Secret OF Success and Happiness

Wisdom Teeth As Source Of Stem Cells

Researchers in Japan have successfully made stem cells from wisdom teeth, creating an alternative source of pluripotent cells for researching and treating disease and avoiding the ethical problems surrounding the use of embryonic stem cells.

Scientists at Japan's National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology, which is funded by the government, said they used wisdom teeth that had been frozen for three years after being removed from a 10 year old girl. Lead investigator of the project, Hajime Ogushi, told AFP news agency that their work was significant for two reasons. First, it avoids the ethical problem of using embryonic stem cells, and besides, wisdom teeth are usually thrown away, and second, it is easy to stock wisdom teeth.

Ogushi and colleagues extracted cells from the donated wisdom teeth, inserted three of the genes used by Yamanaka's team, and cultured the cells for just over a month in the lab. When they tested the cells they found them to be stem cells, Ogushi told AFP.

One application would be to use the cells to treat inherited bone disease, but Ogushi explained it will take at least 5 years of development and trials before the idea even gets into the clinical setting.

As to harvesting stem cells from wisdom teeth, Ogushi said there would be no problem with supply, since extraction of wisdom teeth is quite a common dental procedure. Having such a plentiful source of donors means scientists could produce stem cells with a range of genetic codes, increasing the chance that a patient's immune system will not reject the transplanted tissue or organ.

Another application could be that people who have their wisdom teeth out could arrange for them to be stored for future use as a source of stem cells already tailored to their own genetic code.

Change Lifestyle, Change Genes, june 2008

You can't get different genes, but how you act, can change how your genes function, report Dean Ornish, M.D., and colleagues at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF).

Ornish is a clinical professor of medicine at UCSF and also a diet guru who's been telling us for years that by improving our lifestyle we can prevent and even reverse many chronic diseases. And Ornish has been putting his money where his mouth is, backing a number of scientific studies that support his arguments.

Now, in a new kind of study, Ornish is joined by UCSF professor and chairman of urology Peter Carroll, M.D.; UCSF prostate-cancer geneticist Christopher Haqq, MD, PhD; and others. The goal of this pilot study was to see whether the Ornish lifestyle could help 30 men with low-risk prostate cancer who chose not to undergo treatment unless their cancer got worse.

It's too soon to say whether the men's lifestyle changes kept their cancer at bay. But genetic analysis revealed profound differences in noncancerous prostate tissues in just three months.

More than 500 genes changed the way they worked. Genes with beneficial effects, including some tumor-suppression genes, became more active. Genes with deleterious effects, including some cancer-promoting genes, were switched off. Full Story HERE

To know what is Ornish Diet click here, It can reverse your heart blockage as well. There is also Dr Vimal Chajeda in India who conducts regular workshops and thousands have escaped bypass surgeries by following his advice.

If you are looking for the eternal secret of happiness CLICK HERE

Looking for success in life, follow the attractor principle and attract whatever you want in life, also read the excellent book "Beyond positive thinking" for details email icdr@hotmail.com

Clinical and microbiological benefits of systemic metronidazole and amoxicillin in the treatment of smokers with chronic periodontitis: a randomized placebo-controlled study- published in J of Cli Perio Aug 2008


Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and microbiological effects of scaling and root planing (SRP) alone or combined with metronidazole (MTZ) or with MTZ and amoxicillin (AMX) in the treatment of smokers with chronic periodontitis.

Methods: A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized clinical trial was conducted in 43 subjects who received SRP alone (n=15) or combined with MTZ (400 mg 3 × per day, n=14) or with MTZ+AMX (500 mg 3 × per day, n=14) for 14 days. Clinical and microbiological examinations were performed at baseline and 3 months post-therapy. Subgingival samples were analysed by checkerboard DNA–DNA hybridization.

Results: Subjects receiving MTZ+AMX showed the greatest improvements in mean probing depth and clinical attachment level. Both antibiotic therapies led to additional clinical benefits over SRP alone in initially shallow, intermediate, and deep sites. The SRP+MTZ+AMX therapy led to the most beneficial changes in the subgingival microbial profile. These subjects showed significant reductions in the mean counts and proportions of periodontal pathogens such as Tannerella forsythia, Porphyromonas gingivalis and Treponema denticola, and the greatest increase in proportions of host-compatible species.

Conclusion: Significant advantages are observed when systemic antibiotics are combined with SRP in the treatment of smokers with chronic periodontitis. The greatest benefits in clinical and microbiological parameters are achieved with the use of SRP+MTZ+AMX.

Endo Irrigants, Amalgam safty and Apex locators

Effect of root canal irrigants on cervical dentine permeability to hydrogen peroxide
P. Surapipongpuntr, W. Duangcharee, S. Kwangsamai & A. Ekka
Copyright © 2008 International Endodontic Journal -IEJ Aug 2008

Aim To examine the effects of various root canal irrigants on cervical dentine permeability by monitoring the diffusion of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2).

Methodology Sixty cervical dentine discs were prepared from human third molar teeth. After removal of enamel and cementum, the outer dentine surface was etched with 17% ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) for 1 min. The dentine discs were randomly assigned to five groups according to the irrigant used: A, saline solution; B, 2.5% sodium hypochlorite solution (NaOCl); C, 5% NaOCl; D, 17% EDTA and 2.5% NaOCl; E, 17% EDTA and 5% NaOCl. After irrigation on the inner dentine surface with the various solutions, the diffusion of 30% H2O2 was evaluated through each disc using a plastic-split chamber. H2O2 was applied to the inner-side chamber, while the outer-side chamber was filled with de-ionised water. After 30 min of application of H2O2, the solution in the outer-side chamber was collected to determine the concentration of H2O2 using a spectrophotometer.

Results The penetration of H2O2 through dentine in group E was significantly highest, followed by groups D, C, B and A respectively (one-way anova, P < style="font-weight: bold;">Conclusions Among the irrigants used, 17% EDTA and 5% NaOCl had the greatest effect in increasing dentinal permeability to H2O2.

It is technically illegal to do endo without using Electronic Apex Locator (EAL) for more CLICK HERE.

Accuracies of seven different apex locators under various conditions, Triple O, Aug 2008

Objectives. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the accuracies of 7 different frequency-dependent electronic
apex locators (EALs) on using different irrigants in the root canal.

Study design. Root canal lengths were measured with 7 different EALs in 40 extracted human teeth embedded in an alginate model after canal preparation and compared with the actual canal length measurements taken before embedding the teeth in alginate. The EALs used were Apex Finder 7005, Apit, Bingo-1020, e-Magic Finder, ProPex, Root ZX, and SmarPex. Measurements were taken with the canal dry, and saturated sequentially with 5.25% NaOCl, saline, 0.1% chlorhexidine, and 15% EDTA. Data were analyzed with 1-way ANOVA and Tukey’s studentized range test.

Results. There were some differences in accuracies among EALs; however, some of the differences were not statistically significant. All EALs were less accurate when the apical foramen size was larger.

Conclusion. Within the limitations of the present study, most of the EALs tested can be considered reliable in the presence of various root canal irrigants and varying sizes of the apical foramen.
Note:Root ZX is considered the Gold standard.

Is it Ethical to Replace Amalam Fillings

Millions of people have them in their mouths, yet their widespread use in treating cavities is one of the more contentious issues in dentistry. So-called silver amalgam fillings contain about 50 percent mercury, with the remaining material made from a powder of silver, tin, zinc, and copper. Some experts are concerned that the release of microscopic amounts of mercury vapor—a consequence of chewing food, grinding teeth, and exposing the fillings to hot substances—might cause neurological problems or kidney damage, particularly in sensitive populations, such as children and pregnant women. Others, including the American Dental Association, say the safety data are reassuring. The Food and Drug Administration is taking a closer look.

Numerous dentists and health clinics advertising on the Internet offer patients a chance to remove their fillings and replace them with alternative materials. Some even contend that serious health problems, including neurological disorders, can be cured by the removal of amalgam fillings. Others sell vitamin supplements that supposedly ameliorate any harm from mercury exposure. No studies have confirmed these claims, however. In fact, most experts do not recommend removing amalgam fillings and replacing them with composite resin or other material, since doing so can cause serious harm to teeth if not done properly.
Full story here

Smile or Nightmare, New oral bacteria and infection control

Smile Makeover or a Nightmare ?

According to market research by Mintel, the amount of money spent on cosmetic dentistry in the UK last year rocketed to £627million, from £519million in 2006 and £210million in 2005.

The truth, as I now know, is very different. Eight weeks ago, I had ten porcelain veneers applied to my upper teeth by a top London dentist.

As an experienced fashion and beauty writer, I went into it with both eyes open.

I'd written about porcelain veneers in the past and knew that it was an invasive process that involved your own teeth being pared down first in preparation.

But my own teeth were discoloured and unlikely to improve by bleaching, so it seemed a good idea.

And I naively thought that by paying nearly £9,000 for the services of a top dentist, I would be in safe hands.

Dr Gates (not his real name for legal reasons) had been written about in glowing terms in fashion magazines. Visiting his smart London consulting rooms, I was reassured by the prestigious address.
It felt like a physical assault. Having the enamel of healthy teeth blasted away is every bit as invasive as the surgeon's scalpel slicing into your skin.

Sitting in his chair, my mouth numbed by the anaesthetic and my lips blown up like lilos (or so it felt), I kept telling myself how thrilled I would be with my new smile.

After 90 minutes of drilling and drooling, the 'temporaries' were fitted.

Based on a wax model taken of your mouth at the first appointment, these are fixed to your poor, exposed, shaved-down teeth while the porcelain veneers are being made.

When I staggered out into the street, jaw and mouth aching, I figured the pain would pass - but it didn't. More here


Infection control in Dental office/ Practice

This is a very important topic for each one of us and it will impact how our practice grows and provides patient satisfaction. For more info click on the links below or download an excellent book by clicking on third link.

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DOWNLOAD the BOOK

New Oral Bacteria Discovered

Scientists have discovered a new species of bacteria in the mouth. The finding could help scientists to understand tooth decay and gum disease and may lead to better treatments, according to research published in the August issue of the International Journal of Systematic and Evolutionary Microbiology.

"The healthy human mouth is home to a tremendous variety of microbes including viruses, fungi, protozoa and bacteria," said Professor William Wade from King's College London Dental Institute. "The bacteria are the most numerous: there are 100 million in every millilitre of saliva and more than 600 different species in the mouth. Around half of these have yet to be named and we are trying to describe and name the new species."

Scientists studied healthy tissue as well as tumours in the mouth and found three strains of bacteria called Prevotella that could not be identified. Prevotella species are part of the normal microbial flora in humans and are also associated with various oral diseases and infections in other parts of the body. The researchers named the new species Prevotella histicola; histicola means 'inhabitant of tissue'. More Here

Congratulations to Dr Vijayalakshmi who is crusading to educate masses about replantation of teeth lost due to trauma, we need many such campaigns. LINK HERE

Perio disease a predictor of Diabetes

Periodontal disease may be an independent predictor of incident Type 2 diabetes, according to a study by researchers at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. While diabetes has long been believed to be a risk factor for periodontal infections, this is the first study exploring whether the reverse might also be true, that is, if periodontal infections can contribute to the development of diabetes. The full study findings are published in the July 2008 issue of Diabetes Care.
The contributory role of periodontal disease in the development of Type 2 diabetes is potentially of public health importance because of the prevalence of treatable periodontal diseases in the population and the pervasiveness of diabetes-associated morbidity and mortality. However, observes Dr. Demmer, more studies are needed both to determine whether gum disease directly contributes to type 2 diabetes and, from there, that treating the dental problem can prevent diabetes. More here

The Dentistry 2008 was a great success, thanks to all speakers and attendees who made it despite the odds and it turned out to be a great event.

Floss Your Teeth - On The Double!

In dental offices all over the world, patients are often told they are not flossing enough or instructed to floss more. As the old saying goes, you only need to floss the teeth you want to keep. After all, not flossing regularly can lead to tooth decay and to periodontal disease, the leading cause of tooth loss in adults.

A recent study published in the Journal of Periodontology (JOP), the official publication of the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) demonstrates that including flossing as part of one's routine oral care can actually help reduce the amount of gum disease-causing bacteria found in the mouth, therefore contributing to healthy teeth and gums. More Here

Family of woman who died in dental chair gets $3.9 million

The family of Georgette Watson, who died in December under sedation for a root canal procedure, has been awarded $3.9 million in a settlement with the two dentists in whose office she died.

Larry Rogers Sr., the attorney for Watson's family, said the settlement was reached with the dentists and their private company and approved Wednesday in Cook County Circuit Court.

Watson, 46, went into cardiac arrest and died while under sedation in the Lakeview offices of brothers Joseph and Laurence Feldman. Watson was the principal at Brentano Math and Science Academy in Chicago.

The Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation suspended the licenses of the two dentists earlier this month. More Here