Yelp lawsuit moves forward; zirconia implants are coming

Dear DrBicuspid Member,

The dental community is applauding a judge's ruling this past week that allows a dentist who sued a young patient's parents over an unfavorable review on Yelp.com to move forward with that lawsuit. The decision could open the door for others upset over negative online reviews. Read more.

Meanwhile, in clinical news, all-zirconia implants are being introduced to the European market and are slowly making their way to North America too. While the jury is still out on how they'll fare against their titanium counterparts, several small companies are ready to compete. Read more.

And the lowly mouthguard, once scorned by professional athletes, is suddenly becoming the hot new sports accessory, due to studies suggesting that it can not only protect an athlete's teeth but possibly prevent concussions and even enhance performance. Read more.

On another positive note, a pilot study in Massachusetts found that when dentists and hygienists introduced pediatric patients to a "healthy weight intervention" program, the kids, their parents, and the dental team all benefited. Could this be a service worth adding to your practice?

And if you really want to brighten your day, don't miss Jimmy Earll's latest Laughing Gas column, "My epiphany with Mrs. Z." Funny, touching -- and there's a cat.