ACOG: Dental x-rays, prophies OK during pregnancy

Dental x-rays and dental hygiene appointments are safe for pregnant women, according to new recommendations issued by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG; Obstetrics & Gynecology, August 2013, Vol. 122:2, pp. 417-422). In fact, the ACOG is advising all obstetricians and gynecologists to perform routine oral health assessments at the first prenatal visit and encourage their patients to see a dentist during pregnancy, according to the Committee on

Milk combats sugar’s threat to tooth enamel

Drinking milk after eating sugary breakfast cereal reduces plaque acid levels and may prevent damage to tooth enamel, according to a study in the Journal of the American Dental Association (July 2013, Vol. 144:7, pp. 815-822). Dry ready-to-eat, sugar-added cereals combine refined sugar and starch. When those carbohydrates are consumed, bacteria in the dental plaque on tooth surfaces produce acids, according to Christine Wu, PhD, a professor of pediatric dentistry

Study: Perio disease affects quality of life

Peridontal disease can significantly impact a person’s overall quality of life, according to a new study published in the Journal of Periodontology (July 29, 2013). A team of Swedish researchers performed clinical and radiographic exam on 443 individuals. In addition, all study participants assessed their oral health-related quality of life using the Swedish short-form version of the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14). The researchers found that the effect of periodontal

W.Va. public schools to get oral health program

Students in West Virginia public schools will participate in a prevention-focused oral health program, according to an Associated Press article. The program, which will begin in the fall with the new school year, will focus on the particular needs of each student group from prekindergarten to 12th grade, the article explained. Marshall University registered dental hygienists are serving as regional health coordinators and will expand in-school dental sealant and fluoride

Tooth sensor can monitor human oral habits

A sensor embedded in a tooth could one day help track a person’s daily eating, drinking, smoking, coughing, and speaking habits. Researchers from National Taiwan University developed the sensor, which is less than 1-cm long, includes an accelerometer for transmitting data, machine learning software, and a microbattery, according to news reports. They are also working to equip the sensor with wireless capabilities so it could transmit data to the user’s

FDA approves CO2 laser for hard-tissue use

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has cleared Convergent Dental’s Solea for ablation of hard tissue for caries removal and cavity preparation. Solea is the first CO2 laser technology system to receive FDA clearance for hard tissue indications, the company noted in a press release. Earlier this year, the company gained FDA clearance for soft tissue indications using the Solea. Solea is the first 9.3-micron CO2 computer-aided preparation dental

Cure for cancer may live in the intestines

A University of Michigan School of Dentistry study has discovered a biological mechanism that preserves the gastrointestinal tracts in mice who were delivered lethal doses of chemotherapy (Nature, July 31, 2013). The findings could have significant impact on cancer treatment. If a patient’s gastrointestinal tract remains healthy and functioning, the patient’s chances of survival increase exponentially, according to Jian-Guo Geng, an associate professor at the dental school. Recently, Geng’s lab

More warnings on dangers of oral piercings

The Irish Dental Association (IDA) is warning young people that oral piercings pose a significant risk to their health and in extreme cases can result in life-threatening illness and infections. Some of the issues that can arise from piercings include the transfer of diseases such as hepatitis B, C, and D; endocarditis; periodontal disease; nerve and tooth damage; and allergic reaction to metals, the IDA noted in a press release.

Key Group report assesses dental lab market

The Key Group, a healthcare market research firm, has released its 2013 U.S. Dental Laboratory Market Assessment and Trends Report. Now in its third year, the annual report is an overview of material usage and trends in many categories, including crowns and bridges, digital technologies, dental implants, dentures, and production outsourcing in the U.S. dental market. The data are sourced from some 300 U.S. dental laboratories. The report includes analysis

Study: Laser therapy eases orthodontic pain

Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) appears to be effective in reducing pain associated with orthodontic treatment, according to a study in Angle Orthodontist (July 2013, Vol. 83:4, pp. 611-616). A team of Korean researchers randomly placed 88 patients into one of three groups: a laser group, a light-emitting diode (LED) placebo group, or a control group. Elastomeric separators were placed on the first molars of each study participant. In the laser

Dalhousie Univ. takes equity stake in BlueLight

Dalhousie University has taken an equity position in BlueLight Analytics, a privately held Halifax, Nova Scotia, business that provides specialized instruments and services to the dental market. The terms of the transaction, which is part of a restructured license agreement, were not disclosed. Dalhousie originally licensed technology to BlueLight in late 2009. BlueLight specializes in ensuring the accurate light curing of dental materials — specifically, in the accurate curing of

Biolase awarded sterile water delivery patent

The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has issued a new patent to Biolase for technology related to the delivery of sterile water. U.S. Patent No. 8,485,818 relates to a new, controlled way of delivering sterile water within the fluid conditioning system of Biolase’s WaterLase systems. The technology will be used in both dental and medical cutting, irrigating, evacuating, cleaning, and drilling operations, the company noted in a press release. An