Amalgam repairs as effective as replacements

There’s a pervasive problem in restorative dentistry, according to a new study in the Journal of the American Dental Association (July 2011, Vol. 142:7, pp. 842-849): Too many dentists are replacing amalgam restorations when a repair may suffice, and therefore practices have patients spending more money while limiting the life span of their teeth. The seven-year clinical study, conducted at the University of Florida College of Dentistry, found that repairing

Heraeus helps victims of domestic violence

Heraeus Kulzer has made a commitment to help victims of domestic violence through the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) Charitable Foundation’s Give Back A Smile (GBAS) program. Heraeus is now a corporate underwriter of the GBAS organization, the company noted in a press release. Through the Give Back a Smile program, volunteer dentists and lab technicians work to restore the “smile zone” of survivors of intimate partner violence, according

Are titanium implants safe?

In response to concerns over the degradation of titanium implants, researchers from the University of Oviedo in Spain have developed a highly sensitive method to determine the levels of titanium in human blood (Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry, July 22, 2011). Titanium implants are routinely used for bone fractures and dental work, and it has been shown that titanium-based implants both corrode and degrade, generating metallic debris, according to the researchers.

Stem cells can relieve oral, orofacial pain

Bone-marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells can suppress orofacial pain rapidly — within one day of treatment — by either IV injection of cells or direct injection of cells to the injured site, according to a study published online July 26 in Stem Cells. Researchers from Boston University School of Dental Medicine and University of Maryland School of Dentistry simulated two types of pain: myogenic pain (by ligating the masticatory muscle tendon)

Cancer screening clinics help reduce tobacco use

Participating in a community-based head and neck cancer screening clinic can help reduce tobacco use in at-risk populations, according to a study published online July 21 in Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery. During a National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) race event at Atlanta Motor Speedway, researchers from Emory University School of Medicine and Oglethorpe University recruited 620 NASCAR fans for an initial screening, followed six months

Dentists, labs cash in on record gold prices

With gold hitting a record high of $1,615 per ounce today, more dentists and laboratories are cashing in by sending their dental scrap to Heraeus Scrap Refining, the company said. Unlike onsite brokers that measure the total weight of scrap and then estimate melt loss, Heraeus’ assessment takes place at its refinery. First, chemists weigh and melt the scrap. As the gold scrap liquefies, borax and soda ash are mixed

Komet introduces polishers for nonprecious metals

In response to growing demand for economical restorations fabricated of nonprecious alloys, Komet USA has introduced the NEM polishers, a complement to the Komet cutters with NE/NEF toothing, which are particularly suitable for work on hard alloys. The Komet NEM polishers are manufactured to effectively and efficiently polish hard metals and to provide long-lasting performance, with a durability that surpasses that of universal polishers, the company said. The odorless Komet

Pa. orthodontist to golf in U.S. Senior Open

Joseph Viechnicki, DDS, an orthodontist from Bethlehem, PA, is competing in this year’s U.S. Senior Open Championship, according to an ADA News story. Dr. Viechnicki, an amateur golfer and ADA member, will play July 28 to 31 at the Inverness Club in Toledo, OH, at the 32nd Senior Open, the U.S. Golf Association’s premier event for players older than 50. Dr. Viechnicki, 58, is one of only 25 amateurs who

Taiwan dentists care for tsunami victims

Hundreds of Japanese children living in the tsunami-hit areas of Japan have had their teeth examined and cleaned for free by Taiwanese dentists, according to a story by Focus Taiwan News. After the Tokyo Medical and Dental University asked the Taiwan Dental Association (TDA) for help, the Taiwan group sent 10 dentists and two assistants to Otsuchi, a town located in northeastern Japan, to provide three days of free dental

Dos and don’ts for hygiene productivity

Every patient matters All it takes is one canceled appointment and a good patient can become “lost” to the practice for months or longer. Most practices are carrying a high percentage of inactive patients who could and should be brought back onto the schedule. Contact inactive patients. Call every patient who hasn’t been seen in at least nine months. Most patients will gladly schedule, once they have talked with someone

Is standardization the key to CAD/CAM’s future?

A Canadian software developer and intraoral scanner manufacturer is working with some of the leading providers of dental CAD/CAM equipment, materials, and services to spearhead software standardization in digital dentistry. In March, Dental Wings joined forces with 3M ESPE and Straumann to create an open standard software platform for use across a range of dental applications. At the same time, 3M ESPE and Straumann announced their intention to adopt the

Behavioral therapies ease women’s TMD pain

Temporomandibular disorder (TMD)-related pain is believed to occur more commonly in women than men. However, strategies that target women’s hormonal cycles to control pain appear to be ineffective, according to a new study (Pain, June 14, 2011). Previous studies, including work by the University of Washington research team that authored the new study, have shown TMD pain to fluctuate in accordance with the menstrual cycle, including a secondary pain peak