Den-Mat to distribute new Remedent product in North America

Remedent and Den-Mat Holdings have signed an exclusive North American distribution agreement for Remedent’s new FirstFit technology, the companies announced. FirstFit is a patent-pending system for the creation and placement of dental bridges and crowns. The FirstFit system requires no temporary placements, creates less mouth trauma, and takes fewer office visits to complete, according to Remedent. “This agreement builds upon our partnership, which began with Lumineers, and will significantly expand

SecureDenture offers bleach-free whitening toothpaste

SecureDenture.com is now offering a bleach-free whitening toothpaste, the company announced. “Our market research has indicated that consumers are seeking bleach-free and healthy alternative toothpaste to whiten teeth,” said Eileen Sheets, product manager for SecureDenture.com, in a press release. “To meet consumer needs, SecureDenture.com now offers NaturDent, a bleach-free, papaya-fortified natural whitening toothpaste that nourishes gums and supports overall dental health.” The papaya and pineapple enzymes work synergistically to break

Asia-Pacific patients reluctant to invest in dental implants

Implant market growth rates in Asia-Pacific countries are slowing as financial instability continues to linger and patients remain reluctant to invest in elective procedures, according to a new report by Millennium Research Group (MRG). The high cost of dental implant procedures and unfavorable reimbursement in Australia, Japan, and South Korea will continue to limit market growth in the near term; however, the Asia-Pacific dental implant market will start to recover

No hygienist is an island

When John Donne wrote “no man is an island” in the 1600s, I’m sure the term “dental hygienist” never crossed his thoughts. However, the universal truth — that human beings do not thrive when isolated from others — does indeed apply to hygienists. Often, many professionals see the hygienist as a separate entity from the “heart” — the restorative aspect — of the dental practice. To many dentists, the hygienist

Ameritas offers oral cancer screening

Ameritas Group has announced that it now offers type 2 coverage on oral cancer screening for patients 35 years and older. Using new technology along with conventional visual exams, this simple screening makes it easier for dentists to detect oral cancer sooner, allowing patients to seek treatment sooner, the company said. “Ameritas believes strongly in the importance of preventive care and oral wellness education,” said Roxann Brennfoerder, vice president of

Get more patients to say ‘yes’ to cosmetic treatment

In a slow economy, some dentists may be tempted to present fewer elective cases. Don’t make this mistake! Give every patient the opportunity to say “yes” to a more beautiful smile. Use these Practice Success Dos and Don’ts to boost elective treatment. Promote the “smile factor.” Almost everyone would love to have a better smile. Offer every patient a free smile analysis. Use a shade guide so patients can see

German researchers develop antimicrobial cotton for dentistry

The Institute for Hygiene and Biotechnology (IHB) in Germany has developed the first textile that can release medically effective gasses, the institute announced. The textile was developed at IHB under the auspices of a research project, “Nitric Oxide Releasing Dental Cotton Rolls with Anti-microbial Effect.” To date, IHB scientists have been developing nitric oxide coating techniques primarily for antibacterial textiles in dentistry. The current prototype consists of cotton fibers refined

Louisiana House passes mobile dentistry bill

The Louisiana House of Representatives today passed a bill calling for tighter regulation of mobile dentistry. .pullQuoteCredit { align:right; text-align:right; font-family:arial, sans-serif; font-size:11px; line-height: 16px; font-style: normal; padding-top:2px; } “This bill was seeking originally, and always has been, to give children quality care in schools.” — Rep. Kevin Pearson (R-Slidell) The amended bill falls short of the ban on dentistry in schools originally proposed by the Louisiana Dental Association (LDA)

Dental Button gives patients control of the drill

A Missouri dentist has invented a device that allows patients to control the dental drill. Michael Edwards, D.M.D., a dentist in Union, now offers his patients the Dental Button, a handheld device that gives them the ability to stop the drill any time they want during a procedure due to pain or anxiety, according to news reports. The Dental Button resembles the button hospital patients use to self-administer painkillers after

Editorial: Dentists should rethink fluoride toothpaste instructions for kids

Given the rising rate of caries in children, the dental industry needs to rethink current instructions to parents regarding the use of fluoridated toothpaste for children younger than age 2, according to an editorial in the latest edition of the Journal of the American Dental Association (June 2009, Vol. 140:6, pp. 628-631). Regular use of fluoridated toothpaste is an accessible and low-cost strategy to preventing caries in young children, wrote

Align implements Invisalign proficiency program

Align Technology is implementing a product proficiency program in North America to help ensure that Invisalign-trained doctors have the experience and confidence necessary to achieve high-quality treatment outcomes for Invisalign patients, according to the company. Align describes the Invisalign system as “an evolving, skill-based procedure that requires regular usage and ongoing education to develop proficiency with the product and technique.” Effective June 1, the Invisalign product proficiency program requires every

Dental firms donate products to kids’ foundation

Three dental product companies have made generous donations to the National Children’s Oral Health Foundation (NCOHF), the foundation announced. Sunstar Americas donated 10,000 dental mirrors valued at $25,000 to nonprofit facilities that are affiliates of NCOHF and provide oral healthcare for underserved children in their communities. Carestream Health/Kodak Dental Systems donated 6,000 boxes of lidocaine 2% and 688 boxes of dental film to the foundation. Valued at $109,320, this donation