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Dental Braces Improves Thanks to Nanotechnology

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Now that brace systems have been in use for several years, dental professionals are getting a clear picture of the side effects that may be seen with their use. The clear, transparent braces are certainly helping to retain the self-confidence of patients forced to wear the mouth gear, but there are signs of wear and tear evident.

Fortunately, researchers are looking into a solution to the problem that comes with the transparent braces, so patients can continue to enjoy a less obvious correction method without future complications. Nanotechnology is being toted and a very likely and hopeful solution. The new material created by the team of researchers would reduce mechanical and friction resistance – the root cause of wear and tear.

Nano-reinforced plastics will be useful in many applications throughout several industries, but for the dental community it can mean a more resilient, nearly invisible teeth correction system. The material is more rigid and would not give in to the constant chewing, talking and other movement of the mouth. This is all thanks to minute particles known as alumina nanoparticles, which are spread evenly through the currently utilized polysulfone.

The process has been patented by the UC3M Polymers and Composite Group. There is more work to be done to bring this product to the general population, but there is hope that dental patients will have less to fear from braces in the future.

For more information, continue reading the full article.

Oral Bacteria Linked to Pancreatic Cancer

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As far as cancer goes, that found in the pancreas is considered one of the least favorable.

It has a high fatality rate due to the fact that it is difficult to diagnose in early stages. It accounts for more than forty thousand deaths each year, typically claiming patients within six months of their diagnoses.

If there were ways to predict the onset of pancreatic cancer, it could save many lives each year. A recent study provides such hope, as it discovered a link between certain oral bacteria and cancer of the pancreas.

It has been known for some time that there was some link between periodontal disease and pancreatic cancer, but this latest study, which was published in Gut suggests that detection of certain antibodies in the blood, tied to periodontal disease, could indicate the existence of cancer in the pancreas.

More than 800 adult participants provided blood samples in this study. Those samples were tested for antibodies linked to a bacterial strain known as Porphyromonas gingivalis.

The samples containing high levels of the antibodies demonstrated a two-fold risk for pancreatic cancer. This was followed by the study of detailed health histories and blood samples of 380 thousand participants, which came to the same conclusion.

This, of course, is not concrete evidence that the antibodies suggest cancer, as a weakened immune system could be the cause of both. However, it does point to a path scientists can follow for further information about a fatal condition.

Having headed the research, Jacques Izard and Dominique Michaud plan to continue their research.

For more information about what they have already discovered, keep reading the full article.

Could Humans Grow New Teeth?

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Could the answers for a wide variety of dental conditions be found in the sea?

Some scientists are now exploring that possibility as new Prickly Pufferfish research holds some promise.

The fish, which has teeth that continually replace themselves (in a unique manner), could provide scientists a different view of the genes that lead to tooth replacement.

Led by Dr. Gareth Fraser of the University of Sheffield, the team discovered that the Pufferfish’s replacement teeth formed into a sort of beak.

Nature’s methods may provide a sort of roadmap, the team felt, for a human tooth replacement system.

They could also answer questions about how the genetic behavior is maintained throughout a lifetime; provide a better understanding about why human beings lose the ability to replace teeth after the second set.

Could it be possible, in the future, to provide human beings the ability to grow new teeth?

For now, researchers can only hope. This study tracked the stages of growth throughout the lifetime of Pufferfish.

Initially, the Pufferfish has normally aligned fish teeth, but as the first set falls loose, a new set of teeth forms, building the structure of the beak.

The beak is created of several bands, with each representing a series of replacement teeth. A single pufferfish can have up to seven bands at one time and even the bands replace themselves as damage is done to existing teeth.

For more information on the study and the hope that it provides for the dental community, continue reading the full article.

Researchers Surprised How Precise Teeth Cut Food

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Dentists, orthodontists, and people all over the world love teeth for their ability to stand up to the day-to-day grind of biting, chewing, chomping, and otherwise breaking down food.

There are millions of species on this planet, and many of those have teeth designed to assist them in enjoying a healthy diet.

However, up until now researchers had done little research into how tooth shape impacts diet.

Recently, though, a team from the University of Bristol used modern-day technology to recreate what nature crafted many, many years before.

With digital models of different teeth shapes, the researchers were able to recreate the act of chewing in a form that was easy to study.

With particular attention paid to v-shaped teeth found in a wide variety of animals, the team discovered that the shape of a tooth dictates what a species can break down.

The v-shape was among the most effective for its ability to handle a wide variety of foods.

With this knowledge, researchers and scientists can better understand the dietary patterns of different species on earth.

Dentists can also have increased insight into how the teeth are used each and every day.

The hope is that research will continue and will unearth secrets about the evolution of teeth throughout history.

For more information on the study and findings, continue reading the full article.

Amazing New Filling Kills Bacteria and Remineralizes Tooth!

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In order to understand the pure dental-related brilliance that has sprung from a research team at the University of Maryland School of Dentistry, one must first grasp the process that occurs before a cavity forms in a tooth.

Bacteria is ever present in the mouth, but when food particles are left behind in and around the teeth, harmful types of bacteria can feed on it, producing acid as a byproduct. The acid eats away at the minerals in the teeth and ultimate causes decay. Regardless of how well a dentist attacks the issue, even after drilling, the bacteria continue to exist.

Until now, dentists could only play defense, using fillings to prevent further damage from occurring. However, today, there is hope that dentists will soon have the ability to combat the bacteria more effectively. They may be able to use fillings, not just for defense, but to regenerate the lost tooth structure and to stave off any further attacks by bacteria.

The new nanocomposite that the team has developed would be good for more than ten years and contains an antibacterial primer and adhesive. These components of the filling are outfitted with high pH levels. The alkaline status helps to defend against any acid produced by bacteria. Additionally, the use of calcium phosphate allows for tooth remineralization, so the filled tooth actually grows in strength.

Testing will continue on the teeth of animals and humans in coming months and the team has submitted patent applications, so the hope is that everyday use will not be far off.

For more information on the nanocomposite and the promise it holds, continue reading the dental news article.