Bleaching may affect composite texture

In-office bleaching may adversely affect the surface texture of composites, according to a new study (European Journal of Dentistry, April 2010, Vol. 4:2, pp. 118-127). Researchers from the Cairo University Department of Operative Dentistry wanted to determine color changes and surface roughness of composites when they were subjected to in-office bleaching. They prepared 12 disks from two shades (A2 and A4) of two composites: Heraeus Kulzer’s Durafill VS (DF) and

New prophy paste includes calcium, phosphate, fluoride

With the introduction of MAXmin prophy paste with NuFluor, hygienists will no longer have to choose between pastes that remineralize and pastes that handle well, according to Preventech, the manufacturer of MAXmin. Because NuFluor is the first remineralizing agent designed specifically for prophy paste, MAXmin is the only remineralizing paste to maximize performance while minimizing mess, Preventech said. NuFluor — a combination of calcium, phosphate, and fluoride — allows MAXmin

Tom’s of Maine launches ‘wicked’ new products

Tom’s of Maine is now offering two new all-natural oral hygiene products: Wicked Fresh toothpaste and Wicked Fresh mouthwash. Wicked Fresh toothpaste is the first toothpaste to feature the company’s patent-pending, flavorless botanical licorice root extract combined with natural mint flavor oils, according to the company. Wicked Fresh mouthwash is nonalcoholic, using naturally sourced mineral zinc chloride. In clinical testing, the toothpaste and mouthwash helped to inhibit volatile sulfur compounds,

Align Technology announces research funding awards

Align Technology is awarding $75,000 in scientific research funding to two universities with projects seeking to further the understanding of orthodontic treatment with clear aligners. The two recipients selected to receive the funding in 2010 as part of Align’s Clear Aligner Research Award Program are Maria Orellana, D.D.S., M.Sc., Ph.D., anassistant professor at the University of California, San Francisco School of Dentistry, and Robyn Silberstein, D.D.S., M.S., Ph.D., a clinical

NIH grant will fund new antimicrobial technology

The National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), has issued a two-year $913,000 grant to biopharmaceutical company Selenium to support the development of antimicrobial dental devices and water lines. The NIH approved $493,000 for the first year and $420,000 for a second year, dependent on achieving first-year objectives. The company’s Select technology addresses the need for a safer, more effective, and less

Allcare faces lawsuit over ‘defective’ dentures

A West Virginia woman who claims she received defective and ill-fitting dentures from Allcare Dental & Dentures is suing the company for breach of contract and breach of implied warranty. The suit also names the financing agency JP Morgan Chase Bank as a defendant. Plaintiffs Delphia Cole and her husband, David Cole, are residents of Charleston, WV. On July 15, 2009, Cole was evaluated and presented with a treatment plan

Pew urges U.S. Congress to fund dental programs

The Pew Center on the States is urging U.S. congressional leaders to fund dental care measures in the new Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Last week, the House Appropriations Committee held its first hearings on the Department of Health and Human Services budget, which would fund grants to states for oral-care-specific programs, including school-based dental sealant programs and demonstration projects with new dental providers. “With federal funding to back

Fla. boy dies during restorative procedure

Authorities are investigating the death of a 5-year-old Florida boy who went to the dentist April 22 to have four fillings and eight crowns placed, according to a story in the Gainesville Sun. Dylan Shane Stewart died after being sedated with chloral hydrate during an appointment with Ronnie Grundset, D.D.S., a “longtime Gainesville-area pediatric dentist,” according to the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office. While toxicology reports should be available in six

2 teeth-whitening companies merge

RightSmile, a supplier of cosmetic laser teeth-whitening products, has signed a letter of intent to acquire Revodent. Revodent supplies manufacturers with components for teeth-whitening solutions and also produces products for use in the dental, salon/retail, and Internet markets. The acquisition is expected to increase RightSmile’s 2010 year-end revenue by $500,000 or more, according to the company. The acquisition also gives RightSmile a stronger platform to build both the SmileShoppe and

Nobel Biocare Q1 revenues down, but profits up

Nobel Biocare reported decreased revenues but increased profits for the first fiscal quarter of 2010. For the quarter, the company had revenues of 137 million euros ($180 million U.S.), a 7% decline over revenues of 147 million euros ($193 million) for the same quarter a year ago. Profits, however, were up 114%. The dental implant maker reported net profits of 38.7 million euros ($51 million) for the quarter, compared to

Hot peppers help researchers develop nonaddictive analgesics

Dental researchers at the University of Texas (UT) Health Science Center at San Antonio have identified a substance similar to capsaicin, which gives chili peppers their heat, and are using it to create a new class of nonaddictive analgesics, according to a study published April 26 in the Journal of Clinical Investigation. The senior investigator was Kenneth Hargreaves, D.D.S., Ph.D., professor and chair of the department of endodontics at the

Study identifies caries risk factors with sectional brackets

Lactobacilli (LB) levels are an important part in making caries risk assessment among children undergoing orthodontic treatment with sectional brackets, according to a new Japanese study (Angle Orthodontist, May 2010, Vol. 80:3, pp. 509-514). Researchers from the Nippon Dental University in Niigata, Japan, wanted to investigate the caries risk levels in children undergoing orthodontic treatment with sectional brackets. They evaluated 42 children scheduled for orthodontic treatment with sectional orthodontic appliances.