Partnership to create full-denture workflow in DWOS

Vita, Dreve, and Dental Wings have joined forces to deliver a digital manufacturing process for full dentures. This partnership combines Vita’s expertise in denture teeth and materials for prosthetic restorations, Dreve’s 3D printing expertise, and Dental Wings DWOS (Dental Wings Open Systems) computer-aided design (CAD) capabilities. The DWOS Full Dentures Application will include the digital design and manufacturing of both mucosa- and implant-supported full dentures, the companies announced. The application

Pulpdent makes $100K NCOHF product donation

Pulpdent has made a $100,000 product donation of Embrace WetBond pit and fissure sealant and Embrace fluoride varnish to National Children’s Oral Health Foundation (NCOHF): America’s ToothFairy. The donation will benefit 33 America’s ToothFairy affiliates.

Stryker introduces hybrid MMF implant system

Stryker has introduced the Universal SmartLock hybrid maxillomandibular gixation (MMF) system, which combines elements of both arch bars and MMF screws. In collaboration with inventor Jeffrey Marcus, MD, the associate vicecchair of surgery at Duke University, the system is designed to combine the strength and rigidity of arch bars with the safety and efficiency of MMF screws, according to the company. With nine potential points of fixation along the plate,

One-hour dentures find new fans across the U.S.

When Lawrence Wallace, DDS, first approached Terry Dickinson, DDS, director of the Virginia Dental Association and founder of Missions of Mercy (MOM), to demonstrate his one-hour denture technique, Dr. Dickinson was, as he puts it, “reticent.” “I was hesitant at first,” he said. “It didn’t make sense that you could make dentures in that short period of time. But I got a prosthodontist friend of mine to try them, and he

DenMat unveils new Lumineers education platform

DenMat has launched a new educational platform, ThinNovation, featuring a two-day workshop for dentists wanting to learn about minimally invasive aesthetics and other educational programs. The courses teach a multidisciplinary approach to anterior aesthetics using the latest generation of Lumineers, according to the company. The new approach uses fundamental smile design concepts coupled with a minimally invasive approach to produce superior aesthetics, while providing function and long-term stability. The level

Mass. mulls advanced dental hygiene practitioner bill

Massachusetts lawmakers are considering a bill that would allow dental hygienists to perform routine fillings and extractions and thus improve access to oral healthcare for low-income residents and underprivileged children. H274 and S998, sponsored by Sen. Harriette Chandler (D-Worcester) and Rep. William Pignatelli (D-Lenox), respectively, would create an advanced dental hygiene practitioner, according to an Associated Press story. Dentists voiced concerned about patient safety and the adequacy of the bill’s

Midlevel provider project loses in U.S. spending bill

The U.S. House of Representatives has passed legislation that will keep the federal government running through the end of September but that also blocks funding for a midlevel provider demonstration program. The bill effectively blocks Health Services and Resources Administration funding and prohibits health workforce funds to be used for the Alternative Dental Health Care Providers Demonstration programs, according to a report by the Academy of General Dentistry. The bill

Tom’s of Maine creates ‘goodness report’

Tom’s of Maine has created a new informational tool to help people learn about the company’s relationship with ingredients, packaging, waste, water, energy, and community. The Goodness Report features benchmarking completed in 2011, an update on projects supported in recent years, and a goals tracker for 2015 and beyond, the company noted in a press release. Tom’s of Maine is also inviting consumers to prioritize which goodness area matters most

Dos and don’ts for hygiene: The importance of recare

Practices must reinforce the fact that maintaining excellent oral health is a continuing process throughout a patient’s life. Recare appointments are the key to improving the overall oral health of your patients. Remember that recare appointments are important for patients’ oral health. By developing an understanding of the value of consistent hygiene visits, patients form a partnership with the practice. The results of this partnership are complete satisfaction by the

Researchers grow teeth from perio tissue

Researchers from King’s College London have developed a new method of replacing missing teeth with a bioengineered material generated from a person’s own periodontal cells, according to a new study in the Journal of Dental Research (March 4, 2013). Research toward producing bioengineered teeth has largely focused on the generation of immature teeth (teeth primordia) that mimic those in the embryo. These embryonic teeth can then be transplanted as small

Heraeus to donate refining revenues to Pankey foundation

The Precious Melting Refining division of Heraeus Kulzer will donate to the L.D. Pankey Dental Foundation 5% of all refining revenues from foundation alumni. Heraeus Precious Metal Refining heats, melts, separates, and analyzes precious metals to give laboratories and dentists a return for their dental scrap metal, according to a company press release. The company’s refinery in Newark, NJ, receives more than 25,000 scrap shipments annually, 80% from existing customers.

Judge says no to NYC soda ban

A New York judge has stopped Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s administration from banning the sale of large sugary drinks at New York City restaurants, just one day before the ban was to take effect. The city is “enjoined and permanently restrained from implementing or enforcing the new regulations,” wrote New York Supreme Court Judge Milton Tingling, according to a Wall Street Journal story. The city’s attorney pledged to appeal the ruling.