Researchers at UCLA School of Dentistry Announce the Development Game-Changing Implant Technology

 

Today's post is something that could prove to be a true changing moment in dental implants.  It is truly amazing to me how much progress has been made in the field of dental implantology in the last 20 years or so.  Early in my career, dental implants were an acceptable choice for replacing a missing tooth.  However, back then it was more of a "hit or miss" treatment.  By that I mean, when they worked, they worked really well, but sometimes they would fail.  For the non-dentists reading this, an implant needs to have the body attach bone to it and this stabilizes the situation.  This is referred to as "osseointegration".  Unfortunately, in some cases, the body would not build new bone around the implant and there would be a failure of osseointegration.

Over the years, implants have become more and more predictable as the field of implantology has evolved.  Now comes some incredibly interesting news from the UCLA School of Dentistry about a new technique involving the use of UV light to aid in the integration process.

A team of researchers at the UCLA School of Dentistry has developed a new technology that could revolutionize dental implants. The new technology, which uses ultraviolet (UV) light to treat dental implants, has been shown to significantly improve the success rate of implants and reduce healing times.

How does the new UV technology work?

The new UV technology works by removing hydrocarbons from the surface of dental implants. Hydrocarbons are organic molecules that can prevent bone from attaching to the implant. By removing hydrocarbons, the UV technology allows bone to grow directly onto the implant surface, which improves the success rate of implants and reduces healing times.  This is an aid to osseointegration.

What are the benefits of the new UV technology?

The new UV technology has several potential benefits for patients, including:

• Increased success rate of dental implants

• Reduced healing times

• Reduced risk of complications

• Improved quality of life

What are the next steps for the new UV technology?

The researchers are currently conducting clinical trials to test the safety and efficacy of the new UV technology. If the trials are successful, the technology could be commercially available within a few years.

Conclusion

The new UV technology is a promising breakthrough that could improve the lives of millions of people who have lost teeth. The technology has the potential to make dental implants more successful, more affordable, and more accessible.

In addition to the benefits mentioned above, the new UV technology could also:

• Reduce the need for bone grafting

• Make it possible to place dental implants in patients who have previously been considered unsuitable for implants

• Improve the long-term success rate of dental implants

The new UV technology is a significant advancement in dental implant technology. It has the potential to revolutionize the way that dental implants are placed and to improve the lives of millions of people.

For the full article regarding this new technology via the UCLA School of Dentistry website, here is the link.  

Maine's Only Dental College at UNE Part of $4.4M Harvard-led Research Network

 

The funding, from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, will establish UNE’s Oral Health Center as a clinical research site for approximately 40 dental medicine students as they look for predictors of pain in patients recovering from oral surgery.

PORTLAND, Maine — The University of New England College of Dental Medicine (CDM), Maine’s only dental school, is among seven collaborators sharing a $4.4 million grant from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) to launch a novel clinical practice-based research network to train future clinician-scientists.

 Known as the Collaborative Clinical Practice-based REsearch Program for DENTal Schools (H-CREDENT), the five-year grant from NIDCR, a division of the National Institutes of Health, is being led by the Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM) and will establish UNE’s Oral Health Center, home to the CDM, as a clinical research site for approximately 40 dental medicine students throughout the grant period.

 The goal of the collaborative research project is to look for predictors of pain in patients as they recover from oral surgeries like root canals or tooth extractions. Participating students will collect saliva samples from patients and monitor their post-operative pain as they heal.

Mohamed ElSalhy, B.D.M., Ph.D., M.Sc., M.P.H., assistant clinical professor of dentistry, will serve as principal investigator for UNE on the project. Through the research process, he said, students and faculty will develop a system for identifying patients who experience higher-than-normal levels of pain to aid clinicians in making evidence-based decisions for treating post-operative pain.

“The project aims to train dentists to have a good research background so that they can do research in whatever setting they choose, including private practice,” ElSalhy said.

 Nicole Kimmes, D.D.S., dean of the College of Dental Medicine, will oversee the facilitation of administrative, academic, and clinical logistics. She said students who participate in the program will benefit from a Harvard-developed research curriculum in addition to early, pre-career research opportunities and mentorship by skilled faculty from the CDM and from across the research network.

 “This opportunity will provide participating students and faculty with valuable research training using the curriculum that Harvard has created. The data gathered from training sites will contribute to our understanding of the risk factors that contribute to patient pain development following invasive dental procedures,” she said. “This research project perfectly aligns with UNE’s mission and the mission of the College of Dental Medicine to improve the health of Northern New England, and we are grateful to collaborate with colleagues across the consortium.”

 Additional collaborators on the project include Cambridge Health Alliance, Charles River Community Health, Harvard Catalyst, Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, and Meharry Medical College. H-CREDENT will leverage the consortium’s collective expertise and encourage scientific partnerships between students and research faculty across collaborating sites. 

Kimmes noted that the H-CREDENT program is a great example of the profession’s efforts to expand the practice-based research network.

 “For practicing dentists who aren’t affiliated with the university setting, practice-based research is a vital way to contribute to the science and scholarship of dentistry,” Kimmes said. “By giving dentists that foundation while they’re students, we’re setting them up for success in their own practices with conducting their own research studies or collaborations with other colleagues.”

 HSDM Dean William Giannobile, D.D.S., M.S., said partnering with UNE will advance both institutions’ “shared vision” of enhancing research in the dental health sphere. 

 “We are delighted to have the opportunity to work with the University of New England College of Dental Medicine and our other regional partners to advance our shared vision of fostering a new generation of clinician-scientists and scientifically astute clinicians,” Giannobile said. “We look forward to trainees in the program going on to make an impact here in New England as well as widely across the profession.”

About the University of New England

The University of New England is Maine’s largest private university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study-abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of flexible online offerings. In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. We are the state’s top provider of health professionals and home to Maine’s only medical and dental colleges, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care programs, and nationally recognized programs in the marine sciences, the natural and social sciences, business, the humanities, and the arts. Visit www.une.edu.

1,4-DPCA: A Potential Game-Changer for Dentists

 

While the term "game changer" is, at least in my opinion, a bit overused these days, it certainly *does* have applications, especially in healthcare.  Today I'd like to provide some info that will hopefully inform, but also stimulate some thought on cutting edge developments in dentistry.   Now, before we start here I want to add a word of caution.  This post is about a drug that is being studied.  There will need to be all kinds of tests and trials to see if it truly works as promised, but I think this is a truly interesting topic and should be on practitioners radar.  This kind of work is needed to improve our quality of life.  These are the kinds of things that are "many strikeouts with the occasional home run".

Dentists are always on the lookout for new and innovative ways to treat their patients. One such treatment that is currently in the experimental stages is 1,4-DPCA. This drug has the potential to be a game-changer for dentists, as it could be used to treat a variety of conditions, including:

• Periodontal disease: 1,4-DPCA could be used to help prevent the progression of periodontal disease by inhibiting the growth of bacteria in the mouth.

• Gingivitis: 1,4-DPCA could be used to treat gingivitis, which is inflammation of the gums.

• Dental caries: 1,4-DPCA could be used to prevent dental caries, which is more commonly known as tooth decay.

How Does 1,4-DPCA Work?

1,4-DPCA works by inhibiting the activity of an enzyme called prolyl 4-hydroxylase. This enzyme is responsible for the hydroxylation of collagen, which is a protein that is found in connective tissue. By inhibiting the activity of prolyl 4-hydroxylase, 1,4-DPCA can help to reduce the production of collagen. This can be beneficial for treating periodontal disease, gingivitis, and dental caries, as these conditions are all associated with excessive collagen production.

What are the Benefits of 1,4-DPCA?

There are several potential benefits of 1,4-DPCA for dentists:

• It could be used to treat a variety of conditions.

• It could be more effective than traditional treatments.

• It could have fewer side effects than traditional treatments.

What are the Risks of 1,4-DPCA?

There are some potential risks associated with 1,4-DPCA, including:

• It could cause skin irritation.

• It could cause allergic reactions.

• It could interact with other medications.

What is the Future of 1,4-DPCA?

1,4-DPCA is still in the experimental stages of development, but it has the potential to be a valuable tool for dentists. More research is needed to determine the safety and efficacy of 1,4-DPCA, but it is a promising new treatment option for a variety of dental conditions.

The Philadelphia Inquirer has a really good article that discusses the long journey of Ellen Heber-Katz who has been working on wound healing advancements for over 20 years.  The best part of these discoveries is that this may not *just* be an advancement for dentistry.  It seems to hold promise for regenerating nerves... among other benefits.

Webinar: Not Just Another Manual IPR System & Why You Should Care

 

Are you interested in some FREE Continuing Education as well as learning something that is simple and has immediate practical applications?  If so, make plans for Tuesday December 5th at 8:00pm Eastern time for my webinar "Webinar: Not Just Another Manual IPR System & Why You Should Care".

Clear aligner therapy has become a huge part of many practices and the field only continues to grow.  As those of you who provide this treatment know, IPR can be critical to a case and performing it quickly and easily is a benefit to both the patient and the doctor.

Most doctors currently performing IPR are doing so using abrasive strips or abrasive strips that are supported by a small plastic handle.  While those systems work, they frequently are not easy to use.  Getting them into the interproximal contact can be difficult and once in place, applying the necessary force can be a challenge.  Add to that the caution needed to not cause iatrogenic injury to the soft tissues.  Some doctors use abrasive discs, but those instruments come with a separate list of risks and challenges.

That's why I am so enthusiastic about the DentaSonic system.  The company makes an entire line of abrasive instruments including strips with those little plastic handles I mentioned above.  However, the best thing they make, and the thing we'll be discussing on Tuesday evening, is their strip system that uses a handpiece.

Registration can be found here.

The webinar will be hosted by my friend and technology expert Dr. Lorne Lavine and is being presented through GoldenDent.  I hope to see many of you logging in!

I Told You This AI Thing was Going to be Big!

 

Almost a year ago, I wrote an article about the coming wave of data and how AI was going to help us manage that.  I've made quite a few predictions in my career as Chief Dental Editor at Dental Products Report, but I can honestly say I didn't hit very many.  However, THAT one I hit square on the sweet spot.

However, this post isn't about me or my lucky prediction.  No, this one is about the incredible things that are happening in the dental industry and how that amazing AI tech is going to change how we are helping people.  

A recent article in UIC Today (University of Illinois-Chicago) discusses how a few of their doctors are using advance data analytics to improve their patient care.  The article titled "AI, blockchain and phone scans: UIC researchers bring new technology to dentistry" is a pretty fascinating overview of what those doctors are doing.

Sometimes in my career, I've seen our business partners bring new tech to the forefront faster than our educators, so it's nice to read about some forward thinking doctors working to use tech to make incredible changes for patients in serious need.

Read the article here.  Their efforts are impressive.

Restorative Revolutions is Coming This Friday December 1st

This Friday, December 1st is our last Dental Products Report online event of the year.  That means that you have a the opportunity to learn about the latest and greatest in restorative dentistry while also being able to earn three CE credits.

I always really enjoy these events as they give me a chance to interact with all of you while I also get the chance to learn from recognized experts in the profession.

The event kicks off at 10:00 AM Eastern and will end around 1:20 Eastern.  Our speakers this time around will be Dr. Priya Tirumalasetty and Dr. Lauren Yasuda Rainey.  

I know that you will have a terrific time learning from these two dynamic doctors and getting CE in the process.  Oh, by the way, did I mention that the CE is *free*?  That's right!  You can earn up to 3 hours of continuing education from wherever you'd prefer and do so at no cost to you.

So what are you waiting for?  Registration is open!  I hope to see many of you there!  

Roland DGA and Straumann USA Team Up to Offer World-Class Restorative Solutions

As many of you know and have read here before, I am a *huge* fan of Roland DGA.  We have a one of their DWX-42W mills in the office and we are "turnin' and burnin'" with it.  As a guy that loves tech I can tell you that integrating our mill into our digital workflows has really been a boon to the office.  If you are considering the move to in-office milling, I highly suggest you check out the DGShape line of mills.  They are sturdy, they are workhorses, and they create *stunning* clinical results.  We just cemented a crown in my mouth recently that Super Assistant D-Rey designed, milled, and polished.  I've been in the world of in-office milling since the late 1990s and I am continually stunned by what our mill creates.

Now comes word that my friends at Roland DGA have begun working with Straumann.  This is a really exciting announcement.  When two incredibly successful companies combine forces, there are almost always amazing things happening just over the horizon.  This promises to be an exciting year in dentistry and 2024 isn't even here yet!  Here is the announcement from the companies:

Irvine, Calif., Nov. 20, 2023 – Roland DGA’s DGSHAPE Americas Dental Business Group and Straumann USA, two of the most recognized and respected names in dental, are partnering to combine their collective talents and expertise to accelerate the awareness and acceptance of high-quality restorative solutions in the dental market. This new collaboration creates an exciting opportunity to provide world-class, full-service restorative solutions featuring Straumann’s implant solutions and DGSHAPE’s DWX Dental Milling Solutions. The partnership also enables Straumann USA to distribute Roland DGA’s state-of-the-art DGSHAPE DWX mills throughout the US and Canada.

Based on shared values, goals, and desired outcomes, the new working relationship between these two high-profile companies is expected to significantly benefit both Roland DGA and Straumann USA, boosting revenue and fueling innovation for the respective businesses.

“The Roland DGA and Straumann alliance will enhance the workflow and quality of restorative and implant solutions for dental professionals,” said Roland DGA’s Dental Marketing Manager, Lisa Aguirre. “We will work together to satisfy the growing demand for technological innovation and improve the overall clinician/patient experience.”

"Roland DGA and Straumann are dedicated to technological innovation and share a level of commitment to acquiring and retaining human talent that’s unparalleled in the dental industry. Both businesses are also laser-focused on providing products that effectively address the needs and wants of labs and clinicians to better the oral health of patients worldwide.

The two companies are entering this partnership as new, cutting-edge digital advancements continue to transform the dental industry. According to a recent ResearchAndMarkets.com report, restorative dentistry is undergoing a revolution due to computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM) technologies. Digital impressions, design, and manufacturing of restorations such as crowns, bridges, and dentures are accurate and time-and-cost-effective because of intraoral scanners, 3D imaging, and CAD/CAM technologies. With greater accuracy, quicker turnaround times, and superior patient experience, this trend is predicted to continue expanding*.

“Our partnership combines the branding leverage and the reputations of both companies to expand market awareness, reach, and adoption for the advancement of the dental community,” added Aguirre. “This initiative will consist of a product-based and communications-based effort to grow digital dental workflows and processes.”

To learn more about Roland DGA’s DGSHAPE dental solutions, visit https://www.rolanddga.com/products/dental/dwx-series. more information on Straumann USA or the complete Straumann product line, visit https://www.straumann.com/us/en/dental-professionals.html.

   *Yahoo Finance – Global Restorative Market Analysis

About Roland DGA Corporation and DGSHAPE Americas

Roland DGA Corporation serves North and South America as the marketing, sales, distribution and service arm for Roland DG Corporation and its subsidiary, DGSHAPE. Founded in 1981 and listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, Roland DG of Hamamatsu, Japan is a worldwide leader in wide-format inkjet printers, engravers, photo impact printers and CNC milling machines. DGSHAPE Americas is the Roland DGA dental business group dedicated to the DGSHAPE line of products, most notable as a market leader in dental milling machines. 

About the Straumann Group

The Straumann Group (SIX: STMN) is a global leader in tooth replacement and orthodontic solutions that restore smiles and confidence. It unites global and international brands that stand for excellence, innovation and quality in replacement, corrective and digital dentistry including Anthogyr, ClearCorrect, Dental Wings, Medentika, Neodent, NUVO, Straumann and other fully or partly owned companies and partners. In collaboration with leading clinics, institutes and universities, the Group researches, develops, manufactures, and supplies dental implants, instruments, CADCAM prosthetics, orthodontic aligners, biomaterials and digital solutions for use in tooth correction, replacement and restoration or to prevent tooth loss.

 Headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, the Group currently employs more than 10,400 people worldwide. Its products, solutions and services are available in more than 100 countries through a broad network of distribution subsidiaries and partners.