Research Summary Bone development: Regulation by non-coding RNAs Short, non-coding microRNAs play a critical role in regulating bone remodeling and provide therapeutic targets for treating bone disease. In a review article, Zhi-He Zhao and colleagues from the State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases at Sichuan University in Chengdu, China, examine the ways in which microRNAs...Read More

Research Summary Dental anomalies: examination of inheritance patterns for genetic clues The inheritance patterns of two distinct dental anomalies suggest a common genetic origin. An international team led by Simon Camilleri at Kings College London sought to determine if there is a genetic association between dental anomalies involving tooth displacement (palatally displaced canines, PDC) and...Read More

Research Summary Dental caries: A protein in saliva may fight cavities Higher levels of proteinase 3 (PR3) in saliva are associated with lower levels of dental caries. Other salivary proteins have previously been shown to influence dental health. Ping Zhang, Xue-Dong Zhou and co-workers at the State Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, Sichuan University, China,...Read More

Research Summary Gum disease: Fluoride a potential treatment Fluoride should be evaluated as a potential treatment for severe gum disease Japanese and Korean researchers say. Sodium fluoride has been shown to increase bone mass and has been investigated as a treatment for postmenopausal osteoporosis in adults. In the current study a team led by Ujjal...Read More

Research Summary Orthodontics: What s going on under the gums Although orthodontic braces apply constant force to teeth, researchers have found that the strain on gum tissue varies with time. To move teeth, orthodontists must apply just enough force to trigger remodelling of bone and gum tissues around tooth roots. However, these forces cannot be...Read More

Research Summary Regenerative medicine: Isolating stem cells from teeth Adult stem cells in dental pulp can be isolated via a single surface protein and efficiently grow into various cell types. It has been a matter of debate how best to isolate these cells so that they retain the ability to develop into various specialized tissues....Read More

Research Summary Dental implants: different materials for different tissues The risk of infection may be reduced by constructing dental implants from combinations of materials that resist bacterial growth. Microbes can potentially form antibiotic-resistant biofilms on the surface of implants, particularly if the surrounding tissue does not form a tight seal. Researchers led by Yijin Ren...Read More

Research Summary Oral fibrosis: Low-power laser for disease associated with areca nut Low-power laser irradiation (LPLI) could treat a debilitating pre-malignant, fibrotic condition of the mouth. Most cases of oral submucous fibrosis (OSF) are in South Asia and are associated with areca nut chewing. The compound arecoline in the nut is thought to be involved...Read More

Research Summary Oral clefts: Distinct genetic profiles characterize subtypes Oral clefts: Distinct genetic profiles characterize subtypes. Oral cleft subtypes are characterized by distinct gene profiles that may reflect differing genetic causes. Oral clefts, the most common congenital defect in humans, are associated with a large number of genes. Noriko Funato and Masataka Nakamura at the...Read More

Research Summary Root canal surgery: Ensuring a cleaner finish Using citric acid in combination with ultrasonic rinsing helps flush out root canals prior to completing treatment. Calcium hydroxide, Ca(OH)2, is used to eliminate microbes from root canals during treatment. However, residual Ca(OH)2 left behind once treatment is complete can reduce the effectiveness of sealants and weaken...Read More