75% of U.S. citizens drink fluoridated water

Nearly three-quarters of Americans (73.9%) now get their water from municipal systems that use fluoridation, according to the latest data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This brings the number of Americans receiving optimally fluoridated water to an all-time high of 204 million people, according to a statement from the ADA. The District of Columbia has the highest percentage of people receiving fluoridated water (100%), followed by

Sports, energy drinks cause irreversible tooth damage

An alarming increase in the consumption of sports and energy drinks, especially among adolescents, is causing irreversible damage to teeth, according to a study published in General Dentistry. In particular, high acidity levels in the drinks erode tooth enamel, the study authors noted (Gen Dent, May/June 2012). Researchers from Southern Illinois University examined the acidity levels in 13 sports drinks and nine energy drinks and found that the acidity levels

OraMetrix adds i-CAT imaging to suresmile

OraMetrix, makers of the suresmile orthodontic system that combines 3D diagnostic imaging with computerized treatment planning and robotic archwire customization, has added a new capability with i-CAT Next Generation by Imaging Sciences. Suresmile used in conjunction with the i-CAT system for orthodontic planning and treatment yields a 43% reduction in radiation dose, the companies said in a press release. In addition, the i-CAT/SureSmile scan protocol is reduced from 26.9 seconds

Dentsply sales up, income down in Q1

Dentsply International reported a 25.6% increase in sales for the first quarter of 2012 (end-March 31) compared to sales in the same quarter a year ago. Net sales for the quarter were $716.4 million, compared to $570.5 million in the first quarter of 2011. Net income for the first quarter of 2012 was $53.3 million, down from $69.1 million in the same quarter a year ago. “Our new product portfolio

TheraBreath extends online presence to Pinterest

TheraBreath oral health products are now available to share with others on the picture-sharing social media website Pinterest. The TheraBreath pin board contains a set of oral health product pictures, including toothpaste, oral rinse, throat spray, and mouth-wetting lozenges. It also displays solutions that can help treat and prevent many conditions, such as halitosis, canker sores, post-nasal drip, and xerostomia. Pinterest members are able to browse pinboards created by other

3M ESPE expands Filtek line

3M ESPE has introduced Filtek Bulk Fill Flowable Restorative for bulk fill liner/base applications. Filtek Bulk Fill composite’s flowable viscosity provides good adaptation, and its 4-mm depth of cure reduces the need to incrementally layer restorative material, the company noted in a press release. It offers better wear resistance than other bulk fill flowables while maintaining low stress and shrinkage, as well as higher compressive and diametral tensile strength, according

Judge denies Ivoclar motion in 3M lawsuit

A federal judge has denied a motion by Ivoclar Vivadent to dismiss a lawsuit filed against it by 3M, according to a story by Courthouse News Service (CNS). The legal dispute between 3M and Ivoclar Vivadent, over a U.S. patent issued to Ivoclar in 1999 covering polymer-based restoratives materials, began heating up late last year. In November 2011 the companies signed a confidential disclosure agreement, which included an agreement not

Tokuyama expands Sofreline reline material line

Tokuyama Dental America will introduce Sofreliner Tough S, a complement to its existing Sofreliner Tough M, this week at the California Dental Association Spring Session in Anaheim, CA. The Sofreliner Tough Series is an addition-cured silicone material for relining dentures on patients that require relief on upper or lower, partial or full dentures, the company noted in a press release. Sofreliner Tough S (soft) delivers a Shore A hardness of

Ultradent launches teeth-whitening contest for brides

Ultradent Products is holding an Opalescence “I Do” contest for dental offices in which brides-to-be can win cash and product prizes. Dental offices must submit a before and after photo for each bride whitening with Opalescence who participates in the contest, according to a press release. Starting June 1, photos can be submitted for voting online at www.idocontest.com. The company has not yet set an end date for the contest.

Oropharyngeal the 2nd most diagnosed, HPV-associated cancer

Oropharyngeal (OP) cancer is the second most-diagnosed of cancers associated with the human papillomavirus (HPV), according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). A CDC analysis of 2004 to 2008 data from the National Program of Cancer Registries showed that OP is second only to cervical cancer in HPV-associated cancers diagnosed in 50 states and the District of Columbia, according to the April 20

OrthoAccel gets $10M infusion for AcceleDent launch

OrthoAccel Technologies has announced an equity investment of $10 million in growth capital to fund the U.S. launch of its AcceleDent system. The investment was led by HealthpointCapital Partners, with existing investor S3 Ventures also participating, according to a company press release. AcceleDent is designed to reduce treatment time for wearing braces and works as a complement to all existing orthodontic technologies, including both brackets and clear aligners. The product

Colgate toothpaste sales fuel Q1 revenue growth

Colgate-Palmolive reported worldwide net sales of $4.2 billion in the first quarter of 2012 (end-March 31), an increase of 5% over net sales of $3.9 billion in the first quarter of 2011. Net income in the first quarter was $633 million, up from $607 million in the first quarter of 2011. Colgate’s global market shares in toothpaste and manual toothbrushes are both at record highs year-to-date, according to Ian Cook,