Week in Review: New implant coating; articaine vs. lidocaine; and gender pay gap

Dear DrBicuspid Member, Silver and hydroxyapatite nanoparticles may be the key to reducing the implant failure rate. A new, biocompatible implant coated with the two materials effectively prevented biofilm growth and adhesion in a recent study. Read more here. The most-read story this week on HuangshanDental.com focuses on the extraction of third molars. When patients need to have these molars extracted, many dentists choose to use either 4% articaine or

New implant coating reduces bacterial growth, adhesion

Silver and hydroxyapatite nanoparticles may be the key to reducing the implant failure rate. A new, biocompatible implant coated with the two materials effectively prevented biofilm growth and adhesion in a recent study. To find the ideal implant surface, researchers from the University of Plymouth in the U.K. coated more than 80 disks with different combinations of silver and ceramic versions of hydroxyapatite. They published their findings in the journal

Anesthesia & Pain Management Insider: Dexamethasone reduces pain after third-molar extractions

Dear Anesthesia & Pain Management Insider, Dentists and oral surgeons are always looking for better ways to reduce their patients’ pain after surgery, and a new study may have a solution. An injection of dexamethasone before surgery significantly reduced postoperative pain for patients who had impacted third molars extracted. Find out more in our Insider Exclusive. Also in the Anesthesia & Pain Management Community, when patients need to have their

FDA restricts use of codeine, tramadol for kids

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced new warnings on codeine and tramadol medications that restrict their use for children. On April 20, the FDA required a contraindication be added to codeine and tramadol drug labels stating that the opioid medications should not be used to treat pain in children younger than 12 years. The agency is also requiring tramadol labels to warn against using the drug to

Study: Fluoride varnish as effective as sealant for caries prevention

Preventing caries on occlusal surfaces of molars is a key preventive care objective in all patients, but especially for children and those from lower socioeconomic groups. A new study compared fluoride varnish (FV) and pit-and-fissure sealant (FS) for caries prevention in these children. Fluoride varnish and sealants are used in some community- and school-based oral health programs to reduce or prevent caries in children, but their relative clinical effectiveness is

3Shape gets exclusive integration with AO bracket system

3Shape announced that its indirect bonding application now digitally integrates with American Orthodontics’ (AO) bracket system. The exclusive integration allows practitioners to plan treatment using the virtual American Orthodontics Bracket System library and then precisely bond brackets with transfer trays that are digitally designed. More than 200 bracket libraries and orthodontic providers are integrated with its orthodontic software, according to 3Shape. Another recent addition is Rocky Mountain Orthodontics’ bracket system.

How do oral disorders affect your patients’ lives?

When patients come to your office with what you diagnose as oral lichen planus, actinic keratosis, erythroplakia, or another oral potentially malignant disorder (OPMD), they may be experiencing physical and psychological distress in addition to pain. A new study measured the effect of these disorders on patient activities of daily living and quality of life. The researchers found they not only physically and functionally impaired the patient, but they also

New product: Komet launches composite polishers

Komet USA has launched its new Footsie composite polishers with thick ends that resemble feet. Footsies are designed with a spiral shape to prevent breaking and give composite restorations a shiny finish. The polisher can be used on all tooth surfaces and types of restorations, including occlusal, buccal, lingual, and interproximal restorations. Footsies can also be sterilized and reused. The new polishers are part of Komet’s CompoBrite line, which includes

3Shape software integrates with RMO’s bracket system

3Shape announced that the company’s indirect bonding application will now digitally integrate with Rocky Mountain Orthodontics’ (RMO) bracket system. The integration allows practitioners to plan treatment and precisely position brackets with the help of real-time collision detection tools. More than 200 bracket libraries and orthodontic providers are integrated with 3Shape’s orthodontic software, according to the company. The system will be available in the 3Shape orthodontic software on April 18. Bracket

Is 4% articaine or 4% lidocaine more effective in third-molar removal?

When patients need to have their impacted third molars extracted, many dentists choose to use either 4% articaine or 4% lidocaine hydrochloride to block their pain. But which is more clinically effective when treating these patients? Using 4% articaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine was clinically more effective than using 4% lidocaine with 1:100,000 epinephrine for inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) block in a small, randomized, single-blind, comparative split-mouth study. The researchers reported

Calif. clinic in water line infection case to reopen

The Children’s Dental Group in Anaheim said the clinic involved in a water line infection issue that forced more than 60 children to be hospitalized will reopen on April 24. The water line infection previously led to the hospitalization of 67 children who had pulpotomies at the clinic between February 4, 2016, and August 20, 2016. The clinic installed a new water line, but it was ordered to close by

Week in Review: Carestream Dental sold; minimally invasive dentistry; and chlorhexidine mouthwash

Dear DrBicuspid Member, The biggest story this week in dentistry was the sale of Carestream Dental to a consortium of two private investment funds. Read our news brief here. Also this week on HuangshanDental.com, research supports the benefits of minimally invasive dentistry for noncavitated carious lesions, but can providing such care damage your professional reputation and lower patient satisfaction? In a new study, patients who received noninvasive treatment were just