Menopause creates additional oral health risks

Research has long shown that women are at increased risk for oral health problems — notably periodontitis and alveolar bone loss — compared to men due to physiological changes associated with hormonal fluctuations that occur from puberty through menopause. Now a new literature review concludes that postmenopausal women are even more susceptible to periodontal disease and related conditions, according to researchers from the Cleveland Clinic and Case Western Reserve University

Are implants better than root canals? And, articaine best for infiltration

Dear DrBicuspid Member, The debate over how best to care for diseased teeth heated up last week when the American Academy of Implant Dentistry issued a press release asserting that implants are more reliable than root canals and the American Association of Endodontists issued an immediate rebuttal. Read more. In clinical news, will mandibular infiltration ever replace the inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB)? Articaine in a 4% solution with 1:100,000

AAID says implants are better than root canals

The debate over how best to care for diseased teeth heated up last week when the American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID) issued a press release asserting that implants are more reliable than root canals. The statement drew an immediate rebuttal from the American Association of Endodontists (AAE), which in November issued its own press release suggesting the opposite. “In most cases, implants deliver the best results, as the ultimate

California expands hygienist, assistant, and lab training

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has announced an expansion of training programs for dental hygienists, assistants, lab technicians, and other healthcare practitioners in California starting in fall 2009. The $32 Million Allied Health Initiative will expand enrollment for healthcare practitioners on more than 19 campuses of the California Community Colleges, serving more than 1,000 students in “high-demand allied health programs,” according to the governor’s office. The Labor and Workforce Development Agency lists

International implant group names new president

The International Team for Implantology (ITI), an academic organization dedicated to promoting evidence-based research and education in the field of implant dentistry, has elected Daniel Buser, D.D.S., as its new president. The elections were held at the ITI 2009 annual meeting in Copenhagen, Denmark. Dr. Buser is an oral surgeon and currently a professor, the chairman at the department of oral surgery and stomatology, and the executive chairman of the

Komet introduces bone-spreading system

Komet USA has introduced a new system for bone spreading and condensing. Developed in conjunction with Stefan Neumeyer, D.M.D., of Eschlkam, Germany, the MaxilloPrep Spread-Condense system was designed for bone spreading and condensation by means of titanium Spread-Condense screws, the company said. The MaxilloPrep Spread-Condense system. Image courtesy of Komet USA. Bone-spreading treatments are used because of a narrow bone structure and insufficient space to place an implant. The screw’s

Philips begins marketing kids’ power toothbrush

Philips Electronics has introduced the new Sonicare For Kids power toothbrush. Sonicare For Kids has two power modes that are 60% and 40% less powerful than the Sonicare FlexCare, making the new toothbrush ideal for younger teeth and gums, according to Philips. To help children progress toward brushing independence, Sonicare For Kids has a handle with two gripping locations: one for early training with an adult and one for solo

Motivational interviewing can enhance oral health habits

Perfectly compliant patients may still be a distant dream for dentists, but there are ways to nudge them in the right direction. One such way could be motivational interviewing. The technique can yield positive changes in oral health behavior in people with severe mental illness and may be useful for the general population as well, according to a recent study (Journal of Dental Research, July 2009, Vol. 88:7, pp. 648-652).

Articaine wins in mandibular infiltration study

Will mandibular infiltration ever replace the inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB)? Researchers have been picking away at this question for years. An article published in this month’s Journal of the American Dental Association brought them another step closer to the answer. Articaine in a 4% solution with 1:100,000 epinephrine numbed mandibular first molars better than five other formulas of anesthetic in the study on buccal infiltration by University of Pittsburgh

Trident backs program for low-income kids

Trident is donating a portion of its proceeds during the first week in September to Smiles Across America, a program by nonprofit Oral Health America that subsidizes dentistry for underserved kids. September 1-7, Trident will donate 5¢ for every package of Trident gum purchased to the program as part of a three-year commitment to help the organization shed light on the importance of pediatric oral health in the U.S. Trident

Jordco launches endodontic testing tools

Jordco has announced the launch of e-Dx, a set of endodontic instruments designed to test teeth for cold sensitivity and fractures. An open-cell foam inserted in the instrument stores dental coolants so that the operator can test multiple teeth. “Detachable contra-angled pliers are designed to securely hold the foam insert and reach posterior teeth providing improved visibility during cold testing,” according to the Jordco Web site. The instruments include a

U.S. oral health group elects new officers

The National Children’s Oral Health Foundation (NCOHF) elected a new slate of officers and welcomed three new board members at its annual meeting on August 21, 2009. The new officers are: Chairman: Kevin Mosher, president, Nobel Biocare North America First vice president: Scott Anderson, president, Patterson Dental Supply Second vice president: Tom Engels, retired vice president and general manager, 3M ESPE Treasurer: Christopher Clark, president and chief operating offficer, Dentsply