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ePaper created 2017-12-06, 12:03:50 | version 1.38.0
news © OrelPhoto/Shutterstock.com Dentists successfully extract Stem cells from third molars Few discoveries hold as much promise of single- handedly expanding medical treatment options as stem cells do. Now, researchers from the Univer- sity of Nevada, Las Vegas, (UNLV) have developed a new method for extracting tooth root pulp from the third molars that quadruples the number of stem cells that can be harvested and replicated to treat a variety of medical conditions. Having solved the challenge of accessing the root pulp, the researchers sought to determine how many viable stem cells they could recover from the fractured teeth. They dyed 31 fractured teeth pulp samples to highlight any viable stem cells the teeth contained. Dead cells would turn blue when exposed to the dye and living cells would appear clear. Under the microscope, 80 per cent of their extracted cells remained clear after the dye was introduced. Next, the team isolated the stem cells from the rest of the root pulp. The researchers harvested cells from the pulp and cultured them on a petri dish. Once the cells had covered the dish, they split the culture in half and repeated the pro- cess between ten and 20 times. By the end of the culturing, all non-stem cells had expired. The researchers captured the remaining stem cells and collected their RNA, which is converted into proteins that become biomarkers the team could use to characterise each stem cell type and its respective rate of replication. The next logical step in this research would be to test stem cells in humans to treat chronic illnesses such as Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease. 64 implants 4 2017 Little clinical benefit through untargeted Provision of vitamin D supplements An international study of older adults has found that mass, untargeted provision of vitamin D sup- plements provides little clinical benefit to many when it comes to the common bone disease, osteoporosis. Instead, the study recommends targeting vitamin D supplements at individuals whose levels of this vitamin are markedly re- duced. The study was carried out by researchers at the University of Auckland, New Zealand, and Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA. The study was part of a bigger trial among com- munity-resident adults aged 50–84 years, and followed 418 participants for two years, who were randomised to receive, monthly, either high oral doses of vitamin D or a placebo. The researchers were looking at changes over time to bone den- sity in their lower spines, primarily, and in other commonly tested sites on the body. They were also testing thresholds in the levels of vitamin D already present in the participants and found that that level was significant when it came to the ef- fect of the vitamin D treatment. The researcher concluded that future trials of vitamin D supplements in older adults should fo- cus on those who have baseline vitamin D levels equal to or below 30 nmol per litre. o m k . c c s t o r t t e u h S / a k o w s a G i g r d n a s k © A l e Nobel Biocare and Dentalpoint AG Entering into a partnership patients with a zirconia implant using protocols similar to those they are familiar with for tradi- tional implants. It also offers greater restorative flexibility compared with existing one-piece or cement-retained ceramic implant options. A solution featuring this first-of-a-kind tech- nology will be available from Nobel Biocare in early 2018. The introduction of a ceramic implant further extends Nobel Biocare’s comprehensive range of innovative solutions for immediate function and excellent aesthetics. © Ivelin Radkov/Shutterstock.com At the 2017 European Association of Osseointe- gration (EAO) Congress in Madrid, Spain, Nobel Biocare announced it has entered into a partner- ship agreement with Dentalpoint AG, a leader in ceramic dental implants, to add a zirconia implant solution to its portfolio. The partnership with Dentalpoint AG will add a new implant option to Nobel Biocare’s leading range of titanium dental implants with the clin- ically proven TiUnite surface. The innovations from Dentalpoint AG, known for its ZERAMEX® implant brand, are intended to help clinicians meet patient demand for metal-free solutions and high-end aesthetics. Utilising breakthrough manufac- turing technology, Dentalpoint AG is the developer of the first com- pletely metal-free two- piece bone level implant system with internal connection that is not dependent on cement. Screw-retained with an innovative metal-free screw, the two-piece nature of the sys- tem means that clinicians can treat