Sex-specific differences in the incidence of periodontitis and tooth loss may be related to different phenotypes of obesity and their associations with low-grade inflammation. The aim of a new study in Journal of Dental Research was to evaluate associations of adiposity and low-grade inflammation with tooth loss in men and women.

Follow-up data of 2,714 participants from the cohort of Study of Health in Pomerania were analyzed for anthropometric measures, periodontitis, tooth loss, C-reactive protein (CRP), and interleukin 6. Regression analyses were used to estimate the effect of obesity on tooth loss within sex strata. During the follow-up period, men lost more teeth in relation to their obesity status than did women. In contrast, there was a steeper increase in CRP levels across obesity levels in women as compared to men. Incidence rate ratio (IRR) of tooth loss associated with elevated CRP, however, was higher in men (IRR = 1.50; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.27, 1.77) than women (IRR = 1.18; 95% CI: 1.02, 1.37). Negative binomial regression with number of lost teeth as outcome revealed dose-response dependencies on body mass index and waist-to-hip ratio. Adjusted for covariates, the IRR of tooth loss associated with the third tertile of waist-to-hip ratio was 1.37 (95% CI: 1.04, 1.80) and 1.53 (95% CI: 1.14, 2.05) in men and women, respectively. Tooth loss related to CRP cutoff of 2 mg/L was significant in men (IRR = 1.33; 95% CI: 1.07, 1.66; p = .006) but not in women (IRR = 0.92; 95% CI: 0.73, 1.17; p = .689).

This study suggests that both adiposity and subclinical inflammation affect tooth loss, with distinct differences between men and women. Obesity as a risk factor of tooth loss is particularly related to CRP in men but not in women.

To read the study online, click here.

Atlanta – May 14, 2014 – LED Imaging, a new division of LED Dental, today introduced its new digital radiography intraoral sensor, the LED IS100. The sensor will be available for demo and sale at the California Dental Association – South (CDA – South) Meeting being held Thursday, May 15, through Saturday, May 17, at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California. The LED IS100 intraoral sensor is the third product to be added to LED Imaging’s portfolio since the launch of the division on April 2, 2014.

Designed with simplicity and versatility in mind, the LED IS100 intraoral sensor is a replacement for traditional dental film as it captures intraoral images of the teeth and supporting bone structures. The sensor boasts a number of product features that support practice needs, including:

- High-definition image resolution: With greater than 20 line pairs per millimeter spatial resolution, the LED IS100 provides practitioners with the high-quality images they need to make accurate diagnoses. With 16,384 shades of gray (14 bits), the images are crisp, clear, bright and contrasted.

- Direct USB plug-in: The LED IS100 plugs directly into any computer via a direct USB connection, eliminating the need for an inline controller, dock or hub. The sensor can easily be moved from one operatory to the next, which is ideal for multi-chair practices.

- Durable construction: Hermetically sealed casing ensures the intraoral sensor is waterproof and can easily withstand the process of disinfecting by submersion.Additionally, the LED IS100includes a CMOS chip, fiber optics, scintillator and a shock absorption system.

- Ergonomic design: LED Imaging’s intraoral sensor is designed with both practitioners and patients in mind; the slim casing and rounded edges allow for faster, easier and more comfortable patient positioning.

- Diagnostic flexibility: The LED IS100 is available in two sizes to suit diagnostic needs, such as retroalveolar, posterior, bitewing and other necessary images. It can be used in endodontics, periodontics, prosthetic surgery and implants, as well as for cavity diagnosis. Plus, the sensor features an automatic wake-up system, so there are fewer steps required for the sensor to capture an image. 

- Open-architecture workflow: The LED IS100 features an open-architecture design for streamlined integration with third-party software and imaging solutions. The intraoral sensor can be implemented into a practice seamlessly, further streamlining workflow. 

“We’re really excited about the newest addition to the LED Imaging family, the LED IS100 intraoral sensor,” said Dr. Jeffrey Brooks, vice president of imaging for LED Imaging. “Digital radiography has been a game changer in dental practices because of the time and cost savings for all involved, so we wanted to give dental practitioners a product that would provide excellent quality day in and day out.”

CDA – South Meeting attendees are encouraged to visitLED Imaging’s booth # 2534 to demo the LED IS100. To learn more about LED Imaging and the LED IS100, call 844-952-7327 or visit www.leddental.com/LED-IS100.

NEW YORK, May 13, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- With a mission to improve oral health in the U.S., toothbrush delivery service GoodMouth is launching a new "Brush Suggester"—a quick questionnaire that provides a personalized toothbrush suggestion, catered to a user's unique profile. Though the hardworking toothbrush plays a crucial role in preserving your hygiene and oral health, the bathroom staple seldom gets the attention it deserves. In fact, most people use brushes that are too large for their mouths or not suited for their individual needs. Using the wrong toothbrush can lead to less effective brushing, damage to tooth structure and gum tissue, and even discomfort and increased sensitivity. Whether you're a GoodMouth subscriber or simply exploring your options, you can use the online questionnaire to learn about the perfect brush for your needs.

Ranging from compact brush heads for the youngest in your family to ergonomic germ-killers for the adults, GoodMouth offers ten different BPA-Free brush types that account for every need. People with ultra-sensitive gums will benefit from the super-soft bristled Panda brushes, while those with braces will love the Tiger or the Leopard for supremely efficacious cleansing. Use the "Brush Suggester" to take the guesswork out of the equation and find the right brushes for you and your entire family.

GoodMouth was founded on the principle that old toothbrushes can harbor bacteria and cause easily preventable oral diseases. From helping you choose the right toothbrush to ensuring that you always have fresh toothbrushes, no matter how hectic life becomes, GoodMouth does the legwork to bring you better health. Subscriptions are available monthly, bimonthly, or once every three months for just $4.95 per delivery, and subscribers are able to cancel at any time throughout the year. A GoodMouth subscription also benefits the millions of Americans without access to dental healthcare by providing someone in need with two brushes or the equivalent in dental care.

Use the "Brush Suggester" questionnaire at: www.goodmouth.com/our-brushes/find-the-best-toothbrush

Kansas City, Kansas, May 12, 2014 — NOWsystem, Inc. is inviting dental professionals to take the TRIOLOGY™ 30-Day Challenge and allow themselves and their patients to experience the benefits of advanced oral biology. The TRIOLOGY™ line of biologic debriding rinses and serums is designed to enhance dental procedures and patient comfort by increasing the potential of accelerated healing and reduced inflammation, infection, and pain.

Dental professionals signing up for the Challenge will be given a TRIOLOGY™ procedure kit (comprising a 2-cc Debriding Serum syringe, a 2-ml Debriding Serum Treatment Pen, and a 1 ounce Debriding Rinse Spray) and two 8-ounce bottles of TRIOLOGY™ Debriding Rinse. The procedure kit is recommended for use on a selected periodontal patient during a scaling and root planing procedure. That patient should also be given one of the bottles of the Debriding Rinse to take home with instructions to use for 30 days, after which the patient’s healing progress is to be evaluated in a recall appointment. The second 8-ounce bottle of Debriding Rinse is to be used by the dental professional as part of his or her own personal oral hygiene regimen. After 30 days, the professional is to complete an online questionnaire about the impact of the TRIOLOGY™ products on the patients' condition and about the professional’s personal impressions after using the rinse.

In return for completing the questionnaire, participants will receive exclusive discounts and promotions from TRIOLOGY™, sneak previews of future new products, special recognition in publications discussing the findings of the questionnaires, and a certificate designating each as a “TRIOLOGIST” and a member of the TRIOLOGY™ Oral Health Innovation team.

Dental professionals can register for the Challenge at www.triologycare.com, or at TRIOLOGY™ Booth #776 at the CDA Presents dental meeting May 15-17 in Anaheim, California.

TRIOLOGY™ Debriding Rinse and TRIOLOGY™ Debriding Serum deliver breakthrough cleansing powered by Tritiserum™, aproprietary blend of biologic ingredients and carbamide peroxide.  The patent pending formulations integrate with saliva to effectively disrupt biofilm for superior removal of harmful pathogens, debris and irritants, working both supragingivally and subgingivally. This superior cleansing, coupled with a balancing of the pH, increases the potential for accelerated healing and reduced pain, inflammation and infection.

According to Dale Winetroub, NOWsystem, Inc. co-founder and COO, TRIOLOGY™ products are currently distributed by Goetze Dental and Burkhart Dental, and talks are currently underway with several other regional distributors. Dental practices in regions where sales representatives from the company’s current two distributors are not located can order the product online at www.triologycare.com. 

Palm Beach Gardens, FL – (5/6/2014) – BIOMET 3i and the American Academy of Periodontology Foundation are pleased to announce that Dr. Tapan N. Koticha is the winner of the 11th annual Richard J. Lazzara Fellowship in Advanced Implant Surgery. The Lazzara fellowship was established as a tribute to the numerous significant contributions made by Dr. Richard J. Lazzara to the field of implant dentistry.

The fellowship is intended to provide educational and clinical expertise that reflects the most current techniques in implant dentistry. The AAP Foundation Lazzara Fellowship provides a stipend for the Fellow as well as funds to offset the hosting institution’s overhead and administrative costs. It is a 12-month fellowship that takes place at the student’s training institution. It may begin upon the completion of the Fellow’s periodontal training program or when the Fellow starts the last six months of his/her periodontal program.

Dr. Koticha is undergoing his periodontal program studies at the University Of Michigan School Of Dentistry, where he has been widely praised for his professionalism, innovative thinking and leadership ability. Dr. Koticha has already published in numerous journals including the Journal of Periodontology, Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry, and Implant Dentistry.

“We congratulate Dr. Koticha on this prestigious accomplishment,” says BIOMET 3i President, Bart Doedens, “and we look forward to his future accomplishments in the field of implant dentistry. BIOMET 3i is proud to be associated with this prestigious fellowship and we thank the AAP Foundation for the opportunity to partner in its offering.”

Dr. John Kobs, President of the AAP Foundation adds, “The AAP Foundation is grateful for the support of BIOMET 3i, and we truly value our ongoing partnership. Together, we are helping the specialty’s best and brightest to achieve more than ever in the field of implant dentistry.”

About BIOMET 3i

BIOMET 3i, a division of Biomet, Inc., is a leading manufacturer of dental implants, abutments and related products. Since its inception in 1987, BIOMET 3i has been on the forefront in developing, manufacturing and distributing oral reconstructive products, including dental implant components and bone and tissue regenerative materials. The company also provides educational programs and seminars for dental professionals around the world. BIOMET 3i is based in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, with operations throughout North America, Latin America, Europe and Asia-Pacific. For more information about BIOMET 3i, please visit www.biomet3i.com or contact the company at (800) 342-5454; outside the U.S. dial (561) 776-6700.

About the AAP Foundation

The AAP Foundation is a 501(c) (3) public charity and the only organization of its kind designed exclusively to serve the community of periodontal caregivers and patients. It was organized by the specialty's leaders to benefit patients served and enhance the quality of care given, and is supported by members of the Academy, corporate partners, grateful patients, and state and regional periodontal societies. The mission of the American Academy of Periodontology Foundation is to improve the periodontal and general health of the public through increasing public and professional knowledge of periodontal diseases and their therapies, stimulating basic and clinical research to generate new knowledge, and enhancing educational programs at all levels to create opportunities in periodontal education and practice. www.periofoundation.org

Jeffrey Thompson, PhD, professor of prosthodontics and director of the Biosciences Research Center in Nova Southeastern University’s College of Dental Medicine, has secured a US patent for developing a surface modification technology to promote chemical bonding between high-performance ceramic materials like alumina and zirconia and biological materials, like tooth structures, and synthetic materials, like dentures and crowns.

The research was conducted with a team of researchers from RTI International in Durham, NC, and funded by a National Institute of Health (NIH)/National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) grant.

OAK BROOK, Ill. (May 8, 2014) – Go to the dentist at least once a year and you are more likely to feel better about your life overall, according to recently released Delta Dental Oral Health and Well-Being Survey results announced today.

In fact, Americans who go to the dentist at least once a year are 22% more likely to report their overall well-being – their physical and emotional health – as good or better compared with those who seldom visit the dentist.

“Going to the dentist regularly is one part of taking care of ourselves,” says Dr. Bill Kohn, DDS, Delta Dental Plans Association’s vice president of dental science and policy. “Taking care of ourselves is taking control, and we feel better about our lives when we do.”

Not surprisingly, people who visit the dentist more often also tended to report better oral health. Americans who visit the dentist at least once a year are 37% more likely to report their oral health as good or better versus those who infrequently find themselves in a dentist’s chair.

Delta Dental’s survey of 1,003 American adults found that income and education play an important role in getting to the dentist. For example, 86% of Americans making $100,000 a year or more visit the dentist at least once annually compared with 46% of Americans making less than $25,000. About eight of 10 college-educated adults (83%) had regular dental visits. For those Americans without a college degree, about six of 10 (59%) visit the dentist once a year.

The survey also showed some regional differences. For example, Americans in the Northeast (75%) visit the dentist more often than those in the South (60%), though that doesn’t translate to statistically significant differences in reported oral health.

Dental coverage is also a significant factor in dental visits and overall well-being. Nearly eight of 10 Americans (78%) with dental coverage visit the dentist at least once a year versus only about half (52%) who don’t have coverage.

“The connection between dental coverage and dental visits perhaps isn’t surprising, but the numbers demonstrate the stark contrast in dental care,” Kohn says. “At Delta Dental, we strongly encourage those with coverage – and those without – to get the preventive care they need.”

In addition, Americans who have dental coverage are 14% more likely to say their overall well-being is good or better compared to those without dental coverage.

Half of Americans rate their oral health as very good or excellent, according to the Delta Dental study. Only 19% of Americans rate their oral health as fair or poor. Stronger reported oral health is linked with income, education and age. Younger Americans – those ages18 to 24 and those ages 25 to 44 – are more likely to rate their oral health highly than older Americans.

Despite the relatively strong oral health findings, several oral health challenges remain:

- More than one of four Americans (27%) say they have open oral health issues that they’d like to resolve. The biggest reason for not addressing the problem is ability to pay for the work (cited by 62% of those with unresolved issues), while nearly a quarter (23%) mentioned fear of the treatment.

- More than one of five Americans (21%) say they have been advised by a dentist that they have gum disease.

- About one of six Americans (16%) say they have missed work due to oral health issues beyond regular treatments and cleanings.

“Delta Dental sponsored the Oral Health and Well-Being Survey to shine a spotlight on the importance of oral health in America,” says Kohn. “As leaders in dental benefits, we know the importance of oral health for basic daily activities involving the mouth and the link between oral health and overall health. This study’s findings demonstrate the vital role that dental care plays in overall well-being.”

The International Team for Implantology (ITI), a leading academic organization dedicated to the promotion of evidence-based education and research in the field of implant dentistry, awarded Dr. Jia-Hui Fu from Singapore the 19th André Schroeder Research Prize for her paper “A Randomized Clinical Trial Evaluating the Efficacy of the Sandwich Bone Augmentation Technique in Increasing Buccal Bone Thickness During Implant Placement Surgery. I. Clinical and Radiographic Parameters”. Dr. Fu, an Assistant Professor and researcher at the National University of Singapore, was presented with the award by ITI President Prof. Dr. David Cochran during this year’s ITI World Symposium in Geneva on April 26, 2014. The annual prize is endowed with 20,000 Swiss francs.

Dr. Fu and co-authors T.-J. Oh, E. Benavides, I. Rudek and H.-L. Wang conducted a randomized clinical study to investigate the efficacy of the sandwich bone augmentation technique in increasing buccal bone thickness during implant placement surgery. The first part of the study, for which the prize was awarded, was dedicated to collecting clinical and radiographic parameters.

After completing her Bachelor’s degree in dental surgery at the National University of Singapore, Dr. Fu graduated from the University of Michigan with a Master of Science and a Certificate in Periodontics. Alongside the Graduate Periodontics Program, she worked as a Clinical Dental Instructor in Undergraduate Clinics at the Department of Periodontics & Oral Medicine at the University of Michigan.

“It is a great honor to win this highly respected prize and become part of such a distinguished research community,” said Dr. Fu. “This official recognition of our work will serve to fuel our motivation and enthusiasm to carry out further research in the field”.

Priority Research Areas

Each year, the ITI Foundation dedicates 2.2 million Swiss francs to supporting research in the field of implant dentistry. The ITI Research Committee has announced that, as of this year, a sizeable portion of its annual research funds will be assigned to areas of particular interest to the field. In doing so, the ITI is supporting sustained development of selected research areas over a longer period of time. The current priority areas were defined for the period from 2014 to 2017:

- Effect of surface material and surface structure for improved soft-tissue attachment

- Minimally invasive implant therapy. How much osseointegration do we need? How short and narrow can implants be?

- Use and validation of digital data in planning, manufacture and treatment

The ITI emphasized that it will nevertheless continue to welcome research grant applications for all areas of interest in implant dentistry research.

The Cleft Palate–Craniofacial Journal—Poor oral hygiene and higher incidence of tooth decay are often prevalent in people with cleft lip and palate. Food supplements containing probiotic bacteria can help reduce the incidence and severity of dental caries.

The Cleft Palate–Craniofacial Journalpresents a study of 30 adolescents with cleft lip and palate analyzing the effects of probiotics on oral health. Fifteen subjects in the intervention group drank a probiotic milk powder containing Lactobacillus paracasei SD1 for 4 weeks while 15 subjects in the control group were given milk without a probiotic. Levels of salivary mutans streptococci and lactobacilli were measured at the start of the study and once a week for 4 weeks after use of the probiotic concluded.

For adolescents with cleft lip and palate, orthodontic treatment is usually necessary because of irregularities in tooth size, malalignment of teeth, or skeletal abnormalities. However, fixed and removable orthodontic appliances that help correct problems facilitate the colonization of bacteria such as mutans streptococci. This increases the negative impact of orthodontics for caries-susceptible patients.

Live microbial food supplements can help to stimulate natural immunity to infection and balance microflora. Use of the probiotic bacteria Lactobacillus can positively affect the oral cavity. Lactobacillus paracasei SD1 has been shown to have strong inhibitory effects against Streptococcus mutans, making it a good choice as an oral probiotic.

In the study, counts of mutans streptococci, which promote tooth decay, were significantly reduced among those patients who used the probiotic. Likewise, the good bacteria, lactobacilli, showed significant increases among the intervention group. In addition, Lactobacillus paracasei SD1 were still detected up to 4 weeks after active usage of the probiotic.

The Lactobacillus paracasei SD1 milk powder appeared to successfully colonize the oral cavity among this group of orthodontically treated cleft lip and palate patients. It was found to be safe and effective for oral use. Further long-term study of its beneficial effects should be undertaken.

Full text of the article, “Effect of Probiotics Containing Lactobacillus paracasei SD1 on Salivary Mutans Streptococci and Lactobacilli in Orthodontic Cleft Patients: A Double-Blinded, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study,” Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Journal, Vol. 51, No. 3, May 2014, is available here. 

On Sunday, April 27, 2014, oral cancer survivors and their families joined dental and nursing students, residents, and faculty of New York University Colleges of Dentistry and Nursing for New York City’s Ninth Annual Oral Cancer Walk to raise awareness of oral and pharyngeal cancer, a disease that kills over 8,000 American men and women each year.

This year’s walk, a first for inter-borough travel, took a record number of walkers on a four-mile route over the Williamsburg Bridge from Tompkins Square Park in Manhattan to Bushwick Inlet Park in Brooklyn. Over 875 walkers participated, raising nearly $62,000 for the Oral Cancer Foundation (OCF), a national public service, non-profit entity designed to reduce suffering and save lives through prevention, education, research, advocacy, and patient support activities.

“We are pleased to announce that we exceeded our $60,000 goal,” said Jacqueline F. Green, NYC Oral Cancer Walk 2014 Co-chair and NYU College of Dentistry DDS Candidate, 2014. “Special thanks to some of our top fundraisers: Dr. Ivy Peltz, Candace Lee, the Saving Smiles Charity event, and our winning clinic, Peltz and Associates, which raised over $19,000. And, special thanks to our two speakers who are oral cancer survivors, Natalie Carillo and Eva Grayzel. Your stories are inspirational and by sharing them, you have helped to benefit others.”

The Smiling Faces, Going Places dental van, offered free oral cancer screenings, provided by NYU College of Dentistry students and faculty with the assistance the Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Center team. More than 30 people had oral cancer screenings during the event. The key to survival is awareness, prevention, and early detection. If detected in its earliest stages, oral cancer is easily treated.

“The OCF channels the Walk’s donations into worthy research projects with meaningful results,” said Alexander R Kerr, DDS, MSD, NYU College of Dentistry Oral Cancer Walk Chair. “As an example, the work of Dr. Maura Gillison, a major research force behind the discovery of the association between HPV 16 and oropharyngeal cancer, has been funded by the OCF.”

Dr. Kerr continued, “It is inspirational to see how Khadine Alston, a senior DDS student in 2005, began it all, and now Jackie Green and Yelena Lange are passing on the torch again. Our wonderful students are to be congratulated for their dedication and activism; it is across the span of their collective careers that they will surely make a difference in the fight against oral cancer.”

Additional contributing sponsors and participants included: Bronx Lebanon Hospital Center, Columbia, Stony Brook, students from other chapters of the Student National Dental Association (SNDA), participants from the Oral Cancer Foundation, the Oral Cancer Consortium and QWASI.