4 ms·

Finally something to advance dental technology :) I wonder how much existing practices, who are invested in repair and especially cleaning of teeth feel about

Finally something to advance dental technology :) I wonder how much existing practices, who are invested in repair and especially cleaning of teeth feel about possibilities to permanently repair teeth. There are other advances such as the one with laser stimulation.

Eric_WVGG 10y ago
There’s also a new stem cell treatment that could make root canals obsolete. http://www.popsci.com/end-root-canals http://www.popsci.com/end-root-canals https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=12026614 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=12026614
- lj3 10y ago
  This one is far more exciting to me. The idea that we can re-create dentin from stem cells with functioning nerves and everything is crazy.
- fourstar 10y ago
  I've talked to most of the researchers studying this particular method. We won't be seeing anything in practice for another 50 years by what some of them claim.
- desireco42 10y ago
  I know about that. It will be years before it becomes available. The only way this will come to market faster is if the emerging market as China or some other country, Japan for example, adopt it and start using it. Japan comes to mind as I heard that they actually try to treat root canals overthere.
blacksmith_tb 10y ago
There's Silver Nitrate / Silver Diamine Fluoride [1] which appear to be as effective as drilling + filling cavities. Of course, they are also much, much cheaper, so they will cut into that average $160K/yr salary for dentists in the US... 1: http://www.dentistryiq.com/articles/2016/07/the-dos-and-don-ts-of-silver-diamine-fluoride.html http://www.dentistryiq.com/articles/2016/07/the-dos-and-don-...
- radicalbyte 10y ago
  I think that the reluctance has more to do with the side effects: according to that article it can stain skin and turns teeth black. Think of the lawsuits :(
- porpoisemonkey 10y ago
  > Of course, they are also much, much cheaper, so they will cut into that average $160K/yr salary for dentists in the US... I doubt that this makes much of an impact. Cavities aren't really a money maker for dentists and inadequacies inherent to the repair process mean that you'll almost certainly need more expensive work later on. The only way to really "beat" the dentists is to avoid enamel loss and calculus formation through proper cleaning technique and regular dental cleanings. https://www.animated-teeth.com/dental_insurance/a-dental-costs.htm https://www.animated-teeth.com/dental_insurance/a-dental-cos... Most dentists in the US are private practice which makes for a competitive market that prides itself on the quality of its customer care. If you really want to be worried about someone coming to take your hard earned money I'd be concerned about the growing incorporation of dentistry offices in the US. http://www.dentaleconomics.com/articles/print/volume-105/issue-4/macroeconomics/the-future-of-dental-practice-demographics-patients-professionals-and-procedures.html http://www.dentaleconomics.com/articles/print/volume-105/iss...

Eric_WVGG 10y ago

There’s also a new stem cell treatment that could make root canals obsolete. http://www.popsci.com/end-root-canals http://www.popsci.com/end-root-canals https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=12026614 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=12026614

lj3 10y ago
This one is far more exciting to me. The idea that we can re-create dentin from stem cells with functioning nerves and everything is crazy.
fourstar 10y ago
I've talked to most of the researchers studying this particular method. We won't be seeing anything in practice for another 50 years by what some of them claim.
desireco42 10y ago
I know about that. It will be years before it becomes available. The only way this will come to market faster is if the emerging market as China or some other country, Japan for example, adopt it and start using it. Japan comes to mind as I heard that they actually try to treat root canals overthere.

blacksmith_tb 10y ago

There's Silver Nitrate / Silver Diamine Fluoride [1] which appear to be as effective as drilling + filling cavities. Of course, they are also much, much cheaper, so they will cut into that average $160K/yr salary for dentists in the US... 1: http://www.dentistryiq.com/articles/2016/07/the-dos-and-don-ts-of-silver-diamine-fluoride.html http://www.dentistryiq.com/articles/2016/07/the-dos-and-don-...

radicalbyte 10y ago
I think that the reluctance has more to do with the side effects: according to that article it can stain skin and turns teeth black. Think of the lawsuits :(
porpoisemonkey 10y ago
> Of course, they are also much, much cheaper, so they will cut into that average $160K/yr salary for dentists in the US... I doubt that this makes much of an impact. Cavities aren't really a money maker for dentists and inadequacies inherent to the repair process mean that you'll almost certainly need more expensive work later on. The only way to really "beat" the dentists is to avoid enamel loss and calculus formation through proper cleaning technique and regular dental cleanings. https://www.animated-teeth.com/dental_insurance/a-dental-costs.htm https://www.animated-teeth.com/dental_insurance/a-dental-cos... Most dentists in the US are private practice which makes for a competitive market that prides itself on the quality of its customer care. If you really want to be worried about someone coming to take your hard earned money I'd be concerned about the growing incorporation of dentistry offices in the US. http://www.dentaleconomics.com/articles/print/volume-105/issue-4/macroeconomics/the-future-of-dental-practice-demographics-patients-professionals-and-procedures.html http://www.dentaleconomics.com/articles/print/volume-105/iss...