Why Choose Mini Dental Implants

    by Benjamin D. Oppenheimer, DDS

When David came in to see me he had just been laid off from work, and the prospect of going on interviews with two missing teeth was overwhelming. When he asked about mini-implants he was shocked to learn they cost 50% less than regular implants and wanted to know why.

Approximately 50,000,000 people in the U.S. are "edentulous" (lacking teeth) and struggle daily with embarrassment due to missing teeth and discomfort due to loose or ill-fitting dentures, disagreeable breath, and the inability to enjoy the foods they love.

While dental implants come in a variety of brands and sizes, mini dental implants (MDIs) have becoming increasingly popular due to improved technology and lower cost. An MDI is a miniature titanium screw that acts like the root of your tooth, is very thin and small in diameter, and easy to implant even in thin bone. MDIs can also be used to connect or cement to a crown or bridge, so they are fixed in place instead of having to be removed like a denture.  Sometimes they are used to replace one or more teeth, or an entire arch of teeth.

Today MDIs are FDA approved, and able to function as long-term supporting structures, rather than short-term or medium term devices. In fact, some have been successfully functioning in patients' jaws for several decades. But it is important to understand that all implant systems, as well as natural teeth,  are subject to potential failure due to natural causes, including osteoporosis, poor oral hygiene, wear and tear, poor health, stressful biting habits, and lack of follow-up dental care. MDI implants, like regular dental implants, do not carry any actual or implied guarantee as to longevity. However, the loss of a mini dental implant is a far less critical event to a patient since it may be replaced at relatively minimal cost compared to conventional implants, and with minimal associated bone or gum deterioration.

Mini dental implants are surprisingly affordable, are usually available at a fraction of the cost of traditional implants, and have been changing the lives of patients all over the world. Meanwhile, Dave couldn’t be happier. He says, “Mini dental implants are really affordable, and cost me a fraction of what I would have paid for traditional implants. It was painless and I’m really happy!”

About the Author:
Benjamin D. Oppenheimer, DDS provides both regular and mini dental implants (MDIS). He has lectured to thousands of dentists all over the world, and has written extensively on the subject, and placed thousands of dental implants in his career. He sees patients at his office at 2000 Eggert Road in Amherst. To learn more visit www.drmdi.com. To schedule a free consultation and obtain information about a personalized treatment plan call 716-418-7272.

Roswell Park Cancer Institute Announces Vaccine for Cancer

Dendritic cell vaccine, manufactured in unique RPCI facility, trains body’s defenses to remember, destroy cancer cells

STORY HIGHLIGHTS: 

New dendritic cell vaccine designed to kill cancer cells, prevent relapse

Vaccine will be made at RPCI using a unique FDA-approved process

First study to test a dendritic vaccine given in combination with rapamycin

MEDIA CONTACT: 

Annie Deck-Miller, Senior Media Relations Manager
716-845-8593; annie.deck-miller@roswellpark.org

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

The Center for Immunotherapy at Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI) has launched a phase I clinical research study of a dendritic cell vaccine designed to both eradicate cancer cells and prevent disease relapse. Developed at RPCI, the NY-ESO-1 dendritic cell vaccine will be manufactured in the Institute’s new Therapeutic Cell Production Facility using a unique FDA-approved process — making RPCI the first research facility in the U.S. to use a custom-made barrier isolator for vaccine cell production, and the first in the world to use this system in an approved, government-regulated study.

Dendritic cells are the gatekeepers of the human immune system, defending against invaders like bacteria, viruses and cancer. The vaccine to be produced at RPCI will be the first to incorporate a particular form of NY-ESO-1, antiDEC205-NY-ESO-1. “Armed with this specialized protein, the treated cells are then given back to the patient as a vaccine designed to recruit an army of killer immune cells that seek out and destroy cancer,” explains Kunle Odunsi, MD, PhD, Director of RPCI’s Center for Immunotherapy (CFI) and the study’s Principal Investigator.

The new study is also unique in that it’s the first to test a dendritic vaccine given in combination with rapamycin, a compound used to prevent rejection of solid-organ transplant. The study just launched will capitalize on a striking recent scientific discovery by Protul Shrikant, PhD, of the Department of Immunology at RPCI, who found that in low doses, rapamycin confers a previously unknown benefit — it prevents the immune system from using up its cancer-killing T-cells in one quick burst. “We have shown for the first time that rapamycin has the capacity to produce immune cells that have memory attributes,” explains Dr. Odunsi, who is also Chair of RPCI’s Department of Gynecologic Oncology. “The immune cells are trained to live longer and to always remember that cancer cells are bad and should be attacked and killed.”

The ability to stretch out the attack for a long-term, durable response suggests that the vaccine may be effective in preventing disease recurrence. The new NY-ESO-1 dendritic cell vaccine is expected to show great promise in patients with bladder, brain, breast, esophageal, gastrointestinal, hepatocellular, kidney, lung, melanoma, ovarian, prostate, sarcoma and uterine tumors.

The NY-ESO-1 vaccine, tailor-made for each patient, will be produced in RPCI’s Therapeutic Cell Production Facility (TCPF) under the direction of Yeong “Christopher” Choi, PhD, who notes: “We believe that our facility’s custom-made barrier isolator, the unit in which the vaccines are manufactured, is the first of its kind.” The barrier isolator — an Xvivo System processing chamber designed to RPCI’s specifications by BioSpherix, Ltd., Lacona, NY — maintains strict control of the unit’s temperature and atmospheric gases, critical for optimal production of dendritic cell vaccines.

“Those conditions, and the sterile vaccine-manufacturing environment, are rigidly maintained throughout the entire process,” says Dr. Choi. “The Xvivo — which at about 70 square feet is basically a clean room in a box — acts as a physical barrier that protects the cell-therapy product from outside contaminants, resulting in a safer, more predictable manufacturing process.”

The potential of therapeutic vaccines is attracting increasing interest in the field of oncology. Last year, the FDA approved the first therapeutic cancer vaccine, Provenge® (sipuleucel-T), for men with advanced prostate cancer. RPCI’s Center for Immunotherapy is awaiting FDA approval to launch additional cancer vaccine trials, including a vaccine for malignant glioma (a type of brain tumor) and another vaccine for patients with ovarian, fallopian tube, and primary peritoneal cancer.

“This trial will be only the beginning of a very robust program of activity in the area of using the human immune system to fight cancer,” adds Dr. Odunsi. “Our production process holds tremendous potential for applications related to stem-cell therapy and regenerative medicine, and I believe we’re uniquely positioned at RPCI to have the tools, infrastructure and multidisciplinary collaboration to capitalize on these ideas and opportunities both effectively and efficiently.”

The clinical research study will enroll 18-20 eligible patients whose tumors express a specific antigen, known as NY-ESO-1. Apart from the adult male testis, NY-ESO-1 is not expressed in normal tissues of the body, but is expressed in cancers. This may help decrease the risk of side effects from the vaccine, because it should target only the tissues that express NY-ESO-1.

Dr. Odunsi, who developed the NY-ESO-1 vaccine, led previous trials evaluating its effectiveness in treating ovarian cancer. Christine Sable of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, enrolled on one of those studies in February of 2004, after undergoing surgery and chemotherapy for advanced-stage ovarian cancer. Although she faced a 75-80% chance that the cancer would return, her immune system responded strongly to the vaccine, and she has remained cancer-free in the seven years since then, with no side effects.

To learn more about the clinical research studies of the NY-ESO-1 dendritic cell vaccine, call 1-877-ASK-RPCI (1-877-275-7724).

The mission of Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI) is to understand, prevent and cure cancer. RPCI, founded in 1898, was one of the first cancer centers in the country to be named a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center and remains the only facility with this designation in Upstate New York. The Institute is a member of the prestigious National Comprehensive Cancer Network, an alliance of the nation’s leading cancer centers; maintains affiliate sites; and is a partner in national and international collaborative programs. For more information, visit RPCI’s website at http://www.roswellpark.org, call 1-877-ASK-RPCI (1-877-275-7724) or email askrpci@roswellpark.org.

More information:

B-roll video (QuickTime H.264 1920x1080, 329 MB) available for download at:https://files.me.com/rpcicreative/wn2kxt.mov

About this clinical trial: http://www.roswellpark.org/clinical-trials/list/191511

Hiding in Plain Sight: Incognito Braces!

How important is your smile?  Rochester-based firm Harris Interactive polled 1,000 people ages 18-54 to explore the importance of a good smile in business, relationships, and self-esteem. The results may surprise you: 

•            85% think a good smile is important in attracting a new partner

•            75% think it’s important for getting a new job

•            90% were “very likely” to notice a smile in a first meeting

•            71% said a nice smile makes it easier to make friends

•            86% think people with good teeth are more attractive

•            33% said they would not kiss someone with bad teeth

Today, a good smile is easier to come by.  For those who need braces, the days of clunky metal brackets, or “train tracks,” may be numbered. Although traditional braces are still commonly used, more people are choosing to have their teeth straightened with innovative new technologies.

One of the newest trends in orthodontics has been the development of invisible braces.  There are two main types.  One is on the front of the teeth, while the other newer technology utilizes “lingual” behind-the-teeth braces. Lingual braces are extremely popular with teens and adults who want the benefits of orthodontics without anyone knowing they are being treated.  They also provide an option for those who wish to have hidden braces for career purposes, such as actors, TV broadcasters, and celebrities.  But anyone can benefit, since appearance may be important to success and career development in many fields. This may be why 1 in 5 people wearing braces today are adults!

Cosmetic concerns aren’t the only reason that people need braces. One local orthodontist Dr. Kathryn Rand says she sees many adult and adolescent patients who have a malocclusion, or bad bite. She says teeth that don’t align correctly often wear down quickly, resulting in abnormal tooth surfaces, difficulty chewing, and damage to supporting bone and gum tissue, all of which may result in the need to have teeth crowned in later years. Fortunately, healthy teeth can be moved at any age, so lingual braces can help prevent future expensive dental treatments while still allowing for a normal lifestyle.

In addition to offering traditional treatment options, Dr. Rand is the only orthodontist in the area to offer “Incognito” lingual braces. She also travels frequently, educating other orthodontists in the use of Incognito braces. She states that patients who choose lingual braces benefit from completely customized braces that are unique to their individual situation. Patients report optimal comfort while undergoing treatment and they love having the braces hidden behind their teeth.

If you have concerns about your teeth, talk to your family dentist. Orthodontic treatment is a viable option for almost anyone, young or old, and can fit in with your current lifestyle – you can sing, play a musical instrument, dine out, kiss, and even have your picture taken!  And for many patients, braces can be hidden from plain sight by choosing behind-the-teeth braces.

Dr. Kathryn Rand is a professor of orthodontics at UB. She maintains an orthodontic practice, and is the exclusive provider of 3M Incognito Braces in the Buffalo Niagara region.  For more information visit www.hiddenbraces.com. To arrange for a free consultation with Dr. Rand call 675-0155.

Erie County Department of Senior Services Tools for Caregivers Classes

Register Now for Powerful Tools for Caregiver Classes
in Amherst, Buffalo, Hamburg, Kenmore

            A six-week educational program designed to provide caregivers the tools needed for taking care of themselves is now being offered.  Through six 2 1/2 hour sessions held on a weekly basis, caregivers learn to reduce stress, improve self-confidence, better communicate feelings, and locate helpful resources.  Attendees also learn how to increase their ability to make tough decisions and balance their lives.  Pre-Registration is required - Call 858-2177or e-mail caregiver@erie.gov for more information about Powerful Tools for Caregivers Classes and to register.  There is a $25 cost for the course, which includes a copy of The Caregiver Helpbook*

*Complete course cost is covered for all Blue Cross/Blue Shield of WNY and Independent Health members.   

** Course cost at this location is covered in full by CHF Cultural Diversity Grant funding for those that are uninsured.

            Additional classes are being scheduled. For more information or to register, contact: Erie County Department of Senior Services at 858-2177 or e-mail: caregiver@erie.gov Class listing is also on our website at:erie.gov/depts/seniorservices.

 

 

Schofield Residence 3333 Elmwood Ave., Kenmore	Thurs.	March 1 – April 5, 2012 10 am – 12:30 pm
VA WNY Healthcare System Northtown Business Center 3131 Sheridan Dr., Amherst FREE Respite care for the memory impaired is offered at this class – inquire at registration	Tues.	March 8 – April 12, 2012 6:00 -8:30 pm
Amherst Senior Center 370 John James Audubon Pkwy., Amherst FREE Respite care for the memory impaired is offered at this class – inquire at registration	Mon.	March 19 – April 23, 2012 12:30 pm – 3 pm
Hispanics United of Buffalo** 254 Virginia St., Buffalo 14201 (This class will be conducted in Spanish)	Wed.	March 21 – April 25, 2012 4:00 – 6:30 pm
ElderWood Village at Rosewood 76 Buffalo St., Hamburg 14075	Tues.	May 15 – June 19, 2012 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm

WNY Genome Project and What It Means to You

Imagine being able to examine your genetic makeup to determine if you are likely to develop a disease. Imagine being able to receive treatment and medication designed specifically for you in the most effective dose.

One of the most important aspects of modern medicine is genetics, or the science of genes and heredity and what makes us different from one another. The genetic makeup (genome) for one individual is the entirety of that person’s hereditary information.  Now imagine the ability to compile and analyze the genome of an entire community to examine the predispositions of its members to common diseases like cancer, diabetes, heart disease, multiple sclerosis, lupus or hypertension (high blood pressure).

In December Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI) was granted $5.1 million by Governor Cuomo to lead a project that will do just that, and Donald L. Trump, MD, RPCI President and CEO, is thrilled. He predicts, “The RPCI Genome Project will significantly enhance our ability to develop personalized, more effective medical care plans and treatments for citizens of Western New York and beyond, but it is just a beginning.” 

Dr. Trump explains, “The project will begin with cancer, where we already have experience and infrastructure, including a large database of individuals. One goal is to individualize and personalize treatments. For example, anticoagulant drugs may be dosed differently based on how each individual metabolizes the drug. Another is tamoxifen, a well-documented drug for breast cancer prevention. We need to determine which patients are most likely to benefit from specific drugs and determine appropriate individualized dosages to minimize side effects. Ultimately, the goal is to expand our capability well past cancer and develop effective and customized treatments for all individuals.”

With this pilot funding, 1,000 area residents will be asked to donate a blood sample and provide detailed medical information. Patients’ privacy will be fully protected and their data will not be shared with insurance companies or serve as a basis for denying coverage based on their predisposition to a disease. In fact, only the health care provider and the individual themselves will have access to the information.

So what else is so exciting about the project? Dr. Trump says, “It will mean many jobs for Western New Yorkers, significantly boosting our economy.” Meanwhile, recruitment for a Project leader is underway, and people with cancer expertise, data collection and analysis will also be needed. Dr. Trump adds, “We also know that it will attract more money to our region, as happened with the genome project in Tampa, Florida at the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center, where the Merck Pharmaceutical company invested $100 million in a similar endeavor.”

So why was Western New York selected? Dr. Trump says it’s because of our region’s cutting-edge science and technology, broad partnerships with many constituents, and the potential for job growth and economically rewarding partnerships.

Dr. Trump and Deputy Director Candace Johnson, PhD, will lead the RPCI Genome Project as Co-Principal Investigators. Partners include the University at Buffalo, Kaleida Health, the Catholic Health System, Erie County Medical Center, HealthNow/BlueCross BlueShield, Independent Health, Univera Healthcare, The P2 Collaborative and HEALTHeLINK. For more information visit roswellpark.org, call 1-877-ASK-RPCI or send an email inquiry to askrpci@roswellpark.org.

Managing Chronic Health Conditions Wirelessly in Buffalo

Regardless of age, sex, ethnicity, race, education or location, the number of Americans who are obese, diabetic or suffer from heart and other chronic diseases continues to rise. Now new wireless mobile technology has the potential to improve patient health and wellbeing.  And best of all – the patient doesn’t even need to operate or understand the technology, and it’s available right here in Buffalo!

So how does it work? Brian Egan, CEO of Advantage Home Telehealth (ADHT), explains that a telehealth kit, which includes a smartphone, telehealth software, and devices to monitor vital signs like blood pressure, weight, blood oxygen, and glucose are brought to a patient’s home.  The smartphone sits discreetly in a cradle, while the individual can take their vital signs from anywhere in their home.  Readings are immediately sent wirelessly from the vital sign device into the smartphone to the patient’s health record. If irregularities are detected, the clinical monitoring center is alerted and a call is made to the patient.  Symptoms, including diet and exercise changes are reviewed.

Patients can also be reminded to check their vital signs. The telehealth kit can be used anywhere – at work  school or while on vacation. And for those who have trouble managing multiple medications, a teleview medication unit is available that allows pills to be viewed remotely while in the tray. The patient is reminded to take the medication, and alerts are sent to the monitoring center if a pill is missed.

W. Cline, a local ADHT patient, said, “Of the many positive experiences that I had since having my vital signs monitored by ADHT was after a dialysis treatment. My blood pressure was low, and within minutes an RN from the ADHT clinical call center contacted me to ask how I was feeling. He asked me to take my blood pressure again. I felt cared for, and reassured knowing that someone was monitoring my vital signs, and providing me with helpful coaching.”

Egan is very excited about the technology and says, “Remote monitoring is particularly beneficial for people with chronic illnesses, who want to remain at home. It is helpful to those who live in rural and remote areas and decreased access to healthcare facilities.” Even more important is the peace of mind remote monitoring offers to the overwhelming number of people who are sandwiched in between balancing a busy work life, while caring for their immediate and extended families.

It is estimated that there are 69 million caretakers in the United States. Now, thanks to the proliferation of mobile products and services, ease-of-use and continued innovation by the wireless industry, the use of remote home monitoring has the potential to revolutionize our healthcare system.  Even more significant is that Western New Yorkers can access this technology to improve their lives and the lives of their loved ones right now.

ADHT provides comprehensive technology and services for individuals, insurance companies, physician groups, hospitals, clinics, visiting nurse associations and other health care providers serving patients with health conditions and medication management requirements locally and nationally. A monthly fee is charged based upon the vital sign devices and medication monitoring devices needed. For a free trial see www.givehomehealth.com.

WNY Resource:

Advantage Home Telehealth, Inc.
The Innovation Center at the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus

640 Ellicott Street, Suite 400

Buffalo, New York 14203

www.advtelehealth.com
www.givehomehealth.com

(716) 218-7169

Support Available for Those Looking to Start New Year Tobacco-Free

BUFFALO, NY — There are close to 3 million smokers in New York State, and about three-quarters of them say they want to quit. A new advertising campaign will remind New Yorkers about the risks of smoking and the free, 24/7 services that can help them keep a resolution to quit tobacco for good.

The campaign consists of two television commercials that will air throughout January. The ads, Doesn’t Kill and Emphysema, show the physical damage cigarettes can cause to people who smoke. Local New Voice Club members who have had their voice box removed as a result of smoking are living examples of the impacts highlighted in the ads. “It’s very depressing to live like this,” says Joe Corbi, one of three New Voice Club members featured in companion videos. “It’s changed my life financially and emotionally, and has affected my family.”

The ads also direct smokers to the services available through the New York State Smokers’ Quitline (1-866-NY-QUITS). The Quitline, based at Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI), provides free quit coaching and nicotine patches to New York residents who want to stop smoking or using tobacco. The spots, along with companion videos featuring interviews with New Voice Club members who offer smokers quit advice and encouragement and share their experience of losing their ability to speak as a result of past tobacco use, can be viewed at the Quitline website: http://www.nysmokefree.com/Subpage.aspx?P=50&P1=5030.

“So many tobacco users are ready to quit and finally overcome their nicotine addiction at this time of year; support from friends family and the Smokers’ Quitline can make the difference in helping them quit for good,” says Andrew Hyland, PhD, Chair of RPCI’s Department of Health Behavior and Director of the New York State Smokers’ Quitline.

Services available through the Quitline include a free nicotine patch starter kit, quit coaching, self-help materials, motivational messages and daily tips. The Quitline can be reached at 1-866-NY-QUITS (1-866-697-8487) Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. until 9 p.m., and Friday through Sunday, 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. (taped messages of support available in off-hours). An online smoke-free community is available 24/7 athttp://www.nysmokefree.org, and additional tips and resources can be found at http://www.facebook.com/NYQuits andhttps://twitter.com/nysmokefree.

The mission of Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI) is to understand, prevent and cure cancer. RPCI, founded in 1898, was one of the first cancer centers in the country to be named a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center and remains the only facility with this designation in Upstate New York. The Institute is a member of the prestigious National Comprehensive Cancer Network, an alliance of the nation’s leading cancer centers; maintains affiliate sites; and is a partner in national and international collaborative programs. For more information, visit RPCI’s website at http://www.roswellpark.org, call 1-877-ASK-RPCI (1-877-275-7724) or emailaskrpci@roswellpark.org.

Editor’s note: Experts from Roswell Park Cancer Institute and members of the New Voice Club of the Niagara Frontier are available to discuss cessation and the effects of tobacco use. Contact Annie Deck-Miller at 716-845-8593 or annie.deck-miller@roswellpark.org to schedule an interview.