Atlantic Precious Metal launches Strategy Milling

Atlantic Precious Metal Refining has unveiled Strategy Milling, a milling center designed to provide dental professionals will milled full-contour gold crowns and bridges. The milling center creates restorations with the accuracy of digital and eliminates onsite alloy inventory, according to a company press release. Customers are billed only for the alloy used as each gold crown is milled. This service also eliminates tasks related to preparing gold restorations, such as

HPV triples risk of esophageal cancer

The human papillomavirus (HPV) triples the risk of people developing esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, according to research led by researchers from the University of New South Wales (PLOS One, July 24, 2013). In addition to causing cervical, anal, and genital cancers, HPV has more recently been linked to oral and head and neck cancers. “One of the main issues is this form of esophageal cancer is usually diagnosed quite late

Law firm investigates Align Technology claims

A Colorado law firm is investigating potential claims against certain officers and directors of Align Technology. The Shuman Law Firm’s investigation concerns the company’s October 17, 2012, announcement that it would take a substantial impairment charge relating to its March 29, 2011, acquisition of Cadent Holdings for approximately $190 million in cash. According to a company press release announcing the acquisition, Cadent was “a leading provider of 3D digital scanning

CDA journal focuses on pediatric dentistry

The August issue of the Journal of the California Dental Association provides a pediatric dentistry update and reviews how to treat children with primary and mixed dentition, according to the California Dental Association (CDA). “This month’s issue aims to provide practical, clinical knowledge to help general dentists feel more comfortable treating children in their practices,” said Kerry Carney, DDS, editor in chief of the journal, in a press release. In

Perio Tray now has insurance code

The ADA has issued a new insurance code for the Perio Tray, made by Perio Protect, as a noninvasive treatment for periodontal disease. The ADA’s Code Maintenance Committee recently voted to add D5994 to the Code on Dental Procedures and Nomenclature (CDT), effective January 1, 2014. The code refers to a “periodontal medicament carrier with peripheral seal — laboratory processed.” For offices prescribing Perio Trays, the 2014 CDT Code will

Researchers ID key protein in TMJD pain

Researchers at Duke Medicine have identified a protein that is critical to temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJD) pain and could be a promising target for developing treatments for the condition (Pain, August 2013, Vol. 154:8, pp. 1295-1304). Aside from cases related to trauma, little is known about the root cause of TMJD, the study authors noted. They focused on TRPV4, an ion channel protein that allows calcium to rapidly enter cells,

MedActive explores Sjögren’s xerostomia treatment

MedActive Oral Pharmaceuticals has launched a protocol trial using patients with Sjögren’s syndrome to test its products for relief of xerostomia. Xerostomia is caused by salivary gland dysfunction, one of the symptoms associated with Sjögren’s syndrome, the company noted in a press release. MedActive makes oral care products that address the need for continuous and comprehensive management of salivary dysfunction, mucosal hydration, bacterial overgrowth, sensitivity, oral thrush, inflammation, demineralization, and

Coltène launches new composite shell system

Coltène has launched the Componeer Class V prefabricated composite shell system. Cervical defects are typically treated using adhesive bonding and composite. The new approach is to place Componeer Class V prefabricated polymerized shells, made from radiopaque nano-hybrid composite based on the company’s Synergy D6 system, the company noted in a press release. The facial anatomic template facilitates the direct treatment of cervical lesions with a lasting aesthetic solution, offering easier

Mandible surgery improves sleep apnea

Maxillomandibular advancement (MMA), a surgical procedure that moves both the upper and/or lower mandibles forward, can yield a noticeable improvement in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), according to a study in the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (August 2013, Vol. 71:8, pp. 1397-1405). The study is significant to patients with the dangerous and often life-threatening signs of airway obstruction during sleep, according to the American Association of Oral

DentalEZ unveils StarDental Titan e-type system

DentalEZ Group has introduced the StarDental Titan e-type motor and attachments. The motor is an adaptable low-speed motor built on the foundation of the Titan 3 motor and is designed to work with all standard e-type attachments, according to a company press release. The Titan e-type motor features a new lightweight aluminum exterior and has the traditional core design of stainless steel. It features forward and reverse functions and is

New NY law gives dental hygienists expanded duties

The New York State Dental Association (NYSDA) is applauding the passage of a new law that allows dental hygienists working in certain facilities to work under collaborative agreements with dentists who have a formal relationship with the same facility. The legislation — A.7866, sponsored by Assemblywoman Deborah Glick, and S.5757, sponsored by Sen. Kemp Hannon — passed overwhelmingly in both the New York State Assembly (138-2) and the Senate (60-3)

Fatty acids may aid oral cancer prevention, treatment

Omega-3 fatty acids, contained in oily fish such as salmon and trout, selectively inhibit growth and induce cell death in early- and late-stage oral and skin cancers, according to new research from scientists at Queen Mary, University of London (Carcinogenesis, July 24, 2013). In vitro tests showed omega-3 fatty acids induced cell death in malignant and premalignant cells at doses that did not affect normal cells, suggesting they have the