Health

Understanding Dental Crowns: A Comprehensive Guide

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A dental crown is a versatile solution for restoring damaged or decayed teeth, enhancing their strength, function, and appearance. With various options available, selecting the right dental crown depends on factors like durability, aesthetics, and cost. This article explores the different types of dental crowns and their unique benefits to help you make an informed decision. Types of Dental Crowns 1. Porcelain-Fused-to-Metal (PFM) Crowns Porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns combine the durability of metal with the natural appearance of porcelain. These crowns have a metal core for strength, while the outer layer mimics the color and texture of natural teeth. PFM crowns are commonly used for both front and back teeth, offering a balance between aesthetics and functionality. Pros: Cons: 2. All-Ceramic or All-Porcelain Crowns All-ceramic or all-porcelain crowns are crafted entirely from porcelain or ceramic materials, making them ideal for patients seeking … Read more

Fluoridated Water: Still a Valuable Tool, but Benefits May Be Diminishing

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Tooth decay remains a significant public health concern worldwide. For decades, adding fluoride to community water supplies (CWF) has been a cornerstone of dental health strategies. However, a recent Cochrane review (titled “Water fluoridation for the prevention of dental caries” written by Tanya Walsh and et. al., 2024) suggests that the benefits of CWF may be less pronounced today than in the past, particularly in developed countries where fluoride toothpaste is widely used. The Review’s Findings: The review analyzed 157 studies comparing tooth decay in children living with fluoridated water and those without. Why the Change? The authors attribute this shift to the widespread use of fluoride toothpaste. With fluoride readily available through oral hygiene products, the incremental benefit of CWF may be less pronounced in modern populations. Important Considerations: The review emphasizes that these findings do not negate the … Read more

MRI shows neural differences with teeth grinding and jaw pain

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An interesting article titled “Neural Correlates of Tooth Clenching in Patients with Bruxism and Temporomandibular Disorder–Related Pain,” written by Theo J. M. Kluskens and et. al. appears in the Journal of Oral & Facial Pain and Headache (volume 37, Issue 2, Spring 2023, Pages 139–148). The authors sought to measure brain activity in patients with teeth grinding and jaw pain using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to investigate whether differences when compared to those without had differennces in pain and/or neural activity. The researchers explored brain activity in 40 patients, 21 of those that bruxism and TMD pain and the remaining 19 patients were controls. The patients were asked to do a tooth-clenching task while they were having their brain scanned in a 3T MRI scanner. Patients had to mildly or strongly clench their teeth for 12 seconds and were … Read more

Tooth loss associated with brain shrinkage

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An interesting article titled “Associations of Dental Health With the Progression of Hippocampal Atrophy in Community-Dwelling Individuals: The Ohasama Study,” written by Satoshi Yamaguchi and et. al. appears in Neurology, published on Juy 5, 2023. The article sought to explore associations between the number of teeth present and hippocampal atrophy older patients 55 years and older in a longitudinal study. The hippocampus is part of the brain that is important for learning and memory. With Alzheimer’s disease, atrophy of the hippocampus is a common feature but other factors, such as periodontitis (gum disease) can be seen. The researchers were under the assumption that the association between dental health and hippocampal atrophy might be due to inflammation. Gum disease is a chronic inflammatory condition, and inflammation has been shown to damage the hippocampus. The study included 172 people with an average … Read more

New Approach to help Bones Heal

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An interesting article titled “Expansion of the sagittal suture induces proliferation of skeletal stem cells and sustains endogenous calvarial bone regeneration” written by Zahra A. Aldawood and et. al. appears in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (vol. 120, no. 16, 2023). The article explores a new method to promote bone regeneration in mice. The researchers discuss how in newborn humans and mice and thse up to arond 2 years of age, calvarial bone defects, on the skullcap, can naturally regenerate. This abiliy to naturally heal damage to the bones that form the top of the skull, is lost in adults. The calvarial sutures are reservoirs of calvarial skeletal stem cells (cSSCs), which are cells responsible for calvarial bone regeneration. The authors believed the regenerative potential of the newborn calvaria is from the presence of a large number of cSSCs … Read more