Clear aligners create new orthodontic opportunities

Demand for clear aligner products and services is on the rise at a time when many cosmetic procedures — dental and otherwise — are experiencing a decline. And this is good news for general dentists previously unable to offer orthodontic-related procedures — and the vendors eager to supply them with these products. Align Technology has long dominated this space with its Invisalign products. Other competitors include Ormco, ClearCorrect and, more

Adverse life events influence amalgam-related complaints

Stressful events in a patient’s life — such as serious illness or a death in the family — may play a key role in explaining amalgam-related complaints, according to a study by researchers from Umeå University, University of Tromsö, and Stockholm University (Community Dentistry and Oral Epidemiology, August 23, 2010). The researchers selected participants from a longitudinal population-based study. They performed one-to-one matching of 337 participants with amalgam-related complaints to

FDA renews warnings of patient burns from handpieces

The U.S. FDA has issued a safety alert to dental practitioners and dental handpiece manufacturers following new reports of patients being burned by handpieces that overheat during treatment. The agency first informed dental professionals of this problem in 2007. In that notice, the FDA reminded users of the importance of properly maintaining the handpieces. Since that notice, however, the FDA said it has received numerous additional reports of patients being

Ky. dental screening law helps school kids

A Kentucky law that took effect this year requiring dental screening of all children during their first year of school is already having a positive effect, according to a story by the Courier-Journal. Passed in 2008, the law requires a dental examination for admittance to a public school, public preschool, or Head Start program beginning with the 2010-2011 school year. Children must present proof that they have had a dental

BruxZir solid zirconia fares well in wear test

A comparative wear study conducted in Germany found that BruxZir solid zirconia (Glidewell Laboratories) compared favorably to Ceramco3 (Dentsply) after more than 1 million wear cycles on a chewing simulator, Glidewell announced. The study, carried out by dental materials and technology expert Jürgen Geis-Gerstorfer, Ph.D., was conducted at the University of Tübingen, Germany, where he is a professor in the department of prosthodontics. Geis-Gerstorfer used the Willytech chewing simulator to examine

W.Va. dentist helps victims of domestic violence

A West Virginia dentist is helping survivors of domestic violence with a unique teeth-whitening deal for patients who want to help, too, according to a story in the State Journal. Kenneth Banks, D.D.S., whose practice is based in the Eastern Panhandle, is taking part in Give Back a Smile, a charitable program that provides cosmetic dental care to those whose teeth have been damaged or lost due to domestic violence.

Saving natural teeth should be a priority

Despite the increasing popularity of dental implants, every effort should be made to save a patient’s natural teeth, according to the principals of PerioHealth Professionals, a dental practice in Houston. They stress the importance of carefully evaluating all of a patient’s treatment options, especially when it comes to considering surgical procedures such as tooth extraction and dental implant placement. “There is a widespread misconception among the general public that extraction

Smile makeovers less popular in U.K.

Figures released this week by the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (BACD) indicate that three out of five U.K. dentists are performing at least 50% fewer extensive smile makeovers than they were in 2008, according to a story by Professional Beauty. However, 90% of dentists surveyed saw a 50% increase in less invasive techniques, and 100% agreed that more patients are now choosing procedures that allow them to preserve their

Dental school accused of letting hygienists do too much

The Indiana University (IU) School of Dentistry has launched an internal review of its dental hygiene clinic after a visiting professor raised concerns about hygienists at the clinic allegedly diagnosing patients and doing treatment planning, according to a story by WRTV6 in Indianapolis. Students in the clinic work under licensed hygienists, and the work of both the student and the hygienist must be approved by a licensed dentist. .pullQuoteCredit {

Canadian dental groups target public awareness

The Canadian Dental Association (CDA) and Provincial Dental Associations have hired advertising agency DDB Canada in Vancouver to develop a national awareness campaign to help Canadians understand the relationship between regular dental exams and their overall health. “Our collective goal is to have the public recognize the important role that dentists play in their healthcare,” said Andrew Jones, director of public affairs for the CDA, in a press release. “More

Taste genes may predict tooth decay

Genetic variation in taste pathway genes may be associated with dental caries risk and/or protection, according to a new study in the Journal of Dental Research (JDR, September 21, 2010). In this study, researchers from the University of Pittsburgh and West Virginia University recruited families through the Center for Oral Health Research in Appalachia (COHRA) to collect biological samples and demographic data and to do clinical assessments of oral health,

Unraveling the mysteries of glass ionomers

Glass ionomers (GIs) have officially been a part of dentistry since 1972. But for all practical purposes, they are a derivation of the earlier silicate cements. Alan D. Wilson, D.Sc., a chemist in the U.K., guided the conversion by transforming silicate cements into glass ionomers. Since their introduction, glass ionomers have undergone many changes and have been endorsed for even more clinical applications. Today there are three different formulations of