Tooth decay has been around since prehistoric man. In years past, the only alternative was to pull a decayed tooth. Then came the onset of dental fillings and root canals, crowns, veneers and dental implants to restore the mouth. These procedures among others have given dentists the ability to make a mouth whole. Now, it looks like a high school student has been named a semifinalist in the 2014 Intel Science Talent Search,a prestigious pre-college science competition, and it's all about teeth.
Laura Fulton,18 is has a promising patent on tooth enamel that she has researched for two years as a student at the prestigious University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. This is where she tested her synthetic tooth enamel and the adherence to damaged teeth. It's been proven safe, biocompatible and having the structure of natural teeth. It's safer than amalgam filling and does not leach the dreaded (BPA Bisphenol A).
Currently, gold, silver, mercury, plastics or and amalgam are used to restore teeth. The new synthetic enamel could change it all.
+Kirk Kimmerling DDS and +Suzanna Aguilera from +Verde Pointe Dental Associates will enthusiastically be waiting the arrival of the new tooth enamel.
Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Monday, February 10, 2014
Who Invented Serration as in Serrated Steak Knife?
If you think you know who invented serration as in the steak knife, you must have been around 298 millions
years ago to meet a Dimetrodon. Paleontologist suggest this prehistoric reptile predator developed serrated teeth to eat large pray. Joseph Burns from Syracuse, New York is credited with adding already developed serration to knives in 1919. The Dimetrodon's teeth, serrated ziphodont are credited for putting the Dimetrodon at the top of the food chain in the early Permian period. The serrated knife has been put at the top for cutting modern meat, an interesting comparison.
The Dimetrodon predator is considered a forerunner to mammals. Scientists believe it to be the first terrestrial vertebrate to have teeth similar to crocodiles. They were the first terrestrial vertebrate to develop cusps, teeth with points. Dr. Robert Reisz from the University of Toronto Mississauga said, "The steak knife configuration of these teeth and the architecture of the skull suggest Dimetrodon was able to grab and rip and dismember large prey."
Putting it into perspective, the Dimetrodon lived at least 50 million years before the first dinosaurs evolved 280 million years ago.
Strangely enough, researchers looked at Dimetrodon across a 25 million year span and found that even though skull shapes did not change, tooth shape did. Serration was benefit 280 million years ago, and still is used today.
The Dimetrodon invented serration, and Joseph Burns put it to good use for modern man.
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| Serration and the Dimetrodon |
The Dimetrodon predator is considered a forerunner to mammals. Scientists believe it to be the first terrestrial vertebrate to have teeth similar to crocodiles. They were the first terrestrial vertebrate to develop cusps, teeth with points. Dr. Robert Reisz from the University of Toronto Mississauga said, "The steak knife configuration of these teeth and the architecture of the skull suggest Dimetrodon was able to grab and rip and dismember large prey."
Putting it into perspective, the Dimetrodon lived at least 50 million years before the first dinosaurs evolved 280 million years ago.
Strangely enough, researchers looked at Dimetrodon across a 25 million year span and found that even though skull shapes did not change, tooth shape did. Serration was benefit 280 million years ago, and still is used today.
The Dimetrodon invented serration, and Joseph Burns put it to good use for modern man.
Friday, January 24, 2014
Kids Receive a Children's Dental Health Month Surprise Gift at the Dentist in February
February is National Children's Dental Health Month, and Marietta dentists +Kirk Kimmerling
DDS and +Suzanna Aguilera DMD from +Verde Pointe Dental Associates want to help children establish good oral habits that can last a life time. Each child receives a surprise gift at a dental cleaning and checkup to help promote good oral health and excitement concerning clean teeth.
The American Dental Association has been sponsoring the event every February for 63 years. Dental professionals, parents, and teachers alike are encouraged to participate with the ADA. Worksheets and games can be downloaded on ADA site to help children understand the importance of oral health.
"Children are impressionable, so Verde Pointe Dental Associates are participating in the February event, adding excitement around proper brushing and flossing.
Each appointment receives surprise a colorful gift full items such as; toothbrush, floss, stickers, ADA worksheets, coloring, games, and Trident gum."
It's a big hit every year, and the Marietta dentists expect no difference this year.
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| Add caption |
The American Dental Association has been sponsoring the event every February for 63 years. Dental professionals, parents, and teachers alike are encouraged to participate with the ADA. Worksheets and games can be downloaded on ADA site to help children understand the importance of oral health.
"Children are impressionable, so Verde Pointe Dental Associates are participating in the February event, adding excitement around proper brushing and flossing.
Each appointment receives surprise a colorful gift full items such as; toothbrush, floss, stickers, ADA worksheets, coloring, games, and Trident gum."
It's a big hit every year, and the Marietta dentists expect no difference this year.
Monday, January 13, 2014
Root Canal Technology Has Changed
Root canal therapy to treat a tooth is much different than years past. Modern dental instruments and techniques give dentists more sophisticated ways to treat teeth in need of endodontic or root canal therapy. Patients can now get the procedure done in just one pain-free visit.
Let's take a look at some on the new technology.
A. Modern anesthetics allow for easier numbing of the entire tooth. More fearful patients can request nitrous oxide.
B. High-torque motor hand pieces are faster and enable dentist to better shape root canals.
C. Ultra sonic instruments vibrate to clean the root before a filling is placed.
D. Modern digital x-rays allow a dentist with less radiation to develop immediate x-rays to check the status of a tooth.
E. Apex locators help a dentist to clean and fill a tooth to the very end of the root. The instrument measures the root and finds the apex with sound waves, help guiding the dentist, so infection is not left behind.
F. Dentists use a medicated rinse sodium hypochlorite to wash away leftover debris and infection. A tooth is then dried with paper points, absorbent paper files.
G. Filling material, Gutta percha is used to fill and seal the tooth from reinfection.
Other than extraction, sometimes a root canal is the only treatment for a badly decayed, toothaches or infected tooth. Root canals in the past have had a bad reputation of being painful, when actually it is usually no worse than having a filling replaced. The procedure doesn't cause pain, it relieves it. Saving your natural teeth, when possible is always the best course of action in a dental emergency.
+Kirk Kimmerling DDS and +Verde Pointe Dental Associates want to help you understand a root canal and the lastest technology available.
Let's take a look at some on the new technology.
A. Modern anesthetics allow for easier numbing of the entire tooth. More fearful patients can request nitrous oxide.
B. High-torque motor hand pieces are faster and enable dentist to better shape root canals.
C. Ultra sonic instruments vibrate to clean the root before a filling is placed.
D. Modern digital x-rays allow a dentist with less radiation to develop immediate x-rays to check the status of a tooth.
E. Apex locators help a dentist to clean and fill a tooth to the very end of the root. The instrument measures the root and finds the apex with sound waves, help guiding the dentist, so infection is not left behind.
F. Dentists use a medicated rinse sodium hypochlorite to wash away leftover debris and infection. A tooth is then dried with paper points, absorbent paper files.
G. Filling material, Gutta percha is used to fill and seal the tooth from reinfection.
Other than extraction, sometimes a root canal is the only treatment for a badly decayed, toothaches or infected tooth. Root canals in the past have had a bad reputation of being painful, when actually it is usually no worse than having a filling replaced. The procedure doesn't cause pain, it relieves it. Saving your natural teeth, when possible is always the best course of action in a dental emergency.
+Kirk Kimmerling DDS and +Verde Pointe Dental Associates want to help you understand a root canal and the lastest technology available.
Monday, December 30, 2013
Scientists Grow Teeth from Urine
A team of scientists have successfully grown teeth with the dental pulp, dentin, enamel space and an enamel organ from urine. The team was led by Duang Pei,a professor of stem cell biology from Guangzhou Institute of
Biomedicine and Health in China. Epithelial cells were converted into pluripotent stem cells (IPS) cells. IPS cells can be grown into different types of tissues including teeth. "Normally, the way you get cells for reprogramming is that you do a biopsy on the skin," say Pei. People would rather pee in a cup than hold still for a needle or skin biopsy, especially children. It's a good way to get cells from kids without being invasive.
Urine is not the only way to get IPS cells, and it's unlikely. "You can drive a lot of IPS cells from a single hair." sais Paul Sharpe, head of the craniofacial development and orthodonticds dept at Kings College London. "You could make teeth from a hair or from other teeth."
Making a new tooth is difficult. There needs to be a periodontal ligament that attaches the tooth to the bone, and not just a tooth. Pei's tooth has good roots. As for urine having bacteria, midstream it is pretty sterile. Pei has never encountered any type of infection.
Urine contains contaminants, so the overall viability of the cells produced poor specimens, explains Dr. John Comisi, a dentist and spokesperson or the Academy o General Dentistry. Chris Mason, a stem cell scientist at University College London, also agreed that urine would not be viable to regenerate teeth. "You just wouldn't do it this way," he said. Comisi explained that the science of regenerating teeth from stem cells has be around for more than a decade, using bone marrow and baby teeth. Companies are cryogenically storing baby teeth for science but it is three to five years out. Mason also explained that implanting newly grown teeth to work with existing teeth still needs tackled.
Although not as hard as natural teeth and not yet a viable way to grown teeth, maybe it can become a viable option in the future. Perhaps in the future when people need a dentist, they can replace a bad tooth instead of it. +Verde Pointe Dental Associates and Marietta dentist +Kirk Kimmerling DDS look forward to the research becoming a reality. The research was published in Cell Regeneration Journal on July 30, 2013.
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| Growing Teeth From Urine |
Urine is not the only way to get IPS cells, and it's unlikely. "You can drive a lot of IPS cells from a single hair." sais Paul Sharpe, head of the craniofacial development and orthodonticds dept at Kings College London. "You could make teeth from a hair or from other teeth."
Making a new tooth is difficult. There needs to be a periodontal ligament that attaches the tooth to the bone, and not just a tooth. Pei's tooth has good roots. As for urine having bacteria, midstream it is pretty sterile. Pei has never encountered any type of infection.
Urine contains contaminants, so the overall viability of the cells produced poor specimens, explains Dr. John Comisi, a dentist and spokesperson or the Academy o General Dentistry. Chris Mason, a stem cell scientist at University College London, also agreed that urine would not be viable to regenerate teeth. "You just wouldn't do it this way," he said. Comisi explained that the science of regenerating teeth from stem cells has be around for more than a decade, using bone marrow and baby teeth. Companies are cryogenically storing baby teeth for science but it is three to five years out. Mason also explained that implanting newly grown teeth to work with existing teeth still needs tackled.
Although not as hard as natural teeth and not yet a viable way to grown teeth, maybe it can become a viable option in the future. Perhaps in the future when people need a dentist, they can replace a bad tooth instead of it. +Verde Pointe Dental Associates and Marietta dentist +Kirk Kimmerling DDS look forward to the research becoming a reality. The research was published in Cell Regeneration Journal on July 30, 2013.
Monday, December 16, 2013
Ugly Holiday Sweater Contest at Dentist and Veterinary Offices
Ugly Sweater Contest is officially underway at +Verde Pointe Dental Associates and +Marietta Vet Clinic for the 2013 season. +Kirk Kimmerling DDS +Suzanna Aguilera and +Julian Peckich DVM are hosting the event with prizes for the ugliest donned sweater on people or pets.
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| Marietta Dentist and Veterinarian Host Ugly Sweater Contest |
To get in on the action, dress yourself or pet with the ugliest holiday sweater and head to the dental or veterinarian office. On December 31st, two winners will be announced, one from each office. Winners will receive either free dental whitening or a free pet exam.
The event is quite the rage of the offices, and both staff and doctors look forward to having people and pets participate in the fun!
Wednesday, December 11, 2013
Your Teeth, The Bite, Good or Bad?
Do you ever wonder if your teeth come together properly? They should actually close a certain way for the chewing system to function harmoniously. When teeth, muscles and the jaw joint work well together, muscles are relaxed, the joint is stable and all the teeth contact at the same time along the axis. A bad bite can cause pain and destruction, and since most of us have bites that are less than ideal, only a dentist can decide if there's cause for concern.
Let's take a look at the common bite disorders.
Crossbite
A crossbite occurs when upper teeth bite on the inside of the lower teeth on one or multiple teeth. Correction
is necessary, as it can cause dysfunctional chewing, asymmetrical jaws, gums disease, bone loss, premature wear on teeth and a less attractive smile. A crossbite generally requires braces, a retainer or expansion with an intra-oral appliance.
Underbite
An underbite occurs when lower teeth protrude past the upper front teeth. It occurrs generally because of an undergrowth of the upper jaw, overgrowth of the lower, both overgrowth, flared upper incisors, missing teeth or a combination of all. An underbite can cause chewing problems, proper function of the front teeth, premature wear of teeth, joint malfunction and a less attractive smile. An underbite can be modified and corrected through growth modification of the jaw, extractions, or orthognathic surgery.
Openbite
An openbite is usually caused by the patient, himself. Front teeth, upper and lower jet forward causing them to jet forward and never touch. Thumb sucking, finger sucking tongue thrusting, or chewing objects, pacifiers, bottle feeding can cause the condition to occur. Tempromandibular joint disorder or (TMJ) can also cause the to push teeth into a a comfortable bite. Although prevention is most desirable, corrections can be made by braces, growth modifications, extrusion of front teeth, and surgery.
Overbite or Deepbite
An overbite, also called a deep bite occurs when the upper teeth protrude over the lower teeth. Usually there is no contact between the upper and lower front teeth. Upper teeth can erupt too much, or there can be a discrepancy in the jaw where the front of the jaw grows more than the back on the same arch. An overbite can cause difficulty eating, lower teeth biting into upper tissue, joint malfunction, wear on lower anterior teeth, an unattractive smile. It can be corrected by orthodontics moving front teeth up possibly back teeth closer together.
Overjet
An overjet is when lower teeth are too far behind the upper teeth. It can occur due to thumb or finger sucking, tongue thrusting, molars teeth are improperly aligned, the upper and lower jaws are not properly balanced or missing lower teeth. An overjet can lead to improper function of teeth, premature wear of teeth, and a less attractive smile. Correction can be possible through growth modification, appliances, and braces.
If you believe your teeth do not align properly, perhaps +Verde Pointe Dental Associates and Marietta Cosmetic dentists +Kirk Kimmerling DDS and +Suzanna Aguilera DMD can help with a consultation. Only a dentist can help decide the best possible treatment when needed. The office also accepts a dental emergency when you need them most.
Let's take a look at the common bite disorders.
Crossbite
A crossbite occurs when upper teeth bite on the inside of the lower teeth on one or multiple teeth. Correction
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| Most People Do Not Have a Perfect Bite |
Underbite
An underbite occurs when lower teeth protrude past the upper front teeth. It occurrs generally because of an undergrowth of the upper jaw, overgrowth of the lower, both overgrowth, flared upper incisors, missing teeth or a combination of all. An underbite can cause chewing problems, proper function of the front teeth, premature wear of teeth, joint malfunction and a less attractive smile. An underbite can be modified and corrected through growth modification of the jaw, extractions, or orthognathic surgery.
Openbite
An openbite is usually caused by the patient, himself. Front teeth, upper and lower jet forward causing them to jet forward and never touch. Thumb sucking, finger sucking tongue thrusting, or chewing objects, pacifiers, bottle feeding can cause the condition to occur. Tempromandibular joint disorder or (TMJ) can also cause the to push teeth into a a comfortable bite. Although prevention is most desirable, corrections can be made by braces, growth modifications, extrusion of front teeth, and surgery.
Overbite or Deepbite
An overbite, also called a deep bite occurs when the upper teeth protrude over the lower teeth. Usually there is no contact between the upper and lower front teeth. Upper teeth can erupt too much, or there can be a discrepancy in the jaw where the front of the jaw grows more than the back on the same arch. An overbite can cause difficulty eating, lower teeth biting into upper tissue, joint malfunction, wear on lower anterior teeth, an unattractive smile. It can be corrected by orthodontics moving front teeth up possibly back teeth closer together.
Overjet
An overjet is when lower teeth are too far behind the upper teeth. It can occur due to thumb or finger sucking, tongue thrusting, molars teeth are improperly aligned, the upper and lower jaws are not properly balanced or missing lower teeth. An overjet can lead to improper function of teeth, premature wear of teeth, and a less attractive smile. Correction can be possible through growth modification, appliances, and braces.
If you believe your teeth do not align properly, perhaps +Verde Pointe Dental Associates and Marietta Cosmetic dentists +Kirk Kimmerling DDS and +Suzanna Aguilera DMD can help with a consultation. Only a dentist can help decide the best possible treatment when needed. The office also accepts a dental emergency when you need them most.
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