Laura Dorr is the former executive editor of DPR's Modern Dental Network and a regular contributing author.
New study finds troubling rates of dental implant complications
November 10th 2015Any dental procedure comes with the chance of infection, but a recent study out of Sweden has discovered that patients with dental implants run a high risk – and that several contributing factors can exacerbate this risk.
New germ-killing paint helps stop infection in dental practices, hospitals
October 30th 2015Despite best infection control practices, surfaces in medical facilities such as dental practices and hospitals are inevitable breeding grounds for bacteria. Now, Sherwin-Williams has introduced a new paint that can kill infectious pathogens on painted surfaces.
Dentist arrested for allegedly trafficking 20-30 pounds of marijuana EVERY MONTH
October 29th 2015What’s a dentist to do when his drug-trafficker son goes to prison? Why, take over the family business, of course! One California dentist who thought this was a good idea is now being held on $75K bail after being busted for his participation in a cross-country drug smuggling operation.
The 9 craziest ways people have pulled teeth
October 29th 2015Losing a tooth is a right of passage of sorts, and some parents are ensuring that it is a memorable one for their loose-toothed children. We gathered up the nine most creative, bizarre and downright insane ways that folks have pulled loose baby teeth, and boy, are they impressive.
The 9 craziest ways people have pulled teeth
October 28th 2015Losing a tooth is a right of passage of sorts, and some parents are ensuring that it is a memorable one for their loose-toothed children. We gathered up the nine most creative, bizarre and downright insane ways that folks have pulled loose baby teeth, and boy, are they impressive.
Study finds secondhand smoke exposure linked to increased dental decay in children
October 23rd 2015It’s a no brainer that smoking is bad for your health, and the health of those subjected to your secondhand smoke. Now, researchers say that secondhand smoke can have even more detrimental effects than previously believed – on the dental health of children.
Researchers developing ‘Trojan horse' to combat oral fungus
October 22nd 2015The Trojan horse ploy worked for the Greeks, and now it’s working for researchers, too. A team from the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine is employing the age-old strategy to combat a common oral fungus – and it appears they will win the battle.
Will humans soon be able to regrow teeth? New research gets one step closer to making it happen.
October 21st 2015Knock an adult tooth out, and you’re out of luck: Humans only get two sets of teeth that have to last for an entire lifetime. Not true for one type of fish, that can constantly regrow teeth to replace missing ones – a fish that researchers hope holds the secret to tooth regeneration in humans.
Can xylitol reduce the risk of caries in patients with orthodontic appliances?
October 15th 2015Anyone who’s had a fixed orthodontic appliance knows how frustrating oral hygiene can become. Fixed appliances often make the perfect breeding ground for bacteria and plaque, which can accumulate under the appliance. In an attempt to abort development of bacteria, researchers recently examined if daily doses of xylitol could make a difference.
Should dentists provide family-planning services?
October 8th 2015With the debate about Planned Parenthood raging, Louisiana attorneys set out to put together a list of health care providers that could provide equivalent family-planning care should Planned Parenthood be defunded. However, the list included some unconventional options – options that left many people skeptical and scratching their heads.
6 things the dental industry needs to address now
October 1st 2015When you’ve been in the dental industry for a while, it can be hard to look at it with fresh eyes. This makes it important to listen to the new voices entering the industry and hear about their experiences, the challenges they face and perhaps, most importantly, the things the industry needs to address.
Is dental anesthesia destroying children’s teeth?
September 16th 2015When dental problems necessitating surgery arise, the logical response is to treat the condition. However, recent research has found that numbing children up for dental procedures may be causing damage to the very teeth the dentist is trying to treat.
New study finds blueberry extract could reduce antibiotic use in treating gum disease
September 15th 2015Blueberries are a popular snack, but do their benefits go beyond their satisfying taste? Absolutely, says a new study by the American Chemical Society, which found that blueberries could help treat periodontitis and reduce the need for antibiotic therapy.
Dental hygienist wins huge court settlement after tripping on sidewalk
July 28th 2015In the world of dentistry, your hands are crucial to your livelihood. So what happens when these indispensable tools become injured? One dental hygienist learned the answer the hard way after she tripped on a faulty sidewalk during a lunchtime stroll.
Announcing Dental Products Report's Top 25 Women in Dentistry for 2015
July 22nd 2015The Top 25 Women in Dentistry was designed to recognize women who excel in their fields. The honorees come from across the dental industry, including dental professionals, industry leaders and practitioners. Each of the honorees will be featured in the October edition of Dental Products Report.
Dental practices targeted by cyber ransom attacks
July 20th 2015Electronic records can protect patient files from office catastrophes such as fire or natural disasters, but storing your patient database electronically poses other dangers. In a story that is becoming all too familiar, a Minnesota dentist learned this the hard way after his patient data was held hostage by computer hackers.
Does having more children equal fewer teeth for mothers?
July 15th 2015“Jedes kind kostet die mutter einen zahn,” says an old German saying; “every child costs the mother one tooth.” While many people dismiss old wives tales, this is one that has some basis in reality: According to researchers at New York University, the risk of tooth loss and gum disease increases with the number of children a woman bears.
Man's (un)forgettable dental visit results in bizarre amnesia
July 14th 2015Many people dread going to the dentist, but at least they only have to think about it a few times a year. This is not the case for one British man who, due to a bizarre case of amnesia, wakes up every morning thinking it’s the day of his dental appointment.
Studies find sunbathing linked to gum disease prevalence
July 14th 2015While stretching out in the sun this summer has its cancer-causing risks, it can also ensure a healthier smile. Research has found that a healthy dose of sunlight could actually help stave off gum disease and increase gum health.
Everything we need to know about teeth, we learned from Shark Week
July 8th 2015In all our years of fanatically watching Shark Week, we’ve learned a few things: Don’t go swimming at dusk; avoid inserting body parts into a shark’s mouth; we’ll probably need a bigger boat, and, perhaps most interestingly, that a shark can endlessly replace its teeth-which could have major implications for human dental health.
Presidential false teeth: The myth of George Washington's dentures, debunked
June 30th 2015Even the greatest leaders can’t be perfect. In George Washington’s case, one big shortcoming was his infamously terrible teeth. Equally infamous, Washington’s wooden dentures have become the stuff of legend… a factually incorrect legend, as Washington never actually sported dentures made from wood.
Study finds accuracy of impression techniques may be affected by partial vs. complete edentulism
June 25th 2015A recent study out of Tufts University found that the accuracy of impression techniques can be affected by partial vs. complete edentulism. The study evaluated the differing levels of success of conventional and digital impression techniques in partially and completely edentulous patients. It also assessed the effect different variables, such as materials, angulation, and connection type, had in regard to the accuracy of implant impressions.