Do’s and don’ts for increasing production: Promote cosmetic dentistry

Spring and summer are great times to promote cosmetic dentistry. Most people will be attending graduations, weddings, reunions, and family gatherings. They want to look their best, especially if it’s an important event. Offer a whitening discount. Whitening is the starter service for more involved cosmetic procedures. By holding a whitening “sale,” you can persuade many patients who are on the fence to move forward with treatment. If patients like

Purpose, Procedure and Advantages of Bone Graft

When looking for the perfect dental treatment to recover your smile, there are a few steps that must be followed before showing a confident smile again. Dental diagnoses are fundamental because they will tell you and your dentists the exact procedures you need. For those who are missing one or more teeth, getting dental implants is almost unbeatable. If your jaw bone is too thin or soft to keep the

Week in Review: Tips for pregnant patients; office leases; and Calif. needs changes in oral care?

Dear DrBicuspid Member, What is the most important information to communicate to your pregnant patients? In observance of National Women’s Health Week, HuangshanDental.com spoke to dentists and obstetricians about how pregnant women can best take care of their own oral health and that of their children. Some recommendations have evolved and may surprise you. Read more here. Also this week on HuangshanDental.com, negotiating a dental office lease is an essential

New product: StellaLife launches oral care system

StellaLife has launched a system of products for recovery after dental surgery. The Vega oral care system contains a gel, rinse, and recovery kit that includes a spray. The gel is applied topically, the rinse is an antimicrobial mouthwash, and the spray can be applied sublingually. The products are designed to accelerate healing while reducing pain, swelling, and bruising. The products are natural and contain 16 active ingredients, according to

4 oral healthcare points for your pregnant patients

What is the most important information to communicate to your pregnant patients? In observance of National Women’s Health Week, HuangshanDental.com spoke to dentists and obstetricians about how pregnant women can best take care of the oral health of themselves and their children. Some recommendations have evolved and may surprise you. In the not-so-distant past, dentists weren’t encouraged to treat pregnant patients. But guidelines published in recent years, such as those

Survey: More Wash. kids getting dental care

Almost 90% of children in Washington state are receiving dental care for cavities, according to the results of a new survey. The Smile Survey measures the oral health of preschoolers and elementary schoolchildren from low-income households and among all racial and ethnic groups in Washington. The results from the 2015-2016 survey were compared with results from a similar survey conducted in 2005. The survey found the following: The percentage of

Which fixation system performs best over the long term?

Oral surgeons and other dental practitioners faced with a challenging presentation in orthognathic and reconstructive surgery will often consider either a titanium fixation system or a biodegradable system. Researchers from the Netherlands wanted to compare the two systems and see which performed better over the long term. They found that a commercially available titanium fixation system outperformed a biodegradable one in their long-term study. The results were published online May

Are transplanted third molars an implant alternative?

The autotransplantation of third molars has been called a feasible, fast, and economical alternative to an implant when a suitable donor tooth is available. But how do these teeth hold up over the long term, and what kind of socket is best for their placement? Researchers from China wanted to compare long-term outcomes of autotransplanted third molars in both surgically created sockets and fresh extraction sockets. They found no significant

New product: Cetylite debuts mint anesthetic gel

Pharmaceutical manufacturer Cetylite plans to offer a new mint flavor for the company’s topical anesthetic gel. Cetacaine topical anesthetic gel is indicated for anesthesia treatment of accessible mucous membranes, according to the company. The gel is applied with a cotton swab or microbrush directly to the site. The mint-flavored gel will be available in mid-June 2017, Cetylite said. Cetacaine topical anesthetic gel. Image courtesy of Cetylite.

AAP, Sunstar name 1st research grant recipient

The American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) and Sunstar Americas have announced the first recipient of a $30,000 research grant. Yvonne Kapila, DDS, PhD, is the recipient of the AAP’s Sunstar Innovation Grant. Her research project, “Natural bacteriocins as pre/pro-biotics to promote oral health and prevent periodontal disease,” was chosen from 15 grant submissions, according to the AAP. Dr. Kapila is a professor and vice chair of the division of periodontology at

Is a preference for sweets driven by genetics?

Our genetic code may determine whether or not we have a sweet tooth, a new study has found. Researchers noted an association between people who consumed high levels of sweets and one variation of a hormone. Animal studies have suggested that a hormone produced in the liver regulates sugary food and drink consumption. Researchers further explored this link between biology and behavior and found that a preference for sweets may

Perio treatment aids heart health in people with diabetes

Does periodontal treatment improve the overall health of people with diabetes? A new study examined the effects of periodontal interventions on cardiovascular disease (CVD) in patients with periodontitis and type 2 diabetes, and found that some therapeutic treatments may reduce the risk of cardiovascular complications. Researchers conducted a retrospective study of more than 15,000 patients to determine if undergoing subgingival curettage or flap operations influenced the occurrence of cardiovascular disease,