Breast cancer linked to perio disease and tooth loss

As the body of research linking periodontitis with a host of other disease states — including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, rheumatoid arthritis, surgical complications, and risk of fetal death — grows, a new study has added yet another to the list: breast cancer (Breast Cancer Research and Treatment, October 19, 2010). “To our knowledge, this is the first study on the association between periodontitis and breast cancer,” Birgitta Söder, DrMedSc, PhD,

Univ. of Louisville dental school benefits from grant

The University of Louisville (UofL) has received nearly half a million dollars in grant funding this year from the WHAS Crusade for Children for various medical and academic programs that benefit children with special needs, including those from the school of dentistry, the university announced. The School of Dentistry received $8,070 of the funding. The university’s fund requests were chosen from dozens of applications seeking to benefit from the more

Auromère introduces Neem Picks toothpicks

Auromère Ayurvedic Imports has introduced Neem Picks, toothpicks made from birch wood dipped in neem bark extract and potent essential oils such as cinnamon, peppermint, spearmint, and fennel. Neem Picks stimulate the gums and remove food particles and plaque from between teeth while freshening breath, according to the company. They are packaged in 100-count boxes. Neem Picks complete Auromère’s trio of dental health products that do not contain fluoride, gluten,

Shofu debuts flowable hybrid for occlusal restorations

Shofu Dental has introduced Beautiful Flow Plus, a new flowable hybrid in a syringe delivery system. Approved for all indications, including class II restorations, Beautiful Flow Plus presents a way to complete restorations using a single material, filled all the way up to the occlusal surface, according to the company. Shofu’s proprietary surface prereacted glass technology also provides sustained fluoride release and recharge, making it ideal for high caries index

AAE guide encourages endodontics before extraction

A new clinical resource guide from the American Association of Endodontists (AAE) is aimed at helping practitioners save the natural tooth rather than extract it. “Treatment Options for the Compromised Tooth: A Decision Guide” helps clinicians evaluate a patient’s condition and develop a treatment plan to save the natural tooth, according to the organization. The guide features case examples with radiographs of successful endodontic treatment in difficult cases and is

Free coffee, recycling for charity at Greater NY meeting

The National Children’s Oral Health Foundation (NCOHF) and 3M ESPE encourage Greater New York Dental Meeting attendees to support the America’s Toothfairy program through recycling efforts at the conference, the organizations announced. From November 28-30, 3M ESPE “street teams” at the meeting will distribute complimentary beverages as part of the RelyX Unicem 2 automix self-adhesive resin cement launch. The cup bands can be recycled at 3M ESPE’s booth; for each

New oral health products supports ‘good’ bacteria

Impact Fusion International has expanded its Intact Nutrition product line with Intact Oral, which uses Nutri-Mastic — a combination of magnesium, calcium, ionic trace minerals, and mastic gum — to support oral bacteria that are beneficial to oral health and the digestive system. Nutri-Mastic supports delivery of nutritional absorption into the cellular system and delivers antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, the company noted. It also supports oral, digestive, and immune systems;

Study: Graphic images deter smokers

Highly graphic images of the health consequences of smoking have the greatest impact on smokers’ intentions to quit, according to a study by researchers from the University of Arkansas, Villanova University, and Marquette University. The study will appear in the fall issue of the Journal of Public Policy & Marketing. The findings support the U.S. FDA’s recent announcement that starting in 2011 it will require larger warnings and graphic images

Xlear contest shows benefits of xylitol

Xlear has announced the winners of the Spry Dental Defense Project, which was created to motivate patients to use xylitol products and evaluate bacterial plaque biofilm levels in patients following the use of several xylitol products for 30 days. The winners of the contest were dental hygienists Cindy Schoeninger, Sandra Dlugosz, Carla Gantz, Donna Grzegorek, and Helen Fortner. Each will have the opportunity to present her findings at the by-invitation

Can ozone be used to whiten teeth?

Ozone shows promise as a stain-removal agent for teeth, according to a new study in Acta Odotontologica Latinoamericana (August 2010, Vol. 23:2, pp. 84-89). Researchers from the University of Buenos Aires wanted to evaluate the efficacy of using ozone to lighten tetracycline-stained incisors. They randomly assigned 40 young rats to one of three groups. Two control groups, C21, and C60 (n = 8, each) were used to document the usual

Milestone Scientific reports increased revenues, loss in Q3

Milestone Scientific, maker of computerized anesthesia injection systems, reported increased profits for the third quarter of 2010 (end-September 30), the company announced. Net loss for the quarter was $584,000, compared with a net loss of $373,000 during last year’s third quarter. Revenues climbed 1% to $1.93 million in the quarter, up from $1.91 million in the third quarter of 2009. International sales rose 40% to $1.06 million, compared with $758,000

Pulpdent donates products for NC dental clinic

Pulpdent donated products at the dental clinic held last month at the Coastal Carolina Community College in Jacksonville, NC, the company announced. The company provided Embrace WetBond pit-and-fissure sealant, Etch-Rite etching gel, and Flecta disposable mirrors to be used at the clinic. Each dental hygienist worked with a volunteer registered dental hygienist or dental assistant to place dental sealants on 38 children from Northwoods Elementary School. The team of volunteers