GlaxoSmithKline studies focus on proper denture care

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Consumer Healthcare has released several new studies addressing the importance of proper denture care. Originally presented at the International Association for Dental Research (IADR) meeting in Miami earlier this year, the studies tested several GSK denture care products and addressed issues such as minimizing fungal and bacterial attachment and activity on dentures, reducing food-related denture stains, and enhancing a proper denture fit to increase patient satisfaction. When taken

Survey: Prescription meds cause most dry mouth complaints

More than 90% of dentists say patients complaining about dry mouth are taking multiple medications, according to a U.S. member survey conducted by the Academy of General Dentistry (AGD). Of the nearly 500 general dentists who responded, 89% believe prescription medications are the primary contributor to dry mouth. Aging, dehydration, and salivary gland disease were also cited as major contributors. The survey of AGD members also revealed the following: Approximately

Geomagic names new general manager of dental business

Robert Kody, previously general manager of the digital orthodontics business at 3M Unitek, has joined Geomagic as general manager of the company’s dental business. Kody is responsible for managing every aspect of Geomagic’s dental operations, according to the company. Geomagic’s dental business supports chair- and lab-side dental CAD/CAM solutions. Kody holds a bachelor’s of science degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Michigan, a doctorate in polymer science and

D4D, Henry Schein launch E4D Takeout Program

D4D Technologies and Henry Schein Dental have introduced a new initiative, dubbed the E4D Takeout Program, designed to offer dental professionals an exclusive experience with the E4D Dentist System. Participants are encouraged to bring one of their own models to a one-on-one consultation with a Henry Schein CAD/CAM specialist. At the appointment — either at a trade show, a local Henry Schein Center, or at the Henry Schein Center for

Lexi-Comp updates drug handbook for dentistry

Lexi-Comp has released the 15th edition of its Drug Information Handbook for Dentistry. The book includes dental-specific content on thousands of drugs, natural products, and dietary supplements. The latest edition features 40 new drug monographs and a new drug monograph field, Effects on Bleeding, according to the company. Other notable enhancements include a section on the dentist’s role in recognizing domestic violence, abuse, and neglect; new dentifrice appendix tables; and

U.S. orders stronger overdose warning on painkillers

WASHINGTON (Reuters), Jul 7 – U.S. regulators on Tuesday ordered stronger warnings about overdoses with the painkilling drugs Darvon and Darvocet and rejected a call by consumer group Public Citizen for a ban of the medicines. The action applies to drugs made with propoxyphene, the pain-killing ingredient in privately held Xanodyne Pharmaceuticals Inc.’s Darvon and Darvocet and generic medicines. Propoxyphene has been on the market since 1957. The Food and

Consumer Reports rates teeth-whitening products

Crest Whitestrips Supreme reigns supreme among home-based teeth-whitening products, according to a new survey in Consumer Reports. The product-testing publication had 82 of its employees compare eight home-based teeth-whitening products over several weeks. They used a digital color-measuring device to assess staffers’ tooth color before and after the course of whitening. The testers also described their experiences with the product. In addition to determining that Crest Whitestrips was tops in

Tissue regeneration offers less painful gum surgery option

Researchers from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine have developed a new application for guided tissue regeneration that they say reduces the pain and recovery time of gum grafting surgery when compared to traditional methods. Terrence Griffin, D.M.D., an associate professor and chair of the department of periodontology at Tufts, and colleagues conducted a three-year follow-up study that examined the stability of guided tissue regeneration as a treatment option for

Recession forces low-income families to sacrifice kids’ dental care

A recent U.S. survey of low-income parents has found that financial stress caused by the economic recession is forcing many families to choose between basic necessities, such as food, transportation, and housing, and routine dental care for their children. The national online poll, sponsored by the practice management firm Forba, was conducted May 29-30, 2009, and surveyed 210 parents of young children in U.S. households with annual incomes of $35,000

Tooth implant restores blind man’s sight

A 42-year-old U.K. man is able to see again for the first time in 12 years, thanks to one of his teeth. Martin Jones underwent a procedure that uses a segment of tooth as a holder for a new lens grafted from his skin, according to a story in the Daily Mail. During the procedure, a minute section of the tooth is removed, reshaped, and chiseled through to grip the

Study: Stone Age lifestyle helps periodontal health

Long ago, when mastodons marched and saber-tooth tigers prowled, human beings rarely got cavities. Evidence from prehistoric human teeth suggests that a low-sugar diet deprived Streptococcus mutans and other acid-producing bacteria of the raw material they needed to wreak havoc. But what about periodontitis? Scholars are still debating the relationship of food to this common and perplexing problem. So when Swiss National Television proposed a reality show in which 10

Study: Xylitol syrup may prevent caries in toddlers

Children given an oral syrup containing xylitol may be less likely to develop decay in their baby teeth, according to a study in the July issue of Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine (Vol. 163:7, pp. 601-607). Xylitol, approved in the U.S. for use in food since 1963, has been shown to effectively prevent tooth decay by acting as an antibacterial agent against organisms that cause cavities. These previous investigations