The Neutrophil in Oral Health and Disease: The New Diagnostic Biomarker

GLOGAUER-FIGURE-1 alternate text for this image

Introduction Neutrophils (Polymorphonuclear neutrophils or PMNs) are a highly abundant white blood cell type, that are the first cells recruited to acute sites of infection. Through their essential role in immune surveillance and maintenance of organismal homeostasis, PMNs innately recognize tissue damage and infection, quickly home to relevant sites throughout the body and destroy invading … Read more

Guided Biofilm Therapy: Why and How of Oral Biofilm Management

Kurtzman-Fig-4-thumbnail alternate text for this image

Introduction Dental plaque, what has been re-termed “oral biofilm”, has long been connected with periodontal problems and to a lesser extent caries related to the bacteria contained within it. Oral bacteria have long been ignored for any effects outside the oral cavity. Yet, research has been accumulating directly connecting a link between oral health and … Read more

Surface Treatments of Non-Cavitated Proximal Lesions

Berg-Fig-2-thumbnail alternate text for this image

Introduction Most restorative dental treatment is because of dental caries, the most-prevalent disease in humans. Unchecked dental caries infection causes dentinal spread (cavitation) and destruction of tooth surfaces. Although we have been well trained as dental clinicians to diagnose caries lesions as early as possible, identifying the presence of early caries lesions proves to be … Read more

Dental Implant Self-Care: Implant Supported Dentures (Second in a Series)

Lyle-FIG-2B-thumbnail alternate text for this image

Implant supported dentures provide many individuals with a better quality of life, but this is not without some challenges. Specifically, what is the recommended self-care for this type of prosthesis? There are two areas for discussion: removable dentures and fixed dentures. Research in the area of implant self-care is limited and often based on low-level … Read more

Key Factors in Maintenance Protocols for Dental Implant Restorations – A Scoping Review

Gebril-FIG-1-thumbnail alternate text for this image

Statement of Problem It has been established that maintenance is of utmost importance in the delivery of comprehensive prosthodontic treatment. Therefore, consideration of the possible factors which impact the maintenance phase is essential to take into account during the treatment planning stage. Although, most clinicians recognize the importance of prosthesis maintenance, few of them are … Read more

Probiotics and Their Potential for Adjunctive Use in Periodontal Therapy

Sheikh-fig-1C-thumbnail alternate text for this image

The main objective in the treatment of periodontitis is removal and disruption of bacterial biofilm.1 This can be performed via non-surgical approach (scaling and root planning/SRP) or via surgical approach by employing open flap debridement (OFD) for deeper inaccessible periodontal pockets.2 Along with oral hygiene instructions for improved oral care at home, this can result … Read more

2021 Gamechangers: What Had the Biggest Impact on Me This Year?

Last-Word-SmartMirror-thumbnail alternate text for this image

In looking back at 2021, I wanted to leave you a “Last Word” of what I considered gamechangers that had an impact on this last year. COVID-19 Vaccines COVID-19 has changed the way we practice both physically and emotionally. Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson are the companies that created our vaccines in break-neck … Read more

Impact of SARS-CoV-2 on Oral Health

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) outbreak in Wuhan, China, was first reported on December 31st, 2019. These initial coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) cases caused by SARS-CoV-2 were linked to an animal wet market. Similarities between SARS-CoV-2 and other coronaviruses suggest that bats may be natural hosts and potential reservoirs for this virus, … Read more

USask Dentistry Research Team Proves Biofilm Method Can Be Used to Inexpensively Test New Tooth Decay Treatments

A University of Saskatchewan (USask) dentistry research team has proved the usefulness of a method of simulating tooth decay that can allow researchers to test new treatment options without a large expense. “Tooth decay places an immense burden on Canadian society, 14 to 17 billion per year is spent on dental caries-related issue; therefore, the development of alternative treatment options for tooth decay … Read more

Children From Wealthy Backgrounds at Greater Risk of Tooth Wear

Children who attend private schools or have a high family income are more susceptible to wearing down their teeth than those from lower socio-economic areas according to a global study of 30 countries. Researchers found that easy access to soft drinks, energy drinks and packaged juices in affluent countries increased the risk of tooth decay. … Read more

Face Unafraid the (Holiday) Plans That You’ve Made

Latest AAE Survey Reveals Americans Are Eating Fewer Sweets This Holiday Season and Resolving to Prioritize Oral Health in 2022 It’s no surprise that cases of cracked teeth and dental-related injuries have risen throughout the pandemic – and it may be due in part to pandemic-related stress wreaking havoc on our oral health. With the … Read more

A New U of T Faculty Study Seeks to Discover More About Debilitating TMD

Temporomandibular disorder (TMD) is the most common cause of orofacial pain, affecting 8-12 per cent of Canadians, and yet we know far too little about it. A new study from the Faculty of Dentistry seeks to fully assess the biological underpinnings of this disorder. The Canadian Institutes of Health Research have awarded a research team … Read more

Good Oral Health in Pregnancy Could Help Reduce Risk of Premature Birth

New research from the University of Sydney has found that treating gingivitis (gum inflammation that causes bleeding gums) during pregnancy is associated with reduced risk of preterm birth and low birth weight in babies. Published recently in the Journal of Oral Health and Preventive Dentistry, this first-of-its-kind systematic review and meta-analysis investigated whether the treatment of … Read more

Calgary to Reintroduce Fluoride to Water Following City Council Vote

Fluoride is going back in Calgary water following a Monday decision at city hall. That decision follows a plebiscite question in the October municipal election that found 62 per cent of Calgarians voted in favour of reintroducing the substance dental associations say can prevent tooth decay. City council approved the reintroduction of fluoride in a … Read more

NYU Dentistry Receives Grant from United Concordia Dental Charitable Fund to Support Veterans Oral Care Access Resource

Funding Will Provide Access to Dental Care for New York-Area Veterans New York University College of Dentistry (NYU Dentistry) has received a significant grant from United Concordia Dental Charitable Fund in support of its Veterans Oral Care Access Resource (VOCARE). VOCARE is part of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) pilot program, VETSmile: Connecting … Read more