Impressions from the Chicago MidWinter Meeting

Happy Leap Day!  It doesn't seem possible that another winter is almost over... heck even in Chicago this past week/weekend the temperature was in the 50's one day.

With the end of February, we come to the end of another Chicago MidWinter Meeting and I know that many of you like to get my impression of what the meeting was like.

This year attendance appeared to be about the same as last year.  Overall, the dentists I spoke with at the meeting are optimistic about our great profession and were there on the exhibit floor.  Many doctors were exploring purchasing options for new products and equipment.  Cone beam continues to be a hot topic in the profession as well as digital impression systems.  There also seems to be quite a bit of interest in the category of in-office mills that are open source and can be purchased separately from digital impression systems.

The manufacturers I spoke with reported good booth traffic with good sales of items across a wide variety of product categories.

So overall indications are a good future for the profession and I'm happy to report a great and informative Chicago MidWinter Meeting!

Maxcem Elite ChromaTM Makes Debut at 151st Chicago Midwinter Meeting

Chroma Color ChallengeTM offers dentists the chance to see its Color Cleanup Indicator in action.
February 24, 2016. The 151st Chicago Midwinter Meeting — held at McCormick Place West, Feb. 25-27 — is primed to, once again, be a platform to showcase the latest innovations in dental technology and materials. This year, Kerr Restoratives’ Maxcem Elite Chroma will be among the new and noteworthy.
Dental professionals attending the meeting are invited to take the Chroma Color Challenge at the Kerr Booth (#1600) and see for themselves just how Maxcem Elite Chroma takes the guesswork out of cleanup with its Color Cleanup Indicator. Its pink color fades at the gel state, letting the dentist know the optimal time to cleanup excess cement. Maxcem Elite Chroma is the first Self-Etch/Self-Adhesive resin to offer such a feature, making it the smartest cement available on the market today.
“Events like the Chicago Midwinter Meeting provide a wonderful opportunity to connect with dentists and answer questions they have about Maxcem Elite Chroma and other Kerr products,” said Phil Prentice, Vice President, North America Marketing, Kerr Restoratives. “There is nothing else quite like Maxcem Elite Chroma on the market, so we are using the Chroma Color Challenge to help people see that this isn’t just hype, but a real improvement that can save time and stress in their practice.”
Maxcem Elite Chroma is compatible with all indirect restorations, offering best-in- class adhesion when compared to other leading self-adhesive cements. It also offers One-PeelTM cleanup, an automix delivery system and easy no refrigeration storage.
To learn more about Maxcem Elite Chroma or to bring the Chroma Color Challenge to your office, visit kerrdental.com/challenge or call us today at 877-685-1484. 

The Chicago MidWinter Meeting is Starting

The Chicago MidWinter meeting is about to begin...

I'm already in The Windy City gearing up for what promises to be a very impressive & productive meeting.  There are always a large number of new product announcements at this meeting & rest assured I will be scouring the exhibit hall looking for the latest & greatest.

This meeting is a combination of research for upcoming articles as well as for the Best of Class candidates and Best of Class voting.

Due to the craziness of my schedule here in Chicago, posts here on the blog might be hit or miss.

For the most up to date info while I'm in Chicago, check out my Twitter feed.

US Military Requiring Mouthguards

Back in the days before pro football players wore facemasks and mouthguards, injuries to the face and mouth were 40% of all football related injuries.  After facemasks and mouthguards, that stat dropped to 5%.

Similar stats exist with US Army soldiers.  Army stats show a 74% reduction in dental injuries during military training combat activities once mouthguards were added.  That's a very interesting stat.  Especially when you consider that a few years ago, it was predicted that a missing tooth at high school age could cost in the neighborhood of $20,000 over the life of the individual.

The full article is available here.

Dreammapper for Obstructive Sleep Apnea

I've been learning quite a bit about Obstructive Sleep Apnea lately...

I had the staff take a cone beam scan on me & I ran the airway analysis  on my scan utilizing the Anatomage Treatment Studio Software.  It turns out  that I have a genetically narrow airway and this is causing me to have OSA which cannot be  treated by an oral appliance.

What this means is that for someone who helps many patients get off their CPAP machines and get the many benefits of an oral appliance, I, unfortunately, am not one of them.  With a genetically narrow airway, my only choice is a Constant Pulmonary Air Pressure (CPAP) device.

As someone who has studied OSA and what it means to long term health, I was happy to see the amount of data I can receive from my CPAP machine.  It seems that Philips (the same folks   that make the SoniCare toothbrush) also make the Respironix CPAP device.

The Respironix device is equipped with a connection to a wireless phone network and uploads lots of data to a secure server that the patient can access via computer, tablet, or phone.  The data  includes  Apnea Hypopnea Index, mask fit (in percentage), total disconnects (the number of times you disconnect for instance to use the restroom), hours of usage, and many other statistics.

I've found the data fascinating, especially since I understand it better than the average user.  I've found the Philips Respironix to be a winner.  If you are someone who cannot be helped by an oral appliance, I highly recommend this particular CPAP device.

Ransomeware Attack on a US Hospital

I've been bringing this topic up from time to time for a while now.

It's a pretty good racket.  Somehow, either by convincing someone to click on an infected link, open an infected file, or by breaking in over the Internet, the bad guys manage to encrypt an owner's hard drive.

The crooks then demand to be paid to provide the password that will return things to normal.  

This has happened a few times to smaller businesses.  The bad part is sometimes you pay & get the promised password and sometimes you pay and nothing happens.  It's hard to figure out what to do.

Recently a Los Angeles hospital was hit by ransomware and they are still without electronic records.

The good people at DDS Rescue are helping dental offices with this potential disaster.  I feel it's worth contacting them to see how they can help prevent this problem before it ever hits you.

I've been using DDS Rescue for several years and have nothing be good things to say about this great group of people.  Take a look at their website & then  give them a call!

To read the article regarding

Oravital Inc. Launching its BiofilmDNA® Oral Microbial Salivary Test During its Chicago Midwinter Meeting Debut

New Diagnostic Test Provides a Whole-Mouth Picture of Patient’s Oral Health 

Toronto, CA – February 8, 2016 – Oravital Inc., the manufacturer of the Oravital^® System for the diagnosis and treatment of periodontal disease and halitosis, will be making its debut at the Chicago Midwinter Dental Meeting at the McCormick Convention Center at booth #4537 from February 25^th  through February 27^th.  During this time, the company will also unveil its latest weapon in the war against oral infections – the BiofilmDNA^® oral microbial salivary test.

BiofilmDNA^® is a highly-sensitive DNA test that detects both the presence and thresholds of specific pathogens via the collection of salivary, subgingival, and tongue biofilm samples. This advanced and accurate biofilm analysis provides the dental clinician with a detailed, multi-panel, whole-mouth picture of the patient’s oral health.

Oravital’s new BiofilmDNA^® test is a powerful compliment to its BiofilmGS^® test, which uses site-specific Gram stain analysis to determine the exact type and location of oral infection. Both the BiofilmDNA^® and BiofilmGS^® tests are analyzed in Oravital’s on-site, state-of-the-art lab facility, with reports available within two days of receiving the samples. Used together, the two biofilm tests will help the dental clinician accurately identify the following:

• Periodontal disease pathogens
• Opportunistic parasites
• Caries pathogens
• Yeasts
• Inflammatory response

According to company president and CEO Dr. Jim Hyland, “The Oravital^® System effectively closes the diagnosis/treatment loop by identifying the exact cause and location of oral infection, then providing a highly-effective regimen of antibiotic and antimicrobial rinses specifically prescribed for the patient’s personal diagnosis.” 

Throughout the Chicago Midwinter Meeting, Oravital^® will be offering the BiofilmDNA^® test for an introductory price of $75.00 each for the first 10 tests (Regularly $85.00 each). Which is a $100.00 savings! In addition, dentist can sign up their teams for the Oravital Platinum Coaching Package for $995.00 (normally $1,295.00) and save $300.00. In addition, there will be a drawing for a free iPad Mini.

Dr. Hyland, DDS BSc, and his clinical management team consisting of Chief Science Officer Anne Bosy, RRDH, MEd, MSc, and Clinical Hygiene Educator Kerry Lepicek, RDH, will be on hand to explain the efficacy and application of the proprietary Oravital^® System, which consists of the following five steps:

• Diagnosis 
• Treatment 
• Evaluation  
• Maintenance
• Monitoring

“Undiagnosed and untreated oral infections are a North American epidemic,” explains Hyland. “We also know that periodontal disease is a contributing factor to many systemic conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and Alzheimer’s disease, because the infection spreads via both tissues and the blood stream. With the introduction of BiofilmDNA^®, now more than ever, the Oravital^® system can have a positive impact on not just the oral health, but the overall health of the patient.”

For more information on the Oravital^® System and how your dental practice can become a Certified Oravital^® Clinic, visit www.oravital.com or call 1-800-909-6468.

About Oravital Inc. 

Oravital Inc. was established in the fall of 2007 in Toronto, Canada. The company licenses proprietary technology called the Oravital^® System to certified dental clinics throughout North America for the most advanced, effective and painless diagnosis and treatment of oral infections available today.

With recent studies linking oral infections with systemic conditions such as heart disease and diabetes, periodontal disease is now considered a medical condition that dental professionals should treat. What’s more, given that 75% of the population continues to have signs of periodontal disease in spite of our best efforts, diagnosis and predictable treatment of this infection has become extremely important.   

Oravital’s proprietary protocol of inexpensive biofilm testing and the use of prescribed antibiotic and antimicrobial rinses dramatically halt the progress of periodontal disease and breath odor.  Bleeding is reduced by 87%, and pocket depths shrink by 76 to 84% within a few weeks. Oravital^® proprietary rinses treat the entire oral complex and are non-systemic.  The Oravital^® System is the only system to predictably treat the oral-systemic link. 

The science of Oravital^® evolved from 15 years of ground-breaking research and successful clinical treatment by Anne Bosy, RRDH, MEd, MSc, co-founder of Toronto's Fresh Breath Clinic. Dr. Walter Loesche, who was a respected authority on periodontal disease treatment at the University of Michigan, validated the effectiveness of the antibiotic therapy developed by Anne Bosy.  

Oravital Inc. also provides a comprehensive, dynamic and scientifically-grounded training program to its certified clinics. Oravital^® certified dental professionals are authorized experts in providing Oravital^® diagnostic analysis, individualized treatment, and dedicated long-term support. For more information, visit www.oravital.com or call 1-800-909-6468.

Kerr Launches Maxcem Elite Chroma

The first Self-Etch/Self-Adhesive resin cement to offer a Color Cleanup Indicator.
Kerr is proud to announce the launch of Maxcem Elite Chroma, the first Self-Etch / Self-Adhesive resin cement offering a Color Cleanup Indicator, making it the smartest cement available on the market today. Maxcem Elite Chroma begins with a pink color that fades at the gel state, indicating the optimal time to cleanup excess cement. The pink color will disappear after both self-cure and tack cure, allowing for maximum flexibility. In addition to the color cleanup indicator, Maxcem Elite Chroma offers One-PeelTM cleanup, automix delivery system, easy no-refrigeration storage, and compatibility with all indirect restorations. “Maxcem Elite Chroma is a prime example of how Kerr is providing innovative products to address the evolving needs of the dentist,” said Phil Prentice, Vice President, North American Marketing, Kerr. “This latest addition to our cements portfolio supports the Kerr commitment to deliver ‘more’ to our customers.” Featuring best-in-class adhesion when compared to other leading self-adhesive cements, Maxcem Elite Chroma forms a strong and durable bond with a wide variety of dental substrates and is compatible with all indirect restorations - anterior or posterior ceramics, PFMs, metal restorations, and CAD/CAM materials. Radiopaque for easy identification on x-rays, the cement is available in a dual barrel, automix syringe system, supplied with single-use automix tips and optional curved dispensing tips to allow the user to deliver desired volume of cement directly into restoration and/or tooth preparations. For more information, visit www.kerrdental.com.


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ZEST Anchors Expands Dental Portfolio with Acquisition of Danville Materials

ESCONDIDO, Calif., Feb. 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- ZEST Anchors, Inc. ("Zest"), the global leader in the design and manufacturing of overdenture attachments, today announced the acquisition of Danville Materials, LLC ("Danville"), a leading manufacturer of restorative consumables and small equipment for the dental market from Inverness Graham Investments. Zest is a portfolio company of Avista Capital Partners ("Avista"), a leading private equity firm. Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

"For more than 40 years, Zest has been a global leader and pioneer of overdenture treatment technologies focused on improving the lives of edentulous patients, including the market leading LOCATOR® Attachment System," said Steve Schiess, Zest's CEO. "The acquisition of Danville will enable Zest to expand its broad range of treatment solutions to patients caring for their natural teeth, as well.Danville's high quality line of dental consumables, market leading micro-etching and air abrasion products and unique offerings, including Perioscopy, will strongly complement the clinical solutions available at Zest today. We look forward to enhancing the brand recognition of Danville products and supporting the dealer and distributor networks pivotal to Danville's success."

Garrett Sato, Danville's CEO, added, "The combination of Zest and Danville will produce a stronger combined entity. The application of Zest's marketing and education capabilities to the Danville product portfolio will increase the number of clinician users and, in turn, solidify dealer relationships. The timing is excellent as it coincides with Danville's launch of BULK EZ™, a highly innovative dual cure restorative composite designed to be the most reliable bulk fill solution for the clinician."

Sriram Venkataraman, Partner at Avista, said, "The combination of Zest and Danville's market-leading portfolio is part of our commitment to driving the next phase of Zest's growth. The addition of Danville's compelling product set to Zest's strong portfolio will further position the company to continue delivering valuable innovation to the dental community."

Michael Morrissey, Managing Principal of Inverness Graham Investments, said, "We congratulate Garrett Sato and his team on fantastic execution of our shared strategic vision for Danville. The strategic logic of a combination with Zest is compelling, and we are confident in a prosperous future for the combined company."

Deutsche Bank advised Zest on the transaction and Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP acted as its legal counsel. Danville received legal advice from Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP.

About ZEST Anchors, Inc.ZEST Anchors is a global leader in the manufacturing and distribution of dental solutions for the treatment of edentulous patients. ZEST Anchors has received worldwide acclaim for pioneering the pivoting and self-aligning design of the LOCATOR Attachment System. That system has evolved with the early 2016 launch of the next generation LOCATOR R-Tx™ Removable Attachment System. ZEST's portfolio also includes the LODI and SATURNO narrow diameter implant systems and the CHAIRSIDE® Product Portfolio – a line of dental tools and materials that provide an end-to-end solution for implant-retained overdenture modification and processing.  ZEST Anchors is located in Escondido, California and has global distribution through OEM implant companies, distributor networks, and a domestic retail sales operation.

Super Security for Super Bowl 50

Every year security at the Super Bowl becomes a bigger and bigger deal.  Let's face it in the world today, there are a lot of bad guys out there who would love nothing more than to make a point at one of America's biggest events.

To combat this, local and national law enforcement are bringing incredible technologies to bear on the event.

I won't go into great details here, but if you want to find out more, Wired magazine has an outstanding article on the subject.  Don't expect the good guys to tip their hand much, but I found the article fascinating from a geek's perspective.

AMD LASERS Announces Free Global Dental Laser Certification Program

- Because of the rising use of lasers in modern day dental practices, AMD LASERS, the global leader in affordable dental lasers and dental laser education, recently announced it is making its dental laser certification program FREE for all dentists, universities and clients. The program was exclusively for only AMD's clients and paid for by all others is now free to all. Offered through a downloadable app on iPads, the app contains the most widely used dental laser certification program in the world.  The program is AGD PACE approved and awards participants with 6 CE credits along with their laser certification. Completely interactive with videos and 50-question test, it allows dentists and hygienists along with dental school grad students and faculty to get the basics of soft tissue dental lasers along with important safety information.

Laser usage in dentistry is becoming the standard of care, and AMD LASERS is pleased to provide this important FREE laser certification program to universities to teach dental students the replacement technology that patients are expecting to receive from dental practices.  Dental lasers replace archaic outdated modalities such as electrosurge and scalpels. Providing this certification program at no charge to universities will finally allow students to truly learn cutting-edge dentistry in a convenient format.

Alan Miller, Founder and CEO - AMD LASERS, expressed the company's thoughts on this recent decision, "AMD LASERS has always been dedicated to laser education and the certification program through the iPad app we developed five years ago was - and still is - an industry first. The decision to make it free globally to every dentist, University and dental school was an easy one. We are now donating the most used dental laser certification program for free for everyone who wants it, even if they are not an AMD LASERS client. The hard part was figuring out how to make it free while keeping the intuitive, interactive certification program the same.  Now that it is complete, dentists will benefit globally but ultimately it is the patients who are the true beneficiaries. AMD LASERS is committed to delivering the most affordable dental lasers on the planet with culture, class, confidence, and world-class training that dentists have come to know us by."

The app can be downloaded on any iPad by searching AMD LASERS and entering the login and password, of course which can be found at AMD LASERS.com.

To learn more, please visit www.amdlasers.com.