Study compares strength of CAD/CAM provisional restorations

New technologies and materials have made it easier to create and repair restorations, but do these CAD/CAM materials hold up as well as more-established materials? Researchers put four of them through their paces. A restorative’s shear bond strength and fracture toughness can predict how it may hold up in a patient’s mouth. The researchers tested both CAD/CAM and conventional materials and found that the CAD/CAM materials held up under pressure.

New product: Ultradent adds new curing light

Ultradent Products has introduced its new Valo Grand Corded curing light. The Valo Grand Corded curing light has a power cord for consistent power output without batteries. The device has a 12-mm lens and a back activation button for ease of use. The new curing light has all the benefits of the company’s Valo Grand cordless curing light but is more affordable and weighs less, according to Ultradent.

New product: Kulzer launches denture design software

Kulzer has launched Pala Design Studio, new web-based denture design software. The Pala Design Studio allows practitioners and dental labs to design dentures online using digital Mondial and Mondial i teeth, download the design files, and 3D print the dentures. The process requires only two patient visits, compared with up to five visits for conventional dentures, according to Kulzer.

Getting started with 3D printing: Video from CDA Presents

For many busy dental practices, a 3D printer can be a useful tool. Gerard Kugel, DMD, PhD, spoke with HuangshanDental.com about some of the technology’s advantages and disadvantages at the California Dental Association’s 2019 CDA Presents meeting in Anaheim, CA. Dr. Kugel, a professor and the associate dean for research at Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, uses 3D printing in his own practice. The technology is great for specific activities,

Week in Review: Getting started with 3D printing | Personalized dentistry | Opioid alternatives

Dear DrBicuspid Member, Dentists have questions about 3D printing and how it might affect their patient care. Dr. Gerard Kugel, PhD, spoke with HuangshanDental.com about some of the technology’s advantages and disadvantages at the California Dental Association’s 2019 CDA Presents meeting in Anaheim, CA. In more coverage from the CDA Presents meeting, Dr. Dennis Abbott spoke about how personalized healthcare will change how dentists approach patient intake and treatment. He also talked

Study finds U.S. dentists’ opioid prescriptions ‘excessive’

The percentages of oral health and dentist visits are about the same in the U.S. and England, but what about the rates of opioid prescriptions? Researchers conducted an international study to find out. Researchers conducted a cross-sectional study of opioid prescriptions by dentists in the U.S. and England over a year. They reported that the proportion of prescriptions written by U.S. dentists was 37 times greater than those written by

Visit the Best Dental clinic in Mexico in 2023

Dental Tourism in Mexico has become very popular among Americans and Europeans. Although it’s become a popular practice, usually there are still concerns about visiting another country just for the purpose of receiving dental treatment. Due to the wide variety of high-quality dental procedures for an accessible price, Mexico is one of the top destinations when considering Dental Tourism. While there are many cities with great dental clinics, we know

Treating kids with an advanced lightwire functional device

Most parents seem to view their children’s dental health as a waiting game: Fix the cavities and then wait to see how everything straightens out — or doesn’t straighten out, in which case move directly to orthodontics. Martin Gorman, DDS. No doubt, orthodontic devices can assist adolescents and adults in achieving optimal dental health, but the opportunity to maximize corrective dental procedures comes only once in life during the active

Restoratives Insider: Study compares strength of CAD/CAM provisional restorations

Dear Restoratives Insider, New technologies and materials have made it easier to create and repair restorations, but do these CAD/CAM materials hold up as well as more-established materials? Researchers put four of them through their paces to find out. Read our Insider Exclusive. When a patient claims to brush and floss, but the decay keeps coming back, you probably ask yourself why. Dr. Jean Creasey spoke about caries risk factors, including

Second Opinion: A comparison of 2 opioid alternatives

The ongoing opioid epidemic has responsible dental practitioners seeking effective means of pain relief for their patients. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are an option many practitioners recommend to their patients. These drugs (such as ibuprofen, aspirin, naproxen, and ketorolac) can reduce pain and inflammation. They also have the advantage of being able to be taken before and after oral surgery. In addition, NSAIDs can be combined with acetaminophen to have

The personalized revolution is coming

Dennis Abbott, DDS, lives in the future. It’s not unusual for the general dentist to review blood work, salivary DNA analysis, and bacterial profiles before recommending patient treatment. He regularly talks with physicians, nurses, and psychologists, ensuring the whole medical team is on the same page for each patient’s care. Perhaps most importantly, he has a seat at the decision-making table. His colleagues on the medical side of the healthcare

4 ways to promote heart health at your office

It’s time for the dental office to be proactive about heart health, according to Karen Davis, RDH. Davis spoke about how dental teams can promote cardiovascular wellness at the 2019 California Dental Association’s CDA Presents meeting in Anaheim, CA. Karen Davis, RDH. Scientists already know oral and cardiovascular health are inextricably linked, and new research has suggested periodontal disease may even contribute to hardening of the arteries. By helping patients