New CAD preop aid could help reduce radiation exposure

A new CAD-based referencing method that uses a digital dental scan could help reduce radiation exposure before craniomaxillofacial surgeries, according to a study published on February 7 in the International Journal of Medical Robotics and Computer Assisted Surgery. The experimental reference method was accurate in an in vitro analysis led by Dr. Alexander Zeller, a resident in oral and maxillofacial surgery at the University of Hannover in Germany. It could obviate

Looking for an easier way to copy dentures? It’s here

Clinicians can duplicate complete dentures quickly and easily with a general intraoral scanner and free, downloadable CAD software, according to a study published on February 3 in the Journal of Prosthodontics. CAD/CAM simplifies the process by capturing the form of the dentures with a scanner. Then, a 3D printer or milling machine is used to complete the denture duplication process, which may result in a reduction of cost and treatment

Study flags cancer risks from dental x-rays

Dental x-ray radiation exposure caused an estimated 967 cancers in the U.S. in 2019, according to a recent study published in Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology and Oral Radiology. Of these cancers, the vast majority could have been prevented, the researchers found. Dental radiography-related cancers represent about 3% of new cancers in the oral cavity/pharynx and 5% of brain tumors. However, as many of 75% of these cancers might

Henry Schein reports rise in dental, overall sales in Q4

Henry Schein reported growth in overall sales, including dental sales, for the fourth quarter of 2020. Total net sales grew 18.6% to $3.2 billion in the fourth quarter (end-December 26, 2020), compared with $2.7 billion in the same period a year ago. Dental sales for the fourth quarter of 2020 increased by 7.2% to $1.8 billion, compared with $1.7 billion in the fourth quarter of 2019. The company attributed the growth, in part, to

Purdue Pharma releases new antiseptic oral rinse

Purdue Pharma’s Avrio Health subsidiary has launched a Betadine oral antiseptic preprocedural rinse. The Betadine oral rinse (active ingredient, 0.5% povidone-iodine) is intended to be administered orally to prepare the oral mucosa prior to injection, dental surgery, or tooth extraction, according to Purdue Pharma. It’s available for professional use only through local dental distributors.

ACP swears in Hutten as new president

The American College of Prosthodontists (ACP) has sworn in Dr. Mark Hutten as its new president. Dr. Mark Hutten. Image courtesy of the ACP. A maxillofacial prosthodontist trained in oral oncology and complex dental restorations, Hutten has been director of the General Practice Residency Program and Dental Oncologic Services of Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago since 1996. In addition, he is an associate clinical professor at the Northwestern University Feinberg School

Fat Tuesday: 4 sugar facts for you and your patients

Sugar consumption is a well-known factor that affects oral and systemic health. Many holidays provide the opportunity for the consumption of added sugars, including the most recent holidays, Valentine’s Day and Mardi Gras. Appreciation on Valentine’s Day is often expressed with sweets, and it’s tradition to give chocolates or other sugary desserts as a heartfelt gift. Meanwhile, Mardi Gras, also known as Fat Tuesday, is a day of overindulging by

Kuraray Noritake debuts new universal composite

Kuraray Noritake has launched a new Clearfil Majesty ES-2 universal composite for posterior restorations. The material eliminates the need for shade selection and only requires a monolayer technique, the firm said. A blocker or opaquer is not needed because of the material’s specific level of translucency and the use of Kuraray Noritake’s light diffusion technology (LDT). LDT diffuses light in a way similar to natural tooth structure, Kuraray Noritake noted.

OSAP posts infection prevention, control guide for school sealant programs

The Organization for Safety, Asepsis and Prevention (OSAP) has published a new infection prevention and control guide for school sealant programs during the COVID-19 pandemic. Designed as a supplement to recent guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Division of Oral Health (DOH), OSAP’s new guide offers additional considerations for practical implementation, according to the organization. The DOH published its guidance for school sealant programs on

14% of parents don’t think it’s safe to go to the dentist

A total of 14% of parents don’t think it’s safe for their child to go to the dentist during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new survey of 1,882 parents. In addition, 40% haven’t tried to get preventive dental care for their children since the start of the pandemic. The survey was conducted by C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital at Michigan Medicine in January to get a better sense of how

Crest, Oral-B seek nominations for pediatric oral health champions

Crest and Oral-B are seeking nominations from the public for a sweepstakes to benefit pediatric and family dental professionals and offices who demonstrate commitment to promoting oral health in underserved children. The winners will receive Crest + Oral-B Kids electric rechargeable toothbrush systems to support their outreach efforts, according to the firms. A total of 1,200 brush systems will be donated. Nominations will be accepted through February 26 at the

Envista extends contract with Heartland Dental

Envista Holdings has inked a four-year contract extension with dental service organization Heartland Dental. As a result, Envista will continue to supply its dental implants, consumables, infection prevention products, handpieces, and imaging technology to Heartland Dental’s supported doctors, according to the company.