Charlotte, NC (November 17, 2015) - It's a bird, it's a plane, it's...Sirona hosting yet another epic event!

Sirona Dental, Inc., the leading manufacturer of innovative dental technology, is hosting a superheroes-themed party at the House of Blues on Feb. 26, 2016, in Chicago during the 2016 Chicago Dental Society Midwinter Meeting.  This party is a membership benefit of SIROWORLD, Sirona's new event-based community.

After saving the day, attendees are encouraged to emulate their favorite superheroes by dressing up in tights, capes and masks to celebrate into the night at Sirona's Superheroes of Dentistry party.

"Sirona is known for throwing incredible parties and this party will be no different," said Sirona Dental, Inc. President Michael Augins.  "At the CEREC 30th Anniversary Celebration in Las Vegas, Sirona hosted the Party Like a Rockstar event in which attendees arrived in their best rock star attire to a club filled with 10 foot laser robots and acrobats swinging from the ceiling!  At the Superheroes of Dentistry event, we will have more surprises in store for our SIROWORLD community members as our Dental Superheroes party the night away at one of Chicago's most famous venues, the House of Blues."

All SIROWORLD members are invited to join in on this epic night of superhero action.  Membership into SIROWORLD includes access to parties like this; along with SIROWORLD's educational events held at major U.S. trade shows like the Greater New York dental meeting and the CDA South meeting in Anaheim, California.  The highlight of SIROWORLD membership is our inaugural SIROWORLD Celebration in Orlando, Florida where entertainment and education collide at digital dentistry's premiere event.

During these educational events, members can speak to leading experts in the field of digital dentistry and compare stories with fellow members about the technologies that have helped integrate his/her practice into the digital age.

A wise (spider)man once said, "With great power, comes great responsibility." It's in Sirona's power to continue throwing legendary events, and it's your responsibility to join us in the festivities!

Register for Superheroes of Dentistry here.

CHICAGO, Nov. 23, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Steven M. Morgano, DMD, FACP, has been elected as membership director Northeast Region 1 to the board of directors of the American College of Prosthodontists (ACP). Dr. Morgano was sworn in at the Annual Awards & Presidents Dinner during the 45th Annual Session of the American College of Prosthodontists held in Orlando from Oct. 21-24, 2015.

Dr. Steven M. Morgano received his DMD degree from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. He completed a General Practice Residency program at Philadelphia General Hospital and received his specialty certificate in prosthodontics from the Hines Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Dr. Morgano is professor and chairman of the Department of Restorative Dentistry at Rutgers School of Dental Medicine. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Prosthodontics (certified 1984) and former professor and director of the Division of Postdoctoral Prosthodontics at Boston University School of Dental Medicine, from 1996 to 2014.

Dr. Morgano has been a member of the American College of Prosthodontists since he graduated from his postdoctoral prosthodontic program in 1979. From 2006-2008, he served as president of the Massachusetts section of the ACP, and from 2008- 2011 he served as the alternate regional director of the Northeast Region of the ACP.

"It will be a pleasure to work with the four existing Northeast sections over the next four years – Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York and New Jersey. Maine is planning on forming a fifth Northeast section, which is great news," Dr. Morgano said. 

Copenhagen - 3Shape Dental System™ CAD/CAM software users can now design and manufacture dental restorations using TitaniumBase EV for ASTRA TECH Implant System EV.

3Shape and DENTSPLY Implants have teamed up to enable access from within 3Shape Dental System software to the TitaniumBase EV implant solution workflow and original library files. The integration allows 3Shape users to also design and locally mill the implant ceramic component from the TitaniumBase EV restoration using lithium disilicate, zirconia, or the material of their choice.

The TitaniumBase EV implant solution combines a screw-retained designable ceramic component with the titanium abutment. Dental technicians can use 3Shape Dental System to design and tailor the ceramic component specifically for each restorative case as well as locally mill it. The integration enables 3Shape users to work directly with original components for ASTRA TECH Implant System EV.

“We are excited to add TitaniumBase EV components to the implant solutions now available with Dental System,” says Flemming Thorup, CEO at 3Shape. “Providing easy access to innovative implant systems like ASTRA TECH Implant System EV makes it easier for dental professionals to work with the solutions they’re most comfortable with and choose what’s best for the patient.”

Björn Delin, DDS, Vice President Global Platform Implant Systems at DENTSPLY Implants, continues, “We look forward to the collaboration with 3Shape, as it enables the dental professional to improve the digital workflow in the dental laboratory.”

Dental laboratories access implant systems such as ASTRA TECH Implant System EV, from within Dental System software. The respective implant solution files are then used for implant planning and the CAD/CAM design and manufacture of dental restorations.

The American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID) inducted 75 new Associate Fellows and Fellows into the Academy at its recently concluded 64th Annual Meeting. This brings the total number of current AAID credentialed members to over 1,000. The Academy is the only organization recognized by the U.S. Federal and State Courts as having a bona fide implant dentistry credentialing program.

The AAID credential serves as a patient's assurance that a doctor performing dental implants has education, training, experience, and competence in implant dentistry to be considered an dental implant expert. AAID credentialed dentists include general dentists, periodontists, prosthodontists, and oral surgeons who perform surgical and/or restorative procedures. AAID Credentialed members have:

• Demonstrated qualifications, knowledge, skills and competence in implant dentistry

• Completed 300 or more hours of postdoctoral or continuing education related to implant dentistry

• Trained in dental implant process, including diagnosis and surgical placement of dental implants and/or the restoration of teeth

• Attained national standards of education and practice in oral implantology 

A list of the newly credentialed implant dentists can be found here.

Established in 1951, the AAID is the only dental implant organization that offers credentials recognized by state and federal courts as being bona fide. Its membership, which exceeds 5,000, includes general dentists, oral surgeons, periodontists, and prosthodontists from across the United States and in more than 60 other countries.

For more information about the AAID and its credentialed members, visit www.aaid.com or www.aaid-implant.org or call the AAID at 312-335-1550. 

Tallahassee, Florida - The Foundation for Dental Laboratory Technology announced the four winners of the 2015 Keystone Grant: Bates Technical College in Tacoma, Washington; Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne in Fort Wayne, Indiana; Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and Los Angeles City College in Los Angeles, California.

The Foundation created the Keystone Grant Program in 2011 to support accredited educational institutions with a dental laboratory technology program or those accredited educational institutions who wish to add a dental laboratory technology program. Since 2011, the Keystone Grant program has provided more than $100,000 – about $20,000 of that being released from this year’s grant – of support to schools to better support their dental laboratory technology program.

In considering contributions, the Foundation evaluates each application on its own merits. It considers the programs in which the organization is engaged, the constituencies it serves, the services it offers, its accountability and its fundraising practices, and the level of local community support it attracts. 

This annual, competitive grant-selection process awards winners based on submitted materials that include planned usage of funds, current program outline, current funds being received and efforts being made on behalf of the program. 

Grant recipients may re-apply in future years as long as a report detailing use/impact of the grant monies is provided with the application. Those interested in applying for next year’s grants can apply online at www.dentallabfoundation.org/resources/keystone-grant. The Foundation encourages all qualifying organizations to take the time to utilize this opportunity to advance the current dental laboratory technician program at your school. 

ORLANDO – November 17, 2015 – The American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) issued nine special recognitions to members for their contributions to the periodontal specialty. The awardees were honored at a ceremony held during the AAP’s 101st Annual Meeting, held Nov. 14-17 in Orlando.

“The Academy is proud to recognize those who have made an indelible impact on the practice and study of periodontics,” said Dr. Joan Otomo-Corgel, the Academy’s immediate past president. “It is because of these individuals’ unwavering commitment that our specialty continues to make notable strides into the future.”

Gold Medal Award: First conferred in 1967, the Gold Medal is the highest honor of the Academy. It is presented each year to a periodontist who has made outstanding contributions to the specialty through service and an understanding of the study, diagnosis, and treatment of periodontal diseases. This year’s Gold Medal recipient is Dr. Vincent J. Iacono. Dr. Iacono is the Distinguished Service Professor, Tarrson Family Professor of Periodontology, Director of Postdoctoral Education, and Chair of the Department of Periodontology at Stony Brook University’s School of Dental Medicine in Stony Brook, New York. A Past President of the AAP, Dr. Iacono has also served as the Periodontics Commissioner for the Commission on Dental Accreditation; on the editorial board of the Journal of Periodontology; as vice president of the AAP Foundation; director of the American Board of Periodontology; and past president of the Northeastern Society of Periodontists, the Academy of Osseointegration, and the International Academy of Periodontology. He received the AAP’s presidential award in 2006 and has been awarded many other citations and honors throughout his career. He is the author of more than 100 journal articles, 95 abstracts, and five book chapters, with research interests that include implants, biomimetics, tissue engineering, and periodontal medicine.

Master Clinician Award: Dr. Paul S. Rosen is the recipient of the Master Clinician Award, which is bestowed annually to a member who has demonstrated consistent clinical excellence in periodontology and who continually expresses a willingness to share that clinical experience with others. A private practitioner and clinical professor of periodontics at the University of Maryland Dental School, Dr. Rosen is a sought-after international lecturer, who shares his prescription for success in regeneration and treatment planning. He chaired the task force that authored the whitepaper “Peri-implant Mucositis and Peri-implantitis: A Current Understanding of Their Diagnoses and Clinical Implications,” published in the Journal of Periodontology in 2013. He has authored or co-authored more than 50 articles and five textbook chapters. He has served as chair and longtime consultant for the AAP’s Continuing Education and Oversight Committee and is a founding editorial board member of the AAP’s digital journal Clinical Advances in Periodontics. Dr. Rosen also serves on the editorial boards of several dental journals, including the Journal of Periodontology, the International Journal of Periodontics and Restorative Dentistry, and the Compendium of Continuing Education in Dentistry. He was among the first group of examiners appointed to the American Board of Periodontology, a position he still holds. He maintains a private practice in Yardley, PA. The Master Clinician Award is sponsored by Hu-Friedy.

Distinguished Scientist Award: For her significant contributions to the basic and clinical science of periodontology, the AAP recognizes Dr. Laurie K. McCauley with the Distinguished Scientist Award. Dr. McCauley is the dean and the William K. and Mary Anne Najjar Professor at the University of Michigan’s School of Dentistry. She is also a professor in the University of Michigan Medical School’s Department of Pathology. Dr. McCauley’s research has focused on the mechanisms of regulating bone metabolism associated with osteoporosis, osteonecrosis, periodontal diseases, and metastatic cancers. She is well respected for her ability to recognize the significance of a basic science discovery toward informing clinical practice. The Distinguished Scientist Award is sponsored by OraPharma.

Special Citation Award: For his service as the parliamentarian of the AAP Board of Trustees, Dr. Charles Cobb is the recipient of the Special Citation award, which is presented to a member who has made a noteworthy impact on an Academy committee or project. As a 40-year veteran practitioner and educator, Dr. Cobb is a respected colleague and researcher in the periodontal community. He is the Professor Emeritus at the University of Missouri-Kansas City’s Department of Periodontics and author of nearly 200 published works. Affectionately known as “The Encyclopedia” by students, Dr. Cobb has long respected by mentees and colleagues alike. In addition to his service to the AAP, Dr. Cobb is also a member of the Midwest Society of Periodontology, the Missouri Dental Association, and the American Dental Education Association. He is a retired founding member of the American Association of Oral Biologists.

Outstanding Periodontal Educator Award: For his exemplary work as a periodontal educator whose career inspires students and demonstrates excellence, the AAP recognizes Dr. Michael P. Mills as the recipient of this year’s Outstanding Periodontal Educator Award. Dr. Mills, a distinguished Air Force veteran, is a clinical associate professor at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, where he also maintains a provide practice in periodontics and dental implants. In addition to his roles as a former director and chair of the American Board of Periodontology (where he continues to serve as an examiner), Dr. Mills has authored or co-authored 30 scientific articles, abstracts, and textbook chapters. He is a member of the Texas Dental Association, Southwest Society of Periodontists, and the San Antonio District Dental Society. The Outstanding Periodontal Educator Award is sponsored by Hu-Friedy.

Honorary Membership Award: Professor and Chair of the Department of Periodontology at the Justus-Liebig University in Giessen, Germany, Dr. Joerg Meyle is the 2015 recipient of the AAP Honorary Membership Award. He is the treasurer of the European Federation of Periodontology (EFP), which comprises 29 national societies of periodontology. He is a two-term past president of the German Society of Periodontology and has served on the editorial boards of the Journal of Periodontology, Journal of Periodontal Research, and Journal of Clinical Periodontology. He has been a contributor to five joint consensus papers from the EFP and AAP, having co-authored a 2008 consensus report on peri-implant diseases that has been cited more than 450 times.

William J. Gies Award: Dr. Michael K. McGuire, who maintains a full time private practice in Houston, is the 2015 recipient of the William J. Gies Award. Presented by the American Dental Education Association’s William J. Gies Foundation for the Advancement of Dentistry, this award is bestowed to those who have made outstanding contributions to the field of periodontology. Dr. McGuire is the author of more than 50 scientific articles and textbook chapters, and he serves on the editorial boards of the Journal of Periodontology and the International Journal of Periodontics and Restorative Dentistry. His research is a two-time recipient of both the AAP’s Robinson Regeneration and the Clinical Research Award. Dr. McGuire is a sought-after speaker with more than 200 lectures to his credit. He is also the 2007 recipient of the AAP’s Master Clinician Award and in 2009, the Academy’s Gold Medal Award. Dr McGuire is the founder and chairman of the McGuire Institute, a not-for-profit practice-based clinical research network.

Clinical Research Award: This award is presented to an outstanding recently-published scientific article with direct clinical relevance in periodontics. The 2015 recipients of this award, authors of “An Evidence-Based Scoring Index to Determine the Periodontal Prognosis on Molars,” which was published in the February 2014 Journal of Periodontology, are as follows: Drs. Preston D. Miller, Jr., Mark L. McEntire, Nicole M. Marlow, and Robert G. Gellin. The Clinical Research Award is sponsored by Quintessence Publishing.

R. Earl Robinson Periodontal Regeneration Award: This award recognizes an outstanding recent scientific article about periodontal regeneration in the basic and clinical sciences. Authors of “Intrabony Defects, Open-Flap Debridement, and Decortication: A Randomized Clinical Trial,” which was published in the Journal of Periodontology in January 2014, are as follows: Drs. Alessandro Crea, Giorgio Deli, Cristiano Littarru, Carlo Lajolo, Gianluca Vittorini Orgeas, and Dimitris N. Tatakis. The R. Earl Robinson Periodontal Regeneration Award is sponsored by the AAP Foundation.

About the American Academy of Periodontology

The American Academy of Periodontology (AAP) represents over 8,000 periodontists—specialists in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of inflammatory diseases affecting the gums and supporting structures of the teeth, and in the placement of dental implants. Periodontics is one of the nine dental specialties recognized by the American Dental Association.  

New York, NY – November 09, 2015 – During the 91st annual Greater New York Dental Meeting, the event’s organizers will be hosting the first International Oral Cancer Symposium on Saturday November 28th for all registered Greater New York Dental Meeting attendees.

The all-day event, entitled “The Science and Practice of Treating Head and Neck Cancer,” provides a comprehensive overview of the current surgical and medical management of oral and oropharyngeal cancer patients. Diagnostic criteria and rehabilitative medicine as well as guidelines for oral cancer management will be discussed by leading experts in Otolaryngology, Pathology, Craniofacial Surgery, Oncology and Maxillofacial Prosthetics.

According to Dr. Ian M. Lerner, general chairman of the Greater New York Dental Meeting, “Oral Cancer still remains the sixth leading form of cancer, despite recent advances in the diagnosis and treatment of oral cancer. We hope this international symposium will help dental professionals connect the dots between the latest research and what they can be implementing in their day-to-day practices to reduce the mortality rates of this deadly disease.”

The Oral Cancer Symposium will cover the following areas:

• The guidelines for oral cancer management and the role of the community dentists and otolaryngologists in the management regimen

• Diagnostic criteria of potentially malignant and malignant oral lesions and understanding how to apply the criteria to standard-of-care in community practice

• The rehabilitation concerns of oral cancer patients and understanding the role of rehabilitative medicine

• How community dentists and otolaryngologists can partner with cancer specialists in the overall care of oral cancer patients

The International Oral Cancer Symposium, in conjunction with Columbia University College of Dental Medicine, has assembled an impressive roster of oral cancer experts from the fields of medicine and dentistry. Here is the list of presenters and their topics:

• Sewanti Limaye, MD / “Personalized Medicine & Genomics and Head and Neck Cancer”

• Alexander E. Pazoki, DDS, MD / "Guidelines in the Management of Oral Cavity and Oropharyngeal Cancer“

• Jack L. Martin, BA, MD and Neil Gottehrer, D.D.S. / “Clinical Application of Salivary Markers for the Early Detection of OSCC”

• Salvatore M. Caruana, MD / "Lumps and Bumps"

• M. Abraham Kuriakose, MD, DDS / “Implant Borne Dental Rehabilitation”

• Candice Zemnick, DMD / “Prosthetic Reconstruction: Intraoral and Extraoral”

• Billy Ballard, MD, DDS / "A Pathology Review of Head and Neck Lesions"

This event takes place on Saturday, November 28th from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center on 655 W 34th St, New York, NY 10001. The course # is 2020 and cost to attend is $175.00 with 7 CEUs and lunch provided. For full details, visit https://www.gnydm.com/uploads/files/2015-Program-Pages_22-Swk.pdf. To register, visit https://registration.experientevent.com/ShowNYD151/

The International Oral Cancer Symposium, officially entitled “The Science and Practice of Treating Head and Neck Cancer” is sponsored by PeriRx, LLC and the Benco Family Foundation, along with the Columbia University College of Dental Medicine, New York-Presbyterian Hospital, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Johns Hopkins University, Meharry Medical College Department of Pathology, the Hispanic Dental Association and the National Dental Association.

For many new dentists, the concept of practice ownership can seem daunting and out-of-reach – particularly at a time when the American Student Dental Association (ASDA) found that dental school graduates are often saddled with more $240,000 in debt and older dentists are retiring at a much later age.

Yet the opportunity to build a career and own a practice is well within reach for offices supported by Dental Support Organizations (DSOs) like Aspen Dental Management, Inc. (ADMI). Today, ADMI supports over 500 office locations across 32 states, all of which operate under the Aspen Dental brand. With a new office opening every 5 to 6 days on average today, opportunities for growth and ownership abound for dentists, both new and experienced.

With so much rapid growth, ADMI recently invited more than 30 associate dentists as well as several dental students to its inaugural Associate Development Experience. This event, held in Chicago, was a chance for Associates to network, as well learn about opportunities for career advancement and practice ownership from Aspen Dental practice owners.

“Coming out of dental school, practicing dentistry was what I wanted to do most and Aspen Dental has provided me a clinical foundation that has made me comfortable in my abilities to deliver care,” said Dr. Michael Chang, an associate dentist from an Aspen Dental office in Newnan, GA. “This experience was a great opportunity not only to network with my peers, but to have an open, direct discussion with tenured practice owners who were willing to talk about their own career journeys with us in such a candid way. The level of transparency and engagement was fantastic – I left Chicago inspired and with my eyes open to the opportunities that exist for me as a young dentist.”

One of those practice owners was Dr. R. Dustin Dixon, who owns nine practices and employs 14 general dentists and two specialists in southwest Florida.

“Not too long ago, I was in the same situation: Trying to figure out if working within the DSO model was right for me,” Dr. Dixon said. “Ultimately, I made the right decision for me, and it’s been a rewarding one. Growing my team to its current size involved not only developing my doctors into stronger clinicians and trusted partners, but also embracing the support of my DSO and learning what it takes to grow a practice while delivering great clinical care to my patients.” 

Newswise — Stony Brook, NY, and Roslyn Heights NY, November 19, 2015 – Stony Brook University and Ortek Therapeutics, Inc. announced today that two patent applications were filed in the United States and internationally for nutrient based compositions utilizing an innovative microbiome technology that may help combat certain infections. Developed at Stony Brook University, these compositions have been exclusively licensed to Ortek as part of a long-standing and commercially successful collaboration with Stony Brook University and the State University of New York (SUNY) Research Foundation.

This microbiome technology will be applied to potentially treat certain infections common to several areas of the body. These patent-pending microbiome altering compositions have broad applications designed to help improve human health and quality of life. These applications include a composition to reduce cutaneous odor-causing bacteria found at the human axilla and foot regions, and a composition to reduce cutaneous and nasal atrium Staphylococcus aureus proliferation. Ortek is seeking licensing partners to further develop and commercialize these cutting-edge compositions, which can be incorporated into an array of over-the-counter and prescription products.

These breakthrough compositions were developed at Stony Brook University under the leadership of Dr. Israel Kleinberg DDS, PhD, DSc, Distinguished University Professor in the Department of Oral Biology and Pathology in the School of Dental Medicine. Dr. Kleinberg is a pioneer in understanding the oral microbiome, specifically his landmark mixed-bacteria ecological approach of the role of oral bacteria in dental caries causation and prevention.

“I have spent over 40 years investigating the compositions and metabolisms of oral bacterial communities and how they are affected collectively by ecological conditions and changes,” said Dr. Kleinberg. “This ongoing research has provided significant understanding of microbiomes in and outside of the oral cavity. This has led to the development of compositions and methods for the inhibition of the growth and/or metabolism of human cutaneous malodor-generating microbiota and Staphylococcus aureus proliferation on the skin and in the nasal passages.”

“We are excited about the promise of these unique compositions that are the result of thorough and extensive research in microbiome science,” said Mitchell Goldberg, President of Ortek. “By favoring beneficial bacteria, these nutrient-based compositions can help modify and maintain healthy cutaneous microfloras.”

Goldberg expects that with this microbiome manipulating approach, further research into commercial applications could provide a new paradigm for the prevention of body odor and cutaneous and nasal atrium staph infections, including MRSA and MSSA.

PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 19, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Individuals with lupus, an autoimmune disease, suffer from fatigue, joint pain and swelling and also have a markedly increased risk of developing osteoporosis. Clinical trials have shown that a mesenchymal stem cell transplant can greatly improve the condition of lupus patients, yet it has not been clear why this treatment works so well.

Now, Penn Dental Medicine researcher Songtao Shi, chair and professor of Anatomy & Cell Biology, and his colleagues have puzzled out a mechanism by which stem cell transplantation may help preserve bone in an animal model of lupus. In a paper published in Cell Metabolism, they show that the transplanted cells provide a source of a key protein called Fas, which improves the function of bone marrow stem cells through a multi-step, epigenetic effect. The work has implications for potential therapeutic strategies for lupus as well as other diseases for which stem cell transplantation have shown promise.

"When we used transplanted stem cells for these diseases, we didn't know exactly what they were doing, but saw that they were very effective," said Shi. "Now we've seen in a model of lupus that bone-forming mesenchymal stem cell function was rescued by a mechanism that was totally unexpected." 

Shi and his colleagues had earlier shown that mesenchymal stem cells can be used to treat various autoimmune conditions in animal models. The success was welcome, but they didn't quite understand why it was so successful. They began to suspect an epigenetic mechanism at work that could permanently recalibrate how the recipient's genes were being regulated, switching them from a pathogenic to a normal state.

Pursuing that possibility, their experiments would piece together the pathway of the genes to discover that the lupus mice had a malfunctioning Fas protein that prevented their bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells from releasing a molecule needed for normal differentiation/bone formation.

When a stem cell infusion was introduced, however, the donated cells secreted microvesicles containing normal versions of Fas that could be reused by the diseased cells, restoring their ability to self-renew and differentiate and promoting bone formation.

"The cells themselves don't produce Fas, but they can use the components of the donor stem cells to rescue their function," said Shi.

To see if this process is common across different conditions, Shi is now exploring the mechanisms by which stem cell therapies reap benefits in other models of disease.