FDA announces new plans to combat opioid crisis

The U.S. Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) has announced two new plans to help combat the opioid crisis The first is a newly revised Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) blueprint for prescriber education. The 13-page document, titled “Opioid Analgesic REMS Education Blue Print for Health Care Providers Involved in the Treatment and Monitoring of Patients with Pain,” focuses on what prescribers should learn about managing acute and chronic pain.

3Shape gets FDA clearance for orthodontic software

3Shape has received 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its 3Shape Ortho System 2017 software. The market clearance includes the company’s digital indirect bonding placement and transfer media application, along with appliance design and production workflows. More than 270 bracket libraries are integrated with the software, according to 3Shape.

What You Need To Know About Snap-On Dentures

Are you tired of dentures? As we know, dentures can come loose with simple actions as laughing, coughing, or sneezing, and after a few times it stops being funny, and people start looking for a change that will don’t put them in an embarrassing position. Having a beautiful smile must be a priority for everybody, but what are the alternatives if dentures are not an option anymore? Snap-On Dentures This solution’s

Review confirms link between perio disease and diabetes

A new systematic review further supports the link between periodontal disease and diabetes. Periodontal treatment moderately but significantly improved glycemic control in patients with diabetes, the authors found. They looked through evidence in recently published meta-analyses of clinical trials. Their findings further confirm that periodontal treatment can reduce hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels, an indicator of how well diabetes is being controlled. “Evidence from recent meta-analyses of [randomized clinical trials] shows

Align Technology reports increased Q4, 2017 revenues

Medical device company Align Technology reported increases in revenues and clear aligner shipments for the fourth quarter of 2017 and the year. For the quarter (end-December 31, 2017), the company reported net revenues of $421.3 million, up from $293.2 million from the same quarter in 2016. The company also reported that shipments of its clear aligner product totaled 255,000 for the quarter, compared with 190,100 from the same period in 2016. The

3M, 3Shape partner on orthodontic digital workflow

3Shape and 3M have announced a partnership that allows practitioners to use 3Shape’s scanner and indirect bonding software for digital workflows. The agreement will allow orthodontists who use 3M’s Incognito lingual appliance system and Clarity Advanced brackets to use 3Shape’s Trios scanner and indirect bonding software for indirect bonding procedures, according to 3M. More applications will be added in the future.

Do’s and don’ts for practice marketing: Fill scheduling gaps with a whitening promotion

If you’re having trouble keeping your schedule full — generally or at certain times of the year — launch a minicampaign to bring in new patients for professional whitening at a special price. This will keep staff busy during what might otherwise be slow times (and help pay the bills) and also give prospective patients direct exposure to your office and team. Plan carefully and promote effectively. For the best

Can a laser improve root canal success rates?

What effect does an erbium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Er:YAG) laser have on the binding strengths of glass-fiber posts in root canal treatments? A new in vitro study measured the effect these lasers have on treatment success. Researchers examined the effect of roughening the root surface using an Er:YAG laser on the binding strength of 90 single-rooted teeth undergoing root canal treatment. Using the laser facilitated disinfection and roughening of the

Study: Dentists prescribe only 2% of opioids

The amount of opioids prescribed by all healthcare practitioners in the U.S. has increased over the last 15 years, but the total quantity of opioids prescribed by dentists has declined, according to new study published on January 15 in Annals of Emergency Medicine. Sarah Axeen, PhD. The resarchers calculated the quantity of opioids prescribed over a 15-year period by converting prescriptions to total milligrams of morphine equivalent (MME). As of

Study: Sleep apnea increases risk of stroke recurrence

Stroke survivors who also have sleep apnea are more likely to experience another stroke or even die, according to a study presented this week at the American Stroke Association’s International Stroke Conference in Los Angeles. In a study that detailed the importance of screening for sleep apnea, researchers from the University of Michigan found that 24% of stroke survivors with sleep apnea were likely to have another stroke or die

ADA Foundation names continuity of care grant winners

The ADA Foundation has announced three organizations as the recipients of its 2018 Give Kids A Smile Continuity of Care Grants. The Oklahoma City Indian Clinic will receive a $20,000 grant to serve 75 low-income American Indian families with children in Oklahoma. The Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center Foundation in New Orleans will receive a $12,500 grant to serve about 200 children at a local school that has a

Study: Periodontal disease increases stroke damage

Chronic periodontitis can increase the damage from an ischemic stroke, according to a small animal study presented this week at the American Stroke Association’s International Stroke Conference in Los Angeles. Chronic infection and persistent systemic inflammation are significant risk factors for poor outcomes for stroke patients, and chronic periodontitis is one of the most common chronic immunoinflammatory infections, according to the researchers from the University of Florida in Gainesville. Previous