Mrs ProTaper Universal lies at the centre of most successful Endodontic procedures in the UK*.  Due to her unique shape, she cuts quickly ensuring efficiency, whilst maintaining flexibility, whether you are heading straight or into a curve. She doesn’t mind how experienced you are, whether you are a GDP who hasn’t used her before or an Endodontist, she’s high quality and easy to work with, ensuring excellent and consistent results every time. She’s a true exception – let her be at the centre of your endodontic success.

* ProTaper Universal is the market leader with 56.6% market share (Q1,09 SDM data)

DENTSPLY’S Rotary Endodontic Procedural Team understands that excellence in endodontics is a must. So from access to restoration we will help you achieve consistent reproducible results. Each of the high quality products work perfectly  together  achieving  excellent clinical outcomes, offering a simple, cost effective and predictable way to excel in endodontics.   “Embrace endodontic success” with DENTSPLY’s Rotary Endodontic Team!

Access with Mr Start-X™ Ultrasonic Tips “Access all areas”

Shaping with Mrs ProTaper® Universal NiTi Rotary File “She’s a true exception”

Irrigation with Mr Glyde™ EDTA-based Lubricant “A smooth operator”

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For more information or to book an appointment, please contact your local DENTSPLY Product Specialist on: +44 (0)800 072 3313 or visit our website: www.dentsply.co.uk

The Medical Defence Union (MDU) today warned that the outdated system of dental insurance could mean patients harmed by negligent dentists would have no recourse to compensation.   

The current system does not require dentists or doctors to have insurance.  

Dr Christine Tomkins, Deputy Chief Executive of the MDU, the only medical defence organisation to provide members with a regulated clinical negligence insurance policy, said: “In the current medico-legal climate, with the cost of claims set to increase even more, as a result of a number of legal judgments and changes, we think it is wrong to allow discretionary indemnity for something as important as medical negligence claims.” 

The warnings came at the tail end of General Dental Council’s consultation on the requirement for professional indemnity for GDC registrants.   

The International Association for Dental Research (IADR) has announced the recipients of its annual awards, which will be presented at its 87th General Session & Exhibition in Miami, Florida on 1 April, 2009.  

The IADR also announced the three winners of its prestigious Innovation in Oral Care Awards, recognising groundbreaking and life-changing research. Partner GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Consumer Healthcare will award each of the 2009 winners a $75,000 research grant.  

This year’s winners are: The University of Melbourne’s Eric Reynolds for his “Development of Oxantel to Prevent Periodontopathogenic Biofilm Formation”; Baylor College of Dentistry’s Rena D’Souza for “Nanostructured Peptide Hydrogels and Stem Cells for Dentin-Pulp Complex Regeneration”; The University of Washington School of Dentistry’s Sandra Bordin for “Optical Coherence Tomography for Non-invasive Diagnosis of Periodontal Disorders”. 

Returning for its fourth year, the dentistry.co.uk online poll about the most influential people in dentistry results are in. 

Leading the pack was Eddie Crouch, last year’s number 2. Eddie co-founded the pressure group ChallengeDoH in 2006 after the new contracts were introduced, and won the first Outstanding Achievement Award at the 2008 Dentistry Awards.  

Kevin Lewis, last year’s number 1, came second for his brilliant insights into the profession as published in his column in Dentistry magazine. Amarjit Gill, a leading cosmetic dentist and head of the SmilesAhead clinic in Nottingham, came in third, while England’s chief dental officer Barry Cockcroft came in fourth. Rounding out the top five was academic Edward Lynch.   

This week sees the publication in the “PLoS Biology journal” of research highlighting a breakthrough discovery in the field of genetics. The paper, produced by Dr Gareth Fraser and his research team from the Georgia Tech School of Biology has identified a common set of genes within living organisms that play a key role in the development of teeth in terms of their arrangement, character and number. This common set of genes are also known as a gene regulatory circuit, a collection of genes that when put together effect the genetic expression and development of each other.

The findings are based on research carried out at Lake Malawi in Africa. The lake was chosen because of its population of Cichlid fish. Cichlid fish are known for having a pharyngeal jaw, a set of teeth deep inside their throats. These teeth were similar to those found in Conodonts, an extinct eel like jawless fish.  This fish was the first vertebrate to have teeth, which also ran along the lining of the throat or pharynx. In addition to these, Cichlids possess a set of teeth within their oral jaw, much like humans. However, it was the rapid rate of evolution amongst Cichlids that made them the perfect specimen for Dr. Fraser’s tooth formation study. 

Dr. Fraser recalls how he initially “thought there wouldn’t be a correlation” between the numbers of teeth found in the oral and pharyngeal jaws of Cichlids. He had pointed to “the developmental differences and the evolutionary distinction between the two jaw regions,” as reasons for doubt. However Darrin Hulsey, a co author of the paper, soon discovered a positive correlation.  According to Dr Fraser, the research indicated “fish that have fewer oral teeth also have fewer pharyngeal teeth.” For Dr Fraser this suggested that “on some level there’s a genetic control that governs the number of teeth in both regions.”   

The next step was identifying the “genetic control” at the centre of tooth development.  The team studied cells using a technique known as “situ hybridization.” This technique sought to localize and identify the gene expression of the cells during the development of teeth.  It was here that a common genetic network, controlling tooth development, was discovered in the oral and pharyngeal jaws. For co author J. Todd Streelman, these findings establish that “regardless of where you grow a tooth, whether it’s in the jaw or the pharynx, you use the core set of genes to do it.” Dr Fraser also concludes that “every tooth made throughout the evolution of vertebrates has used this core set of genes,” a view backed up by the findings of the Malawi Cichlids study.

Yet, Streelman goes further, suggesting that potentially “this network is not just acting in teeth but also in other similarly patterned structures like hair and feathers.” While this study certainly represents a breakthrough in identifying controlling gene networks within tooth development, it may have more far reaching consequences within the study of genetics.

Women are better at looking after their teeth and gums than men, according to a survey carried out in the United States.

The national survey, by the American Dental Association (ADA), Crest and Oral B, found that on average men brush their teeth less frequently than women and change their toothbrushes less often too. Of the 1,000 people surveyed 20 percent fewer men brushed their teeth twice a day or more in comparison to women. Men changed their toothbrush on average every 5 months compared to women who used a new toothbrush or power toothbrush head on average every 3 – 4 months. The ADA says worn or frayed bristles are less effective at cleaning and toothbrushes should be switched every 3 – 4 months.

Men would do well to take their oral hygiene seriously – as also according to the survey, the smile is the most attractive physical feature, ranking above other features such as eyes and hair.

The report showed however that both sexes could do with brushing up their smile. For example only half of the people who took part in the survey floss their teeth at least once a day, and a third were not concerned about their gums bleeding whilst brushing their teeth, despite the fact that this could be a indication of gum disease or other health issues.

Research suggests that it is good to keep a check on the health of your gums and teeth as problems with oral health could be symptomatic of other health problems such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes.