Does at-home bleaching soften enamel and dentin?

Bleaching with 10% carbamide peroxide does not increase the susceptibility of enamel to erosive and abrasive wear, according to a new study (Journal of the American Dental Association, May 2010, Vol. 141:5, pp. 546-551). Bleaching and erosive processes have been reported to soften dental surfaces, so researchers from Indiana University investigated whether these procedures can increase enamel and dentin susceptibility to toothbrush abrasion. The study authors prepared specimens of human

AAPD survey: Few babies see a dentist

Only 3% of mothers know about recommendations from leading dental and pediatric groups that their children should see a dentist before age 1, a survey by the Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) found. “Oral health is absolutely critical for overall health,” said AAPD President William Berlocher, D.D.S., in a press release. “A recent study in the journal Pediatric Dentistry revealed that children who wait to have their first visit until

NY lawmakers mull bill that bans case quotas

Apparently reacting to a former policy of Align Technology, New York legislators have introduced a bill that would ban dental product manufacturers from requiring dentists to use the product in a minimum number of patients each year. On April 22, Align canceled a policy requiring all dentists who want to be active Invisalign providers to start at least 10 Invisalign cases annually. In justifying the bill, Assemblyman Richard Gottfried (D-Manhattan)

Merck triumphs in 2nd Fosamax trial

A federal court jury in New York has found in favor of Merck in the second trial involving the pharmaceutical company’s Fosamax bisphosphonate drug. The jury unanimously rejected the claims of a plaintiff who blamed her dental and jaw-related problems on her Fosamax use, according to the company. The plaintiff, Louise Maley, an Indiana woman who used Fosamax for nearly eight years, claimed that she suffered osteonecrosis of the jaw

Volunteers help thousands at Calif. free clinic

More than 6,000 patients, most of them seeking dental care, packed a free seven-day clinic held in Los Angeles last week, at times overwhelming the 250 dentists, oral surgeons, hygienists, and dental assistants who volunteered their services. Is this a sign of things to come for other states that have cut Medicaid benefits? .pullQuoteCredit { align:right; text-align:right; font-family:arial, sans-serif; font-size:11px; line-height: 16px; font-style: normal; padding-top:2px; } “This is the story

OrthoAccel, AB Orthodontics partner in Australia

OrthoAccel Technologies is partnering with AB Orthodontics to introduce the AcceleDent system to the Australian market. AcceleDent uses vibrational force to increase the rate of alveolar bone turnover, according to OrthoAccel. The core technology was invented by Jeremy Mao, D.D.S., M.S.D., Ph.D., an orthodontist and bioengineer who pioneered the use of vibratory force in the craniofacial region and has published extensively on the topic. The system was introduced in the

Colgate toothpastes gain global market share

Colgate-Palmolive reported a 9.5% jump in revenues for the first quarter of 2010, with sales increases in all of its divisions. Net income for the quarter, however, plunged 30% to $357 million, versus $508 million for the same quarter a year ago. Despite sales of $3.8 billion, the company’s net income was impacted by an after-tax charge of $271 million related to “hyperinflationary accounting in Venezuela” in January following the

Deamonte Driver project unveils 1st mobile clinic

The Deamonte Driver Dental Project has launched its first mobile dental clinic, a 39-ft van designed and manufactured by ADI Mobile Health with equipment donated by Henry Schein. The mobile clinic features three dental operatories, digital x-ray systems, internal and external flat-screen monitors, and a software management program for data collection and case management. The project has also received donations from the Community Foundation for Prince George’s County, Oral Health

Disposable handpiece to hit U.S. market this summer

A Michigan company is gearing up to launch what it claims is the only FDA-cleared disposable handpiece available in the U.S. The Azenic DHP (disposable high-performance) handpiece received FDA clearance in January 2008 and is indicated for all dental procedures performed with standard metal handpieces. The DHP is not the first disposable dental handpiece to be developed and commercialized. In the 1990s, two disposable air-turbine handpieces — the Oralsafe and

NIH awards WVU School of Dentistry $2.8 million

The West Virginia University (WVU) School of Dentistry recently received a $2.8 million National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant to study oral health disparities in northern Appalachia, with particular emphasis on pregnant women and young children. The five-year National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) grant is the largest NIH grant made to the School of Dentistry, according to the university. “In our previous study, children ages 2 to

Dentium launches SuperLine implants

Dentium USA has launched SuperLine, the latest addition to its portfolio of dental implant products. SuperLine adds more diversity to Dentium’s original Implantium dental implant system, according to the company. SuperLine is expected to bring excellent initial stabilization and osseointegration especially in soft-bone cases and sinus graft with implant placement cases, Dentium noted. The tapered body design of each SuperLine dental implant provides great initial stability and excellent bone expansion

Sheri Suggests — Sunstar Americas Go-Betweens

In this occasional series, Dr. Sheri Doniger will share her experiences with some of her favorite dental instruments, materials, and equipment. These are products Dr. Doniger personally uses or has tested in her practice. Patients do not come “one size fits all.” With that in mind, Sunstar Americas created Go-Betweens Proxabrush cleaners in three varieties to match the size of the interproximal areas: tight, moderate, and wide. All are shaped