Category: News

It has been known for decades that water fluoridation prevents tooth decay in children. Now there’s research showing that it does the same for adults.

The evidence comes from a study conducted by the Australian National Survey of Adult Oral Health that recently was published in the Journal of Dental Research.

Most surprising was the discovery that adults who had not had fluoride as children still received decay-fighting benefits from water fluoridation as adults. This reinforces the theory that water fluoridation has a topical effect in preventing dental decay.

Research has long shown that when people are exposed to that during their formative years, their dentitions are more strongly crystallized and gain increased resistance to decay. 

The Nebraska Institute of Comprehensive Dentistry is a dental office in Omaha, Neb., that specializes in comprehensive and cosmetic dentistry. To make an appointment for a dental checkup, call 402-392-2880.

Don’t let her youthful demeanor fool you. Christy VanRyckeghem, CDA, has been on staff with Dr. Michael Sesemann for 25 years, acting as Comprehensive Case Coordinator for much of that time.
 
Christy is the fourth staff member to have devoted 25 years to NICD, and she claims the time has flown by. “Our practice has evolved so much and the type of dentistry we do is so interesting. Every day is different. We could be restoring a smile, placing an implant, doing a gum graft or even lip augmentation.
 
“I’m really proud to be a part of a practice where what we do is such a team effort – patients recognize it and tell people about us. That makes it all worthwhile.”

According to Dr. Sesemann, patients also recognize Christy for her compassion. “One of Christy’s most important contributions to our team is her support of patients. They often comment on how sincerely caring she is.”

Please join Dr. Sesemann and NICD in congratulating Christy on 25 years of devotion to dental excellence.

Here’s one more reason to keep cheese lovers happy: Cheese may help keep a smile healthy.

Eating cheese was shown in a new study to increase dental plaque pH, which in turn decreased the odds of developing cavities in patients. The study was published in the May/June 2013 issue General Dentistry.

“What I think is exciting about this is it shows that cheese -particularly as a snack- can reduce the acids that will cause cavities and gum disease,” Dr. Jeffrey M. Cole, president of the Academy of General Dentistry, said to CBSNews.com.

Sixty-eight adolescent subjects between the ages of 12 and 15 were enrolled in the study. Dentists measured their dental plaque pH before they ate dairy and after.

A baseline pH of 7 means the environment is neutral. Anything above or below 7 is considered basic or acidic, respectively. A pH level lower than 5.5 puts a person at risk for tooth erosion, which is when the protective enamel layer on the teeth is worn away. This leaves the tooth vulnerable to cavities, also known as dental caries, and other problems.

After the initial dental plaque pH levels were taken, the subjects were told to eat cheddar cheese, drink milk or eat sugar-free yogurt for three minutes and then rinse their mouths with water. The researchers then measured pH levels 10, 20 and 30 minutes after the subjects stopped eating.

The subjects who ate the milk and sugar-free yogurt had no pH changes. However, those who ate cheese had a quick, steady increase of pH as time progressed.

Researchers believe that eating cheese stimulates saliva production, which is the body’s way of keeping the mouth at a normal acidity level. The saliva acts as a flush to remove any residue in your mouth, and also provides a buffer against high levels of acidity.

Cole points out that cheese contains pyrophosphates, which is a salt or ester that is commonly found in fluorides and toothpaste. They can work to re-mineralize a tooth that has been surrounded by acid.

Even better news is that no fat, low fat and regular cheese have the same properties, so people can snack on a healthier option while still getting the same benefits. Some cheeses can be packed with saturated fats and sodium.

Before cheese was considered a good snack because it wasn’t a bad food item when it came to teeth, Cole explained. Now, this study shows that dentists can rest assured that cheese can actually keep a person grinning.

“In a lot of low-carb diets, string cheese is the go-to snack,” Cole commented. “(Cheese) not only it fits one of those diets, it’s actually good for your teeth! It makes it all the much better.”

Michael R. Sesemann, DDS, was among several international lecturers invited to address the Future of Restorative Dentistry Leadership Summit, held recently in Orlando by Ivoclar Vivadent, a global dental product innovator.

Dr. Sesemann addressed an audience of 30 leading dentists from North America and Europe on the topic, Bulk Fill Works in Practice: Balancing Efficiency and Long-Term Performance with Direct Posterior Composites. Special emphasis was placed on evidence-based case studies from his dental practice at the Nebraska Institute of Comprehensive Dentistry (NICD) in Omaha.

Bulk Fill is a new composite restorative material created to maintain a high degree of esthetic and functional integrity while improving production time and reducing procedural stresses on the treated teeth. In 2010, Dr. Sesemann was one of the first North American dentists to be selected to research the product.

“This summit brought together an esteemed collection of presenters and a great group of professionals,” said Dr. George Tysowsky, Vice President of Research and Development for Ivoclar Vivadent. “We discussed very important trends that are currently impacting dentistry, including Bulk Fill restorative materials, new technologies, and new cementation protocols.”

PHOTO:  Event attendees

Survey says: the smile. That’s according to 1,018 Americans, age 18 and older, who responded to a study regarding perceptions of aging and beauty.

Conducted by Kelton-Global Marketing Research Company, the survey showed that 45 percent of respondents believe a person’s smile can most easily defy the effects of aging. The eyes came in second at 34 percent.

Here are some other noteworthy statistics from the study:

• 54 percent of the population over age 50 believe the smile to be the feature that can best overcome the appearance of aging. Only 39 percent of their younger counterparts felt the same.

• 80 percent of adults admit they would spend money to hide or correct aging flaws.

• Women are more likely than men (84 percent vs. 75 percent) to invest in improvements.

• Of the women surveyed, 63 percent said they would fix their teeth before they would pay for a weight loss plan.

• Among respondents willing to invest in cosmetic treatments, 62 percent would spend on preserving their smile; 48 percent would pay for weight loss; 33 percent would treat thinning hair; 33 percent would reduce dark under-eye circles; 31 percent would eliminate wrinkles; and 28 percent would repair spider veins in their legs.

Omaha dentist Michael R. Sesemann, DDS, has been selected to sit on the advisory board for the prestigious Kois Center for Advancing Dentistry Through Science in Seattle, WA. Founded and directed by John C. Kois, DMD, MSD, the center offers clinical and didactic courses on esthetics, implants, occlusion and restorative dentistry.

As part of the advisory board, Dr. Sesemann’s role is to provide direction for the center and to act as a liaison between the organization, its members and the dental community.  

“I am proud to have been chosen to represent the Kois Center in its mission to assist members in gaining the knowledge and skills to help them advance to extraordinary levels in providing dentistry in their communities. Certainly my experiences at the center have been of benefit to my patients and my practice,” said Dr. Sesemann.

To learn more about the Seattle-based Kois Center, visit www.koiscenter.com.

FACT:   Today’s dental radiation levels have been found to be comparable to those we absorb during a two-hour plane ride or while working in the back yard for a few hours. 

Part of our responsibility at NICD is to review and vet the scientific content of news pertaining to our profession. That said, a recent story in the American Cancer Society’s journal, Cancer, caught the attention of many. Entitled “Dental X-Rays and Risk of Meningioma,” the article summarized a study that sought to develop a correlation between dental X-rays and brain cancer. The story was picked up by several networks and broadcasted widely.*

After assessing the study upon which the article was based, the American Dental Association (ADA) and the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD) have found it to be flawed. Of primary concern is that conclusions were drawn using a “population-based-control study.” This means data was collected by means of recall and self-reporting on the part of the study group, often decades after the X-ray occurrences.

Failure to account for significant advancements in dental radiography is another of the study’s major errors.  Conclusions were drawn from antiquated machines of yesteryear to formulate conclusions for current day. There was no calibration for the sensitive technology now utilized.

“It is regrettable to think that an article based on outdated technology could scare the public and cause them to avoid needed treatment,” said AGD president Dr. Howard Gamble. 

At NICD, we also must side with the ADA and AGD in expressing that the report was seriously flawed and detrimental to the public we serve. Please know that we encourage you to ask any questions you may have — we’re here to help guide you toward the healthiest solutions for you.

NOTE: As a Section Editor of Compendium of Continuing Education in Dentistry, and a member of other dental publication editorial boards, Dr. Sesemann stays current on scientific dental literature. He is pleased to share information that impacts your health, orally and in general. We pledge that we will always make decisions concerning radiographic type and frequency based the needs of each individual, and after a careful and thorough assessment of their personal conditions and the current science involved in any treatment. It is a commitment we take very seriously.

* The article originally appeared on April 10, 2012.