Pi Dental Center publishes a monthly newsletter reviewing recent events at Pi Dental Center and highlighting important issues that pertain to patient dental/medical health.

"Board Certified Prosthodontists Combat Dental Adhesive Scare With Practical Options," provides information about zinc in denture adhesives.

"ACP Father-Son Team," reports on Dr. Thomas and Stephen Balshi's lecture in Melbourne, Florida.

"Oral Bisphosphonate Use And Prevalence Of Osteonecrosis Of The Jaw," discusses the results of a study conducted at the University of Southern California.

"Tooth Brushing Can Prevent A Heart Attack," outlines findings from a study conducted at the University at Buffalo.

In the twentieth century, the common prosthetic solution for severely compromised dental conditions was removal of decayed and periodontally hopeless teeth and the application of dentures.  Never an ideal solution, dentures prescribed by a skilled clinician and manufactured by a quality laboratory, could at least be somewhat esthetic, somewhat functional, and somewhat reliable.  Removable teeth that sleep in a glass stood for decades as a viable solution, and smart denture wearers sought out the best adhesives for assistance in keeping their teeth comfortably snug by day.
 
Recent widespread consumer alerts that excessive zinc in denture adhesives may weaken limbs and/or disturb proper balance have denture patients clearly on edge.  Product manufacturers insist that proper usage off these products is totally safe and that only in circumstances where dentures are loose or ill fitting and excessive denture cream is used, could a patient's overall health be at risk.
 
The American College of Prosthodontists recommends that denture patients visit their dentist to ensure that the denture is relined to fit the anatomically changing ridge as best as possible.  This minimizes the need for large doses of adhesives in the mouth and reduces the risk of injury.
 
Drs. Tom Balshi and Glenn Wolfinger, board certified prosthodontists at the Pi Dental Center in Fort Washington, take the recommendation one step further. Twenty-first century state of the art smile solutions with dental implants completely eliminate both the need for dentures and dependence on adhesives.  New very affordable permanent smiles can be achieved with minimally invasive treatment in a single clinical visit, rejuvenating the face as well as providing non-removable teeth that look and function sometimes even better than the natural born smile.
 
For additional information on dental implant care or on completely avoiding excessive zinc intake via adhesives, contact the Pi Dental Care Center.

ACP Fellow Dr. Thomas Balshi, founder of Fort Washington's Pi Dental Center and his son, Mr. Stephen Balshi, a biomedical engineer and CEO of CM Ceramics and also a member of the American College of Prosthodontists, received crystal "Space Coast" clocks in Melbourne, Florida after delivering a full day lecture on the topic of successful dental implant treatment for individuals missing substantial bone.

The father and son team presented essentials of their trademarked Teeth In A Day protocol to the Brevard County Dental Society, composed of dental specialists from all areas of the profession. In addition they capped off the day with the introduction of the "Stability Star," a biomedically engineered system for creating esthetic, healthy smiles without the need for bone grafting.

Researches reported last week that people with the most germ-ridden mouths are the most likely to have heart attacks. A study comparing heart attack victims to healthy volunteers found that heart patients had higher numbers of bacteria in their mouths.
 
These findings add to a growing body of evidence linking oral hygiene with overall health.  Oelisoa Andriankaja and colleagues at the University at Buffalo in New York were trying to learn whether any particular species of bacteria might be causing heart attacks. They found that the people who had the most bacteria of all types in their mouths were the most likely to have had heart attacks.
 
Andriankaja stated, "Even though some specific periodontal pathogens have been found to be associated with an increased risk of coronary heart disease, the total bacterial pathogenic burden is more important than the type of bacteria.  In other words, the total number is more important than one single organism." Doctors are not sure how bacteria may be linked with heart attacks but several studies have shown an association between gum disease and heart disease. Bacteria may set off general inflammation that in turn causes blood to clot.
 
If you have not had an oral hygiene cleaning recently, call our center (215-646-6334) to schedule your appointment.

Osteonecrosis (ONJ) is a condition where the jawbones suffer literal bone death through infection and rotting. The condition develops when the jaw fails to heal after minor trauma such as a tooth extraction that results in bone exposure. Causes include exposure to bisphosphonates such as used in cancer treatment or osteoperosis medication such as Fosamax, Bonivel, or Actonel.
 
Initial reports of osteonecrosis of the jaw secondary to bisphosphonate therapy indicated that patients receiving these medications orally were at a negligible risk compared to patients receiving them intravenously.  The Journal of the American Dental Association reported on the authors of a study conducted at the University of Southern California.  They found that ONJ is more common than previously believed.
 
The authors queried an electronic medical record system to determine the number of patients with a history of bisphosphonate use who were receiving treatment for ONJ.  They found that of the 208 patients with a history of bisphosphonate use, nine had active ONJ and were being treated in the school's clinics. The patients represented 4 percent of the population.  Further studies of this type will help to determine the relationship between ONJ and bisphosphonates.