Dear Restoratives Insider,
Whitening may prevent biofilm buildup on restored teeth, according to the findings of a new study. Restorations bleached with 35% hydrogen peroxide and 15% carbamide peroxide had significantly lower levels of biofilm than those left untreated. Read more in our Insider Exclusive.
Also in the Restoratives Community, a recent study found that tooth-colored restorations have a 58% five-year survival rate in residents of long-term care facilities. The researchers called this failure rate reasonable and noted that it was comparable to other older adults. Restorations are especially important for residents of long-term care facilities because they help residents maintain their oral and overall health.
The number of people with allergies is rising, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology. Researchers looked at what dental materials were frequently associated with contact allergies, and several restorative materials made the list. Metals, including amalgam, accounted for the largest percentage of contact allergy complaints. Other common materials associated with contact allergies included cosmetics, composites, drugs, and plastic.
Have you tried using a laser to remove a restoration? In a case report, Dr. Timothy Anderson detailed how he used a laser to remove a crown in a 52-year-old patient. He explained some of the advantages, including increased precision and saved time.
Finally, mercury exposure during amalgam removal procedures may be seven times higher than the limits recommended by some occupational safety organizations. Four general dentists were worried that conventional testing methods missed a hidden source of mercury vapor. When they conducted their own study, the dentists were shocked by the results.
