Materialise Dental, Zimmer partner on implants

Materialise Dental is partnering with Zimmer Dental and together they have developed an integrated guided implant surgery system that is now commercially available. “We can now offer our customers the possibility to plan their surgeries with SimPlant dental implant treatment planning software, and accurately meet their patients’ implant needs with Zimmer Guided Surgery Instrumentation and the compatible Materialise Dental SAFE SurgiGuide solution,” said Harold C. Flynn Jr., president of Zimmer

ADA takes issue with Pew midlevel provider report

The ADA has issued a statement today in response to the December 6 Pew Center on the States’ report that offers an economic model supporting the addition of dental therapists to the dental practice. The ADA released the following statement: We are extremely disappointed at the Pew Center on the States’ apparent attempt to influence policy by “selling” midlevel providers as a way for dentists to increase profits. These are

U.K. oral health survey finds improvement

A greater percentage of adults in Wales have dental problems than in England, despite more of the Welsh population seeing a dentist regularly, according to the largest adult dental health survey conducted in the region in the last 10 years. Although dental health has improved overall in Wales, England, and Northern Ireland, a greater percentage of the Welsh population have no natural teeth, not enough teeth to eat comfortably, and

State dental groups question dental therapist qualifications

As the W.K. Kellogg Foundation begins rolling out a $16 million initiative to help five states develop midlevel providers programs similar to the dental health aide therapist (DHAT) program in Alaska, dental associations in those states remain unconvinced that this approach will be safe and effective. While they believe directly supervised therapists can do restorations, the organizations share concerns about allowing surgical procedures such as extractions and drilling. Kellogg’s Dental

Why smokers have more periodontitis but less inflammation

A study led by investigators at the University of Louisville School of Dentistry may shed light on how tobacco smoke contributes to gum disease (Journal of Dental Research, November 1, 2010). “We have known that smokers are more likely to get gum disease and more likely to develop the plaque buildup that contributes to gum disease, but the clinical conundrum has always been why do they actually have less of

Kerr launches self-etch bonding agent

Kerr has expanded its OptiBond family of adhesives with OptiBond XTR, a self-etch, light-cure universal adhesive system. “All bonding agents have inherent challenges, but OptiBond XTR overcomes those challenges by combining the best of each generation into one universal bonding system,” said Michael Padilla, product manager, in a press release. “Independent studies show consistently high bond strengths to both dentin and enamel, comparable to the industry standard in both total-etch

PerioPal offers updated charting software via subscription

PerioPal has introduced version 9.0 of its periodontal charting software and has switched to a subscription-based distribution model, the company announced. PerioPal 9.0 offers new functionality to record multiple data entries with a single command — especially conditions relating to localized gingivitis and early periodontitis, according to the company. Features include customized voice commands for speed and accuracy, manual entry for assisted hygiene (nonvoice option), evidence-based diagnosis, Universal and Fédération

Pew report finds economic upside to midlevel providers

Most private-practice dentists who hire new types of dental care providers can serve more patients while maintaining or improving their financial bottom line, according to a report released December 6 by the Pew Center on the States — the first to examine the effects of hiring hygienist or dental therapists on the productivity and profits of a private practice, according to Pew. The study also assesses the effects of dental

Dutch scientists claim breakthrough in plaque research

Dutch researchers say they have deciphered the structure and functional mechanism of the glucansucrase enzyme that is responsible for dental plaque sticking to teeth, according to a new study published online in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (November 30, 2010). This knowledge could stimulate the identification of substances that inhibit the enzyme. Bauke Dijkstra and Lubbert Dijkhuizen of the University of Groningen in the Netherlands analyzed glucansucrase

Survey: Oral health a priority in perception, not practice

Americans place a high value on the importance of oral health, yet there is room for improvement when it comes to practicing proper oral hygiene at home, according to a nationwide survey by Philips Sonicare. The findings suggest that consumers have good intentions toward taking care of their oral health but need more education and motivation to follow through with standards of care. When meeting someone new, a person’s smile

Zimmer offers minimally invasive sinus lift kits

Zimmer Dental has released the Sinus Crestal Approach Kit and Sinus Lateral Approach Kit for minimally invasive and streamlined sinus lift procedures, the company announced. The Sinus Lateral Approach Kit enables access to the sinus via opening the lateral wall. The result is minimal flap size and a smaller window than conventional techniques, the company noted. The kit’s reamers can be used with a standard surgical motor handpiece (2,000 rpm)

Demand for hygienists expected to grow

“Dental hygienist” was named as one of the best career choices in the U.S. for 2011, according to a story in U.S. News and World Report. The position was named on a list of 20 industries that are bouncing back, the story said, and dental hygienist represents a growing field with plenty of opportunity. In 2008, hygienists held 174,000 jobs, according to the U.S. Labor Department. By 2018 that number