Neuroscientists have found that the sounds of dental instruments like drills evoke fear and anxiety in some people, according to a new study presented at this week’s Society for Neuroscience annual meeting in San Diego. Japanese researchers found that people who fear going to the dentist show significant differences in their brain responses compared with those who were more relaxed about dental visits, according to a story by theguardian.com. The
Philips introduced a cool, sleek DiamondClean Black Edition of its Sonicare power toothbrush, which comes with a unique glass that charges the toothbrush, at the recent ADA annual meeting in New Orleans. The company also released a DayWhite and NiteWhite version of its home teeth-whitening kits. Philips DiamondClean Black Edition sonic toothbrush comes with a unique glass that charges the toothbrush and can also be used for rinsing. Images courtesy
A Kansas program that provides cleanings, fluoride varnishes, and sealants to schoolchildren is on hold after managed care companies took over the state’s Medicaid program. The Kansas Cavity Free Kids program has provided oral healthcare services to more than 7,000 children in 41 rural counties since 2007, according to an article by the Kansas Health Institute. The program was planned to be expanded to other areas of the state where
A drug now used to treat intestinal worms could protect people from periodontitis, according to a new study in Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (October 28, 2013). Current treatment for periodontitis involves scraping dental plaque off of the root of the tooth. And despite this unpleasant and costly treatment, the biofilm frequently grows back. But Australian researchers showed in an animal model of periodontitis that the drug oxantel inhibits this growth
The importance of maintaining adequate safeguards for infection control was the topic of a session at ADA 2013 in New Orleans. Recent infection-control breaches have resulted in the deaths of some patients, and left others infected with hepatitis and HIV, noted an infection-control compliance expert. The good news is that there have been no confirmed cases of occupationally acquired HIV, in which infected patients have transmitted the virus to dental
The plethora of consumer choices in the toothpaste aisle of the average local grocery store is often fodder for stand-up comedians or anyone reminiscing about simpler times. If that’s overwhelming, they’d be shocked by the vast array of over-the-counter (OTC) products available on the exhibition floor at last week’s ADA annual meeting in New Orleans. In an ADA 2013 talk entitled “The Myths, Legends, and Realities of Over-the-Counter Products,” presenter
Dentists drill bigger holes in teeth than necessary for restorations because of an optical illusion that makes circular objects look smaller than they really are, according to a new study in PLOS One (October 23, 2013). Above is a version of the Delboeuf illusion. Circles c and s are the same size, but c appears smaller when surrounded by a larger circle, r. If one adjusts the size of c
Dental implant maker Nobel Biocare’s third-quarter revenues for 2013 rose 4.8% at constant exchange rates. For the quarter (end-September 30), the company reported revenues of 127.9 million euros ($173 million). Net profit for the quarter rose to 8.9 million euros ($11.9 million), compared with profit of 7.1 million euros ($9.5 million) for the same quarter a year ago.
The National Association of Dental Plans (NADP) has published a new guide to help consumers understand the options and complexities regarding pediatric dental coverage options offered in the Health Insurance Marketplace set up by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA). “Dental in the Marketplaces: Consumer Tips on Shopping for Dental” is available on the association’s website and offers detailed examples from federal and state marketplaces to help consumers
Researchers have created an implantable “bio patch” that regrows bone in a living body using existing cells, a process that has potential uses in dentistry, according to a new study in Biomaterials (January 2014, Vol. 35:2, pp. 737-747). The patch, made by researchers at the University of Iowa (UI), regenerates missing or damaged bone by putting DNA into a nanosized particle that delivers bone-producing instructions directly into cells, according to
The American Dental Assistants Association (ADAA) and the Dental Assisting National Board (DANB) have announced the winners of the groups’ scholarship awards. The newly launched scholarship program helps dental assistants with their professional development, according to the organizations. The scholarship committee looked for dental assistants who demonstrated a strong commitment to career growth and lifelong learning in the profession. The awards ceremony was held October 31 at the 2013 ADAA’s
3M has filed two patent lawsuits in Germany regarding its technology for coloring ceramic-based dental restorations. The first lawsuit is against Metoxit and alleges infringement of 3M’s patent rights by coloring liquids sold under the brands Z-CAD FlowPen and Z-CAD Liquid HD, as well as zirconia CAD/CAM blocks sold under the brand Z-CAD. The second lawsuit is against White Peaks Dental Systems and alleges infringement of 3M’s patent rights by
