Combined CT, FDG-PET improves head/neck cancer treatments

Combining CT with fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) imaging results in significantly more defined tumor outlines and potentially different treatment options in head and neck cancer patients compared with using CT alone, according to research presented April 29 at the Cancer Imaging and Radiation Therapy Symposium in Atlanta. In this trial, conducted at Utrecht University Medical Center, 327 patients were treated with intensity-modulated radiation therapy for head and neck cancer.

Japan disasters impact Nobel Biocare financials

Nobel Biocare reported net income of $19.2 million for the first quarter of 2011, down 67% from $57 million reported in the same quarter a year ago. Revenues for the quarter were $213 million, up from $203 million for the first quarter of 2010. Nobel attributed the downturn in quarterly income to the natural disasters in Japan. The company’s Japanese business, which accounts for two-thirds of its Asia-Pacific sales, dropped

First Fixodent zinc poisoning trial set for June

The first lawsuit involving a claim that zinc in Procter & Gamble’s denture adhesive Fixodent causes debilitating neurological injuries will go to trial June 20, AboutLawsuits.com reported. The lawsuit, which is being heard by U.S. District Court Judge Cecilia Altonaga for the Southern District of Florida, was originally scheduled to go to trial on June 6. Both the plaintiff and defendant requested more time for the discovery phase of the

Prosthodontic treatment helps improve overall health

A new study finds that patients’ perception of their general health improves after receiving prosthodontic treatment, adding more shine to the prospect of such treatment among some patients. German researchers documented a small but statistically significant increase in self-reported general health status among some of the 500 people who received prosthodontic treatment in their study (Journal of Dentistry, April 2011, Vol. 39:4, pp. 326-331). The largest increase in health was

Univ. of Mich. adds digital impressioning to dental curriculum

3M and its dental division 3M ESPE is providing the University of Michigan with 14 Lava C.O.S. digital impression-taking systems and related technologies. The tools will be deployed in the predoctoral curriculum of the School of Dentistry. The dental school’s 439 students will be trained to use the equipment as part of their preclinical and patient care experiences. The Lava C.O.S. system will be implemented in the preclinical program for

Man tattoos royal couple on his teeth

A U.K. plumber paid 1,000 pounds ($1,700 U.S.) to have a dentist use ultrafine brushes and stencils to apply the images of Prince William and Kate Middleton on his teeth, according to an article on Today.com. The “gnasher tats” will last for about three months or so. If the man, Barmy Baz Franks, 29, brushes often they will fade more quickly, the article stated. The procedure took six hours to

Ashtel Dental to market Justin Bieber singing toothbrushes

Bravado, a music merchandising company, and Ashtel Dental are launching a line of dental care products for teens and adults based on the musical sensation Justin Bieber. Image courtesy of Bravado. Image courtesy of Bravado. The collection will be a new addition to Ashtel’s patent-pending Brush Buddies talking toothbrush line for kids. The product line, which includes two singing toothbrushes, manual toothbrushes, a microphone-shaped flosser, dental floss, and a travel

Straumann implants guaranteed for life

Straumann implants are now covered for life under the Straumann Guarantee. The company previously limited its implant guarantee to 10 years. For implants placed as of April 1, 2011, Straumann will replace any failed implant under the lifetime warranty, provided that genuine Straumann products have been used to place and restore it. However, the use of third-party components with authentic Straumann products can compromise performance of both the implant and

Dental Heroes: A conversation with Stan Brock

HuangshanDental.com is pleased to present a new series, Dental Heroes, designed to pay tribute to individuals in the dental community who go over and above the call of duty. First up is Stan Brock, founder of Remote Area Medical (RAM), a nonprofit charitable organization that has provided dental, optical, and medical treatment to hundreds of thousands of Americans in need. Stan Brock, founder of Remote Area Medical. Image courtesy of

AACD: Teeth whitening demand is on the rise

Teeth whitening seems to be on everyone’s wish list, and this momentum is likely to continue through 2011, according to a quick poll of member dentists conducted by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD). AACD members performed an average of 77 whitening treatments last year, and 57% said they expect this number to rise. “We are doing more whitening than ever before in our practice,” said Shannon Pace Brinker,

ACP nanocomposite may aid in caries inhibition

A novel nanocomposite being developed by researchers at the University of Maryland Dental School shows promise as a caries inhibitor, according to a new study in Dental Materials (April 21, 2011). The objectives of this study were to synthesize novel nanoparticles of amorphous calcium phosphate (NACP), develop a NACP nanocomposite with calcium and phosphate ion release to combat caries, and investigate the effects of NACP filler level and glass co-filler

Provia Labs forms dental stem cell advisory group

Provia Labs, which collects and preserves dental stem cells for future therapeutic uses, has created the Quality Advisory Group, comprising experts to help steer efforts for industry standards for the collection, transport, processing, and storage of stem cells from teeth. The group will guide Provia Labs on drafting guidelines for the collection, transport, processing, and storage of dental stem cells, including appropriate quality control metrics to help ensure industry-wide uniformity