A century-old method may be key to tooth removal in anxious kids

A tooth-extraction method that originated at least a century ago for patients with hemophilia may be the answer to removing baby teeth from nervous kids, according to research published on July 3 in the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics Clinical Companion. Using the atraumatic extraction technique — in which a clinician places an elastic band over a loose baby tooth to encourage natural, painless exfoliation — can minimize

Tooth loss is a risk factor for dementia

Tooth loss is a risk factor for cognitive impairment and dementia, according to a meta-analysis published on July 8 in the Journal of Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine. What’s worse, the risk of cognitive decline increases with each lost tooth. The authors investigated the link between cognitive decline and tooth loss using 14 individual studies with 34,074 adults and 4,689 cases of diminished cognitive function. While tooth loss was linked

BDA wants junk food brands banned from sports

The British Dental Association (BDA) wants junk food brands to stop sponsoring sporting events and for players to stop promoting sugary drinks, unhealthy fast food, and candy, according to an article published on July 5 in BDJ in Practice. The association’s stance comes after it applauded soccer player Cristiano Ronaldo for shunning Coca-Cola, a sponsor of the Union of European Football Association (UEFA) Euro 2020 championship. BDA dentists believe the

Aluminum foil can be hack for dental implant impressions

Aluminum foil has its place in the kitchen, but did you know it comes in handy in the dental practice as well? Foil can be used to facilitate open-tray dental implant impressions, according to an article published on July 1 in the Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry. The use of standard household 0.016-mm aluminum foil simplifies the procedure and acts as an adequate temporary sealing when dental impression material is loaded,

Pacemakerlike device may restore lost intraoral functions

Researchers from Texas A&M University said they have achieved the first step toward building electronic stimulation implants that could restore essential intraoral functions lost due to nerve or brain damage. A group led by senior author Hangue Park, PhD, of the university’s engineering department said they have delineated the minimum size of electrical currents needed to provide sensation in different parts of the mouth. Their findings were published recently in

Pac-Dent unveils cordless hygiene handpiece

Pac-Dent has introduced ProMate CL, a cordless hygiene handpiece that weighs only 3.8 oz. ProMate CL features dual-mode speed control via a quick-touch button and a Bluetooth-powered foot pedal, according to Pac-Dent. It has six speed settings ranging from 500 revolutions per minute (rpm) to 4,000 rpm and is compatible with all disposable prophy angles, the company said. The handpiece is available now. The ProMate CL cordless hygiene handpiece. Image

Avalon Dental Group is Expanding!

We are proud to announce the opening of our second office location in Katy, Texas. With this exciting expansion, we intend to give patients the same superior level of care that we’ve always promised, which includes a comprehensive list of dental services for all ages in a relaxing and friendly environment. Patients can expect to be cared for by an elite dental team at our Katy dental office, including Principal

Patients are willing to pay for preventive dental care

People are willing to pay for scale and polish services and oral hygiene advice even without seeing the immediate benefits, according to a study published in the July print edition of the Journal of Dental Research. Researchers looked at a representative sample of 667 people in the U.K. who selected sample dental care packages they would choose to pay for based on included services and cost. The respondents more frequently

Roland DGA offers new 3D dental printer

Roland DGA’s DGShape Americas has added the Sol LCD 3D printer to its DGShape product line. The new printer allows dental models, provisional crowns and bridges, occlusal guards, surgical guides, and more to be produced onsite quickly and easily. It is three times faster than standard printers, features 49-µm pixels, has the capability to print at 4.5 cm per hour, and provides a smooth surface finish, according to the firm.

3Shape rolls out new dental system software release

3Shape has launched the latest version of its Dental System software. Making use of artificial intelligence (AI) technology, Dental System 2021 features new and improved integrated workflows for crowns and bridges, implants, dentures, clear aligners, and splints, according to the vendor. With the software, AI can perform many of the lab technician’s tasks, including teeth segmentation and occlusal plain adjustment, 3Shape said. Other enhancements include improved implant bridge designing, as

Turmeric ingredient can spice up periodontitis treatment

Curcumin, the main active ingredient in turmeric that gives the spice its yellow color, may have a role in the treatment of periodontitis thanks to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. A review article on the substance was published on June 26 in the Journal of Periodontal Research. When the use of curcumin is combined with other conventional periodontal therapies, such as photodynamic therapy and scaling and root planing, it may

Henry Schein updates online portal for handpiece repair

Henry Schein has launched a new version of its ProRepair Handpiece Portal platform for facilitating dental handpiece repairs. The new version of the ProRepair Handpiece Portal will enable dental professionals to submit a request for repairs, check the status of a repair once shipped, and manage a personal handpiece profile, according to Henry Schein.