Better oral health can help prevent and control diabetes

The American Diabetes Association feels so strongly about the link between periodontal disease and type 2 diabetes that the group invited a number of dentists to share their thoughts on this growing problem during a special symposium at the 68th annual meeting of the American Diabetes Association this week in San Francisco. According to the American Dental Association, nearly 10% (21 million) of the U.S. population has diabetes, which means

Cosmetic dentist invents forceps that speed restorations

Christian W. Hahn, D.D.S., a cosmetic dentist in Louisville, KY, has invented forceps that will allow dentists to adjust the bite and deliver indirect restorations such as caps and veneers with better accuracy and in less time. The Hahn Twin Forceps will be launched in August through a dental distributor. “Any product that helps me deliver higher-quality dentistry in less time is a winner in my practice,” Dr. Hahn said.

Price makes teeth whitening more attractive at the mall

Many patients are obsessed with obtaining the perfect Hollywood smile. But these days, instead of heading to their dentist’s office, some are heading to the mall. Teeth-whitening kiosks and centers run by nondentists are popping up in malls across the U.S. and are attracting attention because they offer a less expensive alternative to having the work done by a dentist. Procedures that might cost $400 to $500 at a dentist’s

Patients with certain antibodies at lower risk for periodontal disease

New research at the University of Michigan found that people with certain antibodies are at a lower risk for periodontal disease, the ADA reported in a news article. “The antibody is to a protein called HtpG, of the bug Porphyromonas gingivalis, [which is] an important pathogen in periodontal disease,” the ADA stated. “Anti-P. gingivalis HtpG antibodies are protective and … may augment the host defence to periodontitis,” the researchers wrote.

Dental stem cells offer hope — for the future

For Gregory Chotkowski, D.M.D., O.M.S., a retired oral surgeon whose son suffers from muscular dystrophy, the ability to harvest and preserve stem cells from the dental pulp of newly extracted teeth is a dream come true. So is being able to offer this same service to dentists and their patients. That’s the idea behind his company, StemSave. The Phoenix, AZ-based firm, which launched its dental stem cell extraction and storage

Mouthguard protects patients from postanesthetic oral trauma

A father and son dental team in Indianapolis has developed a mouthguard designed to keep patients from biting their tongue, lip, or cheek while still numb from anesthesia. Dealing with the challenge of postanesthetic oral trauma every day in their pediatric dental practice gave David and Scott Morgan the idea for the Toothché TLC Protector. Instead of using folded-up cotton gauze or cotton rolls, which don’t provide a barrier between

States diverge in caring for the teeth of the poor

What do you call a dental insurance plan that lets you file claims online quickly and efficiently, confirm patients’ eligibility instantly, get timely authorization for treatments, receive reimbursement in two weeks or less, and get paid at a rate that lets you make a profit? Now, what do you call the plan that provides all that for low-income kids? In Michigan, one name covers both: Healthy Kids Dental (HKD), the

Cadbury introduces gum with ACP

Cadbury has introduced a new gum that contains Recaldent, a formula of amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) that has been shown to protect and rebuild tooth enamel. Trident Xtra Care is the latest in Cabury’s line of sugarless gums. The company also owns Trident Splash and Stride. Cadbury has exclusive rights to use Recaldent in gum in the U.S., and Trident is the only brand that contains the ingredient. “Cadbury has

3M ESPE teams with 3D Systems, Astra Tech to improve wax-ups, abutments

3D Systems, a Rock Hill, SC-based provider of 3D modeling and rapid prototyping solutions, is partnering with 3M ESPE to offer compatibility between the 3M ESPE Lava Scan ST Design System and 3D Systems’ high-volume dental-printing systems for digital production of dental wax-ups. According to the companies, pairing 3M ESPE’s Lava Scanner with 3D Systems ProJet DP 3000 Production System and InVision DP 3-D Modeler will enable dental laboratories to

Saliva provides early warning signs of cancer

Looking inside someone’s mouth may one day involve more than dental care. It could enable early diagnosis of various cancers, leading to more effective treatment outcomes and better survival rates. According to research presented at the 2008 American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) meeting in San Diego, analyzing the DNA in saliva can provide clues about the molecular damage that can lead to cancer. In particular, the investigators found that

OralCDx wants to revise ADA-endorsed BrushTest ads

Controversial advertising in an ADA-endorsed oral cancer awareness campaign is likely to change, according to the campaign’s sponsor. The advertising, which began appearing on buses, trains, and in magazines in September 2007, has drawn criticism for two reasons. Some experts, including prominent oral pathologists, have faulted the way the nonprofit ADA is working with the for-profit OralCDx Laboratories. Others have challenged the reliability of the company’s BrushTest as a means

Making early detection of oral cancer a priority

Oral cancer has a five-year survival rate of only 50%. A patient’s best chance of surviving is early detection. While a number of methods and new technologies are now available to enhance early detection, the panel is still out on whether there is any one best approach for detecting oral cancer. As we report this week, questions have been raised about the ADA’s heavily promoted oral cancer campaign, which prominently