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ePaper created 2017-01-04, 09:21:41 | version 1.38.0
Computer simulations show Lasers effective in killing oral bacteria Japanese company introduces Five-minute dental screening A team of researchers at the New York Institute of Technology in the US has developed a com puter model that demonstrates how dental lasers attack oral bacterial colonies in gingival tissue. Based on the optical characteristics of gingival tissue and pathogenic microorganisms, the re searchers developed a mathematical model that simulates the periodontal procedure of laser sul cular debridement. The virtual colonies, consist ing of Porphyromonas gingivalis and Prevotella intermedia, were of various sizes and placed at different depths in the gingival model. The simu lations indicated that 810 nm diode lasers, when set to short pulses and moderate energy levels, are able to destroy bacteria buried 3 mm deep in the gingival tissue. Nd:YAG lasers with a wavelength of 1,064 nm also proved to be effective with similar penetra tion depth. Moreover, both lasers spare the healthy tissue, the researchers found. Their simulations showed minimal heating of the sur rounding tissue and therefore minimal thermal damage, which leads to faster healing, Reinisch explained. According to him, the simulations validate the effectiveness of dental lasers in removing oral bacteria and con tributing to better oral health after periodontal treatment. The study, titled “Selective photoan tisepsis,” was published in the October issue of Lasers in Surgery and Medicine, including video depictions of the computer simulations. New saliva test from Japan analyses various oral parameters in a matter of minutes. Accord ing to Lion Corporation, which developed the Salivary Multi Test together with Aichi Gakuin University’s School of Dentistry, the device can identify markers associated with oral health, such as the quantity of cavity-causing bacteria and number of white blood cells, using just a small sample of saliva. In addition to the Sali vary Multi Test Meter—the actual measuring in strument—a computer, a printer, test paper and software (available for Windows and macOS) are needed for analysing the saliva samples. After applying the saliva to the test paper, the patient’s individual results are visualised in a radar chart on the computer monitor. Items tested include salivary acidity, leukocyte count, ammonia values and the presence of fungi. According to Lion, six items can be measured simultaneously in one analysis and test results can be obtained within 5 minutes. More information about the system is available on the company’s website, lionpro.lionshop.jp (in Japanese only), through which the system is exclusively sold. A Seoul dentist has developed an all-natural toothpaste that aims to reduce the health risks posed by Streptococcus gordonii, an oral bac terium that initiates dental plaque formation. Once in the bloodstream, which it may enter though bleeding gingivae, for example, the bac terium also causes blood clots, which can lead to life-threatening conditions such as infective endocarditis, heart attack or stroke. South Korean dentist Dr Hyung-Joo Moon, head of the Moon Dental Hospital in Seoul, recently obtained the patent for his bacteria-inhibiting or ganic formula from the Korean Intellectual Prop erty Office. Inspired by a joint study by the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland and the University of Bristol, which found that S. gordonii can trig ger an infection of the inner lining of the heart when entering the bloodstream, Moon started developing a toothpaste that especially inhibits the growth of these bacteria. The toothpaste’s anti-inflammatory ingredients include neem and castor oil, herbal extracts made from psyllium seed, Japanese star anise, and Japanese cornelian cherry. As the oral mu cosa is very susceptible to absorbing harmful substances into the body, it is especially import ant to use natural ingredients for oral care prod ucts, he emphasised. Tested among his patients, the toothpaste’s formula proved to help relieve inflammation, as well as sore gingivae and toothache. The toothpaste is not available for purchase yet, but Moon is working on releasing it to market soon. news international 41 4 2016 laser New organic toothpaste may Inhibit harmful bacteria © Lightspring/Shutterstock.com © PeJo/Shutterstock.com © Mjak/Shutterstock.com 42016