Spotlight on Recent Studies

• Bacterial and Salivary Biomarkers Predict the Gingival Inflammatory Profile
• Depot Medroxyprogesterone Acetate Use and Periodontal Health in United States Women Ages 15-44
   

dentNEWS - Prof. Marita Inglehart named Fellow of the Association of Psychological Science.  Fellowship status is awarded to APS Members who made sustained outstanding contributions to the science of psychology in the areas of research, teaching, and/or application.

dentNEWS -  Wendy Kerschbaum, RDH, MA, MPH, received the ADHA Educator of the Year
award in Phoenix, AZ at the ADHA Center for Lifelong Learning conference. Kerschbaum is pictured here with ADHA Executive Director, Ann Battrell (right).

U-M News Service - Led by Dr. Darnell Kaigler, researchers from the University of Michigan School of Dentistry and the Michigan Center for Oral Health Research (MCOHR), in collaboration with Ann Arbor-based biosciences company Aastrom Biosciences, have discovered that using a patient’s stem cells to regrow craniofacial tissues may offer benefits that are currently unavailable versus traditional bone regeneration approaches.

International Team for Implantology Scholarship Center Established at U-M - Housed primarily at the Michigan Center for Oral Health Research (MCOHR), ITI Scholars will work closely with graduate students and fellows at the School of Dentistry, providing a unique interdisciplinary experience.

Interview with Dr. Russell Taichman - Cancer Stem Cells and the Hematopoietic Stem Cell Niche

Interview with Dr. Laurie McCauley - Fertilizing bone marrow helps answer why some cancers spread to bones.

Interview with Dr. Wisam Al-Rawi - 3D Dentistry

annarbor.com -  Researchers pursue a theory that may help stop oral cancer from spreading. 

U-M News Service - “Lights out: A protein may switch off cancer cells”. U-M researchers discover that the protein RIP plays a role in mediating both the life and death of squamous cell carcinoma cancer cells.

dentNEWS - American Association of Public Health Dentistry Award Winners

Recent Studies

Bacterial and Salivary Biomarkers Predict the Gingival Inflammatory Profile
Lee A, Ghaname CB, Braun TM, Sugai JV, Teles RP, Loesche WJ, Kornman KS, Giannobile WV, Kinney JS. Journal of Periodontology 2012 Jan 83(1): 79-89.

Gingivitis is a local inflammatory response to an oral infection.  Approximately 50% of the adult population has an average of 3 to 4 teeth with gingivitis.  Studies examining levels of pro-inflammatory and host regulatory biomarkers in oral fluids of different periodontal disease states have provided insight into the diagnostic and prognostic value of these fluids.  However, little is known about the value of combining a patient’s level of salivary biomarkers and presence of oral microorganisms as predictors of susceptibility to gingivitis.  This study identified salivary biomarkers IL-6 and MMP-1 which, when heightened at baseline, provide the greatest prediction of possible future gingival inflammation.  Research findings may help develop technologies to control or prevent gingivitis.

Clinical Assistant Professor Janet Kinney (left) and the first author and former graduate periodontist resident Angie Lee (right) are pictured.

Depot Medroxyprogesterone Acetate Use and Periodontal Health in United States Women Ages 15-44
Taichman LS, Sohn W, Kolenic G, Sowers MF. J Periodontol. 2012 Feb 6. [Epub ahead of print]

Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) is a highly effective long lasting injectable contraceptive. Although many women use DMPA, a large portion of DMPA users are young, non-white women of low socio-economic status with a history of smoking, and thus, may be at an increased risk for periodontal diseases. Small clinical studies suggest that progestin-only contraceptives that contain a synthetic version of the sex hormone, progesterone, negatively impact periodontal tissues. This study reports that in a large nationally representative sample, women who are using DMPA, or have used DMPA in the past, have an increased risk of poor periodontal health as compared to women who have never used the injectable DMPA contraceptive. These findings suggest that women who use DMPA contraceptives should maintain good oral health habits and seek regular dental care. Furthermore, the study suggests that progesterone and its synthetic derivatives may place a woman at greater risk for periodontal diseases.   See online article »

back to top