Low-income kids continue to have difficulty getting proper dental care through Medicaid according to the Government Accountability Office. Some of you may remember the tragic case of a twelve year old boy who died in 2007 because of a brain infection which originated from an untreated dental abscess. Investigators determined that many people, including children, simply do not take advantage of the Medicaid programs in place to help them maintain good dental health. Does this bode well for universal health and/or dental care?
photo from Positive Health Online
Researchers in China have hypothesized that third molar tooth buds could be harvested during development and later used to replace missing teeth in the future. Could this mean the end of dental implant treatment? The dental implant manufacturers probably have nothing to worry about anytime soon. Time will tell. Comments?
image from www.curetoothdecay.com
Congratulations on 150 Years!
The American Dental Association turned 150 years old this year, and it’s in very good health for its age. With 157,000 members, the ADA represents more than 70 percent of U.S. dentists, making it the world’s largest and oldest national dental association—America’s leading advocate for oral health.
It’s hard to believe that the ADA has been in existence for 150 years. Are you satisfied with the benefits of membership, and the role that the ADA has played in organized dentistry, public health and dental awareness?
Perhaps you have heard about this amazing procedure which recently helped a Miami woman regain her lost eyesight. A prosthetic lens was inserted into a tooth that was removed from the patient, and then implanted into the eye. The surgical technique, modified osteo-odonto keratoprosthesis (MOOKP), has proven effective in cases where severe corneal scarring blocks vision, but the eye remains healthy. Has anyone heard of this before? Thoughts or comments?
From CNNhealth.com
photo credit: Rich Phillips/CNN
One of the newest treatments on the frontier of cosmetic dentistry is Juvederm and Restylane. These are injectable fillers that can create fullness in the lips,as well as to eliminate “smiles lines”. We have all been taught that the lips are the frame for the smile, and the teeth represent the “artwork”.
An increasing number of restorative dentists have embraced these techniques and are incorporating them into their daily esthetic dentistry practices. What are thoughts about this? Any experience?
The American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID) said times have changed and patients should forego prolonged dental heroics to save failing teeth and replace them with long-lasting dental implants.
“There really is no justification for undergoing multiple endodontic or periodontic procedures, and enduring the pain and financial burden, to save a diseased tooth,” said John Minichetti, DDS, speaking for the AAID. “The days are over for saving teeth till they fall out. Preserving questionable teeth is not the best option from both oral health and cosmetic perspectives.”
This is certainly true in modern dental times. The question for many practitioners is “Where do you draw the line?”, or “At what point do you condemn the tooth?” There is definitely a difference in opinion in this regard. Do you typically rely on your own personal judgement, or that of a specialist, or maybe both?
EXPLOTATION or COMEDY?
Interesting video post by Jamie. Even more interesting that the parents posted this and that it has been viewed over 23 million times on You Tube. For those of us in the profession, it might be seen as expoitation. To the rest of the world, it is obviously seen as comedy. Perhaps it is difficult for us to be objective. I am curious about what others think.