Delta Dental touts oral health investments in 2020

The Delta Dental Institute has released a 2020 report on its community impact, titled “Our Promise to Our Communities,” highlighting the oral health investments its companies and foundations made in 2020. Delta Dental companies invested more than $102.5 million in communities to advance oral health and address health inequities and disparities, Delta Dental said. These efforts affected about 25 million people in the U.S. Additionally, Delta Dental companies committed $1.1 billion in COVID-19

FDA clears Ormco’s Spark aligners for younger kids

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared Ormco’s Spark clear aligners as an orthodontic treatment for younger children. The doctor-directed aligner system can be used on primary and secondary teeth, allowing clinicians to offer the treatment to younger patients with simple and complex orthodontic issues. Spark aligners have been used worldwide in adult patients since 2019; they were officially released in the U.S. in December 2020. Ormco said

Aspen Dental introduces Motto clear aligners

Aspen Dental Management has unveiled its Motto clear aligners. With Motto, patients first receive a digital scan to custom manufacture each aligner. Onsite labs and in-office technology then enable patients to receive their aligner on the same day, rather than forcing patients to wait weeks for their aligners or impression kit, Aspen Dental said. Motto is available now at Aspen Dental offices across the U.S., with purchase plans starting at

Anesthesia & Pain Management Insider: Kids skip the dentist after general anesthesia procedures

Dear Anesthesia & Pain Management Insider, Researchers from Scotland found a significant drop in dental care visits after children in the U.K. underwent general anesthesia for dental procedures in a recent study published in the European Archives of Paediatric Dentistry. While 85% of children in the study had a dental exam in the 12 months before their dental general anesthesia appointment, only 58% had an appointment the following year. The

Foster kids face barriers to good oral health

Youths with a history of foster care are more at risk of having poor oral health and are less likely to see a dentist for a specific dental problem or for routine care than those who have not been in foster care, according to a study published online June 2 in the Journal of the American Dental Association. The University of Minnesota researchers found youths with a history of foster

NM mandates dental exam before public school enrollment

New Mexico has passed a mandate stating that public school students who have recently relocated to the state or are transferring to a new district must have had a dental exam within the past year to enroll, according to a June 13 report from the Santa Fe New Mexican. The new requirement takes effect July 1. Critics say the mandate may put some families in a financial bind, and that

Wis. may authorize dental therapists, auxiliaries

The state of Wisconsin may authorize two kinds of dental care providers: dental therapists and dental auxiliaries, according to a June 14 report in the Wisconsin State Journal. The move is intended to “boost efficiency at dental clinics and access to dental care for the underserved in the state, which has a relatively low proportion of dentists who treat Medicaid patients,” according to the article. Dental therapists are recognized in

Week in Review: Girl swallows orthodontic wire | Harassment of hygienists | The cost of periodontal disease

Dear DrBicuspid Member, Summer is approaching and more relaxed days may be on the horizon, but the dental news shows no sign of slowing down. Our top story of the week detailed the diagnosis and recovery of an 11-year-old girl in California who unknowingly swallowed a 2.7-cm orthodontic wire. The authors of the new report, which was published in the August issue of the Journal of Pediatric Surgery Case Reports,

What you need to know about at-home teeth whiteners

Stroll down the dental aisle at your local pharmacy or grocery store and you’ll see a confusing array of products promising to whiten your teeth. The selection includes toothpastes, whitening strips, paint-on gels, mouth rinses, and even chewing gum. If you’re struck by decision paralysis over which product to recommend, imagine how the patient feels. Researchers performed a systematic review of over-the-counter (OTC) teeth whiteners in 2006 and concluded that

The Treatment Of Choice For Replacing Missing Teeth

Many people believe that tooth loss is something that only affects older people, but this is not true in all cases. Tooth loss is a condition that should be treated as soon as possible as it has a major impact on your oral health. According to information published by the CDC, certain chronic conditions are linked to tooth loss, including arthritis, diabetes, and even heart disease. With the following information,

Voco adds VisCalor thermoviscous composite

Voco has introduced its second thermoviscous composite, VisCalor, following the prior launch of VisCalor bulk. The universal esthetic composite, once warmed, is flowable during application. It then rapidly cools to body temperature after placement, allowing it to be sculped immediately, the company said. VisCalor has a filler rate of 83%, a 1.4% shrinkage rate, and a low wear rate, according to Voco. Voco’s VisCalor universal composite. Image courtesy of Voco.

Komet releases new endodontic motor

Komet USA has announced the availability of EndoPilot, an endodontic motor for endodontists and general practitioners to use in procedures. EndoPilot’s features include a motor function that stops it once the preparation length has been reached and an integrated apex locator that shows file positions in real-time. It also comes with a fully insulated handpiece, a 7-inch touchscreen, and a wireless rheostat, Komet said. EndoPilot is a torque- and speed-controlled