The Chicago cosmetic dentists at LPS Dental offer a number of effective solutions for whitening and brightening your smile. They can work with you to determine the best treatment plan for your needs and goals. Porcelain veneers, for example, provide a permanent solution to hide cracked or stained teeth — while maintaining your natural tooth structure and preventing further damage. No-prep veneers, on the other hand, are a less-invasive option.
Endodontic infection is a frequent complication of root canal treatment and is associated with spontaneous pain, tenderness to percussion and exudation of the pulp tissue [26]. Correlations have been found between the quantity of lipoteichoic acid (LTA) present in an infected endodontic canal and clinical symptoms such as pain, spontaneous healing failure, exudate or periapical radiolucent areas. [27, 28] However, the role of LTA as a virulence factor has received less attention than the role of the more well-characterized LPS.
LPS binding to TLR4 elicits a series of signaling pathways that promote inflammatory responses in dental pulp cells. These responses involve activation of NF-kB, the inflammatory response mediators IL-1 and IL-6, and upregulation of the expression of the proinflammatory cytokine IL-8. LPS also induces production of the cell adhesion molecules ICAM and VCAM in odontoblast-like cells and macrophages and osteoclasts, respectively. It also promotes the expression of the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) in odontoblast-like cells, and its overexpression leads to oxidative stress, cellular dysfunction and increased permeability [29].
Aside from triggering inflammatory responses, LPS can alter DNA methylation, which plays an important role in gene regulation. The mRNA level of DNA methyltransferase 3B (DNMT3B) is decreased after LPS treatment and DNMT1 knockdown. This deregulation is associated with upregulation of mRNA of the microRNA 146a-5p, which is related to pulp inflammation.
Henry Schein, the world’s largest provider of healthcare products and services to office-based dental and medical practitioners, has acquired a majority ownership interest in Large Practice Sales LLC (LPS), an advisory firm that advises independent dental practices on their sale or partnership. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. LPS co-founders Chip Fichtner and Matt Wilkins, who will remain in their roles as head of development and head of operations and transaction execution, will retain a minority ownership interest.
LPS Dental enables clinicians of all specialties to monetize their dental practices for cash today at today’s low tax rates. The company then allows them to continue operating the practice under their own brand, name, team and strategy for years or decades, enabling them to grow faster and achieve greater success. For more information, visit the LPS Dental website.