New plasma delivery device hits dental market

Circle Biologics has launched a device for delivering platelet-rich plasma to surgery sites that it plans to market to dentists. The Autologous Platelet Concentrator Platform (APC) is the first of its kind to incorporate both autologous (patient derived) cell concentration and protein concentration in a single point-of-care device, the company said. The APC has earned 510(k) clearance from the FDA. It is a two-chamber, closed system that allows the user

Washable, wireless mouse aids infection control

Econo-Keys, a manufacturer of medical keyboards and mice, recently introduced the EKW-M, a waterproof, wireless mouse designed for medical and dental offices and clinics. Studies show that commonly shared hospital and clinic keyboards and mice in particular are infectious hazard points that are difficult to disinfect, according to Econo-Keys. Bacteria can grow and live on keyboards for up to 24 hours, making it easy for them to spread harmful bacterial

Oragenics to debut EvoraPro probiotic mint

Oragenics will unveil EvoraPro, a professional-strength version of the company’s all-natural probiotic oral care and teeth whitening mint EvoraPlus, at an upcoming dental convention. EvoraPro incorporates ProBiora3, Oragenics’ patent-pending probiotic technology. When used following cleaning or scaling, ProBiora3 accelerates the repopulation of beneficial bacteria, according to the company. EvoraPro comes in a 10-pack to be used once a day for 10 days following professional cleaning. The company will introduce the

Quitting smoking reverses oral pathogenic colonization

Patients with chronic gum disease who quit smoking in addition to undergoing nonsurgical therapy demonstrated a lower abundance of harmful oral pathogens and also an increase in health-associated bacteria in a study in the Journal of Clinical Microbiology (July 2010, Vol. 48:7, pp. 2344-2349). Although prior studies indicate that quitting smoking can alter the oral microbial community, it is unknown if pathogenic colonization can actually be reversed. To determine the

Align Technology doubles Q2 year-over-year profits

Align Technology reported net profits of $32.6 million on revenues of $108 million for the second quarter of 2010 (end-June 30), compared to net profits of $14.9 million on revenues of $76 million for the same quarter a year ago. “Q2 was an outstanding quarter for Align,” said Thomas Prescott, Align president and CEO, in a press release. “Our Invisalign business continues to outperform our expectations, resulting in our third

Richards Micro-Tool expands dental business

Richards Micro-Tool, a manufacturer of microcutting tools for medical and industrial applications, recently expanded its medical and dental capabilities with the purchase of production equipment from Surgical Reconstruction. The addition of Swiss turning machines to Richards Micro-Tool’s existing equipment base is well-suited for supplying cutting instruments and other devices to the medical and dental markets, the company said. “We are fully committed to expanding our capabilities as they relate to

Treat tongue cancers the same whether in children or adults: study

NEW YORK (Reuters Health), Jul 23 – Children with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the tongue should receive the same treatment as adult patients, researchers suggest. “The preponderance of case reports of aggressive disease and poor outcome in pediatric patients is not an accurate reflection of true outcomes,” the researchers say in the July issue of Archives of Otolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery. After adjustment for disease stage, tobacco exposure,

Underweight kids have higher tooth decay risk

A Swedish study has found that underweight children are at three times greater risk of tooth decay as normal-weight children, according to a news story in the Local. Researchers at Malmö University examined the dental health of more than 900 5-year-olds through records from child health and public dental clinics. The study used height and weight data from child healthcare authorities to calculate the children’s body mass index. These were

Older patients’ oral health critical prior to surgery

Elderly patients presenting for surgery may be harboring undetected oral infections that could lead to expensive and life-threatening complications, according to a study in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society (June 1, 2010). The entire medical team — including oral care providers — needs to be aware of these risks and conduct preoperative oral assessment in this vulnerable population, according to Jeffrey Yasny, D.D.S., lead author and an assistant

Gene may hold key to reducing spread of oral cancers

The spread of cancer cells in the tongue may be reduced if a gene that regulates cancer cell migration can be controlled, according to a new study in the International Journal of Cancer (August 1, 2010, Vol. 127:3, pp. 505-512). More than 90% of oral cancers are squamous cell carcinomas that normally start on the gums, floor of the mouth, or tongue, and about 30,000 Americans are affected each year,

Sanofi-Aventis, Novalar eye European market for OraVerse

Sanofi-Aventis and Novalar Pharmaceuticals announced that the Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) for OraVerse has been accepted for review by the regulatory agencies of the U.K., Germany, Italy, France, and Spain. OraVerse, a local anesthesia reversal agent, has U.S. FDA clearance and is sold by Novalar directly to U.S. dentists. “Expansion of OraVerse into Europe represents a significant near-term opportunity for Novalar, and it is our goal to obtain marketing approval

Dentist convicted of fatally sedating 3 patients paroled

A California dentist convicted of killing three patients by giving them fatal doses of anesthesia has been granted parole, according to news stories. Tony Protopappas was convicted of second-degree murder in 1984 and sentenced to 15 years to life in prison for killing two women and a girl by giving them the wrong dose of anesthesia at his Costa Mesa office, according to an Associated Press story. Kim Andreassen, 23;