Latest news with #dentists
Health Line
2 days ago
- Health
- Health Line
Does Osteoporosis Affect Your Teeth?
Teeth are not bones, so they are not directly affected by osteoporosis. However, osteoporosis can lead to jaw damage, which in turn can cause serious dental problems. Osteoporosis is a bone disease resulting in the loss of bone mass and density. It can lead to weak bones, which increases the risk of fractures. Like many people with osteoporosis, you may wonder if it will affect your teeth. The short answer is: not directly. Since your teeth aren't actually bones, osteoporosis itself doesn't change your teeth's health or composition. Yet osteoporosis can have an indirect effect on your teeth. This is because it can cause changes to your jaw, which can affect how your teeth are held in place. In fact, osteoporosis has been associated with an increased likelihood of tooth loss for this reason. It's important to not only brush your teeth but also brush up on information about how osteoporosis may affect your oral health. We'll review what to know about how teeth and bones differ, current research on how osteoporosis affects teeth, and how treatment works. What are teeth made of? Although they do have some characteristics in common, your teeth and your bones are not made of the exact same materials. Your bones are mostly collagen and the mineral calcium phosphate. Teeth, on the other hand, consist of the following main layers: Enamel is the hard calcified tissue on the top (crown) of teeth that isn't made of living cells. Cementum is another type of hard tissue that protects a tooth's root. Dentin is below enamel and cementum, making up most of our teeth's interior and providing structure. Pulp is the innermost layer of our teeth and contains nerves and blood vessels. Osteoporosis damages your bones' ability to produce new tissue to make up their spongy interior. People may mistake teeth for bones because the whitish enamel covering the crown of your teeth looks like bone. But unlike our bones, enamel isn't made of living tissue. Research findings The link between osteoporosis and tooth loss is well-established and has been the subject of many scientific studies. These include: A study from 2017 also found that postmenopausal women in South India were more likely to experience tooth loss if they had developed osteoporosis. A 2024 systematic review concluded that osteoporosis is associated not only with loss of bone density in the jaw area but also with periodontal disease and tooth loss. A 2024 study showed that osteoporosis is associated with loss of bone in the alveolar process (the bone structure that holds the roots of your teeth in place), leading to tooth loss. Another 2024 study of postmenopausal women saw an association between vertebral fractures and tooth loss. Researchers are pretty clear that osteoporosis and tooth loss are connected, but they are still investigating the exact nature of that connection. A key theory for the link is that as osteoporosis progresses, your jawbone also weakens and loses some of its density. When the jawbone weakens, teeth begin to lose some of their stability. These jawbone changes may affect tooth alignment, damaging their roots and causing oral health complications. Osteoporosis medications and teeth If you take medication for osteoporosis, be sure to talk with your doctor about its possible effects on your teeth. Be aware that medications that strengthen bones can sometimes cause damage to your jawbone. The treatment most commonly prescribed for people with osteoporosis is bisphosphonate therapy. Bisphosphonates, which can be administered orally (by mouth) or intravenously (through a vein), can help strengthen your bones and ward off future fractures. Many people also take calcium or vitamin D with bisphosphonates, according to the American College of Rheumatology. But there's a risk to your jaw and teeth when you take bisphosphonates. This type of treatment has been linked to the development of a rare degenerative complication called osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ). According to the Endocrine Society, the risk of developing ONJ is highest after dental surgery. It tends to occur more frequently in people who have undergone 'high dose, long-term therapy, as might be given during cancer treatment.' Keeping bones and teeth healthy One of the most important things you can do is prioritize the health of your bones and teeth by maintaining habits that contribute to their overall well-being. Some key factors include: eating a b alanced diet making sure you get 800 to 1000 IU of vitamin D each day aiming for 1,000 to 1,200 milligrams of calcium each day not smoking, or considering quitting smoking if you currently smoke limiting your consumption of alcohol being physically active — the World Health Organization (WHO) has exercise guidelines by age group If you're having trouble getting enough calcium or vitamin D from the foods that you eat, talk with your doctor or a nutritionist about taking a supplement. Make sure you always take supplements as directed. Proper dental hygiene is essential for the long-term health of your teeth. The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends the following: Brush your teeth thoroughly twice a day for 2 minutes per session. Use toothpaste containing fluoride when brushing your teeth. Clean between your teeth daily (including flossing, interdental brushes, and others). Limit your intake of sugary beverages and snacks. Aim to visit your dentist for regular checkups. Let your dentist know if you're taking an antiresorptive agent, like a bisphosphonate, so they can accommodate it in your treatment plan — especially if you'll be undergoing any surgical procedures like a tooth extraction. You likely won't need to stop taking your osteoporosis treatment or skip the procedure, according to the ADA, but your dentist may need to make some accommodations. Know your risk Prioritizing and monitoring oral health can be especially important if you have existing dental health concerns or if you have certain risk factors for osteoporosis. Your chances of developing osteoporosis increase as you get older. Women tend to be at elevated risk, and the loss of estrogen that occurs with menopause can also contribute. Treating osteoporosis Currently, there's no cure for osteoporosis, so prevention remains the best strategy. However, there are several osteoporosis management and treatment options, according to 2018 research. Certain drugs for osteoporosis aim to prevent bone loss (antiresorptive medications), while others seek to regrow bone (anabolic medications). Both classes of drugs aim to increase bone density and lower your chance of fractures. Depending on your specific needs and health, your doctor might advise taking the following: Bisphosphonate medications. These are usually the first medications prescribed for postmenopausal women, and they work by slowing the breakdown of bone. Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs), also known as estrogen agonists, are a class of medications that also treat osteoporosis in women and other conditions like breast cancer. Most commonly, SERMS, raloxifene, is used to treat these conditions. Hormone replacement therapy. These drugs are synthetic versions of our naturally occurring hormones. Since loss of estrogen due to menopause can contribute to osteoporosis, estrogen therapy can help, although it's often not the first-line treatment. Testosterone therapy is sometimes used similarly for osteoporosis in men. Calcitonin. This is a synthetic version of a hormone your thyroid gland produces that regulates calcium. It comes in a nasal spray and is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treating osteoporosis in certain postmenopausal women. Antibody medications. Also called biologics, these can slow the breakdown of bone and encourage new bone formation. The two available drugs are denosumab and romosozumab, both administered through injections. Parathyroid hormone therapies. Parathyroid hormones (PTHs) increase bone density and strength, helping prevent fractures. The PTH injectable medications teriparatide and abaloparatide are both FDA-approved to treat osteoporosis. Calcium and vitamin D supplements. These are essential for building and maintaining strong bones (and teeth). Physical therapy (PT) is also often used to treat osteoporosis and aims to strengthen muscle and bone to prevent future fractures (or recover from fractures). A PT exercise regimen will be tailored specifically to your health needs. It can be done in a few minutes per day at home or at regular sessions with your physical therapist. Takeaway Teeth are not bones, so they aren't directly affected by osteoporosis. However, osteoporosis can affect your teeth indirectly by causing changes or damage to your jawbone. Maintaining healthy habits promotes bone and oral health in the long term. This includes not smoking, eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and practicing proper dental hygiene.
News.com.au
3 days ago
- Business
- News.com.au
Health regulator crackdowns on cosmetic injectables industry
Healthcare regulators in Australia have brought in new guidelines for dentists and nurses who perform non-surgical cosmetic injections, aiming to safeguard the public from practitioners who prioritise profits over patient safety. On Tuesday, the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) released new rules requiring healthcare practitioners to undergo additional education and training before conducting cosmetic procedures such as botulinum toxin injections (Botox) and filler injections. They also introduce minimum experience requirements for nurses wishing to work with injectables, saying that they must have at least one year's full-time experience as a nurse outside of non-surgical cosmetic procedures. For years, nurses and dentists have operated in the billion-dollar cosmetic injectable industry without needing to complete any formal extra training or education before injecting patients with neurotoxins such as anti-wrinkle injections. While many practitioners in the industry operate safely and comply with existing laws, regulators have flagged rising concerns about unqualified providers and inadequate oversight in some sectors. Crackdown on influencer testimonials and ads The new changes also stipulate that advertisements for cosmetic injectables must include the details of the registered practitioner who will perform the procedures. Targeted ads directed at minors will also be banned, along with testimonials from social media influencers, who will no longer be eligible for free or discounted cosmetic injectable treatments. Justin Untersteiner, CEO of AHPRA, noted that not all cosmetic injectors would be pleased with the stricter regulations and he expected some would decide to leave the industry, according to ABC. 'There will be others who have to modify their business models and modify their practices to meet these guidelines,' he said. 'This is a growing industry and, I've got to say, what we do see in some cases is that there are people out there putting profit before patient safety.' Nurses and dentists will need to implement the changes before September to ensure they are compliant with the new rules, which are in line with those already in place for doctors. '(After that) we will be identifying those that are doing the wrong thing and we will take action where we need to,' Mr Untersteiner said. Increase in 'dodgy' Botox There has been a recent spike in cases involving unregistered practitioners and clinics using off-brand or outdated dermal fillers and anti-wrinkle injections on patients, resulting in multiple hospitalisations after patients fell ill with botulism. In January, three people were treated in intensive care for suspected botulism, a potentially fatal illness, after reportedly receiving unregulated anti-wrinkle treatments at a home. Dr Jeremy McAnulty, Executive Director of Health Protection at NSW Health, issued a health warning to those thinking about anti-wrinkle injections, highlighting the risks and side effects associated with unregulated cosmetic injections. In March, a cosmetic clinic in Sydney received a health warning due to its 'highly concerning' infection-control practices. The NSW Health Care Complaints Commission (HCCC) advised clients to undergo testing for possible exposure to bloodborne viruses, including hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and HIV. Speedy telehealth calls The new federal guidelines mark the latest action by state and federal regulators, who have been ramping up their stance on cosmetic injectable providers. Many injectable businesses across the country are operated by nurses who administer the injections, often stock prescription fillers and anti-wrinkle injections like anti-wrinkle injections on-site, and organise telehealth consultations for their patients so doctors can remotely prescribe the products. A report by The Age in March revealed that these telehealth consultations saw doctors spend as little as 52 seconds with patients before writing a script for anti-wrinkle injections and fillers. While the new guidelines don't specify how long doctors and nurses must spend talking with patients before prescribing injectables, they do state that practitioners must conduct detailed evaluations, including assessing the patient to ensure expectations are realistic. They should also discuss alternative options with patients and complete a lengthy checklist to confirm that patients have provided proper consent. Peak body for cosmetic plastic surgery in Australia responds Dr Lily Vrtik, a specialist plastic surgeon and President of the Australasian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS), welcomes the change but argues that more needs to be done. 'Non-surgical cosmetic procedures are growing rapidly in popularity, yet regulation and clinical standards have not been keeping pace,' Dr Vrtik said. While ASAPS 'welcomes the call by AHPRA for the requirement of appropriate education, training, experience, and ongoing education,' they need to crack down further on Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements. 'CPD is a condition of health professional registration,' she explained. 'Practitioners who perform cosmetic injectable procedures should undertake regular, evidence-based training updates that are specific to cosmetic medicine and that include a strong emphasis on ethical practice. 'These new guidelines now stipulate that CPD should be in the area of their practice (i.e. cosmetic medicine), but alarmingly, there is no minimum quality standard for the CPD educational activity and no plan for enforcement.'
ABC News
3 days ago
- General
- ABC News
New rules for nurses, dentists performing cosmetic injectables
Nurses and dentists have been operating in the cosmetic injectable industry for years without being required to undertake any formal additional education or training. ( ABC News: Jake Sturmer )
ABC News
4 days ago
- Business
- ABC News
Health practitioner regulator gets tough on cosmetic injectable industry to protect patient safety
The Australian health practitioner regulator has introduced sweeping new guidelines for dentists and nurses performing non-surgical cosmetic injectable procedures, in a bid to better protect the public from players putting profits ahead of patient safety. The new rules released by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) today mandate further education and training before healthcare practitioners can perform cosmetic procedures like botox and filler injections. They also introduce minimum periods of experience required for nurses wanting to work with injectables. Nurses and dentists have been operating in the billion dollar cosmetic injectable industry for years without being required to undertake any formal additional education or training, before injecting patients with neurotoxins like botox. While many have become highly skilled at the practice, there's concern clearer rules are needed for those wanting to enter the industry to ensure they have enough training. Under the changes, advertisements will be required to include the details of the registered practitioner performing the procedures. Testimonials from social media influencers will be banned, along with targeted advertising of cosmetic procedures to minors. AHPRA CEO Justin Untersteiner said not all cosmetic injectors would be happy with the tighter rules and expected some would choose to leave the industry under the changes. "There will be others who have to modify their business models, and modify their practices to meet these guidelines," he said. Nurses and dentists have until September to prepare for the changes and ensure they are compliant with the new guidelines, which align with those already in place for doctors. "[After that] we will be identifying those that are doing the wrong thing and we will take action where we need to," he said. There's been a recent spate of cases of non-registered practitioners and clinics using off-brand or out-of-date dermal fillers and botox on patients leading to multiple hospitalisations after patients became ill with botulism. The NSW Health Care Complaints Commission (HCCC) warned patients of a Sydney cosmetic clinic to be tested for blood borne viruses after finding evidence that non-registered staff were injecting patients with dermal fillers and botox. The new federal guidelines are the latest salvo from state and federal regulators, who have been cracking down on cosmetic injectable providers, throwing some clinics into chaos as they scramble to ensure they comply with regulations. Many injectable businesses around the country are run by nurses who do the injecting, and often hold supplies of prescription fillers and anti-wrinkle injections like botox on site, and arrange telehealth consults for their patients so doctors can remotely prescribe the products. Recent guidance released in Queensland has made it clear the practice isn't legal unless the nurse is a Nurse Practitioner with prescribing rights and additional qualifications, or there's a doctor on site. State pharmaceutical and poisons regulators in both NSW and Queensland have also been conducting compliance checks on clinics, monitoring the possession and storage of schedule 4 medications like botox and fillers. AHPRA said it was concerned some telehealth practitioners weren't meeting their professional obligations, after media reports revealed patients were sometimes being issued botox scripts in less than a minute. The new guidance from AHPRA reinforced practitioners were responsible for understanding relevant state and federal drugs and poisons laws, and that those who prescribed cosmetic injectables were still responsible for the patients, regardless of whether or not they performed the procedure. The guidelines also mandate written information must be given to the patient, including the health practitioner who prescribed the cosmetic injectable, the practitioner who performed the procedure, details of the products used, what aftercare was needed, and who is responsible for coordinating the patient's care. From September, nurses will be required to complete a set period of 12 months of full-time practice before expanding their scope to include non-surgical cosmetic procedures. The guidelines state further education will be necessary for those practitioners wanting to work with cosmetic injectables. Those practitioners will need training in anatomy and physiology, education in assessing patients for suitability for the procedure, and both theoretical and hands-on training in the specific procedure being offered. While AHPRA CEO Justin Untersteiner said there had always been an obligation for practitioners to ensure they had appropriate skills, the new rules were "really making it crystal clear" about what it expected for those sorts of procedures. "That will likely require specific training around facial anatomy or physiology and I can tell you that is not a weekend course, this is proper training that will be required," Mr Untersteiner said. He said the regulator had heard multiple cases of permanent irreversible facial nerve damage as well as potentially life-threatening strokes from cosmetic injectables. "All registered health practitioners are responsible for ensuring they are sufficiently educated, trained and competent to safely undertake any cosmetic procedure they may perform." Do you have a story to share? Email Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia chair, Veronica Casey, welcomed the new guidelines and said the safety of the Australian public was paramount. "These types of procedures are undertaken every day and can have serious consequences if not done correctly," she said. The new AHPRA regulations outline that "registered health practitioners must also disclose any financial interests that could be perceived as influencing the advice they provide to people about cosmetic procedures". Some doctors and nurses working in cosmetic injectable clinics operate on commission-based models, meaning the more work done or greater the volume of product injected, the more money they stand to make from a consultation. But whether commission-based models need to be disclosed to patients will be subject to clinician's judgement and assessed by the regulator on a "case-by-case basis". It is illegal to advertise almost all prescription medications or related services including cosmetic injectables, with the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) responsible for regulation. Despite this, cosmetic clinics have been widely flouting advertising rules for years on social media and their own websites. The TGA said it had recently sent around 100 "targeted guidance letters" to providers in the cosmetic injectables industry, following identification of alleged non-compliance and that more will follow "in the coming weeks". The agency said in a statement that last financial year it submitted over 12,000 requests for removal to social media platforms over the alleged unlawful advertising of therapeutic goods, including "over 2,500 advertisements relating to cosmetic injectable products". The AHPRA guidelines now state any imagery used in advertising of higher-risk cosmetic procedures must be focused on information or education, citing concerns advertising was promoting the "trivialization and glamourisation" of cosmetic procedures to vulnerable patients, especially on social media. Examples of features more likely to be considered entertainment included imagery like music, dancing, singing, or comedic comments. It comes almost four years after a joint ABC and Sydney Morning Herald investigation revealed a shocking video of two doctors dancing while performing liposuction on an unconscious patient, which led to a crackdown on the cosmetic surgery industry. Under the new injectables guidelines there will be a total ban on targeted advertising towards patients under 18, as well as a mandatory seven-day cooling off period between the first consultation and any procedures for minors. Patients considering cosmetic injectables have been encouraged to check if a health practitioner is registered on the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency website.
Associated Press
23-05-2025
- Health
- Associated Press
Who is a Good Candidate for Zygomatic Implants?
NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / May 23, 2025 / If a dentist has told you that traditional implants may not be viable to restore your upper teeth, you're not stuck with dentures as your only option. Zygomatic dental implants skip right over the jawbone and use the zygomatic bone - the cheekbone - to anchor your implants instead. You might be a candidate if you need to replace upper teeth and can't get traditional dental implants in Waycross, GA. Below, you'll learn a few things dentists consider when seeing if zygomatic implants are the right tooth replacement solution. 1. You don't have enough jawbone for traditional upper implants Traditional implants need a strong, healthy jawbone to provide a sturdy base. Zygomatic implants use the zygomatic bone, which is very strong and doesn't erode due to missing teeth. That makes zygomatic implants a common implant alternative for patients who don't have a strong upper jawbone. Yet the implants themselves will look, feel, and function like your natural teeth. 2. You don't want additional procedures If you don't have a strong enough jawbone, you'll need a bone graft and potentially a sinus lift (which also entails a bone graft) to create space for the implant. Bone grafts take a week or so to heal, but it takes months for your jawbone to grow more bone around the graft. These procedures are surgical and invasive, too. Patients who prefer to reduce the number of invasive procedures and keep the timeline as short as possible may instead ask for zygomatic implants. You'll need tooth extractions if any teeth remain, but healing time post-extraction is far faster than bone grafts and sinus lifts. 3. You need to replace most or all of your upper teeth Dentists generally won't do zygomatic implants to replace one or two teeth. They're reserved for restoring your entire upper set of teeth, whether you're missing multiple or all teeth. What's great about zygomatic implants is you only need a few actual implants to replace all upper teeth. And, if possible, dentists may use some traditional implants strategically for maximum support and restoration. If you've been weighing the pros and cons of a root canal vs. implant for an infected tooth, but most of your upper teeth are missing, zygomatic implants may be the right option may be the right option. 4. You want a fixed, long-term solution Dentures may be quicker and cost less, but not everyone wants the downsides. You may not want to deal with potential clicking, slipping, nightly removal and cleaning, and regular adjustments. Zygomatic implants fuse to the cheekbone for a stable upper arch restoration that looks, feels, and functions like natural teeth. Zygomatic implants also better preserve your jawbone and facial structure, unlike dentures, thanks to the indirect stimulation they provide. They distribute chewing forces throughout your mouth and face a lot more like natural teeth than dentures do, even though they aren't attached to the jawbone. If combined with traditional implants, the jawbone gets plenty more stimulation. 5. You're in good overall health Zygomatic implants are a surgical procedure, so although jawbone health isn't as critical, overall health can be. It makes healing and dealing with the typical side effects of dental implants much easier, increasing implant success and reducing your risk of complications during recovery. You'll likely be a good candidate if your oral health is in good shape, you don't smoke, and you don't have underlying conditions like uncontrolled diabetes or autoimmune conditions. Your dentist will get this information from you during the consultation, and if you see a different specialist for the surgery, that specialist will understand your health history as well. Learn more about your dental implant options Zygomatic dental implants, like traditional implants, aren't for everyone. Your dentist might recommend them if you don't have enough upper jawbone, yet need to replace your full upper arch with a long-term solution. The surgery itself is a bit more advanced than traditional implants but the process and results are much the same. But speaking with your dentist is the only way to see if it's right for you. They'll help you figure out the best treatment, whether that's zygomatic implants or something else, so you can get on the path toward a restored smile. Contact Information: Name: Sonakshi Murze Email: [email protected] Job Title: Manager SOURCE: iQuanti press release
