3Shape partners with mouthguard company

3Shape and sports technology company GuardLab have announced a partnership that allows practitioners to use 3Shape’s technology and software to create custom mouthguards. GuardLab will use 3Shape technology to digitally scan an athlete’s teeth and 3Shape’s CAM/CAD software to model its custom mouthguards for sports. GuardLab’s patented ARC-PRO guard is designed to provide better muscle stability, enhanced oxygenation, and lessen temporomandibular tension during competition and training, according to GuardLab.

New product: Philips launches sleep apnea mask

Philips has released a new over-the-nose continuous positive airways pressure (CPAP) nasal mask for patients with sleep apnea. The DreamWisp features a top-of-the-head tube design. This design allows patients with sleep apnea to sleep in any position they want. The over-the-nose cushion also offers an extra level of comfort to the mask, which may improve patient compliance, according to Philips.

Week in Review: Sealant awareness | CDT code changes | Unneeded CT scans

Dear DrBicuspid Member, Dental sealants are one of the most commonly used tools to help prevent dental decay, but more than half of U.S. adults don’t know that. A recent survey published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that 46% of adults could not answer a basic question about the nature of dental sealants. I don’t know how the need for further education on the

CDC: Half of adults don’t know what dental sealants do

The majority of U.S. adults don’t know what dental sealants are used for, according to the findings from a recent survey published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The survey asked thousands of adults a multiple-choice question about the nature of dental sealants. Only 46% of adults got the question right, making the researchers wonder just how much the U.S. population really knows about sealants. They

New product: Premier launches evacuation system cleaner

Premier Dental has launched Vac Attak Green, a new evacuation system cleaner. The cleanser is compliant with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s 2020 regulation for disposing of amalgam waste. The formula has a neutral acidity and no chlorine, making it safe for use with amalgam separators, according to the company.

Benco to distribute StellaLife pain management products

Benco Dental has announced a partnership with biotechnology company StellaLife to distribute the company’s alternative pain management products. The StellaLife oral healthcare product line includes rinses, gels, and sprays to help provide pain and swelling relief before and after oral surgery. The products are created using natural ingredients, according to the company.

FDA proposes limiting fluoride in bottled water

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) proposed a rule to limit the allowable level of fluoride in bottled water on April 2. The proposed rule would lower the allowable level of fluoride from 0.8 mg/L parts per million (ppm) to 0.7 mg/L ppm. Susan Mayne, PhD. Image courtesy of the FDA. The proposed limit is the same as the level set by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services

The Causes of Tooth Sensitivity

Every adult has experienced a toothache, but did you know that the most common kind of toothache is due to tooth sensitivity? Tooth sensitivity refers to discomfort of your tooth or teeth that’s due to pain that’s shooting, sharp, and sudden but temporary. It’s usually triggered when you eat something hot, cold, acidic, sweet, and so on. Dealing with tooth sensitivity usually involves treating the underlying cause, whether it’s tooth

New product: 3M launches new Filtek composite

3M has launched Filtek Universal Restorative, a new composite designed for clinicians who use a single shade for most restorations. The universal composite features a simplified shade selection process that includes eight tooth shades, an extra white shade for whitened teeth, and a pink opaquer to mask metal and stains. The system is designed to blend the composite with the surrounding tooth structure. It also includes a redesigned capsule with

Colored Fillings versus Amalgam Fillings – Which One Should You Choose?

For most people, the default choice for fillings would seem to be colored ones, especially if your cavities are not severe. However, thanks to the advances of dental technology, you’re no longer relegated to just one option when filling up those holes in your teeth. Aside from composite filings, you can also use dental amalgam. Both have their respective pros and cons. The main and most obvious difference between the

Do porcelain laminate veneers last well over the long term?

Porcelain laminate veneers are known to provide dependable, conservative treatment for aesthetically problematic anterior teeth. However, issues such as porcelain fracture and chipping can mar results and survival, and long-term clinical data are limited. To learn more, researchers investigated long-term results with this restorative option. They assessed the clinical performance and longevity of 114 porcelain laminate veneers placed in 26 individuals at one clinic seven to 14 years earlier. Porcelain

Second Opinion: An update on the Utah fluoride overfeed

On February 6 and 7, 2019, the residents of 50 homes in Sandy City, UT, experienced what is known as a “fluoride overfeed” for two hours. This occurred mainly because of a combination of human error and a snowstorm that caused a power failure at the city’s water plant. Johnny Johnson Jr., DMD, president of the American Fluoridation Society. Officials also tested more than 2,800 homes for possible exposure to