Nobel Biocare expands CAD/CAM business with $32 million deal

Nobel Biocare has signed an agreement to purchase 100% of BioCad Medical, a developer of computer-aided design (CAD) software for prosthetics, for 26 million euros ($32 million U.S.), the company announced. The purchase includes all rights to BioCad’s trademark, brand names, strong R&D network, and a facility in Quebec City, Canada. Nobel Biocare said it will retain all 40 BioCad employees. Nobel Biocare also announced the signing of an exclusive

Irish dental council approves clinical dental technicians

The Dental Council of Ireland has established the role of the clinical dental technician (CDT) as a class of dental auxiliary, according to an announcement on the council’s Web site. Created with the consent of the Minister for Health, appropriately qualified CDTs are allowed to manufacture and fit removable dentures for patients, independent of a dentist. Initially, 10 clinical dental technicians will register with the council, after completing a dedicated

ADA reconsiders fluoride supplements

Brittle bones, kidney stones, thyroid disease — even an asthmatic’s wheeze: fluoride gets blamed for a lot of health problems. Noting such concerns, oral health agencies in several countries are recommending that fluoride supplements be given only to children at highest risk of caries, or to no one at all. Now the ADA is mulling such a similar shift in its own guidelines. The chair of a working group for

Survey: Nicorette gum also whitens teeth

A survey has found that Nicorette White Ice Mint not only helps ease tough cravings and withdrawal symptoms, but also helps whiten teeth, according to a press release from GlaxoSmithKline, which manufactures the gum. The survey of 327 U.S. smokers, conducted by Richard Day Research of Evanston, IL, in September 2008, found that 49% of those surveyed said the yellowing of their teeth strongly contributes to their decision to quit

When it comes to implants, you gotta go 3D

Editor’s note: Edwin T. Parks’ column, Talking Pictures, appears regularly on the HuangshanDental.com advice and opinion page, Second Opinion. I attended the annual session of the American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology earlier this month and saw some amazing images. The two that stuck in my mind were cross-sectional views of the mandible that showed an implant passing completely through the mandibular canal space! Somehow I don’t think 3D

Study links smoking during pregnancy to cleft palate

Women who smoke during pregnancy run a higher risk of having a baby with a cleft palate or lip, and babies born to smokers are twice as likely to be born with the conditions as opposed to babies of nonsmokers, according to a new study from the March of Dimes California Research Division. A unique feature of the study is that it did not rely on women’s self-reported smoking habits

Wrigley and Cadbury clash over Recaldent gum

The Federal Trade Commission is reviewing a complaint by Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company that Cadbury USA does not have adequate evidence to back claims it has made in Trident Xtra Care gum ads about the oral benefits of Recaldent. Both companies are manufacturers of competing sugarless chewing gums. Cadbury has promoted the fact that Trident Xtra Care gum contains Recaldent, which some studies claim builds tooth enamel. Discovered and patented

3M restoratives get high marks from Dental Advisor

The 3M ESPE Z100 Restorative and 3M ESPE Filtek Z250 Universal Restorative have received the highest possible clinical rating — excellent — from Dental Advisor, according to 3M. The Z100, a light-cured composite with zirconia filler particles, was reviewed at 15 years and given a 96% clinical rating. Nearly 130 restorations that were placed in 1992-1993 were recently recalled and evaluated. After 15 years, more than 80% of restorations exhibited

Dr. Fresh acquires Binaca, Tek, Dentax brands

Dr. Fresh, a manufacturer and distributor of oral and personal care products, has purchased the Binaca, Tek, and Dentax brands of breath sprays and other oral care products from Ascendia Brands. “Binaca has long been the standard in the breath care category, enjoying a high degree of recognition and a loyal consumer following,” stated Daniel Enriquez, vice president of sales and marketing for Dr. Fresh, in a press release. “Binaca

Dentists confused about NTI, says maker

When an opportunity seems too good to be true, it probably is. But lots of dentists are forgetting that principle when it comes to the Nociceptive Trigeminal Inhibition (NTI) tension suppression system, according to James Boyd, D.D.S., whose company, NTI-TSS, sells the device. “It’s not a piece of plastic you can dispense out of the box.” Too many think the NTI offers a quick, cheap, and easy compromise for patients

Parker purchases Midmark’s nitrous oxide line

Parker Hannifin, a manufacturer of motion and control technologies and systems has completed the purchase of the Matrx line of nitrous oxide delivery systems from Midmark. The devices include digital and standard analog flowmeters, manifold systems, and breathing circuits. “The Matrx product line broadens our offering in the dental equipment market and enables Parker to offer products uniquely designed for oral surgery and cosmetic markets,” stated John Greco, president of

2nd Annual Boo in the Run

On October 25th, the Avalon Dental Team participated in the Missouri City Parks and Recreation’s 2nd annual Boo in the Run event at Buffalo Run Park. The event created a safe and community-oriented opportunity for children in our community to enjoy the Halloween festivities a week before Halloween. The event brought together families, local businesses, and the Parks and Recreations department of Missouri City at the lovely Buffalo Run Park