Protein plays key role in infection by oral pathogen

Scientists have discovered that the protein transgultaminase 2 (TG2) is a key component in the process of periodontal disease, according to a new study (Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, March 24, 2014). TG2 is widely distributed inside and outside of human cells. The scientists, from the Forsyth Institute and Northwestern University, found that blocking some associations of TG2 prevents the bacterium Porphyromonas gingivalis from adhering to cells. P.

Coltène launches Surgitip-endo aspirator tip for root canals

Coltène has introduced the new Surgitip-endo aspirator tips for root canals. Developed for drying root canals, the tip has a flexible front section that allows insertion in root canals without having to bend the aspirator tip. The Surgitip-endo can be used to dry root canals more quickly and efficiently than is possible with paper points alone, the company noted. The sales package contains 20 individually packaged Surgitip-endo aspirator tips manufactured

Hawaii girl died from drugs used during dental procedure

A 3-year-old Hawaii girl who died following extensive dental procedures had no underlying heart problems and likely died because of the drugs used to sedate her, according to the medical examimer. Finley Puleo Boyle went into cardiac arrest and lapsed into a coma during extensive dental procedures on December 3 by Lilly Geyer, DMD, a dentist at Island Dentistry for Children in Kailua. She died on January 3. Honolulu Chief

DrBicuspid.com Restoratives Insider

Dear Restoratives Insider, In this edition of the Restoratives Insider, HuangshanDental.com takes a look at the groundbreaking application of 3D printing in facial reconstruction surgery. A British man who had unsatisfactory results from conventional reconstruction surgery is one of the first to receive the treatment. Read more in this Insider Exclusive. The Restoratives Community has covered other new technology that is shaping dentistry. Find out how a new device repairs

3-year-old La. boy dies after dental procedure

A 3-year-old Louisiana boy has died following a dental procedure earlier this month. Ja’Chyron West of Sulphur, LA, died March 19 after being treated by Cecilia Oubre, DDS, at Oak Park Dental in Lake Charles, LA, according to a kplctv.com story. Clinic officials said Dr. Oubre was advised by her attorney not to comment. The boy died at a Lake Charles hospital after being in a coma for six days. Ja’Chyron’s

Okla. dental board investigates school ‘Tooth Fairy’

The Oklahoma Board of Dentistry is investigating a Tulsa school’s “Tooth Fairy” for helping children pull loose teeth. A complaint was submitted to the dental board claiming that Jeanne Mandeville, health room director at the School of St. Mary, is practicing dentistry illegally because she has helped fearful students over the years as their teeth verged on falling out, according to a Tulsa World story. Mandeville might be keeping children

Komet’s instrument packs available for military

Komet USA has developed sterile instrument packs specifically for U.S. veterans and members of the armed forces. The instruments are presterilized and supplied in sterile packaging labeled with the universal “Sterile” symbol assigned to medical devices. The specialized packaging minimizes the risk of cross contamination, and it saves treatment time by eliminating the need to clean, disinfect, or sterilize the instruments, according to the company. Instruments available in the new

Study confirms periodontal treatment reduces medical costs

A new study from United Concordia Dental confirms that periodontal disease treatment can reduce medical costs and hospitalizations. Individuals with certain medical diseases or conditions, such as heart disease, stroke, or pregnancy in particular can benefit if their periodontal disease is treated. The study involved more than 338,800 individuals during a five-year period (2005-2009) with both Highmark medical insurance and United Concordia dental coverage. All individuals had periodontal disease and

Study compares products to battle marginal shrinkage

Shrinkage stress is a shortcoming of composite resin restorations that has yet to be solved, so some inevitably perform better than others. A new study has compared the effectiveness of composite resin and resin-modified glass ionomer liners on gingival marginal adaptation of class II cavities that were restored with three different bonding agents along with their respective composite resins. Concrete results and recommendations arose following the completion of the work

Report: U.S. dental prosthetics market to hit $12B by 2020

The U.S. dental prosthetics market is expected to reach $11.8 billion by 2020, according to a new report by iData Research. This growth is led by the adoption of CAD/CAM systems and standalone desktop scanners, which is projected to exceed $300 million by 2020, with Sirona and E4D technologies leading the market. Intraoral digital impression-taking devices also are a rapidly growing new market. iData’s four-report series on the U.S., European,

St. Renatus gets $5M, completes phase III trials of Kovacaine Mist

St. Renatus has secured a $5 million investment for its Kovacaine Mist anesthetic nasal spray, and will apply for FDA approval this year, having recently completed phase III clinical trials of the product. The company has received a $5 million investment from Blue Ocean STR, an early investor, that will assist in the completion of the New Drug Application (NDA) submission to the FDA. The investment will also support St.

Study finds link between extended breastfeeding and caries

Breastfeeding 24 months or beyond, particularly if frequent, may be associated with severe early childhood caries, according to a new study. The scientists, led by Benjamin Chaffee, DDS, at the University of California, Berkeley, studied a link between longer-term breastfeeding and cavities in 458 babies in low-income families in Porto Alegre, Brazil, according to an article in the Daily Mail. “Our study does not suggest that breastfeeding causes cavities,” Dr. Chaffee