DDS Lister

According to a recent article in Popular Mechanics, researchers at Tufts University are making headway on developments that will could completely revolutionize the way dentists go about repairing tooth decay. The new procedure implements stem cells, those miracle working “blank slates,” by placing them in a biodegradable polymer scaffolding that has been specially designed for tissue engineering. The scaffold is then implanted into the affected area where it can grow into enamel, dentin, or pulp.

Although this all appears to be very promising the technology will likely not be ready for use in humans for several years.

Researchers at Tufts University are working on a way to use stem cells to repair tooth decay. How it works: Tooth-growing cells are seeded into polymer scaffolds. The scaffolds are then implanted into the jaw, where they regenerate tooth enamel, dentin and pulp. The operation has been successfully tested in pigs and rats.
Availablility: Could be available for humans within seven years.

Source:

• Popular Mechanics
  

New applications

Infection in the roots of teeth are hell to treat. The tooth needs to be drilled into, right down to the bottom of the nerve-carrying canal that runs through the root. The infected material must then be cleaned out completely and the drilled section filled in. Although the procedure is routine, it is common for some of the bacteria to survive it and therefore for infections to re-emerge shortly after treatment.

The surviving bacteria are often gathered in the form of what is known as a biofilm. Bacteria in such a film are embedded in a polymer matrix, which makes them harder to kill than isolated individuals. High temperatures can destroy biofilms, as can some chemicals, but neither approach is safe to use inside the delicate interior of a human tooth. However Chunqi Jiang, a physicist at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, and her colleagues have come up with a possible alternative: a dental plasma torch.

Killing the most stubborn infections

Plasmas are gases in which the molecules have been stripped of some or all of their electrons, to create positive ions. One way to do this is to heat the gas up. Conventional plasma torches employ such hot plasma to cut metal. But cold plasmas can be made using high electrical voltages. St Elmo’s fire—violet and blue “flames” that appear around ships’ masts during thunderstorms—is a good example. Dr Jiang reckoned that a cold plasma, particularly one rich in oxygen ions (which are notoriously destructive of organic materials), would be enough to do the job of breaking up a biofilm without harming the patient.

To test this idea, she and her colleagues designed a device that uses short pulses of electricity to ionise the surrounding air, creating a purple plume of plasma rich in oxygen ions. And it worked. The team report in Plasma Processes and Polymers that when the plume was directed into the infected interiors of teeth, it succeeded in clearing up well-established infections completely.

That may just be the beginning. Bacteria in biofilms are also more resistant to antibiotics than their isolated confreres, so the new device could have other medical applications. Wound infections, for example, often form biofilms. If they cannot be treated successfully, the result may be gangrene. And if Dr Jiang’s version of St Elmo’s fire can deal with that problem, the saint may become patron of a lot more people than just sailors.

Source:

• The Economist

PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y. – (Business Wire) Global Ionics LLC today announced the official launch of its breakthrough product: the Ionic ProClean toothbrush (www.ionicproclean.com). The Ionic ProClean uses long-established ionic technology that has been proven to remove more plaque with less effort. It is being introduced to market at a fraction of the price of comparable toothbrushes, making it an ideal product for recession-minded consumers who want a fresh-from-the-dentist feeling of clean.

In nature, opposites attract. This explains why plaque can be so difficult to remove from your teeth. Plaque has a positive (+) charge; tooth enamel has a negative (-) charge. The Ionic ProClean uses proven ionic technology to temporarily change tooth enamel to a positive (+) charge. This allows the natural science of polarity to loosen the bond of plaque so you can gently sweep it away.

After rinsing the toothbrush under running water, the user simply touches a small silver strip on the handle and brushes normally with the toothpaste of his or her choice. By touching the silver strip, your body’s natural energy completes the circuit. A red light on the handle shines brightly to confirm that the energy circuit is complete and the ionic action is working to remove plaque.

Ken Davidov, founder of Global Ionics, explains, “Studies have shown that ionic technology reduces plaque and gingivitis. While this technology has been used in Asia and Europe for years, this is the first ionic toothbrush designed for the North American and worldwide market that neatly encases all the elements into one hermetically sealed brush, made from soft materials. It looks and feels like an ordinary toothbrush and doesn’t require unsightly charging equipment on the bathroom counter. Its function is absolutely silent – and it costs less than $10.”

Davidov also recognizes the Ionic ProClean’s business potential. “The U.S. toothbrush market is estimated at $1.3 billion in annual sales. Furthermore, toothbrush household penetration is close to 100% and is expected to remain recession proof. Given these difficult economic times, when people are losing dental insurance and visits to the dentist’s office are rationed, improved at-home care is critically important. The Ionic ProClean has the potential to change the oral care industry and add value in a flat to down category.”

The Ionic ProClean is currently available online at www.ionicproclean.com for $8.95 plus shipping and handling. Orders of two or more brushes come with a free travel kit. Dental professionals recommend replacing your toothbrush every three months.

Source:

• Earth Times