Week in Review: Is arginine the new fluoride? Plus 10-second tooth cleaning and largest insurers

Dear DrBicuspid Member,

Should arginine be in your armamentarium? Previous studies have found that caries-free individuals have higher arginine levels in their saliva than those with caries and that using toothpaste containing the amino acid improves oral bacterial composition. Now new research suggests that arginine may play an important role in keeping oral biofilms healthy and preventing caries. Learn more here.

Also this week on DrBicuspid.com, can a device really clean teeth thoroughly in 10 seconds? The creators of the newly developed Amabrush toothbrush think so and are going to put their creation through independent clinical tests to back their claim. Read more here.

Can you name the five biggest large-group dental carriers in the U.S.? Together these companies have reported almost $4 billion in dental premiums for 2017. But the difference between the top two companies on the list and the bottom three remains considerable. Using publically available information, DrBicuspid.com illustrates the size of the dental insurance market in the U.S. and how two companies control much of the market. See the list here.

What if you could give your patients a pill to treat sleep apnea? Existing therapies for the condition have produced mixed results, and there is arguably an unmet need for more effective therapies. However, new research on the use of a cannabinoid antinausea treatment, dronabinol, for sleep apnea shows promise. Learn more here.

Need continuing education (CE) credits? DrBicuspid.com offers an ever-expanding list of courses to meet your needs. You can view them all here. And on Monday, July 24, look for our next article offering CE credit.