Does light activation help bleaching? And, FDA reviews pediatric imaging guidelines

Dear DrBicuspid Member,

With the rising popularity of teeth whitening, new systems have been developed that use light -- including halogen and xenon-halogen lights, plasma arcs, light-emitting diodes, and lasers -- to speed the whitening process.

But a meta-analysis in the August Journal of Dentistry concludes that light activation increases the risk of tooth sensitivity during in-office bleaching and also may not improve the bleaching effect. Read more.

Meanwhile, pediatric medical imaging specialists and industry representatives gathered in Washington, DC, this week to express their support for a U.S. Food and Drug Administration draft guideline recommending additional pediatric-related information in premarket notifications for x-ray imaging devices. Read more.

In other Imaging & CAD/CAM Community news, a free image-processing program originally developed for astrophotography can enhance the use of digital video for capturing high-quality microscopic stills during dental treatment, according to researchers from Tokyo Dental College.

Finally, the latest installment of our Day in the Life Of series showcases the Blende Dental Group, a San Francisco-based practice that caters to the needs of homebound and special needs patients from all over the U.S.