New Komet instruments have depth markings

Komet USA is introducing three new diamond instruments with specific depth markings, the company announced this week. These instruments are intended to safely reduce the occlusal tooth structure to the recommended minimum thickness for ceramic inlay and partial crown restorations. The three diamond instruments (6847KRD.314.016, 959KRD.314.018, and 845KRD.314.025) also allow for the rounded transitions between the floor and walls of the tooth structure. The instruments 6847KRD and 959KRD have longer

British foundation links dental hygiene and flu

The British Dental Health Foundation is warning that bad oral hygiene could increase the spread of the H1N1 flu, according to the Bucks Herald newspaper. Surveying Britons about their dental habits, the foundation found many picking their teeth with whatever they found lying around, including fingernails, credit cards, paperclips, screw drivers, earrings, and screwdrivers, the newspaper reported. That’s a perfect way to introduce pathogens into the body, said the foundation’s

Unimed-Midwest launches disposable face shield

Unimed-Midwest this week launched a disposable face shield that provides greater protection than paper or fabric masks, according to the company. Splash Shield Lite consists of a reusable plastic frame (available in four colors) and an optically clear, disposable face shield. The frame rests on the forehead (padded by foam attached to the inside of the shield), and is held by the sides of the frame resting above the ears.

HPV status a strong predictor of oral cancer outcomes

Patients with certain oral cancers that contain the human papillomavirus (HPV) have better outcomes than similar patients with tumors that lack the virus, according to researchers from Ohio State University. Their study involved 323 patients with stage III or IV oropharyngeal cancer (cancers of the upper throat) who were part of a Radiation Therapy Oncology Group clinical trial. Of these patients, 206 had HPV-positive tumors and 117 had HPV-negative tumors.

New Iowa law will extend kids’ dental coverage

Iowa Gov. Chet Culver will sign a bill expanding the state’s hawk-i (Healthy and Well Kids in Iowa) program into law on May 19, the governor’s office announced. With the healthcare reform battle in the forefront of the news today, access to quality, affordable dental care remains a critical issue nationally in the troubled economy. Once signed into law, Senate File 389 allows expansion of Iowa’s hawk-i program to include

Study: Tobacco alters bacteria

Tobacco alters one of the bacteria responsible for periodontitis, suggesting a reason why smokers are more likely to suffer from the disease, according to University of Louisville researchers. Their study, published in Environmental Microbiology (May 2009, Vol. 11:5, pp. 1242-1253), showed that the bacterium Porphyromonas gingivalis adapts and changes its DNA and membrane proteins in response to cigarette smoke. Several genes of P. gingivalis associated with its virulence (infectivity), detoxification,

Ask Marty: What is the easiest and most comfortable way to give a palatal injection?

Q: What is the easiest and most comfortable way to give a palatal injection? A: Many dentists think that a palatal injection has to hurt no matter what they have tried. This does not have to be true. In dental school, we were all taught to inject slowly. The problem is that when giving a palatal injection human nature takes over. The patient wants the injection to be completed quickly

Midmark to close New York facility

Midmark announced that it is shutting down its Orchard Park, NY, facility and shifting its dental and veterinary divisions to its manufacturing facility in Versailles, OH. Some 80 employees in the dental and veterinary divisions will be affected, according to the company. Orchard Park site was “substantially under capacity” and was affecting the company’s cost position and earnings, Midmark said. “The current economic condition has negatively impacted Midmark, as it

Regulators eye link between denture cream and zinc toxicity

Regulatory authorities and dental associations are examining reports that overuse of zinc-based denture adhesives may cause neurological damage. While a direct causal link has not yet been established, dentists are being advised to counsel denture-wearing patients to ensure they aren’t using too much adhesive. .pullQuoteCredit { align:right; text-align:right; font-family:arial, sans-serif; font-size:11px; line-height: 16px; font-style: normal; padding-top:2px; } “People have no idea this zinc issue can present itself.” — Eric Chaffin,

Gum disease not tied to pregnancy risks

NEW YORK (Reuters Health), May 14 – Contrary to earlier reports, gum disease, also referred to as periodontal disease, does not appear to be associated with preterm births and other pregnancy problems, according to a report in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. “Given the theorized link between infection or inflammation and many adverse pregnancy outcomes, it is biologically plausible that periodontal disease may be linked to adverse pregnancy

Research supports immediate-load dental implants

Three case studies published recently in the Journal of Oral Implantology (JOI) showed that immediate-load implants in healthy patients were successful and remained functional after 30 months of follow-up, according to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID). Studies showing long-term results of immediate-load implants are scarce, according to JOI, and the successful cases cited in the report — written by a team of Turkish dental researchers — provide new

GlaxoSmithKline launches PoliCare program for dentists, denture patients

GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare has launched the PoliCare outreach program, designed to help bridge the gap between patient and professional by helping consumers better understand life with dentures and helping dental professionals encourage inquiry and discussion with their denture-wearing patients, the company announced. The patient Web site, MyPoliCare.com, offers patients and caregivers valuable support and information, including preparing for dentures, living with dentures, and proper care and maintenance of dentures. By