Komet releases ceramic finishing kit

Komet has released the LD0707 kit, designed to cut, finish, and polish full-contour restorations made of zirconium oxide, lithium disilicate, aluminum oxide, or pressed ceramics The kit provides four ZR flash polishers and three ZR diamonds in a stainless-steel, sterilizable bur block, according to the company. The instruments feature polishing and cutting characteristics that specifically address the unique material properties of modern dental ceramics. Kit selection includes a medium-grit diamond

Voco releases nano hybrid composite, post cement

Voco America has released GrandioCORE DC, a dual cured, 77% filled nano hybrid core build-up composite and post cement. The product has a high compressive strength of 366 MPa and a dentin-like hardness of 107 MHV, according to a press release. The hardness makes it easy to cut without ditching when going from the tooth structure to the core material. It has a stackable consistency and an automix syringe delivery

‘Massage method’ yields caries protection

Massaging teeth with high-fluoride toothpaste after eating offers strong protection against caries, according to a recent study in Acta Odontologica Scandinavia. Researchers at the University of Gothenburg’s Sahlgrenska Academy conducted a study of a Swedish toothpaste with more than three times as much fluoride as standard toothpaste (AOS, February 9, 2012). To evaluate its effectiveness, 16 volunteers used a variety of brushing techniques, either high-fluoride or standard toothpaste, and brushed

Small molecule plays key role in preventing periodontitis

Scientists are discovering that a small protein named developmental endothelial locus 1 (Del-1) can arrest the processes that lead to runaway oral inflammation and periodontitis, particularly in older individuals. In a study published March 25 in Nature Immunology, George Hajishengallis, DDS, PhD, and his team — in collaboration with a group led by Triantafyllos Chavakis, MD, PhD — showed that administration of Del-1 in the oral cavity reduces the production

Oral bacteria may trigger blood clots

Oral bacteria that escape into the bloodstream can cause blood clots and trigger life-threatening growths on heart valves, according to a team of U.K. researchers. Streptococcus gordonii normally inhabits the mouth and contributes to plaque that forms on the surface of teeth. If these bacteria enter into the bloodstream through bleeding gums, they can start to wreak havoc by masquerading as human proteins, according to a study by the Royal

Dental Laboratories Association creates ‘British Bite Mark’

U.K. dental patients can now identify where their oral appliances were made, thanks to the new “British Bite Mark” campaign by the Dental Laboratories Association (DLA). U.K. dental labs must comply with regulations disclosing the materials used and also are required to hire registered dental technicians. The regulations are designed to protect patients; however, imported appliances are not made by registered personnel or in inspected labs, the DLA noted in

CPC mouth rinse reduces periodontitis in pregnant women

TAMPA, Fla. – An alcohol-free mouthwash containing Cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) decreased gingival inflammation and periodontal disease in pregnant women, according to a poster presentation at the American Association for Dental Research annual meeting. The product tested was Crest ProHealth, which contains 0.07% CPC. The research was conducted at the University of Pennsylvania and supported by Procter & Gamble, makers of Crest ProHealth. .pullQuoteCredit { align:right; text-align:right; font-family:arial, sans-serif; font-size:11px; line-height:

Chef, cancer survivor drops dental malpractice lawsuits

Renowned chef Grant Achatz has reached an undisclosed settlement with Bucktown Wicker Park Dental Associates, the Chicago-area dental clinic he sued after being diagnosed with advanced tongue cancer, according to a story in the Chicago Sun-Times. In addition to settling with the clinic, Achatz dropped the malpractice lawsuits he had filed against two Chicago-area dentists, Loveline Dulay, DDS, and Michelle Schwartz, DDS. In the lawsuits, filed in 2008 in Cook

Perio therapy reduces medical costs for diabetes patients

Medical costs are lower for people with diabetes who receive treatment for periodontal disease, according to a study presented today at the American Association for Dental Research annual meeting by Marjorie Jeffcoat, DMD, professor and dean emeritus of the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. The longitudinal study, conducted in collaboration with United Concordia Dental and Highmark, compared medical costs for diabetes patients with periodontal disease who received periodontal

FDA panel finds dissolvable tobacco less risky

A U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory panel report released March 21 says dissolvable tobacco products could reduce health risks compared with other tobacco products. However, the Tobacco Products Scientific Advisory Committee also warned that these products could increase the overall number of tobacco users, according to a CBS News story. Exclusive use of dissolvable tobacco products would “greatly reduce risk” compared with regular use of cigarettes, according to

Study: Empress 2 crowns effective on posterior teeth

TAMPA, Fla. – Empress 2 all-ceramic crowns appear acceptable for use on posterior teeth requiring full coverage restorations, according to research presented today at the American Academy for Dental Research annual meeting. The research was funded entirely or partially by Ivoclar Vivadent, which manufactures Empress 2. David Felton, DDS, dean of the West Virginia University School of Dentistry, presented the study findings. The Empress crown material has been around since

CBCT aids ortho treatment-planning confidence

Cone-beam CT (CBCT) enhances practitioner confidence during orthodontic pre-treatment diagnosis and treatment planning, according to a presentation given yesterday by UCLA researchers at the American Association for Dental Research annual meeting in Tampa, FL. Twenty-three practicing orthodontists in Southern California evaluated six patient cases with a range of orthodontic problems, including crowding, severe skeletal asymmetry, temporomandibular disorder, and impactions. After reviewing patient histories, study models, photos, and radiographs, the orthodontists