Dental Sealants Pose No Risk From Leaking Estrogen

Dental Sealants Pose No Risk From Leaking Estrogen
By Suzanne Rostler

NEW YORK, Jan 28 (Reuters Health) -- Dental sealants do not appear to leech
dangerous amounts of an estrogen-like compound, results of a recent study
suggest.

Dental sealants are plastic coatings brushed onto teeth to prevent decay.
Once applied, they harden to form a protective coat. Sealants contain
bisphenol A (BPA) -- a chemical that mimics the effects of estrogen in the
body. BPA may leak into the mouth before the sealants have hardened.

Animal studies showed that pregnant mice who received low doses of BPA were
more likely to give birth to male offspring with larger prostates. However,
the effect of BPA in humans remains unclear.

``Our study showed that the chemical released was not absorbed, so any
possible health effects were not found,'' lead author Dr. Eric Y.K. Fung,
with the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry, said in
an interview.

Fung and colleagues collected saliva and blood samples from 40 people, aged
20 to 55 years, who had not previously used dental sealants. Samples were
taken before the sealants (at a concentration of 8 or 32 milligrams) were
applied, and again 1 hour, 3 hours, 1 day, 3 days and 5 days after
application.

Results in the January issue of the Journal of the American Dental
Association show that BPA was detected in some saliva samples 1 and 3 hours
after sealants had been applied. However, saliva samples did not contain BPA
after 3 hours and none of the blood samples contained BPA.

``This finding implies that when BPA is released orally from sealant, it may
not be absorbed systemically, the quantity absorbed is minute and below our
detection limit, or BPA absorbed... is being metabolized,'' the authors
explain.

Further, ``there is no solid evidence that (BPA) is absorbed or causes
adverse health effects.'' And since the chemical is contained in dozens of
commercial products, including the inside of food cans, exposure from other
sources may be greater than from dental sealants, the researchers note.

``Thus, the recent concern regarding the potential estrogenicity of sealants
may be unfounded,'' Fung and colleagues conclude. SOURCE: Journal of the
American Dental Association 2000;131:51-58.

ACE 2009 Symposium on NeuroMuscular Dentistry - Jan 23-24, 2009 - Dallas, TX

ACE has brought together some of the pioneers of Neuromuscular dentistry to present various approaches and philosophy's in diagnosing and treating Neuromuscular problems. The event will be held at the Omni Dallas Park West Hotel from Jan 23-24, 2009.

• Our keynote speaker, Dr. Clayton Chan, has adopted bits and pieces of various occlusal philosophy's, from Gnathology, to Pankey Centric Relation Dentistry and put it all together into a Neuromuscular treatment concept.


• Mr. Todd Shewman, a Kinesiologist, will discuss the anatomy and physiology of the joints and muscles and how we can use instrumentation to measure them.


• Dr. Bob Walker, a chiropractor, and founder of chirodontics, will discuss the importance of the cranial base, how to analyze the cranium and cases studies that show how to use using dental techniques to make adjustments, optimize health and dental function. You will discover why a face bow is critical in these cases.


• Dr. Tim Adams will discuss and show cases he has treated in a neuromuscular manner. A step-by-step guide.


• Dr. Curtis Westersund, a dentist from Calgary, will show us how to market neuromuscular dentistry to the public.


• After a final panel discussion, all participants will have an opportunity to TENS and take a TENS bite.

This the first time this great line up of speakers has ever appeared together. Don't miss it!

For complete conference information please visit http://guest.cvent.com/EVENTS/Info/Summary.aspx?e=9f4cad53-8bda-4232-aafe-84c1f63176f2

Piaggio MP3 250 - Jay Leno's Garage

Nice video review of the Piaggio MP3 250 from Jay Leno as part of his Jay Leno's Garage.

Isn't it funny...

Isn't it funny when you ask a group of dentists for an answer to a question how many different things they can come up with and how many different tangents that the discussion can take off on?

It reminds me of the Saturday Night Live skit where they're playing Jeopardy and Alex asks the contestants a simple question like, "Name the sound a dog makes."

The contestants replies are so off mark and one actually says, "Moo!"

That's kind of like some of the answers that you get from dentists! :D

It really is interesting to me to see how diverse this group is and how people think...and many times OVERTHINK situations. 

It's a good reminder for me in my daily practice to just keep it simple.

Anyway...enough rambling for today...just had a few thoughts that I wanted to share.

For those of you who want a few laughs check out Sean Connery's finest on SNL

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOqhiZjVp74

Marrow Transplant May Have Cured AIDS

Marrow Transplant May Have Cured AIDS

By PATRICK McGROARTY, AP

BERLIN (Nov. 12) - An American man who suffered from AIDS appears to have been cured of the disease 20 months after receiving a targeted bone marrow transplant normally used to fight leukemia, his doctors said Wednesday.

While researchers — and the doctors themselves — caution that the case might be no more than a fluke, others say it may inspire a greater interest in gene therapy to fight the disease that claims 2 million lives each year. The virus has infected 33 million people worldwide.

Dr. Gero Huetter of Berlin's Charite Medical University announced that an American man living in Germany apparently has been cured of AIDS 20 months after receiving a targeted bone marrow transplant.

Dr. Gero Huetter said his 42-year-old patient, an American living in Berlin who was not identified, had been infected with the AIDS virus for more than a decade. But 20 months after undergoing a transplant of genetically selected bone marrow, he no longer shows signs of carrying the virus.

"We waited every day for a bad reading," Huetter said.

It has not come. Researchers at Berlin's Charite hospital and medical school say tests on his bone marrow, blood and other organ tissues have all been clean.

However, Dr. Andrew Badley, director of the HIV and immunology research lab at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., said those tests have probably not been extensive enough.

"A lot more scrutiny from a lot of different biological samples would be required to say it's not present," Badley said.

This isn't the first time marrow transplants have been attempted for treating AIDS or HIV infection. In 1999, an article in the journal Medical Hypotheses reviewed the results of 32 attempts reported between 1982 and 1996. In two cases, HIV was apparently eradicated, the review reported.

Huetter's patient was under treatment at Charite for both AIDS and leukemia, which developed unrelated to HIV.

As Huetter — who is a hematologist, not an HIV specialist — prepared to treat the patient's leukemia with a bone marrow transplant, he recalled that some people carry a genetic mutation that seems to make them resistant to HIV infection. If the mutation, called Delta 32, is inherited from both parents, it prevents HIV from attaching itself to cells by blocking CCR5, a receptor that acts as a kind of gateway.

"I read it in 1996, coincidentally," Huetter told reporters at the medical school. "I remembered it and thought it might work."

Roughly one in 1,000 Europeans and Americans have inherited the mutation from both parents, and Huetter set out to find one such person among donors that matched the patient's marrow type. Out of a pool of 80 suitable donors, the 61st person tested carried the proper mutation.

Before the transplant, the patient endured powerful drugs and radiation to kill off his own infected bone marrow cells and disable his immune system — a treatment fatal to between 20 and 30 percent of recipients.

He was also taken off the potent drugs used to treat his AIDS. Huetter's team feared that the drugs might interfere with the new marrow cells' survival. They risked lowering his defenses in the hopes that the new, mutated cells would reject the virus on their own.

Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infections Diseases in the U.S., said the procedure was too costly and too dangerous to employ as a firstline cure. But he said it could inspire researchers to pursue gene therapy as a means to block or suppress HIV.

"It helps prove the concept that if somehow you can block the expression of CCR5, maybe by gene therapy, you might be able to inhibit the ability of the virus to replicate," Fauci said.

David Roth, a professor of epidemiology and international public health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said gene therapy as cheap and effective as current drug treatments is in very early stages of development.

"That's a long way down the line because there may be other negative things that go with that mutation that we don't know about."

Even for the patient in Berlin, the lack of a clear understanding of exactly why his AIDS has disappeared means his future is far from certain.

"The virus is wily," Huetter said. "There could always be a resurgence."

Copyright 2008 The Associated Press.

Tim Hale busts a move in Florida!

Check out Tim Hale getting his groove on at ACE Bonita Springs 2008. He's still got moves!

Dr. Tom Hedge & Dr. Marvin Berlin CAD/CAM comparison at ACE Bonita Springs 2008

Dr. Tom Hedge & Dr. Marvin Berlin did a great job at the ACE Bonita Springs 2008 event in sharing information on the Cerec 3D and the E4D in a side by side comparison of software programs and milling. Here are some highlights:

Part 1



Part 2



Part 3



Part 4



Part 5



Part 6



Part 7



Part 8



Part 9



Part 10

John Kanca talks about his knee surgery at ACE Bonita Springs 2008

John Kanca talks about his knee surgery at ACE Bonita Springs 2008

Gary Radz enjoys the pasta station at ACE Bonita Springs 2008

Dr. Gary Radz enjoys the pasta station at ACE Bonita Springs 2008.

Bob Maccario presents at ACE Bonita Springs 2008

Bob Maccario presents at ACE Bonita Springs 2008.

Even kids enjoy ACE Bonita Springs 2008!

Nicholas Maroon doesn't want his photo taken! :D



Courtney, Nick & Britney having fun



I got Nick on video!



Britney likes pushing the carriage instead of riding in it!

Steve Anderson Presenting at ACE Bonita Springs 2008

Steve Anderson presenting at ACE Bonita Springs 2008.

Debra Grant, RDH presenting at ACE Bonita Springs 2008

Debra Grant, RDH presenting at ACE Bonita Springs 2008.

Dr. Bob Margeas presents at ACE Bonita Springs 2008

Dr. Bob Margeas presenting at the ACE Bonita Springs 2008 event.

ACE Bonita Springs attendees enjoy Keynote Address

Some of the attendees at the ACE Bonita Springs 2008 event enjoy the Keynote Address from Julie Isphording, a former US Olympic Marathon runner.

Julie Isphording sharing her story at ACE Bonita Springs 2008

Julie Isphording sharing her inspirational story at ACE Bonita Springs 2008.

Keynote Address at ACE Bonita Springs 2008

Julie Isphording gives the keynote address at ACE Bonita Springs 2008.

Dinner at Dock's in Naples FL

I took my team out to Dock's Restaurant one night with Tim & Tom Hale & friends.

Photos from ACE Bonita Springs 2008

Take a look at some of the photos from the ACE Bonita Springs 2008 event on Photobucket.

http://s513.photobucket.com/albums/t337/drmikemaroon/Bonita%20Springs%202008/

Updates from ACE Bonita Springs 2008

We're here in beautiful sunny Florida at the Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa enjoying the ACE Bonita Springs 2008 event.

 

There are lots of great things going on and many friends and stories being shared. Keep checking back to see some of the exciting things going on...

 

 

Advanced Dental - official dentist of the New Britain Rock Cats!

Dr. Mike Maroon & Dr. Darryl Simms star in this ad for Advanced Dental featuring Rocky & Blooper, mascots of the New Britain Rock Cats Baseball Club.

Advanced Dental is the official dental office of the New Britain Rock Cats and this ad was played on the jumbotron during all Rock Cat home games during the 2008 season.

Poor Oral Health Can Cause Localized Hair Loss

Cosmetic dentistry has taken flight in recent years. Publicity from Extreme Makeover (ABC) and new technology, like CEREC for one-visit porcelain restorations, Zoom! Whitening, and Lumineers, has boosted the popularity of cosmetic dentistry. In addition, recent research has revealed a link between overall health and oral health, such as the fact that gum disease can contribute to increased risk for a number of problems, from low-weight births to heart attacks, strokes, and Alzheimer's. We now know that oral health can contribute to a person's appearance, outside of their smile. Image conscious patients will be interested to learn that alopecia areata, a condition of hair loss, may be connected to poor oral health.

According to an article on www.plasmetic.com, bald patches sometimes occur "in a line projected from the dental infection." The scalp, as well as facial hair (eyebrows, beard, etc.) may be affected; men and women are susceptible. Hair does regenerate, but patients can have relapses. The article suggests that patients who notice localized bald patches should visit their dentist. Findings are attributed to Professors Joe Antonio Gil Montoya and Cutando Soriano.

SOURCE: http://www.plasmetic.com/latest-trends/cosmetic-dentistry/bad-teeth-can-lead-to-bald-patches.html

You Betcha Tina Fey Returned to 'SNL'

Hilarious SNL take on the VP debate! These folks are right on with both candidates! :D

Friday, Sep. 26, 2008

Grading the First Presidential Debate

By Mark Halperin / Oxford, Mississippi

John McCain

Substance: His arguments were hard to follow at the beginning, but he found his voice as the debate progressed, although he never seemed fully in control of his message. He had plenty to say about the economy, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Russia, but often bogged down his own answers when trying to unfurl quips and soundbites. Stuck with bumper sticker slogans on the economy, and while he got a bit more detailed on foreign policy, he stayed at his usual level of abstraction. If he truly knows more about the world than Obama, he didn't show it in this debate.

Grade: B-

Style: Cluttered, jumpy, and often muddled. Frequent coughing early on helped neither his arguments nor his image. Jokes about being deaf and anecdotes about Normandy and George Shultz seemed ill-advised — even his pen was old. His presentation was further hindered by his wandering discussion of the differing heights of North and South Koreans and his angry assertion about how well he knows Henry Kissinger. Fell into the classic politician's trap of inserting familiar stump speech applause lines into debate responses — which only works if done with enthusiasm and clarity (and if received by applause — a big No-No in Lehrer's auditorium, which the audience obeyed seriously and silently). Keenly aware of the grand, grave occasion, McCain wavered between respectful and domineering, and ended up awkward and edgy.

Grade: C-

Offense: Emphasized his bread and butter issues of taxes and spending, and hit Obama on his failure to visit Iraq and his expressed willingness to meet with dictators. But while mocking his opponent on a few occasions, which reflected his acute disrespect for Obama, he did so in an insufficiently sharp and detailed manner — and unevenly worked elements of his rival's record into his attacks. Still he was utterly confident about his own experience, knowledge, and policies, even when tripped by his own tongue and distracted by the strains of debate practice. The main problem: Obama's obvious preparation and sharp answers contradicted McCain's frequent claims that the Democrat was uninformed and "didn't understand" key issues.

Grade: C+

Defense: He managed to ignore most of Obama's jibes, but was eventually baited into giving an extended answer about his policy differences with President Bush, after his opponent repeatedly mentioned McCain's regular support of Bush's budgets. Was visibly riled when clashing with Obama over a variety of issues, including Iraq, sanctions, and spending. He also chose to boast about Sarah Palin (although not by name) as his maverick partner, who, after her shaky week, may no longer be his ace in the hole.

Grade: B-

Overall: McCain was McCain — evocative, intense, and at times emotional, but also vague, elliptical, and atonal. Failed to deliver his "country first versus Obama first" message cleanly, even when offered several opportunities. Surprisingly, did not talk much about "change," virtually ceding the dominant issue of the race.

Overall grade: B-

(Read Mark Halperin's take on Barack Obama's performance)

Barack Obama

Substance: Quite manifestly immersed in the past, present, and future details of policy, and eager to express his views, which have been expanded, honed, and solidified during the last 18 months of hard campaigning. Still, he did avoid the nitty-gritty details of policy positions in favor of broad principles and references to working Americans, thereby not presenting the kind of specifics that some voters are waiting to hear from him.

Grade: B+

Style: Polished, confident, focused. Fully prepared, and able to convey a real depth of knowledge on nearly every issue. He was unhurried, and rarely lost his train of thought even when the debate wended and winded — and uttered far fewer of his trademark, distracting, "ums." At times, however, Obama revealed the level of his preparation by faltering over a rehearsed answer. He seemed to deliberately focus on the moderator and the home audience, with McCain as an afterthought — except when on the attack. Chose to avoid humor, for the most part, in favor of a stern demeanor, and in the process, came off as cool as a cucumber.

Grade: A

Offense: Linking McCain to Bush in his very first answer, he kept it up as his primary line of attack. Forcefully hit McCain for his early support of the Iraq War. Though he never drew blood, he did keep McCain a bit off balance, often with clever references to McCain's recent statements.

Grade: B

Defense: Had a reasonable answer for every charge that came his way — with little anger, bluster, or anxiety. Often interrupting McCain attacks with swift explanations and comebacks, he managed to spin accusations of being liberal as evidence of his relentless opposition to George Bush (in replies that were clearly planned). Offered a rather clumsy alternative to McCain's well-known, moving story of wearing the bracelet of a soldier lost in Iraq (a gift from the soldier's mother), with a story about a bracelet of his own. Fearless, without condescension, he attempted the gracious move of agreeing with or complimenting a McCain position, occasionally to his own detriment.

Grade: A-

Overall: Went for a solid, consistent performance to introduce himself to the country. He did not seem nervous, tentative, or intimidated by the event, and avoided mistakes from his weak debate performances during nomination season (a professorial tone and long winded answers). Standing comfortably on the stage with his rival, he showed he belonged — evocative of Reagan, circa 1980. He was so confident by the end that he reminded his biggest audience yet that his father was from Kenya. Two more performances like that and he will be very tough to beat on Election Day.

Overall grade: A-

 

 

 

Find this article at: http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1845106,00.html

 

David Letterman Reacts to John McCain Suspending Campaign

Too funny! David Letterman goes off on John McCain after McCain lied about his whereabouts in cancelling an appearance on The Late Show.

Tina Fey play Sarah Palin on SNL

Funny skit with Tina Fey playing Sarah Palin on SNL

Patterson Dental Offers Leading Practice Management Software at No Cost

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Emily Finley

Karwoski & Courage
(612) 342-9629 phone
e.finley@creativepr.com

Patterson Dental Offers Leading Practice Management Software at No Cost

Patterson EagleSoft Practice Management Software Now Free for Dental Professionals

ST. PAUL, Minn. – (June 11, 2008) –

In a first-of-its-kind, industry-leading initiative, Patterson Dental Supply, Inc. announces going forward it will now provide Patterson EagleSoft practice management software to dental professionals nationwide at no charge. The award-winning software, along with the data import process and CD-ROM and Web-based training materials, are available to new users for free beginning June 9. As a multitude of digital technologies become mainstream in the dental practice, Patterson Dental recognizes the basic, fundamental need for a cutting-edge software to be the hub of that digital future.

Delivering solid integration throughout the dental practice, free Patterson EagleSoft practice management software helps dental professionals streamline practice activity, ultimately benefiting patients and staff, alike. "Providing Patterson EagleSoft practice management software at no cost eliminates a major hurdle for dentists seeking better software or looking ahead toward future digital technology purchases," said Patterson Dental President Scott Anderson. "Patterson Dental's primary focus is helping dentists stay on the forefront of technology and working to ensure practitioners have access to practice management software that allows easy integration with evolving digital technologies."

Patterson EagleSoft practice management software – coupled with Patterson Dental's renowned support services – has made it a long-standing favorite with dental professionals. To receive free Patterson EagleSoft practice management software, data import and training materials, professionals simply need to commit to a one-year service agreement at a low monthly cost. Professionals also can obtain Patterson EagleSoft digital imaging software at no charge with qualifying digital technology purchases.

"New Patterson EagleSoft users will be able to rely on the unyielding, accessible support features Patterson Dental customers have valued for years," said Patterson Technology Center Director Pam Hemmen. "Quite simply, this offer allows dentists to move easily into the digital world, and we look forward to welcoming many new professionals to the way Patterson Dental does business."

Since the company's inception, Patterson Dental has been driven by the philosophy that technology is an advantage that can help its customers succeed. From its introduction of IntraOral Cameras in the late 1980s, building of its world-class Patterson Technology Center in 1997 to its acquisition of CAESY Patient Education in 2004, Patterson Dental has consistently been developing and providing industry-changing technology.

For more information about Patterson EagleSoft, visit

www.eaglesoft.net or call the Patterson Technology Center at 800.294.8504.

###

Patterson Dental Supply, Inc. manufactures and markets its premiere software solution – Patterson EagleSoft – the latest in practice management solutions as well as clinical, digital and cosmetic products all in one software package. Patterson Dental is a value-added distributor of a complete range of dental products, equipment and services for dentists, dental laboratories, institutions and other healthcare providers throughout North America. Patterson Dental has the largest direct sales force in the industry, totaling more than 1,400 sales representatives and equipment software specialists serving the United States and Canada.

FROM Patterson Dental Supply, Inc.
1031 Mendota Heights Road
St. Paul, MN 55120

Woman disabled from jaw surgeries awarded $14 million

Woman disabled from jaw surgeries awarded $14 million

8/29/2008
By: Rabia Mughal, Assistant Editor

A Washington woman has been awarded more than $14 million in damages after a series of dental surgeries left her jaw fused shut.

A Spokane County Superior Court jury ruled that the treatment Kimberly Kallestad received from Patrick C. Collins, D.D.S., an oral surgeon practicing in Spokane, was below the standard of care. Kallestad was awarded $10 million in noneconomic damages for pain, suffering, and disfigurement and the rest for economic damages such as loss of wages and medical expenses.

In addition to the civil suit, the Washington State Dental Quality Assurance Commission is considering opening an investigation into the case, according to Tim Church, communications director for the Washington State Department of Health. Two investigations have already been opened on Dr. Collins, he added -- one a standard of care case, the other involving 71-year-old Jon Gellner, who died after palate surgery performed by Dr. Collins, reported the Spokesman Review.

The state dental board came under fire earlier this year for not being thorough in its review of dentistry-related deaths. A series of articles in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer dating back to 2005 has prompted the state to take a harder look at the board's decision-making processes.

Kallestad, 29, a former cheerleader and tennis player who had dreams of becoming a lawyer, is now unable to work and lives under the care of her parents. She was involved in a sledding accident in early 2000 that caused her to develop TMJ symptoms. She was also diagnosed with a slightly displaced soft-tissue disk in her left jaw joint.

After nine months of pain and conservative treatment, she went to Dr. Collins. He treated her with bilateral steroid and sodium hyaluronate injections in her jaw joints, plus open joint surgeries, according to Kallestad's attorney, Mary Schultz. Dr. Collins also performed an arthroplasty with a modified Walker repair on Kallestad's left partially displaced disk, claiming that he had a success rate of more than 95% with the surgery. He then performed the same operation on her right jaw joint.

The Walker repair procedure was originally developed by 84-year-old surgeon Robert Walker in 1987, according to Schultz.

"It was controversial even then," she said. "Dr. Collins has reworked it and made it more risky."

Dr. Collins published a study in 2007 that evaluated the outcome of the Walker repair technique in TMJ patients, concluding that it is an effective surgical treatment (Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, October 2007, Vol. 65:10, pp.1958-1962).

According to Kallestad's complaint, first filed in 2004, Dr. Collins did not inform her of the controversy within the oral surgery community regarding the use of invasive and irreversible surgery for pain and minor disk displacement in circumstances like hers and the potential risks associated with the treatment. Also, he did not tell her about alternative treatments that would not carry these risks.

In fact, Dr. Collins assured Kallestad that the arthroplasty procedure had a 95% success rate in reducing pain and dysfunction, but in his hands it was 100% successful, Schultz said.

Kallestad's jaw started degenerating after the surgeries. She developed complex regional pain syndrome, which began spreading from the surgery sites to other parts of her body, and, ultimately, her jaw started to fuse shut.

"He [Dr. Collins] told Kimberly, when she returned with pain, that he had 'fixed' her and that there was nothing wrong with her," Schultz said. He told her "it was all in her head."

Kallestad then consulted with other physicians. Her jaw had to be reopened by a gap arthroplasty, but fused two more times due to the ankylosis.

"Now she is fully disabled," Schultz said. "There is constant burning pain in her jaw."

Schultz took the case in 2004, shortly before the three-year statute of limitations expired.

"We did this to try to protect other patients and provide a voice for the victims," Kallestad told the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.

Dr. Collins' attorney, John Versnel, plans to appeal.

"Any time a jury spends six weeks listening to a case you have to respect the decision, but the dollar amount just does not make any sense," he said. "The jury listened to a lot of inflammatory evidence, and that will be the basis of our appeal. There was a lot of extraneous information, like testimony from unhappy former patients, while we were not allowed to bring in satisfied patients."

Kallestad received considerable additional medical treatment after she left Dr. Collin's care that contributed to her condition, he added.

Schultz argues that Dr. Collins' lawyers are just trying to deflect the blame.

"They claimed everyone except Dr. Collins was to blame," she said. "They blamed her parents, the subsequent doctors, everyone -- except Dr. Collins."

Copyright © 2008 DrBicuspid.com

Kickin' it OLD SCHOOL!

Check out me & my homey's Darryl & Tim as we kick it OLD SCHOOL!

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

Brady's season over after injuring knee vs. Chiefs

NFL.com Wire Reports

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Reigning NFL MVP Tom Brady suffered a serious knee injury in the season opener that will end his 2008 campaign, reports NFL Network's Adam Schefter.

Brady left Sunday's game against the Kansas City Chiefs after being hit on the left leg. He has started 128 consecutive games, but went to the turf clutching his left knee midway through the first quarter when he was hit in the pocket by Chiefs safety Bernard Pollard. After being tended to on the field, he walked off, limping, between two trainers.

Meanwhile, free-agent quarterback Chris Simms is scheduled to arrive in New England Monday morning for a workout and a physical, Schefter reports. If all goes well, Simms could be a Patriot by the end of the day. Kansas City and Tennessee, each of whom had quarterbacks suffer significant injuries on Sunday, also have contacted Simms.

Brady, 31, went to the locker room and was not seen again on the sideline as backup Matt Cassel led the Patriots to a 17-10 victory. The two-time Super Bowl MVP was not available for comment after the game, and coach Bill Belichick said he had nothing to add to the in-game announcement that it was a knee injury.

Brady was 7-for-11 passing for 76 yards, completing a 26-yard pass to Randy Moss on the play in which he was injured. Moss fumbled the ball away when he was tackled; the Patriots forced Kansas City to punt, then Cassel came in for New England.

"Since I've been here and been around Tom, he's always popped back up," Cassel said. "I didn't know (how serious it was). I just buckled my chinstrap and the guys rallied around me. I felt their support."

Cassel took over at his 2 yard-line and, after two handoffs nearly netted the Chiefs a safety, completed his first pass to Moss for a 51-yard gain. Cassel, Brady's backup for the past three years, finished the 98-yard drive with a 10-yard touchdown pass to Moss that gave New England a 7-0 lead.

"This is something I've been preparing for for a long time," said Cassel, who threw just 33 passes while backing up Heisman Trophy winners Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart at Southern Cal. "It's not something I expected to come up on opening day."

A former fourth-stringer who was the 199th overall selection in the 2000 draft, Brady himself took over at quarterback when longtime starter Drew Bledsoe sustained a life-threatening chest injury in a 2001 game against the New York Jets. Brady led the Patriots to their first NFL title that year, another in 2003 and another in 2004.

In the process, Brady has become one of the league's biggest stars and a crossover cover boy who has met the Pope and the president, dated actresses and supermodels and rewrote one of the NFL's most coveted records.

Last year, while leading New England to a 16-0 regular season, Brady set a record with 50 touchdown passes and improved his overall record as a starter to 100-27 -- the best in the Super Bowl era. The Patriots blew a chance at an unprecedented 19-0 season and a fourth NFL title with a 17-14 loss in February's Super Bowl to the New York Giants.

Brady did not play in four exhibition games this summer -- all of them Patriots losses -- while trying to recover from a right foot injury.

"He's the face of the New England Patriots, and Tom being who he is it kind of hurts, to be honest with you," said Moss, who caught 23 of Brady's TD passes in 2007, also a record. "I know the show must go on. Hopefully Matt Cassel is ready to step in. I know the team is ready to embrace him and let him lead us."

Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press

--
--
Dr. Mike Maroon
Founder & Fellow Academy of Comprehensive Esthetics

ACE 2008 Symposium on Esthetic Dentistry ~ Nov 5-8, 2008 ~ Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa ~ Bonita Springs, FL

Learn more about upcoming events at www.ACEsthetics.com or call 800.701.6223

drmikemaroon wants to keep up with you on Twitter

To find out more about Twitter, visit the link below:

http://twitter.com/i/7513fa7eb628b7c086ff45ea5a8b8c2dd5baa38b

Thanks,
-The Twitter Team

About Twitter

Twitter is a unique approach to communication and networking based on the simple concept of status. What are you doing? What are your friends doing—right now? With Twitter, you may answer this question over SMS, IM, or the Web and the responses are shared between contacts.

This message was sent by a Twitter user who entered your email address. If you'd prefer not to receive emails when other people invite you to Twitter, click here:
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Political Cartoon Slide Show

Sometimes it's good to sit back and laugh at the entire election process. Here are some humorous cartoons from some creative minds around the country.

 

http://www.msnbc.com/modules/interactive.aspx?type=ss&launch=26499587,4999736&pg=1

Four Rules of Time

Four Rules of Time
By: Brian Tracy

There are four rules of time. The first is that time is perishable. This means that it cannot be saved. In fact, time can only be spent. Because time is perishable, the only thing you can do with it is to spend it differently, to reallocate your time away from activities of low value and toward activities of higher value. But once it is gone, it is gone forever.

Time Is Indispensable
The second rule of time is that time is indispensable. All work requires time. No matter what it is you want to do in life, even looking out a window or sleeping in for a few extra minutes, it requires a certain amount of time. And according to the 10/90 Rule, the 10% of time that you take to plan your activities carefully in advance will save you 90% of the effort involved in achieving your goals later. The very act of thinking through and planning your work in advance will dramatically reduce the amount of time that it takes you to do the actual job.

The Currency of the Future
The third rule of time is that time is irreplaceable. Nothing else will do, especially in relationships. Time is the only currency that means anything in your relationships with the members of your family, your friends, colleagues, customers and coworkers. Truly effective people give a lot of thought to creating blocks of time that they can then spend, without interruption, with the important people in their lives.

 

Spell the Word Correctly
There is a question: "How do children spell the word 'Love?'" And the answer is "T-I-M-E." It is the same with your spouse, as well. The important people in your life equate the amount of time that you spend with them, face to face, head to head, knee to knee, with the amount that you actually love them.

Grow Your Relationships
The more time that you spend with another person, especially a member of your family, the deeper grows your understanding and affection for that person. If you get too busy to spend time with your children, you eventually lose contact with them and they go off into their own personal world of school, peers and other activities.

The Key to Goal-Achievement
The fourth rule is that time is essential for accomplishment. Every goal you want to achieve, everything you want to accomplish, requires time. In fact, one of the smartest things you ever do, when you set a goal, is to sit down and allocate the exact amount of time that you are going to have to invest to achieve that goal. The failure to do this almost always leaves the goal unaccomplished.

Action Exercises
Here are two things you can do immediately to put these ideas into action:

First, decide today to redirect and reallocate your time away from low-value tasks and toward high-value activities.

Second, make a plan to spend more time face-to-face with the most important people in your life. The more you think about the use of your time, the better you will become.

Pat Buchanan Loved Obama's Convention Speech

Wow! Listen to what Pat Buchanan had to say about Barack Obama's Speech at the Democratic National Convention.

RealSeal1 Bonded Obturators

Here's an exciting new product for endodontic obturation called RealSeal1 Bonded Obturators.

 

Take a look at http://superiorfills.com/

--
--
Dr. Mike Maroon
Founder & Fellow Academy of Comprehensive Esthetics

ACE 2008 Symposium on Esthetic Dentistry ~ Nov 5-8, 2008 ~ Hyatt Regency Coconut Point Resort & Spa ~ Bonita Springs, FL

Learn more about upcoming events at www.ACEsthetics.com or call 800.701.6223

Barack Obama's Democratic Nominee Acceptance Speech

View Barack Obama's Democratic Nominee Acceptance Speech

DenMat Remedent Press Release - Lumineers purchases rights to GlamSmile

         

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

CONTACT:

 

For Remedent, Inc.                                                      For Den-Mat Holdings, LLC

Guy De Vreese, Chairman                                              Mike Beyer, Sam Brown Inc.

Remedent, Inc.                                                            773-463-4211

32 9 32170 80                                                                beyer@sambrown.com

GuyDV@remedent.be

                                                                          

Stephen D. Axelrod, CFA (Investors)

Alisa Steinberg (Media)

Wolfe Axelrod Weinberger Associates, LLC

212-370-4500

steve@wolfeaxelrod.com

alisa@wolfeaxelrod.com

 

 

REMEDENT, INC. AND DEN-MAT HOLDINGS, LLC

SIGN COLLABORATION AND INTERNATIONAL DISTRIBUTION AGREEMENT

 

- Den-Mat Acquires Exclusive Rights to Glamsmile™ Technology Platform to Further Enhance Lumineers® and Drive New Product Development; Remedent Expands Marketing Opportunities with Agreement -

 

Deurle, Belgium and Santa Maria, CA – August 25, 2008 -- Two leaders in cosmetic dentistry, Remedent, Inc. (OTCBB: REMI) and Den-Mat Holdings, LLC, announced today that Den-Mat has obtained the exclusive rights to manufacture, market and distribute Remedent’s innovative GlamSmile™ products and technologies in North America and numerous international markets.

 

Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

 

Den-Mat, the maker of the revolutionary LUMINEERS® BY CERINATE® porcelain veneer laminates, will acquire the rights to Remedent’s single-motion veneer placement tray technology, proprietary veneer fabrication technique, and computer imaging design and digital preview technology.  Integrating this technology will enable Den-Mat to launch LumiTray™, a novel, one tray process for easy and efficient placement of Lumineers. 

 

“This important agreement offers Den-Mat access to Remedent’s next generation technology that will further enhance the creation, precision and placement of our high quality Lumineers and new cutting edge products for an improved cosmetic dentistry experience for both professionals and consumers,” said Nicholas L. Teti, Jr., Chief Executive Officer of Den-Mat Holdings LLC.  “This strategic partnership strengthens Den-Mat as a leader in aesthetic dentistry now and accelerates the Company into the future. We will integrate this new digital process technology into our systems.”

 

Den-Mat will unveil the innovative LumiTray™ technology to dental professionals at Destination Education November 7 – 9, 2008 in Las Vegas, Nevada.

 

Guy De Vreese, Chairman of Remedent, noted, “By combining GlamSmile™ and Lumineers with Den-Mat’s substantial customer base and marketing reach, our companies now have a unique opportunity to significantly expand acceptance of our joint veneer technologies in the global dental market.  Lumineers is the recognized leader in dental veneers and this strategic alliance with Den-Mat greatly magnifies our ability to penetrate the US dental market, the world’s number one dental environment, with our tray delivery system and 3D modeling software for designing and manufacturing veneers.”

 

DLJ Merchant Banking Partners, a private equity investment affiliate of Credit Suisse and owner of Den-Mat Holdings, LLC was instrumental in bringing this agreement to a successful conclusion.

 

“Den-Mat’s integration of this proprietary technology will further enhance its aesthetic offerings and improve customer ease of use and satisfaction,” said Ed Johnson, Managing Director and Partner, DLJ Merchant Banking Partners.  “We are very excited about the great potential from this transaction for both Den-Mat and Remedent.”

 

About Remedent 

 

Remedent, Inc. develops, manufactures and markets oral care and cosmetic dentistry products with distribution in more than 35 countries. Based in Deurle, Belgium and El Segundo, CA, Remedent serves both the professional dental community and the consumer over-the-counter market. Visit www.remedent.com  for further information. 

 

GlamSmile is a revolutionary cosmetic dental system that substantially expands the consumer and professional dental market for veneers. To produce the veneers, Remedent utilizes high-tech scanning, CAD/CAM design technology, and a proprietary fabrication technique. The veneers are delivered to a dentist already prepared for a simple, single-motion veneer placement. This patent-pending painless delivery system not only dramatically lowers the dentist's cost of installation, but also significantly reduces the amount of time patients spend in the dental chair. The result is unprecedented pricing for veneers which previously were only within the reach of affluent patients.  

 

About Den-Mat Holdings, LLC

 

California-based Den-Mat Holdings, LLC is a leading manufacturer and marketer of advanced cosmetic and restorative dental products and laboratory services that allow a dentist to preserve, restore and enhance their patient’s teeth typically without the requirement for anesthesia, extensive cutting, drilling and tooth removal.  This revolutionary type of dentistry not only focuses on superior esthetic results, but on patient comfort and convenience as well.

 

Den-Mat’s revolutionary LUMINEERS® BY CERINATE® are porcelain veneers that offer a painless way to a permanently whiter and perfectly aligned smile. LUMINEERS are the only porcelain laminates that are strong, reversible, and have a proven record of over 20 years of clinical success.  The dentist applies these contact lens-thin veneers to teeth without the need for the shaving and grinding down of sensitive tooth structure that is common with traditional veneers.

 

Den-Mat currently has approximately 700 employees and manufactures a complete line of more than 200 cosmetic and restorative formulations.  The company services approximately 40,000 dentists worldwide, and offers variety of educational seminars and marketing support services for dentists.  For additional information, please visit www.denmat.com.

 

About Credit Suisse

 

As one of the world's leading banks, Credit Suisse provides its clients with investment banking, private banking and asset management services worldwide.  Credit Suisse offers advisory services, comprehensive solutions and innovative products to companies, institutional clients and high-net worth private clients globally, as well as retail clients in Switzerland.  Credit Suisse is active in over 50 countries and employs approximately 40,000 people.  Credit Suisse's parent company, Credit Suisse Group, is a leading global financial services company headquartered in Zurich. Credit Suisse Group's registered shares (CSGN) are listed in Switzerland and, in the form of American Depositary Shares (CS), in New York.  Further information about Credit Suisse can be found at www.creditsuisse.com.

 

# # #

SIRIUS AND XM COMPLETE MERGER

SIRIUS AND XM COMPLETE MERGER

SIRIUS XM Radio Chosen as New Corporate Name

Combined Company Has Over 18.5 Million Subscribers, Annualized Second Quarter Revenue Exceeding $2.4 Billion

Company to Offer Consumers Best of Both Services, While Maximizing Significant Efficiencies

SIRIUS XM Reiterates Financial Guidance; Expects 2009 Synergies of $400 million and 2009 Adjusted EBITDA of over $300 Million

NEW YORK, NY – July 29, 2008 –SIRIUS Satellite Radio (NASDAQ: SIRI) and XM Satellite Radio today announced that they have completed their merger, resulting in the nation's premier radio company. The new company plans to change its corporate name to Sirius XM Radio Inc. The combined company's stock will continue to be traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol "SIRI".

SIRIUS XM Radio begins day one with over 18.5 million subscribers, making it the second-largest radio company, based upon revenue, in the country; and, based upon subscribers, the second largest subscription media business in the U.S. With under 10% penetration of the home and car market, the opportunity for continued growth is significant.

"I am delighted to announce the completion of this exciting merger between SIRIUS and XM," said Mel Karmazin, CEO of SIRIUS XM Radio. "We have worked diligently to close this transaction and we look forward to integrating our best-in-class management teams and operations so we can begin delivering on our promise of more choices and lower prices for subscribers."

"Every one of our constituencies is a winner. Combined, SIRIUS XM Radio will deliver superior value to our shareholders. By offering more compelling packages and the best content in audio entertainment, we are well positioned for increased subscriber growth. Our laser focus on subscribers will continue and listeners can be assured that there will be no disruption in service. We also believe that the completion of the merger will eliminate any confusion that has been lingering in the marketplace," added Karmazin.

XM shareholders will receive 4.6 shares of SIRIUS common stock for each share of XM.

Competitive New Options for Consumers

SIRIUS XM Radio broadcasts more than 300 channels of programming, including exclusive radio offerings from Howard Stern, Oprah, Opie & Anthony and Martha Stewart, among others. SIRIUS XM Radio will offer these expanded options to consumers through arrangements with the world's leading automakers and its relationships with nationwide retailers.

As a result of the merger, SIRIUS XM Radio will also be able to offer consumers new packages in audio entertainment, including the first-ever a la carte programming option in subscription media. In addition to two a la carte options, the new packages will include: "Best of Both," giving subscribers the option to access certain programming from the other network; discounted Family Friendly packages; and tailored packages including "Mostly Music" and "News, Talk and Sports." The first of the new packages will be available in the early Fall.

"One of the most exciting benefits of this transaction is the ability to offer subscribers the option of expanding their subscriptions to include the Best of Both services. Given the respective popularity of exclusive programming on both SIRIUS and XM, we expect many subscribers will upgrade their current subscription," said Karmazin.

"The upside potential for both consumers and shareholders is huge. Consumers have the ease of adding premier programming without purchasing a new device. For shareholders, this kind of organic growth is a key part of the company's future and the success we expect to see," said Karmazin.

As promised when the merger was first announced, existing radios will continue to work and every subscriber has the option of maintaining their current service package.

Benefits for Shareholders Begin Immediately, Integration Already Under Way

SIRIUS XM Radio expects to begin realizing the synergies expected from this transaction immediately.

"In addition to realizing significant potential revenue growth, the management team will move quickly to capitalize on the synergies that many analysts have predicted for this combination. We expect to begin achieving those synergies without sacrificing any of the world-class programming and marketing we are known for," said Karmazin.

The company today also reiterated guidance for the combined SIRIUS XM Radio. Based upon a preliminary analysis, the combined company expects to realize total synergies, net of the costs to achieve such synergies, of approximately $400 million in 2009; to post adjusted EBITDA exceeding $300 million in 2009; and to achieve positive free cash flow, before satellite capital expenditures, for the full year 2009. The company also expects that both synergies and adjusted EBITDA will continue growing beyond 2009.

"We have all the tools necessary to begin executing as a combined company with high aspirations for subscriber growth and greater financial performance in part from the significant synergies that we begin realizing literally today – on Day One. We are moving quickly to integrate the operations," said Karmazin.

The corporate headquarters will be located in New York, NY and XM Satellite Radio, the company's wholly-owned subsidiary, will remain headquartered in Washington, DC.

Effective after the close of the market yesterday, trading in XMSR common stock on the Nasdaq Global Select Market ceased.

About SIRIUS XM Radio

SIRIUS XM Radio is America's satellite radio company delivering the "The Best Radio on Radio" to more than 18 million subscribers, including 100% commercial free music, and premier sports, news, talk, entertainment, traffic and weather.

SIRIUS XM Radio has exclusive content relationships with an array of personalities and artists, including Howard Stern, Oprah, Martha Stewart, Jimmy Buffett, Elvis, Jamie Foxx, Barbara Walters, Frank Sinatra, Opie & Anthony, The Grateful Dead, Willie Nelson, Bob Dylan, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Tom Petty, and Bob Edwards. SIRIUS XM Radio is the leader in sports programming as the Official Satellite Radio Partner of the NFL, Major League Baseball, NASCAR, NHL, and PGA, and broadcasts major college sports.

SIRIUS XM Radio has exclusive arrangements with every major automaker. SIRIUS XM Radio products are available at shop.sirius.com and shop.xmradio.com, and at retail locations nationwide, including Best Buy, Circuit City, RadioShack, Target, Sam's Club, and Wal-Mart.

SIRIUS XM Radio also offers SIRIUS Backseat TV, the first ever live in-vehicle rear seat entertainment featuring Nickelodeon, Disney Channel and Cartoon Network; XM NavTraffic service for GPS navigation systems delivers real-time traffic information, including accidents and road construction, for more than 80 North American markets.

The guidance contained herein are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by us when taken as a whole, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control. In addition, the guidance is based upon specific assumptions with respect to future business conditions, some or all of which will change. The guidance, like any forecast, is necessarily speculative in nature and it can be expected that the assumptions upon which the guidance is based will not prove to be valid or will vary from actual results. Actual results will vary from the guidance and the variations may be material. Consequently, the guidance should not be regarded as a representation by SIRIUS or any other person that the synergies, adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow will actually be achieved. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on this information.

This communication contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements about the benefits of the business combination transaction involving Sirius Satellite Radio Inc. and XM Satellite Radio Holdings Inc., including potential synergies and cost savings and the timing thereof, future financial and operating results, the combined company's plans, objectives, expectations and intentions with respect to future operations, products and services; and other statements identified by words such as "anticipate," "believe," "plan," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "will," "should," "may," or words of similar meaning. Such forward-looking statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of SIRIUS' and XM's management and are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond the control of SIRIUS and XM. Actual results may differ materially from the results anticipated in these forward-looking statements.

The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed in the forward-looking statement: general business and economic conditions; the performance of financial markets and interest rates; the ability to obtain governmental approvals of the transaction on a timely basis; the failure to realize synergies and cost-savings from the transaction or delay in realization thereof; the businesses of SIRIUS and XM may not be combined successfully, or such combination may take longer, be more difficult, time-consuming or costly to accomplish than expected; and operating costs and business disruption following the merger, including adverse effects on employee retention and on our business relationships with third parties, including manufacturers of radios, retailers, automakers and programming providers. Additional factors that could cause SIRIUS' and XM's results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in SIRIUS' and XM's Annual Reports on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, which are filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and available at the SEC's Internet site (http://www.sec.gov). The information set forth herein speaks only as of the date hereof, and SIRIUS and XM disclaim any intention or obligation to update any forward looking statements as a result of developments occurring after the date of this communication.

G-SIRI

Contacts for SIRIUS XM Radio:

Media Relations

Patrick Reilly
212-901-6646
PReilly@siriusradio.com

Kelly Sullivan
Joele Frank, Wilkinson Brimmer Katcher
212-355-4449
ksullivan@joelefrank.com

Nathaniel Brown
212-708-6170
Nathaniel.Brown@xmradio.com

Chance Patterson
202-380-4318
Chance.Patterson@xmradio.com

Investor Relations

Paul Blalock
212-584-5174
PBlalock@siriusradio.com

Hooper Stevens
212-901-6718
HStevens@siriusradio.com

Joe Wilkinson
202-380-4008
Joe.Wilkinson@xmradio.com

Richard Sloane
202-380-1439
richard.sloane@xmradio.com