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USE
OF MOLECULAR ROBOTS IN DENTISTRY
In a recent issue of Journal of the American Dental Association
(J.A.D.A. 2000 ;131:1559 – 1568) they evidence that 2 new
companies have entered this area with the precise proposal
of producing micro molecules that contain electronic
components. The novelty is in the fact that these components
will be extremely small: in fact we are speaking of “nanometers”.
The development of Nanodentistry in the next few years
will make maintaining “almost perfect” dental health possible.
The nano-computers that will be produced, will be introduced
directly into our organism and will be able to communicate
directly with other computers, situated externally to which
they will give signals, and in turn receive external signals
.The use of these devices-in the dental field-will be revolutionary.
Here are a few examples:
1.) ANESTHESIA – Nano-robots introduced by the dentist
will be able to arrive directly to the pulp through
dentinal tubules. They will be guided from outside to inside,
using a combination of chemical gradients and differences
in temperature. In this way, we can avoid the use of anesthesia
through injection, using instead a colloidal suspension
that contains different nano-robots, that are simply instilled
on the patients gums and then guided externally to proceed
to the inside of the tooth.
2.) CAVITIES – For cavities they are trying to find
a way to produce nano-robots, capable of identifying and
destroying pathogens that are responsible for caries.
3.) PERIODONTICS / ORTHODONTICS – They have thought
to produce nano-robots that are able to directly manipulate
periodontal tissues in only one session, and therefore
immediately obtain that which at the moment is usually obtained
with a therapy that takes months or years.
We don’t exactly know with precision when Nanodentistry will
be available. The only thing that is certain is that there
are two companies that have entered this area, and that they
must confront ethical problems and especially the most
important question of human safety. However, the prospects
and intentions for the future are good: thanks to molecular
Nanodentistry, they foresee that 80% of the world’s population
– that at present receives no significant dental care – will
be able to receive high quality dental care, attaining an
almost perfect dental health.
PERIODONTAL DISEASE AND TOXIC HYDROGEN SULFIDE METABOLITES
In
a recent issue of Journal of Periodontology – the official
journal of the American Academy of Periodontology ( 2001;
72 : 74-78 ) – there was a study that showed the relationship
between Periodontal disease and toxic hydrogen sulfide
metabolites, produced by pathogens underneath the gums.
Using a complex chemical molecule ( benzoyl-DL-arginine-naphthylamide
), they have applied a chemical test called BANA test, based
on finding the presence of specific bacteria in the subgingival
plaque. Such bacteria are able to hydrolyze BANA. In particular,
they have reached the following conclusions:
-
The
more advanced the Periodontal disease the higher
is the presence of the sulfide compounds in the
gingival pockets. The level of sulfide - that is produced
in these pockets of different severity and depth - was
measured using a particular monitor.
-
There
is a direct proportionality between BANA-test and the
increase of sulfide in the gingival pocket. This means
that: greater the increase in bacteria that hydrolize
the BANA, greater the increase of the quantity of sulfide.
This
study – in my opinion – is very interesting. What can we deduct
from it? It is evident that - in periodontal pockets - sulfide
is produced. Until recently, we knew that in the posterior
part of the tongue sulfide is produced, so that – in the year
2000 – one of the basic instructions that we tried to give
to our patients was to brush not only the teeth, but also
the tongue. Now that we know that sulfide is also formed in
periodontal pockets it is even more important to understand
that the toothbrush must be inclined at a 45° angle between
the teeth and the gums when brushing, to try to remove subgingival
plaque. In fact this plaque produces molecules that give off
bad odors. If plaque that is present hasn’t produced serious
lesions, these problems are very easy for the dentist to resolve
with non surgical methods. If the subgingival plaque has produced
severe damage, such as periodontal and/or bone pockets that
are externally invisible, it is very often opportune to intervene
surgically. In this way, we can fight bacteria and
lesions that were produced - and therefore – also the production
of sulfide compounds and the common problem of cronic halitosis.
SMOKING
AND PERIODONTAL HEALING
A study
that appeared in the Journal of Periodontology in January
2001 ( 2001; 72:43-49 ) demonstrated that smoking had
a negative influence on healing mechanisms after
periodontal surgical procedures. Why?
-
Smoking seems to reduce the level of salivary
IgA and serum IGg antibodies, whose action
is turned towards fighting PREVOTELLA INTERMEDIA and FUSOBACTERIUM
NUCLEATUM bacteria.
-
Smoking also reduces the number of helper lymphocytes.
Various other studies have demonstrated in vitro that
nicotine increases collagenase activity (enzymes
that destroy collagen, that is important for a good grip
to the root.) At the same time, it inhibits the production
of type I collagen, that enters to become part of
a whole.
-
In the bone, smoking blocks the proliferation of
osteoblasts ( cells that produce new bone) and
instead activates osteoclasts ( cells which destroy
bone ).
-
Carbon monoxide that is introduced with cigarette
smoke limits the quantity of oxygen available,
with the consequent phenomena of Ischemia ( reduced flow
of oxygen ). Oxygen is fundamental for all cellular
reactions: a reduced
flow slows all those physiological reactions that
are required for a good healing.
Moral
( in my modest opinion ):
When you undergo periodontal surgical or implant procedures,
try to limit the use of tobacco, or better yet suspend
altogether. You will heal sooner, the results will last
longer and your money will also be better spent.
In fact in the United States I have personally heard that
implants done on patients that are die-hard smokers have a
35% chance of failure compared to non smokers. Aside from
pulmonary damage, that we already knew,I think that this should
be a good enough reason to stop smoking or - at least- turn
into a “social smoker”. Think about it….
NEW
MEDICAL PROOF ABOUT THE CORRELATION BETWEEN EMOTIONS AND HEALTH
At
Betsheda – in Maryland – a recent meeting was held, in which
they tried to evidence how emotions can in some ways
influence the state of health and of disease. Doctors,
scientists, microbiologists and psychologists from every part
of the world underlined that this is not merely a “New Age
tendency”, but something scientifically proven and demonstrated.
In fact only in recent times have researchers started to seriously
take into consideration the mechanisms by which the mind and
body “translate” emotions into real physical responses, that
are capable of contrasting illnesses. All this is so scientific,
that the Meeting was supported by the U.S. National Institutes
of Health. Personally, I am very happy that Official Medicine
gradually starts to take a scientific conscience even with
things that seem to be less explainable. I am so happy that
– for further SCIENTIFIC CURIOSITY – before this summer, I
will return to the MIND/BODY MEDICAL INSTITUTE of HARVARD.
In my life in fact, I am convinced that a good doctor should
not limit him/herself to cure only the pathology, but the
individual as a whole. Aside from gums and implants, I hope
to return to speak to you about novelties in this fascinating
field of Medicine, which is that of Mind/Body inter-relation
and Neuro-Psycho-Immunology. I’ll return to speak about
this later.
VIDEO
NEWS RELEASES
This
is an interesting link to various professional educational
VIDEOS, prepared by the American Academy of Periodontology.
This association – of which I am also a Member – has the purpose
of globally diffusing Science and knowledge of Periodontology.
To view these films, you must possess Real Player.
ENJOY!
Click here: http://www.perio.org/consumer/ftm.html#video
The
"News" will be updated from time to time. Try to visit this
site periodically, in the same way I will try to return to
Harvard as often as possible, or to obtain information at
a distance. If you can,try to "review" even the static sections
of the web-site itself. As the Latins said : "Repetita iuvant"
(=repeated things, help). And maybe - in this case- "new things"
and "repeated things" will help you make constructive connections
and perhaps prevent more serious problems or costly cures,
dental or non ! For news on previous
months – stored in the archives – click
here
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