What Are Direct and Indirect Pulp Caps?

An indirect pulp cap is usually done to take  the place of a root canal in very decayed teeth.  It is made when most of the decay on the permanent tooth is removed.  When a dentist finds extensive decay very close to the pulp (nerve,) the risk of the pulp exposition by the infected decay is high.  This infection will result in the need for a root canal.  In this case dentists leave the last little bit of decay in there and place a sedative temporary filling.  Usually Intermediate Restorative Material (IRM) is used as a temporary filling material until the patient is ready for a proper, more permanent restoration. 

Researches proved: professional tooth scaling reduces the risk of heart attacks and strokes

Professional tooth scaling was associated with fewer heart attacks and strokes in a study from Taiwan, presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2011.

More than 100,000 people took part in the seven year study. Gender, age, and health conditions were all considered when accepting the participants. One half of them had their teeth professionally scarped and cleaned at least once a year, the other half had no tooth scaling.
None of the participants had a history of heart attack or stroke at the beginning of the study. Weight, smoking, and race were not adjusted in this research as they were not included in the Taiwan National Health insurance data base – the source of the information for the analysis.

Study Says: Teeth Crowded In Seniors

The fact that the size of our jaws decreases with age is shown in a unique research study performed by the Faculty of Dentistry at Malmö University.  Actually, this study began more than 60 years ago.  Plaster molds were made of the jaws of dental students, who were then in their twenties and the procedure was then repeated every 10 years.  Forty years after the first molds, a final round was performed.

Lars Bondemark, Professor of Orthodontics, who analyzed the material together with his colleague Maria Nilner, Professor of Clinical Bite Physiology, at the College of Dentistry, Malmö University, mentioned that they have "found that over these forty years there was less and less room for teeth in the jaw."

Study Says Lollipops Reduce Tooth Decay

Just a couple of days ago we informed you about a new study claiming that sugar-free lollipops containing licorice root extract reduce tooth decay causing bacteria.  Bacterias such as streptococcus mutans (or S. mutans,) which is considered to be the primary culprit in tooth decay.

We now have a bit more information to add, Martin Curzon, Editor in Chief, European Academy of Pediatric Dentistry, said that "The use of the licorice root lollipops is an ideal approach as it will stop the transfer and implantation of the bacteria that cause dental decay from mothers to their infants and toddlers.  It also has the merit of being a low cost, high impact public dental health measure."

Rapid Prototyping Comes To Dentistry

Have you ever thought of what would happen if your dentist could quickly scan your jaw and "print" your new teeth using a rapid prototyping machine?  Instead of waiting days or weeks for a cast to be produced and prosthetic dental implants to be made?

Good news!!  Iranian researchers have recently explained “how medical imaging, coupled with computer-aided design could be used to create a perfect-fit blueprint for prosthetic dentistry.”

Dental Helpline To Reassure Public?

Besides the fact that the British Dental Health Foundation is an independent UK charity that offers free and impartial advice on dental issues to the public; it also runs the Dental Helpline, which advises the public to get in touch in case a patient is concerned about his rights or the cost(s) involved while receiving NHS dental treatment.

Chief Executive of the BDHF, Dr. Nigel Carter, stated that, "Dispatches has highlighted some of the concerns experienced by many people about UK dental care.  Whilst some of the programme's content was very disappointing for the image of dentistry, the main loser could be the public if they choose to delay or cancel their treatment because of concerns like charges.”

The Foundation cares about the services patients can expect from their NHS dentist, as well as their rights and the cost(s) of treatment.

New $4.7-Million Study On Early-Stage Oral Cancer

A new study performed by the researchers from UBC's Faculties of Medicine, Science, and Dentistry, is aimed at improving the outcomes for patients undergoing surgery for oral squamous cell cancers.  The study involves universities and hospitals in nine Canadian cities.

The researchers claim that “Findings from the study could revolutionize clinical practice here and around the world.”

According to the Canadian Cancer Society, every year approximately 3,400 Canadians are diagnosed with oral cancer.  In 2010, the estimated number of deaths caused by oral cancer was 1,150; now nearly 30% of the patients who have oral surgery do end up having their cancer recur.

In order to differentiate between healthy tissues from tumours or pre-cancerous cells in the mouth, the study is going to investigate the effectiveness of a fluorescence visualization, or "blue light," under which normal tissue generates a fluorescence, the fluorescence is absent in tumour or pre-cancerous tissue.

Ameritas Group Funds for Oral Cancer Research

Not so long ago, the University of Nebraska Foundation was given a $250,000 gift commitment by The Ameritas Group (a division of Ameritas Life Insurance Corporation). The money was destined for the establishment of a permanent endowment in support of the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) College of Dentistry. The fund is also known to provide financial support every year, for "research focused on preventing, detecting and treating oral cancer."

Dentists Urge Patients to Quit Smoking

Recent research shows that after some dentists got tobacco cessation training, they were about twice as likely to counsel patients to quit smoking.

The research was performed by the researchers from the New York University College of Dentistry. The study involved six different dental clinics at the college, the first thing the researchers did was to look at nearly 700 patient charts in order to see if dental health professionals were asking patients about tobacco use and offered help in quitting.

Dentist for Your Family

If you have a big family, it's quite hard to find time to search for a separate professional each time a new oral situation comes up. That's why it's better if your dentist is a family dentist, who specializes in different dentistry skills and is able to treat any condition which may arise. Family dentists have studied the same dental practices as the general ones, the difference is that all of your family members can use their services. One of the big advantages of the family dentist is that he or she knows what to tell you about your child's permanent teeth growing in or how to construct dentures for your aging parent. They provide your family with procedures which apply specifically to various ages, such as a child's first dental appointment or a mother's root canal.

Putting Your Smile Back Together

Despite the fact that a lot of people consider dentistry to be an annual chore, it can become impending and necessary with the introduction of emergency dental care, which can include a knocked-out tooth, severe toothache, or any number of other unexpected dental pains. And it goes without saying that any dental condition which involves extreme pain should be professionally treated right away. And you don’t have to worry, as an emergency dentist knows well how to efficiently and swiftly treat unusual emergency cases.