Legal Cases: Brain abscess from alleged failure to treat perio disease

HuangshanDental.com is pleased to present the next column from two lawyers who spend every day defending dentists in litigation and before the licensing board. The purpose of this column is to offer our readers a fresh perspective on common practice and risk management issues from attorneys who litigate these issues in the real world. A 47-year-old woman who worked as a professional photographer — mostly doing weddings and other large

Study links perio disease and long-term marijuana use

Long-term marijuana use is associated with periodontal disease, according to a new study in JAMA Psychiatry. However, chronic pot smokers did not develop other health problems associated with tobacco use, such as decreased lung function and increased inflammation, researchers concluded. Citing the growing support for cannabis legalization in the U.S., the international team said the study can inform policymakers, healthcare professionals, and the public about the potential consequences of cannabis

Board offers updated dental tech exam references

The National Board for Certification in Dental Laboratory Technology will release a new reference list for its Certified Dental Technician (CDT) and Recognized Graduate (RG) exams. The references will be available for any exams after January 2, 2017, the board said. The CDT designation shows a technician’s knowledge in six specialty areas.

Centrix offers new composite warmer

Centrix has introduced a self-heating composite warmer called HeatSleeve that slides over a composite tip or syringe. The heating process is activated by flexing the disk, and the composite will be warmed to 127° F in three minutes, according to the company. The device keeps the composite warm for at least 15 minutes.

Hu-Friedy introduces new device

Dental instrument and product manufacturer Hu-Friedy has introduced a new device for biofilm removal. The Air-Flow Handy 3.0 Premium is designed to be used with the company’s EMS Air-Flow Perio powder, according to Hu-Friedy. The device can remove biofilm from both supragingival and subgingival areas with its handpiece attachments.

Recommendations for Your Next Visit to the Dentist

We know that nobody really enjoys going to the dentist, and the sad thing is that maybe a lot of people don’t know that oral hygiene is important to our overall health. According to polls and research, every year one-third of U.S. adults do not bother going to the dentist at all. If this is going to be your first time visiting the dentist in many years or if you’re

Study: Is OCT an imaging option for tissue evaluation?

Practitioners seeking to detect pathological changes in their patients’ soft and hard oral tissue may find that optical coherence tomography (OCT) works as well as — or even better than — cone-beam CT (CBCT). In a new study, researchers from multiple institutions set out to compare OCT with CBCT for differentiating changes in oral tissue. Detecting harmful changes in patients’ oral tissues earlier, and with less radiation, could lead to

Ohio considers dental therapists

Ohio is the latest state to introduce legislation to license dental therapists. The measure, SB 330, introduced in May by state Sen. Peggy Lehner (R-Kettering), would license dental therapists to perform restorative and preventive procedures under the general supervision of a dentist. Supporters say it will increase access to oral care. “More than 1.5 million Ohioans live in areas with limited access to dentists. It’s a problem that gets worse

Court rules Ga. teeth-whitening suit can proceed

A lawsuit challenging the Georgia Board of Dentistry’s rule prohibiting nondentists from doing teeth whitening will proceed. The District Court for the Northern District of Georgia refused on June 6 to dismiss a 2014 suit filed by a teeth-whitening entrepreneur, arguing that Georgia’s policy violates federal antitrust law. The claim is similar to a 2015 case in which the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the North Carolina State Board of

3 At-Home Denture Cleaning Solutions That Really Work

One of the main reasons dentures are one of the most popular replacements for teeth is because of their easy care and natural appearance. Like teeth, dentures also need daily cleaning and maintenance, and that’s why people usually use denture cleaner. The purpose of this element is not only to keep them free from stains and looking their best, but also to control the growth of micro-organisms on the dentures,

Study: New core material shows clinical promise

A newly developed resin core material appears to be stronger than existing dual-cure composites, according to a study in Dental Materials Journal. The material showed sufficient bond strength with both light and dark curing. “TDK-03 might be an effective alternative to conventional composite resin cores.” — Yoshitaka Kadowaki and colleagues A team of researchers from Japan and Canada tested the new material, TDK-03 (Tokuyama Dental), against two other commercial composites.

Ultradent pledges donation to Orlando nightclub victims

Ultradent Products announced it will donate 5% of the company’s U.S. sales on June 16 and 17 to Equality Florida’s Pulse Victims Fund. The donation, worth up to $30,000, follows the tragic shooting at a nightclub on Sunday, June 12, in Orlando, FL.