BioElectronics gets $130K grant to study oral surgery pain

BioElectronics, developers of pain-relieving medical devices, has been awarded a $130,000 grant from the U.S. government that will complete funding for a study on the effectiveness of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy in reducing oral surgery pain. BioElectronics is combining the Therapeutic Discovery Project Grant with its own funds to conduct the study through the Tufts University School of Dental Medicine, the company said. Neophytos Demetriades, DDS, an assistant professor in

Study compares CTX, x-rays for assessing BRONJ risk

Radiographic periodontic ligament (PDL) widening may be a more sensitive indicator than serum C-terminal telopeptide (CTX) testing in predicting risk of bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (BRONJ), according to a study in Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology, and Endodontology (October 2010, Vol. 110:4, pp. 509-516). Researchers from New York University College of Dentistry conducted a retrospective review of radiographic and/or serum CTX data for 68 patients with

Omega-3’s linked to a lower risk of gum disease

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) – People who consume a good amount of omega-3’s — the fatty acids predominantly found in oily fish — may have a lower risk of developing gum disease, suggests a new study. However, the researchers are hesitant to give omega-3’s full credit just yet, as other factors might be involved, too. Advanced gum disease, known as periodontitis, is a chronic inflammation caused by the accumulation of

AXP Dental to certify quality, content of zirconia products

AXP Dental will begin providing IdentCeram certificates to all dental labs purchasing its zirconia milling block products, according to the IdentAlloy/IdentCeram Council. “Labs, dentists, patients, and insurers are all showing increased interest in the makeup of restoration materials,” said Axel Pomeranz, president and CEO of AXP Dental, in a press release. “IdentCeram certificates will provide even more value to our products by supplying important verification of their content, thus enabling

Delta Dental joins Facebook, offers free toothbrushes

Delta Dental of Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana have joined Facebook and is celebrating by giving away professional-grade sonic toothbrushes. Two Philips Sonicare FlexCare+ toothbrushes will be given away by Delta Dental of Michigan, Delta Dental of Ohio, and Delta Dental of Indiana — one each in November and December. Contestants need enter only once to be considered for both drawings. More information on the toothbrushes is available on the company’s

Study: Patients on bisphosphonates at low risk for ONJ

Your elderly patient has been on bisphosphonate medication and needs an extraction, raising the question of whether she is at risk for bisphosphonate-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ). The science on the incidence of bisphosphonate-related ONJ is still murky, but a new study has found that occurrences of the condition may be rare in patients receiving once-yearly infusions of 5 mg of the intravenous bisphosphonate zoledronic acid (Journal of the

Defensin-mimetics effective against microbial biofilms

PolyMedix’s investigational defensin-mimetic compounds exhibited both anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial activity against microbial biofilms that cause infections of the oral cavity in two studies in the December issue of Molecular Oral Microbiology (Vol. 25:6, pp. 418-425, 426-432), the company announced. In the first study, PolyMedix’s antimicrobial defensin-mimetics were screened against oral Candida strains as a proof-of-principle test of their antifungal properties. The results demonstrated that several of the defensin-mimetic compounds exhibited

Growth factor enhances perio tissue regrowth

Topical application of the growth factor fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) enhances the regeneration of human periodontal tissue in patients with periodontitis, according to researchers from Osaka University Graduate School of Dentistry (Journal of Dental Research [JDR], November 8, 2010). It is well known that oral infection progressively destroys periodontal tissues and is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults. A major goal of periodontal treatment is regeneration of the

Vita to help develop CCADS courses

Vita has entered into a partnership with the California Center for Advanced Dental Studies (CCADS) that will allow Vita to develop course curriculum with CCADS in several core competencies, including restorative aesthetics and shade communication. The CCADS program is composed of two key parts: the Core Excellency Series and the CCADS Study Clubs. “We see this partnership as in ideal fit between the two companies, allowing us to pursue our

Preventive dental care part of CaliforniaKids coverage

Noting that children primarily utilize outpatient services such as office visits, immunizations, physical exams, dental services, and prescription drugs, CaliforniaKids Healthcare Foundation announced that its outpatient coverage program is open for enrollment. CaliforniaKids offers an option for families unable to afford the high cost of health insurance. Unlike all three other types of medical plans — indemnity, PPO, or HMO — CaliforniaKids provides first dollar coverage (no deductibles) with small

Komet introduces CAD/CAM bur kit for assistants

In response to an increase in dental assistants learning about the benefits of using CAD/CAM technology, Komet USA has introduced a new bur kit that allows assistants to make adjustments to milled restorations. Developed in conjunction with Shannon L. Pace-Brinker, CDA, of Virginia Beach, VA, Komet USA has introduced the Shannon L. Pace CAD/CAM Bur Kit (SD 2308). This is the third bur kit developed by Komet with Pace-Brinker for

New Dr. Fresh website features November discounts

Dr. Fresh has relaunched its professional website with a streamlined new look and special offers. Intended to serve as an online resource for dental professionals, the site provides easy access to products ranging from the company’s light-up timer toothbrushes and travel kits to sanitizers and specialty mouth rinses, all at special prices for dental offices, Dr. Fresh announced. The new site features a shipping estimator and quantity discounts. As a