Komet introduces tungsten carbide cutters

Komet is offering special tungsten carbide cutters designed to trim and shape titanium and nonprecious metals used in crowns, bridge or implant carried restorations, and model casts. The GTi cutters feature fewer blades than conventional cutters, and special staggered toothing provides users with aggressive cutting, resulting in rapid material reduction. GTi cutters also allow for maximum service life, the company said. Because of titanium and other nonprecious metal hardness, using

OCT shows practical side; stem cells replace root canals

Dear DrBicuspid Member, Optical coherence tomography (OCT) has long been lauded for its unique and powerful imaging abilities. Beyond numerous research studies, however, OCT has made little headway in dentistry. Now, a new study in Lasers in Surgery and Medicine showcases the more practical side of OCT, prompting one dental public health advocate to foresee a bright future for OCT among general dentists. Read more. In other Imaging & CAD/CAM

Orthovita gets FDA nod for grafting material

Orthovita has received 510(k) clearance from the FDA to market Vitomatrix Bone Graft Substitute as a bone grafting material in certain dental procedures. Vitomatrix is a resorbable, highly porous synthetic scaffold that utilizes the core proprietary technology from the company’s Vitoss Bone Graft Substitute product line. Vitomatrix is indicated for use in procedures to fill, augment, or reconstruct periodontal or bony defects of the oral and maxillofacial region, according to

European regulators: Sugar-free gum reduces caries

In response to an application by Wrigley, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has approved a health claim that xylitol-, sorbitol-, and mannitol-based sugar-free chewing gum reduces the risk of caries. In a scientific opinion issued October 1, EFSA’s Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition, and Allergies said it found that causality has been established between the chewing gum and a reduction in the occurrence of tooth demineralization and caries. The

Lava Network opened to Dental Wings, 3Shape labs

Dental laboratories with 3Shape and Dental Wings scanners now have access to authorized Lava Milling Centers as part of the 3M ESPE Lava Network. Labs can now connect to the Lava Network with no additional capital investment, expanding their material options and workflows. “With this change, 3Shape and Dental Wings design centers are now able to offer Lava restorations,” said Mark Farmer, general manager of the 3M Digital Oral Care

New device could eliminate cleft palate surgery

Children with cleft palates may no longer need invasive jaw-widening surgery as an adult. Tarek El-Bialy, B.D.S., Ph.D., an associate professor of dentistry in the University of Alberta Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry, has spent eight years updating materials and making precise adjustments to a dental device that will help stretch the constricted upper arch in the mouth of a child who has a cleft palate, according to the university.

Orthodontic radiographs can promote cell toxicity

Orthodontic radiographs appear to promote cell toxicity in the oral mucosa, according to a new study in Dentomaxillofacial Radiology (October 2010, Vol. 39:7, pp. 437-440) — calling into question once again whether multiple cephalograms are warranted in every orthodontic case. To better understand the effects of radiographic radiation on the cellular system, researchers from the Methodist University of São Paulo and the Federal University of São Paolo investigated the frequency

Calif. issues pertussis guidelines for dental practices

Having declared a pertussis epidemic in July, the California Department of Public Health is recommending that all healthcare personnel, particularly those who have direct contact with infants and pregnant women, be immunized with Tdap to protect their patients and themselves. Effective September 1, 2010, all employers covered by the Cal/OSHA Aerosol Transmissible Disease (ATD) standard are required to offer the Tdap vaccinations to employees who could be occupationally exposed to

Study yields positive results for xerostomia patch

A new study in the Journal of the American Dental Association (October 2010, Vol. 141:10, pp. 1250-1256) confirms the safety and efficacy of a new, novel method for controlling xerostomia. The double-masked, randomized, controlled, crossover study concluded that use of a unique mucoadhesive patch, affixed to the hard palate inside the mouth, provides statistically significant and sustainable improvements in salivary flow rates and subjective moistness for dry mouth sufferers, according

Midmark dental sterilizer promotion under way

Midmark has launched its latest dental sterilizer promotion, with up to $1,000 in rebate offers. The promotion, which runs from October 1 through December 31, offers dental practices the opportunity to receive a $300, $400, or $500 rebate with the purchase of a Midmark M9 UltraClave, M11 UltraClave, or M3 UltraFast sterilizer. A rebate of $1,000 is offered with the purchase of two sterilizers: an M3 UltraFast plus an M11

Ontario to expand kids oral care program

Deb Matthews, minister of health and long-term care for Ontario, Canada, announced this week that Ontario’s Healthy Smiles program will be expanded to include preventive care such as check-ups, cleanings, x-rays, and fillings, according to a Torstar News Service report. The Healthy Smiles program, which is designed to provide free dental services to 130,000 kids ages 17 and younger and costs taxpayers $45 million annually, has come under fire for

Oral care linked to lower heart disease risk in women

A new study led by a University of California, Berkeley researcher suggests that women who get regular dental care reduce their risk of heart attacks, stroke, and other cardiovascular problems by at least one-third (Health Economics, September 29, 2010). The analysis, which used data from nearly 7,000 people ages 44 to 88 enrolled in the University of Michigan Health and Retirement Study (HRS), did not find a similar benefit for