Modern Periodontics Blog

Environmental tobacco smoke is associated with periodontitis in US non-smokers

Periodontitis affects approximately 47% of adults in the United States and the U.S. Surgeon General has concluded that cigarette smoking is one of its causes. Despite numerous adverse health effects of environmental tobacco smoke (ETS), an association between periodontitis and this “second-hand smoke” in non-smokers remains questionable. In this study, the researchers aimed to investigate the association between serum cotinine and periodontitis among U.S. non-smokers.

More here:http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/03/150313083627.htm

My periodontist says that he is “board certified.” What does that mean?

All periodontists must complete an additional two to three years of specialized training in periodontics following dental school. However, some periodontists opt to take the board-certification examination, which is offered by the American Board of Periodontology once per year. Board certification in periodontology denotes someone who has made significant achievements beyond the mandatory educational requirements of the specialty, including demonstrating a comprehensive mastery of all phases of periodontal disease and treatment and in the placement of dental implants. Recertification is required every six years.

 

From the AAP

Location of oral cancer varies in smokers and non-smokers

Smoking and alcohol abuse are the most recognised factors in the causation of cancers of the oral cavity. However, a new ten-year study has shown that non-smokers too are at significant risk of oral squamous cell carcinoma. The study suggests that chronic dental or denture irritation in particular could be an important causative factor.

In order to determine whether oral cavity cancers occurred more commonly at sites of dental trauma, a comprehensive analysis of the medical records of 334 patients diagnosed with oropharyngeal cancer and 390 with oral cavity cancer was undertaken at Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane between 2001 and 2011. Of the oropharyngeal cancer patients, almost 86 per cent were smokers or ex-smokers and about 14 per cent were non-smokers. Of the 390 patients with mouth cancer, 80 per cent were current or ex-smokers and about 20 per cent were non-smokers.

What is a Periodontist?

A periodontist is a dentist who specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of periodontal disease, and in the placement of dental implants. Periodontists are also experts in the treatment of oral inflammation. Periodontists receive extensive training in these areas, including three additional years of education beyond dental school. They are familiar with the latest techniques for diagnosing and treating periodontal disease, and are also trained in performing cosmetic periodontal procedures.

Periodontists often treat more problematic periodontal cases, such as those with severe gum disease or a complex medical history. Periodontists offer a wide range of treatments, such as scaling and root planing (in which the infected surface of the root is cleaned) or root surface debridement (in which damaged tissue is removed). They can also treat patients with severe gum problems using a range of surgical procedures. In addition, periodontists are specially trained in the placement and repair of dental implants.

Peri-implant Diseases

Peri-implant diseases are inflammatory conditions affecting the soft and hard gum tissues around dental implants. Similar to a natural tooth, bacteria can build up on the base of the implant, below the gum line. Over time, the bacteria irritate the gum tissue, causing it to become inflamed, damaging the tissue and if not caught early, causing the bone structure below the implant to deteriorate.

The up side to dental implants is they function just like your natural tooth. The down side is, they are capable of becoming diseased just like a natural tooth. With a proper oral health routine, your dental implant can last a lifetime. 

 

Symptoms of measles may appear in oral cavity before other manifestations of disease

Dr. Flaitz described three main signs in the oral cavity indicative of measles: Koplik spots; atypical gingivitis with pustules and necrosis; and operculitis.

“Some of these signs and symptoms are subtle,” she said. “So it’s very important to do a thorough soft tissue examination along with the dental examination. Lots of times, a number of these oral lesions are the first indication that a person has either an infectious disease or an underlying systemic disease. Sometimes this is the very first sign besides maybe more nondescript findings, such as a fever.”

Other signs and symptoms can help dentists recognize patients with undiagnosed measles.

 

More here: http://www.ada.org/en/publications/ada-news/2015-archive/march/symptoms-of-measles-may-appear-in-oral-cavity

New insights into human saliva could lead to first autism diagnostic test

For the first time, a study has shown that children with autism spectrum disorder have different levels of certain proteins in their saliva from other children. Researchers believe that these findings could help in the development of an autism diagnostic test, which could aid early diagnosis and help direct parents with infants with autism to interventions.

 

More at: http://www.dental-tribune.com/articles/news/americas/22203_new_insights_into_human_saliva_could_lead_to_first_autism_diagnostic_test.html