SmileDirectClub hopes to raise $100M in IPO

Direct-to-consumer teeth-straightening service company SmileDirectClub filed an initial public offering (IPO) on August 16. The company hopes to raise $100 million, according to documents filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The Nashville-based company, which sells clear aligners at a fraction of the cost of what patients pay to get traditional braces, stated in its SEC filing that it had treated more than 700,000 patients in the U.S. Puerto, Rico,

Removing Wisdom Teeth? Relax. Here’s Our 5 Tips for Easy Recovery

Wisdom teeth removal may be a life milestone, a rite of passage — most people have them taken out in their early to mid-20s — but it’s definitely no picnic. Relax. It’s actually not as bad as you think — with the right care and wisdom teeth recovery tips. Here’s what to do and what not to do to encourage the healing process of wisdom teeth and feel

Week in Review: Dentures found in patient’s throat | 5-year plan | Access to patient records

Dear DrBicuspid Member, An older patient comes to your practice days after surgery, citing pain, bleeding, and swallowing difficulties. Is your first thought that your patient might have a respiratory infection, or should you check for something blocking the throat — like maybe their dentures? While the need to remove dentures before surgery seems basic, the above story is a good reminder that sometimes steps are missed during procedures. I

Socioeconomic, hygiene status predict kids’ oral health

Lower socioeconomic status and ineffective oral hygiene habits directly predicted gingivitis in 12-year-olds in a new study. However, positive oral health beliefs and higher self-esteem predicted more frequent toothbrushing, which linked directly to more effective oral hygiene, the researchers reported in the Journal of Periodontology (August 5, 2019). The cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the effect that socioeconomic status had on the dental health, self-esteem, toothbrushing frequency, oral hygiene effectiveness,

Prenatal vitamin D improves kids’ dental health

Prenatal exposure to vitamin D may bolster children’s dental health. The children of women who took high doses of vitamin D during pregnancy had fewer enamel defects at age 6 in a new study. When enamel defects stem from a developmental cause, the teeth erupt with a hypomineralized and porous appearance. These defects can lead to tooth sensitivity and pain, and the teeth may be more prone to caries, the

Review focuses on avoiding discoloration after regeneration

Tooth discoloration can sometimes occur after a regenerative endodontic procedure, such as root revitalization. Researchers conducted a literature review to see how to sidestep this issue. Their analysis of the literature found that most of the materials used in these procedures had the potential to stain tooth tissue, so they recommended a technique to help reduce or eliminate staining. The review was published in the Journal of Oral Science (August

U.S. Oral Surgery Management partners with Atlanta practices

Management services company U.S. Oral Surgery Management has partnered with Oral & Facial Surgery Associates, a practice with three locations in the Atlanta area. This is the first expansion into Georgia for the organization, which has partnerships with 14 practices in 42 locations in Colorado, Georgia, and Texas.

Tooth trouble linked to cognitive decline in Chinese adults

Researchers found a link between tooth symptoms and a decline in cognitive function among older Chinese adults in the U.S., according to a new study. However, they did not find a link between cognitive changes and gum problems. Their study was published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society (August 12, 2019). The researchers of the retrospective epidemiological study used data from the Population Study of Chinese Elderly in

Black tooth stains may protect against caries

Black stains on primary and permanent teeth may protect against caries. A new review found patients with extrinsic black stains had fewer cavities than the general population. The authors hypothesized the difference could result from biological or nutritional factors. Researchers from Brazil reviewed more than a dozen studies evaluating whether extrinsic black stains made a difference in the occurrence of caries. They published their systematic review in Caries Research on

Endodontics Insider: Review focuses on avoiding discoloration after regeneration

Dear Endodontics Insider, Regenerative endodontic procedures such as root canal revitalization can be successful, but tooth discoloration caused by the materials used may occur. Researchers reviewed the literature to see which materials could cause tooth discoloration and how to successfully avoid this issue. Read our Insider Exclusive. Which imaging modality is more effective at locating microcracks on root dentin after root canal prep: microcomputed tomography or cone-beam CT? Researchers scanned

New product: At-home whitening kit with blue light introduced

ARC has introduced a new at-home teeth-whitening system with a blue light device. The ARC Blue Light teeth-whitening kit includes whitening strip treatments and a blue light device. The LED blue light technology helps weaken yellow stains below the tooth enamel surface, increasing the whitening results, according to ARC. The kit is available at Target and on the company’s website. The ARC Blue Light teeth-whitening kit. Image courtesy of ARC.

Stem cells may be key to tooth repair in the future

Researchers have discovered a new population of stem cells that holds the possibility of innovative treatment solutions for tooth decay, caries, and trauma in the future. A group of international researchers uncovered a host of mesenchymal stem cells that become activated through the molecular gene DLK1, according to a study published in Nature Communications (August 9, 2019). These cells make up skeletal tissues and contribute to the formation of dentin.