Marty Jablow DMD - Dental News & Technology Blog

Aribex Files Patent Infringement Complaint Against Bio-Ray Prox

2009-11-10T07:33:00.001-05:00

Just an FYI I use Nomads in my office and like them a lot. MJ

OREM, UTAH, USA—30 Oct 2009—Aribex, Inc., of Orem, Utah, today announced that it has filed a patent infringement complaint for unspecified damages against manufacturer DigiMed Co., Ltd (of Seoul, Korea), Sigma Biomedics (of Buffalo Grove, Illinois), and Dentalaire Products (of Fountain Valley, CA). Sigma and Dentalaire distribute the Bio-Ray Prox, a portable x-ray device which is manufactured in Korea by DigiMed. The complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court in Salt Lake City, comes after a number of attempts by Aribex to resolve concerns over the alleged infringement of Aribex patents by several different manufacturers and importers.

Aribex is the developer of a novel class of handheld x-ray sources, with patented technology enabling a lightweight and easily transported design. Their popular NOMAD® family of x-ray devices is currently used in the dental, veterinary, and forensic disciplines.

The complaint alleges that Aribex intellectual property rights are being knowingly and unfairly violated. According to Dr. D. Clark Turner, president and CEO of Aribex and inventor of the NOMAD handheld x-ray, "Aribex has spent considerable time and money to establish the value proposition of handheld x-ray. We consider our intellectual property to be one of our core assets and plan to aggressively defend and enforce our IP rights. This is the first visible step in that process."

Lanmark Group to Review Highlights of Benchmark RDH Survey During Greater New York Dental Meeting

2009-11-09T07:29:00.002-05:00

Results of Recent In-Depth Poll Will Provide Invaluable Market Intelligence
to any Company Striving to Effectively Engage with Today’s Registered Dental Hygienist

Eatontown, NJ (November 3, 2009) – Lanmark Group, the dental industry’s leading full-service, business-to-business advertising, marketing, and public relations agency, will be scheduling appointments to review the highlights of its recent benchmark survey of dental hygienists, during the Greater New York Dental Meeting.

The online survey was conducted independently by Lanmark’s Research Team and polled close to 300 dental hygienists on a wide range of topics including product preferences, career satisfaction, association affiliation, social media usage, publication readership, professional relationships, hygienist-friendly companies, oral/systemic link relevance, product recommendations, and much more.

“This is was a detailed survey that required participants to spend about a half hour to complete,” commented Lanmark Chief Strategy Officer, Michael McCarthy. “Our first take away from this process was that hygienists are a dedicated, passionate group of dental professionals who take the time to communicate with any company willing to listen – We’re listening!”

The full results of this survey will provide valuable market intelligence to any company that markets products, materials and services to the dental hygienist. “There are some surprising answers that will shatter some preconceived notions, plus enlightening answers to questions that have simply never been asked before,” explained McCarthy. “No hygiene-focused marketing director or product manager should be without the in-depth findings of this survey.”

Senior members of the Lanmark Research Team will be on hand during the Greater New York Dental Meeting to present the highlights of this benchmark survey of dental hygienists, or to explain how they can develop a custom research project if needed. To schedule a free 30-minute consultation, call Erin Foster at 732-389-4500 ext. 128 or send an e-mail to efoster@lanmarkgroup.com.

Lanmark Group’s recent benchmark survey of dental hygienists was conducted independently by the company’s research department, using its proprietary database. The survey was not developed in cooperation with any publications, associations, or third party groups.

Thanks to Continental Airlines

2009-11-08T19:20:00.002-05:00

I had been away in Mexico on vacation. I was scheduled to leave at the same time Hurricane Ida was supposed to be very close to Cancun. I called Continental Airlines late in the afternoon to see if they had a late flight out of Cancun before the hurricane was to pass the area. Low and behold they were sending a plane just for that purpose! So Continental added an unscheduled flight to take out all those people requesting to leave Cancun before the hurricane.

I boarded my flight at about 10 o'clock PM and was in Houston at midnight. An added flight and now fees to change. Most importantly my family was out of harms way.

So a very big "THANK YOU" to Continental Airlines for excellent customer service!!!!

ClearCorrect to be at GNYDM

2009-11-07T09:13:00.001-05:00

ClearCorrect™, Inc., the clear alternative in advanced and affordable transparent orthodontic aligners, is wrapping up a successful year with its exhibitor debut at this year’s Greater New York Dental Meeting. Dentists who sign up to become a ClearCorrect provider at booth # 322 will receive a 50% discount on their first ClearCorrect case.

AAP Keynote Address on Perio/Systemic Connection

2009-11-06T07:56:00.001-05:00

Watch Paul Ridker, cardiologist deliver the keynote address at the APP meeting on the perio/systemic connection.

http://plum.tv/aap/keynote/

Dental Expenditures in the 10 Largest States

2009-11-05T07:49:00.000-05:00

Dental Expenditures in the 10 Largest States, 2006. Read the government report.

The national average expenditure for dental care was $607 in 2006

Opinions of American and Swedish Orthodontists about the Role of Erupting Third Molars as a Cause of Dental Crowding.

2009-11-04T07:40:00.000-05:00

Angle Orthod. 2009 Nov;79(6):1139-42.
Opinions of American and Swedish Orthodontists about the Role of Erupting Third Molars as a Cause of Dental Crowding.

Tüfekçi E, Svensk D, Kallunki J, Huggare J, Lindauer SJ, Laskin DM.

Abstract Objective: To compare the opinions of Swedish orthodontists and American orthodontists regarding the association between third molar eruption and dental crowding. Materials and Methods: A survey was distributed to Swedish orthodontists (n = 230) asking their views on the force exerted by erupting third molars, its relationship to crowding, and their recommendations for prophylactic removal. Results were compared with those from a similar study conducted in the United States. Chi square analysis was used to determine differences in responses to questions between Swedish and American orthodontists. P

DENTAL surgeries have been told to remove magazines and toys from their waiting rooms

2009-11-03T07:40:00.000-05:00

Last Updated: 28 October 2009 10:04 AM
Source: Edinburgh Evening News

DENTAL surgeries have been told to remove magazines and toys from their waiting rooms to help halt the spread of swine flu.
The Evening News has discovered every NHS practice has been sent the new guidance as health chiefs battle to control the spread of the H1N1 virus.

The move has been met with a mixed reaction, with some branding it a step too far – arguing that there are other more dangerous risks of swine flu spreading – while others insist it is merely a sensible measure.

It is understood the Lothian board is one of the first health authorities in the country to implement the guidelines, though dentists can ultimately choose to ignore them.

And it is not clear whether the moves will be extended to GP surgeries, with the British Medical Association saying that it had not been made aware of similar advice.

One dentist based in West Lothian told the Evening News: "We're not convinced.

"If you start taking magazines away then you'll have to stop people touching door handles and make sure they wash their hands thoroughly before coming back from the toilet.

"It certainly wouldn't be 100 per cent effective, and you can hardly stop people bringing in their own magazines to read and then leaving them."

Another city-based dentist added: "Perhaps it's quite a sensible thing, sometimes you see big boxes of toys which won't have been cleaned for ages."

It is thought that even once the swine flu outbreak passes, it is likely the advice will remain to reduce the spread of other bugs.

More than 1,000 people reported to their GP last week with symptoms of flu in the Lothians, and that figure is expected to rise as the temperature continues to plummet.

Dr Marion Storrie, clinical director of Lothian Unscheduled Care Service for NHS Lothian, confirmed the letters had been sent out.

She said: "This guidance was issued to general dental practitioners, advising them that they may wish to consider removing items such as toys and magazines from their waiting area to reduce the spread of the virus."

NHS Lothian already has significant contingency plans in place to tackle swine flu, and the vaccination of the 200,000 at-risk individuals and key frontline healthcare workers has begun.

While swine flu remains a reasonably tame strain of influenza, health chiefs are keen to eliminate the risk of catching it, particularly from healthcare premises

Margaret Watt, chairwoman of the Scotland Patients' Association, said: "We fully support NHS Lothian on this, and would urge them to move it on from just a request.

"It has long been known paper is a carrier of infection, especially second-hand. Years ago comics that were sent to infection hospitals used to go straight into the furnace, they knew even then of the dangers."

Characterization of mouthguard materials: Thermal properties of commercialized products

2009-11-02T00:37:00.001-05:00

Dental Materials
Volume 25, Issue 12, Pages 1593-1602 (December 2009)

Characterization of mouthguard materials: Thermal properties of commercialized products

Trenton E. GouldaCorresponding Author Informationemail address, Scott G. Pilanda, Junghwan Shinb, Olivia McNairb, Charles E. Hoyleb, Sergei Nazarenkob

Received 15 July 2009; accepted 11 August 2009.

Abstract
Objectives

Several mechanisms have been purported to describe how mouthguards protect the orofacial complex against injury. As the properties needed for these mechanisms to be effective are temperature and frequency dependent, the specific aim of this study was to provide a comprehensive thermal characterization of commercial mouthguard materials.
Methods

Five commercially representative thermoplastic mouthguard materials (Essix™ Resin, Erkoflex™, Proform™-regular, Proform™-laminate, and Polyshok™) were tested. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) techniques were implemented to measure thermal transitions and mechanical properties. Measurements were conducted three times per sample. One-way ANOVA and one-sample t-tests were used to test for differences between commercial products on selected mean thermal property values.
Results

The DSC measurements indicated no differences between commercial materials for mean glass transition (p=0.053), onset melt (p=0.973), or peak melt (p=0.436) temperatures. Likewise, DMA measurements revealed no differences between commercial materials for the mean glass transition (p=0.093), storage modulus (p=0.257), or loss modulus (p=0.172) properties, respectively. The one-sample t-tests revealed that glass transition temperatures were different from intra-oral temperature (p<0.005) for all materials.
Significance

Commercialized mouthguard materials are sensitive to repetitive heating and cooling cycles, prolonged thermal treatment, and have glass transitions well below their end-use intra-oral temperature. As such, these materials are functioning as elastomers and not optimal mechanical damping materials. Dental clinicians, healthcare practitioners, or end-users should be aware that these materials are at best problematic with respect to this protective mechanism.

Five years of sleep apnea treatment with a mandibular advancement device.

2009-10-31T00:35:00.000-04:00

Angle Orthod. 2010 Jan;80(1):30-6.
Five years of sleep apnea treatment with a mandibular advancement device.

Martínez-Gomis J, Willaert E, Nogues L, Pascual M, Somoza M, Monasterio C.

a Associate Professor, Department of Prosthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.

Abstract Objective: To determine the variation in prevalence of temporomandibular disorders (TMD), other side effects, and technical complications during 5 years of sleep apnea treatment with a mandibular advancement device. Materials and Methods: Forty patients diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea received an adjustable appliance at 70% of the maximum protrusion. The protrusion was then progressively increased. TMD (diagnosed according to the Research Diagnostic Criteria for TMD), overjet, overbite, occlusal contacts, subjective side effects, and technical complications were recorded before and a mean of 14, 21, and 58 months after treatment and analyzed by the Wilcoxon test (P < .05). Results: Fifteen patients still used the oral appliance at the 5-year follow-up, and no significant variation in TMD prevalence was observed. Subjective side effects were common, and a significant reduction was found in overjet, overbite, and in the number of occlusal contacts. Furthermore, the patients made a mean of 2.5 unscheduled dental visits per year and a mean of 0.8 appliance repairs/relines per year by a dental technician. The most frequent unscheduled visits were needed during the first year and were a result of acrylic breakage on the lateral telescopic attachment, poor retention, and other adjustments to improve comfort. Conclusions: Five-year oral appliance treatment does not affect TMD prevalence but is associated with permanent occlusal changes in most sleep apnea patients during the first 2 years. Patients seek several unscheduled visits, mainly because of technical complications.

Orthodontic treatment of malocclusion improves impaired skillfulness of masticatory jaw movements.

2009-10-30T00:34:00.000-04:00

Angle Orthod. 2009 Nov;79(6):1078-83.
Orthodontic treatment of malocclusion improves impaired skillfulness of masticatory jaw movements.

Tome W, Yashiro K, Takada K.

Abstract Objective: To investigate whether individuals with malocclusion show less skillfulness, as represented by kinematic parameters that characterize masticatory jaw movement, compared with those having normal occlusion and, if so, to examine whether more skilled movements are achieved after completion of orthodontic treatment. Materials and Methods: Lower incisor point movement in space during gum chewing was recorded, and the kinematic traits of such movement were compared among four subject groups: a Control Group (36 females with good occlusion), a Malocclusion Group (24 females with dental malocclusions), an Extraction Group (31 females who had received orthodontic treatment with premolar extraction) and a Nonextraction Group (27 females who had been treated orthodontically without tooth extraction). Before treatment, all subjects in the three experimental groups exhibited dental malocclusions and skeletal class I jaw-base relationship. Results: Compared with the Malocclusion Group, the lower normalized jerk-cost, the shorter phase durations, the more symmetric property of the velocity profile, and the smaller variance of lateral jaw-closing trajectories near the tooth intercuspation position were determined in the Extraction Group and the Nonextraction Group as well as in the Control Group. Conclusions: As measured by kinematic parameters such as normalized jerk-costs, velocity profile, and variance of movement trajectories near the endpoint of movement, dental malocclusions were associated with significantly lower skillfulness of masticatory jaw motion, whereas good occlusion and orthodontically improved occlusion (either with or without premolar extraction) were both associated with more skillful motion.

OSAP Shakes it Up for 2010 Symposium

2009-10-29T02:19:00.001-04:00

Annapolis, MD: October 26, 2009 - The Organization for Safety & Asepsis Procedures (OSAP) has announced their 2010 Infection Prevention Symposium: SHAKE IT UP – *O*vercome complacency, *S*upport compliance, *A*dvance a culture of safety, *P*repare for contingencies, which will be held June 10-13, 2010 at the Hyatt Regency in Tampa, Florida. The information-packed Symposium is designed to provide a wealth of take-aways to help oral healthcare educators and consultants, and dental professionals responsible for infection control and safety in their clinics and practices, address today’s fast-changing safety and infection control challenges.

A Thursday morning golf tournament kicks off the Symposium. The tournament, which raises funds for the OSAP Foundation, is open to all; no Symposium registration is required. Thursday also offers special pre-conference content for educators and consultants. Friday, following a day of informative sessions that include a spotlight on H1N1, a panel on social media and public health, information on new technologies, and the Zapp Lecture, the popular OSAP auction will again feature an astounding array of fabulous items. Saturday offers a full day of workshops and information sessions, on topics ranging from ergonomics to how to write an abstract and how to create clear infection control/safety messages. Optional post-conference session offerings are available Sunday morning.

Sunny Tampa Florida features more than 2,000 acres of parks and beaches within the city limits and is very accessible- just a $10 van ride from the airport, which is served by Southwest and other inexpensive carriers. Saturday night’s dine-around event will give participants a chance to experience the dynamic restaurant scene in Tampa and will include a tour of historic Ybor City, where the Cuban sandwiches are hot and crisp, the cigars are hand-rolled, and the colorful streets are lined with fun.

For more information or Symposium registration information, call 800-298-OSAP (6727) or visit www.osap.org.

OSAP is the Organization for Safety and Asepsis Procedures. Founded in 1984, the non-profit association is dentistry's premier resource for infection control and safety information. Through its publications, courses, website, and worldwide collaborations, OSAP and the tax-exempt OSAP Foundation support education, research, service, and policy development to promote safety and the control of infectious diseases in dental healthcare settings worldwide.

Minimum Intervention Dentistry e-zine

2009-10-28T01:10:00.000-04:00

The first issue of MID, an informative digital turning page edition dedicated to Minimum Intervention Dentistry, compiled by Interactive Dental Media in partnership with GC.
Click the following link to open the latest issue:
MID October 2009 Issue

Read in this Issue

* “MID is the foundation for good clinical practice in the modern era of knowledge of disease and developments in material science.” Dr Avijit Banerjee, King’s College London Dental Institute, UK, in MID Worldwide, page 4
* “In the past, a lot of resistance to MID practice has stemmed from dentists not believing that this style of dentistry will allow them to run a profitable and satisfying practice – we believe that you can.” Dr David Manton, University of Melbourne, Australia, in MID Symposium, page 6.
* “I like this way of not just fixing the holes in my teeth, but also explaining to me how to stop the disease I didn’t know about. This minimal dentistry rocks!” James, patient, Australia, in Practice Perspectives, page 15.
* “By approaching evidence-based scrutiny and meta-analysis, it is exciting to be able to answer clinical questions relevant to MI and to do so largely independently from systematic error and bias.” Dr Steffen Mickenautsch, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa, in Evidence, page 28.

Written by practicing dentists, academics and hygienists, the MID ezine looks at how current evidence translates into practice, to the ultimate benefit of the patient. Learn to implement MID into your practice today, serve your patients better and still make a profit.

Sections in the ezine include:

*
MID Worldwide
*
MID Symposium
*
Practice Perspectives
*
Team Talk
*
Clinical Corner
*
Evidence
*
MID toolkit

Below the publication is a menu bar giving you control of the reading experience in terms of viewing, navigation, printing and downloading.

A Fresh Web-Based Approach to Managing Your Practice

2009-10-27T02:38:00.000-04:00

Join me by registering for this webcast sponsored by Curve Dental

Brushing Dentures Might Be Best Cleaning Method

2009-10-26T08:59:00.000-04:00

Health Behavior News Service

Brushing removable dentures with a paste product might be the best way to keep them clean, better than soaking in effervescent or enzyme cleaning solutions, suggests a new review of what little dental literature exists on the topic.

Keeping dentures clean and free from plaque buildup can help prevent oral infections and gingivitis; however, few clinical studies focus on the best way to clean partial or complete dentures.

This scarcity of studies on real-life patients was surprising, said lead review author Raphael Freitas de Souza, D.D.S. Most studies of denture cleaning methods happen in the laboratory. “We need clinical trials,” he said.

Dr. de Souza, with the Ribeirão Preto Dental School of the University of São Paulo in Brazil, and colleagues evaluated six randomized controlled studies. In some studies, the denture wearers were in institutions, while other studies involved patients at university dental clinics. Studies compared different denture cleaning methods to one another or to a placebo.

Read the entire article.

Reducing early childhood caries by 77 percent

2009-10-24T10:37:00.000-04:00

Reducing early childhood caries by 77 percent
Training clinicians helps reduce rates of early childhood cavities

Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) have found that pediatricians provided with the proper communication, educational and information technology tools and training could reduce the rates of children developing early childhood caries (ECC) or cavities by 77 percent. This study appears in the October issue of the Journal Medical Care.

ECC, the most common chronic illness among children, can lead to serious complications if untreated, including abscesses requiring costly surgery. Infection and pain caused by ECC can also impair growth, weight gain and limit school attendance.

BUSM researchers provided pediatric clinicians with communication skills training to help them more effectively counsel parents and caregivers to reduce children's ECC risk. Pediatricians as well as clinical nurses participated in a one hour study training session, and they were also provided with educational brochures to give to parents. The electronic medical record was also adapted to prompt clinicians to remember to counsel. After the educational program, a simultaneous recruitment of children affected with ECC was conducted at a comparison site, where the clinicians did not receive training.

Parents and caregivers of children aged six months to five years were asked to participate in a clinical exam and interview that consisted of a series of questions inquiring about the parent or caregiver's discussion with the child's doctor or nurse. This interview assessed the degree the clinician covered the topics on which they had been trained to counsel regarding ECC risk reduction. This process was repeated approximately one year later.

The findings show that providers at the intervention site had greater knowledge and conducted more counseling, and patients at that site had significantly reduced odds of developing ECC over time. "Pediatric clinicians at Boston Medical Center are committed to children's oral health, and to addressing the deficit in clinical preparation to help prevent ECC," explained lead author, Nancy R. Kressin, PhD, an associate professor of General Internal Medicine at Boston University School of Medicine. "We developed and implemented a multi-faceted pediatric practice based intervention where children especially vulnerable to ECC received enhanced care to prevent this disease from occurring or reoccurring, and it had marked effects on reducing children's rates of developing ECC" said Kressin.

###
This study was funded by the National Institutes of Health the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.

The cariogenic dental biofilm: good, bad or just something to control?

2009-10-23T08:51:00.000-04:00

Brazilian Oral Research
Braz. oral res. vol.23 supl.1 São Paulo 2009

ABSTRACT

This paper discusses the role of dental biofilm and adjunctive therapies in the management of dental caries. Dental biofilm is a site of bacterial proliferation and growth, in addition to being a location of acid production. It also serves as a reservoir for calcium exchange between the tooth and saliva. The salivary pellicle, a protein-rich biofilm layer, regulates the reaction between tooth surface, saliva and erosive acids. The protective effects of this pellicle on enamel are well established. However, understanding the effects of the pellicle/biofilm interaction in protecting dentin from erosive conditions requires further research. Saliva interacts with the biofilm, and is important in reducing the cariogenic effects of dental plaque as acidogenic bacteria consume fermentable carbohydrates producing acids that may result in tooth demineralization. Adequate supplies of healthy saliva can provide ingredients for successful remineralization. Strategies for managing the cariogenic biofilm are discussed with emphasis on the effectiveness of over-the-counter (OTC) products. However, since many toothpaste components have been altered recently, new clinical trials may be required for true validation of product effectiveness. A new generation of calcium-based remineralizing technologies may offer the ability to reverse the effects of demineralization. Nevertheless, remineralization is a microscopic subsurface phenomenon, and it will not macroscopically replace tooth structure lost in a cavitated lesion. Optimal management of cavitations requires early detection. This, coupled with advances in adhesive restorative materials and microsurgical technique, will allow the tooth to be restored with minimal destruction to nearby healthy tissue.

Read the entire article

Lexi has Palm® Pre™ Medical & Dental Software!

2009-10-22T00:42:00.002-04:00

I just watched the demo of the new Lexi Palm Pre software. I am a long time Palm and Lexi user. I always had the Lexi software on my Treo and I did miss having the drug database on my Pre. I had been using Drugview on my Pre but in the near future I can get my Lexi Dental Drug database back. The video preview gives a general overview of the features that Lexi-Comp will bring to webOS, including drug look-ups and interaction comparisons. It even provides for over-the-air downloading of additional databases. Check out the Lexi web site and watch the video below.

CAD/CAM Seminars at The Scottsdale Center for Dentistry™

2009-10-21T18:38:00.002-04:00

Sirona Dental Systems to Underwrite Upcoming
CAD/CAM Seminars at The Scottsdale Center for Dentistry™

Gordon & Rella Christensen Among Top Industry Experts Slated to Speak –
Dentists Receive Complimentary Tuition, Hotel Stay, and Six CE Credits

Scottsdale, AZ (October 21, 2009) – Sirona Dental Systems today announced plans to hold two complimentary seminars on CAD/CAM for dentists at the prestigious Scottsdale Center for Dentistry™ on November 12th and 13th or November 13th and 14th, 2009.

The CAD/CAM Discovery Seminars, underwritten by Sirona and Patterson Dental Corporation, include not only complimentary tuition and six CE credits (a $1,395.00 value), but also a complimentary one-night stay at the Fairmont Scottsdale Hotel.

“We’re very excited about bringing this seminar to the Scottsdale Center and are happy to underwrite it in order to help defray the costs to dentists,” remarked Sirona Dental Systems President, Michael Augins. “The CAD/CAM Discovery Seminar promises to be an educational experience that will provide dentists with the information they need to make an informed decision about incorporating
in-office CAD/CAM, digital impressions, and digital dentistry into their own practices.”

Sirona has enlisted an impressive lineup of distinguished dental industry speakers for the seminars, including:

• Gordon Christensen, DDS, MSD, PhD
• Imtiaz Manji, CEO, Scottsdale Center for Dentistry™
• Rella Christensen, RDH, PhD
• Lee Ann Brady, DMD
• Sameer Puri, DDS
• Russell Giordano, DMD, DMSc, FADM

Topics of discussion during the CAD/CAM Discovery Seminar will include:

• Success of In-Office CAD/CAM
• CAD/CAM for the General Dentist
• Clinical Efficacy of CAD/CAM Materials
• Taking Your Practice to New Heights
• Hands-On Experience with CEREC® AC

The complete CEREC AC product line was introduced to the US market in January of 2009. At the heart of CEREC AC is the Bluecam handheld acquisition camera, which uses a highly visible blue light LED (light emitting diode) to harness the full potential of digital impression-taking. CEREC AC provides dentists with a variety of configurations, budget price points, and practice integration options, thus making CAD/CAM available for everyone.

To register for the seminars, or for additional information, please call 877-526-3590 or visit www.cerecseminar.com.

U.S. House passes bill exempting dentists from Red Flags Rule

2009-10-21T12:08:00.000-04:00

Read the Dr. Bicuspid article and hope the Senate passes the bill.

Comparison of intraoral radiography and limited cone beam computed tomography for the assessment of root-fractured permanent teeth

2009-10-21T08:56:00.000-04:00

Dental Traumatology
Published Online: 14 Oct 2009
Michael M. Bornstein, Andrea B. Wölner-Hanssen, Pedram Sendi, Thomas von Arx

Abstract – Aim: To compare intraoral occlusal (OC) and periapical (PA) radiographs vs. limited cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) in diagnosing root-fractured permanent teeth. Material and methods: In 38 patients (mean age 24 years, range 8–52 years) with 44 permanent teeth with horizontal root fractures, intraoral radiographs (PA and OC) and limited CBCT were used to evaluate the location (apical, middle, cervical third of the root) and angulation of the fracture line. Furthermore, the conventional radiographs and CBCT images were compared for concordance of fracture location. Results: In the PA and OC radiographs, 28 fractures (63.6%) were located in the middle third of the root, 11 (25.0%) in the apical third and 5 (11.4%) in the cervical third. The PA/OC radiographs and the sagittal CBCT images (facial aspect) yielded the same level of root fracture in 70.5% of cases (31 teeth; 95% CI: 54.1–82.7%). The PA/OC radiographs and sagittal CBCT images (palatal aspect) showed the same level of root fracture in 31.8% of cases. There was a statistically significant association between the angle at which the root fracture line intersected the axis of the tooth and the level of root fracture in the facial aspect of the sagittal CBCT images. Conclusions: The diagnosis of the location and angulation of root fractures based on limited CBCT imaging differs significantly from diagnostic procedures based on intraoral radiographs (PA/OC) alone. The clinical significance for treatment strategies and for the prognosis of root-fractured teeth has to be addressed in future studies.

Triodent Grip Tabs

2009-10-20T10:36:00.001-04:00

The new Triodent Griptabs

The Oral Health America Gala 2010- New Day and Location

2009-10-19T00:22:00.001-04:00

I have had the privilege to attend this event and it is a wonderful evening for a good cause. MJ

New Location, New Date for 20th Anniversary Oral Health America Gala

Chicago, IL: October 15, 2009- In celebration of the event’s 20th Anniversary, Oral Health America has chosen a dazzling new site for its annual Gala Dinner and Auction: Chicago’s historic Union Station. Completed in 1925, the Great Hall in Union Station is a 20,000-foot classic Beaux Arts style room that boasts 18 soaring Corinthian columns, terracotta walls, a pink Tennessee marble floor and a spectacular five-story, barrel-vaulted, atrium ceiling. It is considered to be one of the greatest indoor spaces in the United States. The night of the Gala has also been changed to Wednesday, (February 24, 2010). The event raises funds to support educational and service programs designed to improve oral health.

The Oral Health America Gala, held each year during the Chicago Dental Society Midwinter Meeting, is one of the dental industry’s premier networking events. It has become so popular that it sells out early. For this reason, organizers have set up an online reservation system at www.oralhealthamerica.org, so attendees can reserve their tickets early to avoid disappointment. The black tie optional evening features dinner, dancing, and a silent auction. Oral Health America is also seeking event sponsors at the Gold ($3,000), Platinum ($5,000), and Diamond ($10,000) levels. In recognition of the Gala’s 20th anniversary, there will also be a special, one-time Anniversary level sponsorship available for $20,000.

The Oral Health America 20th Annual Gala Dinner and Silent Auction will run from 6:30pm to 11pm on Wednesday February 24, 2010. Tickets are $285 each ($300 after February 1, if still available); a table for 10 can be purchased for $2,500 ($2,750 after February 1, if still available). To reserve tickets or to get information on sponsorships or donations please contact Joe Donohue at OHA by calling 312-836-9900 or email him at joe@oralhealthamerica.org.

Oral Health America is the nation’s leading, independent non-profit organization dedicated to connecting communities with resources to increase access to care, education, and advocacy for all Americans, especially those most vulnerable. Find out more at www.oralhealthamerica.org.

New details about first-ever Wolfram|Alpha Homework Day announced

2009-10-17T11:38:00.001-04:00

I mentioned this web site the other day and low and behold I got an email about a live demonstration coming up. Here is a copy of the email. MJ

Excitement is building as we count down to our first-ever
Wolfram|Alpha Homework Day, a live interactive web event starting
at noon CDT on Wednesday, October 21, 2009.

This event is dedicated to showing how Wolfram|Alpha, a
groundbreaking free website, is a powerful new discovery and
learning tool for students, parents, and educators.

We are proud to announce today some of the highlights we have
planned for Homework Day, including:
* Several interactive segments where Stephen Wolfram and the
Wolfram|Alpha Team help you tackle tough homework problems
* Step-by-step tutorials for educators by educators demonstrating
how to integrate Wolfram|Alpha into the classroom
* Vibrant panel discussions about Wolfram|Alpha and the future of
education
* And lots more

More details about Homework Day and how you can participate are
available on the Wolfram|Alpha Homework Day home page:
http://homeworkday.com

We hope you will check out the site and save the date for
Wolfram|Alpha Homework Day on Wednesday, October 21, 2009.

Best regards,

The Wolfram|Alpha Team

Madilyn- The girl with a killer toothach

2009-10-16T14:54:00.000-04:00

A very eerie tale