Chemists in Germany believe they have made a breakthrough in creating a better ceramic.

Glass chemist Prof. Dr. Christian Rüssel of the Friedrich Schiller University Jena (Germany) and his colleagues of the Otto-Schott-Institute for Glass Chemistry were successful in producing a new nanocrystalline glass ceramic, which may be suitable for use in dentistry due to their strength and optical characteristics.

Science Daily News is reporting that the glass chemists of Jena University have recently published their ceramic research results in the online-edition of the science magazine Journal of Biomedical Materials Research.

Prof. Rüssel told SDN,”We achieve a strength five times higher than with comparable denture ceramics available today. In combination with new optical characteristics an additional field of application is opening up for these materials in dentistry. The enamel is partly translucent, which the ceramic is also supposed to be.”

The fundamental materials are melted at approximately 1.500 °C, then cooled before being finely cut up. The material is then melted and cooled a second time. Finally, the nanocrystals are produced by controlled heating to about 1,000 °C, which determines the crystallisation crucial for the strength of the product.

According to Rüssel, the ceramic ends up looking translucent, like a natural tooth.

This is good news for dentists, denture patients and those seeking dental implants who want the look and strength of regular teeth.

Read more: Nanocrystals Make Dentures Shine

The Phoenix Business Journal reports that the company will manufacture a new product, AvaDent Digital Dentures, at its new facility. The dentures are made using laser scanners that take precise measurements to create a custom-fit digital prosthetic.

Global Dental Science, LLC is a dental innovations company dedicated to improving dental procedures and outcomes through Process Automation.

For more on this story see: Global Dental Science bringing 150 new jobs to Scottsdale

Some dentists feel that referring denture patients out to a prosthodontist is unnecessary.

One New York dentist said, “Having made thousands of dentures over the years, I’ve never referred a denture patient to a prosthodontist. I have, however, received denture referrals from prosthodontists!”

The Wealthy Dentist conducted a survey of dentists to see if they offer in-house denture services. 94% of the dentists surveyed reported that their dental practices offer in-house denture services for prosthodontic patients.

Click on Play to watch the video and hear what dentists are saying about dentures -

Does your dental practice refer out to prosthodontists?

As part of The Wealthy Dentist dialogue on dental practice management and marketing, we offer weekly surveys and invite your participation.

In order to understand different perspectives on the dental industry, we have developed surveys to canvas a diverse group of dental practices on their view of the dental industry, what constitutes current good practice in dental marketing and quality care.

The information collected will be used to prepare articles for The Wealthy Dentist readership.

The survey should take no more than 90 seconds to complete -

According to The Smoking Gun, dental patient Virginia Graham became upset when her dentist, Dr. Hammonds, tried to adjust her poor-fitting lower partial dentures.

The adjustment hurt enough for Graham to scream in pain and, remove the partials from her mouth and throw them at Dr. Hammonds.

She demanded a $900 refund, to which her dentist flatly refused, so she felt is (it) necessary to try and grab the dentures from the his hand. A “brief tug-of-war” ensued until, “Graham allegedly bent down and bit Hammonds hand forcing him to let go of the partial.”

Graham then attempted to leave the dental office, but Dr. Hammonds “got in her face and began screaming at her, causing her to fear that he would potentially cause her harm,” as reported by Sheriffs investigators. Deputies report that Graham stated that the dentist physically kept her from leaving his dental office.

Investigators documented “multiple bruising” on Graham’s upper arms and forearms, and her “left upper arm was bleeding due to her skin tearing when Hammonds grabbed her arm.”

Dr. Hammonds was booked into the Volusia County jail on charges of assault, battery, false imprisonment, and a variety of felony charges. He is out on $4,000 bail.

When I first starting working in dental consulting, over 25 years ago, there was a story about a dentist who tried to repossess an unpaid denture. The doctor tackled a female dental patient on the front lawn of the practice. The dentures popped out and he grabbed them in the grass.

The net of this incident was a lawsuit and, if I remember correctly, a $19,000 settlement against the doctor. This case has a lot more drama and it will be interesting to see how it settles out.

How would you have handled this situation?

To see more on this story go to: Denture Battle Leaves Dentist In Braces.

The average dentist often refers out braces, sedation dentistry, and root canals, while keeping cosmetic dentistry, and denture patients.

Related Story: Specialists Usually Refer Patients Back, Report Dentists

When it comes to pediatric dentistry and gum disease, dentists refer some patients out and treat others in house. 

Related Story: How Dentists Refer Wisdom Teeth Cases to Oral Surgeons

Overall, the average dentist refers out less than 20% of patients.

Related Story: Root Canal Referrals: Dentists vs. Endodontists

Here are some dentist comments on referring patients:

• “Impacted wisdom teeth and molar endodontics are referred out 100%. Everything else is decided case by case.” (North Carolina dentist)
• “Some patients have such poor dental insurance for certain procedures, I’d rather let a specialist do the treatment.” (Nevada dentist)
• “I think most dental implants should be placed by either oral surgeons or periodontists because in my community, a lot of the dental implants placed by general dentists fail.” (Alabama dentist)
• “I refer out general anesthesia, but most anxious patients do well in office with oral sedation.” (New York dentist)

Read more: Dentist Specialist Referrals: What Dental Treatment Dentists Refer Out

In this survey. only 10% of dentists said that denturists increase denture patients’ access to care. The remaining 90% feel patients should only get dentures from a dentist or prosthodontist.

In the US, only a handful of states permit denturists to practice independently; in some other states, a denturist can work under the supervision of a dentist.

Here are some comments from dentists about denturism and dentures:

• "The public at large would be jeopardized if denturists were allowed to give direct patient care.” (Wyoming orthodontist)
• “Is it any different than a lay person fitting a patient for any kind of prosthetic?” (Florida dentist)
• “Providing professional dental care is more than just the physical making of a prosthesis." (General dentist)
• "Complete dentures are declining in number anyway. It is a rarer procedure now than when I started practice 30 years ago.” (Georgia dentist)
• "Dentures are much more difficult to do correctly than a lab technician realizes." (General dentist)
• “I am very frustrated with the continued fragmentation of dentistry as a profession. Teeth whitening at the mall, nail salon, and the photography studio. Dental injections at medi-spas for Botox and Juvaderm treatments. Then we have to contend with the reduction of payments for the services that we still do. That is, until they decide that dental hygienists can also do fillings in their own private practices." (General dentist)
• “There is more to treating these patients than meets the eye! Such as oral pathology, reading the radiographs, making proper impressions, occlusion etc. We do have to think, what is best for the patient?!” (Virginia dental implant dentist)

Read more - Denturist Dentures: Dentists Wary of Denturism

Hundreds of denture patient lawsuits are being consolidated in federal court. The manufacturers of zinc-based denture creams are accused of failing to warn consumers about the health risks of long-term zinc exposure.

Glaxo maintains that its products are safe when used as directed. However, when dentures don't fit well, patients may compensate by using extra cream. After years, this can lead to neurological problems

Zinc was approved by the FDA 15 years ago for use in denture cream. Prior to 2008, manufacturers did not disclose the zinc content of their products.

Read more about denture care: Glaxo to remove zinc from denture cream

Fully 94% of responding dentists say they do, while only 6% say they send false teeth patients out to a prosthodontist for care.

"Having made many thousands of dentures over the years, with the facility of an in-house dental lab with a certified technician at my side, I've never referred a denture patient to a prosthodontist," said one general dentist. "I have, however, received denture referrals from prosthodontists!"

Read more about dentures and denture repair: Most Dentists Offer In-House Dentures

Here's what dentists have to say about how the economy affects dental implant treatment:

• "We all know that a single tooth implant is the best solution for a missing tooth. Our office has priced the single implant and restoration (including the abutment if needed) exactly the same as a three unit dental bridge." (Alaska dentist)
• "Some patients are opting for no treatment." (New Jersey dentist)
• "People are still finding insurance coverage for bridges, and even though the patients still would rather have the implant, they are electing bridges for financial considerations."
• "People are still doing dental treatment, but case sizes accepted are generally smaller." (Tennessee dentist)

Just a thought…. I wonder if there’s any increase in demand for mini dental implants as a less expensive treatment alternetative to regular dental implants?

Read more: Dental Implants – In a Recession, Many Patients Choose Dental Bridges