Patients, dentists like OraVerse, survey shows

A majority of patients and dentists gave favorable assessments of the drug OraVerse (phentolamine mesylate), which reverses the effects of local anesthesia, according to a survey by distributor Novalar Pharmaceuticals. The survey of 49 dentists and 370 patients showed that 86% of patients said OraVerse improved their dental experience. Some 98% of the dentists said OraVerse fills an existing need. The dentists were given 10 cartridges of OraVerse as part

Adhesively luted ceramic veneers yield long-term success

Adhesively luted silica-based veneers and crowns can yield clinical long-term success even on structurally compromised teeth, according to a study presented at the American Association for Dental Research (AADR) annual meeting in Washington, DC. The study authors, from the University of Tübingen and Wiesbaden, Germany, conducted a long-term follow-up to evaluate the clinical performance of silica-based all-ceramic partial veneers and full-coverage crowns in patients suffering from amelogenesis imperfecta (AI). They

United Treatment Centers to become UTC AquaFree

United Treatment Centers is planning to change its name to UTC AquaFree to better reflect its focus on waterless toothbrushes, the company announced. “Changing our corporate name from United Treatment Centers will assist us in communicating the company’s focus on our revolutionary waterless toothbrush,” said Frank Ottaviani, president of United Treatment Centers, in a press release. “We needed a corporate name that makes it easier for potential clients, end users,

Researchers ID gene specific to cleft lip and cleft palate

An international team of researchers has identified a gene that plays a major role in cleft lip and cleft palate, according to a study published in Human Molecular Genetics (December 15, 2009, Vol. 18:24, pp. 4879-4896). Lina Morena, D.D.S., Ph.D., an assistant professor in the department of orthodontics at the University of Iowa (UI) College of Dentistry, was the study’s co-leader. Dr. Morena and her UI colleagues had previously identified

Wash. hopes tamper-resistant paper will curb prescription fraud

To curb prescription fraud and abuse, the state of Washington will require all prescriptions to be printed on tamper-resistant paper with ink that changes color when rubbed with a finger starting July 1, according to a news story in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. The goal is to prevent people from using fake, stolen, or altered prescriptions to get commonly abused drugs such as Percocet, Ritalin, or Demerol, according to the story.

New therapies show promise for treating oral cancer

Antiangiogenic/antitumorigenic therapies may be effective in treating certain oral cancers, according to a paper presented at the American Association for Dental Research (AADR) annual meeting in Washington, DC. Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cells endogenously produce exceptionally high levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) — which, in addition to its proangiogenic function, also fulfills an autocrine-paracrine role in OSCC by directly promoting OSCC cell proliferation and invasion, reported M.

Hu-Friedy sends essay winners to Chicago Midwinter

Hu-Friedy acknowledged the work of two dental hygienists by sponsoring their trip to attend the 2010 Chicago Dental Society Midwinter Meeting. The company conducted a contest to recognize the dedication of hygienists and help eliminate any economic barriers that might prevent their participation in this meeting. About 100 dental hygienists submitted essays describing the benefits they expected to yield from being selected to attend the Chicago Midwinter Meeting, the company

Researchers: Don’t touch that carious dentin

WASHINGTON, DC – Contrary to decades of tradition, dentists should leave carious dentin untouched in many lesions, researchers said Wednesday at the American Association for Dental Research (AADR) annual meeting. For years, dental professors have taught their students to remove all infected tissue from cavities and carefully shape the preparation before placing a restoration, said Edwina Kidd, B.D.S., F.D.S., Ph.D., D.Sc., a former professor at King’s College London. “Does this

Jewelry makers tackle teeth

A number of artists are turning to teeth to create some unique jewelry designs, according to a fashion blog in the New York Times. Jules Kim of Bijules NYC offers a retainer with a single protruding gold tooth, designed specifically for a good friend, the Times blogger wrote. And London artist William Hunt has created a set of silver cuff links reportedly made from casts of his own wisdom teeth.

What patients don’t like about removable dentures

Although edentulous individuals often experience problems with their conventional removable dentures (CRD), clinical studies about the factors related to CRD complaints are limited, according to researchers at the University of Montreal. Identifying patients’ CRD complaints can help clinicians better meet their needs and expectations, the researchers concluded in a study to be presented at the American Association for Dental Research (AADR) meeting this week in Washington, DC. The authors collected

Novalar partners with Sanofi to sell OraVerse in Europe

Novalar Pharmaceuticals has entered into an exclusive license and distribution agreement with Sanofi-Aventis Deutschland to offer its vasodilator drug phentolamine mesylate, OraVerse, in Germany beginning in 2011, the companies announced. The agreement includes options to extend the license to additional European countries. The parties will collaborate to submit the Marketing Authorization Application (MAA) in 2010 in several European countries, with an anticipated approval in Germany by 2011. Sanofi-Aventis will be

New device aims to deliver pain-free dental injections

DentalVibe, a new dental device that its developers claim takes the fear and pain out of dental injections, was introduced last week at the Chicago Dental Society Midwinter Dental Meeting. Bresslergroup, a product design firm, teamed with Steven G. Goldberg, D.D.S., to design the device, according to the company. DentalVibe employs the gate control theory of pain management, which means creating a diversion for the brain by rapidly vibrating the