ADA Takes Close Look at How Dentists are Faring in Financial Climate
from the American Dental Association
Grim news about the global financial crisis dominates headlines. Consumer confidence in November was at its lowest point in history. Many can't recall a recession so severe and economists say related uncertainties about its consequences serve to prolong the downturn. Whereas some dentists have managed market fluctuations before, others' practice experience has been characterized by steady and predictable growth. Both camps are concerned about what lies ahead. More

Oral Care: Vital to VAP Prevention
from Infection Control Today
Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is the second-most common health care infection. As defined by the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, VAP is an airway infection that must develop more than 48 hours after the patient was intubated. The definition of VAP is simple, but the consequences are not. The financial strife VAP causes to medical systems is huge, and the cost to family’s who lose loved ones is enormous and cannot be measured. Proper oral hygiene is very important in the prevention of VAP. More

Small Device Helps Sleep Apnea Sufferers in a Big Way
from Science Daily
Imagine choking and gasping for air every time you fall asleep. Between 18 million and 20 million people in the United States suffer from these frightening symptoms because of a common disorder called sleep apnea. A device tested by The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio Dental School helps pull the lower jaw forward, creating an open airway in the throat to benefit those with moderate to severe sleep apnea. It is more appealing, affordable and easier to use than standard therapies. More

Best Treatment for TMJ May Be Nothing
from The New York Times
One person gets migraine headaches, another ringing in the ears, a third clicking and locking of the jaw, a fourth pain on the sides and back of the head and neck. All are suspected of having a temporomandibular disorder. Up to three-fourths of Americans have one or more signs of a temporomandibular problem, most of which come and go and finally disappear on their own. Specialists from Boston estimate that only 5 percent to 10 percent of people with symptoms need treatment. More

Immediate, Non-submerged, Root-analogue Zirconia Dental Implants
from Osseo News
This case, which is part of a larger ongoing clinical trial, demonstrates that immediate placement of significantly modified, root-analogue, non-submerged zirconia implants yields excellent results superior to previously described custom made root-analogue titanium implants with a uniform surface. More

To Pull or Not to Pull Wisdom Teeth, the Debate Heats Up
from The Memphis Commercial Appeal
Evolutionarily their days may be numbered, but the current debate about if and when wisdom teeth should be removed suggests they won't go quietly. This year, it is estimated that more than 4 million Americans, mostly teenagers, will have their wisdom teeth pulled in a rite of passage as American as braces or a first pair of contact lenses. Members of the American Public Health Association (APHA) fear it has become a little too routine. More

New Oral Cancer Tests: Crucial or Wasteful?
from The New York Times
Though relatively rare, it is one of the easiest cancers to spot and diagnose. And if treated early, it is usually curable. So why do experts find oral cancer so vexing? Despite the many advances against cancer in recent decades, the statistics on this form of it remain discouraging: more than 60 percent of cases are diagnosed in the late stages, and the five-year survival rate is a disappointing 59 percent. More

U.S. Experts Foresee More Effective Cancer Radiation
from Reuters
U.S. researchers think they now understand why some cancers grow back after radiation treatment. They said a specialized type of cell known as a cancer stem cell has a protective mechanism that keeps radiation from damaging the DNA and proteins inside the cell. More

Study: Treating Periodontal Disease During Pregnancy Did Not Reduce Preterm Birth Rates
from WebMD
Treating gum disease during pregnancy has not proven to be an effective strategy for preventing preterm births. The observation that pregnant women with periodontal disease seem to have an increased risk for very early delivery led to hopes that treating tooth and gum problems could lower this risk. More

3-D Case Study: From Dental Disability to Extraordinary Dental Health
from Dental Office Magazine
A 52-year-old female presented to Pi Dental Center in Fort Washington, Penn., with no upper teeth and missing lower back teeth. The patient had been fully edentulous in the maxilla for 22 years, which resulted in significant maxillary bone loss. The missing mandibular posterior teeth made it difficult for her to function. The patient desired improved function, comfort, and esthetics. Her medical history of diabetes, sinus trouble, and stomach disorders were all significant factors in her treatment planning. More