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
Nyxoah, a Belgian-Israeli start-up company that develops implants for treating sleep apnea and snoring, has been issued 11 patents for its technology. The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office published the first eight granted patents for the technology for treating obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) on its website this week. Nyxoah developed an ultrasmall implant that stimulates the tongue muscle to prevent airway blockage. In a short outpatient procedure, a flexible implant
Deliberations aimed at resolving a dispute over whether to allow midlevel dental practitioners (MLPs) in Kansas have ended without agreement. Negotiations between the Kansas Dental Association (KDA), which opposes MLPs because it says they jeopardize patient care, and the Kansas Dental Project (KDP) ended without compromise, according to a Kansas Health Institute story. The KDP has pushed for legislation to allow advanced hygienists to perform routine procedures such as temporary
The U.S. market for dental implants and final abutments was valued at nearly $979 million in 2012, driven by the growing number of general dentists offering implant treatments, according to a market research report from Reportbuyer.com. The market includes dental implants, final abutments, dental implant instrument kits, and computer-guided surgery products, according to the research firm. The market is expected to maintain moderate growth rates as the number of dental
More than 800 New Orleans residents received cleanings, restorative and specialty care, dentures, and x-rays during the ADA’s Mission of Mercy (MOM) charity dental clinic, which was held during the group’s annual meeting. More than 1,100 dentists, dental team members, and others volunteered for the clinic, which was held in the warehouse where Mardi Gras parade floats are made every year, according to the ADA. People began lining up outside
Some 35% to 60% of all patients with head and neck cancers (HNC) are malnourished when they are diagnosed, according to a new study in the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery (November 2013, Vol. 71:11, pp. 1853-1860). The problem is the result of intake obstruction caused by the patient’s tumor, the lack of appetite, and loss of muscle mass and fat stores associated with the cancer, the researchers wrote
A panel of academic experts has developed a set of evidence-based national standards for education programs that train midlevel providers (MLPs), also known as dental therapists, in the U.S. The recommendations, which build on curriculum guidelines for MLP education established by the American Association of Public Health Dentistry in 2010, also come as the American Dental Association’s Commission on Dental Accreditation has released proposed accreditation standards for public comment. Some