Gene mutation plays role in head and neck cancer

In back-to-back papers published July 28 in Science, researchers from the Broad Institute, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center, the University of Pittsburgh, and the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center have confirmed genetic abnormalities previously suspected in head and neck cancer, including defects in the tumor suppressor gene known as p53. The research teams also found mutations in the Notch family of genes, suggesting their role

BioHorizons inks $50M credit facility

Dental implant maker BioHorizons has closed on a five-year, $50 million subordinated secured credit facility provided by funds affiliated with Deerfield Management and Piper Jaffray & Co. Proceeds will be used to fully repay an outstanding convertible note held by HealthpointCapital Partners II, and for general corporate purposes, the company said.

Heraeus expands denture teeth portfolio

Heraeus Kulzer has added four new anterior molds to its recently released Mondial i teeth line. With the addition of two new uppers and two new lowers to the Mondial i molds, the complete line now includes 20 upper anterior molds and 12 lower anterior molds, available in 16 traditional shades (A1 to D4) plus two bleach shades, BL2 and BL3. According to a company press release, the new molds

Heraeus launches rewards program for Cigna dentists

Heraeus Kulzer has launched a new Cigna Network Rewards Program for dentists contracted with Cigna. Through this program, participating dentists can receive select Heraeus products from the Venus Diamond and Venus White product lines free with the purchase of qualifying products. Discounted merchandise and services include computers, Web-based training programs, office supplies, equipment repairs, and restorative and whitening products. This offer is valid through December 31, 2011: Purchase one Venus

Biomet 3i implant aids primary stability

Biomet 3i has introduced a new implant designed to help achieve primary stability and improve clinical success rates: the Osseotite 2 parallel walled implant. The Osseotite 2 parallel walled implant is based on macrogeometric design enhancements of the company’s Osseotite implant. It is designed for more immediate bone-to-implant contact for achieving better primary stability, the company said. The new design has a longer parallel walled section for more direct implant

Study finds no link between fluoride and osteosarcoma

There is no significant association between bone fluoride levels and osteosarcoma risk, according to a new study in the Journal of Dental Research (July 28, 2011). There has been ongoing controversy as to whether there is a link between bone fluoride levels and osteosarcoma. An inconclusive animal study conducted 20 years ago first raised the question of an association between fluoride and osteosarcoma. Since that time, other studies have examined

LED Dental adds camera to VELscope Vx

LED Dental has released a camera system to complement VELscope Vx, designed to help detect and document abnormal mucosal tissue. After shining the VELscope’s blue light into the patient’s mouth as part of an annual exam, doctors can document any mucosal abnormalities with the new camera system and share that information with an oral surgeon for further evaluation and biopsy, if necessary. Highlights of the new camera system include the

Grant brings fluoride varnish to Los Angeles kids

Cedars-Sinai Hospital’s COACH for Kids and Their Families mobile medical program has been selected as one of 20 U.S. school-based programs to receive a $15,000 grant from the National Assembly on School-based Health Care (NASBHC) to increase oral health services to students in underserved communities. The grant will provide additional training to the program’s clinicians across 14 Los Angeles elementary schools and enable them to offer fluoride varnish treatment as

Military health plan adds oral mucositis product

MuGard, a novel treatment for oral mucositis developed by Access Pharmaceuticals, is now being covered by Tricare, the U.S. military health plan. Tricare covers more than 9 million active duty service members and retirees of the seven uniformed services, their family members, survivors, and others who are registered in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System. Tricare now provides coverage for MuGard under its various insurance plan options with standard pharmacy

U.K. researchers study novel esophageal cancer test

Cancer Research U.K. has launched a large, multicenter trial to test a new device for detecting Barrett’s esophagus, a condition that puts sufferers at increased risk of developing cancer of the esophagus. The trial will examine whether a new test called the cytosponge could provide an improved method of identifying patients with Barrett’s esophagus so they can be offered treatment to reduce their risk of esophageal cancer, the researchers explained

Amalgam repairs as effective as replacements

There’s a pervasive problem in restorative dentistry, according to a new study in the Journal of the American Dental Association (July 2011, Vol. 142:7, pp. 842-849): Too many dentists are replacing amalgam restorations when a repair may suffice, and therefore practices have patients spending more money while limiting the life span of their teeth. The seven-year clinical study, conducted at the University of Florida College of Dentistry, found that repairing

Heraeus helps victims of domestic violence

Heraeus Kulzer has made a commitment to help victims of domestic violence through the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) Charitable Foundation’s Give Back A Smile (GBAS) program. Heraeus is now a corporate underwriter of the GBAS organization, the company noted in a press release. Through the Give Back a Smile program, volunteer dentists and lab technicians work to restore the “smile zone” of survivors of intimate partner violence, according