Teeth-whitening firm targets physicians, not dentists

RightSmile is in the final phase of developing a line of laser teeth-whitening products exclusively for use by physicians, not dentists. RightSmile is targeting the more than 60,000 U.S. physicians that operate med spa, dermatology, cosmetic surgery, and other practices that specialize in cosmetic procedures. “In-office cosmetic laser teeth whitening is a natural ‘add-on service’ to this market,” the company stated in a press release. “It is a procedure that

Benco partners with ProDrive Systems, Pankey Institute

Benco Dental has entered into two new partnerships designed to expand the company’s product offerings and offer continuing education courses to its customers, the company announced. Through its new relationship with ProDrive Systems, Benco will introduce ProDrive’s handpiece and bur products to dentists across the U.S. ProDrive turbines retrofit into leading brand handpieces and lock with the ProDrive triangular shank bur. ProDrive offers a full selection of diamond and carbide

BioMers launches new orthodontic products

BioMers has launched two new products for orthodontic treatment: the SimpliClear braces system and the Astics Color retainers. The SimpliClear braces system consists of translucent brackets and a proprietary translucent wire. The key innovation of the system stems from BioMers’ polymer composite wire, a translucent, nonmetallic, orthodontic wire, according to the company. BioMers polymer wire has similar mechanical properties to conventional metallic wires used in braces and offers comparable results,

Straumann awards André Schroeder research prize

One of the most prestigious awards in dentistry, the André Schroeder Research Prize, was presented April 17 at the World Symposium of the International Team for Implantology in Geneva, Switzerland. Beat Spalinger, president and CEO of Straumann, presented the award to Maria Retzepi, D.D.S., a specialist periodontist and clinical lecturer at the University College London Eastman Dental Institute. Dr. Retzepi is commended for her work on the effect of experimental

DRE introduces surgical drill and microsaw system

DRE recently introduced the DRE OS-200, a surgical drill and microsaw system with a brushless electronic motor system. The DRE OS-200 is designed for general oral surgery, implantology, and microsurgery procedures. It is available with a variety of surgical drills, microsaws, and contra angles. Optional accessories include a trolley with antistatic wheels, a suitcase for ambulant treatment, and a foot pedal. With the system, surgeons can use a single contra

Biomet reports 1% decline in implant sales

Implant maker Biomet 3i reported a 1% decline in dental reconstructive devices in the third quarter of fiscal 2010 compared to the same period a year before. U.S. implant sales increased 1%, however. For the quarter (end-February 28), the company reported a net loss of $3 million on sales of $670 million worldwide. But this compares to a net loss of $479 million on sales of $615 million for the same

Henry Schein spotlights endodontics

Henry Schein has launched Endovations, a new business initiative designed to meet the product and service needs of endodontic practitioners around the world. Endovations, part of Henry Schein’s Global Healthcare Specialties Group, provides endodontic clinicians with a wide selection of products and services to enhance clinical outcomes and increase practice efficiency and success, according to the company. The announcement of the launch was made at the American Association of Endodontists

GlaxoSmithKline to move toothpaste factory to NY

GlaxoSmithKline has announced that it will transfer production of its Aquafresh and Sensodyne brands from Clifton, NJ, to upstate New York over the next three years, according to a news story in the Star-Ledger. This move comes several months after the company received permission to expand its toothpaste factory in Clifton and will cost the town 270 jobs, the Star-Ledger reported. A GlaxoSmithKline spokeswoman said “constraints” at the 60-year-old New

People with fewer teeth found to die sooner

The fewer teeth a person has, the sooner they are likely to die, researchers at the University Hospital of Uppsala report. The researchers followed 7,674 patients for a median of 12 years and found that those with fewer teeth were most likely to die, particularly when the death was from cardiovascular disease or coronary heart disease. The study will be published in the Journal of Periodontology and is available online

Women, journal readers practice less-invasive dentistry

Dentists who read peer-reviewed journals practice less-invasive dentistry than their peers, according to a study presented at the recent American Association for Dental Research (AADR) meeting in Washington, DC. Another study found that women dentists practice less invasively than their male counterparts. Researchers often express frustration that clinicians don’t put the researchers’ conclusions to use. Last month’s AADR presentations were part of their effort to probe the reasons why. “We’re

Nighttime at-home bleaching more effective than daytime

A daytime at-home bleaching system consisting of 28% carbamide peroxide (CP) gel exhibited significant bleaching effects in a new study, but overnight bleaching with a 10% CP gel still resulted in a higher bleaching effectiveness (Journal of Esthetic and Restorative Dentistry, April 2010, Vol. 22:2, pp. 139-146). Researchers at Ege University in Turkey wanted to compare the clinical efficacy and side effects of a new daytime at-home bleaching technique (Meta

Luster whitening system offers quick, lasting results

Denovations’ Luster 1 Hour White at-home light whitening system can whiten teeth in one hour without a rebound, according to the company, citing an unnamed independent research firm. The effects of some light-based whitening systems whiten teeth by drying them, according to Denovations. When the teeth rehydrate, they regain their color, the company noted. The researchers who studied the Luster system found that it achieved whitening after 10, 15, and