DentalEZ recently donated a full shipment of dental supplies and equipment to Project Chimps, a rescue organization dedicated to the lifetime sanctuary care of hundreds of captive chimpanzees. Because of the Company’s generous donation, the newest sanctuary will now have all the components needed for optimal dental care of the rescued animals.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – When anthropologists of the future find our fossilized teeth, what will they be able to conclude about our lives?

Debbie Guatelli-Steinberg has an idea. She is a professor of anthropology at The Ohio State University who studies fossilized teeth to answer questions about the life history, growth, and diet of primates and our human ancestors, as well as the relationships between different species.

In a new book, What Teeth Reveal About Human Evolution (Cambridge University Press, 2016), she gives a broad overview of what scientists have learned about our ancestors from studying fossilized teeth.

As for the teeth of humans living today – well, it is a good thing we have modern dentistry.

“We have teeth that were adapted for eating a very different diet than the one we eat today, at least in Western societies,” Guatelli-Steinberg said.

In the book, she noted that 99% of humans’ evolutionary history was spent eating foods that were hunted or gathered. Our current diets of soft, processed and sugary foods are nothing like the diets for which our teeth are adapted.

“Problems like cavities and plaque buildup have been magnified tremendously in humans today,” she said. “Natural selection has not prepared us well for the kinds of food we eat today.”

In addition to having much higher rates of cavities and plaque, modern humans are much more likely to have misaligned teeth that require orthodontic treatment or surgery.

“Soft diets do not stimulate jaw growth, and teeth, especially our third molars (wisdom teeth), become impacted,” she said.

In fact, third molar impaction became 10 times more common after the Industrial Revolution than it was previously.

Researchers like Guatelli-Steinberg learn a lot about early humans and our ancestors through an examination of teeth.

One reason that teeth provide so much information is simply that they are available. Teeth are the most preserved skeletal remains found in fossils. They are small and very mineralized, making them resistant to decomposition and able to maintain their original qualities, she said. Teeth also contain a record of a lot of aspects of their own development, including their chemistry and pathology.

“Teeth give us insights into a variety of aspects of evolution,” she said.

For example, researchers study the structure of teeth – like bumps and grooves – to see how species are related to one another.

Also, since the scale of dental development is related to overall development in most animals, researchers can use teeth to determine how long it took individuals of different species to grow to adulthood.

On the other end of life, researchers can study the amount of wear on fossilized teeth to get a very rough estimate of how old an adult was when he or she died.

And, of course, there is much to learn about diets.

Microscopic wear on the chewing surfaces of teeth can suggest what kind of food an individual ate.

“Different kinds of food can require different ways of bringing the teeth together. As that happens, the food will mark the teeth in different ways, depending on their properties,” she said.

The chemical composition of the teeth themselves is revealing. Scientists can identify the stable isotopes and trace elements in fossilized teeth to determine an individual’s diet.

Much of Guatelli-Steinberg’s own research has focused on using patterns of tooth growth to assess what life was like for the individuals under study.

“Tooth growth is disrupted in periods of severe physical stress, such as illness or starvation, so teeth can be a window to challenges that our ancestors faced,” she said.

In a 2004 study, Guatelli-Steinberg and colleagues used a scanning electron microscope to compare fossilized teeth of Neanderthals with those of modern Inuits, or Eskimos. The researchers were looking for tiny defects – horizontal lines and grooves in tooth enamel – that suggest the individuals were experiencing stress.

The results showed that Neanderthals did not have lives that were dramatically more difficult than those of the modern Eskimos – a finding that challenged traditional thinking at the time.

More recently, Guatelli-Steinberg has used a relatively new method of studying fossilized teeth to examine growth increments. The technique pioneered by anthropologist Tanya Smith, called X-ray synchrotron microtomography, uses a specialized imaging machine to see inside teeth without having to cut them up.

This allows researchers to create virtual sections of fossil teeth to see periods of growth, or when growth was interrupted, in increments as short as just a few days, she said.

Regardless of what new techniques are developed to study teeth, Guatelli-Steinberg said she expects future anthropologists will “likely have a field day” studying modern human teeth.

“In various cultures today, we have people who notch teeth, inlay them with jewels or gold, lengthen them, file them down and remove them altogether,” she said.

“One can only imagine what anthropologists will make of all the things we do to our teeth today.”

Affordable Dentures & Implants announced that it will partner with Brighter Way Dental Institute of Phoenix, Arizona to deliver free dental implant, oral surgery, and prosthetic treatment to hundreds of U.S. military veterans and homeless citizens. The network of affiliated dental practices expects to contribute about $3.25 million in pro bono implant and prosthetic services in 2017 alone. About 400 volunteers – including affiliated practice owners, dental technicians and other auxiliary staff members – will travel from across the U.S. to Phoenix as part of the effort.

The pro bono program will occur over six three-day sessions throughout 2017. The sessions are facilitated by Brighter Way Dental Institute at Central Arizona Shelter Services in Phoenix. Drs. Kris Volcheck and Justin Moody will oversee clinical care at each of the sessions. Twelve Affordable Dentures & Implants affiliates participated in a successful pilot session last October, delivering free care estimated at $440,000.

"This program reflects our affiliates' shared commitment to deliver tooth replacement care with dignity and respect to those who often have nowhere else to turn," said Doug Brown, President and CEO of Affordable Care, the dental support organization affiliated with Affordable Dentures & Implants. "As a national dental support organization, we have a special opportunity to use our network size and resources to give back to underserved communities."

The Brighter Way Dental Institute, formerly known as the CASS Dental Clinic for the Homeless, provides comprehensive dental care and a dental home to not only homeless individuals but also to adults and military veterans, many of whom do not receive dental benefits through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Affordable Dentures & Implants' participation in the 2017 Brighter Way program will build upon a record year of giving back and volunteering.

• More than 100 dentists, lab technicians and business support staff gave their time at more than 20 Mission of Mercy pro bono events across the U.S. in 2016. Lab technicians produced more than 700 partial dentures and other appliances at Mission of Mercy events during the year.

• Affordable Care renewed a significant annual contribution to America's Dentists Care Foundation and to more than 20 state-level Mission of Mercy organizations.

• And more than 200 dentists within the affiliated practice network have taken part in international implant volunteerism since 2014, including through a partner clinic in Guadalajara, Mexico, performing more than an estimated $5 million in implant surgery and related services in that time frame.

"Unfortunately, veterans are more likely to be homeless than the general population – they comprise approximately 10 percent of our homeless population," said Dr. Kris Volcheck, Brighter Way Dental Institute CEO and founder. "One of the greatest unmet needs of our homeless veterans is that of basic oral health care. Even if basic care were available, it still would be woefully lacking in its ability to treat those veterans who are edentulous. These men and women, who are often missing all of their teeth, are our family and community members. Because they have no teeth and no smile, their health is poor and so is their self-esteem. For Brighter Way to be able to treat these patients who have served our nation in such a comprehensive manner is an honor. Simply put, restoring these patients' health and self-esteem by placing implant-based dentures is the very best possible care available. And these veterans should be getting our very best efforts."

Tooth replacement solutions – including full-arch implant restorations like those performed at Brighter Way – often are beyond the financial reach for those without dental insurance. Affordable Dentures & Implants practice owners have historically elected to set everyday fees lower than insurance co-pays for the same treatment.

More people each year – including new and experienced denture wearers – are turning to dental implants as a more desired tooth replacement solution. Implants help to stop or slow bone loss (resorption) in the jaw, and restore more tooth function than dentures or other options.

"The patients at Brighter Way have been absolutely amazing," said Dr. Jase Hackney, practice owner of Affordable Dentures & Implants – Tampa, who participated in the pilot pro bono session in October. "They've been very thankful when we finish – they want to shake our hand, or give us a hug. It's been very rewarding, in that regard."

The Brighter Way program is also made possible through financial contributions from BioHorizons, a global manufacturer of dental implants and tissue regeneration products. Other program sponsors include dental industry leaders Carestream Dental, Sterngold, Meisinger, Benco Dental and Implant Concierge.

Carl E. Misch, DDS, MDS, PhD, the founder of the Misch International Implant Institute, died January 4, 2017 at age 69.

For information, see the links below:

https://www.thayer-rock.com/home/index.cfm?action=public%3Aobituaries.view&lud=35225634E6EA44F64BDDB0957CFDEDEC&id=4058772&fh_id=10492

https://www.tributes.com/obituary/show/Carl-E.-Misch-104323817

https://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2014-archive/september/dr-carl-misch-receives-2014-distinguished-service-award

The market for sleep apnea devices is expected to grow from $4.59 billion to $6.7 billion over the next 5 years, with the fastest-growing therapeutic device being oral appliances, according to a Markets and Markets report titled "Sleep Apnea Devices by Product, Therapeutic (CPAP, APAP, BPAP, Masks, Oral Appliances (Mandibular Advancement Device), Diagnostic (PSG, Pulse Oximeter), End User (Home Care Settings, Hospitals) - Analysis & Global Forecasts to 2021" that analyzes and studies the major market drivers, restraints/challenges, and opportunities.

This market, the report says, is expected to reach $6.7 billion by 2021, growing at a CAGR of 7.8% from the 2016 number of $4.59 billion.

The market is segmented into therapeutic devices and diagnostic devices, and therapeutic devices are further segmented into several categories, of which oral appliances are projected to register the highest CAGR in the forecast period.

The full report is available here: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownload.asp?id=719&utm_source=email-9-jan&utm_campaign=nl&utm_medium=md-na&utm_term=nl

A new method of stimulating the renewal of living stem cells in tooth pulp using an Alzheimer's drug has been discovered by a team of researchers at King's College London.

Following trauma or an infection, the inner, soft pulp of a tooth can become exposed and infected. In order to protect the tooth from infection, a thin band of dentine is naturally produced and this seals the tooth pulp, but it is insufficient to effectively repair large cavities.

Currently dentists use manmade cements or fillings, such as calcium and silicon-based products, to treat these larger cavities and fill holes in teeth. This cement remains in the tooth and fails to disintegrate, meaning that the normal mineral level of the tooth is never completely restored.

However, in a paper published today in Scientific Reports, scientists from the Dental Institute at King's College London have proven a way to stimulate the stem cells contained in the pulp of the tooth and generate new dentine - the mineralized material that protects the tooth - in large cavities, potentially reducing the need for fillings or cements.

The novel, biological approach could see teeth use their natural ability to repair large cavities rather than using cements or fillings, which are prone to infections and often need replacing a number of times. Indeed, when fillings fail or infection occurs, dentists have to remove and fill an area that is larger than what is affected, and after multiple treatments, the tooth may eventually need to be extracted.

As this new method encourages natural tooth repair, it could eliminate all of these issues, providing a more natural solution for patients.

Significantly, one of the small molecules used by the team to stimulate the renewal of the stem cells included Tideglusib, which has previously been used in clinical trials to treat neurological disorders including Alzheimer's disease. This presents a real opportunity to fast-track the treatment into practice.

Using biodegradable collagen sponges to deliver the treatment, the team applied low doses of small molecule glycogen synthase kinase (GSK-3) to the tooth. They found that the sponge degraded over time and that new dentine replaced it, leading to complete, natural repair. Collagen sponges are commercially available and clinically approved, again adding to the potential of the treatment's swift pickup and use in dental clinics.

Lead author of the study, Professor Paul Sharpe from King's College London, said, "The simplicity of our approach makes it ideal as a clinical dental product for the natural treatment of large cavities, by providing both pulp protection and restoring dentine.

"In addition, using a drug that has already been tested in clinical trials for Alzheimer's disease provides a real opportunity to get this dental treatment quickly into clinics."

On February 16, 17, and 18, 2017, the ICOI presents its Winter Symposium 2017: Solutions to Dental Implant Complications, located at the Marriott Hotel on Canal Street, New Orleans.

This symposium’s lineup of world-class speakers is intended to keep you engaged with pertinent information throughout the event. Pre-Symposium courses followed by the popular Young Implantologists and “Pearls of Wisdom” speakers will kick off the event on Thursday. On both Thursday and Friday, the ICOI has lined up a variety of 30- to 60-minute courses to further one’s knowledge of ways that dental technicians, assistants, and hygienists can address complications with dental implants. Saturday offers a full day of ADIA Certification courses, with specialties in dental hygiene, dental assisting, practice management, and implant coordination.

To learn more, visit https://www.icoineworleans2017.com/

Market Research Future released an article titled "U.S. & Europe Partial Denture Market (PDM) Market Information & Analysis (Market Size, Market Drive) & Global Forecast to 2024."

Providing an overview about the global partial denture market during the forecast period 2016-24, the report offers offer insights on key present growth indicators and forecast indicators such as drivers, restrains, opportunities, and trends that are involved in shaping the market.

In the United States, the partial denture market is projected to be the fastest growing sector over the next two or three decades because of an aging baby boomer patient base, growing life expectancy of the adult population, and slow economic recovery, which is creating need in the denture market for more affordable options.

This report cites a number of major factors accountable for the growth of partial dental market, such as:

·      Growing incidences of dental caries and other periodontal conditions

·      Growing incidences of tooth loss

·      Rising aging population

·      Focus on providing quality dental care

·      Increasing disposable income

However, the report says partial denture market growth constraints include poor dental insurance coverage for dental implants, low reimbursement rates, fewer experienced denture technicians, and the reduced curriculum in dental schools for partial denture.

For the purpose of this study, the report is segmented into market research futures for PDM market, PDM types, PDM styles, PDM materials, and PDM applications.

In North America, current statistics show that around 20% of 65+ age group of the US population has lost their all teeth due to tooth decay or gum disease. The numbers of US adults who are missing teeth will only increase as the average life expectancy moves upward from 78.9 years to a projected 79.5 years by 2020. This increase in average life expectancy, along with the aging of the 79 million baby boomers and their “forever young” mindset, will boost the demand for precision-made removable prosthetic appliances for decades to come.

Moreover, Asia is expected to see high growth of acrylic dentures as it is a price-sensitive market. Acrylic teeth dentures are less expensive as compared to metal or porcelain variations, which increase their adoption in the Asian region. Furthermore, China in Asia is one of the largest hubs for manufacturing the denture across the globe.

The complete report provides market information and market data for US; Canada; Latin America; Western Europe; Middle East & Africa; Asian countries including China, South Korea, Japan, and India; Australia; and New Zealand.

Access the full report at https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/articles/u-s-europe-partial-denture-market-pdm-market-information-analysis-market-size-market-drive-global-forecast-to-2024.

IonoStar Plus is a new glass ionomer restorative that offers a fast-set, immediate packability, non-stick handling and enhanced physical properties. Designed to reduce or remove many of the headaches associated with glass ionomer restoratives, IonoStar Plus comes in a new easy-to-use direct activation application capsule that fits virtually all branded glass ionomer applicators. 

Once triturated and placed in the mouth, IonoStar Plus offers two stages of consistency that first provide ideal wettability for perfect marginal adaptability, and then immediate packability to allow shaping and sculpting without any “pull-back” due to its non-stick handling.  IonoStar Plus has an abbreviated working time of two minutes that allows the clinical procedure to proceed quickly when time plays an important factor.  IonoStar Plus is radiopaque, fluorescent, has a high continuous fluoride release and does not require the use of a dentin conditioner.

Source:    VOCO www.vocoamerica.com

Sterngold Dental, LLC has announced that its donation of eight EZ PickUp® kits to the University of Minnesota (UMN) School of Dentistry has been accepted. The EZ Pickup material is a self-cure, bis-acryl composite attachment processing material in a dual syringe, with an automix dispenser for direct application.

On Saturday, January 21, 2017, the EZ PickUp chairside technique will be demonstrated at a UMN hands-on program, “Prosthetic Management of the Edentulous Mandible with a Two-implant Overdenture." Course instructors, Ranier M. Adarve, D.M.D., M.S., M.H.P.E., Heather J. Conrad, D.M.D., M.S., and Lisa A. James, D.D.S., will demonstrate how to successfully restore the edentulous mandibular arch with an implant-retained overdenture along with other surgical and prosthetic techniques. For more details or to sign up for the course, visit dentistry.umn.edu/continuing-dental-education/courses.