Tooth Whitening Comes to Mall in Delhi

Ever thought your teeth need pampering? Now a spa in the Capital-Delhi to take care of your teeth

The ConfiSmile announced that it was setting up shop for “cosmetic dental procedures” and listed “Bright Smile”, “Greater Confidence” — and most crucially — “Hot Dates” among the “10 reasons to Whiten Your Teeth”. And so, on a sunny morning, I found myself with Dr Gagan, in a smart white doctor’s coat, at the ConfiSmile’s spa kiosk in the spacious, air-cooled interiors of the Select Citywalk mall. She, along with Mr Sahani from marketing, was reassuring me how short (20 minutes), simple and painless the teeth whitening procedure is and how my teeth would stay white for a year and a half — all for one-third of what dental clinics charge. The kiosk has been set up to promote their services; the actual “oral hygiene spa” will open a month later in Lajpat Nagar. The teeth whitening procedure costs Rs2,999, inclusive of taxes. Full NEws HERE

Pure Power Athletics Inc.: A Performance Enhancer That Even Senator George Mitchell Should Approve. News courtesy of Dr Cel M. DDM., Ph.D.

The Pure Power Mouthguard (PPM) was developed by Canadian Dalhousie University scientist Dr. Anil Makkar. After less than two years on the market, its popularity has started to snowball amongst many professional athletes. Makkar's invention is based on the basic principles of neuromuscular dentistry which maintains that 90 per cent of the population has an overbite and can attribute much of their back, neck and joint pain to a subsequent out-of-line spinal column. PPM makers claim that the device increases strength and balance by up to 50 per cent and in the highly competitive world of pro sports this type of enhancement transforms into results on the field. Visit PPM website HERE

Lavender Scent Calms Dental Patients
British Psychological Society sept 2008
Lavender scent could be an effective means of reducing dental anxiety in patients. This is the finding of Metaxia Kritsidima and her colleagues from King's College London who will present their results at The British Psychological Society's Division of Health Psychology and European Health Psychology Society Conference at the University of Bath on the 12 September 2008.

Metaxia Kritsidima said: 'A substantial number of people avoid going to dental surgeries because they are 'scared of the dentist', which can have a significant impact on their dental health. The anxiety experienced by these patients once they get to the dentist is stressful not only for them, but also for the dental team. Working under a state of increased tension may potentially compromise their performance, as well as lengthening appointment times. This is why finding a way of reducing dental anxiety is really important.'

In this study, researchers investigated the effects of lavender scent on dental anxiety. The dental anxiety levels of 340 adult patients were measured while they waited for a scheduled dental appointment. Some patients were exposed to a lavender scent while the rest were not.

Patients who were exposed to the scent reported feeling less anxious than the control group. This significant effect was present regardless of the type of dental appointment (e.g. routine check up, drilling). However, the exposure to lavender had no effect on the patients' anxiety regarding future dental procedures.

Metaxia Kritsidima concludes: 'Our findings suggest that lavender could certainly be used as an effective 'on-the-spot' anxiety reduction in dentists' waiting rooms.'

Contact damage to root surfaces of premolars touching miniscrews during orthodontic treatment
AJODO Sept 2008

Introduction: Our aim in this clinical study was to examine premolar root surfaces after intentional contact with miniscrews/Microimplants.

Methods: Ten patients (5 male, 5 female; mean age, 15.8 years; range, 13.5-23.2 years) with 2 maxillary first premolars to be extracted as part of their orthodontic treatment participated in the study. Two miniscrews were placed in each patient, and the first premolar roots were tipped into contact with the miniscrews by using tipping springs with a standardized force. Half of the experimental teeth were kept in contact with the screws for 4 weeks (mild resorption) and the other half for 8 weeks (severe resorption). In 5 patients, the screws were removed, and, in the remaining 5, the springs were removed to allow the roots to move back. The roots were allowed to recover for 4 or 8 weeks before extraction. Two premolars with accidental direct contact were used as controls. All teeth were prepared, coated, and examined with scanning electron microscopy.
Results: In the control group, the periodontal ligament was removed and the dentin surface denuded. The experimental groups showed signs of resorption with structural surface irregularities. However, no apparent denuded dentin surfaces were seen. Although some resorption lacunae were still discernible at 8 weeks, the collagen fibers fully covered the affected areas. The immature fiber organization in the deepest crater represented the ongoing process of fiber reorganization, compared with the fully matured surface areas surrounding the crater. Conclusions: The results indicate that root surfaces that touch miniscrews show swift repair and almost complete healing within a few weeks after removal of the screw or the orthodontic force. These findings are based on 10 patients only; verification in a larger study sample is needed. Microimplants are a safe and highly valuable tool in orthodontics patients, Order them Now

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Straumann Presents 'Roxolid™' A New Material Designed To Enhance The Strength And Healing Properties Of Dental Implants -Sept 2008

At the17th Annual Scientific Meeting of the European Association for Osseointegration (EAO) in Warsaw, Poland, Straumann presented a new material that could make dental implants smaller and stronger. The new material, which is called Roxolid™, is an alloy of titanium and zirconium and is the first material to be designed specifically for dental implants. Full News HERE

Implants update

Molar Uprighting with Extrusion for Implant Site Bone Regeneration and Improvement of the Periodontal Environment (Int J Periodontics Restorative Dent 2008;28:375–381.)

This case report describes the treatment of a 55-year-old man who presented with a missing maxillary first molar and mesially inclined neighboring second molar with a severe circumferential bone defect. After bone regeneration therapy with bone grafting, the second molar was uprighted orthodontically to improve the inclination and crown-to-root ratio. These treatments minimized the bone defect and developed a suitable site for an implant in the first molar position. An interdisciplinary approach using periodontal, orthodontic, and prosthodontic treatments can create a more predictable and maintainable situation. Full Paper here

Sinus Floor Elevation Using an Osteotome Technique Without Grafting Materials or Membranes
(Int J Periodontics Restorative Dent 2008;28:401–409.)

This retrospective study aimed to radiographically assess sinus floor remodeling after using a modified osteotome technique without graft materials or membranes. After pilot drilling, residual bone was fractured and raised with the schneiderian membrane to the final implant length using osteotomes. Self-tapping implants were placed, and restorations were placed 6 months later. Twenty-four patients were available for follow-up after a mean observation period of 17.6 ± 8.4 months. The implant survival rate at that time was 100%. Bone filling around the implants was measured and compared with baseline digital radiographs. New bone formation was 86.3% ± 22.1% mesially and 89.7% ± 13.3% distally. In nine cases, digital volume tomography was used to verify regeneration. Within the limitations of this study, use of the schneiderian membrane led to considerable bone regeneration, and good clinical success was achieved despite the omission of graft materials. Full paper here

There are two other excellent papers, one of them describes adverse effects of tooth whitening in detail and other describes correction of bilaterally impacted canines in a 14 year old. To read these full papers click Here Paper on Bleaching Paper on Canine impaction

Research finds milk prevents tooth decay
JADA July 2008

Encouraging children to consume milk helps reduce the risk of dental erosion and decay, according to recent US research.
The study, published in the Journal of the American Dental Association, found children who consumed more soft drinks, relative to milk and 100 per cent fruit juice, were at greater risk of developing dental caries.

The researchers collected dietary information on 369 children who were aged between three and five years at the start of the study, and again two years later. Trained dentists examined the children's teeth both at the start of the study and again two years later.

Children who had a low soft drink intake at the start of the study, but consumed a high intake of soft drink as they grew older were 1.75 times more likely to have tooth decay and receive new fillings compared with children who had a high intake of milk and fruit juice.

This new research supports previous studies in the US and the UK in which children with a high intake pattern of milk were found to have lower caries severity.2,3

According to the study authors, milk is a better alternative to soft drinks because of its potential protective factors including calcium and phosphorus. Full NEWS here

Link Between Heart Disease And Bleeding Gums

Bad teeth, bleeding gums and poor dental hygiene can end up causing heart disease, scientists heard at the Society for General Microbiology's Autumn meeting being held this week at Trinity College, Dublin.

People with poor dental hygiene and those who don't brush their teeth regularly end up with bleeding gums, which provide an entry to the bloodstream for up to 700 different types of bacteria found in our mouths. This increases the risk of having a heart attack, according to microbiologists from the University of Bristol and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland.

"The mouth is probably the dirtiest place in the human body," said Dr Steve Kerrigan from the Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin, Ireland. "If you have an open blood vessel from bleeding gums, bacteria will gain entry to your bloodstream. When bacteria get into the bloodstream they encounter tiny fragments called platelets that clot blood when you get a cut. By sticking to the platelets bacteria cause them to clot inside the blood vessel, partially blocking it. This prevents the blood flow back to the heart and we run the risk of suffering a heart attack."
Full Report here

For those of you who want to improve, there is an excellent book :beyond positive thinking" not negative, not positive but right thinking, you can read the book here

Chewing Gum Helps ?, Tooth Mousse controversy

Tooth Mousse Is is worth the high Cost, not sure if it is better than routine fluoride tooth paste

Tooth mousse in Indian and sold at MI in USA by GC America. They claim to have superior anti caries properties. Now some of the leading researchers have refuted claims made by the manufactures.

Researchers noted that only two of the 10 studies on caries prevention were conducted in people; the other eight were performed in laboratory settings. Furthermore, six of the 10 studies were conducted by the product's inventor, University of Melbourne professor Eric Reynolds, Ph.D., and his collaborators. Not surprisingly, all six sided with CPP-ACP-containing products as being more efficacious than competitors. In contrast, all four of the studies conducted by independent investigators did not show a preponderance of evidence in favor of the CPP-ACP-containing products.

George Stookey, Ph.D., of the Indiana University Emerging Technologies Center said that there is a need for more independent investigations, and that he would "not recommend products containing Recaldent, such as chewing gum or dental products such as MI Paste, at this time.

Full Report HERE

Also a systematic review summarized "The quantity and quality of clinical trial evidence are insufficient to make conclusions regarding the long-term effectiveness of casein derivatives, specifically CPP-ACP, in preventing caries in vivo and treating dentin hypersensitivity or dry mouth".

It is published in J Am Dent Assoc, Vol 139, No 7, 915-924, 2008, so Is it worth paying high cost for Tooth Mousse ? Probably not yet.

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Chewing Gum May Help Reduce Stress According To New Research

"An investigation into the effects of gum chewing on mood and cortisol levels during psychological stress," presented at the 2008 10th International Congress of Behavioral Medicine, found that chewing gum helped relieve anxiety, improve alertness and reduce stress among individuals in a laboratory setting.* The study examined whether chewing gum is capable of reducing induced anxiety and/or acute psychological stress while participants performed a battery of 'multi-tasking' activities. The use of chewing gum was associated with higher alertness, reduced anxiety and stress, and improvement in overall performance on multi-tasking activities. More HERE

Ibuprofen is better at alleviating childhood fever than paracetamol and should be the drug of first choice, say UK researchers. More HERE

Web site puts caries management at patients' fingertips

CariFree, a new approach to cavity prevention that includes assessing risk factors for decay and using products that will treat the bacterial infection that causes it, is now available online, according to a company press release.

CariFree's new Web site, www.carifree.com, offers free, personalized cavity risk assessment by experts, customized recommendations for products that will address individual dental needs, and various educational resources. CariFree was previously available to patients only through dentists in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Spain, Denmark, the U.K., Australia, and New Zealand.

CariFree was developed and influenced by several experts in dental caries research and treatment, including Dr. V. Kim Kutsch; Dr. Doug Young of University of the Pacific; Dr. John Featherstone of the University of California, San Francisco; Dr. Graeme Milicich of New Zealand; and Dr. Philip Marsh of the U.K., the press release noted. Do your self Assessment HERE

Denists charged with dumping medical waste

A Main Line Philadelphia dentist has been charged with dumping medical waste off the Jersey Shore, forcing beaches to close last month. It was the shore's worst pollution case in 20 years.

According to police affidavits and the New Jersey attorney general, Thomas "Tim" McFarland, 59, took his Boston Whaler motorboat to Townsend Inlet near Avalon on Aug. 22 and dumped a bag of 300 dental-type needles, plus 180 cotton swabs and other materials from his office in Wynnewood, Pa. He is charged with unlawfully discharging a pollutant and unlawful disposal of regulated medical waste. Each charge carries a maximum prison term of five years and maximum fines of $125,000 if he is convicted on both counts.

Children With TVs Or Computers In Their Room Sleep Less

Posted: 05 Sep 2008 10:00 AM CDT
Middle school children who have a television or computer in their room sleep less during the school year, watch more TV, play more computer games and surf the net more than their peers who don't.

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