A preliminary study suggests that a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique called SWIFT (sweep imaging with Fourier transform) can provide a 3Dl assessment that may aid in detecting involvement of the mandible by oral cancer, according to a report in the September issue of Archives of Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery (September 2011, Vol. 137:9, pp. 916-919). Advanced squamous cell carcinoma that arises in the oral cavity frequently invades
The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has issued Biolase Technology a new patent, No. 8,002,544, “Fluid Controllable Laser Endodontic Cleaning and Disinfecting System.” The new patent relates to the use of an endodontic probe to perform disinfection procedures within the root canal. The endodontic probe can be loaded with biologically active particles, cleaning particles, biologically active agents, or cleaning agents for delivery to the target tissues, according to the company.
Henry Schein has donated a Midmark dental chair and Nomad mobile x-ray system to the new Dr. Gary I. Kondo Dental Suite at the Shriners Hospital for Children in Honolulu. The dental operatory is the first of its kind for the Shriners Hospital for Children system, which includes 22 hospitals across the U.S. The dental clinic will serve children from the state of Hawaii and the Pacific Rim, regardless of
The Texas attorney general (AG) is investigating charges of Medicaid fraud against the Smile Center, a chain of dental clinics in San Antonio, according to a blog post on the WOAI-TV website. A representative from the attorney general’s office confirmed that its Medicaid fraud control unit removed 180 boxes of records from several Smile Center locations. In addition, the agency’s civil Medicaid department has filed a complaint in civil court
Heraeus has expanded its laboratory division with the addition of nine new hires. The new hires will be responsible for the Heraeus prosthetics sales and customer care, calling on dental laboratories, dental offices, attending trade shows, and distributor management in their respective areas. The following are the new additions to the Heraeus team: Rob Conners, New England Jane Davis, Houston Mallory DiMaio, Philadelphia Brittany Freyschlag, Denver Tammy Gosse, Toronto George
PeriOptix is launching its newest micro-optics lens technology at the California Dental Association meeting this week in San Francisco. The new MicroLine Flip-Ups loupes feature a new lens design that is less than a third the size of conventional optics, yet delivers performance equivalent to loupes weighing much more, according to the company. The MicroLine loupes also have a newly designed hinge and a maximized field of vision. The patented
Medelita, a manufacturer of lab coats and medical scrubs, has signed an exclusive distribution agreement in the U.S. dental market with Henry Schein. Together, Henry Schein and Medelita will provide U.S.-based dental professionals with lab coats designed for both female and male dentists, dental surgeons, and dental hygienists. Medelita offers gender-specific sizing and styling, and its dental line of white coats are designed specifically to accommodate the exact range of
Crest and Oral-B have released survey findings on the contributing influence of quality oral care among Hispanics. The survey findings were released in conjunction with the launch of the new Crest & Oral-B Complete collection of toothpastes, toothbrushes, and floss. The survey, which polled 2,000 Hispanic adults in the U.S., found that nearly 80% of Hispanic adults believe that people with nicer smiles are more successful. In addition, nearly 60%
Cydcor, a provider of outsourced, face-to-face sales teams, has raised more than $150,000 for Operation Smile. Operation Smile is a children’s medical charity that provides free cleft lip and cleft palate reconstructive surgeries worldwide. The $150,000 will fund a medical mission to a remote locale in Peru, Cambodia, or Rwanda. More than 90 of Cydcor’s independent sales offices, along with Cydcor’s own team members, raised the funds during the past
Best-Whitening.com is a new website that reviews the most popular teeth-whitening products, treatments, and dental procedures. The site covers in-office bleaching treatments, at-home bleaching gel, whitening toothpaste, rinse/mouthwash, tooth bleaching strips, and other new or less conventional products and methods. The reviews detail price, tooth pain/sensitivity, treatment time, cost, and whitening power. The reviews also include common customer issues and complaints, as well as tips to improve a product or
When it comes to snacking, a common belief is that whole fruits are less harmful to tooth enamel than fruit juice. But what does the evidence say? Noting that the effects of sugars present in a free (extrinsic) or other (intrinsic) form on enamel demineralization have never been studied, researchers from Leeds Dental Institute and the University of Liverpool compared the enamel demineralization effects in situ of both whole and
A U.K. orthodontist has developed an iPhone app that allows users to take a photo of their teeth and send it in for professional orthodontic assessment. The Send A Smile app was devised by Dr. Megan Hatfield of Wetherby Orthodontics, according to a story in the Harrogate News. She thinks the app will be particularly useful for reaching out to the growing adult orthodontic market, she told the Harrogate News.