In this Second Opinion, Paul Casamassimo, DDS, policy chief for the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD), responds to readers’ concerns about a recent survey on the predicted growth in the number of pediatric dentists in the U.S. The survey, which was commissioned by the AAPD, found a predicted 62% increase in the number of pediatric dentists by 2030 if supply and demand trends remain the same. For decades, the
KaVo Kerr has launched the KaVo Care handpiece repair service. KaVo Care customers can request a repair through an online portal, which has flat-fee pricing based on the handpiece type. Customers can also use the portal to check repair status. Repairs for most requests are done within 24 hours once the handpiece arrives at KaVo Kerr’s repair facility in North Carolina, and repair specialists only use original equipment manufacturer parts,
DMG America has introduced LuxaCrown, a semipermanent composite material. LuxaCrown can last up to five years, according to the company. DMG designed the material for chairside crown and bridge procedures. Clinicians can also use the material for implant procedures with multiple phases, as well as pediatric and geriatric patients, the company noted. DMG is currently accepting preorders for LuxaCrown. The material will begin shipping in September. LuxaCrown composite. Image courtesy
The use of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) shows promise for accelerating orthodontic tooth movement (OTM) and reducing the associated pain. Researchers conducted a randomized clinical trial to investigate the effects of one such type of low-level laser, a diode laser, on these factors. Results of this treatment are not well understood, the study authors explained. To learn more, the researchers treated 41 patients on one side of their mouth with
Dear DrBicuspid Member, If you’d asked Dr. Mikaeya Kalantari about search engine optimization (SEO) when she graduated from dental school, she admits she wouldn’t have known how to answer. Now, as a pediatric dentist and successful blogger, she has come to understand how important SEO is for a practice. She shares four tips to help yours. Pediatric dentistry was one of the most prominent topics this week on HuangshanDental.com. Our coverage
Researchers wanted to see which CAD/CAM composites for molars were hardest and held up best after toothbrush abrasion testing. After putting six composites through rigorous testing, they discovered that feldspathic ceramic scored the highest in hardness, but some of the composites might need periodic repolishing. The researchers tested four blocks used for molars, one block for premolars, and a feldspathic ceramic and reported their findings in the Journal of Oral
When doctors told Frances Faulkenburg she had sleep apnea, she was more than ready for relief from her tired-all-the-time existence. She used to fall asleep at red lights while behind the wheel. At night, she’d wake up gasping for air, heart pounding. Her husband told her she snored. But Faulkenburg, 47, couldn’t tolerate the CPAP machine her doctor prescribed. “I just could not get used to the face mask covering
Software company Bellus3D has updated its Dental Pro application with a tool that merges the app’s 3D face scans with intraoral scans. The new Visual Smile Aligner tool embeds and aligns intraoral scans with a 3D model of a patient’s face taken through the Dental Pro application. Clinicians can then use on-screen modules to fine-tune the alignment and positioning of the two models. The software is designed for use in
When looking for root fractures, conventional scanning methods may miss crucial clinical information. Researchers wanted to see if a fluorescence camera could measure the depth of these fractures and any bacterial presence in extracted mandibular second molars. After scanning the root fractures using a fluorescence camera, they were successful in identifying root fractures and the presence of bacterial contamination, and the study authors reported their findings in the Journal of
The number of U.S. pediatric dentists is expected to grow by more than 60% through 2030, according to new research commissioned by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD). Without major policy shifts, this drastic increase in supply could overtake demand for services. The dental industry is in a time of transition — more dentists are postponing retirement and an increasing number of students are enrolled in dental school. A
You might not be a dentist yourself — but you have eyes. Look for these 5 obvious warning signs of gum disease. Think you suffer from any of the following? Call our dental office in Cleveland. We’ll make a complete diagnosis and recommend a treatment plan to get you back to health. What is Gum Disease? Gum disease is a chronic condition of the gums that gets worse
Root caries is a multifactorial disease that can be prevented. So how can you identify patients who might be at risk? After reviewing almost 20 years of studies, researchers found that older patients who are tobacco users are among the most at risk. With an aging population and growth in the number of natural teeth retained in these patients, root caries is an increasingly common treatment issue. Researchers conducted the