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Could a Drug Used for Diabetes Help Treat Gum Disease?
23Oct
Recent research has suggested that Metformin – a drug that is used in the treatment of Type II Diabetes – could help in the treatment of gum disease. Moreover, it also has the potential to control inflammation and sugar levels, which can boost physical health. These are positive findings which could greatly improve the treatment options for gum disease.

Recent research suggests that a common drug that is used in the treatment of Diabetes could help to control inflammation and sugar levels for oral conditions like gum disease and systemic diseases [1].
The drug in question is called Metformin. It is a medicine that is typically used in the treatment of Type 2 Diabetes. However, as seen in this case, it may have multiple uses.
This is a promising finding. As inflammation causes many issues, being able to treat it with a common drug is an exciting prospect. But further research will be needed to confirm the findings.

Background

Gum disease is a very common condition. It involves inflammation and redness of the gums. Almost half of all American adults have a form of gum disease [2].
Gum disease is also strongly associated with physical health conditions like diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular problems.
An example of this connection is the impact of high sugar consumption. This causes problems in the mouth, whilst also contributing to obesity, which can result in diabetes.
Currently, there is very limited treatment options for gum disease. A deep clean of the teeth, root planing and scaling are the only potential treatments. However, these are only able to limit the damage or slow its onset.

The Research

The research was carried out by a team of researchers at King’s College London in the United Kingdom. Subsequently, their findings were published in the Journal of Translational Medicine [1].
Their research focus was on controlling inflammation and sugar levels in both the mouth and body. Inflammation and high sugar levels are symptoms of many oral and systemic conditions.
The research team initially used mice for their study. One mouse was induced with gum disease. The mouse was then given metformin on a regular basis [1].
Interestingly, the researchers witnessed a significant prevention of bone loss and age-related bone loss in mice [1]. This suggested that the metformin had provided many benefits.
Next, the research team tested metformin on patients with gum disease [1]. Moreover, these patients did not have diabetes – with the researchers looking to specifically see how those purely with gum disease reacted.
The result of the trial was positive. There were improved outcomes in gum disease treatment – with its progress being slowed. Meanwhile, the results also showed that sugar levels and inflammation in the mouth and body had lowered [1].
These results were excellent. They showed that metformin has the potential to be an excellent treatment for gum disease. Furthermore, it can also positively impact physical health conditions too.

What this means

Further research will be needed to confirm these findings. However, the initial signs are that metformin can have a really positive impact on our overall health.
Metformin has the potential to be capable of stopping, or at least slowing periodontal disease. The associated physical health benefits of metformin represents another positive.
The research team were delighted with the findings. Dr. Vitor Neves was the lead author. He mentioned that patients normally don’t have “any tools to fight against gum disease”, but now, there is “a potential tool that can help not only with gum disease, but overall health” [3].
The researchers also pointed out that metformin is a cheap drug. For example, it costs just £0.04 per tablet in the United Kingdom [3]. The research team suggested that if the NHS supplied the drug, that it could be even cheaper [3].
This led the researchers to say that the drug could be “used as a preventive medicine for oral and systemic diseases that could be adopted on a global scale” [3].
Metformin can have many positive effects. As well as helping people with their oral health, it can also benefit their overall health and the process of aging.

Thinking points…

[1] As mentioned, there are limited existing treatments for gum disease. It isn’t possible to cure gum disease, but you can certainly limit its development. Treatment options include root planing and scaling. If you have gum disease, you may want to consider discussing options with your dentist. But firstly, remember to brush your teeth and floss regularly, as this will also help!
[2] It is important for gum disease to be identified as early as possible. By doing so, it will mean that a dentist can recommend ways of stalling its progress. The easiest way for any problems to be detected is to attend regular dental check-ups. A dentist will be able to take a thorough look at your oral health and provide recommendations where needed. We recommend booking an appointment now!

What we offer at Savanna Dental

Savanna Dental is a Calgary dental clinic that provide its patients with a wide range of dental treatment options and advice aimed at improving their oral health.
We advise our patients to attend our Calgary dental clinic at least twice per year for a regular dental check-up. At these check-ups, we provide a comprehensive review of a patient’s oral health. If any problems are detected, we have many treatments available. For example, these include cavity fillings and root canals. To strengthen your oral health, we recommend brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing regularly.
Here at Savann Dental, we also have some cosmetic treatments available! These include dental implants, teeth whitening and Invisalign™! Many people find that these treatments have a positive impact on their appearance, confidence and self-esteem.
Moreover, all of our services at our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental are set in line with the Alberta Dental Fee Guide. This ensures transparent and fair pricing.
We hope to see you soon at our Savanna Dental clinic in Calgary! You can find out more about us by visiting our website https://savannadentalclinic.ca.

References

[1] Neves, V. C. M., Okajima, L. S., Elbahtety, E., Joseph, S., Daly, J., Menon, A., Fan, D., Volkyte, A., Mainas, G., Fung, K., Dhami, P., Pelegrine, A. A., Sharpe, P., Nibali, L., & Ide, M. (2023). Repurposing Metformin for periodontal disease management as a form of oral-systemic preventive medicine. Journal of Translational Medicine. 21 (655). DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12967-023-04456-1.
[2] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2013). Periodontal Disease. Available: https://www.cdc.gov/oralhealth/conditions/periodontal-disease.html. Last accessed: 20th October 2023.
[3] King’s College London. (2023). Common diabetes drug could treat gum disease and help with healthy aging, study claims. Available: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2023-10-common-diabetes-drug-gum-disease.html. Last accessed: 20th October 2023.

What Mechanisms Are Involved in Inflammation of the Dental Pulp?
16Oct
Tooth decay can result in inflammation in the dental pulp – which is the innermost part of the tooth. Trying to avoid this is crucial, as it usually requires a Root Canal treatment. Now, a research team has looked at how the mechanisms involved in dental inflammation and root damage can be impacted by various situations. This is an important subject area to review.

Recent research has yielded discoveries regarding the mechanisms involved in dental pulp inflammation and root damage [1].

These discoveries will enable a search to take place for medications that can stop bone loss, when a tooth becomes impacted by endodontic infection.

What is the dental pulp?

The dental pulp refers to the innermost part of the tooth. Therefore, it sits below both enamel and dentin, and contains blood vessels, tissues and nerves.

When teeth become decayed, it can result in a tooth’s pulp becoming inflamed. This often advances to the stage where there is an infection at the root of a tooth, which is known as an abscess.

When this happens, a root canal treatment is normally needed to save the tooth. This is a more complex dental procedure that rarely provides permanent results [2].

The Research

The results involving the mechanisms involved in dental pulp inflammation and root damage have come from two research papers [1].

Both studies were published in the Journal of Endodontics [1]. They both used the key element of the aforementioned mechanisms as a basis for their studies.

The key element is tumor necrosis factor-a receptor-1 (TNFR1), which, when binding to the cytokine TNF-a, causes inflammation to develop [1].

The researchers used various situations to experiment this element. This is where the two studies took different approaches – although both involved analyzing the pathway between TNFR1 and TNF-a.

In the first study, the researchers looked to see how the pathway reacted to dental pulp capping – which is a procedure where bioactive materials are placed over an exposed pulp, thereby encouraging healing [3].

They found that when TNFR1 is altered, it results in inflammation and subsequent bone loss [3]. It can result in severe problems, including rapid demineralization.

The team used a mouse that was deficient in TNFR1 to discover this. They took tissues at both 7 and 70 days, which resulted in an analysis taking place, helping them to reach their conclusion.

In the second study, the researchers investigated how the pathway reacted following root canal contamination [4]. This effectively involves a situation where a person has root canal but the pulp becomes contaminated.

They found that the pathway reacted well. Furthermore, they demonstrated that when the pathway blocks the presence of microorganisms, the number of issues can be reduced [4].

The researchers found that the pathway could assist in protecting against inflammation and bone loss – which is crucial in oral health [4].

After analyzing these situations, the research team concluded that the difference between these situations was the presence of microorganisms [1].

The next steps

The research team are hoping that now that there is a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in inflammation of the dental pulp, that it could be possible to search for a medicine that can assist with stopping bone loss [1].

Paula Silva, who took part in both studies, said that the group “realized from these research findings that a treatment protocol could be developed” – which he suggested was “a very interesting target” they aim to reach in the future [1].

While such creations are likely to be quite some time away, this research has helped scientists to understand what is involved in dental pulp inflammation. Therefore, this can help with future research and the potential development of a medicine to target these issues.

Thinking points…

1) The research looked at the topic of dental pulp inflammation. Tooth decay is the main cause of this. If you don’t catch tooth decay early, it can eventually result in the pulp becoming inflamed. Therefore, rather than a simple cavity filling being needed, it can require a root canal treatment. Make sure you look after your teeth and visit a dental clinic at the first sign of decay!

2) Following on from the above point, it is very important that you attend dental check-ups on a regular basis. Here at Savanna Dental, we recommend that you go to a dental clinic at least once every six months. This will enable any issues to be identified and then treated. We recommend booking an appointment now!

What we offer at Savanna Dental

Savanna Dental is a Calgary dental clinic that provide its patients with a wide range of dental treatment options and advice aimed at improving their oral health.

We advise our patients to attend our Calgary-based dental clinic twice a year for a regular dental check-up. When problems are detected, we have many treatments available. For instance, these include cavity fillings and root canals. To try and prevent problems, it is important to brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss regularly.

Here at Savanna Dental, we also have some cosmetic treatments available! These include dental implants, tooth whitening and Invisalign™! Many people find that these treatments have a positive impact on their appearance, confidence and self-esteem.

In addition, all of our services at our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental are in line with the Alberta Dental Fee Guide.

We would love you to visit our Savanna Dental clinic in Calgary! You can find out more about us by visiting our website https://savannadentalclinic.ca.

References

[1] Constantino, L. (2023). Discovery of mechanism involved in dental inflammation paves way to therapies against bone loss. Available: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2023-10-discovery-mechanism-involved-dental-inflammation.html. Last accessed: 9th October 2023.

[2] Watson, S. (2021). Tooth Pulp Function and Inflammation. Available: https://www.verywellhealth.com/tooth-pulp-dental-terms-1059180. Last accessed: 9th October 2023.

[3] de Almeida-Junior, L. A., Araujo, L. D. C., Lamarque, G. C. C., Arnez, M. F. M., Kapila, Y. L., da Silva, L. A. B., & de Paula-Silva, F. W. G. (2023). Reparative Dentin Formation Following Dental Pulp Capping is Mediated by TNFR1 In Vivo. Journal of Endodontics. 49 (10): p1329-1336. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joen.2023.06.015.

[4] de Almedia-Junior, L. A., de Carvalho, M. S., Almeida, L. K. Y., Silva, R. A. B., Silva, L. A. B., & de Paula-Silva, F. W. G. (2023). TNF-α–TNFR1 Signaling Mediates Inflammation and Bone Resorption in Apical Periodontitis. Journal of Endodontics. 49 (10): p1319-1328. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joen.2023.07.013.

Is Teeth Grinding Actually a Bad Thing?
2Oct
Bruxism – which is also known as teeth grinding – is a common condition that affects a large number of people. There are a range of adverse effects caused by teeth grinding, which can take place while both awake and asleep. But there have been some recent suggestions that bruxism actually isn’t necessarily a bad thing. However, is this true?

Bruxism – also known as teeth grinding – is a condition that is becoming increasingly common. In fact, bruxism is actually the dental diagnosis that has increased the most post-pandemic [1].

We are used to hearing that teeth grinding is bad for us. It can erode enamel, affect our gums, cause fillings to fall out, and disturb our sleep [1].

However, it has recently been proposed that bruxism may not necessarily be a bad thing, and that there could be some benefits to it. But is this true?

What is bruxism?

Bruxism involves a person grinding their teeth. It is normally done involuntarily while a person is asleep. However, it can also be done while a person is awake [1].

As mentioned earlier, bruxism is the dental diagnosis that has increased the most following Covid-19. It has almost quadrupled, with its incidence rising from 6% to 23% [1].

It isn’t entirely clear what causes bruxism. However, it is believed to be linked to stress, anxiety, smoking, recreational drug use, and some medications [2].

Is bruxism actually beneficial?

Interestingly, there have been some suggestions that bruxism could actually be beneficial. Some research has supported this theory.

For example, a study in 2020 found that teeth grinding while awake could act as a way of relieving stress [3]. Therefore, this activity was found to help the wellbeing of stressed individuals.

Moreover, the study also suggested that teeth grinding while asleep can protect against gastric reflux and obstructive sleep apnoea [3]. These are two conditions that can cause a range of problems.

These factors do suggest there could be some benefits to bruxism. However, the benefits are far outweighed by the negatives associated with bruxism.

As mentioned, bruxism can erode enamel, which makes us more vulnerable to cavities. Moreover, it can also cause fillings to fall out. Many people find it disturbs their sleep and can cause headaches, migraines, or joint pain.

Treatment of bruxism: The role of biofeedback

When looking at treatment options, something called biofeedback represents an interesting choice. Biofeedback involves patients using a device called an electromyograph [1].

This device measures electrical activity in the muscles. Using this device, a patient can learn to identify and reduce muscle tension through adopting a jaw position using the device [1].

In order for the jaw to be relaxed and therefore at rest, it is important for it to have no contact between the teeth. The electromyograph can help facilitate this arrangement [1].

Moreover, it has been proposed that stress-relief exercises can reduce instances of bruxism. These can include exercising regularly, relaxation and deep-breathing techniques.

Smaller actions like wearing a mouth guard while asleep, putting post-it notes in visible places to remind yourself not to grind your teeth, and even going out for a walk can all be other ways of helping protect your mouth from bruxism.

Overall, while there might be a few benefits to bruxism, there are far too many negatives involved. For those that do suffer from bruxism, getting help is important.

Thinking points…

[1] Remember that attending regular dental appointments is key for your oral health. Dental appointments allow a dentist to take an in-depth look at the oral health of their patient. If treatment is needed, then this can be arranged. Given that early detection is vital, remember to attend a dental clinic at least once every six months. We recommend booking an appointment now!

[2] Do you grind your teeth? If so, remember that there are things that you can do. Breathing exercises, regular exercise, and a consistent sleep routine can all be helpful. You can also get some advice from a dental professional. As mentioned above, having regular dental check-ups can also be very helpful.

What we offer at Savanna Dental

Savanna Dental is a Calgary dental clinic that provide its patients with a wide range of dental treatment options and advice aimed at improving their oral health.

We advise our patients to attend our Calgary dental clinic at least twice per year for a regular dental check-up. At these check-ups, we provide a comprehensive review of a patient’s oral health. If any problems are detected, we have many treatments available. For example, these include cavity fillings and root canals. To strengthen your oral health, we recommend brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing regularly.

Here at Savanna Dental, we also have some cosmetic treatments available! These include dental implants, teeth whitening and Invisalign™. Many people find that these treatments have a positive impact on their appearance, confidence and self-esteem.

Moreover, all of our services at our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental are set in line with the Alberta Dental Fee Guide. This ensures transparent and fair pricing.

We hope to see you soon at our Savanna Dental clinic in Calgary! You can find out more about us by visiting our website https://savannadentalclinic.ca.

References

[1] Ortega, L. J., Jiminez-Pajaeror, E. W., & Gonzalez, M. G. (2023). Why grinding your teeth might not always be a bad thing. Available: https://theconversation.com/why-grinding-your-teeth-might-not-always-be-a-bad-thing-211971. Last accessed: 29th September 2023.

[2] NHS. (2022). Teeth grinding (bruxism). Available: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/teeth-grinding/. Last accessed: 29th September 2023.

[3] Soto-Goni, X. A., Alen, F., Buiza-Gonzalez, L., Marcolino-Cruz, D., Sanchez-Sanchez, T., Ardizone-Garcia, I., Aneiros-Lopez, F., & Jiminez-Ortega, L. (2020). Adaptive Stress Coping in Awake Bruxism. Frontiers in Neurology. 11: 564431. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389%2Ffneur.2020.564431.

Is Flossing Actually Effective? And Is Having the Correct Flossing Technique Important?
25Sep
Recent research has looked into how flossing technique impacts the effectiveness of flossing. Flossing is a key part of oral health and is an excellent tool to protect your teeth and gums. However, flossing is something that many people ignore. For those that do floss, the research has shown that using the correct technique can boost their oral health.

The importance of flossing cannot be understated. It is crucial for removing debris that a toothbrush can’t reach, and helps protect against cavities and bad breath.

However, while most people brush their teeth regularly, flossing is something that many people forget to do. Furthermore, for those that do floss, many do not know how to do so effectively.

Recent research has looked into what impact proper flossing technique has [1]. The results show that flossing is very important and has a positive impact. This impact is more pronounced when proper flossing technique is used.

Background

Flossing can help remove debris from food and anything else in the mouth. Furthermore, it stops dental plaque from forming, aiding cavity prevention. It also helps gum health.

The United Kingdom’s NHS recommends that people floss from the age of 12 [2]. But while dentists always praise flossing, there has been some debate on its effectiveness.

2016 Associated Press article

One of the key factors in this research was a somewhat controversial article from the Associated Press in 2016 [1]. The article, which used findings from numerous studies, stated that there was “little proof that flossing works” in the long-term [3].

At the time, it caused some debate on if flossing was actually effective. Dentists pointed out that gum disease can take many years to develop – making long-term studies unrealistic [1].

The Research

The research was carried out by a team from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. Their findings have been published in the Journal of Dental Hygiene [1].

As mentioned, the research team wanted to provide evidence that dental flossing is an effective activity, which could dispute the findings of the Associated Press [1].

One of the first things they realised was that many people weren’t flossing accurately. Therefore, this limited the effectiveness of flossing.

They recruited 36 study participants. These participants all had a diagnosis of Gingivitis – the earliest stage of gum disease [1]. Gingivitis is a very common condition. With bleeding gums being a common symptom of gingivitis, the researchers decided this would be the key area that they would look out for.

Then, the participants were split into two groups. One group were trained to floss using a technique called “adapted horizontal vertical flossing”. Meanwhile, the other group were left to continue their usual flossing style [1].

The participants were asked to floss every night for an eight week period. After eight weeks, the researchers looked to see how common bleeding gums were among both groups.

Incredibly, those that had used the adapted horizontal vertical flossing technique had seen a 70% reduction in bleeding gums [1].

Also, those that flossed using their own technique saw a 30% reduction in bleeding gums [1]. This shows that even when the optimal technique isn’t used, any form of flossing can still have a positive impact.

Overall, the researchers concluded that people that learned and consistently used proper flossing technique showed fewer signs of gum disease and other oral health problems. However, the study also found any form of flossing can be effective.

What is proper flossing technique?

The study recommended that the below technique should be used [1]:

• Wrap each end of a 15–18-inch length of floss around the ring or middle finger of both hands.

• This should leave around 5-6-inches of floss to use. Hold this floss with the index finger or thumb of each hand. Use around three quarters of floss between the fingers of each hand.

• Start at one end of either the top or bottom set of teeth and apply the floss to the curved surface of the tooth – essentially bending a “c” shape around the tooth.

• Carefully move the floss in a forward-backward motion and upwards and downwards – this should remove any debris

• Continue this process for each tooth [1]

By following the above technique, it should result in effective flossing. This can boost your oral health and protect your gums.

The authors were pleased with the outcome of the research. Paul Levi of Tufts University, said that this was the first study “to prove that a person using floss with a specific technique will have less gum infection than a person who just does what they normally do” [4].

Making flossing a regular part of your oral hygiene routine is crucial! Furthermore, as this study shows, using an effective method is equally important!

Thinking points…

[1] Flossing can protect against cavities and gum disease. Another important part of preventing oral health is to attend regular dental check-ups. A check-up provides a dentist with an opportunity to take a look at your oral health in detail, and identify any problems. It is important to frequently attend check-ups. We recommend booking an appointment now!

[2] Many people do not floss. This might be due to not feeling it is worthwhile, being lazy, or just forgetting. But as this research has shown, it can have very strong results for our oral health. Therefore, try and find a way of incorporating flossing into your bedtime routine – and ensure you do it either just before or straight after brushing your teeth. We recommend figuring out a routine now!

What we offer at Savanna Dental

Savanna Dental is a Calgary dental clinic that provide its patients with a wide range of dental treatment options and advice aimed at improving their oral health.

We advise our patients to attend our Calgary dental clinic at least twice per year for a regular dental check-up. At these check-ups, we provide a comprehensive review of a patient’s oral health. If any problems are detected, we have many treatments available. For example, these include cavity fillings and root canals. To strengthen your oral health, we recommend brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing regularly.

Here at Savanna Dental, we also have some cosmetic treatments available! These include dental implants, teeth whitening and Invisalign™! Many people find that these treatments have a positive impact on their appearance, confidence and self-esteem.

Moreover, all of our services at our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental are set in line with the Alberta Dental Fee Guide. This ensures transparent and fair pricing.

We hope to see you soon at our Savanna Dental clinic in Calgary! You can find out more about us by visiting our website https://savannadentalclinic.ca.

References

[1] Basali, D. H., Hong, I., Finkelman, M., Dragan, I. F., Gyurko, R., Uzel, N. G., & Levi, P. A. (2023). The Effect of Dental Flossing Instructions and Technique on Interproximal Bleeding: A randomized control trial. Journal of Dental Hygiene. 97 (4): p36-45.

[2] NHS. (2019). Why should I use dental floss?. Available: https://www.nhs.uk/common-health-questions/dental-health/why-should-i-use-dental-floss/. Last accessed: 23rd September 2023.

[3] Associated Press. (2016). Untitled. Available: https://apnews.com/article/f7e66079d9ba4b4985d7af350619a9e3. Last accessed: 23rd September 2023.

[4] Ragovin, H. (2023). You could be flossing all wrong, if you’re even flossing at all. Available: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2023-09-flossing-wrong-youre.html. Last accessed: 23rd September 2023.

What Role Did Teledentistry Play in Dental Care During COVID-19?
18Sep
Teledentistry is a growing area that involves the use of technology to provide virtual dental care. While teledentistry was used – albeit briefly – pre-pandemic, Covid-19 resulted in a huge rise in its use. With routine dentistry being suspended during Covid-19, teledentistry proved to be very effective. Now, a new report has looked into teledentistry.

Teledentistry refers to the use of technology like computers or phones, for the purpose of receiving virtual dental care. In recent years, it has become increasingly popular.

During the early months of the Covid-19 pandemic, Teledentistry was heavily used. Teledentistry typically involves a live video chat between a patient and their dentist, or using email to provide key pictures or information regarding a problem the patient has.

A new report has looked into the use of teledentistry in the United States. It has found that it is capable of producing positive results. However, there have been some concerns [1].

Dental industry in Covid-19

The Covid-19 pandemic is believed to have started in December 2019, and caused mass disruption around the world. The dental industry was particularly hit hard.

At the time of writing, the World Health Organization (WHO) have reported there have been 6.9million deaths from the virus [2].

In 2020, the WHO announced that all non-emergency and routine dentistry should be suspended. Therefore, only those requiring urgent dental care received treatment [3]. This meant that millions missed scheduled dental check-ups. Unfortunately, some have not returned to a dental clinic since.

In this time, tooth decay and gum disease have become more common in some populations [4]. Moreover, as minor issues weren’t treated, many such issues have morphed into more serious ailments. For example, for those that needed a routine cavity filling, the delay meant that some needed a root canal treatment.

With people unable to get routine dental appointments, alternative arrangements were made. Among these alternatives was teledentistry – which has been the subject of a recent report.

The Report

The Oral Health Workforce Research Center (OHWRC) have produced a report that has looked in detail at teledentistry and its use in the Covid-19 pandemic [1]. The OHWRC is part of the University at Albany.

The OHWRC noted that dental clinics identified teledentistry as a way of providing dental services during the Covid-19 pandemic [1]. This provided dental clinics with a way of reaching their patients – in the absence of face-to-face services.

To begin with, the authors noted some of the concerns that were associated with teledentistry [1]. Given that dentistry involves physical procedures, the authors pointed out that many people were concerned about a lack of quality in virtual consultations when compared with face-to-face encounters [1].

They also noted that there were concerns over the costs in terms of infrastructure and software. Other concerns included those about if patients would accept a virtual appointment [1].

However, these concerns were seemingly cast aside, with the researchers finding that teledentistry was effective through answers to interviews and surveys into the topic.

They found that the majority of participants in the interviews expressed an interest in continuing to provide teledentistry services [1]. Many found that despite initial reservations, teledentistry proved simple to facilitate.

One of the main benefits was the increased access to dental care that teledentistry provided [1]. This had a range of benefits – especially for those with mobility difficulties, who would typically struggle to make it to face-to-face dental appointments.

The researchers also demonstrated the rise of teledentistry. In fact, they found that by April 2020, the use of teledentistry had increased to almost 60 times the level of use from April 2019.

Interestingly, by August 2020, which was when dental offices started to reopen, teledentistry remained very popular [1]. Its popularity has remained since then.

Looking to the future

The researchers hope that teledentistry can continue to be popular, despite routine dentistry being used again. They have confidence that this will be the case, based on how many people found teledentistry to be effective over the pandemic.

They concluded that teledentistry can serve a huge range of functions effectively, including triage, consultation, diagnosis, referral, follow-ups and health education [1].

However, they have pointed out that a significant barrier that limits the reach of teledentistry is the various laws and regulations of each state. For example, some states do not authorize the use of teledentistry [1].

But while there are barriers in place, the overall findings were positive. There are many strengths associated with teledentistry. Going forward, its popularity is expected to remain.

Thinking points…

1) Some people haven’t yet made a dental appointment since Covid-19. If you are one of these people, remember to book a check-up as soon as possible! It is important to spot any problems early on. A check-up will allow a dentist to take a look at your oral health and make suggestions if needed. Therefore, remember to book soon!

2) Teledentistry has been around for a while, but its popularity has only recently exploded. Can you think of anyone who might be interested in teledentistry? If so – why not send them this article to them! Teledentistry can be particularly useful for those with dental fear or anxiety. We recommend sharing the article now!

What we offer at Savanna Dental

Savanna Dental is a Calgary dental clinic that provide its patients with a wide range of dental treatment options and advice aimed at improving their oral health.

We advise our patients to attend our Calgary-based dental clinic twice a year for a regular dental check-up. When problems are detected, we have many treatments available. For instance, these include cavity fillings and root canals. To try and prevent problems, it is important to brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss regularly.

Here at Savanna Dental, we also have some cosmetic treatments available! These include dental implants, tooth whitening and Invisalign™! Many people find that these treatments have a positive impact on their appearance, confidence and self-esteem.

In addition, all of our services at our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental are in line with the Alberta Dental Fee Guide.

We would love you to visit our Savanna Dental clinic in Calgary! You can find out more about us by visiting our website https://savannadentalclinic.ca.

References

[1] Oral Health Workforce Research Center. (2023). Teledentistry Adoption and Use During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Available: https://www.chwsny.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/OHWRC-Teledentistry-During-COVID-19_2023_Final.pdf. Last accessed: 14th September 2023.

[2] World Health Organization. (2023). WHO Coronavirus (COVID-19) Dashboard. Available: https://covid19.who.int/. Last accessed: 14th September 2023.

[3] Rivas, K. (2020). Amid coronavirus, avoid nonessential dental care, WHO says. Available: https://www.foxnews.com/health/who-coronavirus-avoid-nonessential-dental-care. Last accessed: 14th September 2023.

[4] Lyu, W., & Wehby, G. L. (2022). Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on children’s oral health and oral health care use. The Journal of the American Dental Association. 153 (8): p787-796. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.adaj.2022.02.008.

How Can Researchers Improve the Materials Used in Dental Treatments?
11Sep
Dental treatments like cavity fillings use a range of materials to ensure their effectiveness. However, the results are normally only a temporary fix, rather than a solution for life. Currently, efforts to improve the longevity of dental materials are ongoing, with researchers aiming to create longer-lasting materials. This could help to save money for both consumers and healthcare providers.

One of the major problems in dentistry currently is the fact that when we get treatments like cavities, a root canal treatment, or cosmetic dentistry like veneers, they are only temporary fixes.

While these temporary fixes will often last many years – ideally we would only require treatment once. In fact, the thought of repeated treatment can put some people off attending the dentist.

However, in positive news, research into making longer-lasting dental materials is ongoing [1]. Progress is being made, with the hope that the research will result in longer-lasting results.

The current situation

A large range of materials are needed in dentistry. For example, these materials can be used for cavity fillings, implants, in root canal treatments and veneers.

Common materials used in dental restorations include amalgam, zinc, resin, porcelain, zirconium, and bonding agents. This is by no means an exhaustive list, with a vast range used.

But while these materials do a great job of providing a fix, this is typically only a short-term measure. For example, research shows that cavity fillings last up to around 15 years, depending on the materials involved [2].

Therefore, the current situation does not provide lifetime solutions. This results in high costs for both consumers and healthcare providers. Resultingly, longer-lasting materials would make a huge difference!

Project CUPIID

In an effort to improve the current situation, The Department of Energy has set up an initiative which will provide $33.6million of funding to a team of researchers for “Project Cupiid” [1]. Project Cupiid stands for “Complex, Unique, and Powerful Imaging instrument for Dynamics” [1].

The project is bringing together chemists, physicists, engineers, bioengineers, and material scientists [1]. They hope to develop materials that can withstand the notoriously harsh conditions of the mouth.

There is an awareness among the researchers that this isn’t something that only dental researchers can create. This is why the multi-disciplinary approach is being taken [1].

By having this multi-disciplinary team, the researchers will be able to look at how different materials function within the human body. Combinations of materials will also be examined in an effort to produce the most effective and long-lasting materials.

The potential benefits

Dr. Fernando Esteban Florez of the University of Oklahoma’s College of Dentistry is a key figure in the ongoing research. Florez has said that the total cost saving for longer-lasting restoration materials would be approximately $5billion per year [1].

Cost is definitely the main benefit. Florez has pointed out that “the cost to fabricate these materials, the cost to replace restorations, the amount of time that the patient has to go to the dental office, the impacts in the oral health, those are huge” [1].

This would also mean less oral discomfort. For instance, for someone that has had a root canal treatment, they are likely to be in excruciating pain when the materials eventually fail. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to tell when this will be. Therefore, by having longer-lasting materials, this is less likely to happen.

Florez is reluctant to get too excited, instead saying that currently, “it’s very hard to pinpoint how revolutionary this is” [1]. But the hope is that in the long-term, researchers will look back at this project as a time that dentistry was revolutionized forever!

The researchers aim to produce positive results soon. Florez has said that the team would like to produce new products within the next 2 years [1]. This would surely provide a range of long-term benefits for patients, dental clinics, and dentistry as a whole.

Thinking points…

1) It can be easy to think that if you have had recent treatment, that you don’t need to return to the dentist again for a while. But as this research shows, dental treatments won’t last forever! Therefore, it is important to regularly attend your dentist for a check-up. A check-up will provide a dentist with a chance to take a look at your oral health and ensure everything is looking as it should. Remember not to get complacent – book an appointment now!

2) We mentioned above that it is difficult to know how long your dental treatments will last. However, there are things that you can do to try and boost the longevity of treatments. For example, if you have cavity fillings, eating hard foods, chewing aggressively, or ignoring the filling when brushing your teeth – can all make the life expectancy of the filling worsen. Remember to take good care of your teeth, as this can reduce the likelihood of further treatment being required.

What we offer at Savanna Dental

Savanna Dental is a Calgary dental clinic that provide its patients with a wide range of dental treatment options and advice aimed at improving their oral health.

We advise our patients to attend our Calgary-based dental clinic twice a year for a regular dental check-up. When problems are detected, we have many treatments available. For instance, these include cavity fillings and root canals. To try and prevent problems, it is important to brush your teeth at least twice a day and floss regularly.

Here at Savanna Dental, we also have some cosmetic treatments available! These include dental implants, tooth whitening and Invisalign™! Many people find that these treatments have a positive impact on their appearance, confidence and self-esteem.

In addition, all of our services at our Calgary dental clinic Savanna Dental are in line with the Alberta Dental Fee Guide.

We would love you to visit our Savanna Dental clinic in Calgary! You can find out more about us by visiting our website https://savannadentalclinic.ca.

References

[1] Breasette, A. (2023). Revolution for dentistry, research for longer lasting dental materials. Available: https://kfor.com/news/local/revolution-for-dentistry-research-for-longer-lasting-dental-materials/. Last accessed: 9th September 2023.

[2] Jokstad, A. (2002). How long do fillings last?. Evidence-Based Dentistry. 3: p96-99. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ebd.6400146.