Align Technology awards $165K in ortho research grants

Align Technology will give a total of $165,000 in research grants to six universities for projects seeking to better understand orthodontic treatment with clear aligners, the company announced. The North America research award recipients for 2011 are listed below: Sheldon Baumrind, DDS, and Heesoo Oh, DDS, University of the Pacific, $50,000 over two years Peter Buschang, PhD; Phillip Campbell, DDS; and Doug Crosby, DDS, Baylor College of Dentistry, $25,000 over

ChaseHealthAdvance partners with AACD

The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) and ChaseHealthAdvance, part of Chase Card Services, have formed an alliance to deliver payment plans to patients wanting to have recommended treatments. The alliance will allow providers treating patients to offer convenient, no-interest payment plans for 12, 18, and 24 months, according to Barry Trexler, senior vice president of ChaseHealthAdvance. ChaseHealthAdvance offers AACD members competitive service fees and financial choices to help patients

New at CDA: DentalEZ officially launches Identafi

DentalEZ Group officially launched Identafi, an oral cancer screening device used to detect oral mucosal abnormalities, at the California Dental Association (CDA) 2011 spring meeting in Anaheim this week. DentalEZ acquired the Identafi technology from Trimira earlier this year as part of the company’s strategy to expand into diagnostic products. Now marketed under DentalEZ’s StarDental brand, Identafi detects biochemical and morphological changes in the cells of the mouth, throat, tongue,

New at CDA: Sirona introduces Cerec 4.0

Sirona Dental Systems unveiled its newly revamped Cerec dental CAD/CAM system this week at the California Dental Association (CDA) spring meeting in Anaheim. “This is much more than an upgrade,” noted Roddy MacLeod, vice president of CAD/CAM for Sirona. “This is a major re-engineering of the Cerec software platform.” The new Cerec 4.0 features the following: Multiple restoration design. This feature enables users to work on as many different restorations

New at CDA: PerioShield blocks biofilm growth

Sunstar Americas unveiled the GUM PerioShield oral health rinse at the California Dental Association (CDA) 2011 spring meeting in Anaheim this week. PerioShield, which features technology licensed from Sinclair Pharmaceuticals, represents a next-generation solution to achieving and maintaining a healthy mouth, according to Marcy Eisenstadt Freeman, director of commercialization technology and new product development for Sunstar, and Richard Demke, DDS, senior director of technology and new product development for Sunstar.

Invisalign interoperability added to OrthoCAD iOC

Align Technology has qualified Cadent’s orthodontic full-arch scanning process for use with Invisalign treatment. Interoperability with Invisalign will be available on the OrthoCAD iOC system with the latest software version iOC 4.0. Invisalign customers with iOC systems can begin submitting 3D digital scans in place of physical impressions beginning May 16, 2011. Align is in final beta testing with the Cadent iTero 4.0 scanning software and expects to announce interoperability

Crosstex introduces faster biological monitoring system

Crosstex has introduced a new in-office system, ConFirm 10, for the biological monitoring of steam sterilizers. ConFirm 10 delivers results in 10 hours, whereas previous systems required incubation for at least 24 hours to obtain results, according to the company. Indicators containing bacterial spores are processed in a normal sterilizer cycle, then placed in the ConFirm 10 incubator. Industry guidelines in both the U.S. and Canada now stipulate that healthcare

Sharing musical instruments could mean sharing germs

Germs survive for several days in wind instruments including the clarinet, flute, and saxophone, according to a pilot study published online May 11 in the International Journal of Environmental Health Research. The researchers, led by Stuart Levy, MD, of Tufts University School of Medicine, urged proper cleaning of these instruments. “Thousands of children share musical instruments in elementary and high school each year, but there is no established standard for

Heraeus expands denture teeth line

Heraeus has added Mondial i, an extension of its Mondial product, to its line of denture teeth. Mondial i and Mondial feature NanoPearls, a unique combination of microfillers and nanoparticles, according to the company. Coming to the market this month, Mondial i denture teeth offer increased transparency and an enhanced incisal edge, while blended layers of dentin and enamel create a natural, lifelike effect with adaptation to existing dentition, Heraeus

ClearCorrect denies patent infringement, countersues Align

ClearCorrect has filed a countersuit against Align Technology, denying allegations that it is infringing on Align patents by making, offering to sell, and selling its clear-aligner therapy systems. In fact, ClearCorrect is asking the court to declare all 408 claims in 10 of Align’s patents invalid. Align filed a lawsuit against ClearCorrect earlier this year, asserting that ClearCorrect infringes on eight Align patents in the production and sale of ClearCorrect

DynaFlex, 3Shape strike N. American distribution deal

3Shape has formed a North American distribution and business relationship with DynaFlex, which will collaborate with 3Shape on sales, marketing, and support of the 3Shape orthodontic product line and digital solutions. DynaFlex will be responsible for selling 3Shape’s orthodontic product line to any individual or organization that can utilize the technology, including, but not limited to, orthodontists, dentists, and labs, the companies said. DynaFlex will also provide first-line customer support

Mother to sue VCU Dental Clinic for child’s death

A mother whose 6-year-old boy died while under sedation at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Dental Faculty Practice in Richmond last year will file a lawsuit against the school this week, according to a story by WTVR CBS 6 News. Crystal Lewis hired an attorney soon after the boy’s death on May 11, 2010, and told news station that the preparation of the lawsuit is now completed. Jacobi Hill was anesthetized