known about an association between two prevalent chronic inflammatory diseases, periodontal disease and rheumatoid arthritis, the microbiological mechanisms remain unclear. Now researcher Jan Potempa, PhD, DSc, from the University of Louisville School of Dentistry Oral Health and Systemic Diseases Group, and an international team of scientists from the European Union’s Gums and Joints project have uncovered how the bacterium responsible for periodontal disease, Porphyromonas
The percentage of U.S. middle and high school students who use electronic cigarettes more than doubled from 2011 to 2012, according to data published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Morbidity and Mortality Report, September 6, 2013). The findings, from the National Youth Tobacco Survey, show that the percentage of high school students who reported ever using an e-cigarette rose from 4.7% in 2011 to 10% in 2012.
Northeastern University has unveiled a new initiative designed to integrate oral health into overall healthcare education and practice. The new initiative, Innovations in Interprofessional Oral Health Care: Technology, Instruction, Practice, Service, will be overseen by Maria Dolce, PhD, RN, an associate professor of nursing at Northeastern. It is being backed by funding from DentaQuest Foundation, according to a news story on the university’s website. “Our mission is to advance interprofessional
>Hundreds of citizens of Toronto reportedly plan to peacefully assemble at Toronto City Hall on September 21 to show their support for ending water fluoridation in Toronto. So far, more than 300 people have confirmed their attendance on the End Fluoride Toronto Facebook page, and more than 900 have signed an online petition, the organization stated in a press release. The chemical used to fluoridate Toronto’s tap water is hydrofluorosilicic
The VELscope is well-known as a noninvasive fluorescence tool used to detect tissue abnormalities in the oral cavity, including precancerous lesions. Now a new study has found that it may also be useful in the treatment of osteonecrosis of the jaw induced by bisphosphonates (BRONJ) (Journal of Carnio-Maxillofacial Surgery, September 4, 2013). Researchers from the University of Hamburg investigated 20 patients for 18 months, all of whom were presented to
The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, a division of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), has awarded NeoStem funds for the second year of a two-year, $1.2 million grant for its Repair of Bone Defects with Human Autologous Pluripotent Very Small Embryonic-Like Stem Cells (VSEL) study. This peer-reviewed grant is to support a phase II investigation and first approved NIH clinical study of VSELs in humans. Enrollment for
Daimer Industries, a supplier of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-compliant antimicrobial steam cleaner vacuum machines, is now selling the KleenJet Mega 500VP – ATIS, an antibacterial vacuum steam cleaner for dental offices. The steam cleaner comes with Daimer’s advanced thermal ionic sanitization (ATIS) technology, which eliminates up to 99.99% of germs and disease-causing bacteria and mold, according to the company. The multifunctional steam cleaner also features Daimer’s water filtration and
The findings of a recent survey of the oral health needs of vulnerable older adults living in Connecticut show that many are not receiving the dental care they need and untreated caries is a significant problem, especially for residents of long-term care facilities. In 2012, state health offices surveyed two population groups — residents of long-term care facilities and adults attending federally subsidized congregate meal sites — to assess the
