Dental chair a possible source of neurotoxic mercury waste
Mercury is a large component of dental fillings, but it is not believed to pose immediate health risks in that form. When exposed to sulfate-reducing bacteria, however, mercury undergoes a chemical change and becomes methylated, making it a potent, ingestible neurotoxin.
While the major source of neurotoxic mercury comes from coal-fired electric power plants, researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago and at Urbana-Champaign say mercury entering drain water from dental clinics and offices is also a source.
"We found the highest levels of methyl mercury ever reported in any environmental water sample," said Karl Rockne, associate professor of environmental engineering at UIC and corresponding author of the study that appeared online March 12 in the journal Environmental Science and Technology.
Working with James Drummond, UIC professor of restorative dentistry, Rockne gathered waste water samples in collection tanks generated from both a single-chair dentist's office and a 12-chair dental clinic to check for methyl mercury.
Water collected was allowed to settle. Clear layers above the settled particles were then analyzed for presence of methyl mercury. Fine, slow-settling particles of mercury get into the waste water mostly after dentists use high-speed drills to remove old amalgam fillings. The numerous fine particles the drilling produces provide an ample source of exposed mercury surfaces, making them prime targets for sulfur-reducing bacteria that commonly live in anaerobic conditions and are known to methylate mercury.
"It appears to be produced partially, if not fully in the waste water, and it's being produced very rapidly," said Rockne, adding that it was significant this was happening before the particles were getting into sewers, where sulfur-reducing bacteria thrive.
The finding raised the question whether the culprit bacteria were living in the mouths of dental patients. "We don't have the answer," Rockne said.
Based on their sample studies, the researchers estimate that 2-5 kilograms, or up to 11 pounds, of methyl mercury could be entering the public water supply of the United States each year from dental waste water. While this may not seem like much, methyl mercury is highly toxic in minute amounts.
When in waterways, methyl mercury tends to get biomagnified up the food chain, moving from algae and phytoplankton to fish and, ultimately, to humans.
While surprised by the level of contaminants found in the study, Rockne says follow-up research is necessary -- then, possibly, some basic engineering.
"Amalgam separators are a good first step, but maybe something else is necessary downstream to prevent further methylation and prevent further soluble mercury from getting through the system," he said.
"We have to take more steps to prevent the problem from occurring in the first place," he said. "We're dealing with a pipe -- a control point. As an engineer, I see this as a problem that is tractable -- something we can definitely do something about."
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Dental materials = infection for diabetic patients
Medications plus dental materials may equal infection for diabetic patients
CPeople who live with diabetes on a daily basis are usually instructed to eat right, maintain regular physical activity, and if necessary, take medication. What many may not know is that these medications that help control healthy insulin levels may lead to unexpected events at the dentist’s office. According to a study in the November/December 2007 issue of General Dentistry, the AGD’s clinical, peer-reviewed journal, diabetic patients especially need to communicate special needs to their dentists. This is due to harmful interactions that could occur because of the materials and medications used at dental appointments.
According to the study, more than 194 million people worldwide have diabetes, and health officials estimate that this figure will double or triple in less than 20 years. “It is imperative that diabetic patients inform their dentist of their needs in order to anticipate medication interactions and physical reactions to treatment,” says Lee Shackelford, DDS, FAGD, spokesperson for the AGD. “The doctor must know if the patient is taking insulin, and has taken their daily dose of insulin, in order to anticipate the length of the appointment.”
It does not stop, however, with diabetic patients; providing dentists with as much information as possible about current medications is essential for everyone’s oral health. “It is important that your dentist is aware of all of the medications that you are taking, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and herbal drugs as they may interact with agents that your dentist may use for your dental treatment,” advises lead author of the study, James Little, DMD, MS.
“Talk with your dentist if you are concerned about how the medications you are taking could affect your oral health,” advises Dr. Shackelford. “Open communication is the best way to ensure that your dentist gives you the best treatment possible.”
Steps diabetic patients can take to ensure optimal dental care:
Find a dentist who is aware of the needs of diabetic patients.
See the dentist on a regular basis and alert him or her of any changes in health status and medications.
Inform the dentist of any sores, swellings, or areas of redness in the mouth, as well as any painful areas in the mouth.
Eat a normal meal prior to the dental appointment, take all diabetic medications on schedule, bringing a blood sugar monitoring device to the appointment, and inform the dentist if symptoms associated with low blood sugar are felt.
CPeople who live with diabetes on a daily basis are usually instructed to eat right, maintain regular physical activity, and if necessary, take medication. What many may not know is that these medications that help control healthy insulin levels may lead to unexpected events at the dentist’s office. According to a study in the November/December 2007 issue of General Dentistry, the AGD’s clinical, peer-reviewed journal, diabetic patients especially need to communicate special needs to their dentists. This is due to harmful interactions that could occur because of the materials and medications used at dental appointments.
According to the study, more than 194 million people worldwide have diabetes, and health officials estimate that this figure will double or triple in less than 20 years. “It is imperative that diabetic patients inform their dentist of their needs in order to anticipate medication interactions and physical reactions to treatment,” says Lee Shackelford, DDS, FAGD, spokesperson for the AGD. “The doctor must know if the patient is taking insulin, and has taken their daily dose of insulin, in order to anticipate the length of the appointment.”
It does not stop, however, with diabetic patients; providing dentists with as much information as possible about current medications is essential for everyone’s oral health. “It is important that your dentist is aware of all of the medications that you are taking, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and herbal drugs as they may interact with agents that your dentist may use for your dental treatment,” advises lead author of the study, James Little, DMD, MS.
“Talk with your dentist if you are concerned about how the medications you are taking could affect your oral health,” advises Dr. Shackelford. “Open communication is the best way to ensure that your dentist gives you the best treatment possible.”
Steps diabetic patients can take to ensure optimal dental care:
Find a dentist who is aware of the needs of diabetic patients.
See the dentist on a regular basis and alert him or her of any changes in health status and medications.
Inform the dentist of any sores, swellings, or areas of redness in the mouth, as well as any painful areas in the mouth.
Eat a normal meal prior to the dental appointment, take all diabetic medications on schedule, bringing a blood sugar monitoring device to the appointment, and inform the dentist if symptoms associated with low blood sugar are felt.
Popular energy drinks also cause tooth erosion
For more than 10 years, energy drinks in the United States have been on the rise, promising consumers more “oomph” in their day. In fact, it is estimated that the energy drink market will hit $10 billion by 2010. While that may be great news for energy drink companies, it could mean a different story for the oral health of consumers who sometimes daily rely on these drinks for that extra boost.
Previous scientific research findings have helped to warn consumers that the pH (potential of hydrogen) levels in beverages such as soda could lead to tooth erosion, the breakdown of tooth structure caused by the effect of acid on the teeth that leads to decay. The studies revealed that, whether diet or regular, ice tea or root beer, the acidity level in popular beverages that consumers drink every day contributes to the erosion of enamel.
However, in a recent study that appears in the November/December 2007 issue of General Dentistry, the Academy of General Dentistry’s (AGD) clinical, peer reviewed journal, the pH level of soft drinks isn’t the only factor that causes dental erosion. A beverage’s “buffering capacity,” or the ability to neutralize acid, plays a significant role in the cause of dental erosion.
The study examined the acidity levels of five popular beverages on the market. The results proved that popular “high energy” and sports drinks had the highest mean buffering capacity, resulting in the strongest potential for erosion of enamel.
According to the study, the popularity of energy drinks is on the rise, especially among adolescents and young adults. Their permanent teeth are more susceptible to attack from the acids found in soft drinks, due to the porous quality of their immature tooth enamel. As a result, there is high potential for erosion among this age demographic to increase.
In fact, Raymond Martin, DDS, MAGD, AGD spokesperson, says he treats more patients in their teens to 20s for tooth erosion. “They drink a great deal more sodas, sports drinks, and energy drinks,” he says. “The results, if not treated early and if extensive, can lead to very severe dental issues that would require full mouth rehabilitation to correct,” says Dr. Martin.
Drink responsibly for your oral health:
Use a straw positioned at the back of the mouth so that the liquid avoids the teeth
Rinse the mouth with water after drinking acidic beverages
Limit the intake of sodas, sports drinks and energy drinks
Previous scientific research findings have helped to warn consumers that the pH (potential of hydrogen) levels in beverages such as soda could lead to tooth erosion, the breakdown of tooth structure caused by the effect of acid on the teeth that leads to decay. The studies revealed that, whether diet or regular, ice tea or root beer, the acidity level in popular beverages that consumers drink every day contributes to the erosion of enamel.
However, in a recent study that appears in the November/December 2007 issue of General Dentistry, the Academy of General Dentistry’s (AGD) clinical, peer reviewed journal, the pH level of soft drinks isn’t the only factor that causes dental erosion. A beverage’s “buffering capacity,” or the ability to neutralize acid, plays a significant role in the cause of dental erosion.
The study examined the acidity levels of five popular beverages on the market. The results proved that popular “high energy” and sports drinks had the highest mean buffering capacity, resulting in the strongest potential for erosion of enamel.
According to the study, the popularity of energy drinks is on the rise, especially among adolescents and young adults. Their permanent teeth are more susceptible to attack from the acids found in soft drinks, due to the porous quality of their immature tooth enamel. As a result, there is high potential for erosion among this age demographic to increase.
In fact, Raymond Martin, DDS, MAGD, AGD spokesperson, says he treats more patients in their teens to 20s for tooth erosion. “They drink a great deal more sodas, sports drinks, and energy drinks,” he says. “The results, if not treated early and if extensive, can lead to very severe dental issues that would require full mouth rehabilitation to correct,” says Dr. Martin.
Drink responsibly for your oral health:
Use a straw positioned at the back of the mouth so that the liquid avoids the teeth
Rinse the mouth with water after drinking acidic beverages
Limit the intake of sodas, sports drinks and energy drinks
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
New Models of Dental Education
The American Dental Education Association (ADEA) has released the results of the three-year Macy Study New Models of Dental Education in a special supplement to the February 2008 issue of the Journal of Dental Education (JDE). Funded by the Josiah H. Macy, Jr. Foundation, the study emerged out of concerns about declines in dental school budgets and the challenges schools faced in meeting their educational, research, and service missions. The Macy Study proposes new clinical education models to help schools meet these challenges.
"Resources to continuously upgrade schools are in short supply, and new investments in the educational institutions are needed to maintain the high academic standing of the profession," said Allan J. Formicola, D.D.S., M.S., Macy Study Co-director and professor of dentistry and former dean of Columbia University College of Dental Medicine.
The project's goals were to examine the economic and political feasibility of new models of dental education and to convene a national meeting of experts and leaders from stakeholder organizations to discuss them. In April 2007 a convocation was held at Emory University and was attended by 50 national leaders from dental education, research, and practice. The special supplement presents the papers and discussion from the convocation.
"The clinical education models were developed based on several principles. They hold that dentistry is a learned, self-regulating profession; the majority of dental schools should be based in research universities; dental schools must have adequate resources to meet the scholarly mission of their parent universities; and dental schools are part of the safety net to provide care to underserved patients," said Howard L. Bailit, D.M.D., Ph.D., Macy Study Co-director, Professor Emeritus at the University of Connecticut Health Center, and Research Associate in the Department of Community Dentistry at Columbia University's College of Dental Medicine.
Many options for improving dental school finances and education were examined, but the most feasible are to convert dental school teaching clinics into patient-centered delivery systems in which faculty-clinicians provide patient care while supervising residents and students. This model will cover the costs of operating clinical programs, including faculty salaries and at the same time provide dental residents and students an excellent education. Another strategy examined was basing a portion of senior dental student and resident training in patient-centered community clinics and practices. The evidence suggests that both models reduce the cost of dental education, increase student and resident clinical experience, and provide more care to underserved patients. Most important, these new educational models will generate the resources schools need to invest in their teaching, research, and service programs.
"The Macy Study provides guidance for the direction dental education should take in order to sustain and improve the already high level of education dental students receive and to further improve the oral health of the public," said ADEA President James Q. Swift, D.D.S.
ADEA members can access the report through the member portal at http://info.adea.org .
"Resources to continuously upgrade schools are in short supply, and new investments in the educational institutions are needed to maintain the high academic standing of the profession," said Allan J. Formicola, D.D.S., M.S., Macy Study Co-director and professor of dentistry and former dean of Columbia University College of Dental Medicine.
The project's goals were to examine the economic and political feasibility of new models of dental education and to convene a national meeting of experts and leaders from stakeholder organizations to discuss them. In April 2007 a convocation was held at Emory University and was attended by 50 national leaders from dental education, research, and practice. The special supplement presents the papers and discussion from the convocation.
"The clinical education models were developed based on several principles. They hold that dentistry is a learned, self-regulating profession; the majority of dental schools should be based in research universities; dental schools must have adequate resources to meet the scholarly mission of their parent universities; and dental schools are part of the safety net to provide care to underserved patients," said Howard L. Bailit, D.M.D., Ph.D., Macy Study Co-director, Professor Emeritus at the University of Connecticut Health Center, and Research Associate in the Department of Community Dentistry at Columbia University's College of Dental Medicine.
Many options for improving dental school finances and education were examined, but the most feasible are to convert dental school teaching clinics into patient-centered delivery systems in which faculty-clinicians provide patient care while supervising residents and students. This model will cover the costs of operating clinical programs, including faculty salaries and at the same time provide dental residents and students an excellent education. Another strategy examined was basing a portion of senior dental student and resident training in patient-centered community clinics and practices. The evidence suggests that both models reduce the cost of dental education, increase student and resident clinical experience, and provide more care to underserved patients. Most important, these new educational models will generate the resources schools need to invest in their teaching, research, and service programs.
"The Macy Study provides guidance for the direction dental education should take in order to sustain and improve the already high level of education dental students receive and to further improve the oral health of the public," said ADEA President James Q. Swift, D.D.S.
ADEA members can access the report through the member portal at http://info.adea.org .
Friday, January 25, 2008
Amalgam fillings don’t affect children’s brain
Dental amalgam tooth fillings do not adversely affect children’s brain development and neurological status, researchers report in the February issue of The Journal of the American Dental Association.
The authors of the report—members of a joint team from the University of Lisbon, Portugal, and the University of Washington, Seattle—studied the possible neurological effects of dental amalgam tooth restorations. Dental amalgam contains elemental mercury combined with other metals such as silver, copper, tin and zinc to form a safe, stable alloy. Dental amalgam has been used for generations to fill decayed teeth that might otherwise have been lost.
Beginning in 1997 and continuing for seven years, the authors studied 507 Portuguese children aged 8 through 12 years who received either amalgam or resin-based composite fillings. They conducted routine clinical neurological examinations to assess two types of neurological signs: hard (indicating damage to specific neural structures) and soft (subtle signs of central nervous system dysfunction that likely point to immature sensory-motor skills rather than to any structural damage in the brain). The researchers also evaluated the children for presence of tremor.
After seven years, the two groups of children did not differ in terms of the presence or absence of hard signs or tremor. They also didn’t differ in terms of the presence or absence or severity of soft signs at any point. Also, as expected in healthy children, the severity of any neurological soft signs diminished as the children aged.
“Even at the levels of amalgam exposure in this study (a mean of 7.7-10.7 amalgam surfaces per subject across the seven years of follow-up),” the authors write, “[we] conclude that exposure to mercury from dental amalgam does not adversely affect neurological status.
“These data indicate the absence of a generalized negative effect on children’s nervous system functions stemming from the presence of dental amalgam,” they continue, “and while we cannot rule out potential adverse reactions in individual children, we found no indications of any.”
JADA, a monthly journal, is the ADA’s flagship publication and the most widely read scientific journal in dentistry.
The authors of the report—members of a joint team from the University of Lisbon, Portugal, and the University of Washington, Seattle—studied the possible neurological effects of dental amalgam tooth restorations. Dental amalgam contains elemental mercury combined with other metals such as silver, copper, tin and zinc to form a safe, stable alloy. Dental amalgam has been used for generations to fill decayed teeth that might otherwise have been lost.
Beginning in 1997 and continuing for seven years, the authors studied 507 Portuguese children aged 8 through 12 years who received either amalgam or resin-based composite fillings. They conducted routine clinical neurological examinations to assess two types of neurological signs: hard (indicating damage to specific neural structures) and soft (subtle signs of central nervous system dysfunction that likely point to immature sensory-motor skills rather than to any structural damage in the brain). The researchers also evaluated the children for presence of tremor.
After seven years, the two groups of children did not differ in terms of the presence or absence of hard signs or tremor. They also didn’t differ in terms of the presence or absence or severity of soft signs at any point. Also, as expected in healthy children, the severity of any neurological soft signs diminished as the children aged.
“Even at the levels of amalgam exposure in this study (a mean of 7.7-10.7 amalgam surfaces per subject across the seven years of follow-up),” the authors write, “[we] conclude that exposure to mercury from dental amalgam does not adversely affect neurological status.
“These data indicate the absence of a generalized negative effect on children’s nervous system functions stemming from the presence of dental amalgam,” they continue, “and while we cannot rule out potential adverse reactions in individual children, we found no indications of any.”
JADA, a monthly journal, is the ADA’s flagship publication and the most widely read scientific journal in dentistry.
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Expert denounces ban on dental amalgam
In an editorial published today in the February issue of the Journal of Dental Research, Derek Jones, Professor Emeritus of Biomaterials, Dalhousie University (Halifax, NS, Canada), and Chair of the International Standards Organization’s Technical Committee on Dentistry, denounces new Norwegian regulations governing the use of mercury that will adversely affect the use of dental amalgam not only in Norway, but also in other countries around the world that are contemplating taking similar action.
Says Jones, “For the past 20 years, the public has been bombarded by sensational, confusing, and misleading media reports about health issues related to dental amalgam. The public opinion on this issue has been modified by minority, non-scientific views driven and supported by media sensationalism. Mobilization of irrational public fear is the strategy used by lobby groups to pressure governments to change public policy. It is important that governments adhere to scientific principles and base health and environmental policies on sound scientific knowledge. Dentistry is an applied science and needs to bring issues such those dealing with dental amalgam to the attention of governments.”
Effective January 1, 2008, the Norwegian government now prohibits the production, importation, exportation, sale, and use of substances that contain mercury, including dental amalgam. In the editorial, the author contends that, at present, there is no conclusive evidence in the scientific literature to demonstrate a link between the cause of irreversible neurological disorders or of impaired kidney function and mercury vapors from dental amalgam. Further, although it is generally accepted that some 50% of mercury pollution comes from natural sources, the relative contribution from natural vs. anthropogenic mercury sources remains unclear, and the natural source may be considerably higher. Pollution from dentistry is insignificant compared with that from industrial use and natural sources. Clearly, the above information leads to the logical conclusion that banning "dental amalgam" is a political issue that will not only have no impact on total worldwide mercury pollution, but also removes a viable treatment option for dentists and their patients.
Deborah Greenspan (University of California-San Francisco), President of the International Association for Dental Research, co-publisher of the Journal of Dental Research, stated, “All policy decisions should be informed by evidence-based science, and we are pleased to provide a forum for this in the JDR.”
###
The editorial is freely available to the public at http://jdr.iadrjournals.org/cgi/content/full/87/2/101.
Says Jones, “For the past 20 years, the public has been bombarded by sensational, confusing, and misleading media reports about health issues related to dental amalgam. The public opinion on this issue has been modified by minority, non-scientific views driven and supported by media sensationalism. Mobilization of irrational public fear is the strategy used by lobby groups to pressure governments to change public policy. It is important that governments adhere to scientific principles and base health and environmental policies on sound scientific knowledge. Dentistry is an applied science and needs to bring issues such those dealing with dental amalgam to the attention of governments.”
Effective January 1, 2008, the Norwegian government now prohibits the production, importation, exportation, sale, and use of substances that contain mercury, including dental amalgam. In the editorial, the author contends that, at present, there is no conclusive evidence in the scientific literature to demonstrate a link between the cause of irreversible neurological disorders or of impaired kidney function and mercury vapors from dental amalgam. Further, although it is generally accepted that some 50% of mercury pollution comes from natural sources, the relative contribution from natural vs. anthropogenic mercury sources remains unclear, and the natural source may be considerably higher. Pollution from dentistry is insignificant compared with that from industrial use and natural sources. Clearly, the above information leads to the logical conclusion that banning "dental amalgam" is a political issue that will not only have no impact on total worldwide mercury pollution, but also removes a viable treatment option for dentists and their patients.
Deborah Greenspan (University of California-San Francisco), President of the International Association for Dental Research, co-publisher of the Journal of Dental Research, stated, “All policy decisions should be informed by evidence-based science, and we are pleased to provide a forum for this in the JDR.”
###
The editorial is freely available to the public at http://jdr.iadrjournals.org/cgi/content/full/87/2/101.
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Laser Procedure Treating Gum Disease
New Study Shows Unique Scientific Support for Laser Procedure in Treating Moderate to Severe Gum Disease
Growing Body of Data Supports Effectiveness of Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure™ (LANAP™) as Alternative to Conventional Gum Surgery for Millions of Americans
Millennium Dental Technologies, Inc. (http://www.millenniumdental.com) today announced the results of a new peer-reviewed manuscript, published in the refereed specialty journal The International Journal of Periodontics & Restorative Dentistry, that demonstrates uniform histologic success in the treatment of moderate to severe gum disease (periodontal pockets) using the patented Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure™ (LANAP™). Millennium Dental Technologies estimates that LANAP-licensed practitioners are currently treating over 14,000 patients nationwide, on an annual basis.
New connective tissue attachment (CTA) and regeneration of root surface (cementum) was achieved in 100 percent of the cases studied in the human histology study using the PerioLase® MVP-7 variable pulsed Neodymium:Yttrium-Aluminum-Garnet (Nd:YAG) dental laser, the only laser designed especially for LANAP. Study results show the FDA-approved and patented LANAP is now a legitimate treatment alternative to conventional scalpel/suture flap surgery.
Gum disease, including gingivitis and periodontitis, is a chronic bacterial infection that, left untreated, can lead to tooth loss. It is often painless and can go undetected or ignored until severe gum and bone destruction catches the individual’s attention. The American Dental Association (ADA) conservatively estimates that three out of four adult Americans have some form of gum disease and about 25 million adults suffer from serious forms of the disease, but some estimate the figure to be much greater. In an address at the 7th Annual Conference on Periodontal Surgery on November 8-9, 1996, Michael Newman, DDS, PhD, Adjunct Professor of Periodontics, UCLA School of Dentistry and former president of the American Academy of Periodontology, reported that more than 100,000,000 American adults have moderate to severe gum disease, yet less than 3 percent receive conventional treatment.
Led by Raymond A. Yukna, DMD, MS, now the Director of Advanced Periodontal Therapies, University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine, the study documents consistently positive responses in humans treated with the LANAP. In a split mouth design, twelve single-rooted teeth with moderate to advanced chronic periodontitis were treated. Six teeth received treatment by LANAP, while the other six control teeth received scaling and root planing only.
After three months, 100 percent of LANAP-treated teeth showed new cementum and new CTA, whereas effectively none of the control teeth had any evidence of new attachment or regeneration. There was no evidence of any adverse changes around the LANAP specimens.
“I am quite pleased and encouraged by the results of this study. These positive results support the concept that LANAP can be associated with cementum-mediated new connective tissue attachment and apparent periodontal regeneration of diseased root surfaces in humans,” said Yukna. “Recent years have seen major advancements in periodontal technology, and this study is a successful demonstration of using a free-running pulsed Nd:YAG laser applying the specific LANAP protocol.” The study was the fourth largest prospective comparative human histology project in the entire peer-reviewed, periodontal literature.
“The findings presented in this landmark study are unprecedented and the culmination of nearly two decades of periodontal medicine,” said Delwin McCarthy, DDS, Millennium Dental Technologies co-founder. Robert Gregg II, DDS, co-founder and chief dental officer added, “The publication of this study in a prestigious, peer-reviewed journal adds to the growing body of scientific evidence that LANAP is a complete and effective periodontal disease treatment protocol that can routinely result in cementum-mediated new periodontal ligament attachment to the root surface in the absence of long junctional epithelium.”
“Millennium Dental Technologies has seen strong adoption for laser-based periodontal disease treatment protocol and the PerioLase MVP-7. The publication of this study addresses many of the concerns held by the dental community,” said Michael Minailo, president and CEO of Millennium Dental Technologies. “With growing demand and continued scientific support, we expect to see significant momentum in 2008.”
About The International Journal of Periodontics & Restorative Dentistry
The International Journal of Periodontics & Restorative Dentistry is a pre-eminent journal with an international reputation for high-quality, peer-reviewed editorial content and unparalleled color illustrations. Providing clinically relevant information for the daily practice is the main focus of this often-cited journal.
About Millennium Dental Technologies, Inc.
Millennium Dental Technologies, Inc. (http://www.millenniumdental.com) is a manufacturer and distributor of dental products. Millennium Dental Technologies is the first and only company to receive exclusive clearance for a complete periodontal disease treatment protocol, the Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure (LANAP), for cementum-mediated new periodontal ligament attachment to the root surface in the absence of long junctional epithelium. The Company is organized and operated under the leadership and direction of laser dentists for the express purpose of advancing LASER PERIODONTAL THERAPY™.
Growing Body of Data Supports Effectiveness of Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure™ (LANAP™) as Alternative to Conventional Gum Surgery for Millions of Americans
Millennium Dental Technologies, Inc. (http://www.millenniumdental.com) today announced the results of a new peer-reviewed manuscript, published in the refereed specialty journal The International Journal of Periodontics & Restorative Dentistry, that demonstrates uniform histologic success in the treatment of moderate to severe gum disease (periodontal pockets) using the patented Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure™ (LANAP™). Millennium Dental Technologies estimates that LANAP-licensed practitioners are currently treating over 14,000 patients nationwide, on an annual basis.
New connective tissue attachment (CTA) and regeneration of root surface (cementum) was achieved in 100 percent of the cases studied in the human histology study using the PerioLase® MVP-7 variable pulsed Neodymium:Yttrium-Aluminum-Garnet (Nd:YAG) dental laser, the only laser designed especially for LANAP. Study results show the FDA-approved and patented LANAP is now a legitimate treatment alternative to conventional scalpel/suture flap surgery.
Gum disease, including gingivitis and periodontitis, is a chronic bacterial infection that, left untreated, can lead to tooth loss. It is often painless and can go undetected or ignored until severe gum and bone destruction catches the individual’s attention. The American Dental Association (ADA) conservatively estimates that three out of four adult Americans have some form of gum disease and about 25 million adults suffer from serious forms of the disease, but some estimate the figure to be much greater. In an address at the 7th Annual Conference on Periodontal Surgery on November 8-9, 1996, Michael Newman, DDS, PhD, Adjunct Professor of Periodontics, UCLA School of Dentistry and former president of the American Academy of Periodontology, reported that more than 100,000,000 American adults have moderate to severe gum disease, yet less than 3 percent receive conventional treatment.
Led by Raymond A. Yukna, DMD, MS, now the Director of Advanced Periodontal Therapies, University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine, the study documents consistently positive responses in humans treated with the LANAP. In a split mouth design, twelve single-rooted teeth with moderate to advanced chronic periodontitis were treated. Six teeth received treatment by LANAP, while the other six control teeth received scaling and root planing only.
After three months, 100 percent of LANAP-treated teeth showed new cementum and new CTA, whereas effectively none of the control teeth had any evidence of new attachment or regeneration. There was no evidence of any adverse changes around the LANAP specimens.
“I am quite pleased and encouraged by the results of this study. These positive results support the concept that LANAP can be associated with cementum-mediated new connective tissue attachment and apparent periodontal regeneration of diseased root surfaces in humans,” said Yukna. “Recent years have seen major advancements in periodontal technology, and this study is a successful demonstration of using a free-running pulsed Nd:YAG laser applying the specific LANAP protocol.” The study was the fourth largest prospective comparative human histology project in the entire peer-reviewed, periodontal literature.
“The findings presented in this landmark study are unprecedented and the culmination of nearly two decades of periodontal medicine,” said Delwin McCarthy, DDS, Millennium Dental Technologies co-founder. Robert Gregg II, DDS, co-founder and chief dental officer added, “The publication of this study in a prestigious, peer-reviewed journal adds to the growing body of scientific evidence that LANAP is a complete and effective periodontal disease treatment protocol that can routinely result in cementum-mediated new periodontal ligament attachment to the root surface in the absence of long junctional epithelium.”
“Millennium Dental Technologies has seen strong adoption for laser-based periodontal disease treatment protocol and the PerioLase MVP-7. The publication of this study addresses many of the concerns held by the dental community,” said Michael Minailo, president and CEO of Millennium Dental Technologies. “With growing demand and continued scientific support, we expect to see significant momentum in 2008.”
About The International Journal of Periodontics & Restorative Dentistry
The International Journal of Periodontics & Restorative Dentistry is a pre-eminent journal with an international reputation for high-quality, peer-reviewed editorial content and unparalleled color illustrations. Providing clinically relevant information for the daily practice is the main focus of this often-cited journal.
About Millennium Dental Technologies, Inc.
Millennium Dental Technologies, Inc. (http://www.millenniumdental.com) is a manufacturer and distributor of dental products. Millennium Dental Technologies is the first and only company to receive exclusive clearance for a complete periodontal disease treatment protocol, the Laser Assisted New Attachment Procedure (LANAP), for cementum-mediated new periodontal ligament attachment to the root surface in the absence of long junctional epithelium. The Company is organized and operated under the leadership and direction of laser dentists for the express purpose of advancing LASER PERIODONTAL THERAPY™.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)