Dr Don Anderson - Ballarat Dentist

14/02/2026

Amalgam has saved billions of teeth over the years.

Clock is ticking on dental amalgam: ADA fights for its survival

The familiar silver filling may soon become a thing of the past… 😮
As the world moves to eliminate mercury from health care, dental amalgam is facing global pressure — and the American Dental Association (ADA) is fighting to keep it alive.

Why does this matter?
🦷 Amalgam is strong, long-lasting, and affordable
🌍 Environmental groups want mercury phased out
💰 Composite fillings cost more and may not work for every patient
⚖️ ADA says there’s no solid scientific proof amalgam causes long-term harm

The debate heated up after the Indian Health Service announced it will stop using amalgam by 2027, following decisions linked to the Minamata Convention on Mercury, which aims for a global phase-out by 2034.

But here’s the real question:
👉 Will banning amalgam protect the planet… or hurt low-income patients who rely on affordable dental care?

This isn’t just about fillings — it’s about science, access, and equity in oral health. And the outcome could reshape dentistry worldwide.

🌐 Read the full story on Dental News Pakistan's Website.

📲 Follow Dental News Pakistan on WhatsApp for trusted dental updates:
👉 Join our WhatsApp community

19/12/2025

If you have any concerns over our break, please call the surgery number and Robyn will help you out.
See you all in 2026 🥰

23/09/2025

Goodness and they throw so many of them in the bin 😂

What if the key to curing multiple diseases was hiding in your mouth? Scientists have revealed that stem cells extracted from wisdom teeth are like “medical gold,” holding incredible potential to treat a wide range of conditions.

These stem cells are highly versatile, capable of regenerating damaged tissue, repairing nerves, and even supporting treatments for heart disease, diabetes, and neurodegenerative disorders. Unlike other stem cell sources, wisdom teeth are easy to access, and harvesting them is minimally invasive, making them an ideal resource for regenerative medicine.

Researchers believe these cells could revolutionize personalized medicine. From repairing injured tissues to potentially fighting chronic illnesses, the possibilities are enormous. By banking wisdom tooth stem cells early, individuals could have access to their own natural, powerful medical toolkit later in life.

This breakthrough highlights a simple but powerful idea: your body may already contain the tools to heal itself. The future of medicine might be right inside your mouth, waiting to be unlocked.
s:

26/08/2025

This would be great but I won't hold my breath just yet 😊

🦷 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗗𝗿𝘂𝗴 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗛𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝗛𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘀 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄 𝗧𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗵 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆

✨ Imagine losing a tooth — and growing it back, just like magic. Scientists in Japan have officially started human trials of TRG-035, a groundbreaking drug that could change dentistry forever.

🔬 How it works?
TRG-035 blocks a protein called USAG-1, which normally stops teeth from regrowing. By switching it off, the body can reactivate natural pathways to regrow lost teeth.

🐭 From animals to humans:
Tests in mice and ferrets already showed new teeth growing back completely. Encouraged by these results, researchers are now testing the drug in humans — a historic leap in regenerative dentistry.

🌍 Why it matters:
If successful, this treatment could one day replace dentures, implants, and bridges. It may help:
✔️ Adults who lost teeth due to decay or accidents
✔️ Patients with birth conditions like tooth agenesis
✔️ Elderly people struggling with tooth loss

💬 Dr. Katsu Takahashi of Kyoto University says:
“Dentistry has relied on artificial replacements for decades. With TRG-035, we aim to restore real, living teeth.”

📅 Trials are expected to continue through 2025, with hopes that this therapy could reach patients before the decade ends.

🚀 The future of dentistry may mean no more fake teeth — only natural ones growing back!

FULL STORY: https://www.dentalnews.pk/25-Aug-2025/teeth-regrowth-drug-trg035

📲 Follow Dental News Pakistan on WhatsApp for trusted updates, research, and expert insights!
👉 https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029Vb2RYEE8qJ02L1iUAt0W

08/08/2025

Just an example of why it is better to get checked regularly. If we find anything it will be smaller and cheaper....

08/08/2025

What is a Dental Abscess?

By Cashmere Lashkari, B.Sc.

An abscess is a confined pocket of pus that builds up within the body. A dental abscess forms within the teeth, in the gums or even the bone holding the tooth in place. A periapical abscess is located at the end of a tooth. A periodontal abscess is located in the gums.

Both are caused by a bacterial infection and tend to be quite painful. A dental abscess should be shown to a dentist immediately, as it will not heal on its own. It will need medical intervention and treatment. Also if it is not contained, it may spread to other parts of the mouth.

In rare cases, the abscess may not be painful. The individual may not seek medical help immediately if this is the case. However, it can be extremely damaging to the body if the pus is not drained out. The area will grow worse as it becomes swollen and causes bleeding in the mouth.

How is a Dental Abscess Caused?
If an infection is detected by the body’s immune system, it sends white blood cells to the location. As these cells combine with the infected cells in the tissue, they create the yellowish fluid known as pus. As the pus continues to accumulate in the affected area, the swollen lump of the abscess is formed.

The formation of a dental abscess is triggered by many different types of microbes. They are usually anaerobes such as anaerobic cocci, Prevotella, Fusobacterium species, and facultative anaerobes, such as viridans group streptococciand the Streptococcus anginosus group.

These are identified as pathogens by the immune system and the white blood cells are activated to combat them. The resulting inflammation is painful to the patient and can cause a number of associated dental conditions.

How is a Periapical Abscess Formed?
A periapical abscess is formed when bacteria in the plaque infects the enamel of the tooth. It results in the formation of tiny holes caused by the tooth decay, known as dental caries. The caries goes through the enamel and dentine, which is the soft layer of tissue under the enamel.

By this stage, the tooth is sensitive to hot and cold food or drink, which triggers a painful sensation. Should the caries still not be treated, it will reach the pulp or centre of the tooth. Pulpitis is the condition where the pulp chamber is infected.

If still not treated, the infected pus in the pulp will reach the alveolar bone. This is the bone in the jaw which surrounds and supports the tooth. The infection will infiltrate the bone and the periapical abscess will be formed. This is even more painful than having caries on the enamel and dentine.

How is a Periodontal Abscess Formed?
The tissue in the gum which is infected by the bacteria in plaque will soon become red and swollen. As the infection spreads through the gum, the area around the root of the tooth becomes inflamed. The tooth separates from the gum causing a gap between them.

The space between the tooth and the inflamed gum is called a periodontal pocket. It is here that the bacteria begin to multiply. The white blood cells rush to fight the colonization of the bacteria and a pocket of pus is formed.

As the quantity of pus begins to build up in the periodontal pocket, an abscess is formed. Besides infections, periodontal abscesses can be caused due to dental procedures that accidentally create periodontal pockets. Even without periodontitis, gum damage may occur leading to the formation of a periodontal abscess.

Treating Dental Abscesses
The pus in the abscess has to be removed surgically. For a periapical abscess, a root canal treatment will allow the dentist to drain the pus from the pulp of the tooth. Then a filling will be inserted to ensure there is no space for bacterial infection to reoccur. In some cases, the decay may be so much that the tooth may have cracked and broken into pieces. The only option here is to have the tooth extracted completely.

For a periodontal abscess, the dentist will remove the diseased tissue, then attempt to reshape the gum in order to eliminate the periodontal pocket. A thorough cleansing of the gum and the teeth will be done to ensure that there is no remnant of the plaque in the mouth before the reshaping attempt is made. Antibiotics and painkillers may be prescribed if there is a need.

In order to reduce the pain from the dental abscess, it is best to put as little pressure on it as possible. Avoid extremely hot or cold food and drink. Try and restrict the diet to soft foods, which should be chewed on the opposite side of the mouth from the abscess. Also use a soft bristled toothbrush and do not floss in the area around the abscess.

08/08/2025

We are taking a wee break from Monday 11th August to Tuesday 19th August.
Ring the surgery number and Robyn will be answering the phone for appointments, questions or help.
Keep on flossing 😊

25/06/2025

24 June 2025
Loneliness in seniors linked to oral health problems

With the population of adults 65 and older on the rise and projected to keep climbing, researchers are finding new health problems that are affecting the aging population. While common health issues like heart disease and cancer are typically what you think of, another problem facing older adults is loneliness and its effect on overall health and well-being.

Adams School of Dentistry’s Jane Weintraub, DDS, MPH, recently collaborated on a paper published in the journal Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology that links poor oral health with loneliness in older adults. Findings from the 2018 Health and Retirement Study (HRS) indicate that loneliness, life satisfaction, and other psychological and social stressors may influence whether older adults visit the dentist regularly or experience edentulism, or the loss of all teeth.

Loneliness has been linked to other poor health outcomes, as well, including stroke and reduced quality of life, and increased risk of mortality. Weintraub said among older adults, life changes like retirement, reduced income, loss of dental insurance, and physical and cognitive disabilities may lead to decreased social interaction and less frequent use of dental services.

“[In our analyses,] we found that older adults who experienced loneliness and other psychosocial stressors were more likely to report fair or poor oral health, worse oral health quality of life, and had greater odds of being edentulous or not having a recent dental visit compared to their more socially connected counterparts,” Weintraub said.

This association may be due to behaviors such as people avoiding social gatherings and shared meals if they are experiencing a toothache, have missing or loose teeth or wear poorly fitting dentures that make chewing difficult. Additionally, feelings of embarrassment about the appearance of their teeth may discourage them from engaging with others socially.

Researchers reported that while loneliness could be remedied through group-based educational programs and shared activities, the emotional aspects of loneliness remain hard to address and could require a more individualized approach when it comes to patient care.

“Oral health providers should consider using validated, brief screening tools to assess loneliness and other psychosocial risk factors – especially for edentulous patients and those who do not make routine dental visits,” Weintraub said. “Caregivers can also play a role by asking socially isolated loved ones if they feel lonely, have any dental pain or need help scheduling a dental check-up.”

In addition, the researchers recommended that social workers with patients experiencing loneliness should ask about oral health during sessions and refer patients to oral health providers when appropriate.

The study included data from more than 4,700 participants aged 50 and above, using self-reported surveys to assess their psychosocial well-being, beliefs, and lifestyle. These measures included factors like loneliness, life satisfaction, perceived age, and chronic stressors. Researchers then conducted a latent class analysis (LCA) to identify distinct patterns of psychosocial stressors and resources among participants.

Three distinct groups emerged:

“Satisfied/Connected” (47% of participants), who reported high levels of well-being and social support and were more likely to have both teeth and a recent dental visit.
“Satisfied/Lonely” (28%), who, despite being satisfied with life, struggled with loneliness, leading to higher odds of edentulism and fewer dental visits.
“Unsatisfied/Lonely” (25%), who exhibited the most psychosocial stressors, were the least likely to visit a dentist, and had the highest rates of complete tooth loss.
The study found that adults in the “Satisfied/Lonely” and “Unsatisfied/Lonely” groups were significantly more likely to be edentulous or miss recent dental appointments compared to those in the “Satisfied/Connected” group. Specifically, those in the “Satisfied/Lonely” class had 1.29 times greater odds of being edentulous and 1.26 times greater odds of not visiting a dentist in the past two years.

The research team also published a study using the same LCA in atheme issue on loneliness in the journal Frontiers in Public Health. This analysis leveraged dental survey data available in the 2018 HRS-dental experimental module. Loneliness was associated with worse self-rated oral health status and oral health-related quality of life.

“Oral health is connected to and an integral part of overall health and well-being. Loneliness is a potentially modifiable social determinant of health that can be intervened upon to enhance social connections” said Tracy Finlayson, PhD, professor of Public Health at San Diego State University and lead author on the papers.

The findings suggest that addressing loneliness and other psychosocial factors could improve the oral health of older adults. Health providers are urged to consider these factors in their care plans, and policymakers are encouraged to develop programs to better support the psychosocial well-being of seniors.

24/06/2025

24/06/2025

I think they were just not flossing 😊

Viking skulls reveal severe morbidity

Date:
February 21, 2025
Source:
University of Gothenburg
Summary:
Sweden's Viking Age population appears to have suffered from severe oral and maxillofacial disease, sinus and ear infections, osteoarthritis, and much more. This is shown in a study in which Viking skulls were examined using modern X-ray techniques.
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FULL STORY
Sweden's Viking Age population appears to have suffered from severe oral and maxillofacial disease, sinus and ear infections, osteoarthritis, and much more. This is shown in a study from the University of Gothenburg in which Viking skulls were examined using modern X-ray techniques.

About a year ago saw the publication of research based on the examination of a large number of teeth from the Viking Age population of Varnhem in the Swedish province of Västergötland. Varnhem is known for its thousands of ancient graves and excavations of well-preserved skeletons.

Now, odontologists at the University of Gothenburg have taken this research further, looking at not only teeth but also entire skulls, by using modern computed tomography, also known as CT scans.

Detailed image analysis

The results presented in British Dental Journal Open suggest that the fifteen individuals whose skulls were examined suffered from a broad range of diseases. The CT scans show pathological bone growths in the cranium and jawbone, revealing infections and other conditions.

Several individuals showed signs of having suffered from sinus or ear infections that left traces in the adjacent bone structures. Signs of osteoarthritis and various dental diseases were also found. All the skulls came from adults who died between 20 and 60 years of age.

The study lead, Carolina Bertilsson, is an assistant researcher at the University of Gothenburg and a dentist within Sweden's Public Dental Service. The study was performed with specialists in dental radiology at the University of Gothenburg and an archaeologist from Västergötlands museum.

Together, they conducted the examinations and analyzed the images. CT scans provide three-dimensional images that enable researchers to study in detail the various types of skeletal damage, layer by layer, in the different parts of the skull.

Greater understanding

"There was much to look at. We found many signs of disease in these individuals. Exactly why we don't know. While we can't study the damage in the soft tissue because it's no longer there, we can see the traces left in the skeletal structures," says Carolina Bertilsson, and continues:

"The results of the study provide greater understanding of these people's health and wellbeing. Everyone knows what it's like to have pain somewhere, you can get quite desperate for help. But back then, they didn't have the medical and dental care we do, or the kind of pain relief -- and antibiotics -- we now have. If you developed an infection, it could stick around for a long time."

The study is described as a pilot study. One important aspect was to test CT as a method for future and more extensive studies."Very many of today's archaeological methods are invasive, with the need to remove bone or other tissue for analysis. This way, we can keep the remains completely intact yet still extract a great deal of information," says Carolina Bertilsson.

24/06/2025

It is not an easy job and mental health has long been an issue in dentistry.

Three quarters of dental professionals said they have continued to work despite a negative impact on their mental health in a new survey.

24/06/2025

Some reasonable tips.
It is important to get your gums checked regularly to stop irreversible damage to your socket.

Protect your teeth as you age with expert advice on gum disease prevention, managing medication-induced dry mouth, and finding affordable dental care options for seniors.