Glass hybrid costs less than composite in 3-year trial

Dentists looking for alternatives to amalgam may want to consider the latest generation of glass ionomers: glass hybrids. A glass hybrid material outperformed a nanohybrid composite in a three-year, randomized, controlled, split-mouth trial to be published in the April edition of the Journal of Dentistry. The glass hybrid (GH) had acceptable wear resistance and improved fracture toughness and surface hardness, the authors found. Overall costs for the glass material generally

Colgate-Palmolive to appeal decision on stain removal claim

Colgate-Palmolive plans to appeal a decision by the Better Business Bureau’s (BBB) National Advertising Division (NAD) recommending that it discontinue the claim that Optic White Renewal toothpaste “removes 10 years of yellow stains.” The claim has appeared on websites, in television advertising, and on product packaging. It was one of various claims challenged by Procter & Gamble (P&G), a competing manufacturer of toothpaste, according to BBB National Programs. The NAD

UNLV dental students learn anatomy with plastinated human heads

Students at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) School of Dental Medicine are learning head and neck anatomy and its relation to the oral cavity through the use of specially preserved, or plastinated, human specimens. UNLV’s dental school is one of a handful in the U.S. that have swapped wet, unpleasant-smelling cadavers for plastinated specimens, which came from human donors whose biological tissues were preserved in curable polymers. These

Oral damage common in COVID-19 survivors

More than 80% of COVID-19 survivors had damage to the oral cavity or surrounding structures in a study published on March 3 in the Journal of Dental Research. Abnormal salivary gland dilation and dry mouth were the most common conditions identified in 122 formerly hospitalized patients. Despite researchers extensively studying COVID-19’s systematic effects, little is known about its long-term effect on the oral cavity. The new study showed COVID-19 survivors

Kulzer debuts HVE tool for smaller arches

Kulzer has launched Ivory ReLeaf Minis, a high-volume evacuation (HVE) tool that can be used to treat patients with smaller arches, such as children. ReLeaf Minis can be used with the Ivory ReLeaf hands-free suction system. The Minis are approximately 25% smaller than the conventional evacuation tool, but they still fit the Ivory ReLeaf hands-free system. ReLeaf Minis come in 100-count packages, the company said. Ivory ReLeaf Minis. Image courtesy

How to recognize the ideal team player

We’ve all heard the worn-out statement, “There is no ‘I’ in team,” meaning that we should give up our interests for the good of the group. Every business yearns for team players who can achieve a goal by nurturing and harnessing the energies of all involved and reaching a new plateau together and in harmony. Yet ideal team players are scarce.As leaders, we want team players, yet we aren’t sure

Dentsply Sirona, NADG expand partnership

Dentsply Sirona has expanded its partnership with North American Dental Group (NADG), giving dentists affiliated with the dental service organization (DSO) greater access to scanning and imaging tools. Dentists supported by NADG will have access to digital products such as Dentsply’s Primescan, supporting workflow for services such as SureSmile clear aligners, Atlantis custom abutments, and guided implant surgery, the companies said. The DSO supports 250 dental offices across 15 states.

Anesthesia & Pain Management Insider: Oral damage common in COVID-19 survivors

Dear Anesthesia & Pain Management Insider, More than 80% of COVID-19 survivors had damage to the oral cavity or surrounding structures in a new study published in the Journal of Dental Research. The most frequently reported condition, salivary gland ectasia, affected 38% of 122 adults who had been hospitalized for COVID-19 treatment in Italy. Facial pain and nerve conditions were also common complaints among the COVID-19 survivors. Read the full

OrVance debuts orthodontic appliance cleaner

OrVance has unveiled a cleaner for removable orthodontic appliances that enables only two cleanings per week. An effervescent cleaning product, OrVance retainer cleaner is designed for use with retainers, aligner trays, mouthguards, and night guards, as well as bruxing and temporomandibular joint (TMJ) appliances, according to the company. It comes with 28 tablets — a three-month supply. Patient samples of four tablets are also available for orthodontic and dental practices,

Imaging leads to removal of rare intranasal tooth

Imaging aided in the treatment of a woman who experienced months of nasal congestion and blood-tinged secretions due to a rare intranasal tooth thought initially to be a rhinolith. The case report was published on February 28 in the Cureus Journal of Medical Science. A rigid nasal endoscopy revealed what appeared to be a rhinolith on the floor of the left nasal cavity. Clinicians determined it was a tooth because

What you need to know about cannabis

When it comes to cannabis in the dental office, there are more questions than answers. Pharmacologist Tom Viola, RPh, sat down with HuangshanDental.com to discuss what we know — and don’t know — about the controversial green plant. Cannabis has properties that function much like medications, Viola said in a video interview. But getting clarity around cannabis’s therapeutic uses, adverse reactions, and drug interactions is difficult because of its legal

Solmetex names 2 executive management team members

Solmetex has named two new members to its executive management team. Lauren Nagel will serve as chief operations officer. In her new role, Nagel will be responsible for the operations, finance, IT, human resources, and customer service arms of the company. Nagel joined Solmetex in 2000 and has seen the company through numerous transitions, the company noted. In addition, Bill Gerety will serve as chief commercial officer. Gerety joined Solmetex