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Dental anomalies among childhood cancer survivors differ according to type of anticancer treatment received

A study found that childhood cancer survivors who received combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy have a higher risk of dental developmental anomalies. The first signs of dental disturbances can appear within one or two years after treatment. Researchers identified specific treatments and age factors associated with increased DDA risk.

SourceThe Hebrew University of Jerusalem·JournalScientific Reports·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 5, 2022

O-pH, a new UW dental tool prototype, can spot the acidic conditions that lead to cavities

Researchers created a dental tool that measures plaque acidity using an LED light and FDA-approved chemical dye, providing dentists with early warning signs of cavity development. The device can help limit the need for specific harmful bacteria tests and educate patients about sugar's impact on oral health.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalIEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering·TypeExperimental study·DateMar 8, 2022

My, what sharp teeth

Gorgonopsians, a lineage more related to humans than dinosaurs, evolved the first complex tooth serration made of enamel and dentine, discovered in a new Harvard-led study. This finding indicates that gorgonopsians developed this specialized structure early in amniote evolution.

Atomic force microscopy reveals nanoscale dental erosion from beverages

KAIST researchers used AFM to analyze the effects of acidic and sugary drinks on human tooth enamel at the nanoscale level. The study found significant increases in surface roughness and decreases in elastic modulus with immersion time, highlighting the need for thorough studies on early-stage enamel erosion.

SourceThe Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)·JournalJournal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials·DateJul 22, 2020

Ancient reptile had mammal-like tooth enamel, study shows

A new study reveals that the Late Cretaceous reptile Priosphenodon had a unique type of tooth enamel, similar to that of mammals, which provided it with resilience against tooth wear. The researchers found that the enamel crystals in Priosphenodon were 'woven' into long threads called enamel prisms, a characteristic also found in mammals.

SourceUniversity of Alberta·JournalCurrent Biology·DateMay 12, 2020

Green in tooth and claw

A new study from Washington University in St. Louis suggests that early human ancestors could have eaten hard plant foods like nuts and seeds without causing damage to their teeth. The researchers used experiments on modern tooth enamel to demonstrate that even the hardest plant tissues barely influence microwear textures.

SourceWashington University in St. Louis·JournalScientific Reports·DateJan 17, 2020

Science snapshots from Berkeley Lab

Researchers at Berkeley Lab have made significant strides in developing a novel cancer drug that targets KRAS gene mutations, as well as chelating heavy metals with artificial proteins. Additionally, scientists have discovered a natural mechanism in human tooth enamel that prevents cracks from forming, allowing teeth to last a lifetime.

Ancient rhinos roamed the Yukon

A team of scientists has discovered ancient fossil teeth in the Yukon, which are believed to belong to a long-extinct cousin of modern rhinoceroses. The discovery provides a gap in the fossil record and sheds light on the migration patterns of animals during the Tertiary Period.

SourceUniversity of Colorado at Boulder·JournalAmerican Museum Novitates·DateOct 31, 2019

Journal of Dental Research Centennial July 2019: Fluoride Revolution and Dental Caries

The article highlights the impact of fluoride on reducing dental caries, citing studies that showed a marked reduction in caries experience in fluoridated cities compared to non-fluoridated control cities. The widespread use of fluoride toothpaste has also been credited with improving oral health and quality of life for populations wor...

Tooth decay -- drilling down to the nanoscale

Researchers from the University of Sydney have created three-dimensional maps showing the positions of atoms critical in the decay process using atom probe tomography. The study reveals magnesium-rich regions between hydroxyapatite nanorods, which play a key role in governing tooth behavior.

SourceUniversity of Sydney·JournalScience Advances·DateSep 7, 2016

A skeletal marker of physiological stress might indicate good, rather than poor, health

Researchers studied skeletons from London's St. Mary Spital cemetery, finding that stress markers like LEH were correlated with famine deaths. However, periosteal lesions on shin bones were found to be associated with normal, non-famine related deaths, contradicting previous assumptions about their significance.

SourceUniversity of South Carolina·JournalAmerican Journal of Physical Anthropology·DateMay 2, 2016

Research finds tooth enamel fast-track in humans

Research reveals that human incisors grow quickly in the second trimester of fetal development, allowing them to erupt at six months. This rapid growth is thought to be an adaptation for early weaning, as it enables babies to transition from breast milk to solid foods sooner.

SourceUniversity of Kent·JournalAmerican Journal of Physical Anthropology·DateNov 20, 2014

Hair proteins are important in tooth enamel structure

A new study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation has found a significant link between hair keratin mutations and an increased risk of dental decay. Individuals with mutations in hair keratin genes are prone to cavities, with abnormal tooth enamel structures contributing to weakness.

SourceJCI Journals·JournalJournal of Clinical Investigation·DateOct 27, 2014

Lead in teeth can tell a body's tale, UF study finds

A University of Florida study found that trace amounts of lead in human teeth can provide clues about a person's geographic origin. The discovery could help law enforcement solve cold cases by focusing investigations on specific regions based on the type and amount of lead isotopes present.

SourceUniversity of Florida·JournalThe Science of The Total Environment·DateJul 31, 2014