Barriers to sealant application
The occlusal surfaces of molars are the most vulnerable to caries. The most effective way to protect these surfaces is to apply dental sealants. These measures not only prevent new caries, but also arrest the progression of early caries and keep the need for restorations at a minimum. Sealants offer benefits not seen with topical fluoride or professional dental cleaning, so the American Dental Association (ADA) developed and, in 2016, updated a guideline for pit-and-fissure sealants endorsing their use. (Source: Dental Abstracts)
Source: Dental Abstracts - September 1, 2018 Category: Dentistry Tags: Inquiry Source Type: research
Flowable resin composites as pit and fissure sealants
Just 12.5% of all tooth surfaces are occlusal, but these complex morphological surfaces develop more than two thirds of all the caries seen in children because their structure is prone to accumulate plaque and retain food. Pit and fissure sealants act as an effective mechanical barrier to plaque retention, which can address the effect of cariogenic microorganisms on the surface of the enamel. These sealants also prevent the initiation of caries in intact pits and fissures in children and adolescents, especially when they are used with an adhesive system on a conservatively prepared surface. (Source: Dental Abstracts)
Source: Dental Abstracts - September 1, 2018 Category: Dentistry Tags: Inquiry Source Type: research
Editorial Board
(Source: Dental Abstracts)
Source: Dental Abstracts - September 1, 2018 Category: Dentistry Source Type: research
Table of Contents
(Source: Dental Abstracts)
Source: Dental Abstracts - September 1, 2018 Category: Dentistry Source Type: research
Achieving dental care access for all populations
The current dental care delivery system cannot meet the demands for oral health care in the United States. Many sociodemographic factors enter into the equation, including workforce shortages, income, insurance coverage, and health literacy, among others. The current status of factors that influence the provision of dental care in the United States was explored, along with new methods of delivery that may address problems with the system. (Source: Dental Abstracts)
Source: Dental Abstracts - July 17, 2018 Category: Dentistry Tags: COMMENTARY Source Type: research
Giving back to those in need
Among dental practitioners there is a spirit of philanthropy with respect to serving patients who need their services. The aims of these efforts are to promote positive change and foster a sense of community that helps serve those less fortunate. Pediatric and elderly patients are special targets for these efforts, largely because they are the most often underserved. (Source: Dental Abstracts)
Source: Dental Abstracts - July 17, 2018 Category: Dentistry Tags: COMMENTARY Source Type: research
Caries and periodontal disease indicative of poor diet
Populations living on a diet low in carbohydrates have few dental caries, whereas those living on high-carbohydrate diets, which are widely consumed today, tend to have a high prevalence of dental caries. Dietary carbohydrates are the fuel that creates dental caries, so diets should limit carbohydrates to protect against caries. However, there are no simple modifications in the diet that are associated with a diminished prevalence of periodontal disease. Periodontal disease is influenced not only by poor nutritional choices but also by oral hygiene, tobacco smoking, and genetic factors. (Source: Dental Abstracts)
Source: Dental Abstracts - June 21, 2018 Category: Dentistry Tags: Hands On Source Type: research
Child abuse and dental caries
Child abuse includes physical and sexual abuse, neglect, and even witnessing violence. Timely recognition is important to prevent the abuse from continuing and perhaps escalating. Dental caries is related to a number of factors, such as genetic, dietary, socioeconomic, hygienic, and microbial elements. If dental health is not maintained, caries can develop. With numerous teeth affected by caries, several teeth may have to be extracted at the same time. For children, this is usually done under general anesthesia to provide a more comfortable experience and obtain cooperation from the patient. (Source: Dental Abstracts)
Source: Dental Abstracts - June 21, 2018 Category: Dentistry Tags: Hands On Source Type: research
Early childhood caries information on YouTube
Early childhood caries (ECC) is the term used to describe caries developing in younger children as a result of nutritional, socioeconomic, behavioral, microbial, and psychosocial factors. ECC is often detected at a stage when it may have severely negative consequences for children and their families. It also can have a significant burden on health care systems. The adequate and timely education of parents plus early detection and treatment of ECC may be able to minimize its consequences. Social media is often used by patients and parents who want health care −related information. (Source: Dental Abstracts)
Source: Dental Abstracts - June 21, 2018 Category: Dentistry Tags: Hands On Source Type: research
Mobile phone photographs for remote dentistry
The primary causes of traumatic dental injuries are falls, car accidents, and violence. Children age 2 to 4 years and 8 to 10 years are the groups most often injured in this way. For a correct diagnosis and treatment with a better prognosis, the TDI should be properly managed within the first few hours after the event. However, oral health care professionals may not always be available, especially if the injury occurs in a rural, underserviced area. Teledentistry (TD) offers remote dental assistance and is used to diagnose and support clinical decisions when a health care provider cannot be on the scene. (Source: Dental Abstracts)
Source: Dental Abstracts - June 21, 2018 Category: Dentistry Tags: Hands On Source Type: research
Flowable composite resins to restore NCCLs
Noncarious cervical lesions (NCCLs) are common problems in dental structures and are seen in about a fourth of all populations. They are generally caused by a multitude of factors, with the principal ones being erosion, abrasion, and abfraction. Often NCCLs are accompanied by dentin hypersensitivity as dentin becomes exposed to the oral environment. Restorations with composite resins can replace lost tissue, restore dental structural integrity, reduce further wear of tooth materials, relieve dentin hypersensitivity, and improve esthetics. (Source: Dental Abstracts)
Source: Dental Abstracts - June 21, 2018 Category: Dentistry Tags: Inquiry Source Type: research
Obstructive sleep apnea surgery
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is characterized by repetitive pharyngeal collapse during sleep. The result is fragmented sleep, excessive daytime sleepiness; hypoxia and hypercarbia; decreased vigilance, motor coordination, and executive function; depression; and decreased quality of life. If untreated, the patient can develop hypertension, arrhythmias, congestive heart failure, a higher risk for cardiovascular events, and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Both stroke and all-cause mortality are both increased as OSA increases in severity. (Source: Dental Abstracts)
Source: Dental Abstracts - June 21, 2018 Category: Dentistry Tags: Inquiry Source Type: research
Whitening ’s effects on enamel microhardness
People are interested in having young-appearing, white teeth today. To achieve this, home bleaching has become popular. In home kits, 10% carbamide peroxide gel is often used for 4 to 8 hours a day over a period of 2 weeks or more. The free radicals produced by the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide in the gel oxidizes the color-conferring molecules and promotes the whitening effect. Carbamide peroxide gel in a 10% concentration has been shown to be both efficacious and safe for this use. There are some detrimental effects on oral structures, however, including sensitivity related to the increased porosity of the enamel, g...
Source: Dental Abstracts - June 21, 2018 Category: Dentistry Tags: Inquiry Source Type: research
Links between dental occlusion and TMDs
TMDs are a heterogeneous group of conditions that affect the temporomandibular joints (TMJs), jaw muscles, and sometimes related structures. Although orofacial pain experts apparently embrace a biopsychosocial model for TMDs, dental professionals appear to focus on the dental occlusion as a causative factor, although evidence to support this view has been lacking. A literature review was undertaken to determine if any association exists between dental occlusion and TMDs. (Source: Dental Abstracts)
Source: Dental Abstracts - June 21, 2018 Category: Dentistry Tags: Inquiry Source Type: research
Effect of debt on dental career choices
Considered in relation to the average annual earnings of dentists, dental school debt has increased substantially over the past 20 years, with the ratio between the two rising from about 70% in 1996 to 97% in 2010. Over the past 17 years, annual inflation-adjusted dentist income has remained flat. Combining the unused capacity in the dental care system, the expanded and expanding dentist supply per capita, and the fall in demand for dental services among working-age adults leads to the conclusion that future dentist earnings will remain depressed. (Source: Dental Abstracts)
Source: Dental Abstracts - June 21, 2018 Category: Dentistry Tags: The Big Picture Source Type: research
