Scientists develop dental filling using bile acids

Scientists develop dental filling using bile acids

HONG KONG (Reuters), May 21 - Scientists in Canada and China have developed a hardy material using human bile acids, which they hope can be used to fill dental cavities.

Dental cavities are presently plugged using either mercury or plastic, which raises worries they could be potentially toxic.

In an article in ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, the researchers described how they harvested bile acids and converted them into a hard, durable plastic that appears to resist cracking better than other materials that are now in use.

Bile acids are natural substances produced by the liver and are stored in the gallbladder to help digest fats.

"The new material appears stronger and longer lasting as well, with the potential for reducing painful filling cracks and emergency visits to the dentist," wrote the scientists, led by Julian Zhu at China's Shanxi University's department of chemistry.

Last Updated: 2009-05-21 10:22:29 -0400 (Reuters Health)

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Poor economic system dampens Patterson profits

Poor economic system dampens Patterson profits

Patterson reported combined revenue of $780 thousand for it all 1 / 4, compared with $778 thousand for the same 1 / 4 a season ago, the organization announced.

Net income for the 1 / 4 was $54 thousand, down 15% from $63 thousand in it all 1 / 4 of 2008.

Full-year financial 2009 combined revenue totaled $3 billion dollars, up 3% from $2.9 billion dollars in financial 2008. Net income for the season was $199.6 thousand, compared with $224.8 thousand in 2008.

The weak economic system impacted each of Patterson's three businesses in it all 1 / 4, especially in the area of devices revenue, the organization noted. This impact was particularly evident on revenue of primary oral devices, although oral offices ongoing investing at solidly higher levels in new technological innovation items, including Cerec oral restorative items and digital radiography techniques, the organization said.

Sales of Patterson Dental Supply, Patterson's largest business, were $534 thousand in it all 1 / 4, down 5% from $562 thousand in the same period a season ago. Sales of usable oral resources and printed office items were down 2% from last seasons 4th 1 / 4, and revenue of oral devices and software declined 10% from a season ago. Sales of other items and solutions, consisting primarily of technical service materials, software support solutions, and artificial teeth, rose 4% from last seasons 4th 1 / 4.

"Our 4th 1 / 4 operating results were below our expectations as we experienced reduced customer demand for the capital devices offerings at each of our three businesses," said James Wiltz, president and CEO. "In addition, revenue of usable oral resources stayed impacted by the economy-related trend of patients deferring higher-level and discretionary solutions."

"Partly offsetting the lower revenue of primary oral devices was the strong revenue growth of new technological innovation items, with revenue of Cerec techniques up 7% and revenue of digital x-ray techniques up 25%," he said. "We believe the recession is causing many oral offices to limit their investments to devices with rapid rates of return. New technological innovation items, in comparison to such primary oral devices as chairs and lights, meet this revenue requirement."

Referred to as can harm health, experts warn

Referred to as can harm health, experts warn

A recent national study of more than 50,000 adults revealed that half have at least one losing tooth, according to the American Academia of Improvement Oral care (AAID).

The study, which was performed by augmentation producer Nobel Biocare, also found that only one in three participants were aware that losing tooth can harm facial shape, and just 25% realized that tooth reduction causes cuboid break down in the jaw.

"Many sufferers who have missing one or more tooth believe the personal impact is totally visual and, as a result, may not choose to substitute a missing tooth," said AAID Chief executive Beverly Dunn, D.D.S., in an argument. "However, just one losing tooth can lead to significant cuboid reduction over time that can change the jaw structure, cause other tooth to move, and change the shape of your face."

Also, because people with losing tooth have trouble eating certain foods, such as fruits and vegetables and veggies, they often remove these dietary basics from their daily routines, Dr. Dunn added.

Dental improvements are one solution for changing losing tooth, and augmentation surgery treatment is one of the most secure, most accurate, and most foreseeable procedures in dentistry when performed by experienced augmentation dental practitioners, Dr. Dunn said.

"Attending a few days course isn't enough to become a experienced augmentation dental practitioner," Dr. Dunn determined. "There's greater risk if the dental practitioner has limited encounter performing augmentation surgery treatment. Potential sufferers should focus on the dentist's training and encounter before accepting to go through a verbal augmentation procedure."