Review suggests link between perio disease, obesity

Does body weight affect the likelihood that a patient may have periodontal disease? Evidence suggests it does, according to a recent review published in the British Dental Journal. However, knowing the common link between these diseases can help clinicians plan treatment for patients with obesity, periodontitis, or both, according to the review authors from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland and El Bosque University in Bogotá, Colombia. That common link

Review links metabolic syndrome with tooth loss

A new review published in the December edition of the Journal of the American Dental Association has linked metabolic syndrome with tooth loss. People with metabolic syndrome had fewer teeth and were more likely to have nonfunctional dentition, the review found. For the review, researchers from Brazil and Australia parsed the findings of a dozen studies on the relationship between tooth loss and metabolic syndrome. However, they cautioned that more

Oral surgeon to pay $625K for slicing kid’s lingual nerve

An oral surgeon in Virginia and her employer must pay $625,000 to a 12-year-old girl following third-molar surgery in which her lingual nerve was severed and that left her with lifelong issues, including the inability to taste. Corey Burgoyne, DMD, and Blue Ridge Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery in Fishersville and Lexington, VA, must pay the damages to the girl and her family, according to a final order issued on November

SICAT unveils new version of implant planning software

Software and hardware manufacturer SICAT has introduced version 2.0 of its implant planning software for CEREC guides. SICAT Implant 2.0 is now open for the import of all 3D cone-beam CT (CBCT) data and features multiple new functionalities, including implant-oriented views, collision warnings, and a planning report designed to enable reliable evaluation of the treatment plan, according to the company. What’s more, the software automatically preselects implant length and diameter

Woman causes stir with ad for $400 braces for kids

An ad by a woman in Florida who claims she can give a child braces and 12 months of treatments for $400 has medical professionals and the public cringing, according to news reports. The woman posted her promotion, along with several photos of children and teens with braces, in a private Facebook forum called “Duval Beauty Directory and Promo!” on December 2. Her offer is good through the end of

Is cellphone use linked to rise in head, neck injuries?

The number of head and neck injuries related to cellphone use has increased steadily over a recent 20-year period, according to a study published December 5 in JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery. Distractions, such as texting while walking, led to most of the injuries, many of which were not serious. However, some injuries showed potential for long-term complications, according to the researchers. “These findings suggest a need for patient education

Week in Review: How to manage the boss | A salon whitening accident | GNYDM recap

Dear DrBicuspid Member, I’m back in Colorado after a quick few days in the Big Apple. It seems like this year’s Greater New York Dental Meeting (GNYDM) flew by. This year’s meeting was jam-packed with new product announcements, including videos we captured with Essential Dental Systems, Hu-Friedy, and Sikka Software. We will have more product videos next week from the show, as well as some thoughts that Dr. David Rice and

A 5-step process for better retraction

Retraction comes in many forms … Cord Laser Pastes Electrosurgery (which is the only option here of which I am not a fan) With that, there are many instances where retraction makes our lives simple, including the following: Veneers Crowns Bridges Class 5 direct restorations So we know about retraction, but there is a problem. After the daily clinic beatings we endured in dental school, many young dentists tend to

Salon teeth whitening leaves woman with charred gums

A woman in Ireland has been left with burned gums and possibly permanent damage following a teeth-whitening treatment at a beauty salon. She may have to undergo a gum graft to fix the botched procedure, according to news reports. Aoife Wills took to Facebook to show before-and-after photos and warn others about getting their teeth whitened at places other than dental offices. In her post, which was shared approximately 2,000

EDS launches new endodontic system

NEW YORK CITY – Essential Dental Systems (EDS) has unveiled a new endodontic system comprised of SafeSiders HF helical flat rotary nickel titanium (NiTi) instruments and the Endo-CSV cordless endodontic handpiece at the Greater New York Dental Meeting (GNYDM). The patent-pending relieved helical flat instruments rotate in the opposite direction of the cutting flutes, helping provide a coronal pathway for debris, according to EDS. They are highly resistant to breakage,

18,000-year-old pup with full set of teeth unveiled

Russian scientists have unveiled a prehistoric puppy, which is believed to be about 18,000 years old, that was found in Siberian permafrost. The baby pup emerged in near-perfect condition, retaining its teeth, nails, eyelashes, whiskers, and plenty of fur, according to news reports. On December 1, the public got its first look at the well-preserved puppy, which is either a dog or a wolf, at Mammoth Museum in Yakutsk, Russia.

Restoratives Insider: A 5-step process for better retraction

Dear Restoratives Insider, I have been fortunate enough to work with Dr. David Rice for a few years now as we have traveled around the country helping dentists and team members through the IgniteDDS and IgniteDA lecture series. During these lectures, I have seen firsthand how he easily and efficiently translates what has made his Upstate New York dental practice successful to those in the audience. When I had the opportunity