Gum disease linked to common heart rhythm condition

2025-05-19 - 2025-05

A new study has found a link between the bacteria responsible for gum disease and atrial fibrillation, a common heart rhythm disorder that affects millions of people worldwide. It emphasizes the importance of adopting a holistic approach to medicine.
In much the same way as knowledge of the benefits of a healthy gut microbiome has expanded exponentially, more and more research has begun demonstrating a connection between mouth health and disease. New Atlas has previously covered research linking oral bacteria with Alzheimer's disease, gut inflammation, and heart disease.
Now, a new study led by Hiroshima University (HU) in Japan has found a link between the bacterium responsible for gum disease, or periodontitis, and the common heart rhythm disorder atrial fibrillation (AFib).
"The causal relationship between periodontitis and atrial fibrillation is still unknown, but the spread of periodontal bacteria through the bloodstream may connect these conditions," said the study's lead author, Shunsuke Miyauchi, MD, an assistant professor at HU's Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences.
The most common clinically significant heart rhythm disorder, the global prevalence of AFib - also called AF - is high and continues to rise. The condition is associated with an increased risk of heart failure, stroke, and death. Periodontitis is the name given to a group of inflammatory oral infections caused by bacteria that live on tooth surfaces and destroy underlying supporting tissues. The condition can range from mild gingivitis (gum inflammation) to the chronic destruction of dental tissue, resulting in tooth loss. Porphyromonas gingivalis is one such bacterium and was the focus of the present study.
"Among various periodontal bacteria, P. gingivalis is highly pathogenic to periodontitis and some systemic diseases outside the oral cavity," Miyauchi said. "In this study, we have addressed these two questions: Does P. gingivalis translocate to the left atrium from the periodontitis lesion? And, if so, does it induce the progression of atrial fibrosis and AFib?"
Using mice infected with P. gingivalis, the researchers confirmed the movement of the bacterium from the site of dental inflammation to the left atrium, the upper heart chamber where AFib originates, via the bloodstream. They did this by testing the DNA of the bacterium in the mouth and the heart and finding that they matched.
Additionally, P. gingivalis-infected mice showed a higher degree of scar tissue in the atrium (21.9% vs 16.3%) and a higher AFib inducibility (30% vs 5%), which is the ability to trigger an episode of AFib through controlled heart stimulation, than control mice. In a separate human study, researchers analyzed left atrial tissue from 68 patients with AFib and found P. gingivalis there, too. It was present in greater amounts in those patients with severe gum disease.
"P. gingivalis invades the circulatory system via the periodontal lesions and further translocates to the left atrium, where its bacterial load correlates with the clinical severity of periodontitis," said Miyauchi. "Once in the atrium, it exacerbates atrial fibrosis, which results in higher AFib inducibility. Therefore, periodontal treatment, which can block the gateway of P. gingivalis translocation, may play an important role in AFib prevention and treatment."
Translating that into plain language, Miyauchi is saying that because the severity of gum disease correlated with the amount of bacteria found in the heart's upper chamber, a way of preventing the movement of bacteria from the mouth to the heart, and thereby reducing the risk of developing AFib, is to maintain good oral hygiene.
"For the next step, we're investigating the specific mechanisms by which P. gingivalis affects atrial cardiomyocytes [heart muscle cells]," Miyauchi said. "We're also now focusing on establishing a collaborative medical and dental system in Hiroshima Prefecture to treat cardiovascular diseases, including atrial fibrillation. We aim to expand this initiative nationwide in the future."

Study Finds No Significant Link Between Dental Fractures and Amalgam Restorations

2025-05-18 - 2025-05

Brazil: A recent case-control study published in the Journal of Applied Oral Science has found no significant association between dental fractures and the presence of silver amalgam restorations. The research concluded that the type of restorative material, including amalgam and composite resin, did not notably impact the risk of tooth fractures, challenging previous assumptions about amalgam's role in dental failures.
Led by Luana Dos Santos Souza from the Universidade Estadual Paulista, Instituto de Ciencia e Tecnologia, Departamento de Odontologia Restauradora, Sao Jose dos Campos, Sao Paulo, the study explored whether amalgam restorations increased the risk of dental fractures and assessed the influence of factors such as restoration size and wear facets.
The investigation involved 25 patients with fractured teeth restored with amalgam (case group) and 50 patients with non-fractured teeth, either untreated or restored with amalgam, composite resin, or other materials (control group). Researchers evaluated variables such as the type and extent of restorations, the remaining tooth structure, and the presence of wear facets.
Alginate impressions of the teeth were taken to create plaster models, which were then assessed by two calibrated examiners using digital calipers to measure the size and extent of fractures or restorations. Statistical analyses, including the Chi-square test and odds ratio calculations, were used to identify any significant associations.
Key Findings:
No statistically significant difference was observed in the risk of fractures between teeth restored with silver amalgam and those restored with other materials.
Fractures larger than 3.5 mm showed a fracture risk of 0.53 for amalgam restorations, but without statistical significance.
The presence of wear facets did not notably increase fracture risk in amalgam-restored teeth, with an odds ratio of 1.357.
Based on the results, the researchers concluded that silver amalgam restorations do not significantly contribute to the likelihood of dental fractures. These findings provide important evidence against the belief that amalgam restorations elevate the risk of tooth failure.
"The study suggests that, under its specific conditions, there is no clear association between dental fractures and the presence of silver amalgam restorations," the authors wrote.
The study contributes valuable insights to the ongoing discussion around the safety and performance of amalgam restorations. While supporting their continued use, the authors highlight the need for further research to evaluate other factors affecting restoration longevity across diverse clinical settings and patient populations.

Case Study: Innovative Ear Reconstructions Address Cholesteatoma Pain

2025-05-15 - 2025-05

Patient living in Nevada with a history of cholesteatoma presented to Cleveland Clinic with excruciating ear pain and pressure. Three years prior, she had been treated for the condition, but she continued to report discomfort and was unable to tolerate air travel due to the altitude changes. At a follow-up with her original surgeon, she was told that the cholesteatoma had been removed and future therapy was not recommended despite her discomfort.
At Cleveland Clinic, she met with otologist-neurotologist Edward Doyle, MD.
"When I looked in her ear, it appeared everything was relatively OK," says Dr. Doyle. "She had prior surgery, and I saw a couple of areas where it looked like there could be some additional disease. However, she was still reporting severe pain and drainage. In these cases where the initial surgery was done at a different organization, evaluating what was done and what the patient needs now can be challenging. You need to start from the beginning and reevaluate everything."
He recommended exploratory surgery to understand her current condition and the details of the previous operation.
Treatment
Dr. Doyle found that her original surgeons had widened her ear canal. But in doing so they also took away part of the ear canal. Over time, as she healed, part of her skin and part of her cholesteatoma grew back into that location, which he recognized would need to be rebuilt.
"She had an area of her ear canal left open that had developed a big hole," explains Dr. Doyle. "I knew that that was a problem, but I didn't have high hopes that fixing this would improve her pain or relieve the fullness that she was experiencing. Once I got in there, I realized how collapsed her middle ear space was. Her eardrum had, in a sense, shrink-wrapped itself. Once I rebuilt that for her, I found numerous pockets that were blocked off, and I think addressing those is what improved her pain and pressure afterward."
During surgery, Dr. Doyle had to rebuild several parts of the patient's ear. He rebuilt a portion of her ear canal, her eardrum and the ossicles in her middle ear space. He also had to dilate her eustachian tube, all of which were made more complicated by the previous disease process and her prior surgery.
To repair her eardrum, Dr. Doyle used a mosaic technique and took cartilage from the tragus of the ear. The cartilage was shaved into numerous pieces and then cut to the exact size of the defect to rebuild the eardrum in multiple pieces.
"The benefit of the mosaic technique is that by rebuilding the eardrum in multiple parts, it not only enables the eardrum to heal, but it also provides structural integrity to resist some of that pull and pressure," explains Dr. Doyle.
The biggest challenge of the case was rebuilding the patient's ossicles, though. Her original surgeons took her incus, turned it and cut it into pieces. They tried to recreate the ossicular chain, but that approach didn't work for this patient.
"When I got into her eardrum, the malleus and the incus were no longer connected to the stapes," says Dr. Doyle. "Without that connection, it doesn't matter how well the eardrum functions because there isn't any bone movement to send sound into her ear to her brain."
Dr. Doyle placed a long titanium partial ossicular replacement prosthesis (PORP) device on the stapes to help send the sound waves through when her eardrum moved.
In addition to the repairs, Dr. Doyle also dilated the patient's eustachian tubes, which he hopes will help keep that area open and help aerate between the ear and the outside environment to help alleviate her feeling of ear tightness.
"The patient had a large defect in her ear canal, and with the eustachian tubes not working, her ear canal was almost acting like a vacuum," explains Dr. Doyle. "Initially, much of the defect of her ear canal was created at the time of surgery, which was done to monitor for disease. However, it progressed to the point where we couldn't identify if any disease was caused by that area. That was part of the reason I took her to surgery, and that defect was treated using cartilage as well."
Takeaways
Following the surgery, the patient experienced immediate relief from pain and pressure, and her hearing also dramatically improved. The patient still experiences issues with dizziness, but Dr. Doyle believes this could be caused by a multitude of issues.
"Although I tell patients that our primary goal with these types of surgeries is to create a safe environment for the ear and that hearing loss is not the reason for the surgery, this patient's hearing improved substantially from her first surgery," says Dr. Doyle. "I think her quality of life is also dramatically improved, which is always the goal for these kinds of things - being able to take away her pressure and pain and allow her to stop focusing on her ear all the time."
For Dr. Doyle, this case stands out due to the creative use of multiple surgical techniques to address complex challenges. Not only did he have to rebuild several different parts of her ear, but he also had to make sure that these reconstructed parts would work together in order to get the result he was looking for.
"These techniques are not cutting-edge or brand new," he says. "But we had a patient who had multiple surgeries and was still having problems. We needed to identify what else could be done to help, and that can be hard because I think there's a natural tendency among surgeons to want to do less - especially when you start to get outside of your wheelhouse. But that's one of the benefits of coming to a major health center, like Cleveland Clinic, for treatment. We have four neurotologists on our team who can address these kinds of complex problems on a routine basis, and I think that's a major advantage when it comes to complex surgeries like this one."

Nightly Neglect? Study Links Skipping Brushing to Sudden Heart Attacks - Expert Weighs In

2025-05-13 - 2025-05

The study in question, often cited in these alarming articles, explores the connection between oral hygiene and overall health. Read ahead to know what the expert says!
In the realm of health and wellness, the connections between different bodily systems are constantly being explored. Recent reports have surfaced, drawing a potentially alarming link between a seemingly routine habit, or lack thereof, and a critical cardiovascular event: sudden heart attacks. Specifically, a study has been cited suggesting that neglecting to brush one's teeth at night could elevate this risk. While such findings understandably generate concern, it becomes imperative to delve beyond the headlines and critically examine the scientific basis and expert perspectives surrounding this alleged association.
To shed light on this important matter, we turn to Dr. Shrey Kumar Srivastav, a Senior Consultant and General Physician at Sharda Hospital in Noida, for his insightful analysis.
The study in question, often cited in these alarming articles, explores the connection between oral hygiene and overall health. It suggests that bacteria present in gum disease can enter the bloodstream and contribute to inflammation, a known risk factor for heart disease. The logic follows that skipping brushing, especially at night, allows more bacteria to thrive, potentially increasing this risk.
However, Dr Shrey Kumar Srivastav, Senior Consultant and General Physician at Sharda Hospital in Noida, urges caution against jumping to definitive conclusions. "While there is definitely a well-established link between poor oral health and several systemic diseases, including cardiovascular issues, the idea that simply not brushing at night directly causes sudden heart attacks is an oversimplification," he clarifies.
Dr Srivastav emphasises that the study likely points to a correlation, not a direct cause-and-effect relationship. "People who neglect their oral hygiene might also have other unhealthy habits or underlying health conditions that contribute to heart disease. Factors like diet, smoking, lack of exercise, and pre-existing conditions play a much more significant role in determining heart attack risk," he explains.
Think of it this way: someone who doesn't brush their teeth at night might also be less likely to floss, eat a balanced diet, or visit the dentist regularly. These are all factors that can indirectly impact cardiovascular health.
So, should you ditch your toothbrush at night? Absolutely not!
Dr Srivastav stresses that maintaining good oral hygiene is crucial for overall well-being. "Brushing twice a day, flossing regularly, and going for dental check-ups are essential for preventing gum disease and other oral health problems. While it might not be the sole determinant of your heart attack risk, it's a piece of the puzzle."
Key Takeaway!
While the study highlights the importance of oral health, the link to sudden heart attacks due to only skipping nighttime brushing is likely an exaggeration. Focus on a holistic approach to health, which includes:
Consistent oral hygiene: Brushing twice a day (morning and night), flossing daily.
Balanced diet: Eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
Regular exercise: Aiming for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise most days of the week.
Avoiding smoking: A major risk factor for both heart disease and gum disease.
Regular check-ups: Visiting both your dentist and your general physician for routine screenings.
Don't let sensational headlines scare you into drastic changes. Instead, focus on building healthy habits across the board.

Education innovation award supports study on AI use in dentistry

2025-05-02 - 2025-05

Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to revolutionize the practice of dentistry, from real-time diagnostics to enhanced treatment planning, and MUSC's Sonali Rathore, BDS, isn't alone in this belief. The American Dental Association agrees, noting the rapid rise of AI in the field and even investing in its future. At the Medical University of South Carolina's James B. Edwards College of Dental Medicine, Rathore is putting that potential to the test in the classroom and beyond.
Rathore, an associate professor and director of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology in the CDM, is evaluating an AI-powered dental software platform known as Second Opinion to determine its effectiveness in identifying and diagnosing dental caries, commonly known as cavities or tooth decay.
Second Opinion, developed by dental AI company Pearl, states on its website that it offers dentists "a second set of eyes." Rathore said the technology is a valuable tool for dentists and patients alike - and it not only enhances clinical accuracy, but it improves the patient experience.
"AI has been shown to function as a supportive aid, offering real-time diagnostic assistance while the patient is still in the chair," she said. "Additionally, patients appreciate being able to visualize their proposed treatment plans, including annotated images of their teeth and dental conditions."
Rathore was recognized with MUSC's 2024 Education Innovation Award for her year-long project, which she began last fall. The $15,000 award, which was granted by the MUSC Education Innovation Cabinet, overseen by Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs and Provost Lisa Saladin, PT, Ph.D., recognizes faculty members engaged in research that creates innovation in the education space.
"We look forward to the results of Dr. Rathore's innovative pilot project, exploring the applications of AI in dentistry as well as the development of simulated learning environments and personalized learning experiences for students," said Saladin. "The EIC seeks to fund novel projects that encourage student learning by looking at learning through a different lens - one that promotes exploration, resourcefulness and creativity to answer questions and find solutions. It's always exciting to see our faculty members innovative approaches to learning."
Rathore's pilot study, titled "Transforming Dental Education through AI," builds on the exponential growth of AI in dentistry by comparing the diagnostic accuracy of second- and third-year dental students with that of the AI software. Using de-identified bitewing radiographs, or X-rays, that show the various stages of proximal (between the teeth) caries, students will then document their findings, using a standardized form. Their results will then be compared to a gold standard reference to evaluate both the student and AI's performance.
"If this pilot study shows that the AI software performs on par with the gold standard, it could serve as a valuable supplemental learning tool in both didactic and clinical dental education," she said. "Students are enthusiastic about the software's potential, and it could significantly enhance how they learn to diagnose."
For Rathore, preparing students for that future is essential. "AI is poised to transform dental practice, and many clinicians have already begun integrating it into their workflows. As AI continues to advance, it's critical that our students are well-versed in the latest digital tools shaping modern dental care."
Rathore's work reflects the CDM's broader commitment to integrating innovation into dental education. As her project continues, she believes it will serve as a model for how technology can empower today's dental students while also supporting an increasingly digital and patient-centered care environment.

New drug therapy with natural compound shows promise against periodontal diseases

2025-04-30 - 2025-04

US researchers discovered in a previous clinical study that the chronic gum inflammation can promote an ageing-related condition called 'senescence', even in younger tissues.
Senescent cells, which have permanently ceased to divide in response to stress, secrete inflammatory molecules that increase tissue damage, impair healing, and accelerate disease severity.
Now, a new translational study by the same research team at Penn Dental Medicine reveals that targeting senescent cell burden could be an effective strategy for managing periodontal disease and promoting oral health.
In a paper published in the Journal of Dental Research, the researchers showed that an anti-senescence therapy or 'senotherapy', consisting of an enzyme inhibitor called dasatinib and a natural flavonoid plant compound called quercetin, reduced markers of senescence and associated periodontal inflammation and bone loss in lab-dish and animal models.
Senotherapies, which target senescent cells by eliminating them or suppressing their harmful effects, are gaining attention for a host of potential clinical applications, and now periodontal diseases as well.
In their new study, the team used the dasatinib-quercetin (DQ) combination, a senotherapy that has shown an ability to reduce senescent cell numbers and senescence markers in other clinical contexts.
In lab-dish experiments, the team exposed gum cells called keratinocytes to periodontitis-associated bacteria, which induced a senescence-like molecular signature. Treatment with DQ significantly weakened this signature-as did quercetin alone comparably.
The results extended to a live animal model as well. In aging mice, which exhibit features of senescence as they age, DQ treatment significantly decreased senescence markers and senescence-associated inflammatory mediators in gum tissues, restoring them to levels observed in young, non-senescent gums. Importantly, the DQ supplements also prevented much of the loss of alveolar bone, suggesting that senotherapy could help preserve the structural integrity of the periodontium.
"These results are consistent with our previous studies and a growing body of research that shows the powerful role of natural compounds, like quercetin, in promoting oral and systemic health," Dr Esra Sahingur said.

Global survey highlights the challenges of VR-haptic technology in dental education

2025-04-29 - 2025-04

A recent global survey of 156 institutions by a Finnish team reveals strong interest in VR-haptic technology for dental training, yet significant barriers impede widespread adoption.
Combining virtual reality with force feedback, VR-haptic technology is becoming more and more common in dental education where it complements traditional preclinical hand skill training methods.
The aim of the present study was to understand dental educators' perceptions and needs regarding the acceptability and application of VR-haptics in dental education, as well as to gather suggestions for system improvements.
Over a third of 387 respondents cited technical limitations in current systems, such as insufficient haptic precision and restricted procedural options, which undermine skill transfer to real patient care. Financial constraints were another major hurdle, with 28 per cent of institutions struggling to afford devices, leading to shortages and limited student access.
Resistance to change also persists: 24 per cent noted low acceptance among educators and students, driven by disruptions to traditional teaching methods. Additionally, 13 per cent highlighted time-intensive curriculum adaptations and training requirements as critical obstacles.
To address these challenges, the authors recommend further hardware and software development, seeking cost-reduction innovations, and providing targeted faculty training to demonstrate VR-haptics' educational benefits.
They point out that future success hinges on multidisciplinary collaboration-particularly among restorative dentistry, prosthodontics, and endodontics-to develop realistic, discipline-specific training scenarios.

Scientists Successfully Grow Human Tooth in Lab, With Aim of Implanting in Humans

2025-04-27 - 2025-04

Scientists at King's College London say they've successfully grown a human tooth in a lab for the first time.
As detailed in a paper published in the journal ACS Macro Letters, the team said it uncovered a potential way to regrow teeth in humans as a natural alternative to conventional dental fillings and implants, research they say could "revolutionize dental care."
The researchers claim they've developed a new type of material that enables cells to communicate with one another, essentially allowing one cell to "tell" another to differentiate itself into a new tooth cell.
In other words, it mimics the way teeth grow naturally, an ability we lose as we grow older.
"We developed this material in collaboration with Imperial College to replicate the environment around the cells in the body, known as the matrix," explained author and King's College London PhD student Xuechen Zhang in a statement. "This meant that when we introduced the cultured cells, they were able to send signals to each other to start the tooth formation process."
"Previous attempts had failed, as all the signals were sent in one go," he added. "This new material releases signals slowly over time, replicating what happens in the body."
However, porting the discovery from the lab, and transforming it into a viable treatment will require years of research.
"We have different ideas to put the teeth inside the mouth," Xuechen said."We could transplant the young tooth cells at the location of the missing tooth and let them grow inside mouth. Alternatively, we could create the whole tooth in the lab before placing it in the patient's mouth."
While we're still some ways away from applying the findings to human subjects, in theory the approach could have some significant advantages over conventional treatments like fillings and implants.
"Fillings aren't the best solution for repairing teeth," said Xuechen. "Over time, they will weaken tooth structure, have a limited lifespan, and can lead to further decay or sensitivity."
"Implants require invasive surgery and good combination of implants and alveolar bone," he added. "Both solutions are artificial and don't fully restore natural tooth function, potentially leading to long-term complications."
The new approach, in contrast, could offer a better long-term solution.
"Lab-grown teeth would naturally regenerate, integrating into the jaw as real teeth," Xuechen explained. "They would be stronger, longer lasting, and free from rejection risks, offering a more durable and biologically compatible solution than fillings or implants."
While nobody knows whether lab-grown teeth will become a viable dental treatment, experts remain optimistic.
"This new technology of regrowing teeth is very exciting and could be a game-changer for dentists," King's College clinical lecturer in prosthodontics Saoirse O'Toole, who was not involved in the study, told the BBC. "Will it come in my lifetime of practice? Possibly. In my children's dental lifetimes? Maybe. But in my children's children's lifetimes, hopefully."

Biomarkers Identified For Better Diagnosis Of Peri-Implantitis

2025-04-23 - 2025-04

Researchers in South Korea have identified unique genetic markers of the chronic inflammatory disease that affects dental implants.

A growing geriatric population, greater awareness of oral hygiene, rising income levels, and longer life expectancy have made Asia Pacific one of the largest markets for dental implants. However, this rise is marked by the growing prevalence of Peri-Implantitis (PI), a chronic inflammatory condition affecting the soft and hard gum tissues around dental implants.

The current treatment for PI is similar to that of periodontitis, also a chronic inflammatory gum disease, but underlying differences in the mechanism of these conditions remain unknown.
In a study, researchers at Pusan National University, South Korea, discovered a unique link between PI and activated fibroblasts. They also identified specific marker genes that may improve diagnosis and treatment. The study was published in the Journal of Dentistry.
As with natural teeth, bacteria can build up below the gum line at the base of an implant. Over time, this can cause inflammation and tissue damage. If left untreated, it can lead to bone loss under the implant, making the condition difficult to manage and prone to recurrence. It can even lead to implant failure.
For the study, researchers collected gum tissue from ten people with both conditions- Peri-Implantitis and periodontitis. They extracted RNA and used sequencing and bioinformatics to examine gene activity, immune responses, and tissue changes.
The study found that activated fibroblasts, cells in the connective tissue that have started to proliferate abnormally, may play a key role in peri-implantitis. The study also identified three specific marker genes that were more active in peri-implantitis, suggesting they could serve as specific biomarkers for the disease.
"This study provides essential insights into the role of activated fibroblasts as a distinctive factor in the pathogenesis of peri-implantitis versus periodontitis. Although peri-implantitis and periodontitis share clinical similarities, they exhibit distinct biological pathways. This research identifies three key biomarkers-ACTA2, FAP, and PDGFRB-that are markedly overexpressed in peri-implantitis. These biomarkers have the potential to facilitate differential diagnosis and contribute to the development of peri-implantitis-specific therapeutic approaches," said Yun Hak Kim, associate professor at Pusan National University's School of Medicine and lead researcher.
Biomarker-based diagnostics could reduce misdiagnosis between PI and periodontitis, improve patient outcomes, and allow for more targeted treatments, especially for high-risk individuals.
"These findings could drive significant advancements in clinical strategies for diagnosing and treating peri-implantitis," added Kim.
The differentially expressed genes identified in the study may guide the development of treatments tailored to PI's distinct biology. "Over the next 5-10 years, this study's findings could serve as a fundamental basis for the development of highly specialized, targeted therapies addressing peri-implantitis, specifically focusing on its unique biological and immunological characteristics compared to periodontitis," said Kim.

ADA NSW selects D2L for more enhanced learning experience

2025-04-22 - 2025-04

D2L, a global learning technology company, has been chosen by the Australian Dental Association New South Wales Branch (ADA NSW) to support member growth by providing an enhanced learning experience with more modes of learning delivery for its more than 5000 members.
ADA NSW Centre for Professional Development (CPD) provides world-class education and training to support dentistry career growth at every stage, including students, recently graduated dentists, early career dentists, established practitioners, dental practice owners and retirees.
By implementing the D2L Brightspace Learning Management System (LMS), ADA NSW aims to optimise the courses it offers to each segment to see that the association stays relevant and connected to its members at every career stage.
ADA NSW provides hands-on practical skills workshops in its clinical space and digital dentistry training, including using artificial intelligence, 3D printing, and high-definition intraoral scanning in its state-of-the-art digital learning space.
ADA NSW currently generates around 30 per cent of its revenue from its education program and offers around 200 courses annually to around 4000 participants. With the rollout of D2L Brightspace, ADA NSW is looking to augment its course offering and expand.
"Whilst there has been an increase in demand for hybrid learning due to a shift in our members' needs and preferences, the practical nature of dentistry still benefits from face-to-face, hands-on practice," ADA NSW clinical education principal and board member Dr Cathleen Dong said.
ADA NSW can increasingly offer online learning via D2L Brightspace, including lecture-based content and on-demand webinars. These courses are generally developed and taught by subject matter experts and specialists and are designed to help prepare members for the practical, hands-on workshops that they have to attend in person.
"By implementing D2L Brightspace, we want to enhance the association's digital workflow. This will enable continuous learning, including reflection and self-assessment, and help assess our member's learning needs at each phase of their careers," Dr Dong said.

Widespread Dental Pulp Calcification Observed in SLE Patient on Long-Term Steroid Therapy: Case Report

2025-04-20 - 2025-04

China: A recent case study published in The Open Dentistry Journal sheds light on a dental issue faced by patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) treated with long-term glucocorticoids (GCs). SLE is an autoimmune disease that causes widespread inflammation, and glucocorticoids are often prescribed to manage its symptoms. However, prolonged use of these medications can lead to complications, including pulp cavity calcification in the teeth.
The case involved a 30-year-old woman diagnosed with SLE at 17 and treated with methylprednisolone for 13 years. She visited the dental clinic with a fractured tooth (tooth 11) and reported sensitivity to cold. Examination and diagnostic tests, including electric pulp testing and panoramic radiographs, revealed chronic pulpitis and calcification of the pulp cavity in the affected teeth. Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) confirmed that pulp calcification extended beyond the damaged teeth.
The long-term use of glucocorticoids raised concerns about the role these medications might play in the calcification of her dental pulp. While electric pulp testing indicated normal pulp sensitivity, the radiographs and CBCT scans revealed root canal calcification, complicating the treatment. Initially, a root canal treatment (RCT) was recommended, but the calcification made it difficult to access the root apex.
Given the severity of calcification, the treatment plan was modified. A pulpotomy was performed, and the root canals were temporarily sealed with zinc oxide-eugenol cement. Follow-up imaging confirmed that calcification affected all of the patient's teeth, making traditional RCT less viable. Further treatment included calcium hydroxide and composite resin to seal the canals, followed by dental crown preparation.
After a year of follow-up, the patient reported no discomfort or inflammation. However, the calcification in the teeth remained a concern. This case highlights the challenges of treating dental issues in patients with SLE on long-term glucocorticoid therapy. The study emphasizes the need for regular dental check-ups for these patients and suggests that a multidisciplinary approach is necessary to address their medical and dental needs.
The case study also emphasizes the importance of early intervention in preventing long-term dental complications in SLE patients. As glucocorticoids can cause significant dental issues, healthcare providers should work together to ensure comprehensive care and minimize the impact of such treatments on oral health.
"Based on the patient's long-term glucocorticoid use and supporting studies, it appears that extended GC therapy significantly contributes to widespread dental pulp calcification," Shenjie Xu, Department of Oral Medicine, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, P.R. China, and colleagues noted. They added, "When multiple teeth are involved, root canal treatment becomes unfeasible."
They concluded, "Hence, a multidisciplinary approach is essential for managing SLE or other chronic conditions in patients on prolonged GC therapy."

Postoperative Rehabilitation demonstrated preventive role against relapse after osseous temporomandibular joint ankylosis surgery: Study

2025-04-18 - 2025-04

A new study published in the journal of BMC Oral Health showed that during the unusually long clinical follow-up period of 24 months, postoperative rehabilitation was found effective for prevention of recurrence following TMJA surgery.
Temporomandibular joint ankylosis (TMJA) is a disorder in which the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) becomes permanently stuck in a forced position due to an intracapsular lesion, resulting in significantly reduced mandible motion. As a result, not only severe trismus, but also masticatory function and facial deformities might impair aesthetics in afflicted people.
TMJA is classified into fibrous ankylosis and bony ankylosis, with the latter frequently causing a severe condylar dysfunction and impairing quality of life (QOL). Gap arthroplasty (GA), which involves excising any bony adhesion between the joint space and mandibular condyle without inserting it into the resulting gap, and interpositional gap arthroplasty (IPG), which involves creating a gap and then inserting an artificial material or temporalis myofascial flap (TMF) for example, are two related surgical procedures that have been reported.
The goal of surgical therapy for TMJA is to improve patient quality of life by reducing ankylosis, restoring condylar function, avoiding ankylosis recurrence, and enhancing facial attractiveness. Thus, this study sought to clarify and analyze the association between the operational method, the rehabilitation time, and maximum incisal opening (MIO), with an emphasis on mouth opening following surgical treatment for TMJA.
12 patients who had surgery for gap or interpositional arthroplasty were included. The course of maximal incisal opening in patients was split by surgical procedure, gap size, and rehabilitation duration, with a focus on relapse of maximal incisal opening. The average recurrence of maximum incisal opening following surgery in patients with a gap size ≥ 15 mm was 12.0 ± 11.2 mm, whereas in those with a gap size < 15 mm was 8.9 ± 12.6 mm.
The average relapse of maximum incisal opening following surgery in patients with gap arthroplasty was 12.3 ± 7.6 mm, whereas those with interpositional arthroplasty was 7.5 ± 15.2 mm. After surgery, patients with less than 12 months of rehabilitation had an average relapse of 14.1 ± 10.7 mm, whereas those with more than 12 months had an average recurrence of 7.4 ± 16.3 mm.
Overall, the findings of this retrospective study over a relatively long clinical follow-up period of 24 months demonstrate the relevance of postoperative rehabilitation in avoiding recurrence following TMJA surgery.

Review flags climate change as emerging threat to oral health, calls for more study

2025-04-16 - 2025-04

While the effects of climate change on general health are well documented, its specific impacts on oral health have been largely overlooked—until now. A scoping review published in BDJ Open in late March found that climate change is expected to have significant consequences for dental health and access to care.
The review analyzed 10 peer-reviewed studies and concluded that environmental changes—such as extreme weather events, rising temperatures and worsening social inequalities—can contribute to dental issues like cavities, gum disease and oral cancer.
“The findings synthesize a nascent yet significant body of research exploring how environmental changes driven by climate change impact the dental profession and oral health outcomes,” the authors wrote. “Continued research and policy attention are imperative to address the complex and evolving challenges posed by climate change to oral health.”
Oral health and climate change
For instance, Hurricane Katrina in 2005 severely disrupted access to dental services in New Orleans and surrounding areas. In Mississippi, more than 60 per cent of dental practices in affected counties were partially or completely damaged.
The review warns that oral health risks being deprioritized in the face of more immediate climate-related health threats—such as infectious disease and heat-related illnesses—potentially leading to reduced attention and resources for preventive and restorative dental care.
In a related story, Henry Schein Inc. announced in early April that the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) has approved the company’s near-term and long-term science-based emissions reduction targets. The SBTi also verified Henry Schein’s commitment to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
“Having joined the Business Ambition for 1.5°C initiative in 2021, Henry Schein is pleased to fulfill our commitment to set net-zero emissions reduction targets,” said Jennifer Kim Field, chief sustainability officer at Henry Schein. “Sustainability is deeply rooted in our corporate culture, and we understand our role in mitigating our environmental impact, as climate change is one of today’s most important sustainability issues.”

Cells very similar to neurons obtained from human dental stem cells

2025-04-07 - 2025-04

Cells with electrophysiological activity obtained at the University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU) are opening up new avenues for the study of neurodegenerative diseases and the development of future autologous transplants.
A UPV/EHU study published in Stem Cell Research & Therapy has proven that stem cells extracted from human dental pulp can be transformed into excitable neuronal cells and has highlighted the potential of these easily accessible cells for nerve tissue engineering. This finding will enable the furthering of advances in cell therapy for treating various neurodegenerative diseases, such as Huntington's disease and epilepsy.
"An adult neuron cannot be divided. When you lose it, you lose it forever. And unlike other organs, the brain has a comparatively low capacity for natural regeneration due to its low presence of stem cells," said Gaskon Ibarretxe, a researcher in UPV/EHU's Signaling Lab research group. The scientific community is looking for a way to obtain functional neurons that can be transplanted to restore impairments in neurodegenerative pathologies, brain lesions, and strokes.
"But if the cells transplanted into the brain are to be able to integrate into a damaged brain circuit and replace the lost neurons, they need to be able to produce electrical impulses," added the researcher José Ramón Pineda, co-author of the study and a researcher in the group.
Stem cells have the capacity to divide and differentiate into different types of specialized cells. The UPV/EHU research group has obtained cells very similar to neurons; they "manage to produce electrical impulses like those of neurons by means of the differentiation of stem cells in human dental pulp, the soft tissue located inside the tooth," they said.
The main milestone of this study was "the obtaining of cells that display functional excitability and which synthesize a type of neurotransmitter that regulates neuronal activity, without having been genetically modified; the primary dental cells were simply cultured with differentiation factors and were subjected to precise stimuli to generate cells with neuronal electrophysiological activity," said the researchers of the Signaling Lab at UPV/EHU. This had never been achieved before.
Resembling inhibitory neurons
Neurotransmitters are substances released by neurons that can send excitatory or inhibitory signals to make neurons generate an electrical impulse or not. "The cells that we managed to differentiate are capable of synthesizing a neurotransmitter known as GABA," explained the researchers.
"It is a type of inhibitory signaling, in other words, it controls whether the neuron that receives it fires electrical impulses or not. And that is very important because there are neurodegenerative diseases such as Huntington's disease or conditions such as epilepsy in which there is a selective death of those types of cells in specific areas of the brain, and a resulting hyper-excitability of the brain circuitry."
Ibarretxe and Pineda, lecturers in UPV/EHU's Department of Cell Biology and Histology, expressed great optimism when referring to the new avenues that can be explored on the basis of this finding, "We believe that these cells could be integrated into a damaged brain circuit and replace lost neurons, and thus reconnect with existing neurons and eventually regenerate the entire lost area functionally.
"This finding suggests a different approach to traditional cell therapy applied to the nervous system, which until now has been based, above all, on reducing inflammation, on neuroprotecting what remained alive, but not on replacing what has been lost. This opens a new door to the future of personalized medicine."
That is in fact the next step in this research. "To transplant these cells into living animals and see if they are integrated into the brain circuit and reconnect with the host's neurons. We obtained cells that generate electrical impulses characteristic of neurons that are not yet fully mature, but we are aware that they must generate trains of electrical impulses and be correctly integrated into a neuronal circuit. We haven't achieved that yet."
The UPV/EHU researchers admitted that "there is a long road ahead, but we know it's going to be very promising. We believe that these cells have a great chance of being implemented in the clinical setting. The fact that they are transplanted at a relatively immature stage could even encourage their plasticity and integration into already developed brain circuits."
The researchers added that these cells in fact offer an inherent advantage: "They are cells that do not have a tendency to generate tumors; on the contrary, it has been proven that they are very stable cells and differentiate better than other types of human stem cells into neurons."

The oral health care needs of people living in residential aged care, Australia, 2016-20: a retrospective cross-sectional study

2025-04-07 - 2025-04

Providing high quality medical care for people living in residential aged care is a national challenge, and oral health care is one area that is inadequate.1 In 2014, 84.7% of residents in Victorian nursing homes had untreated dental decay;2 in 2015, 53% of Australians aged 65 years or older had periodontal disease and 19% complete tooth loss.3 Poor oral health is associated with other adverse health outcomes, including cardiovascular disease, cognitive decline, and pneumonia.4 The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety recommended that the access of aged care home residents to oral health practitioners be improved.1 Apart from establishing the national Senior Dental Benefits Scheme and adding dental and oral health care to the Quality of Care Principles, evidence of effective action has, however, been limited.5
We therefore estimated the incidence of oral and dental-related care needs and health service and medication use for aged care residents, analysing data for the national historical cohort of the Registry of Senior Australians (ROSA),6 1 July 2016 - 30 June 2020. We included all 360 305 non-Indigenous residents of aged care homes aged 65 years or older who did not hold Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) concession cards (access to Medicare Benefits Schedule [MBS] items is different for DVA card holders). Oral health information for 137 113 residents was based on the aged care eligibility assessments that have been conducted by the aged care eligibility assessment team since 1 July 2017. The assessment includes a mandatory question about problems with teeth, mouth, or dentures, including tooth loss, dental cavities, periodontal disease, and gingivitis (inflammation of the gums, dry mouth, tooth wear). We estimated crude and direct age- and sex-standardised (reference year: 2017-18 ROSA study cohort) cumulative incidence of hospitalisations with oral health or dental-related diagnoses as proportions with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), dental practitioner health service use (MBS data), and the dispensing of medications prescribed by public and private dentists (Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme Dental Schedule data), both overall and by financial year (Supporting Information, table 1). Hospitalisation analyses were limited by the availability of ROSA historical cohort data to aged care residents admitted to public hospitals in South Australia, New South Wales, and Victoria (private hospitals data are not available for South Australia). The study was approved by the University of South Australia human research ethics committee (200489), the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare ethics committee (EO2022/4/1376), the South Australian Department for Health and Wellbeing human research ethics committee (HREC/18/SAH/90), and the New South Wales Population and Health Services research ethics committee (2019/ETH12028).
The median age of the 360 305 eligible residents in 2830 residential aged care homes was 85 years (interquartile range [IQR], 80-90 years); 226 490 were women (62.9%), 192 310 were living with dementia (53.4%), and they had a median five (IQR, 3-7) health conditions. Median study follow-up time for residents was 499 days (IQR, 188-1002 days). Oral health care problems were identified for 26 842 of 137 113 people (19.6%; 95% CI, 19.4-19.8%). Of all eligible residents, 665 people (0.18%; 95% CI, 0.17-0.20%) had used MBS-subsidised dental practitioner health services, and 6605 (1.83%; 95% CI, 1.79-1.88%) had used medications prescribed by dentists (Box). A total of 4954 aged care residents in South Australia, New South Wales, and Victoria (1.99%; 95% CI, 1.94-2.05%) had been hospitalised with dental or oral-related diagnoses (Supporting Information, table 3); 1167 hospitalisations (0.47% of residents; 95% CI, 0.44-0.50% were potentially preventable (Box).
Our findings, based on a population-based evaluation, can be generalised to all aged care home residents in Australia. However, we could not include dental services provided through the residential aged care home or paid for privately (ie, services that were not MBS-subsidised); data for private dental care in aged care homes is required to assess whether dental and oral health care needs are being met. In March 2024, 54.9% of older Australians had private health insurance,7 which can include subsidisation of private dental services.
Despite recent government initiatives to improve the oral health of older Australians, including the National Oral Health Plan 2015-2024,8 current models of care and service delivery in residential aged care are not meeting the needs of residents. The system, service, and workforce barriers to improving oral health include high staff turnover and the lack of oral health education for staff, the high costs and access problems of dental and oral health services, and the inadequate integration of aged care and health care systems.9,10 Encouragingly, the publicly funded dental domiciliary service program of the Sydney Local Health District, the Inner West Oral Health Outreach Program (Reach-OHT), has shown that a multidisciplinary team providing oral health assessments and treatments (largely diagnostic and preventive services) is a feasible and sustainable approach to oral health care for aged care residents.11 Oral health policy and practice reforms are urgently needed to improve the health and wellbeing of older Australians living in aged care homes.

Hormonal Changes in Pregnancy Linked to Higher Cavity Risk, Study Finds

2025-04-03 - 2025-04

A new study has revealed a significant link between hormone levels in pregnant women and their risk of developing cavities. Researchers from the Eastman Institute for Oral Health, part of the University of Rochester Medical Center, found that the elevation of certain hormones in saliva is associated with higher levels of cavity-causing bacteria.
Cavities are nearly twice as common in pregnant women as in non-pregnant women, with up to 87.2% of pregnant women experiencing untreated dental decay. This issue is particularly pronounced in underserved communities, where access to dental care may be limited. A longstanding question in research has been whether hormonal changes during pregnancy contribute to an increased risk of oral diseases.
The EIOH study, published in Journal of Clinical Medicine, found that hormonal changes during pregnancy, especially elevated levels of progesterone, estradiol, testosterone, and cortisol, were linked to increased levels of Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans), a bacteria known to cause cavities. Participants with higher hormone levels also had more plaque and untreated cavities.
“This connection is particularly concerning because the oral health of an expecting mother directly impacts the developing baby,” said co-author Jin Xiao, DDS, PhD, professor and founding director of Perinatal Oral Health at EIOH. “Poor maternal oral health has been linked to an increased risk of premature birth, low birth weight, and early childhood cavities.”
The study suggests that saliva hormone testing may serve as a valuable tool for identifying pregnant women at higher risk for cavities. Such early detection could allow healthcare providers to implement preventive dental strategies, reducing oral health risks for both mothers and their babies.
“This study emphasizes the importance of integrating dental care into prenatal health services, especially for underserved communities where access to preventive care is often delayed,” said the leading author Ruqian Yang, DDS, MS, an EIOH research fellow and dental resident, “By addressing oral health early in pregnancy, healthcare providers may improve outcomes for both mother and child.”
A common misconception about dental care during pregnancy is that it’s unsafe or unnecessary, and that pregnant women should avoid dental visits or postpone treatments until after the child is born.
“Nothing could be further from the truth,” Dr. Xiao stressed. “Addressing oral health concerns during pregnancy is vital for both the mother and baby's well-being.”
To help improve access to care, EIOH established a first-of-its-kind Pregnancy and Infant Dental Clinic, dedicated to treating pregnant women and their infants, ensuring they receive the necessary dental care without delay. Dentists who are receiving advanced specialty training at Eastman Institute for Oral Health rotate through this clinic. Dr. Yang completed her perinatal oral health and research fellowship, during which she conducted this study. By integrating this specialized training into their training programs, EIOH is breaking down the misconceptions and training the next generation of providers to improve access and care.

Dental implants show longevity and continued function after four decades

2025-04-02 - 2025-04

GOTHENBURG, Sweden: Single-tooth implants have demonstrated high success rates over observation periods of five to ten years. However, long-term monitoring remains essential. Researchers at the University of Gothenburg have recently conducted the longest follow-up study yet on implant survival and complication rates, evaluating single implants placed 38–40 years ago. Their findings confirmed that the implants remained fully functional but that the implant-supported crowns exhibited comparatively shorter lifespans. The study offers valuable insights into potential long-term complications and reinforces confidence in the longevity of single-tooth implant treatments.
The study included 13 individuals who received 18 single implants placed using a two-stage protocol with delayed loading, and none received bone grafts. The implants were developed based on research conducted at the University of Gothenburg under the leadership of the late Prof. Per-Ingvar Brånemark—a distinguished Swedish physician and researcher widely recognised as the father of modern dental implantology and the pioneer of osseointegration.
Lead author Sargon Barkarmo, a prosthodontist and senior lecturer at the university, expressed enthusiasm regarding the long-term effectiveness of the implants, which showed an impressive cumulative survival rate of 95.6%. He commented in a university press release: “Even though the study included a small number of patients, the results show that the implants remain in place and that the bone loss around them is virtually unchanged after 40 years. This confirms that the foundation Brånemark established still holds.”
Although peri-implant mucositis was common among the study participants, no peri-implantitis was diagnosed. Nonetheless, several implants exhibited probing depths of ≥ 6 mm, indicating the necessity of ongoing clinical monitoring. Plaque was observed on all the teeth and implants during the follow-up visit, and the mean plaque index was 16.9% ± 11.6%. The bone levels surrounding all the implants remained remarkably stable over the study period, and many even showed slight bone gain.
In contrast to the high implant survival, the implant-supported crowns had a notably shorter lifespan. Only 60.9% of the original crowns remained in place. Out of 18 crowns, six were cement-retained. Senior author Dr Jan Kowar, a prosthodontist and senior lecturer at the university, explained that aesthetic concerns, rather than technical failures, were the primary reason for crown replacements. He noted that developing innovative crown materials could significantly advance long-term outcomes for implant treatments.
Despite the relatively small sample size, the study highlights the excellent long-term success of single-tooth implant systems while acknowledging the increasing likelihood of crown replacements over extended periods. The authors stressed that longer follow-up studies are crucial for better understanding implant longevity and potential complications, particularly because many of the patients who receive single implants are young and are thus expected to maintain their implants for decades. Barkarmo noted: “Today, methods that accelerate treatment and healing are commonly used. These approaches also need long-term follow-ups and careful evaluation to ensure equally good results over time.”

Study: Orleans County is 'dental desert' among GLOW counties

2025-04-02 - 2025-04

Orleans County is a “dental desert,” according to a Harvard University study published in December 2024.
The study defines a dental desert as a location with 1 dentist per 5,000 people.
Rural areas on average have one dentist for every 3,850 people, according to the study published Dec. 23, 2024, in the American Medical Association’s JAMA Network Open.
The study of 265,762 U.S. dentists found that nearly 1.7 million people in the United States did not have access to a dental clinic within a 30-minute drive of their home and that 24.7 million lived in a dental care shortage area, or “dental desert.”
Oak Orchard Health, which provides dental care and other medical services in Orleans and other area counties, has noted “a critical dental care shortage” in Orleans County.
“Many individuals, particularly those who are underinsured, are left without essential dental services,” Oak Orchard said in a statement.
The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s annual County Health Rankings & Roadmaps reinforced the data from the Harvard study, showing that Orleans County had the highest ratio between residents and dentists in the GLOW region.
The rankings used data from 2022 in comparing its dentist and population ratios.
In Orleans County, the rankings estimated one dentist per 4,370 residents, which was more than three times the state average of one dentist per 1,200 residents.
The United States average is one dentist per 1,360 residents, according to the CountyHealth Rankings survey.
Among other GLOW counties, Livingston County had an estimated one dentist per 1,980 residents, the best ratio among the four area counties. Wyoming County had one dentist per 2,090 residents and Genesee County had one dentist per 2,620 residents.
The County Health Rankings & Roadmaps provide local-level data that shows how people from one county to another rank on a range of factors that determine health.
Oak Orchard CEO Karen Kinter, at a March 26 public hearing about fluoridation in the Village of Albion water supply, said “that the kids we’re treating currently have a high rate of further dental treatment that’s needed.”
“Two out of three kids we see do need further dental treatment,” Kinter said. “This is a major crisis in this community and fluoride is one way to help prevent caries and the need for further dental treatment.”
Dental caries are chronic infectious diseases that affect the teeth such as cavities or tooth decay.

The best way to stop oral cancer is to prevent it, experts say

2025-04-03 - 2025-04

CITING the link between pugua use and oral cancer, stakeholders urged community members to undergo free oral cancer screenings at dental clinics or the Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation.
On Tuesday, April 1, Gov. Arnold I. Palacios and Lt. Gov. David M. Apatang signed a proclamation designating April as Oral Cancer Awareness Month.
CHCC oncologist Dr. Peter Brett said that while working in California, he would see one or two patients a year with oral cancer. On Saipan, because of pugua, that number was closer to 20 per year.
"We all know that betelnut itself—or combined with tobacco— that's what causes oral cancer," said Brett. "If no one chewed betelnut here, maybe we'd have one case of oral cancer a year instead of 20."
According to statistics provided by the Commonwealth Cancer Association, which organized the proclamation signing, from 2018 to 2023, 120 people in the CNMI were diagnosed with oral cancer. Forty of those patients died within those six years. Seventy-three percent of the patients were between the ages of 18 and 59, with 62% of all diagnoses occurring in men.
Brett said residents who find something wrong with their mouths should get screened for oral cancer immediately.
"I think the most important thing that people need to be aware of is that if something's wrong in the mouth, as soon as you detect it, maybe wait a week to make sure it doesn't go away on its own. But after a week, if it's still there, you need to get it checked up right away," he said. "We can prevent most cases of people dying of oral cancer if people just went in as soon as they felt something wrong or saw something wrong in their mouth, or if they got a regular annual screening to detect it."
He said the most common type of patient he sees comes to him when the disease has progressed into stage four cancer, when it is so large it has already spread into the bone of the mouth or into lymph nodes.
"The typical patient is about 45 years old, who has noticed a lump in his mouth for about six [or] nine months. Then it starts hurting in the jaw, [his] face is starting to swell up a little bit, and then he starts having bleeding from the mouth. He knows about this for six to nine months, but he's kind of hoping that things will get better and go away...but it's not going away. It's just getting worse."
Brett said there are treatments on island that doctors can use to help, but by stage 4, it is "very hard to cure" no matter what technique is used.
"There's a very high chance this person is eventually going to die of the cancer within a year or two," Brett said.
"[For] a patient like this, normally we have to send them off island to Los Angeles. They do radical surgery; the patient comes back with a lot of scarring. After the radical surgery, they need very toxic radiation treatment to their face and mouth. It causes a lot of pain [and] it's really difficult to go through. We keep an eye on them and almost always, the cancer comes back after all that."
The next most common patients Brett sees are those who come to him after being diagnosed with cancer in its first stage. He said this makes a lifesaving difference.
“They go see a dentist. The dentist says, ‘Oh that doesn't look good,’ and the dentist either refers [the patient] to our [Ear, Nose, and Throat doctor] or does a biopsy...finds out sure enough it's an oral cancer. But this [cancer] is small,” Brett said.
With early detection, the cancer can be removed through surgery, which also prevents other, more physically costly procedures, Brett said.
“After that, usually a patient doesn’t need any more treatment nor radiation or chemotherapy. Four times out of five the person is cured. Cancer is gone. We always hope that the person is caught early...it makes such a difference,” he said.
Iris Quitugua and her mother, Jaclyn Quitugua, attended the proclamation signing in honor of the late Cisco Cruz—Jaclyn's husband and Iris' father—whom they described as “strong, brave, and full of life.”
"Cancer took [my father] away too soon," she said. It was not just his fight; it became our family's fight. And we want to make sure that others do not have to experience this same pain. The best way to stop oral cancer is to prevent it. We can do this by making healthier choices, avoiding betel nut and tobacco, and visiting the dentist for regular check-ups."
Jocelyn Deleon Guerrero, CCA board president, said oral cancer has "taken the lives of too many of our loved ones, subjecting them to immense suffering." She hopes that residents become aware of how important early detection is.
"In the CNMI, the use of betel nut or pugua has been closely linked to this disease. This is not just about what is mixed with the nut. The carcinogenic danger is within the nut itself. As we enter 2025, we must renew our efforts and push for stronger measures and education. Our call to action is clear. We must protect our future, our youth and people. Prevention and early detection are key," she said.
All dental clinics on island give free oral cancer screenings, she added.
According to the CCA, the symptoms of oral cancer include:
White or red sores or patches that do not heal on the gums, tongue, or lining of the mouth; sores on the lips or mouth that bleed easily and do not heal within two weeks; unusual bleeding, numbness, pain, or tenderness in the mouth; difficulty chewing or swallowing, speaking, or moving your jaw or tongue; difficulty opening your mouth.

AI dental assistant reads X-rays with near perfect accuracy

2025-04-02 - 2025-04

An international team have developed a deep learning model that aims to revolutionise dentistry, with the capability to identify tooth and sinus structures in dental X-rays with an accuracy of 98.2 per cent.
The team have published their findings in Bioengineering.
Using a sophisticated object detection algorithm, the system was specifically trained to help quickly and more accurately detect odontogenic sinusitis-a condition that is often misdiagnosed as general sinusitis and, if left unchecked, could spread infection to the face, eyes, and even the brain.
By training deep learning models on dental panoramic radiograph (DPR) images, the researchers found a way to detect key anatomical relationships-such as the proximity of tooth roots to sinuses-with unprecedented accuracy.
The study used the YOLO 11n deep learning model, achieving an impressive 98.2 per cent accuracy, outperforming traditional detection methods.
YOLO (You Only Look Once) is a state-of-the-art object detection algorithm known for its speed and accuracy. The YOLO 11n model, an improved version, is optimised for medical imaging tasks, enabling it to identify teeth and sinus structures with high precision in a single pass through the image.
Unlike conventional diagnostic methods, which require multiple steps and expert interpretation, YOLO 11n rapidly pinpoints the affected areas in real time, making it an invaluable tool for dental professionals.
Beyond accuracy, this AI-driven approach also offers practical benefits. It minimises patient exposure to radiation by reducing the need for CT scans, which are currently the gold standard for diagnosing odontogenic sinusitis.
It also provides a cost-effective screening tool, particularly useful in resource-limited areas where advanced imaging technology may not be available. And by flagging potential cases early, the system allows for prompt intervention, preventing complications and reducing the burden on health care providers.

AI model developed by Philippine, Taiwanese researchers identifies tooth, sinus structures with 98.2% accuracy

2025-03-31 - 2025-04

A research team from the Philippines and Taiwan has developed an artificial intelligence-assisted diagnostic system capable of identifying tooth and sinus structures in dental X-rays with 98.2% accuracy.
The study, published by the Ateneo Laboratory for Intelligent Visual Environments (ALIVE) in collaboration with Taiwan's Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, National Cheng Kung University, Chung Yuan Christian University, and Ming Chi University of Technology, introduces a deep learning model designed to enhance the diagnosis of odontogenic sinusitis.
The YOLO (You Only Look Once) 11n model, a lightweight, real-time object detection system, aims to lower patients' radiation exposure and reduce diagnostic costs. "The detection method developed in this study effectively reduces the radiation dose patients receive during CT imaging and serves as an auxiliary system, providing dentists with reliable support for the precise diagnosis of odontogenic sinusitis," the researchers wrote.
Odontogenic sinusitis is an inflammation of the sinuses caused by dental issues, often misdiagnosed as general sinusitis due to similar early symptoms. Left untreated, the infection can spread to the face, eyes, and even the brain. The condition is typically diagnosed by both dental professionals and otolaryngologists.
According to the study, the AI model is designed to determine whether dental root apices are close to the sinus floor. It also highlights sinus locations through image enhancement. "This technology instantly identifies the proximity between tooth roots and the sinus floor when capturing a dental panoramic radiograph (DPR)," the study states. "It alerts patients to potential risks and facilitates case information sharing with otolaryngologists, providing additional reference data for clinical diagnosis."
The research found that the YOLO 11n model outperformed other models in detecting odontogenic sinusitis. The system demonstrated a classification accuracy of 96.1%, improving diagnostic performance by 16.9% compared to non-enhanced methods and surpassing previous studies by at least 4%.
With its high accuracy and efficiency, the AI model has the potential to become a widely used diagnostic tool in dental and ear, nose, and throat (ENT) clinics, aiding in the early detection and treatment of odontogenic sinusitis.

AI dental assistant reads X-rays with near-perfect accuracy

2025-03-31 - 2025-03

The Ateneo Laboratory for Intelligent Visual Environments (ALIVE) and international researchers have developed a deep learning model that aims to revolutionize dentistry, with the capability to identify tooth and sinus structures in dental X-rays with an accuracy of 98.2%.
Notoriously difficult to diagnose
Using a sophisticated object detection algorithm, the system was specifically trained to help quickly and more accurately detect odontogenic sinusitis-a condition that is often misdiagnosed as general sinusitis and, if left unchecked, could spread infection to the face, eyes, and even the brain.
Odontogenic sinusitis, caused by infections or complications related to the upper teeth, is notoriously difficult to diagnose. Its symptoms-nasal congestion, foul-smelling nasal discharge, and occasional tooth pain-are nearly identical to those of ordinary general sinusitis. To make matters worse, only about a third of patients experience noticeable dental pain, meaning the condition is frequently overlooked by general practitioners. Traditional diagnosis requires collaboration between dentists and otolaryngologists, often leading to delayed treatment.
You Only Look Once
By training deep learning models on dental panoramic radiograph (DPR) images, the researchers found a way to detect key anatomical relationships-such as the proximity of tooth roots to sinuses-with unprecedented accuracy. The study used the YOLO 11n deep learning model, achieving an impressive 98.2% accuracy, outperforming traditional detection methods.
YOLO (You Only Look Once) is a state-of-the-art object detection algorithm known for its speed and accuracy. The YOLO 11n model, an improved version, is optimized for medical imaging tasks, enabling it to identify teeth and sinus structures with high precision in a single pass through the image. Unlike conventional diagnostic methods, which require multiple steps and expert interpretation, YOLO 11n rapidly pinpoints the affected areas in real time, making it an invaluable tool for dental professionals.
AI's growing role in medicine
Beyond accuracy, this AI-driven approach also offers practical benefits. It minimizes patient exposure to radiation by reducing the need for CT scans, which are currently the gold standard for diagnosing odontogenic sinusitis. It also provides a cost-effective screening tool, particularly useful in resource-limited areas where advanced imaging technology may not be available. And by flagging potential cases early, the system allows for prompt intervention, preventing complications and reducing the burden on healthcare providers.
This breakthrough highlights AI's growing role in medical diagnostics, bridging gaps where human expertise alone may fall short. With further validation, this technology could become a standard tool in dental and ENT clinics, ensuring that more patients receive timely and accurate diagnoses.

Sugar-sweetened beverages boost risk for oral cavity cancer in women

2025-03-27 - 2025-03

Key takeaways:
The risk for oral cavity cancer was over 4 to 5 times higher among women who consumed sugary drinks once or more a day.
Still, the risk in this population was low, amounting to three cases per 100,000 people.
A greater intake of sugar-sweetened beverages was tied to a higher risk for oral cavity cancer, or OCC, in women, a longitudinal study in JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery showed.Such findings were significant regardless of whether women drank alcohol or smoked, but the baseline risk for OCC was low, indicating "that larger cohorts are needed to evaluate the role of different dietary patterns in risk [for] OCC in patients with and without traditional risk factors," researchers said.
Several prior studies have shown that consuming greater amounts of sugary drinks is associated with greater risks for multiple chronic diseases, such as liver cancer.
"We are seeing a rapid increase in [OCCs] in young and nonsmoking men and women without an identified etiology," Brittany Barber, MD, MSc, an associate professor in the department of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery at University of Washington, told Healio. "Determining novel and harmful risk factors for [OCC] is paramount to cancer prevention."
The researchers aimed to expand this literature by examining 1986 to 2017 follow-up data from the Nurses' Health Study and Nurses' Health Study II.
Participants with a history of cancer, incomplete data on sugary beverage intake or implausible caloric intake were excluded from the study, leaving a sample of 162,602 women (mean age, 43 years).
A total of 124 invasive OCC cases occurred during the 30-plus years of follow up.
Overall, women who consumed one or more sugar-sweetened beverages per day had a 4.87 times (95% CI, 2.47 to 9.6) higher risk for OCC compared with those who consumed less than one sugar-sweetened beverage a month.
This association remained after Barber and colleagues adjusted for BMI and glycemic load and restricted the analysis "to a tongue or non-tongue subsite."
Meanwhile, the risk for OCC in women who drank one or more sugar-sweetened beverages daily was 5.46 times (95% CI, 1.75 to 17.07) higher vs. those consuming less than one sugary beverage monthly when the researchers restricted the analysis to both light smokers or nonsmokers and light drinkers or nondrinkers.
"As a result, the rate of OCC was three people more per 100,000 population in the one or more [sugar-sweetened beverage] daily group than in the less than one [sugar-sweetened beverage] monthly group," they wrote.
There were multiple study limitations, which included possible underrepresentation or overrepresentation of sugary beverages' effects on OCC, and limited generalizability to diverse groups and men.
Barber and colleagues highlighted some potential mechanisms behind the findings - for example, high intake of high fructose corn syrup from sugary drinks may cause oral dysbiosis, "also known to be an emerging risk factor for OCC."
They acknowledged that "reporting risk increase as a relative value can be misleading" given the low absolute OCC risk at baseline.

Chairside Glycemia Testing in Dental Clinics: A Promising Approach for Early Diabetes Detection, Study Finds

2025-03-26 - 2025-03

USA: A recent feasibility study highlights the potential of point-of-care glycemia testing in dental clinics, particularly in safety-net settings, as a valuable tool for early diabetes detection. The findings revealed that chairside HbA1c testing in a dental setting identified previously undiagnosed prediabetes in 34.2% and diabetes in 6.6% of at-risk adult patients. Among individuals with dysglycemia, 64.6% pursued follow-up care within six months.
"Integrating point-of-care glucose testing into routine dental visits has the potential to enhance early detection and improve diabetes management in high-risk groups," the authors wrote in the Journal of the American Dental Association.
With diabetes becoming a global health concern, early detection and management are essential in preventing complications. Many individuals visit dental clinics more frequently than primary care providers, making oral health settings an ideal space for opportunistic screening. By incorporating chairside glycemia testing, dental professionals can help bridge the gap in diabetes diagnosis, especially among high-risk populations.
Against the above background, Nadia Laniado, Department of Dentistry, Jacobi Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Pelham Pkwy S, Bronx, NY, and colleagues aimed to evaluate the practicality of screening at-risk adult dental patients for abnormal blood glucose levels using a chairside finger-stick test to measure glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c).
For this purpose, the researchers conducted chairside HbA1c finger-stick testing on 260 high-risk adult patients, identified based on the American Diabetes Association and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Prediabetes Risk Test, who had no prior diabetes diagnosis. Descriptive statistics, and χ2 and Fisher exact tests, were used to analyze the relationships between HbA1c levels, risk scores, and participant characteristics.
The study led to the following findings:
Chairside testing identified undiagnosed prediabetes in 34.2% of patients.
The study detected undiagnosed diabetes in 6.6% of patients.
Postprocedure questionnaire responses indicated high acceptance and satisfaction with the testing.
Six months after testing, 64.6% of patients with dysglycemia had followed up with their primary care provider.
The study showed that dental professionals play a crucial role in identifying undiagnosed prediabetes and diabetes by collaborating with physicians and healthcare providers. Chairside glucose testing in dental settings offers a practical and effective approach to early detection, making it a valuable public health strategy for high-risk patients.
"Integrating this screening method into routine dental care can enhance diabetes prevention and management, contributing to broader efforts in addressing the growing diabetes epidemic," the authors concluded.

Case Study: A Rare Case of Extramammary Paget Disease of the Oral Mucosa

2025-03-26 - 2025-03

A 72-year-old man with a history of smoking presented with a diagnosis of Extramammary Paget disease of his oral mucosa. The patient had been seen by a community-based oral and maxillofacial surgeon due to unexplained weight loss over one year, as well as tenderness of his oral mucosa when eating, drinking and toothbrushing over the previous two months. An examination of the patient's mouth revealed what appeared to be irritation of the mucosal lining.
The surgeon initially suspected lichen planus and referred the patient for a biopsy. However, a biopsy confirmed a diagnosis of Extramammary Paget disease (EMPD), and the patient was referred to Cleveland Clinic head and neck surgeon Danielle Bottalico, MD, for a surgical consult.
Typically, this condition is seen in breast carcinoma, where it is diagnosed as mammary Padget disease (MPD). Very few cases have been seen outside of breast tissue.
"Extramammary Paget disease is exceptionally rare," Dr. Bottalico explains. "To the best of our knowledge, it's only been documented eight times, and ours was the ninth case report over the past 50 years."
Because EMPD is so rare, its risk factors and causes are not known. However, it appears to mimic an inflammatory process and can be associated with underlying invasive adenocarcinoma.
In this specific case, a CT scan was performed, and no underlying mass concerning for cancer was identified.
Treatment and Outcome
The case was presented to Cleveland Clinic's multidisciplinary tumor board, which includes a panel of head and neck surgical oncologists, radiologists, radiation oncologists, medical oncologists and pathologists to consult on the appropriate treatment.
Management for oral EMPD is primarily surgical, and given the extent of involvement the case was also referred to Cleveland Clinic head and neck surgeon Jamie Ku, MD, for reconstruction.
For the surgery, Dr. Bottalico performed a wide local excision, removing all involved mucosa and a marginal mandibulectomy. Head and neck pathologist Ivan Stojanov, DMD, examined the specimen while the patient was still asleep, to determine if the margins were clear.
"Some of the tissue that had initially appeared normal was actually affected by the disease, and I had to go back and re-resect the area of concern until Dr. Stojanov and his fellow could confirm there was no microscopic disease," Dr. Bottalico notes.
Dr. Ku performed the reconstruction, using tissue from the patient's forearm, and the reconstructive surgery went as planned.
The patient's recovery went smoothly, and he was discharged about one week after surgery. He did not receive any adjuvant therapy and remains free of disease approximately 18 months after surgery.
Because EMPD can recur, the patient comes in for regular follow-up visits. Postoperative monitoring has included CT scans with contrast, with baseline imaging performed after surgery, and follow-up scans conducted at six months and one year. The patient will continue to be followed for surveillance.
Takeaways
Dr. Bottalico notes that expected outcomes for EMPD depend on whether the disease is associated with an underlying cancer.
"This patient had no underlying malignancy, and as a result, I think his prognosis is quite good," notes Dr. Bottalico.
Although the causes of this rare disease are unknown, it has been hypothesized that EMPD, as well as rare cases of MPD that are not associated with underlying breast cancer, may originate from Toker cells. These are CK7 immunopositive cells that are morphologically similar to Paget cells and are thought to be potential precursor cells to Paget disease.
In this case, Dr. Bottalico notes that cells from the patient's specimen also stained positive for CK7. Providers should know that, although rare, EMPD can masquerade as lichen planus or dysplasia. Biopsies should be examined by pathologists who are familiar with this condition.
For patients diagnosed with EMPD, it's important to know that the disease can be associated with underlying malignancies.
"Because this is very rare, this patient's work up and treatment involved expertise from our multidisciplinary head and neck team here at Cleveland Clinic," Dr. Bottalico says.

Swarm science: Oral bacteria move in waves to spread and survive

2025-03-24 - 2025-03

Swarming behaviors appear everywhere in nature - from schools of fish darting in synchrony to locusts sweeping across landscapes in coordinated waves. On winter evenings, just before dusk, hundreds of thousands of starlings may gather in the sky in hypnotic, pulsing patterns known as murmuration. These vast, shifting clouds of birds move as one, responding instantly to changes in their environment to evade predators and communicate. But swarming isn't limited to birds, insects or fish - bacteria, too, can exhibit collective movement on a microscopic scale. Some microbes use swarming to spread across surfaces, colonize new environments and outcompete rivals. In a new study, researchers with the Biodesign Center for Fundamental and Applied Microbiomics at Arizona State University and their colleagues describe bacteria that move together like a choreographed display - expanding in waves and bursts, then settling into scattered microcolonies. The bacteria transition between different movement styles, using a strategy similar to the way plants spread seeds or fungi release spores, the study shows. Bacteria of the genus Capnocytophaga fan out in complex, coordinated patterns, helping them to survive in changing environments. Such bacteria, which are commonly found in the human mouth and associated with gingivitis (bleeding gums) and periodontal diseases, can also accumulate to form biofilms and cause fatal septic infections in humans due to bites from canines. The research sheds new light on microbial ecosystems, potentially opening doors for new treatments in oral and gut health. "The human microbiome contains numerous understudied microbes. For instance, the genus Capnocytophaga - commonly found in nearly every human mouth - remains largely unexplored," says corresponding author Abhishek Shrivastava, an assistant professor in ASU's School of Life Sciences. "Our research illuminates the developmental processes of these microbes, paving the way for deeper insights into their role in health." The research appears in the current issue of the Multidisciplinary Journal of Microbial Ecology. In addition to his ASU colleagues, Shrivastava is joined by researchers from the Max Planck Society in Germany.
Bacterial close-up
Bacteria of the Capnocytophaga genus occur in the healthy human oral microbiome - the diverse community of bacteria and other microorganisms living in the mouth - but imbalances of the oral microbiome can contribute to gum disease or infections in people with weakened immune systems. Also, transfer of pathogenic Capnocytophaga from the mouth of dogs to humans via simple transfer of saliva can lead to sepsis and death of humans. Understanding how Capnocytophaga move and spread could provide insights into how bacteria colonize our mouths and how biofilms - complex communities of bacteria - form on our teeth and gums and lead to pathogenesis. Researchers used high-resolution time-lapse microscopy to track bacterial swarming, allowing them to observe movement patterns over time. After growing the bacteria on soft agar plates under oxygen-free conditions - similar to the deep layers of the human mouth - they recorded their movements over several days. To further investigate the mechanics behind this motion, the team applied particle image velocimetry (PIV), a technique that tracks bacterial density changes over time. This allowed the researchers to measure speed, directionality and phase transitions in swarm behavior, uncovering the physical principles that drive bacterial dispersal. The team also created computer models to simulate the bacterial movements. By adjusting variables like speed, density and alignment, they were able to reproduce the real-world swarm patterns seen in their experiments. These models suggest that bacterial motion is not random but follows predictable rules that help microbes efficiently spread and establish themselves. Unlike traditional swarming bacteria that spread in smooth waves, the C. ochracea bacteria observed in the study follow a three-step process. First, bacterial groups break away from the main colony, expanding outward in punctuated bursts. These bursts create jagged, petal-shaped edges, allowing the bacteria to move in multiple directions at once. Next, the bacteria shift to a wave-like expansion, aligning in coordinated motions that propel the swarm forward in a smoother, directed manner.
Finally, the swarm fragments into scattered microcolonies, forming new bacterial hubs millimeters or even centimeters from the original site. This scattering resembles seed dispersal in plants, ensuring colony survival even if local conditions change. The study also suggests that C. ochracea plays a role in microbial transport, as it can carry non-motile bacteria and even viruses known as bacteriophages as it moves. This could have significant implications for how different microbes interact and compete within the oral microbiome. Such research highlights the remarkable adaptability of bacteria and their ability to reorganize in response to environmental changes. By better understanding these behaviors, scientists may develop new strategies for managing bacterial infections, improving oral health and advancing microbiome-based therapies.

Sensodyne Releases Study, This Is The Impact Of Sensitive Teeth On Dental And Emotional Health

2025-03-21 - 2025-03

JAKARTA - In commemoration of World Dental and Oral Health Day in 2025, which this time coincides with the holy month of Ramadan, consumer health company Haleon through its dental health product brand, Sensodyne, continues to be committed to increasing awareness of the health of people's teeth and mouths. This is done by highlighting the impact of teeth sensitive to daily life and overall health.
Globally, it is known that one in three adults has sensitive dental problems. However, not a few still consider it a trivial issue or a natural part of aging. In fact, the problem of sensitive teeth can be the starting sign of the weakening of sixels and the openness of dental dentins. If not treated, then this condition could get worse.
Dhanica Mae Dumo-Tiu, General Manager of Haleon Indonesia, emphasized Haleon's dedication in increasing public dental health awareness.
Haleon believes that good dental health will have a positive impact on overall health. Sensitive teeth need to be handled more seriously, because this is not just a dental problem, but also affects the quality of life. Our mission is to ensure that the Indonesian people not only understand the importance of dental health, but also have access to the right solution so that they can live a comfortable and confident life," he said.
Recent studies conducted in early 2024 showed that 9 out of 10 sensitive dental sufferers experienced a significant decline in quality of life, with 93% of respondents agreeing that the condition of sensitive teeth reduces comfort when eating and drinking.
This study, which is the result of the collaboration between Haleon and the Faculty of Dental Medicine, University of Indonesia (FKG UI) and IQVIA, examined the impact of dental sensitivity on the Indonesian people and assessed the effectiveness of toothpaste specifically for teeth in encouraging dental health education and providing targeted solutions to increase public awareness to start dental treatment.
Dr. drg. Fatimah Maria Tadjoedin, Sp. Perio(K) an expert and academic from the Faculty of Dental Medicine, University of Indonesia, explained that this study shows that sensitive teeth are not only temporary discomfort, but also conditions that have a big influence on the quality of life.
"Many sufferers unknowingly choose to avoid certain foods, change their eating habits, or even withdraw from social activities, rather than dealing with the root of the problem," said doctor Fatimah.
He added, "It is important for everyone to realize that sensitive teeth can be managed with proper handling. Using special toothpaste, maintaining good dental and oral hygiene, as well as consulting dentists can bring major changes to dental health in the long term and our overall health."
In addition to the physical impact, the study also found that sensitive teeth have a deep psychological influence, including on emotional health and self-confidence in socializing. A total of 92% of respondents described dental sensitivity as annoying or annoying, while 86% felt anxious about pain while eating, making many of them avoid social events and live in discomfort.
The findings of this study are in line with the theme World Dental and Mouth Health Day 2025, namely A Happy Mouth is a Happy Mind, which emphasizes the importance of the relationship between dental and emotional health. World Dental and Oral Health Day is a global initiative that highlights how dental health has an impact on overall health, self-confidence, and comfort in carrying out daily activities. Especially in the month of Ramadan, eating habits such as frequent eating hot or cold drinks, sweet foods, and dishes that are sour at dawn and open are very potential to worsen the sensitivity of the teeth.
Consistent dental treatments and the use of special products can improve dental health and overall quality of life in the face of changes in diet during Ramadan. Sensodyne is committed to educating the public about the importance of managing dental sensitivity, encouraging better dental care habits, and advocate preventive measures.
Therefore, it is very important to recognize sensitive teeth as a condition that needs to be managed, not ignored. Maintaining good dental hygiene, including using special toothpaste that has been clinically proven, has an important role in reducing dental sensitivity. Experts also emphasize the importance of raising awareness through initiatives such as Dental Health Day and the World Mouth. By taking concrete steps to find solutions and not just adapting to discomfort, people can enjoy daily life comfortably and confidently without sensitive dental disorders.
Dhanica Mae Dumo-Tiu added, We always prioritize what consumers want to deliver the best quality solutions, so they can manage dental health better. From this study, it was found that 98% of users felt their sensitive dental problems were getting better after using sensitive toothpaste. In addition, 9 out of 10 consumers also believe that Sensodyne provides better sensitive dental protection*. This level of trust further strengthens our commitment to providing clinically tested solutions to help the community enjoy moments in life without restrictions.
World Dental and Oral Health Day 2025 describes the close relationship between dental health and overall physical health. By bringing the same spirit, Sensodyne continues to play a role in helping Indonesians achieve a more comfortable and happy life without obstacles due to dental sensitivity. Sensitive teeth should not be an obstacle in enjoying life and, with proper care, comfort will be found.

Bottle feeding toddlers to sleep linked to dental decay and excess weight

2025-03-21 - 2025-03

Parents and carers should avoid using a bottle to put toddlers to sleep, say experts, after new research reveals the practice is linked to dental cavities and overweight in early childhood.
The research, published in the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, (opens in new window) Opens in a new window was led by the University of Sydney, using data from over 700 toddlers involved in Western Sydney University's Healthy Smiles Healthy Kids (HSHK) study - a cohort study that followed children from birth.
Researchers analysed the results of a survey of mothers, as well as dental checks and body measurements and considered other factors that could influence dental hygiene and weight.
The authors found that:
More than 30 percent of children were still bottle fed to sleep at two years old;
Children who were bottle fed to sleep at two years old were almost twice as likely to have overweight in early childhood;
Children who were bottle fed to sleep at three years old had nearly twice as many teeth affected by tooth decay in early childhood.
University of Sydney lead author, and PhD candidate in the Susan Wakil School of Nursing and Midwifery, Heilok Cheng, says that parents and carers want to do the right thing but may not be aware of the health risks of bottle feeding before naps and at bedtime.
"Australian recommendations advise parents to start introducing cups at 6 months of age and stop using baby bottles at 12 months. Bottle feeding in bed is not recommended at any age. Our research now provides a much more robust evidence base for that advice.
"Common toddler drinks, including cow's milk and formula, often contain either natural or added sugars, increasing the risk of tooth decay. When a bottle is offered at bedtime it's often being used by carers to calm an unsettled child or encourage the child to drift off to sleep. Because the bottle isn't being offered in response to hunger, it can lead to overfeeding, putting children at risk of unhealthy weight gain.
"We need to do more to support families and help them avoid getting into the habit of putting a child or baby to bed with a bottle, so that our future generations are set up with a healthy future from the start."

Preventive oral care during pregnancy can reduce risks of complications

2025-03-20 - 2025-03

For pregnant women in the U.S., the use of oral health services during pregnancy remains low, with fewer than 40% seeking preventive oral health care. So reports a new study conducted by the Oral Health Workforce Research Center, part of the Center for Health Workforce Studies at the University at Albany's College of Integrated Health Sciences, which was featured on the cover of this month's issue of the Journal of the American Dental Association.
UAlbany researchers analyzed data from the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS), a longstanding data repository maintained by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, between 2016 and 2020. Disparities in gestational diabetes and hypertensive disorders were highlighted, with higher odds of these pregnancy complications among lower-income and minority women.
Lack of regular preventive oral health care and delaying dental treatment during pregnancy increases the risk of developing dental diseases such as periodontal disease, which is potentially associated with gestational diabetes and hypertensive disorders.
The research team found that pregnant women who received preventive oral health care or visited a dentist or a dental clinic for oral health problems during pregnancy did in fact have a lower risk of developing gestational diabetes and hypertensive disorders.

Shock study discovers popular drinks can cause deadly mouth cancer

2025-03-17 - 2025-03

Drinking just one can of sugar-laden soda pop per day could increase the risk of developing mouth cancer five-fold, a shocking study has found. American scientists examining data from over 160,000 women found those who frequently consumed 'sugar-sweetened' beverages were at far greater risk of developing the disease than those who drank less than one per month.
They said the result could partly account for an unexplained rise in mouth cancers, especially among women, recorded in recent years-although more research was needed before drawing firm conclusions. The authors of the report also said the results should act as a further incentive to policymakers to curb the intake of sugar in modern diets. The exact brands of the sodas, as well as the lemonades and iced teas, women drank over the course of the study were not named in the analysis. Scientists weren't able to measure the sugar content of the drinks women consumed directly, instead relying on them reporting how many of the beverages they consumed per month in surveys held every four years. They then compared this intake with any diagnoses of mouth cancer, recording 124 cases over the 30 year study period. Analysis revealed that women who reported consuming one or more sugary beverages per day were 4.87 times more likely to have developed mouth cancer, compared to those who drank less than one per month. This increased risk remained even in women who didn't smoke or drink alcohol regularly, both of which are known to increase the chances of mouth cancer. In total, about 20,000 women in the study reported drinking more than one sugary beverages per day. Intake of diet drinks, which contain sugar alternatives like artificial sweeteners, was not considered in the analysis. The authors were keen to highlight the chance of developing mouth cancer in any person was low in the first place. They estimated that the increased risk of mouth cancer from sugary drinks would lead to three more cases of the disease per 100,000 people. The scientists, who published their findings in the journal JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, said exactly how the beverages could be triggering mouth cancer remained unclear and an area in need of further research. However, they suggested factors like high fructose corn syrup, a type of sugar that is commonly added to such drinks in the US but not typically in the UK, and which has links to gum disease, could be one possible explanation. They added the syrup, alongside others sugars content, could also be disrupting the collection of bacteria in the mouth, potentially triggering inflammation and changes in cells that could become cancerous. The authors added that over the past few decades there has been an unexplained global rise in mouth cancers among non-smokers, traditionally considered a lower risk group for the disease. While there have been some theories that this could be due to a virus called human papillomavirus being spread by oral sex, the authors said the exact cause, in many cases, remained unknown. The scientists said they now plan to carry out a similar study on a larger group of people to validate their findings. They added an obvious limitation was that the study was entirely on women, meaning the results may not be applicable to men. Mouth ulcers - broken areas in the lining of the mouth - that do not heal within three weeks can be a sign of mouth cancer. Swellings, lumps, red or white patches, as well as loose teeth, a sore throat or trouble swallowing are also tell-tale signs of the cancer. About 12,500 cases of mouth and throat cancers are diagnosed in the UK each year. Charity Cancer Research UK estimates 70 per cent of cases of mouth and throat cancers are caused by human papillomavirus. A report by Oral Health Foundation showed an estimated 3,637 people in the UK lost their life to mouth cancer in 2023 - an increase of 61 per cent compared to a decade prior. Experts have previously warned problems with access to NHS dentistry, with dental check-ups being one of the key ways early cases of mouth cancer are spotted, could lead to cases only be found in the later harder to treat stages. NHS guidelines state people should limit their intake of free sugars to just 30g per day. For context, a 330ml can of classic Coca Cola contains 35g of sugar. The health service warns that consuming too much sugar can lead to an increased risk of becoming overweight and obese. Obesity is itself linked to an increased chance of several cancers as well other serious health issues like heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

Dental treatment uses industrial coating to fight tooth decay

2025-03-14 - 2025-03

A coating normally used to protect tanks, vessels and pipelines from corrosion has been applied to Varnish VLC, a new dental treatment to protect teeth.
Developed by researchers at Queen Mary University of London (Queen Mary), Varnish VLC is designed to combat tooth decay and acid erosion caused by everyday habits, particularly in children.
Key to Varnish VLC is flake glass technology, which protects against moisture and other harsh elements. It has been used in the maintenance of steel bridges, including the Forth Bridge, providing up to 25 years of protection before requiring major maintenance.
According to Queen Mary, this is the first-time scientists have adapted this technology to create this novel treatment for tooth decay. Varnish VLC mimics the natural properties of enamel, offering an effective way to reduce wear and prevent damage.
In a statement, research lead Dr Saroash Shahid, Reader in Dental Biomaterials at Queen Mary, said: "It might sound unusual, but the challenges are similar: both teeth and bridges are exposed to harsh conditions, both suffer from corrosion, and both are difficult to protect. This project shows the power of looking outside of traditional fields for inspiration."
Tooth decay affects one-third of children and nearly half of adults in England, leading to discomfort and expensive dental treatments. The NHS spends millions annually, yet current solutions such as fluoride varnishes and resin infiltration fail to provide long-term effective protection.
Unlike traditional treatments, which often fall short in preventing acid erosion, the new treatment is said to offer superior wear resistance and enhanced protection while maintaining a natural tooth appearance. Early in vitro studies show Varnish VLC outperforms current treatments in wear resistance and protection against acid erosion.
Another key benefit of Varnish VLC is its minimally invasive application. The treatment does not produce aerosols, making it safer for patients and dental professionals during application.
Dr Shahid said: "We believe this product has the potential to change preventive dentistry, particularly for children, and we are excited to bring it to all children in England and particularly those in our local community in East London."
A six-month trial is currently underway to test the effectiveness of Varnish VLC in real-world conditions. Queen Mary is working with PSP Dental to bring the treatment to dentists in the UK and around the world.

Sugary drinks linked to greater oral cancer risk, study indicates

2025-03-13 - 2025-03

ST. PAUL, Minn., March 13 (UPI) -- A study released Thursday found that women who consumed at least one sugar-sweetened beverage daily had a nearly five times greater chance of developing oral cancer than those who largely avoided sugary soft drinks. The University of Washington study comes as cases of oral cavity cancer are increasing at an "alarming" rate among mainly younger, non-smoking, non-drinking patients without any other identifiable risk factors. Some have theorized that diet may play a role in the rising numbers. Oral cavity cancer, for many decades, was primarily associated with older men exposed to well-known cancer risks, including tobacco, alcohol and betel nut chewing. With the advent of anti-smoking health campaigns, the overall number of smoking-related oral cavity cancer cases in Western nations has been steadily declining. Still, more than 355,000 new cases of oral cavity cancer were diagnosed globally in 2020, with nearly 177,000 deaths. Most concerning, however, has been an increase in cases among non-smokers globally, especially among younger White women. The cause of this rise remains unknown. Among the possible culprits that have been ruled out is human papillomavirus, or HPV, a common infection spread through sex. The University of Washington study, published in JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, found that high sugary soft drink intake was associated with a significantly increased risk of oral cancer in otherwise low-risk women, regardless of their smoking or drinking habits. While sugar-sweetened beverages have previously been eyed for links to colorectal and other gastrointestinal cancers, they have never before been studied in connection with cancers of the head and neck. The results may point the way for a new direction in seeking the cause of oral cancer in low-risk women, according to lead author Dr. Brittany Barber, an assistant professor of otolaryngology head and neck surgery at the University of Washington School of Medicine and her study colleagues. "Oral cavity cancer is less common than breast or colon cancer, with an annual incidence of approximately 4-4.3 cases per 100,000. However, the incidence of oral cavity cancer is increasing in non-smoking, non-drinking women," Barber said. "Our study showed that, in women, consuming one or more sugar-sweetened beverage per day was associated with a 4.87 times higher risk of oral cavity cancer or three people more per 100,000 diagnosed. "Clinicians should be aware of the both the oral health risks associated with consumption of sugary beverages and the emerging oral cavity cancer epidemic in women." The data was compiled from responses to the national Nurses' Health Study, begun in 1976, and Nurses' Health Study II, begun in 1989, which contain survey information submitted by nearly 163,000 female nurses every two years over the course of three decades on demographics, lifestyle and medical conditions. From that database of nurses' study participants, the researchers zeroed in on 124 reported cases of invasive oral cavity cancer. In their models, those nurses who reported drinking one or more sugar-sweetened beverage daily (or five people per 100,000 population) had a 4.87 times higher risk of oral cavity cancer compared with those who drank fewer than one beverage monthly (two per 100,000), increasing the rate of oral cancer by three more people per 100,000 population. When restricted to both non-smokers or light smokers and non-drinkers or light drinkers, the risk of oral cancer was 5.46 times higher. The latest findings build on earlier studies showing that sugary drinks are associated with periodontal disease in young adults, which in turn has been linked with oral cancer. "Although this association does not imply causality, our hypothesis is that diets with higher added sugar may contribute to chronic inflammation, which may, in turn, contribute to the risk of [oral cavity cancer]," the authors state. The study is indeed "eye-opening" and addresses "an important question with an elegant study design and generating clear and compelling results," said Dr. Arnaud Bewley, an associate professor who chairs the Department of Otolaryngology at UC-Davis Health. Bewley, who was not involved in the study, told UPI in emailed comments he is "not surprised that sugary beverages play some role in oral cancer etiology. The high-sugar nature of the modern Western diet is being increasingly understood to be at the root of many chronic diseases, and this study adds to that list. "As the authors point out, it may not be the sugar itself directly inciting the cancer; It may be the chronic inflammation from dental and gum disease, the alteration in the oral microbiome or even the dental interventions that follow," he said. Consumption of high sugar beverages also may be associated with other dietary habits or other behaviors that were not captured in the survey and are therefore impossible to control for, he noted. Agreeing with that assessment was another noted otolaryngologist, Dr. Ilya Likhterov, an associate professor of otolaryngology of the University of California-San Francisco School of Medicine, who told UPI he suspects the consumption of sugary beverages might be a surrogate for a generally compromised and unhealthy "oral biome" in the participants who developed oral cancer. "We do know that there are young patients who are non-smokers and non-drinkers who don't have the traditional, environmental risk factors for cancer that do develop [oral cavity cancer, and there's been a lot of work being done trying to identify the cause of it," he said. Regarding sugar-cancer link, "my first thought would be oral hygiene," he added. "We know that patients with gingival disease or chronic inflammation of the mouth have known risk factors for oral cavity cancer. "Like in the gut, the oral microbiome has 'good' bacteria and 'bad' bacteria. Sugar intake can really change the balance, and that could be a cause for the increase in incidence of oral cavity cancer." That possibility could be a direction for further research focusing on the effect of changing oral bacteria on the immune system and its ability to fight off mutations, Likhterov said.

Salivary microbiota and polyamines contribute to gingivitis, study finds

2025-03-12 - 2025-03

The role of salivary microbiota and polyamines in gingivitis and various stages of periodontitis. A progressive increase in Streptococcus levels from gingivitis to periodontitis, along with polyamine concentrations, may serve as a potential marker for assessing periodontal disease severity.
An important factor in advancing human health and wellbeing is the bacteriome found in the mouth cavity. Plaque buildup on teeth causes gingivitis, an inflammation of the gingival tissue that frequently results in periodontitis. Gingivitis, or inflammation of the gums, typically does not initially create any serious issues. However, it might injure other areas of the periodontium, which is the soft tissue and bone that hold our teeth firmly in place.
It is not well known how periodontitis progresses to cause clinical attachment loss, bone loss, and ultimately tooth loss. Thus, to investigate the changes in microbiota, oxidative stress, and polyamine levels during the course of the disease, which can aid in the development of successful treatment strategies, the current investigation was carried out.
After obtaining informed consent, saliva samples were taken from 72 people who either had stage-specific periodontitis, gingivitis, or were in good health. Radiographic and clinical investigations verified the stage of periodontitis. Using Oxford Nanopore Technologies' Nanopore PromethIONsystem platform, a total of 16S rRNA sequencing was used to analyze the microbiota.
A fluorescence spectrophotometer was used to measure the amounts of polyamines. The ELISA technique was used to assess the quantity of ornithine decarboxylase. DPPH, SOD, and catalase tests were used to assess the salivary samples' antioxidant levels. The acid phosphatase test was used to quantify autophagy.
The study found notable variations in the variety and quantity of the salivary microbiome between healthy people and those suffering from chronic periodontitis and gingivitis. In gingivitis and different phases of periodontitis, there was a notable rise in polyamines and ornithine decarboxylase. Cell death may have been the outcome of the elevated oxidative stress seen in periodontitis and gingivitis.
Overall, these findings emphasize the role salivary bacteria and polyamines play in gingivitis and different phases of periodontitis. When combined with polyamine concentrations, the steady increase in Streptococcus levels from gingivitis to periodontitis may be a useful identification marker for determining the severity of periodontal disease.

New saliva test pilot program aims to improve Pa. dental care access

2025-03-12 - 2025-03

The pilot program will look to give more underserved Pennsylvanians access to dental care, including those with Medicaid and IDD.
United Concordia Dental and Harmony Health announced Wednesday, March 12, that they are launching a pilot program that will expand access to dental care for Pa. residents.
The program plans to study a new technology's potential, a point-of-care saliva test and a mobile health app, for expanding access for underserved Pa. residents. This includes individuals with Medicaid and intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD).
"Research has shown that some of our most vulnerable Pennsylvanians face many challenges in getting the dental care they need," said Ed Shellard, D.M.D., president and CEO of United Concordia Dental. "The results of this pilot program will help us in determining how effective this new technology is in addressing access to care, as well as its impact on patient engagement and lowering disease risk and care costs."
The pilot program will introduce a saliva test that provides real-time insights into oral health risks, such as cavities, gum disease and diabetes. A group of 400 patients will receive the test either at participating dental offices or at home with self-guided instructions.
Patients selected for in-office visits will have a positive history of keeping regular dentist appointments, and those chosen for at-home testing will have a history of appointment cancellations or no-shows.
Both at-home and in-office methods will produce results with a mobile app using artificial intelligence- enabled photography for guidance and wellness reports.
This nine-month process will involve dental offices, healthcare professionals and state partners. At the end of the project, key success metrics such as patient engagement, utilization rates and behavior changes will be reported.

Dental implants still functional after forty years

2025-03-03 - 2025-03

Dental implants used to replace single teeth continue to function well after several decades, according to a study from the University of Gothenburg, Sweden. After nearly forty years, all examined implants were still in place and fully functional.
The study is the longest follow-up study of single dental implants in the world and is based on a follow-up of a small group of patients who received single implants to replace missing teeth between 1982 and 1985.
The implants are a result of research conducted by Professor Per-Ingvar Brånemark at the University of Gothenburg. His discovery of how bone integrates with titanium implants has enabled millions of patients to replace lost teeth with a reliable and long-lasting solution.
Stable implants
Of the 16 patients who received implants during the study period, 13 participated in the follow-up, conducted at the Brånemark Clinic, Public Dental Service Västra Götaland. These 13 patients had a total of 18 implants.
"It is impressive that the single implants function so well after such a long time. Even though the study included a small number of patients, the results show that the implants remain in place and that the bone loss around them is virtually unchanged after forty years. This confirms that the foundation Brånemark established still holds," says Sargon Barkarmo, prosthodontist and senior lecturer at the University of Gothenburg.
A dental implant is an artificial tooth root made of titanium that is surgically placed into the jawbone, where it integrates and becomes stable. A crown is then attached to the implant, providing both functionality and aesthetics.
The crowns placed on the implants had a shorter lifespan than the implants themselves. At the forty-year follow-up, only about 60 percent of the original crowns remained, with many having been replaced one or more times.
"The study shows that the crowns were mostly replaced for aesthetic reasons rather than technical failures. In the future, implant treatments could be further improved with the development of new crown materials," says Jan Kowar, prosthodontist and senior lecturer at the University of Gothenburg, and co-author of the study.
Implants and healing
The researchers point out that older implant systems, which have been shown to be highly effective, are unfortunately no longer available on the market. This is due to the continuous introduction of new systems that quickly replace older ones, despite their proven long-term success.
The study concludes that implants placed using well-planned surgical techniques and given sufficient healing time have an excellent long-term prognosis. Sargon Barkarmo again:
"Today, methods that accelerate treatment and healing are commonly used. These approaches also need long-term follow-ups and careful evaluation to ensure equally good results over time," he says.

Dentist issues health warning to anyone using 'more addictive than vaping' snus pouches

2025-03-06 - 2025-03

Both doctors and dentists have raised concerns about this nicotine product
Following the bombshell study which indicates that vaping is worse for your health than smoking cigarettes, a lot of people have been reassessing their relationships with nicotine.
Despite the NHS initially describing inhaling nicotine vapour from e-cigs as 'substantially less harmful than smoking', the study by Manchester Metropolitan University suggests otherwise.
But there's another popular nicotine product which health chiefs have urged people to steer clear of, as some experts reckon it might be the most addictive of them all.
Both doctors and dentists have shared concerns about 'snus', which is a tobacco product that sort of resembles a tiny teabag.
It's illegal throughout the entirety of the European Union (EU), except for Sweden, while it is also banned in the UK.
Because of this veto, our nicotine pouches do not contain any tobacco, as they are instead packed with flavoured nicotine powder. This is what Brits are referring to when they talk about snus, rather than the Scandinavian one.
Sophie Braznell, a researcher at the University of Bath Tobacco Control Research Group, explained these products typically contain 'a mixture of dehydrated nicotine, water, cellulose, flavours, additives and sweeteners'.
These pillow case-like sachets are placed under the lip by users for short periods while nicotine is released into the bloodstream.
A lot of people thinking using snus is a much safer alternative to smoking or vaping, given the fact using it doesn't involve inhaling any dodgy chemicals.
However, the lack of smoke doesn't mean it is risk free - as experts warn that there is a link between an increased risk of oral cancer and dental problems for those who use snus.
Which is why Dr Vikas Prinja, better known online as @thelondondentist, took to TikTok to warn his 287,300 followers about how harmful it can be.
The dental surgeon explained in the clip: "Snus is a smokeless tobacco, it originated in Sweden. It's illegal to sell everywhere in the EU, but loads of celebrities have been seen using it.
"Just like tea can come in tea bags or loose tea, snus can come in pouches like this or loose snus."
Dr Prinja explained that repeatedly applying these pouches to your gum can cause 'lesions', while he said that 'some studies have suggested that this might even be precancerous'.
"Snus also causes gum recession, gum inflammation and gum disease," he added.
But if that isn't enough to put you off, just have a look at what these experts had to say about snus.
Dr Jessica Kent explained that there seems to be a 'growing trend' in patients experiencing nicotine pouch-induced toxicity after using snus - which can be purchased in various strengths.
The medic at the University of Toronto explain people often brush off the harmful side effects as they think it's 'just nicotine', however, it can be a lot more sinister than you may think.
She told The Telegraph: "Nicotine can induce a spectrum of symptoms, depending on how high the dose is, varying from mild agitation and jitteriness to severe confusion, vomiting, respiratory compromise [a state in which patients are at risk of lung failure] and death."
And as Dr Prinja explained, having these things pressed up close against your gums doesn't do you any good.
Dr Tory Spindle, an associate professor at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, explained why symptoms such as a dry mouth, gum lesions, strange jaw sensations and receding gums crop up in snus users. "This is likely due to prolonged contact between the pouch and gums," he told The Telegraph. "It is unclear if these effects are driven solely by nicotine, or if other constituents in the pouches aside from nicotine may be contributing, which is likely the case. "There's other acute adverse effects of nicotine such as nausea, light-headedness, and increased heart rate. As with any nicotine product, more frequent use or higher doses exacerbates these concerns."
Kylie Lindorff, a director at the Global Alliance for Tobacco Control (GATC), also shared concerns about the way these products are marketed.
"We're really concerned that this is another insidious attempt by the tobacco industry to just keep people addicted, particularly young people," she said. "They're highly flavoured and clearly trying to appeal to children."
Dr Kent echoed these comments, describing it as the ' biggest concern from her perspective'.
"They're very enticing to toddlers who tend to put everything they find in their mouth," she said of brightly coloured snus packaging and the appealing flavours of products.
"A child of that age will get 10 times the dose for their body weight compared with the average adult. As these pouches become more prevalent, the risks of these types of exposures will increase, trends we've already seen with vape and cannabis products."

Dental surgery under anesthesia successful for AADC deficiency boy

2025-03-05 - 2025-03

A 14-year-old boy with aromatic l-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) deficiency had successful extensive dental surgery under general anesthesia, a study reports.
Precautions were taken throughout the procedure to avoid complications that occur with anesthesia in this patient population, including abnormal changes in blood pressure, body temperature, and blood sugar levels, as well as breathing problems.
"Our case highlights the importance of developing specific protocols for accurate and safe anesthesia management in patients with [AADC deficiency]," the researchers wrote. Details of the case were published in the Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine, in the study "Anesthesia management for dental procedures in a patient with aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase deficiency: a case report."
AADC deficiency, which is caused by mutations in the DDC gene, affects the production of certain neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin, which are signaling molecules that nerve cells use to communicate. Symptoms emerge in the first months of life and can range from mild to severe. Common features include low muscle tone (hypotonia), movement disorders, delayed development, irritability, anxiety, and sleep disturbances. Patients can also have problems with their autonomic nervous system, which controls involuntary processes like heart rate, blood pressure, blood sugar levels, body temperature, digestion, and breathing.
As the nerve cell-suppressing effects of anesthesia can lower blood pressure, slow breathing rates, and reduce heartbeat, AADC deficiency symptoms and complications "make anesthesia extremely challenging," the researchers wrote. "Patients with [AADC deficiency] require meticulous preoperative planning and preparation, detailed knowledge of the underlying [disease-associated changes] and potential perioperative complications, and a comprehensive multidisciplinary approach for management," the researchers wrote. Perioperative refers to the time around surgery.
Managing anesthesia in AADC deficiency
However, "literature on anesthesia management in patients with [AADC deficiency] is still scarce," wrote researchers in Turkey who described the successful anesthetic management of a boy, 14, with AADC deficiency for several dental procedures.
The boy developed hypotonia, irritability, and sleep problems soon after he was born, and was diagnosed with AADC deficiency after a genetic analysis revealed a DDC mutation. He showed severe developmental delays, marked hypotonia, intellectual disabilities, and motor impairments. He was also hospitalized due to gastrointestinal problems and aspiration pneumonia, a lung infection that occurs when liquids or foods are inhaled into the lungs.
The boy also had a very small head for his age, along with a lower jaw that was smaller than normal, features not often reported in AADC deficiency, the researchers said.
Examining the boy's mouth and airways wasn't successful because of his mental state and uncooperative nature. Anticipating difficulties with ventilation and intubation, the medical team used routine airway management equipment alongside kits for an emergency tracheostomy, where a tube is inserted into the windpipe to help with breathing, in case intubation wasn't successful.
The boy didn't receive medications before surgery due to poor cooperation and airway hypotonia that could cause airway obstruction. The team also used forced-air warming, heated blankets, and into-the-vein solutions to maintain a normal body temperature.
Anesthesia began by administering intravenous lidocaine, propofol, and rocuronium, after which the boy was intubated without complications. Anesthesia maintenance included propofol and remifentanil.
The boy was also given medicines to prevent swelling and infections, as well as glucose, or blood sugar, directly into the bloodstream to maintain normal blood sugar. During surgery, he underwent several procedures, including tartar removal, dental fillings, tooth extractions, and the surgical removal of a fluid-filled sac in the lower jaw region.
The boy remained stable during the two-hour procedure, which was completed without any complications, such as bleeding or respiratory problems.
At the beginning and end of the procedure, he was given paracetamol directly into the bloodstream for pain. The neuromuscular blockade was reversed with standard medication and spontaneous breathing returned within a few minutes. The breathing tube was removed and the boy was transferred to the post-anesthesia care unit. A day after being transferred to the pediatric ward, the boy was discharged from the hospital.
AADC deficiency "is a highly complex disease affecting multiple systems, and anesthetic management of affected patients is extremely challenging for the anesthesiologist," the researchers wrote. "The anesthesiologist should know all the features and management difficulties of the disease and its related complications and be equipped to treat the patients."

Lifechanging drug regrows teeth in humans

2025-03-04 - 2025-03

A team of researchers in Japan, led by Katsu Takahashi, is developing a drug that could trigger human tooth regeneration.
If successful, this innovation could redefine dental care and offer new hope to millions struggling with hereditary dental conditions.
The research has captured global attention, with clinical trials already underway. Scientists aim to make the drug widely available by 2030, bringing the possibility of regrowing teeth closer to reality.
For Takahashi, this pursuit is more than a scientific endeavor-it's a lifelong mission. As the head of dentistry and oral surgery at the Medical Research Institute Kitano Hospital in Osaka, he has dedicated his career to finding a way to regrow teeth. "The idea of growing new teeth is every dentist's dream. I've been working on this since I was a graduate student. I was confident I'd be able to make it happen," he said.
The treatment primarily targets individuals born with fewer than a full set of adult teeth due to genetic factors. This condition, known as anodontia, affects about 1% of the global population. Among them, those missing six or more teeth fall into a more severe category called oligodontia.
Tooth agenesis, which includes both anodontia and oligodontia, poses significant challenges for those affected. For people with these conditions, everyday functions like chewing, swallowing, and speaking can be a challenge.
Many struggle with development from an early age, affecting their quality of life. Traditional solutions, such as dentures or implants, offer limited relief, but a biological cure could change everything.
Takahashi, who commenced his illustrious career in the field of dentistry, later specialized in molecular biology at Kyoto University in 1991. His academic journey then led him to the United States, where his interest in genetic influences on tooth growth began to take root.
At that time, scientific research was just starting to identify specific genes whose deletion could cause genetically modified mice to grow fewer teeth. This revelation was a eureka moment for Takahashi, who quickly realized the potential for altering the number of teeth an individual has by targeting that gene.
His ground-breaking research drew global attention around 2005 when he continued his work at Kyoto University after returning from the U.S. The team discovered that mice lacking a specific gene developed an increased number of teeth, and a protein called USAG-1, synthesized by this gene, appeared to limit tooth growth.
Following this discovery, Takahashi and his team developed an antibody-based medicine that can neutralize the USAG-1 protein. They discovered in 2018 that this medicine could indeed induce the growth of new teeth in mice with a congenitally low number of teeth.
As we approach the present day, work is underway to ready the drug for human trials. If the drug passes all necessary safety checks without any adverse effects, it will be aimed at treating children aged 2 to 6 who exhibit anodontia. "We hope to pave the way for the medicine's clinical use," Takahashi said.
This ground-breaking medicine could be a game-changer for the entire field of dentistry. It is widely known that certain species of animals, such as sharks and some reptiles, can continuously regrow their teeth. While it is generally accepted that humans can only grow two sets of teeth, recent research has indicated the potential presence of a third set of "buds."
Around 1% of the population experiences hyperdontia-a congenital condition that leads to a higher-than-normal number of teeth. According to Takahashi's research, one in three cases of hyperdontia results in the growth of a third set of teeth, suggesting the ability to grow a third set of teeth may have been lost over time in humans. Through further experimentation, the research team discovered that when the medicine was applied to ferrets, an additional tooth was grown. These new teeth grew between the existing front teeth and were of similar shape, suggesting that the medicine could induce the growth of a third set of teeth.
Currently, when teeth become untreatable due to severe cavities or pyorrhea-a disease leading to erosion of dental sockets-individuals often resort to dental appliances such as dentures.
The ability to grow a third set of teeth could revolutionize this approach. "In any case, we're hoping to see a time when tooth-regrowth medicine is a third choice alongside dentures and implants," Takahashi said, outlining his ambitious vision for the future of dentistry.
The extraordinary work of Takahashi and his team marks an exciting new chapter in medical science, with potential ramifications extending beyond dentistry.
This innovative research promises a future where tooth loss could become a thing of the past, making tooth regrowth a reality for the countless individuals affected by congenital dental disorders.

Innate immune training aggravates inflammatory bone loss

2025-02-27 - 2025-03

Clinical research has long focused on ways to harness the actions of the immune system. From vaccines to immunotherapies, researchers have used their knowledge of the immune system to develop therapies to treat or prevent diseases from influenza to autoimmune disease and cancer.
Now, researchers from Penn's School of Dental Medicine and international collaborators have investigated the effects of training the innate immune system in experimental models of two chronic inflammatory diseases, periodontitis and arthritis. They found that this "trained" immunity, or TRIM, led to increased bone loss in these models. This study is published in Developmental Cell.
Previous approaches have largely focused on the adaptive immune system, that branch of the immune system that "remembers" previous threats and launches specific attacks when it encounters them again. The body also has an innate immunity branch, which, for a long time, was just considered the first-line, general attack arm of the immune system with no ability to remember prior assaults or respond differently when rechallenged.
"If you go and look at an immunology textbook -- even today -- it will likely tell you that innate immunity has no memory; its response doesn't get improved the second time," says George Hajishengallis, the Thomas W. Evans Centennial Professor in the Department of Basic & Translational Sciences at Penn Dental Medicine.
This belief, Hajishengallis notes, has been challenged over the past decade. Studies have shown that the innate immune system can respond more strongly when challenged again with the same or different stimulus -- in other words, it can be "trained."
And importantly, these studies have also shown that "training" the innate immune system has beneficial effects, such as anti-tumor activity and an increased response to fighting infections in certain experimental models.
But inflammation -- the innate immune system's natural response to harmful stimuli -- can also exacerbate symptoms or even cause diseases, demonstrating the need to better understand the immune system when developing immune-based therapies. An increased response may not always be beneficial.
"Trained innate immunity (TRIM) has emerged as a major immunological principle that challenges the dogma that memory is restricted to adaptive immunity," says Hajishengallis. "So, a better understanding of TRIM is imperative to appropriately harness it for therapeutic gain in human disease."
The Hajishengallis team along with a collaborative lab led by Triantafyllos Chavakis at the Dresden University of Technology, induced TRIM using ß-glucan, a compound found in certain fungi, and measured the generation of osteoclasts, which resorb bone during growth and healing, in models of inflammatory periodontitis and arthritis.
"We found that this treatment primed osteoclast precursors to differentiate into osteoclasts more readily if presented with an inflammatory challenge like arthritis," says Chavakis.
"So, although TRIM can have beneficial effects -- protecting against infections and cancer -- our results indicate that the memory of a previous infection may also contribute to inflammatory diseases and the comorbidity between inflammatory bone loss disorders," adds Hajishengallis.
Their work, however, showed that ß-glucan only increases the opportunity for bone loss to occur -- it does not cause actual bone loss. That only occurs is a second inflammatory stimulus, such as arthritis or periodontitis, is present.
"This requirement [for a secondary challenge] epitomizes the concept of trained immunity -- the training stimulus causes a state of preparedness for future events," says Hajishengallis. Importantly, these results argue against the idea that it is the initial stimulus that is driving TRIM to be beneficial or maladaptive (harmful), as ß-glucan caused beneficial TRIM (for example, tumor growth inhibition) in previous studies by Hajishengallis and Chavakis.
"Our findings suggest that the context in which TRIM emerges dictates whether the functional outcome is protective or harmful," says Chavakis.
"The double-edged sword nature of TRIM acquires special relevance when considering the preventive or therapeutic application of TRIM-inducing agents," adds Hajishengallis.

Do starchy carbs cause cavities?

2025-02-26 - 2025-03

It's common knowledge that sugar causes cavities, but new Cornell University research provides evidence that -- depending on your genetic makeup -- starches could also be a contributing factor.
The study, published in Microorganisms, explores the response of the oral microbiome to starch, finding that the number of copies of a particular gene, AMY1, in combination with starch, alters the complex composition of bacteria that play a role in oral health.
"Most people have been warned that if you eat a bunch of sugar, make sure you brush your teeth," said Angela Poole, senior author and assistant professor of molecular nutrition.
"The takeaway finding here is that depending on your AMY1 copy number, you may want to be just as vigilant about brushing your teeth after eating those digestible starches."
AMY1 codes for the salivary amylase enzyme, which helps break down starch in the mouth.
Previous studies have associated AMY1 with cavities and periodontal disease.
Poole, in prior studies, found that a high AMY1 copy number is associated with higher levels of the species Porphyromonas endodontalis, which is strongly associated with periodontitis and gum disease.
But how the salivary amylase enzyme interacts with its main substrate, starch, to alter the oral microbiome and increase disease risk was unclear.
"That's what we wanted to know in this experiment," Poole said.
"What's going on in the mouth if someone eats starch, and is the answer different if their copy number is high or if it's low? What we found was that there are other bacteria involved in these processes and that the changes depended on AMY1."
The researchers also found evidence that the oral microbiome has co-evolved in response to increasing copies of AMY1, which is found in higher numbers in populations where there's a long history of agriculture and starch consumption.
In the pool of 31 samples, taken in Ithaca, N.Y., the AMY1 number ranged from two to 20 copies.
"The populations that historically had greater access to starch tend to have more copies," Poole said, "which makes sense from a practical standpoint, because it would have given you a survival advantage when food is scarce, to be able to break down those starches more efficiently."
In saliva samples with a high AMY1 copy number, the researchers saw increased populations of bacteria, like Streptococcus, that feed off the starch's sugars. "If someone has a high copy number, they break down starch efficiently, and bacteria that like those sugars are going to grow more in that person's mouth," Poole said.
"So you can have species behave differently based on the different substrates. It's pretty incredible -- how we adapt and these microbes turn around and adapt, too."
Funding was provided by the Schwartz Research Fund and the National Institutes of Health.

Viking Dental Health Was a Nightmare, New Skull Analysis Shows

2025-02-24 - 2025-02

Many Viking-era Scandinavians likely showed off their badass scars from raiding and pillaging, but they were probably kvetching more about an ear infection or gum disease. That's according to new research, in which high-tech imaging revealed that many Vikings may have suffered from persistent, painful maladies in their heads.
In 2005, archaeologists excavated the remains of over 300 Vikings in the town of Varnhem. The remains dated back to between the 10th and 12th centuries, making the site one of Sweden's earliest Christian settlements (while The Northman may have you believe Vikings were pagans, almost all had converted to Christianity by the mid-eleventh century).
To try to learn more about the conditions in which these people lived, archaeologists selected 15 skulls from individuals who died between the ages of 20 and 60. They then performed CT scans, using multiple X-rays to capture detailed images of the inner structures. A team of two radiologists and a dentist then examined the images.
"There was much to look at. We found many signs of disease in these individuals," said Carolina Bertilsson, a dentist and assistant researcher at the University of Gothenburg, who led the study, in a statement. "Exactly why we don't know. While we can't study the damage in the soft tissue because it's no longer there, we can see the traces left in the skeletal structures."
What they found sounds perfectly hellish. As the scientists detailed in the journal BDJ Open, of the 15 skulls, 12 showed signs of periapical lesions-a type of bacterial infection at the root of a tooth. Ten had some form of periodontal disease, including bone defects, bone loss, or furcation involvement, an infection so severe that it causes a loss of mass in the jaw bone where the roots meet. Other issues found in multiple skulls included poorly healed or malformed jaw bones and one Viking skull showed signs of hardened tissue near the temporal bone, which may indicate an ear infection that spread.
Surprisingly, given that toothpaste wasn't invented until hundreds of years later, only six of the Vikings studied were missing teeth before they died.
The study offers a small glimpse into what everyday life may have been like for Vikings 1,000 years ago, a time with no modern pain relief medications, antibiotics, or dental care. Infections "could stick around for a long time," said Bertilsson.
Bertilsson said she hopes that other scientists use the CT scan technique, which doesn't harm or degrade the human remains, in their own research.
"Very many of today's archaeological methods are invasive, with the need to remove bone or other tissue for analysis," she said. "This way, we can keep the remains completely intact yet still extract a great deal of information."
Prior research showed that some Vikings did pay attention to their teeth, filing them to points and filling them with pigment. Cool? Yes, definitely. Something an oral hygienist would recommend? No, probably not.

Origin and diversity of Hun Empire populations

2025-02-24 - 2025-02

TA multidisciplinary and international research project has brought fresh insights into the origins and diversity of the populations that lived under and after the Hun empire between the late 4th and 6th century CE in Central Europe. Combining forefront archaeogenomic analyses with archaeological and historical investigation, the study connects some of the European Hun-period individuals directly to some high-status elite of the earlier Xiongnu Empire -- a powerful nomadic empire centered in the Mongolian steppe centuries before the Huns emerged north and west of the Black Sea. It also shows that only few Hun-period individuals carried East-Asian ancestry, and that the newcomers of the Hun period were of rather mixed origin. Thus, it sheds light on the much-discussed population dynamics that shaped Eurasian history during Late Antiquity.
he Huns suddenly appeared in Europe in the 370s, establishing one of the most influential although short-lived empires in Europe. Scholars have long debated whether the Huns were descended from the Xiongnu. In fact, the Xiongnu Empire dissolved around 100 CE, leaving a 300-year gap before the Huns appeared in Europe. Can DNA lineages that bridge these three centuries be found?
To address this question, researchers analyzed the DNA of 370 individuals that lived in historical periods spanning around 800 years, from 2nd century BCE to 6th century CE, encompassing sites in the Mongolian steppe, Central Asia, and the Carpathian Basin of Central Europe. In particular, they examined 35 newly sequenced genomes ranging from: a 3rd-4th century site in Kazakhstan and 5th-6th century contexts in the Carpathian Basin, including exceptional Hun-period burials that exhibit Eastern or "steppe" traits often linked to nomadic traditions (i.e. "eastern-type" burials).
The study was carried out as part of the ERC Synergy Grant project HistoGenes (No. 856453), by a multidisciplinary research team of geneticists, archaeologists and historians, including researchers from the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology in Leipzig, Germany. The results showed that there was not a large Asian- or steppe-descended community living in the Carpathian Basin after the Huns' arrival. However, they identified a small but distinct set of individuals -- often belonging to the "eastern-type" burials -- who did carry significant East Asian genetic signatures. Advanced comparisons of genealogical connections (the analysis of shared DNA segments known as identical-by-descent, or IBD) led to a remarkable discovery. Co-first author Guido Alberto Gnecchi-Ruscone of the Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology adds: "It came as a surprise to discover that few of these Hun-period individuals in Europe share IBD links with some of the highest-ranking imperial elite individuals from the late Xiongnu Empire." These connections also include an individual from the largest terrace tomb ever discovered in a Xiongnu context.
Connections across the steppe and mixed legacy
This link suggests that some among the Huns in Europe could trace their lineage back to important late Xiongnu burials from the Mongolian steppe. Yet the archaeogenomic picture for most Hun and post-Hun period individuals in the Carpathian Basin is far more varied. Co-first author Zsófia Rácz of the Eötvös Loránd University in Budapest adds: "DNA and archaeological evidence reveal a patchwork of ancestries, pointing to a complex process of mobility and interaction rather than a mass migration." While these connections confirm the presence of some direct descendants of Xiongnu elites, the study also shows that the population of the Hun empire in Europe was genetically highly heterogeneous. Another key conclusion of the study is that the 5th century "eastern-type" burials from Central Europe are highly diverse in both their cultural and genetic heritage. The findings also underscore that the Huns' arrival in Europe contrasts with that of the Avars two centuries later. Co-corresponding author Walter Pohl of the Austrian Academy of Sciences adds: "The Avars came directly to Europe after their East-Asian empire had been destroyed by the Turks, and many of their descendants still carried considerable East Asian ancestry until the end of their rule in c. 800. The ancestors of Attila's Huns took many generations on their way westward and mixed with populations across Eurasia."

For success in bioelectronics, build with nature-inspired design

2025-02-19 - 2025-02

In addition to making gadgets and game pieces, 3D printing is being used in health care to print prosthetics, dental implants and surgical models. Now, a team at Washington University in St. Louis is using 3D printing to create bioelectronic scaffolds that would allow researchers to create new tissue with a host of potential applications.
Alexandra Rutz, an assistant professor of biomedical engineering at the McKelvey School of Engineering, and Somtochukwu Okafor, a doctoral student in Rutz's lab, have 3D printed bioelectronic scaffolds that have the properties cells need to form new tissue. They published the result of their work this month in the journal Advanced Materials Technologies.
"Most traditional scaffolds have been on materials that have been inspired by nature, but here, we are taking that concept and applying it to what we call functional materials," Rutz said. "These are materials that are designed to perform a certain function, such as being electronically conducting."
The bioelectronic scaffolds that Rutz and Okafor print appear as dark-colored dots about 6 millimeters in diameter -- about the size of a pencil eraser -- and are floating in water. Okafor has carefully created these tiny scaffolds with a polymer known as PEDOT:PSS, which she has processed into a water-based gel used as an ink.
"When you think of electronics, you aren't thinking of them being in water," Okafor said. "But that's an advantage of using PEDOT:PSS as the conducting material. We are creating hydrated electronics that maintain their electronic properties in an environment that can also sustain living systems."
Okafor, a fifth-year doctoral student in biomedical engineering, said that while their team isn't the only one using this process, their work is unique.
"Bioelectronics as a field isn't new -- think cochlear implants, pacemakers and smartwatches -- but we are trying to interface with biology to make the technology more like systems that would occur in nature," Okafor said. "We have borrowed approaches in 3D printing and tissue engineering and combined it with bioelectronics. All these processes have individual advantages that they bring to the table, and we are combining them into one."
Most traditional materials that conduct electricity are stiff, which may negatively impact formation of tissue. Rutz's lab created their scaffolds from a soft, conducting hydrogel and with pores that are about 150-300 microns in size that can influence how cells behave within the scaffold, such as how they attach to others, how they move through the scaffold and how they multiply. The pores help to form a lattice-like structure that grows upward to support the cells. The researchers can also adjust the angle of the pores so that the grid lines are diagonal instead of vertical and horizontal.
"The pores have to be big enough to allow the cells to move around, but small enough that the cells have structure to hold on to and don't fall through," Okafor said.
The tissue the team seeks to create could be used as human tissue or plant tissue, making it versatile for several uses.
"We have many projects in the lab that are envisioned for tissues-on-chips technology, where this could be used for drug development purposes, toxicology, environmental toxicity and other projects where human tissues are in a dish," Rutz said.

Carbon unveils FP3D removable partial denture resin

2025-02-23 - 2025-02

Carbon, a leader in 3D printing technology, has unveiled FP3D, a flexible, removable partial denture (FRPD) resin. This material introduces Carbon's proven dual-cure chemistry to the dental industry - offering significant advancements in the performance and reliability of dental appliances. Engineered for durability, flexibility, and strength, it was designed to achieve properties similar to some traditionally produced, polymer-based flexible partial denture materials. The material is expected to launch in late 2025, pending FDA clearance.
Dual- cure chemistry in dental applications
Traditional single-cure resins often fall short when it comes to demanding dental applications - lacking the necessary durability, retention, and lifetime of the device required for a flexible partial application. Carbon's FP3D material is designed to overcome these limitations by embedding secondary heat-activated chemistry within the resin. This secondary reaction enables this material to build strength and durability in a bake step without sacrificing viscosity and accuracy in the printing step. This proprietary chemistry results in robust engineering-grade parts through isotropic mechanical responses with high durability.
Carbon's dual-cure technology has been validated in various sectors, for example, through a partnership with Riddell - developing the first 3D printed football helmet liner featuring a lattice structure for enhanced protection and comfort; collaborations with leading athletic brands - leading to the production of high-performance midsoles; and customized bike saddles to provide unprecedented comfort and performance.
Enhancing dental lab efficiency
Building upon the success of the AO Suite launched in 2024, Carbon is introducing new tools designed to further automate and streamline dental lab workflows, including automatic print preparation software to automate critical steps in the printing process - from nesting to queuing; and AO polishing cassette expansion, which is now compatible with the M3 and M3 Max printers and utilizes advanced light-scattering technology to polish parts directly during printing.

Scientists identify a new cancer immunotherapy target: Dysfunctional B cells

2025-02-19 - 2025-02

University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine and UPMC Hillman Cancer Center scientists have discovered a novel subset of cancer-fighting immune cells that reside outside of their normal neighborhood -- known as the tertiary lymphoid structure -- where they become frustratingly dysfunctional when in close contact with tumors.
Described today in the journal Science Translational Medicine, the finding gives oncologists a new target for developing immunotherapies: double negative memory B cells, so-called because they are negative for two markers found on the surface of their more common brethren. They may also be a useful diagnostic marker when creating treatment plans.
"The responsiveness of B cells is an important part of whether a patient with cancer does well or not," said senior author Tullia Bruno, Ph.D., assistant professor of immunology at Pitt and a member of the Cancer Immunology and Immunotherapy Program and Tumor Microenvironment Center at UPMC Hillman. "By better understanding different types of B cells and their location, we can aim to reinvigorate them and unleash their anti-tumor potential."
B cells are white blood cells, produced in the bone marrow, that neutralize pathogens -- such as bacteria, viruses and cancer cells -- and tag them for removal from the body. Memory B cells are particularly long-lived and "remember" pathogens, priming the immune system to respond quickly if it encounters the pathogen again. When someone has cancer or a chronic infection, their body may form tertiary lymphoid structures near or within the cancer. The structures contain immune cells -- predominantly B cells -- and patients with the structures tend to have better outcomes.
While doing her graduate work in Pitt's Program in Microbiology and Immunology, co-lead author Ayana Ruffin, Ph.D., now a postdoctoral research fellow at Emory University, observed that memory B cells were abundant in the blood of head and neck cancer patients -- particularly those doing well. Curious, she pored over existing research and found that, while double negative memory B cells were well-characterized in chronic infection and autoimmune studies, little was known about their role in cancer.
She turned from blood to tumor samples and found double negative memory B cells there as well -- but they were more dysfunctional, displaying features of exhaustion. Exhaustion is something cancer immunologists have been focused on with T cells -- immune cells that destroy pathogens, such as cancer. But Ruffin was one of the first to observe this exhaustion in memory B cells in and near tumors, outside of the tertiary lymphoid structure.
"Historically, B cells have largely been ignored in the cancer research field, with scientists instead favoring research on 'killer' T cells," said co-lead author Allison Casey, Ph.D. candidate in Pitt's Molecular Genetics and Developmental Biology graduate program who took over the research when Ruffin graduated. "But B cells are really unique -- they're like the cool person at school who talks to everyone. They can use antibodies to neutralize pathogens and engage other immune cells. They educate T cells so they know to destroy cancer or infections."
Casey and the research team are now exploring existing cancer immunotherapies -- which are mostly aimed at helping T cells fight cancer -- to see if there are ways to modify them to also boost memory B cells. They're also investigating B cell therapies used in autoimmune diseases to see if they can be leveraged to fight cancer.
"This is a really good example of when a graduate student comes to you with an awesome idea and runs with it -- she breaks new ground in the field," Bruno said. "This research is a testament to what happens when students are encouraged to think creatively."

Stronger, safer, smarter: Pioneering Zinc-based dissolvable implants for bone repair

2025-02-12 - 2025-02

Surgeons routinely use stainless steel or titanium, which stay in the body forever, can cause discomfort and may require follow-up surgeries.
A new zinc alloy, designed by Monash biomedical engineers, could solve these problems by being mechanically strong but gentle enough to degrade safely over time while supporting optimal healing.
A study published today in Nature shows the research team's innovative approach to making the zinc alloy as strong as permanent steel implants and more durable than other biodegradable options like magnesium-based implants.
Lead researcher, Professor Jian-feng Nie, from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, said the innovative material had the potential to transform orthopaedic care by reducing complications, minimising the need for additional surgeries, and offering a sustainable alternative to permanent metallic implants.
"Our zinc alloy material could revolutionise orthopaedic care -- opening the door to safer, smaller implants that not only enhance patient comfort but also promote better healing outcomes by minimising disruption to surrounding tissues," Professor Nie said.
"An implant that never disappears will always be a risk to the patient. On the other hand, one that degrades too fast won't allow adequate time for the bones to heal. With our zinc alloy material, we can achieve the optimal balance between strength and controlled degradation of the implant to promote better healing."
The research shows that by engineering the size and orientation of the material's grains, the zinc alloy can bend and adapt in unique ways to accommodate the shapes of its neighbouring tissues.
"This made it not only stronger but more flexible, offering a game-changing alternative for orthopaedics," Professor Nie said.
The research is paving the way for a new start-up to be launched out of Monash University with a focus on developing next-generation biodegradable implants.

Frequent cannabis use can lead to cavities, severe tooth loss, according to study

2025-02-13 - 2025-02

Clonan, who joined the faculty in spring 2024 as a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Pediatric and Community Dentistry, spotted the association between cannabis and tooth decay while completing her Dental Public Health Residency Program at Jacobi Medical Center in Bronx, New York. As part of the intake questionnaire at the public clinic where she worked, patients would often answer "no" when asked if they smoked, Clonan said. However, when she gave them home instructions following a tooth extraction such as, "no fried foods and no smoking," an important truth often would be revealed.
"They'd tell me, 'Well, I do smoke cannabis,'" she said.
Study looks at frequent cannabis smokers
To explore the possible connection, Clonan, who is also a consultant for the ADA, used a cross-sectional study analyzing data obtained from 5,656 adults ages 18-59 who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) between 2015 and 2018.
She discovered that people who reported smoking cannabis at least once a month for more than a year had a 17% higher chance of having untreated coronal caries (cavities), 55% higher odds of root surface caries and 41% higher odds of severe tooth loss compared with patients who did not smoke marijuana after controlling for age, sex, race or ethnicity, education, income or alcohol consumption.
"The surveys only focused on smoking cannabis, not other use such as edibles," Clonan said. "When you smoke cannabis, you're literally putting fire near your mouth, which is never good. It causes dry mouth, which can lead to tooth decay. Saliva protects you from dental caries."
Two other factors may contribute to cavities and tooth loss-the high-fat snacks, sugary foods and drinks people typically consume when they use cannabis and poor brushing habits while under the influence, she said.
Little research in this area
The effect of cannabis use on oral health has been on Clonan's radar for a while, she said, since numerous states, including New York, have legalized marijuana, and recreational use has skyrocketed.
"I saw a gap in the dental research compared with the medical field," she said, "so I decided to pursue this study."
All the information was self-reported, so Clonan suspects FRC use is higher than the surveys reveal.
"Someone in New York might be more forthcoming compared to someone in Alabama who might worry about who is looking at the survey," she said.
The average age of the study's respondents was 39. Clonan noted, however, that FRC use was reported by respondents across all ages, races and socioeconomic levels.
These findings reflect a national trend, Clonan added.
Cannabis use in adults 65 and older jumped by 75% over a three-year period, according to a recent report in the Journal of the Medical Association. Meanwhile, according to a 2023 study by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the percentage of young

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