Study links inflammation, HPV-associated oral carcinogenesis

Chronic inflammation promotes malignant behavior of human papillomavirus (HPV)-immortalized oral keratinocytes, suggesting that it may be an important cofactor for HPV-associated oral carcinogenesis, according to research presented at the recent International Association for Dental Research (IADR) meeting. While acute inflammation is a part of the defense response, emerging evidence suggests a strong link between chronic inflammation and cancer, according to researchers in the oral biology department of the University of

Pa. dental association announces kids’ poster contest winners

The Pennsylvania Dental Association (PDA) has announced the winners of its 2011 National Children’s Dental Health Month statewide poster contest. First-prize winner Bailey Ritchey will receive a $1,000 educational bond. Her winning poster, “Keep Your Choppers Clean,” depicts a beaver brushing its “choppers” with a toothbrush made from a tree branch. Ritchey is a third-grade student at Burchfield Primary School in Allegheny County. Her poster will be reproduced as bookmarks,

Glidewell launches recycling program for BruxZir milling blanks

Glidewell Laboratories has launched a recycling program for its postmilled BruxZir solid zirconia milling blanks. Glidewell refines yttria-stablized zirconia powder to a significantly reduced grain size. This material is then utilized in conjunction with proprietary processes to create monolithic zirconia BruxZir milling blanks for the fabrication of BruxZir solid zirconia crowns, bridges, and implant restorations. When BruxZir restorations are milled from BruxZir milling blanks, not all of the refined zirconia

Remineralizing agents don’t hurt bleaching efficacy

Most patients love their postbleach smiles but not the side effects that can accompany them. While adding remineralizing agents to bleaching gels can mitigate these side effects, there have been concerns that these agents may affect whitening efficacy. But research presented last month at the International Association for Dental Research (IADR) meeting in San Diego found that adding calcium and fluoride to bleaching gels does not interfere with the whitening

Whitening primer doesn’t enhance whitening

Whitening primer application before teeth whitening did not enhance the procedure nor did it decrease tooth sensitivity, according to a new study (Journal of Esthetic and Restorative Dentistry, April 2011, Vol. 23:2, pp. 97-104). The researchers conducted a randomized, split-mouth design, single-blinded clinical study with 25 patients. The patients received whitening priming agent (Power swabs) on right or left maxillary incisors prior to in-office tooth whitening with Opalescence Boost (Ultradent

Fiber-reinforced composite offers advancement in oral implants

A new study compares fiber-reinforced composite and titanium implants as part of a special issue of the Journal of Oral Implantology (March 2011, Vol. 37, pp. 133-140) focusing on anticipated advances in oral surgery. Researchers analyzed how the two materials affect stress and strain on the implant and the bone tissue surrounding it. They also compared interfacial stresses between the materials under three directions of load. Distribution of stress and

OralDNA offers free white paper on HPV/oral cancer link

OralDNA Labs is observing April as Oral Cancer Awareness Month by offering a free white paper on the link between oral human papillomavirus (HPV) and oral cancer. The paper, entitled “Oral HPV: An overview of the infection and its role in the development of oral cancer,” is intended to alert dental professionals about the increasing incidence of oral HPV, a mucosal viral infection which can lead to oral cancer. Although

VA stands by its decision to test limited patients for infection

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is standing by its decision to test a limited number of patients for infections after an investigative task force released a report in which it urged the VA to expand testing to include thousands more. The VA has offered to screen 535 patients who received invasive procedures over an 18-year period from a dentist who failed to change gloves or sterilize instruments at the

Syringe cover takes the fear out of pediatric local anesthesia

Getting children to sit through a dental procedure is a challenge most practitioners inevitably face. The mere mention of the word “needle” can prompt anxiety and panic in young patients, making a routine dental procedure anything but. Now researchers at the University of Uberaba in Brazil say they have come up with a simple solution to the problem: the Angelus Alligator disposable syringe cover. They presented the device and some

FDA warns of hand sanitizer claims

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued warning letters to four manufacturers of over-the-counter hand sanitizers that claim to prevent infection from methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteria. Labeling and marketing materials for the products also claim that they can prevent infection from other disease-causing agents. In addition, the labels of some of the firms’ hand sanitizers claim they prevent infection from E. coli and/or the H1N1 flu virus.

Erectile dysfunction and chronic periodontitis may be linked

Erectile dysfunction (ED) and chronic periodontitis (CP) share common risk factors, and an association may exist between the two conditions, according to a new study in the Journal of Periodontology (April 5, 2011). Researchers from the department of periodontics at the Government Dental College and Research Institute in Bangalor, India, studied 70 male subjects with a mean age of 35.3 ± 3.64 years who were clinically diagnosed with erectile dysfunction.

Soft drinks don’t degrade orthodontic wires

Sugared soft drinks and juices do not appear to degrade the physical and chemical properties of nickel titanium orthodontic wires in patients undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment, according to a new study in Acta Odontologica Scandinavica (April 15, 2011). Researchers from the University of Bologna evaluated the effect of Coca Cola, orange juice, and Gatorade on the Young’s modulus, hardness, surface topography, and chemical composition of nickel-titanium-based orthodontic wires. They cut