Dental Anesthesia May Interrupt Development of Wisdom Teeth in Children

Researchers from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine have discovered an association between local dental anesthesia given to children ages two to six and evidence of missing lower wisdom teeth. The results of this epidemiological study suggest that injecting anesthesia into the gums of young children could interrupt the development of lower wisdom teeth.

View

Measuring Mercury: Common Test May Overestimate Exposure From Dental Amalgam Fillings

A common test used to determine mercury exposure from dental amalgam fillings may significantly overestimate the amount of the toxic metal released from fillings, according to University of Michigan researchers.

View

Literature Review Shows Inflammation Links Obesity and Gum Disease

After reviewing previous research on gum disease and obesity, researchers found inflammation is the association between both health problems, which they describe in the Journal of General Dentistry article, “Obesity and periodontitis: a link.”

View | Comment

Study Promoting Coffee Drinking Benefits Needs More Research, Says Loyola Dentist

Heavy coffee drinkers have a lower chance of dying from oral cancer, says new American Cancer Society research but a Loyola dentist is still not ready to recommend coffee drinking to his patients.

View | Comment

Study Links Obesity-Dental Health in Homeless Youth

Obesity and dental cavities increase and become epidemic as children living below the poverty level age, according to nurse researchers from the Case Western Reserve University and the University of Akron.

View | Comment

Success of Dental Implants Depends on Both Patient and Surgeon

Characteristics of both patient and surgeon can affect the success of dental implants. A 10-year study finds that patient risk factors such as grinding teeth or diabetes increase the odds of implant failure. It also associates higher implant failure rates with surgeons who have less than 5 years of experience.

View | Comment

Surgical Techniques Compared for Reconstructing the Jaw for Dental Implants

For a successful dental implant, the first step for some patients is reconstructive surgery of the jaw. A bone graft to augment the upper jaw can now be achieved by several methods. To assess these methods, their risk of sinus perforation, and the best evaluation technology, researchers put these procedures to the test on 20 human cadaver specimens.

View | Comment

GW Expert Available to Comment on Stories Related to World Oral Health Day

View

Evidence That New Biomimetic Controlled-Release Capsules May Help in Gum Disease

Scientists are trying to open a new front in the battle against gum disease, the leading cause of tooth loss in adults and sometimes termed the most serious oral health problem of the 21st century. They described another treatment approach for the condition in a report here today at the 244th National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society, the world’s largest scientific society.

View

Improving the Oral Health of Adults with Special Needs Proves Challenging

A comprehensive study profiling the oral health of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities found that dental disease persists in this population. Further investigation into the substantial oral health needs of adults with disabilities is essential.

View | Comment