3-D Printer Makes Bone-Like Material
It looks like bone. It feels like bone. For the most part, it acts like bone. And it came off an inkjet printer. Washington State University researchers have used a 3D printer to create a bone-like material and structure that can be used in orthopedic procedures, dental work, and to deliver medicine for treating osteoporosis. Paired with actual bone, it acts as a scaffold for new bone to grow on and ultimately dissolves with no apparent ill effects. The authors report on successful in vitro tests in the journal Dental Materials and say they're already seeing promising results with in vivo tests on rats and rabbits.
HPV Vaccination Change Is A Good Thing, Says British Dental Health Foundation
The Government's plan to switch its Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccination from "Cervarix" to Gardasil" from Sep. 2012, has been welcomed by the British Dental Health Foundation. The leading oral health charity believes that the novel vaccine will deliver increased health benefits and prevent genital warts. In 2010, 75, 000 individuals were diagnosed with genital warts, according to the Health Protection Agency. Already, the vaccination program helps save the lives of approximately 400 individuals with cervical cancer each year.
Tooth Scaling May Lower Heart Risk While Gum Disease Predicts Type Of Risk
Two new studies give further insights into the links between mouth hygiene, gum disease and cardiovascular events. Researchers in Taiwan find that dental patients who had their teeth cleaned and scaled professionally had reduced risks of heart attack and stroke, while researchers in Sweden find that the type of periodontal or gum disease may predict degree of risks for heart attack, stroke and heart failure. Both studies are presented this week at the American Heart Association's (AHA's) Scientific Sessions 2011, which are running from 12-16 November, in Orlando, Florida.