Scientists are reporting an advance toward the next big treatment revolution in dentistry — the era in which root canal therapy brings diseased teeth back to life, rather than leaving a “non-vital” or dead tooth in the mouth. Researchers now describe a first-of-its-kind, nano-sized dental film that shows early promise for achieving this long-sought goal.
Researchers in Spain have shown that a person’s dental patterns can be used as proof of their identity with the same degree of reliability as DNA testing, the method that forensic police use to reveal the identity of dead bodies. The researchers came to their conclusion after analyzing the dental patterns of more than 3,000 people.
People coping with body dysmorphic disorder seek out in particular plastic surgeons, orthodontists and aesthetic professionals to alleviate their suffering: “However, what they really need is psychological support and assistance,” says one expert.
A tooth-bleaching agent may improve the oral health of elderly and special-needs patients, say dentists.