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.

Dos and don’ts for increasing production: Promote your services to grow your practice

According to the Levin Group Data Center, only 20% of general practitioner procedures are elective. Most offices need to include a greater level of elective care to increase production annually. The higher the levels of elective care, the higher the profitability. Highlight whitening. Even in a slow economy, teeth-whitening procedures continue to gain in popularity. Many patients have used some form of over-the-counter tooth whitening products. Practices can add value

VA demonstrates fluoride’s prevention value

It seems like a common sense approach. Fluoride, however maligned in some circles, has benefits for teeth in ways that are supported by science. Now, a new retrospective longitudinal analysis examining performance measures (PM) for appropriate fluoride use has gauged its effectiveness in preventing restorative work for patients at a high risk for caries. The study, developed by the staff of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Office of

Study: Fluoridating water does not lower IQ

A study by New Zealand researchers has found that fluoridating water does not adversely affect children’s mental development and adult IQ. Their findings were published in the American Journal of Public Health (May 15, 2014). The researchers followed nearly all aspects of the health and development of approximately 1,000 people born in Dunedin in southeast New Zealand in 1972-1973, up to age 38. They were testing the claim that exposure

Conn. dentist has license suspended after patient dies

A Connecticut dentist has had his license suspended for not monitoring a sedated patient who died after he allegedly ignored repeated warnings by dental assistants about the patient’s falling oxygen levels. Health and dental commission officials suspended the license of Enfield dentist Rashmi Patel, DDS, on April 14 for improperly delegating conscious sedation to dental assistants and failing to timely replace expired medications. Dr. Patel also failed to properly address and/or

NSU dental professor gets patent for new bonding technology

A dental professor at the Nova Southeastern University (NSU) College of Dental Medicine has secured a U.S. patent for developing a surface modification technology to promote chemical bonding between high-performance ceramic materials, such as alumina and zirconia; biological materials, such as tooth structures; and synthetic materials, such as dentures and crowns. Jeffrey Thompson, PhD, a professor of prosthodontics and director of the Biosciences Research Center at NSU’s dental school, and