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My partner, Giovanni Castellucci, and I have been treating periodontal disease in our periodontal practice for over 29 years. Every day, we see an ever increasing amount of requests from our restorative colleagues and patients from Boston, Newton, Framingham, and the surrounding metrowest communities for Laser Periodontal Treatment as an alternative to more conventional surgical modalities. Dental lasers have been around for many years, and, in my opinion, are here to stay. Several laser devices and treatment protocols exist today including LANAP (laser-assisted new attachment procedure) and LPT (Laser Periodontal Therapy) from Millennium Dental Technologies, WPT (Wavelength-optimized Periodontal Therapy) from Lares Dental Research, and LAPT (Laser-Assisted Periodontal Therapy) from other companies such as Biolase, Kavo, and HOYA ConBio - just to name a few. Benefits include virtually pain-free procedures without surgical incisions and stitches, usually minimal or no bleeding, reduction of bacteria levels, shorter treatment times, and faster recovery. Our patients welcome these possibilities.

It is important to consider that every case must be evaluated on its own merits, and not all cases are best treated with dental lasers. Time-tested conventional periodontal therapy including elimination of bony defects by resection or bone regeneration techniques continues to play an active role in our daily practice.

The number of scientific research studies relating to the use of lasers in dentistry continues to expand. Evidence-based protocols for the treatment of gum disease and associated periodontal problems is of paramount importance for our patients.

What has been your experience? Are your patients requesting laser periodontal treatment? Comments are appreciated.

Cary Feuerman, DMD
PERIODONTAL ASSOCIATES

CEREC^® 25^th Anniversary Celebration (C25) will be held August 26 – 28^that Caesars Palace in Las Vegas

Charlotte, NC (May 21, 2010) - Sirona Dental Systems, LLC is celebrating the 25-year anniversary of its CEREC^® CAD/CAM system with a three-day CAD/CAM extravaganza geared toward all
dental and laboratory professionals.

The milestone CEREC 25^th Anniversary Celebration (C25) will take place August 26 – 28^th atCaesars Palace in Las Vegas. Participants can earn up to 18 CE credits while enjoying CAD/CAM-focused workshops, premium entertainment, and plenty of memorable celebrations among luxurious accommodations provided by Caesars Palace.

Following Sirona’s “CAD/CAM for Everyone” philosophy, the CEREC 25^th Anniversary program offers an extensive list of CAD/CAM courses for the entire dental team. Programs include clinical techniques, practice management, marketing, hygiene, and hands-on workshops. The celebration is open to all who want to advance their CAD/CAM education and experience. Attendees can also explore the C25 exhibit hall showcasing top dental companies and their products and services.

Sirona plans to present a “who's who” of digital dentistry during the CEREC 25^th Anniversary. An outstanding educational curriculum will be taught by the most prominent lecturers in the dental and lab community, including:

• Dr. Gordon Christensen
• Dr. Rella Christensen
• Dr. Dennis Fasbinder

• Mr. Jim Glidewell
• Dr. Paul Homoly
• Mr. Imtiaz Manji
• Dr. Edward A. McLaren
• Prof. Dr. Albert Mehl
• Dr. Mark Morin
• Prof. Dr. Werner H. Mörmann
• Mr. Bill Mrazek
• Dr. Sameer Puri
• Mr. Matt Roberts
• Dr. David Roessler
• Dr. Frank Spear
• Mr. Ingo Zimmer, and many more!
  

Attendees are also invited to celebrate in style at the sophisticated WHITE PARTY taking place at Pure Nightclub on Saturday night. The WHITE PARTY promises to be the hottest dental event of the decade! An “Entertainment-Only Pass” is also available for a spouse or guest who chooses to attend social events only.

“Attendees have the opportunity to build long-lasting business relationships and join thousands of fellow CEREC and inLab^® owners and educators by registering now for this once-in-a-lifetime event,” remarked Michael Augins, President of Sirona Dental Systems. “The C25 celebration is slated to be a great place for additional CAD/CAM education provided by the best in our field, as well as a great open communication forum for Sirona, our colleagues, clients, associates, and other professionals who hold the same interests. This event is intended for everyone, just as one of our top goals in the past 25 years has been providing accessible CAD/CAM for everyone.”

Moreover, doctors and laboratories are encouraged to take advantage of special early registration packages:

• Register in the months of May and/or June and receive Thursday (Aug. 26) night free at Caesars with full-price tuition
• Sign up in May & June: Bring along 2 staff/lab personnel members at regular tuition rate and get 1 staff member free!

About Sirona Dental Systems, LLC

Recognized as a leading global manufacturer of technologically advanced, high-quality dental equipment, Sirona has served equipment dealers and dentists worldwide for more than 125 years. Sirona develops, manufactures, and markets a complete line of dental products, including
CAD/CAM restoration equipment (CEREC^® and inLab^®); digital and film-based intraoral, panoramic, and cephalometric X-ray imaging systems; dental treatment centers; and handpieces. Visit http://www.sirona.com for more information about Sirona and its products.

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Modern dentistry has eliminated much of the "ouch!" from getting a shot of local anesthetic. Now a new discovery may replace the needle used to give local anesthetic in the dentist's chair for many procedures. Scientists are reporting evidence that a common local anesthetic, when administered to the nose as nose drops or a nasal spray, travels through the main nerve in the face and collects in high concentrations in the teeth, jaw, and structures of the mouth.

The discovery could lead to a new generation of intranasal drugs for noninvasive treatment for dental pain, migraine, and other conditions, the scientists suggest in American Chemical Society's bi-monthly journal Molecular Pharmaceutics. The article is scheduled for the journal's May-June issue.

William H. Frey II, Ph.D., and colleagues note that drugs administered to the nose travel along nerves and go directly to the brain. One of those nerves is the trigeminal nerve, which brings feelings to the face, nose and mouth. Until now, however, scientists never checked to see whether intranasal drugs passing along that nerve might reach the teeth, gums and other areas of the face and mouth to reduce pain sensations in the face and mouth.

Neil Johnson, working in the labs of Frey and Leah R. Hanson, Ph.D., at Regions Hospital in St. Paul, Minn., found that lidocaine or Xylocaine, sprayed into the noses of laboratory rats, quickly traveled down the trigeminal nerve and collected in their teeth, jaws, and mouths at levels 20 times higher than in the blood or brain. The approach could provide a more effective and targeted method for treating dental pain/anxiety, trigeminal neuralgia (severe facial pain), migraine, and other conditions, the scientists say.

Furthermore, these scientists discovered an improved future location to administer anesthetic, the maxillary sinus. The maxillary sinus is a golfball-sized space located underneath each cheek where drug can be sprayed. Delivery into this confined space may be the next generation approach beyond a nasal spray in providing a more rapid and focused delivery of anesthetic.

The American Chemical Society is a nonprofit organization chartered by the U.S. Congress. With more than 161,000 members, ACS is the world's largest scientific society and a global leader in providing access to chemistry-related research through its multiple databases, peer-reviewed journals and scientific conferences. Its main offices are in Washington, D.C., and Columbus, Ohio.

Journal Reference:

1. Neil J. Johnson, Leah R. Hanson, William H. Frey. Trigeminal Pathways Deliver a Low Molecular Weight Drug from the Nose to the Brainand Orofacial Structures. Molecular Pharmaceutics,
   2010: 100510131956016 DOI: 10.1021/mp100029t

Story Source:

Adapted from materials provided by American Chemical Society, via EurekAlert!, a service of AAAS.

Houston, TX – May 13, 2010 – ClearCorrect^™, Inc., the clear alternative in advanced and affordable transparent orthodontic aligners, otherwise known as invisible braces, has expanded its 2010 spring/summer dental meeting schedule with exhibitor debuts at the following meetings:

• California Dental Association Scientific Session, Anaheim: May 14^th-16^th, booth #154
• Pacific Northwest Dental Conference, Seattle: June 17^th-18^th, booth #910
• Academy of General Dentistry Annual Meeting, New Orleans: July 8^th-11^th, booth #921
  

very successful during our exhibitor debuts for the Greater New York, Yankee and AAO meetings. Dentists looking for an affordable, clear alternative to braces obviously appreciate the opportunity to
speak to a ClearCorrect representative. Therefore, we’re doing everything we can to answer the questions of as many dentists as possible.”

While at the CDA and PNWDC meetings, ClearCorrect will be running a special promotion, whereby dentists who register to become ClearCorrect providers will receive a coupon to attend a full-day, CE-accredited workshop normally priced at $995.00 for the reduced fee of $895.00.

For newly registered ClearCorrect providers unable to attend the hands-on workshop, training webinars may be a more convenient option. The regular webinar fee is $995.00, but has
been reduced for CDA and PNWDC attendees to $895.00. What’s more, webinar participants
will receive 50% off one ClearCorrect case of their choice.

For updated workshop and webinar information, schedules, and registration, please call 1-888-331-3323, or visit http://www.clearcorrect.com/doctors/courseschedule.asp

During the AGD Meeting, of which ClearCorrect is a corporate sponsor, the company will be conducting a CE course on July 9^th, which will enable dentists to become ClearCorrect providers. The registration fee is $995.00, with AGD members receiving a $100.00 discount
($895.00).

In addition, each registered AGD member dentist will be able to bring one auxiliary at no charge. Additional auxiliary staff will be charged $200.00 each, and must attend the course with a registered doctor. Dentists interested in attending the course and becoming a provider can register through
the AGD, contacting Alexa Curtis at 1-800-243-3368 ext. 4339, or by sending an email to meetings@agd.org.

Researchers from Case Western Reserve University School of Dental Medicine and University Hospitals Case Medical Center report initial results from a small sample that inflammation from gum disease and prostate problems just might be linked. They discuss their new evidence in the Journal of Periodontology. The researchers compared two markers: the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) used to measure inflammation levels in prostate disease, and clinical attachment loss (CAL) of the gums and teeth, which can be an indicator for periodontitis.

A PSA elevation of 4.0 ng/ml in the blood can be a sign of inflammation or malignancy. Patients with healthy prostate glands have lower than 4.0 ng/ml levels. A CAL number greater than 2.7 mm indicates periodontitis.

Like prostatitis, periodontitis also produces high inflammation levels.

"Subjects with both high CAL levels and moderate to severe prostatitis have higher levels of PSA or inflammation," stated Nabil Bissada, chair of the department of periodontics in the dental school. Bissada added that this might explain why PSA levels can be high in prostatitis, but sometimes cannot be explained by what is happening in the prostate glands. "It is something outside the prostate gland that is causing an inflammatory reaction," he said.

Because periodontitis has been linked to heart disease, diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis, the researchers felt a link might exist to prostate disease.

Looking at the results, the researchers from the dental school and the department of urology and the Institute of Pathology at the hospital found those with the most severe form of the prostatitis also showed signs for periodontitis.

This research serves as another reminder of the link between oral disease and overall medical health. Comments are appreciated?

Source: Science Daily

Journal Reference:

1. Joshi et al. Association Between Periodontal Disease and Prostate Specific Antigen Levels in Chronic Prostatitis Patients. Journal of Periodontology, 2010; 100409084221025 DOI: 10.1902/jop.2010.090646

to dental services and products.”

Warschaw developed and launched the Dental Management Club after seeing the need for a site that not only offered online training, but also a much broader set of services, benefits, and professional networking opportunities. She has been the driving force behind the Warschaw Learning Institute, an industry leader in
online training for dental professionals and military spouses, which recently celebrated its 10^th anniversary.

The Dental Management Club offers a full set of online tools, training, seminars, career coaching and mentoring services, employment resources, forums, and product discounts tailored to meet the needs of dentists, hygienists, students, receptionists, human resource managers, insurance administrators, dental
assistants, and office managers. In addition to its online offerings, the Dental Management Club will hold seminars across the country in small-to-medium sized metropolitan areas; places often underserved in terms of continuing dental education.

“These seminars will offer valuable, proven tips and advice on the types of issues that can be most challenging for dental teams, such as patient retention and collections,” says Warschaw. “And each will be tailored to the local area, addressing their special concerns and drawing upon the untapped local talent pool of job seekers.”

For more information, or to join the Dental Management Club, go to www.dentalmanagementclub.com.