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
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
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.
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
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 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
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
The evolution of the handpiece, one of the most frequently used devices in the dentist’s toolkit, has reached a stage where it is now possible to own a disposable one. But how well do they perform? The ADA has published a laboratory evaluation of two disposable handpieces that have recently hit the market, comparing them not only to one another but to reusable handpieces as well (ADA Professional Product Review,
Although it is rare for men to contract oral oncologic human papillomavirus (HPV) infections, single men and smokers face higher risks of developing HPV-driven oropharyngeal cancer, according to a new study in Lancet (July 2, 2013). Bisexual men and college-educated men also showed an increased risk of acquiring oral HPV infections, according to the study — largest prospective study to examine the natural history of oral HPV infection. HPV16 is
Vegetarians have healthier gums than meat eaters and are therefore less likely to suffer from bleeding gums and tooth loss, according to a study in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition (May 29, 2013). However, vegetarians suffer from more tooth decay and are less likely to visit their dentist, despite knowing the benefits of doing so and having a higher education, according to the study authors, from Hannover Medical School.
Poor oral hygiene or periodontal disease may increase the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, according to researchers from the University of Central Lancashire School of Medicine and Dentistry (Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease, May 10, 2013). They studied brain samples from 20 patients, half of whom had dementia and half of whom did not, explained an article on the university’s website. Those with dementia had evidence of the presence of Porphyromonas
Drinking certain lower-cost tea blends can push people’s fluoride intake over daily recommended levels, increasing the risk of skeletal and dental illnesses, according to a study in Food Research International (May 2013, Vol. 51:2, pp. 564-570). Researchers from the University of Derby compared fluoride levels in 38 tea products with each other and to the U.S. National Academy of Sciences’ (NAS) daily dietary reference intake. Using ion selective electrode analysis