Glidewell lifetime replacement for bleaching trays, retainers

Glidewell Laboratories is now offering a unique prescription-renewal service for two of its cosmetic products: Clear-Soft Bleaching Trays for Life and Clear-Lock Retainers for Life. “For life” means that when either service is prescribed, Glidewell will digitally scan patient models and store the 3D digital data for 30 years, the company said. When new bleaching trays or retainers are needed, the dentist can send a faxed prescription to Glidewell requesting

Wisc. kids to get $30K in donated dental care

About 600 preschool children in Wisconsin’s Waukesha and Milwaukee counties will receive $30,000 in free dental exams, cleanings, fluoride treatments, and personal oral hygiene instruction during the 12th annual Head Start Dental Day, the Wisconsin Dental Association (WDA) announced. An estimated 550 children enrolled in Milwaukee Public Schools (MPS) and Social Development Commission (SDC) Head Start programs will receive care on October 2 at the Marquette University School of Dentistry

U.K. team to compare 2 decay prevention approaches

Experts from Cardiff University, Cardiff and Vale University Health Board’s Community Dental Service, and Swansea University have been awarded 1.1 million pounds ($1.7 million) by U.K.’s National Institute for Health Research to compare the effectiveness of two methods of preventing dental decay. Despite an overall decline in dental decay in the U.K., 57% of 15 year-olds still currently require a filling or extraction, according to the researchers. Dental caries are

FDA warning letters question mouthwash claims

The FDA today issued warning letters to three companies — Johnson & Johnson, CVS, and Walgreen — that manufacture and market mouthwash products with claims that these products remove plaque above the gum line or promote healthy gums. The warning letters were specific to Johnson & Johnson’s Listerine Total Care Anticavity Mouthwash, CVS’ Complete Care Anticavity Mouthwash, and Walgreen’s Mouth Rinse Full Action. These products contain the active ingredient sodium

Delta Dental of Tenn. to donate mouthguards

To prevent some of the 300,000 sports-related concussions that occur each year in the U.S. and to protect the teeth of Tennessee’s young athletes, Delta Dental of Tennessee is partnering with the Franklin American Mortgage Music City Bowl and the Nashville Predators to donate 18,750 mouthguards to youth football and hockey players across the state. “We are increasingly hearing about serious, long-term consequences of concussions, including the potential for early

NC office raises thousands for violence prevention

Allan Acton, D.D.S., and Cary Family Dental in Cary, NC, recently donated $6,276 to Interact, a private, nonprofit United Way agency that provides safety, support, and awareness to victims and survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, the practice announced. The dental practice has donated more than $15,000 during the last two years while participating in the Crown Council’s annual Smiles for Life campaign. During the four-month campaign, Crown Council

U.K. device tests saliva for cannabis, cocaine

A handheld device that tests saliva for cannabis or cocaine use has been developed by U.K. scientists, according to a story in the Daily Mail. The handheld device costs 1.50 pounds ($2.35) and produces an accurate result within five minutes. It could be available within a couple of years, the story stated. The Vantix sensor was developed to help police carry out quick roadside drug-driving tests, but it could also

Glass ionomers aid in proximal caries management

Applying a fluoride-releasing glass-ionomer cement (GIC) to proximal lesions can help reduce the progression of initial proximal caries in posterior teeth, according to a study in the Journal of Dental Research (September 21, 2010). The split-mouth study, conducted at Chulalongkorm University in Thailand, involved 41 pairs of posterior teeth in patients ages 7 to 19 who had undergone elastic band separation. Each participant had to have at least one contralateral

Dental museum puts ‘toothy toys’ on display

A new exhibit opening next month at the National Museum of Dentistry takes a fun look at the way toys with a dental theme have helped teach kids how to care for their teeth. The “Open Wide! Toothy Toys That Made Us Smile” exhibit will be on view at the museum November 6, 2010, through January 30, 2011. From Play-Doh’s Dr. Drill ‘n Fill to an Evel Kneivel battery-operated toothbrush

Sheri Suggests — Tuff Temp provisional resin

In this occasional series, Dr. Sheri Doniger will share her experiences with some of her favorite dental instruments, materials, and equipment. These are products Dr. Doniger personally uses or has tested in her practice. We always are looking for a great product for temporization. We would like one that is easy to fabricate, holds on to the tooth without distortion, and wears well during the temporization process. Tuff Temp from

Swedish biomaterial suitable for soft-tissue augmentation

A new study confirms that the biomaterial Artelon Cosmetic, developed by Artimplant for soft-tissue augmentation in the upper jaw, can be used to successfully treat patients with tissue defects, the company announced. “Artelon is an interesting material for dental applications,” said Bertil Friberg, D.D.S., Ph.D., who conducted the study at the Brånemark Clinic in Gothenburg. “In this particular study, we demonstrated that Artelon Cosmetic integrates well with body tissue and

Biolase gets multiproduct order from Benco

Biolase Technology has received its first multiproduct order from Benco Dental, the first sizable order by a distribution customer under Biolase’s new nonexclusive distribution arrangement, the company announced. “We are extremely pleased that a distributor of Benco Dental’s caliber has chosen to now carry our dental laser product line and disposables,” said Federico Pignatelli, Biolase chairman and CEO. Benco Dental provides more supply and equipment options than any other full-service