Not All Cultures Value Front Teeth

As strange as this may seem, not all cultures value their front teeth.  The Surma people residing in

South Sudan and southwest Ethiopia have a tradition where front lower teeth are removed and the bottom lip is pierced at puberty to get ready for marriage. Over time the lip is stretched for insertion of an ever increasing size of clay plate.  Some are noted up to 16 inches in size.  Bigger plates are considered more desirable and beautiful, making the women worth more cattle.

Although plates are still a strong part of the culture, some modern day girls have begun to skip the tradition. 

+Verde Pointe Dental Associates and the dentists, +Suzanna Aguilera and +Kirk Kimmerling DDS are happy to present this informational article on cultures from around the world.  

Tooth Tattoo

A new "Tooth Tattoo" developed by Princeton nano-scientist Michael McAlphine and Tufts bio-engineersNature Communications.  The new technology is a ultra-thin oral sensor that measures bacteria levels in the mouth.  It is a small device temporarily attached to a tooth, and may one day help dentists with oral conditions and overall health.

Fiorenzo Omenetto, David Kaplan and Hu Tao was published in the journal

The senor has three layers; gold foil electrodes, a layer a graphene and a layer of peptides.  The peptide is the chemical structure that is able to indicate bacteria.  The sensor is soft and pliable enough to wrap around the irregular contours of tooth structures.  A silk backing dissolves within 15 to 20 minutes leaving the sensor.  It's a advantageous way to monitor the bacteria.

The senor has a built-in antenna for power, allowing the  team to ping it with radio waves to send back information if bacteria is present.  The idea is for dentists to develop customized treatment plans for patients with chronic gum disease.  Patients with a high number of cavities could be given a fluoride varnish  or rinses.
As for overall health, the tattoo may have a future to monitor biological markers for diseases such as AIDS or stomach ulcers before it becomes serious.

Marietta Cosmetic dentists are also Marietta Emergency dentists welcoming new patients to the dental office.  +Kirk Kimmerling DDS and +Suzanna Aguilera can help with dental fillings, root canals, tooth extractions, toothaches, broken teeth, periodontal disease, gum disease and any dental emergency you may have.  Please accept a new patient coupon to help cover insurance deductibles and co-pays.