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NEW RESEARCH CENTER TESTS RESTORATION ALTERNATIVES
NEW RESEARCH CENTER TESTS RESTORATION ALTERNATIVES
would release a
therapeutic Thanks to a grant from the National Institute of Dental Research, scientists at the University of Florida are exploring new approaches in restorative dentistry. With support from the fiveyear, $4 million grant, the university's dental school has established a research center to test new materials for dental fillings, crowns and bonding agents. Currently, four projects are under way. One team is working on improving resin-based filling materials. Because they are light in color, resin fillings have a definite cosmetic advantage over amalgams. Likewise, resin is a better thermal insulator, reducing the likelihood that a treated tooth will be sensitive to
temperature. Amalgam, though, still has the upper hand in maintenance. "We're looking for [resinbased materials] that don't shrink and have the longevity of silver fillings," explains Dr. Kenneth Anusavice, director of the center and chairman of dental biomaterials at the dental school. Another team at the center is researching "smart" fillings. These fillings would release a diagnostic dye when a tooth's pH drops below a specific level, making conditions coducive to decay. The controlled-release system would alert the patient or dentist to potential problems before the tooth structure sustains any major damage. In the future, this team hopes to develop a filling that 150 JADA, Vol. 126, February 1995
agent to stop the
potential decay. Dr. Anusavice also is leading a project at Kenneth J. the center Anusavice that is aimed at developing a thinner crown restoration. "Instead of removing a large amount of tooth structure to
provide sufficient thickness for the crown as currently required to resist fracture," he explains, "we should be able to make partial crowns that work just as well." These thinner crowns would have an internal coating that would help them resist fracture. "It's very exciting," says Dr. Anusavice. "Hopefully, we're going to change the way dentists design these restorations and save a lot of tooth structure, trauma and expense." BONE GRAFTS MAY IMPROVE IMPLANT RETENTION
Genetically engineered and cloned bone grafts may lead to a breakthrough in implant dentistry, a researcher at Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, reports. In laboratory studies, new biologic materials have been successful in augmenting deficient bony masses in the jaw that can jeopardize longterm retention of dental implants, says A. Hari Reddi, Ph.D.,
director ofthe Laboratory of Musculoskeletal Biology at the university's medical school. Speaking last October at a meeting of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, Dr. Reddi pointed out that these bone grafts will improve the success rates of both endosseous and subperiosteal implants. Integration of this new bone matrix into the existing bone is enhanced by morphogenetic proteins called BMPs. Researchers expect that BMP-induced bone formation will be used in orthopedic treatments as well. BMPs may be beneficial in treating fractures and bone cysts and in performing spinal fusions. DNA TESTS PROVIDE INSIGHTS INTO PERIODONTAL DISEASE
DNA analysis suggests that the bacteria responsible for causing periodontal disease may be easily transmitted between people in very close contact, such as family members. Researchers at the State University of New York at Buffalo studied the families of 15 patients diagnosed with periodontitis. Using DNA analysis, the researchers found that the same periodontal pathogen is often present in parents and children. With this in mind, Dr. Joseph Zambon, UB professor of oral biology and periodontology, suggests that the pathogenic bacteria implicated in a patient's disease should be eliminated in all family members. "To more effectively treat the patient," Dr. Zambon explains, "it may be necessary to pre-
would release a
therapeutic Thanks to a grant from the National Institute of Dental Research, scientists at the University of Florida are exploring new approaches in restorative dentistry. With support from the fiveyear, $4 million grant, the university's dental school has established a research center to test new materials for dental fillings, crowns and bonding agents. Currently, four projects are under way. One team is working on improving resin-based filling materials. Because they are light in color, resin fillings have a definite cosmetic advantage over amalgams. Likewise, resin is a better thermal insulator, reducing the likelihood that a treated tooth will be sensitive to
temperature. Amalgam, though, still has the upper hand in maintenance. "We're looking for [resinbased materials] that don't shrink and have the longevity of silver fillings," explains Dr. Kenneth Anusavice, director of the center and chairman of dental biomaterials at the dental school. Another team at the center is researching "smart" fillings. These fillings would release a diagnostic dye when a tooth's pH drops below a specific level, making conditions coducive to decay. The controlled-release system would alert the patient or dentist to potential problems before the tooth structure sustains any major damage. In the future, this team hopes to develop a filling that 150 JADA, Vol. 126, February 1995
agent to stop the
potential decay. Dr. Anusavice also is leading a project at Kenneth J. the center Anusavice that is aimed at developing a thinner crown restoration. "Instead of removing a large amount of tooth structure to
provide sufficient thickness for the crown as currently required to resist fracture," he explains, "we should be able to make partial crowns that work just as well." These thinner crowns would have an internal coating that would help them resist fracture. "It's very exciting," says Dr. Anusavice. "Hopefully, we're going to change the way dentists design these restorations and save a lot of tooth structure, trauma and expense." BONE GRAFTS MAY IMPROVE IMPLANT RETENTION
Genetically engineered and cloned bone grafts may lead to a breakthrough in implant dentistry, a researcher at Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, reports. In laboratory studies, new biologic materials have been successful in augmenting deficient bony masses in the jaw that can jeopardize longterm retention of dental implants, says A. Hari Reddi, Ph.D.,
director ofthe Laboratory of Musculoskeletal Biology at the university's medical school. Speaking last October at a meeting of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, Dr. Reddi pointed out that these bone grafts will improve the success rates of both endosseous and subperiosteal implants. Integration of this new bone matrix into the existing bone is enhanced by morphogenetic proteins called BMPs. Researchers expect that BMP-induced bone formation will be used in orthopedic treatments as well. BMPs may be beneficial in treating fractures and bone cysts and in performing spinal fusions. DNA TESTS PROVIDE INSIGHTS INTO PERIODONTAL DISEASE
DNA analysis suggests that the bacteria responsible for causing periodontal disease may be easily transmitted between people in very close contact, such as family members. Researchers at the State University of New York at Buffalo studied the families of 15 patients diagnosed with periodontitis. Using DNA analysis, the researchers found that the same periodontal pathogen is often present in parents and children. With this in mind, Dr. Joseph Zambon, UB professor of oral biology and periodontology, suggests that the pathogenic bacteria implicated in a patient's disease should be eliminated in all family members. "To more effectively treat the patient," Dr. Zambon explains, "it may be necessary to pre-