Byproducts of gum disease bacteria can incite oral cancer growth

Byproducts in the form of small-chain fatty acids from two bacteria prevalent in periodontal disease incite the growth of deadly Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS)-related oral lesions and tumors, according to a new study by researchers from Case Western Reserve University (Journal of Virology, February 5, 2014). The discovery could lead to early saliva testing for the bacteria, which, if found, could be treated and monitored for signs of cancer and before

Average tooth fairy gift hits record high in 2013

The going rate for lost baby teeth had major gains in 2013. The average gift from the tooth fairy climbed to $3.50 last year, up from $2.42 in 2012, according to Delta Dental’s annual Original Tooth Fairy Poll. This 45% rise surpassed the outstanding performances of the major U.S. stock indexes. The company touted the poll as “a good barometer of the market’s overall direction.” In fact, the trend in

Study: Dental extractions before cardiac surgery still risky

To pull or not to pull is a common dilemma when patients have the potentially dangerous combination of abscessed teeth and the need for heart surgery. In such cases, problem teeth often are extracted before surgery, to reduce the risk of infections, including endocarditis, an infection of the inner lining of the heart that can be fatal. But research by practitioners at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, found that

Study: CBCT changes half of TMJ diagnoses, management

Assessing disorders of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) is not always straightforward. Can the process be improved? A new study has evaluated the impact of cone-beam CT (CBCT) on diagnosis and management with striking results. “Assessment of cone-beam CT led to changes in primary diagnosis and management in more than half the patients with disorders of the TMJ,” researchers from the University of Groningen in the Netherlands wrote in the British

Why cosmetics matter

A funny thing happened on the way to my fortune; the world changed, turning my beloved profession from slam-dunk bankability to a bad business model. Now as dentists we all studied the second law of thermodynamics in college, so we know that the universe moves from order to increased randomness (as German physicist Rudolf Clausius wrote, “The entropy of the universe tends to a maximum”). This is the scientific way

DDS Lab’s OrthoVault stores patient study models online

DDS Lab has launched its OrthoVault service, which allows dentists to store their orthodontic patient study models securely online and access them at any time. Traditionally, study models are created for each orthodontic patient out of fragile plaster and physically stored for a minimum of seven years. With OrthoVault, models or impressions are scanned to create a digital file that the practitioner can recall from OrthoVault’s Web portal. OrthoVault meets

Bacteria in 1,000-year-old plaque similar to current oral bacteria

An international team of experts has discovered disease-causing bacteria in a German Medieval population that are the same or very similar to inflammatory disease-causing bacteria in humans today. The team analyzed the dental calculus or plaque from teeth preserved for 1,000 years. Christina Warinner, PhD, from the department of anthropology at the University of Oklahoma assembled an international team to build a detailed picture of people from the Medieval period

Pulpdent launches bioactive restorative and base/liner

Pulpdent has launched its new Activa restorative and base/liner at the Chicago Dental Society Midwinter Meeting. The bioactive restorative makes it possible to create restorations that actively release and exchange calcium, phosphate, and fluoride ions, while being dynamic with the tooth function, according to the company. Activa products are also the first bioactive dental materials with an ionic resin matrix, a shock-absorbing resin component, and bioactive fillers that mimic the

Hu-Friedy launches high-definition mirrors

Hu-Friedy has launched its new high-definition (HD) diagnostic mirrors, which provide an enhanced view of the intraoral cavity. With a proprietary coating, the HD mirrors have a 113% reflection factor and are 39% brighter than standard rhodium-coated dental mirrors for image clarity, color, and brightness during exams and procedures, according to the company. The HD mirrors are also scratch-resistant. The mirrors are available in standard mirror sizes (Nos. 3, 4,

Hu-Friedy, EMS sign distribution deal

CHICAGO – Hu-Friedy announced a strategic partnership with Switzerland-based Electro Medical Systems (EMS) this afternoon at the Chicago Dental Society’s Midwinter Meeting. The Air-Flow Master Piezon and the Air-Flow S2. Images courtesy of Hu-Friedy and EMS. The Air-Flow Master Piezon and the Air-Flow S2. Images courtesy of Hu-Friedy and EMS. Hu-Friedy is now the exclusive U.S. and Canadian distributor of EMS’ Piezon power scaling technology and Air-Flow air polishing products.

Ivoclar files patent-protection complaint against Dentsply

CHICAGO – Ivoclar Vivadent announced this morning at the Chicago Dental Society Midwinter Meeting that it has filed a complaint against Dentsply International and affiliates with the U.S. International Trade Commission, asking that Dentsply’s Celtra products “be excluded from importation” into the U.S. and that any such products already in the country have sales and distribution stopped. Ivoclar claims that the Celtra products infringe on its U.S. patents that protect

A case of counterfeit dental materials

The federal case against a person convicted of counterfeiting dental materials highlights the need for dental practitioners to be aware that the materials you purchase might not be all that meets the eye. In U.S. District Court, the Kerr Corporation prevailed over Tri Dental and Ahn Tuan Luu in a civil action involving counterfeiting of dental materials on March 11, 2013. Court records indicated Luu was a former employee of