A Chicago teenager had to wait eight months to have his braces removed because the orthodontist refused to take them off until a $300 bill was paid, according to a story in the Chicago Tribune. Esperanza Perez said she took her three teenagers to orthodontist Frances Cavero, D.D.S., of Windy City Smiles when they needed braces. Dr. Cavero removed the braces from both of her daughters without incident last year.
A Pasadena, TX, dentist faces up to 10 years in prison after he was convicted for Medicaid fraud for submitting spurious bills for root canals, fillings, and extractions, the Texas U.S. Attorney’s Office announced. David Lloyd Gonzales Jr., D.D.S., 47, was convicted by a Houston jury on 22 counts of healthcare fraud. Dr. Gonzales was a Medicare provider since 1994 but was suspended in 2005. He is free on bond
3M ESPE has launched RelyX Unicem 2 automix self-adhesive resin cement, designed to provide improved color stability, bond strength, and moisture tolerance, the company announced. RelyX Unicem 2 automix cement is suited for the permanent cementation of all-ceramic, composite, or metal inlays, onlays, crowns, and bridges, as well as posts and screws, 3M ESPE said. It can also be used to cement restorations to implant abutments and Maryland, inlay, and
Although both dentistry and anthropology often characterize oral disease risks in behavioral terms, two recent studies indicate that a complex mix of both biological and cultural factors can determine increased risks of caries for women and destructive periodontal disease for men. For example, does the number of pregnancies (parity) a woman carries in her lifetime influence the number of caries she develops? According to the ADA, some dietary behavioral changes
A new 17-minute DVD designed for use in the dental office can help youngsters learn the importance of good oral hygiene. Written and directed by filmmaker Todd Thompson, “Crooked” is told through the eyes of Samantha, a young girl obsessed with losing her last “crooked” baby tooth in order to obtain the perfect smile and win the heart of the new boy at school. The film stars Kendall Ganey (The
AAO Services, a subsidiary of the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO), has launched the AAO Voluntary Certification Program (VCP) for orthodontic clinical assistants. Orthodontic assistants who meet requirements of the program will be recognized by the credential designation of specialized orthodontic assistant (SOA). Voluntary certification is a process of nongovernmental review of work experience, leadership, professionalism, education, and knowledge within the profession of orthodontic assisting. Individuals who earn the SOA
Fixed-partial titanium dentures fabricated using CAD/CAM technology demonstrated good reliability after three years, although there was some risk of porcelain fractures, according to a study in the Journal of Prosthodontics (August 16, 2010). “There is lack of knowledge about the clinical performance of CAD/CAM titanium-ceramic-fixed partial dentures (FPDs),” noted the researchers, from Martin Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg and Louisiana State University. “The purpose of this study was to evaluate CAD/CAM
During case presentation for aesthetic services, practices should emphasize key benefits. Providing clinical information is important but the primary emphasis should be how the treatment will improve the patient’s smile and appearance. Rather than just wondering how the procedure will be performed, many patients want to know how the results will benefit them. Think visually. “A picture is worth a thousand words” goes the old saying. Seeing is believing, and
RightSmile opened 10 new SmileShoppe teeth-whitening centers in the U.S. in August, adding $5,000 a month in reoccurring revenue, according to the company. “This is extremely good and unanticipated news; summer historically sees a bit of a downturn in the beauty sector, as people are busy with vacations and back-to-school preparations,” said Gene Caiazzo, president of RightSmile. “But savvy business owners, are preparing for the busy season and see RightSmile
Sirona Dental Systems announced that infiniDent — the company’s Internet-based laboratory service that caters exclusively to Sirona inLab and inEos Blue users — will now include Ivoclar Vivadent’s IPS e.max CAD material. Sirona laboratory customers can upload the digital impressions they receive from Cerec dentists to infiniDent, located in Charlotte, NC, for fabrication of all restoration types. The Sirona-operated facility then returns the completed work to the laboratory within three
With its ability to create 3D images that contain key anatomical and morphological details, cone-beam CT (CBCT) is emerging as the standard of care for implant treatment planning and placement. In fact, as more general dentists add implants to their list of treatment options, many are in turn investing in cone-beam CT systems and surgical guides to enhance implant outcomes, according to some experts. .pullQuoteCredit { align:right; text-align:right; font-family:arial, sans-serif;
Sirona Dental Systems announced the availability of the inLab multilayer design software, which utilizes new Vita Rapid Layer Technology, during the Cerec 25th anniversary celebration in Las Vegas this week. Vita Rapid Layer Technology is a high-speed bridge production technique that utilizes Sirona inLab V3.80 software, along with the Sirona inLab MC XL milling unit, to mill both the framework and corresponding full-contour overlay with a few mouse clicks, according
