Study finds shift to nonamalgam restorations in younger U.S. dental patients

Nonamalgam restorations were the most common in the primary teeth of children older than 5 and in the permanent teeth of adults younger than 40 in the U.S., according to a study published on April 25 in the Journal of the American Dental Association. The findings may suggest changes in treatment to minimally invasive approaches, the authors wrote. “The age-related findings suggest a shift from amalgam over time, as alternative

Are eggshells a boon for bone graft materials?

Researchers have developed a new technique to synthesize amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) bone graft particles derived from eggshells, according to a recent study published in Smart Materials in Medicine. Ultimately, the development could lead to an unlimited supply of bioactive and sustainable bone graft materials while reducing environmental pollution, according to the authors. “Eggshells is an ideal raw material to synthesize bone graft materials, as it contains plenty of calcium

University of Kentucky launches opioid prescription reduction project

The University of Kentucky in Lexington has launched a $580,000 project that will work with dentists to reduce the number of opioid prescriptions given to young people, according to a report published by the school. Dentists and oral surgeons are among the leading prescribers of opioids to adolescents and young adults, the university said. The project will be funded by a UG3 award from the U.S. National Institutes of Health

Patent filed for ultrasound-based teeth whitening technology

KronosMD has filed a provisional patent with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for an ultrasound-powered device that whitens teeth. The technology uses ultrasound waves to penetrate the enamel and dentin layers, removing deep stains and discoloration without damaging the teeth or gums. The technology aims to provide noninvasive, painless teeth whitening, according to the company.

Digital splints plus exercises reduce pain in TMD patients

Patients with temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD) experienced significantly less pain, as well as improved diet and jaw function, after treatment with muscle exercises and digital occlusal splints. The study was published on April 17 in the Journal of Oral Rehabilitation. Additionally, patients with anterior disc displacement with reduction, anterior disc displacement without reduction, and anterior disc displacement without reduction with osteoarthritis experienced a reduction in pain, the authors wrote. “Pain,

Researchers to develop new method for targeting gum infections

Researchers at Lehigh University have received a grant from the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) to develop an antibiotic delivery system to target aggressive gum infections, according to a news release from the university. The group, led by chemical and biomolecular engineering associate professor Angela Brown, PhD, is developing a liposomal-based method to kill the periodontitis-causing leukotoxin while protecting immune cells that fight infection. “Leukotoxin fights the body’s immune

How race may affect orthodontic treatment outcomes

More than one-third of orthodontic patients had tooth size discrepancies, and the differences may be more prevalent in Black and Hispanic patients than in white patients, according to a study published on April 19 in Orthodontics and Craniofacial Research. As orthodontics becomes more digitized, orthodontists should be aware that odontometrics data generated from digital models versus casts made using traditional methods may affect orthodontic treatment. Diagnosing tooth size discrepancies (TSDs)

FDA OKs LuxCreo’s aligners-in-a-day platform

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted 510(k) clearance to LuxCreo’s heated, chairside digital light processing 3D printing system that can produce same-day clear aligners. By bypassing the traditional model and thermoforming stages, LuxCreo’s platform can create a clear aligner in as little as two hours following intraoral scanning, the company stated in a press release. Additionally, LuxCreo’s patent-pending multithickness technology enables customized teeth movements tailored to each

A cool way to melt away kids’ anesthesia-related agitation

Popsicles may effectively alleviate postoperative emergence agitation in pediatric patients given sevoflurane for oral surgery, according to a study recently published in the Journal of Pediatric Nursing. The incidence of anesthesia emergence agitation and severe agitation was significantly higher in children between the ages of 1 and 3 who were not given popsicles after surgery compared to those who were given frozen treats, the authors wrote. “Ice popsicle is an

Mexico for Dental Work in 2023

The demand for dental services in cities like Cancun and Los Algodones in Mexico keeps growing due to the high-quality care provided in the clinics in these cities, the lower costs compared to other countries, and the convenience of being able to combine a dental procedure with a vacation. Dental tourism Mexico is now a very common practice among patients from different parts of the world, particularly from the United

OrthoFX’s NiTime aligner gets FDA clearance

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted 510(k) clearance to OrthoFX’s NiTime aligners, which are designed for overnight wear. The new aligners will be available to a limited initial group of orthodontic practices starting on April 21. OrthoFX will exhibit NiTime aligners at booth No. 641 at the annual session of the American Association of Orthodontists, which will be held in Chicago April 21-24.

Earth Day

The idea for Earth Day was the brainchild of Gaylord Nelson, a senator from Wisconsin. He envisioned an Earth Day that would be a kind of environmental teach-in. The first Earth Day celebration took place on April 22, 1970, and a surprising 20 million people participated on that day. Ultimately, it became the largest organized celebration in US history. Earth Day Over the Years Over the years, the recognition of