Can rapid prototyping revolutionize prosthetics?

Medical imaging coupled with computer-aided design (CAD) could be used to create a perfect-fit blueprint for prosthetic dentistry, according to a study in the International Journal of Rapid Manufacturing (2011, Vol. 2:1/2, pp. 104-120). The blueprint can then be fed into a 3D printer to build an exact replica using a biocompatible composite material, according to the study authors. Such technology has been used in medical prosthetics before, but this

AACD’s Give Back a Smile program expands to Germany

The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry Charitable Foundation’s Give Back a Smile (GBAS) program, which restores the smiles of domestic violence victims, is now being offered in Germany. The GBAS program functions with the help of volunteer dentists and donations. Jurgen Wahlmann, DDS, said he was inspired to start the GBAS program in Germany after hearing the story of Mona, a domestic violence survivor who sustained injuries to her mouth

DentalEZ debuts Simplicity Hygiene Package

DentalEZ is now offering the Simplicity Hygiene Package, which includes the Simplicity chair, light, and new delivery unit. Other features include the following: New Simplicity head with two handpieces, saliva ejector, syringe, and new integrated ultrasonic scaler Newly designed unit arms that provide space for vacuum lines to run internally and directly to the unit head Operator’s delivery unit head with two-handpiece control block Autoclavable three-way syringe Utility center includes

U.K. dental lab joins Sensable partner program

Attenborough Dental Laboratories of Nottingham, U.K., has joined the Sensable Intellifit Production Center Partner program. A 98-year-old firm, Attenborough will provide 3D printing, milling, and pressing services to dental laboratories for partial dentures, crowns, bridges, veneers, and other types of restorations designed with Sensable’s Intellifit digital restoration system. Attenborough’s partnership with Sensable makes it easier for an even greater number of dental labs to transition from manual to digital processes,

Proper denture fit could help prevent dementia

Improving and maintaining health factors not traditionally associated with dementia, such as denture fit, vision, and hearing, may lower a person’s risk for developing dementia, according to a new study (Neurology, July 13, 2011). The study included 7,239 people free of dementia ages 65 and older from the Canadian Study of Health and Aging. After five years and again after 10 years, they were evaluated for Alzheimer’s disease and all

Absolute Ceramics joins Dental Wings’ standardization effort

Dental Wings has signed a cooperation agreement with Absolute Ceramics that enables Absolute Ceramics to integrate the Dental Wings Open System (DWOS) software platform into its CAD/CAM system. With DWOS installed at its production center and in its Matchpoint Scan/Design system, Absolute Ceramics will start to offer custom abutments for all leading implant systems, in addition its own Infix technology, the company noted. The shared common software platform also makes

U.S. debates if boys should get HPV vaccine

With the alarming rise in the rate of oropharyngeal cancer among men being linked to the human papillomavirus (HPV), the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is considering whether to also recommend the HPV vaccine for boys. Two vaccines (Cervarix and Gardasil) are currently available to protect females against the HPV types that cause most cervical cancers. The CDC currently recommends both for 11- and 12-year-old girls and

Dental museum receives grants from ADA, DentaQuest

The National Museum of Dentistry has received a Give Kids A Smile Champion grant from the ADA Foundation to enhance children’s oral health, particularly those from low-income families. An additional award was given by the DentaQuest Foundation to help provide every first grader in Baltimore City public schools with educational resources to ensure good oral health practices. The museum will be taking its signature oral health education program — MouthPower

P&G recalls 2 mouthwashes in Canada

Procter & Gamble is conducting a voluntary recall of two mouthwash products in Canada due to possible microbial contamination. The two recalled products are Oral B Anti-Cavity Dental Rinse Alcohol Free (NPN 02129930) and Oral-B Anti-Bacterial with Fluoride Alcohol Free Daily Use Mouthrinse (DIN 02130823). According to Procter & Gamble, if present, the microbial level poses virtually no risk to healthy people. However, people with severely weakened immune systems, such

UCLA program will provide face transplants

The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) has established a unique program to restore functionality and enhance quality of life for people who have suffered severe trauma or other disfiguring injuries to the upper extremities, face, or abdomen. The UCLA Section of Reconstructive Transplantation represents a multidisciplinary effort to use a new transplantation approach known as vascularized composite allotransplantation to treat patients whose tissue loss cannot be remedied through conventional

ADHA, Henry Schein sponsor interactive operatory

Henry Schein Dental and the American Dental Hygienists’ Association (ADHA) unveiled the ADHA/Henry Schein Dream Center during the ADHA’s 2011 annual meeting in Nashville, TN. The center is the first hands-on operatory built on the exhibit floor of ADHA’s conference. It featured a full operatory with five product stations for attendees to explore the latest in dental hygiene technology. The stations included salivary diagnostics (OralDNA Labs); loupes and infection control

Sun Dental creates North American dentist directory

Sun Dental Labs is developing a North American Find A Dentist Directory Program for their Sunflex partial denture product. “Our corporate headquarters receives five to 10 calls a day from prospective patients looking for dentists who offer our flexible Sunflex partial dentures,” stated Allison Raver, vice president of Sun Dental Labs, in a press release. “So creating a searchable database of dentists offering Sunflex seemed like a natural extension to