NEWS

Dental Research Finds an Experimental Plasma Probe to Battle Biofilm

June 11th, 2009

At USC, a research team recently made an interesting and promising development. Plasma, the fourth stage of matter, can be used at room temperature to destroy. Exactly how plasma eradicates biofilm isn't clear. However, Parish Sedghizadeh, contributing researcher, assistant professor of clinical dentistry, and Director of the USC Center for Biofilms, thinks that oxygen free radicals may disturb biofilm's cellular membranes. A single-atom form of oxygen, called atomic oxygen, appears to be responsible for fighting the bacteria, which occur in complex colonies within biofilm. Because these colonies are protected by a "slimy matrix," biofilm is impervious to traditional antibiotic therapy.

The nanosecond pulsed plasma dental probe can treat hard-to-reach areas, which makes it highly effective. Under a scanning electron microscope, evidence showed that plasma therapy produced "near pristine surfaces" in extracted teeth's canals. Biofilm is responsible for many oral infections, and can also pose problems in other areas of the body. Ultimately, researchers hope the new finding can translate to medical applications, as well as dental procedures.

Stem Cells from Wisdom Teeth Save Lives

June 4th, 2009 · No Comments

This video shows us Megan Brown, a young cancer survivor, who had her wisdom teeth extracted. StemSave will preserve Meagan's stem cells in case she needs them in the future. Having already experienced life with cancer, she is taking the simple precaution of stem cell preservation to improve her chance of recovering should she become ill again. Stem cells can be used in treating MS, Parkinson's, liver and heart disease, and many other serious health problemS.

Find more videos like this on PennWell Dental Group

Amalgam Safety Old News? Not Quite.

December 12th, 2008 · No Comments

According to one DentalBlogs reader, the Philadelphia City Council is scheduled to vote on the Mercury in Dentistry Bill tomorrow. If passed, the bill will require that dentists must inform patients (with a brochure) that amalgam fillings are 50% mercury and could be hazardous to their health. Governments in Maine, New Hampshire, and California are considering similar laws.

Of course, dentists use amalgam because it offers a less expensive alternative to patients not interested in esthetic restorations. DentalBlogs has addressed research that indicates the cost increase to the general public and the potential adverse health risks for those (especially children) who cannot afford composite resin fillings. The ADA has deemed amalgams safe. Still, many dentists have voluntarily chosen to place only composite resin fillings because of their esthetic appearance and safety issues.

Some research indicates that amalgams cause gray hair, affect hormones, cause hair loss, gum disease, migraines, poor memory, depression, anxiety, mental lethargy, chronic fatigue, eczema and asthma, arthritis, backaches, kidney disease, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, MS, other neurological disorders - excuse me while I take a breath - damages DNA, alters structure of proteins, disrupts communication between cells, induces free radical tissue damage, inhibits antioxidant enzymes - and the list goes on.

Got Arthritis? Call Your Dentist!

May 29th, 2009 · 2 Comments

The list of health problems associated with gum disease/periodontitis goes on and on, and it's only getting longer. Most recently, scientists have added rheumatoid arthritis to the list. They found that that patients with rheumatoid arthritis and gum disease who undergo periodontal therapy experience less arthritis pain, fewer swollen joints, and reduced morning stiffness. The findings were reported in Journal of Periodontology by researchers at Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine and Hospitals of Cleveland.

JOP held a workshop in 2008 on the body inflammation - periodontal disease - systemic health connection.

Dr. Michael K. McGuire stated in no. 11 Vol. 79 of JOP, 2008:

There is growing evidence that inflammation can be transferred from the oral cavity to other parts of the body (and vice versa), explaining the possible association between periodontitis and other chronic inflammatory conditions. As a clinician, I find this intellectually interesting, but when I ask myself whether or not this shift from an infection model to an inflammation model changes the way I treat my patients, the answer is, "not really." But should it? Have I been so busy in my daily practice that I missed something important?

The link between rheumatoid arthritis and periodontal disease has long been assumed by many health professionals. For years now, treatment of inflammation with antibiotics, as well as extracting infected teeth, have made rheumatoid arthritis patients feel better. The new research lends legitimacy to the assumption.

Click here to visit MedicalNews.com for more information about the study.

Occurence of Throat Cancer Higher in "Very" Hot Tea Drinkers

March 30th, 2009 · No Comments

In Iran, the Golestan Province to be specific, folks drink only two beverages - water and tea. When they drink tea, they drink it hot - really hot. An ABC article posted last week tells us that in this region of Iran, people have a high esophageal cancer rate.

A study was performed on 871 Golestan Province residents - 300 of whom had esophagel cancer - to find out why these folks were having such a bad time. Factors considered in the study include drinking "very hot" tea, smoking tobacco, and alcohol consumption. The British Medical Journal reported the findings, which stated that drinking "very" hot tea increases the risk for esophageal cancer. The whole "hot tea" thing is what's hot in the news this week, but other factors, inlcuding how people care for their teeth, play a role in the high cancer statistics.

Other Factors that Contribute to Esophageal Cancer.
According to reseracher Reza Malekzadeh, director of the Digestive Disease Research Center at Tehran University of Medical Sciences in Iran, tea was the main, but not the only factor that contributes to the high esophageal cancer rate in the Golestan Province. A bad diet (not enough vegetables), not brushing teeth and taking care of oral health, and the widespread poor socio-economic status contributed to the problem, as well.

Drikning libations and smoking tobacco contribute to cancer because of the chemical influence these substances have on the body. With tea, only the temperature is a factor - not the chemical makeup of tea or the type of tea. This leads to the assumption that coffee or any hot beverage would produce similar results - higher cancer rates. Because esophageal cancer is higher in Asia and South America, the US has not recommended a screening fo the condition. Only when symptoms are present will doctors perform esophageal tests. However, in the US, most people do not drink their coffee or tea "very hot."

What is VERY HOT Tea?
Under 149 degrees Farenheit is considered warm. Over 156 degrees is considered hot, and at this temperature, the rate of esophageal cancer doubles. Very hot tea, over 158 degrees, increases the potential for cancer eight times. Wow! Most people cannot drink liquids this hot, but residents of the Golestan Province were raised on "very hot" tea and have grown accustomed to drinking it.

SOURCE: http://abcnews.go.com/Health/CancerPreventionAndTreatment/story?

In The News

Rohrer Cosmetic Restorative Dentistry, was in the news as WPBT- Channel 25 came to the office to report on a progressive technology called Vizilite. Vizilite is utilized by Rohrer Cosmetic Restorative Dentistry to examine for oral cancer. It is a quick , painless exam for the early detection of abnormalities that could lead to oral cancer. The key is early detection, before precancerous cells can be detected by the unaided eye, and while they can still be addressed at their most easily treatable stage. Visilte is an enhancement to the conventional oral cancer examination.