Poor denture hygiene can prompt stomatitis

Poor oral hygiene habits and wearing dentures while sleeping are predisposing factors for denture-induced stomatitis, according to a study in the International Journal of Dental Hygiene (August 2010, Vol. 8:3, pp. 227-231). Researchers from King Saud University set out to determine the prevalence of denture-induced stomatitis among a sample of denture wearers attending a teaching hospital. They interviewed and examined 71 denture wearers. A questionnaire with 20 questions was used

Zimmer Q2 dental sales up 6%

Zimmer Holdings reported 6% growth in its net sales of dental implants in its second fiscal quarter of 2010 (end-June 30) compared to the same quarter last year. The company, which makes a wide range of prostheses, took in $56 million in dental implant sales, a fraction of its $1.06 billion in total sales, the company said. The increase in dental sales was 8% when measured in constant currency. The

Henry Schein, Sirona donate supplies to Peru clinic

Henry Schein Cares, the global social responsibility program of Henry Schein, and Sirona Dental Systems donated equipment and oral healthcare supplies to support the operation of the new Diospi Suyana Hospital Dental Clinic in the Apurimac region of Peru. Henry Schein and Sirona are two of the largest donors to the nonprofit dental clinic, the companies said in a press release. The new dental clinic, which includes five consultation rooms,

U.K. man claims dental amalgam caused asthma

A U.K. man says his asthma symptoms disappeared after his amalgam fillings were removed, according to a story in the Sun. Simon Williams believes he developed asthma four years ago from his mercury fillings, the Sun reported. But after having his amalgam fillings removed — a process he said was quite painful — he claims his symptoms disappeared. “When I woke the following morning, I felt I could breathe properly

Varying resin cement shades doesn’t change veneer color

Thin porcelain veneers cannot mask underlying tooth color even when different shades of resin cement are used, according to a study in Quintessence International (July-August, 2010, Vol. 41:7, pp. 567-573). Researchers from the Academic Center for Dentistry Amsterdam wanted to determine the influence of natural dentin and resin cement colors on final color match of porcelain veneers. They chose a preselected shade tab (A1) as the target color for a

Trio on trial for selling dental products meant for charity

Three people in Utah are on trial for allegedly selling tens of thousands of dollars’ worth of Nu Skin toothbrushes, toothpaste, and vitamins meant for a children’s charity, according to a story in the Desert News. Scott Lazerson, Brady Harper, and former Miss Utah Elizabeth Craig netted as much as $30,000 per month selling the products online, according to police. Authorities found more than $1 million worth of Nu Skin

Study: Adolescents with braces need not fear teasing

Eyeglasses and orthodontic hardware are two of the most unpopular items adolescents may be forced to wear. But a new study indicates that dental practitioners can deliver some good news to sulky young patients who have just been told they need fixed appliances. U.K. researchers report that children do not make social judgments about other children purely on the basis of wearing a fixed orthodontic appliance (Journal of Orthodontics, June

Special Olympics athletes get sealants

Pulpdent contributed sealants to about 35 athletes at a Georgia Special Olympics event, the company announced. Also participating in the project were the Georgia Public Health Department and Help A Child Smile, 3M ESPE, the Coca Cola Company, Delta Dental, Benco Dental, and Colgate. Pulpdent donated Embrace WetBond pit and fissure sealant, Etch-Rite etch gel, and Flecta disposable mirrors to provide up to 300 sealants for the athletes, the company

Aspen Dental teams with OHA on elder oral health

More than 250 Aspen Dental practices in 20 states are teaming up with Oral Health America (OHA) to raise awareness about the oral health issues faced by adults and older Americans. Slated to run from September 20-24, the initiative is part of OHA’s Fall for Smiles campaign, which will promote the importance of self-care, good nutrition, regular dental visits, and tobacco avoidance in maintaining oral health. “Good oral hygiene and

Toothpaste, mouthwash could get more FDA regulation

The U.S. cosmetics industry is supporting legislation that would strengthen and modernize regulatory oversight of the industry and create a greater role for the FDA in assessing ingredient safety for personal care products, including toothpaste and mouthwash. The proposal represents the culmination of more than three years of planning and research by the Personal Care Products Council, the council said. The council detailed its proposal in a letter to key health

Fla. dental professor: Sarrell clinic an educational model

Frank Catalanotto, D.M.D., a professor and chair of the department of community dentistry and behavioral science at the University of Florida, is so impressed by the work being done at Sarrell Dental Center that he plans to visit the nonprofit clinic based in Birmingham, AL, July 23 to learn about its success and how he might replicate it in Florida, according to a story in the Anniston Star. The clinic

Visual caries assessment OK prior to applying sealants

Visual exams are appropriate and adequate when it comes to assessing caries prior to placing sealants, particularly in school-based sealant programs, according to a study in the current Journal of the American Dental Association (July 2010, Vol. 141:7, pp. 854-860). Researchers from the University of Michigan School of Dentistry reviewed the evidence supporting current guidelines for detecting cavitated carious lesions. They examined existing systematic reviews of caries detection and diagnosis,