Cholesterol drug lowers risk of esophageal cancer

Statins, a cholesterol-lowering drug, appears to lower the risk of esophageal cancer, especially in patients with Barrett’s esophagus, according to a meta-analysis being presented this week at the American College of Gastroenterology annual meeting in Las Vegas. The meta-analysis, conducted by researchers from Mayo Clinic, combined data from 13 studies that included more than 1.1 million patients, of whom 9,285 had esophageal cancer. The analysis found statins lowered cancer risk

Align Technology expands aligner material product line

Align Technology has introduced SmartTrack, a highly elastic new aligner material that delivers more constant force to improve control of tooth movements with Invisalign, the company announced. Conventional aligner materials relax and lose a substantial percent of energy in the initial days of aligner wear, but SmartTrack maintains more constant force over the two weeks that a patient wears the aligners, according to Align. The flexible SmartTrack material also more

NY dental school provides care to foster kids

A partnership between the New York University College of Dentistry and a foster care agency has provided dental care to more than 650 children in New York. The success of Partners Against Caries (PAC), both for the children and dental school students, was outlined October 21 at the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) National Conference and Exhibition in New Orleans, according to a press release. Low-income children, especially those in

Christensen puts implant makers in the hot seat

SAN FRANCISCO – During the final day of the ADA Annual Session on Saturday, Gordon Christensen, DDS, MSD, PhD, and a panel of dental implant experts gave dental implant manufacturers and attendees plenty to consider during a question-and-answer session entitled “Controversies in Dental Implantology.” During the two-and-a-half-hour session, Dr. Christensen; David Little, DDS; and Joseph Massad, DDS, provided candid and, as advertised, occasionally controversial opinions on everything from costs to

DEXIS unveils new version of Imaging Suite

DEXIS has introduced version 10.0.4 of its Imaging Suite, which features a new software architecture, a cosmetic imaging module, expanded video capabilities, an enhanced implant planning module, and integration with select 3D products. DEXIS has been rewritten on a next-generation code platform combining the image management capabilities of the Dexis with new enhancements and features, according to the company. The new cosmetic module permits the clinician to plan, simulate, and

Bisphosphonates not alone in causing ONJ

SAN FRANCISCO – Osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) often befuddles dentists in their daily practice because so many unanswered questions surrounding it remain. An expert panel moderated by Michael Glick, DMD, and Dan Meyers, DDS, sought to tackle some of these questions during a morning session today in one of the largest auditoriums in the Moscone Center at the 2012 ADA Annual Session. The expert panel consisted of Thomas Dodson,

Komet unveils new look at ADA 2012

SAN FRANCISCO – In anticipation of the company’s 90th year in business, dental rotary instrument maker Komet unveiled its new logo and new look for Komet USA at a press conference today at the ADA Annual Session. “The old logo displayed our tradition and manufacturing prowess. It is what we are,” Komet USA Chief Operating Officer Warren White said in an interview with HuangshanDental.com. “But it showed a little rustiness

Licofelone inhibits oral cancer growth in rat study

The compound licofelone inhibited oral cancer growth by inhibiting the cyclooxygenase (COX) and 5-lipoxygenase pathways, according to a study presented at this week’s American Association for Cancer Research International Conference in Anaheim, CA. COX inhibitors have been shown to suppress oral and other cancers, but side effects, such as gastric bleeding, tend to disqualify them as preventive agents. Researchers at the ITT Research Institute in Chicago hypothesized that suppressing COX

Appealing to patients’ emotions improves hygiene compliance

SAN FRANCISCO – Dental patients are notoriously inattentive to oral hygiene instructions, but there is something hygienists can do to make them pay more attention: Appeal to their emotions. That’s according to Trisha O’Hehir, RDH, who spoke to a room packed to capacity at the ADA Annual Session today. She advised her audience to share information and give oral hygiene instructions in simple and effective sound bites, understand the science

Christensen: Class II composites should last longer

SAN FRANCISCO – Gordon Christensen, DDS, MSD, PhD, set the stage of his course on class II composites with questions for the ADA Annual Session audience. “Who uses no amalgam whatsoever?” he asked. Dr. Christensen estimated that half of the full auditorium raised their hands. “And who does some amalgam? Statistics show that 68% of American dentists place some amalgam restorations. That would be zero in Europe.” “Class II composites

Schein, D4D partner with 3M ESPE on new scanner

SAN FRANCISCO – The 3M ESPE booth at the ADA Annual Session and World Marketplace was abuzz today after the company announced the first mill partner and channel distribution partner for its new True Definition digital impression system. The E4D Design Center and E4D Mill from D4D Technologies is the first chairside connection for the True Definition, and Henry Schein is the first channel distribution partner for the new product.

Survey: Many with diabetes unaware of oral health connection

A survey conducted on behalf of Colgate Total revealed a lack of awareness about the various health issues associated with diabetes. The survey was conducted online September 5-13, 2012, by Harris Interactive and included 657 U.S. adults, age 18 and older, who reported being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. More than one-third of all respondents (36%) were not aware of the link between diabetes and oral health, and said they