New device improves early detection of peri-implantitis

A team of Canadian researchers is developing a diagnostic tool they say can enhance the early detection and monitoring of peri-implant inflammation and thereby reduce the number of implant failures (Journal of Periodontal Research, March 11, 2011). Several diagnostic techniques are currently used to assess the viability of newly placed implants, including implant mobility, sulcular probing, probing depth, and radiography. .pullQuoteCredit { align:right; text-align:right; font-family:arial, sans-serif; font-size:11px; line-height: 16px; font-style:

Small Smiles sued for alleged mistreatment of young patients

The U.S. dental clinic chain Small Smiles is facing more lawsuits over alleged mistreatment of young patients, including allegedly restraining children as young as 1 year old for procedures plaintiffs say were “unnecessary and excessive.” Two separate lawsuits were filed April 4 in New York State Supreme Court in Onondaga and Schenectady counties on behalf of 10 families in each county, as first reported by the Times Union. The suits

2 Ohio VA dental patients test positive for hepatitis B

Two patients who were treated at the dental clinic at the Dayton Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center in Ohio have confirmed cases of hepatitis B, the VA announced. The two patients were treated by Dwight Pemberton, DDS, who is at the center of a scandal over inadequate infection control practices at the dental clinic. But it is still uncertain if they contracted the disease at the dental clinic, said VA

3M’s new Paradigm brand focuses on ‘the basics’

3M ESPE has launched its new Paradigm brand, calling them “low-cost products for everyday procedures.” The Paradigm VPS impression material can be used for all indications and flows smoothly without dripping or slumping, the company said. Its hydrophilicity helps it produce void-free impressions with great detail, and its tear strength helps protect impressions from damage and distortion during removal from the mouth. The material comes in a range of viscosities

Plackers launches kid-friendly flossers

Plackers has launched Plackers Kids, its new kid-friendly dental flossers, designed to engage children through various colorful animal shapes, including a monkey, crab, dolphin, and elephant. The flossers are easy for small hands to grip, include a fluoride coating, and have a mixed berry flavor, according to the company. They also feature Plackers’ Super Tuffloss fiber that is designed not to stretch, shred, or break. To further promote the development

Dentist anesthesiologists play key research role, study finds

While only 1.5% of dentists who contribute to research in dental anesthesiology are trained dental anesthesiologists (DAs), they are responsible for 10% of the publications, according to a new study in Anesthesia Progress that sought to determine how actively DAs contribute to research and new knowledge in the field of dental anesthesiology (Spring 2011, Vol. 58:1, pp. 14-21). DAs are required by ADA guidelines to complete two years of hospital-based

Medelita offers AACD members 10% discount

Lab coat and medical scrubs manufacturer Medelita is offering a 10% discount to members of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) who make purchases through the company’s website. In addition to this member discount, Medelita will donate 5% of every purchase to the Give Back a Smile program. AACD members can choose from four dental-specific lab coats or seven additional lab coats, as well as multiple colors of men’s

Sleep apnea brochure tailored to dental offices

Myotronics has released a new sleep apnea brochure for the dental office to educate patients on the signs and symptoms of sleep apnea, as well as the dangers of not treating this condition. Patients often aren’t aware that their dental professional may be able to provide treatment for sleep apnea through new oral appliances. This brochure aims to educate the patient on this topic and provide insight on various treatment

Denturevault offers discreet cleaning option for dentures

Tech-Naissance has released Denturevault, a dental storage and cleaning container that can be used for discreetly cleaning and storing removable dental appliances. The company officially launched the product at the 2011 International Dental Show in Cologne, Germany. With its faux-candle design, Denturevault is meant to replace such unsightly storage methods such as the “teeth in a glass,” the company said in a press release. The patent-pending product’s discreet method of

Is general anesthesia safe for younger brains?

New research has called into question the effects of anesthesia on the brains of young children and sparked a call for greater understanding about potential long-term neurological consequences, according to an article in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM, March 9, 2011). Studies in animals suggest that anesthetic drugs could harm neurologic and cognitive development in young children and neonates. A lack of data and difficulty in standardizing studies

Novel microscopy technique reveals precancerous lesions

Are virtual biopsies the key to earlier and more accurate detection of oral and head and neck cancers? While several next-generation optical techniques — including optical coherence tomography (OCT), Raman spectroscopy, and time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy — have shown promise as noninvasive tools for early cancer detection, a team of researchers from Taiwan contends that harmonic generation microscopy offers unique diagnostic advantages in the oral cavity. Harmonic generation microscopy overcomes many

Nurse practitioners can help pregnant women with oral care

Advanced practice nurses (APNs) can play a key role in educating pregnant women about the importance of oral health, according to researchers from Saint Louis University and Barnes-Jewish Hospital (Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, March 31, 2011). For their study, they randomly assigned 170 pregnant women in a hospital-based inner city clinic in the Midwest to either a control or experimental group. Those in the experimental group