Study reveals important cellular activity in the gingiva

Researchers at Tohoku University in Sendai, Japan, have shed light on biological activity related to gingiva fibroblasts, cells that help produce fibers that hold our teeth in place, according to a news release issued by the university. A group led by Dr. Masahiro Yamada, PhD, of the university’s school of dentistry, created an artificial culture environment that simulated soft or hard gingiva. They discovered that simulated hard gingiva stiffness activated a

Kerr launches cordless endodontic motor, apex locator

Kerr Dental has launched the Elements Connect cordless endodontic motor and the Apex Connect electronic apex locator. Elements Connect gives clinicians a preference, operating in standard rotary, reciprocation, and adaptive motions. Apex Connect has a light indicator that provides real-time feedback while shaping, and it has built-in automatic self-calibration to assure measurement accuracy. The motor can be coupled with Apex Connect to unlock real-time working length readings of root canal

Zoom Whitening Cost | Cancun cosmetic dentistry

Cosmetic dentistry procedures are becoming increasingly popular among patients coming to Mexico searching for dental care. It is understandable why dental tourists decide to get such procedures here; cosmetic dentistry can be quite expensive and it is common for insurance plans to not cover some treatments of this branch, while in Mexico they can have access to these procedures with the same quality at an affordable price. Cosmetic dental procedures

PRF may help reduce oral surgery infections

Using a platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) technique to deliver antibiotics may decrease the risk of postsurgical infection in oral surgery patients, according to a proof-of-concept study recently published in BMC Oral Health. Additionally, delivering antibiotics via PRF may replace or enhance systemic antibiotic therapy while preserving the wound-healing properties of PRF. However, more studies are needed to prove that the strategy represents a feasible antibiotic delivery tool for oral surgery procedures,

Diabetes, tooth loss worsen cognitive decline

People who have both diabetes and tooth loss are at risk of a worse and faster cognitive decline as they age, according to a study published on March 12 in the Journal of Dental Research. The findings highlight the importance for older adults to manage their diabetes and get regular dental care, noted a team led by Bei Wu, PhD, of New York University (NYU) in New York City. Wu

Candid partners with SoftSmile

SoftSmile’s Vision artificial intelligence-powered treatment planning software will be available to CandidPro orthodontic platform providers. Vision offers automated segmentation and staging optimization that may reduce treatment planning time by up to 95%, according to the company. In addition, other clinical capabilities of the software include bite ramp shifts, 3D controls, and cone-beam computed tomography integration.

Best Mexican Dental Implants

Many people struggle with the big issue that is tooth loss. This condition can affect a person’s quality of life in a number of ways, including their general health, their everyday life, and their self-confidence. Fortunately, there is a wide range of dental treatments that can resolve this problem. The most popular among patients with tooth loss is dental implants. This treatment can be an effective solution to tooth loss

Sedative-induced fantasies may be rare risk to dentists

Hallucinated sexual assaults and erotic fantasies induced by sedatives, including midazolam, may occur during procedures like dental restorations, putting clinicians at risk of legal troubles, according to a review published on March 9 in the Journal of Clinical Pharmacology. The type of procedure a patient undergoes appears to be linked to the type of sexual hallucination the person experienced, and the higher the dose of sedative, the greater the risk,

Study finds link between periodontitis, arthritis

A team of researchers has reported a link between periodontitis and rheumatoid arthritis flare-ups, furthering research that could lead to therapies for the two conditions, according to a study published in Science Translational Medicine. Earlier, computational biologist Vicky Yao, PhD, of Rice University in Houston, discovered traces of bacteria linked with periodontal disease in samples collected from people with rheumatoid arthritis. She sought to further explore the connection. “Tracing this

Dental Pain Eraser inventor wins top award

The American Association of Orthodontists’ Committee on Technology awarded the 2023 Ortho Innovator Award to Dr. Cosmo Haralambidis for inventing the Dental Pain Eraser. Haralambidis, of Synapse Dental, invented the pen-shaped portable electronic dental anesthesia device after years of research in neuromodulation, according to a press release from Synapse Dental. Using PulseWave technology, the device sends subsensory electrical pulses to calm the nerves in the mouth and provide pain relief. When

Rubber dam clamp may lead to cortical tooth necrosis

A stainless-steel rubber dam clamp used during a root canal may have led to cortical necrosis in a healthy 22-year-old woman’s mandibular tooth, according to a case report published on March 10 in the Journal of Endodontics. It is believed to be the first published report that shows the effect that a rubber dam clamp may have on underlying bone in healthy patients, the authors of the case report wrote.

Week in Review: High-strength fluoride considerations | Is inflation an opportunity? | Teeth scaling on TikTok

Dear DrBicuspid Member, What do you need to know about the use of 1.1% sodium fluoride toothpaste or gel? Our top story of the week covers the essential points discussed in a recent commentary in the Journal of the American Dental Association. The article includes recommendations for use and the types of lesions that high-strength fluoride may be the most effective at countering. Is inflation an opportunity? Dental practices are