SHOFU Beautifil II LS - Lives Up to Its Name

 

Before I get to today's post, I want to let you know that SHOFU will be at the Chicago MidWinter Meeting next week.  Their booth is number 2815.  They will have product samples available.  If you won't be in Chicago, you can still get samples of their products.  Please feel free to contact your Territory Manager to request them.  That info can be found by clicking this link.  Now that you know how to get samples, let's get to a discussion on a SHOFU product I'd like you make you aware of...

I'll gladly admit that I am a dental materials geek.  I've always been fascinated by the 'why' and the 'how' of things.  To be completely honest, I didn't realize how much that would come into play as a dentist.  I was always drawn to the field and that interest started when I was just three years old.  At that time in my life, I had no idea how much my choice to enter dentistry would factor into that interest.  Because of that I've tended to do a deep dive on many of my materials choices over the years.  One of the things that really piqued my interest was the subject of adhesive dentistry and composites.

There are a lot composite restorative materials on the market, but there are lots of differences between them.  For sure the category is not a 'one size fits all' kind of thing.  I've always been a guy who keeps a few different products around so that I can completely match a difficult anterior case.  Sometimes I use a less aesthetic material in the posterior because the patient has a high caries rate.  There are a lot of variables when it comes to materials *and* patients.

Then you factor in costs.  Do you want to keep your money tied up in several different lines of composite?  Can those resources be better served elsewhere?  Doctors routinely are confronted with these, sometimes difficult, decisions every day.

Today let's discuss a way around that dilemma.  SHOFU has a terrific material called Beautifil II LS and it is pretty amazing.  The material is a nano-hybrid.  Why is that important?  Nano-hybrids have incredibly tiny filler particles and that makes them polish incredibly well.  That's critical in anterior restorations.  In the case of Beautifil II LS that structure also combines to create light transmission and diffusion properties similar to both dentin and enamel.  That helps the material to blend really well and minimizes the need to layer to create life-like restorations.  The polish and optics make this a great material choice for restorations in the cosmetic zone.

However, aesthetics are just one aspect that make Beautifil II LS a terrific restorative choice.  It is a truly universal composite which is suitable for the posterior as well.  Those same nano-particles are also amazingly important in posterior restorations.  The material is highly filled (83.3%) and that high filler load gives it strong resistance to wear (0.52%) as well as low volumetric shrinkage (<2%) which gives it incredible strength under occlusal loading.

Beautifil II LS also contains SHOFU's proprietary Giomer Technology.  There is a big focus for restorative materials to have "bioactivity", and I think that is a good thing.  However, we don't have a lot of long term data on many of those materials.  Giomer Technology has been around and in use for about 20 years and has a great track record.

Giomer is super interesting.  It is a surface pre-reacted glass-ionomer (S-PRG) filler that was developed by SHOFU.  It basically creates a hybrid material that has glass-ionomer like fluoride release and ion exchange being imbedded in a composite that has incredible aesthetics & polish.

However, just because it's *similar* to glass-ionomer, it also has some tremendous advantages.  Giomer particles release:

• Fluoride
• Strontium
• Sodium
• Borate
• Aluminum
• Silicate

These ions produce several biologic effects:

• Fluoride release + recharge capability from topical fluoride exposure
• Acid neutralization and reduced enamel solubility
• Promotion of remineralization and tooth strengthening
• Antibacterial and antiplaque activity against cariogenic pathogens
• Inhibition of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) → potential bonding longevity benefit

All of these things combine to make the material bioactive.  Of course it's also strong, shade stable, and polishes to a glass like finish.

One other factor that makes SHOFU a good choice is their price point.  As I mentioned above, running a dental practice is not only about hand skills and great material choices, it's also (unfortunately) a business.  Doctors are constantly walking a tightrope where we try and balance costs with production.  An office has to be profitable to survive.  It's a difficult thing to do.  I've said for years that you can have the best clinical skills on the planet, but if you cannot stay in business you're not going to help very many people with those skills.  That's where another great point about SHOFU comes into play.  The price of many of their materials is around 30% less than some of the other well known brand names.

For young doctors with high student loan debt or doctors looking for ways to trim their operating costs, SHOFU products can be a good business choice as well as a great material choice.

I'll wrap up today's post by saying that I think Beautifil II LS is a terrific material and is *highly recommended*.  

Interested in 3D Printing or Digital Dentistry? Stop by Medidenta at Chicago MidWinter Meeting

A short post for today, but it's information I want to be sure you see.

We're only a week away from the Chicago MidWinter Meeting and I'm really excited to be heading there.  As most of you know, I've been working with Medidenta on helping get the word out about the world of digital dentistry.

This year on Thursday I'll be spending some time in the Medidenta booth with is number 2715.  You'll see it readily identified as "Medidenta" and "Prophy Magic" (which is one of the biggest selling brands).

If you're planning on being in Chicago and stop by the exhibit hall, please come by and say hello.  I'll be there to discuss the whole concept of  "digital dentistry" and what the future holds.  Medidenta has an entire line of equipment devoted to that goal and I'd love to talk to you about it and answer any questions.  I'm super excited about the future of the profession.  For years we've heard the term "digital workflows" but now, thanks to companies like Medidenta, it's actually a reality.  So please stop by and see what the future has in store.  I know you'll be as impressed as I am.

Dentistry is about to see some major changes in how we practice and I'm excited to share some of those with you.  So be sure to stop by booth 2715 on Thursday.  I'd love to meet with you and answer questions.

On Friday I'll be doing a lecture with Dr. Paul Feuerstein and Dr. Marty Jablow in the morning and then I'm  participating in a panel Q&A with Paul, Marty, and Dr. David Rice on Friday afternoon.  If you happen to be at either course, please come up and say hi.
 

Amazon Announces Drone Delivery in Kansas City

 

I'm a Kansas City guy.  I grew up in the area and never left.  College?  University of Missouri - Kansas City.  Dental school?  UMKC as well.  I'm a midwest guy and I probably will be for the rest of my life.

Now KC doesn't have a lot of exciting things.  We're just big enough to have an NFL team and my beloved KC Royals.  We're also not big enough to have a lot of big city problems, which is one of the things I love.  Yet, we *are* just big enough to have some cool things come to the area.  About a decade ago, I was one of the first people in the US to have Google Fiber.  KC was an early market for Google and I quickly had fiber both in my home as well as my office.

Now comes word of another cool tech coming to the area.  In case you haven't heard, Amazon has been working on drone delivery for a few years now.  The idea is for customers to order and within a short amount of time a delivery drone flies into your yard and delivers the goods.  I'm not going to get into all the potential problems that come with drone delivery.  Anytime a new tech comes along, there are always naysayers and there are usually problems.  That goes with the category of improvement.

No, I'm not about the problems, I'm about the cool tech factor in this.  I've been flying drones for years.  Heck, I actually was buzzing my DJI around earlier today.  My drone history goes back to the first one I flew.  I had to buy a kit and I built a hexa-copter that looked more like an Erector Set than a flying machine.  Needless to say I'm fascinated by how far drones have evolved.  Welcome to Amazon Prime Air.

Amazon's delivery drones are currently capable of carrying five pounds or less and they have a fifteen mile radius.  That means for this initial program, if you live within 7.5 miles from the facility, your light weight package may be coming right to your front yard.  Even with that small area, Amazon can cover over 177K people and is planning on expanding that in the first half of 2026.  KC isn't the first area to see these drones.  From what I understand, there are 6 other cities in the US that are currently having deliveries via Amazon Prime Air.

Currently the drones are only flying in daylight hours with that five pound limit.  However, those offerings will both expand with time.  I'm going to do some digging and see if I can find out more about the navigation system they are using and how truly autonomous these things are.  Militaries around the world are flying drones, large ones, routinely with little news of incidents.  They have also completely changed the scope of the war in Ukraine.  We're seeing tremendous advancements in the area of devices that can fly with minimal human intervention.  I'm interested to see what the future holds.

Dental VIP Summit Announces Final Agenda and Third Keynote Speaker Ahead of February 18 Event in Chicago

Dr. Marty Jablow is one of my very best friends.  We've known each other for over 30 years, going back to the Internet Dental Forum which was a way to connect peers via email in the early 90s.  Marty and I have done more lectures together than I can remember, we've vacationed together, and my family has even eaten Thanksgiving dinner in his house.  Needless to say, I love him like a brother.  

A few years ago Marty came to me with an idea.  He was working on creating a live event that would pair emerging dental tech entrepreneurs together with people who understood the business side of the industry.  The dental industry is full of inventors and those individuals need to find people to help guide and fund their project into the business side of things.

That idea is now fully formed and in its second year.  Marty's idea became the Dental VIP Summit.  Last year it was an incredible event and this year looks to surpass that one on a whole bunch of levels.  It is being held next week on February 18th in Chicago, which is the Wednesday before the Chicago MidWinter Meeting kicks off.  If you are interested in seeing the future of the profession, I *highly recommend attending*!!!  The official lineup is a who's who of people in the industry.  I'll be there and I hope many of you will be as well.  Read on for all the details...

With less than one month to go before the second annual Dental VIP (Venture, Innovation & Partnering) Summit, the promoters have released its final agenda, confirming a third keynote speaker and an expanded roster of speakers, panelists, and innovation showcase companies.

The boutique, invitation-driven conference will take place the day before the Chicago Midwinter Meeting on February 18, 2026, at the InterContinental Chicago Magnificent Mile, bringing together dental entrepreneurs, investors, venture capital leaders, DSOs, clinicians, and industry executives for a full day of insight, deal-flow, and strategic collaboration.

“The Dental VIP Summit was built to be highly curated, highly relevant, and highly actionable,” said Marty Jablow, DMD, Co-Chair of the Summit. “With the addition of a third keynote and a significantly expanded speaker lineup, this year’s program reflects the accelerating convergence of dentistry, technology, venture capital, and new care delivery models.”

A-List Leadership and Expanded Keynote Program

Along with Dr. Jablow, the 2026 Dental VIP Summit is co-chaired by  Jeremy Krell, DMD, MBA, Managing Partner, Revere Partners; and Travis Rodgers, President, Dental Venture Capital.

The finalized keynote program now features three nationally recognized industry leaders, including:

• Brian Colao, Director, Dykema Dental Service Organizations Industry Group
• Stephen E. Thorne IV, BA, MHA, Founder and CEO, Pacific Dental Services
• Andrea Albertini, Chief Executive Officer, Global Distribution and Technology, Henry Schein

Together, the keynote addresses will explore the future of dental-medical integration, DSO evolution, innovation adoption, and capital formation in oral health.

Finalized Program Reflects the Full Spectrum of Dental Innovation

The updated agenda now includes:

• High-impact keynote sessions
• Expert-moderated panels on AI, predictive dentistry, venture capital, and new care models
• Two Innovation Showcase segments spotlighting emerging technologies
• A Shark Tank-style Emerging Tech Showcase
• Strategic discussions on scaling innovation and partnership development
• Dedicated networking and investor-founder matchmaking opportunities

Rather than listing the full speaker and panelist roster, organizers are directing attendees and media to the live agenda page, which reflects real-time updates as final participants are confirmed.  View the full, updated agenda: https://www.dentalvipsummit.com/agenda

The Lifetime Innovator Award Debuts at the Summit

The Lifetime Innovator Award, presented for the first time during this year’s Dental VIP Summit, recognizes an individual whose career-long commitment to innovation has made a lasting impact on the dental industry. This honor celebrates visionary leadership, transformative contributions, and sustained influence that have advanced dentistry and shaped the future of oral healthcare.

Limited Attendance and Hotel Block Now Open

Attendance at the Dental VIP Summit is intentionally limited to preserve its highly curated, relationship-driven format. Registration will remain open until seating sells out https://www.dentalvipsummit.com/registration

About the Dental VIP Summit

The Dental VIP (Venture, Innovation & Partnering) Summit was created to showcase transformative dental technologies and accelerate innovation across the global oral-health community. The program unites entrepreneurs, investors, key opinion leaders, clinicians, and industry executives to foster collaboration, evaluate emerging solutions, and advance technologies that elevate patient care and business performance.

Endocator from Vista Apex - Precisely Gauge the Cleanliness of Endo Cases

I'm a general dentist, but I happen to love endodontics.  I look at each case like a puzzle.  It requires hand skills and brain power.  I've also been really lucky to have been taught personally by some great endodontists over the years... and that has helped my skills greatly.

Of course, I also love tech and over the years endodontics has seen its fair share of amazing devices that make endo easier and more predictable.  Many of the techniques and technologies that have been developed over the years are things to better debride and clean the canal.  However, up until now it's been impossible to know how clean the canal really is.  As the well known endodontist Dr. Brett Gilbert likes to say, "You can't see clean on an x-ray."

Endodontic instrumentation is important, but of equal importance is irrigation.  It helps remove debris and to kill any remaining pathogens that can cause problems or reinfection at a later date.  Many doctors spend a fair amount of time in this disinfection phase of the procedure.  Of course the human eye cannot see pathogens, so we depend on irrigation to eliminate them.  The problem has always been being confident the canal is clean... how we be sure when we have no way of determining that.

That problem is now solved with a new device from Vista-Apex Solutions called the Endocator.  The device is a highly precise unit that is the first and only chairside device that detects trace amounts of ATP and other biomarkers inside the canal.

Once irrigation and disinfection have been completed, before obturation is started, a sample of sterile water is placed into the canal(s).  It's then aspirated and a few drops of that water are applied to a 'test swab'.  The swab is placed into a small tube, shaken, and the tube is then placed into the Endocator.  The device then scans the sample and gives a numerical score indicating the amount of ATP and other biomarkers in the canal.

In the simplest terms, the lower the score, the better the odds of successful treatment.  The Endocator removes the guesswork of disinfection.  Knowledge is power and this device gives you a much better understanding of your disinfection for every case.

Whenever a new device comes on the market I consider three things...

1. Does it allow me to do treatment better or at least at the same quality?
2. Does it make me more efficient?
3. Is it financially feasible?  While I don't like to discuss money when it comes to my office, we all walk a tightrope of production vs. expenses.

Let's look at the answers...

1. Quality:  Yes.  The whole concept behind the Endocator is better success with endo.  Using the device will make you better.
2. Efficiency:  Yes.  While it doesn't cut time off the procedure, it doesn't add much time either (maybe 2 minutes).  It also cuts down on failures and retreatments which are time savers.
3. Financial feasibility:  The device is under $2000 so it is affordable and each use costs around $8.   It also has the potential to eliminate postop problems and retreatments.  That can be a significant cost savings for the office and the patient.

The device has been studied clinically and has the science to back up its claims.  Its inventor, Dr. Randy Cross, has a great history.  He graduated with a degree in Biochemistry and worked in the biotech field prior to entering dental school.  He graduated dental school and practiced as a general dentist for ten years, before starting an Endodontic Residency program.  His knowledge of both biochemistry and endodontics was the perfect incubator for a device that merges those two branches of science.

I saw the device when it was in its infancy and I've watched its development closely.  As a doctor who loves endodontics, I've been wanting to tell the profession about it for a while, but now that's available for purchase I wanted to be one of the first to give you the news.  It's pretty remarkable and can give you much more confidence in your endodontic procedures.  Personally, I'm a big fan and I highly recommend it.

Also, Dr. Cross will be a guest on an upcoming episode of  "The Technology Evangelist Podcast" so you'll be able to learn much more about his story and the story of the Endocator.  

ImpetusDX Launches Rapid DNA-Based Oral Microbial Testing to Advance Periodontal Diagnostics

Salivary diagnostics are becoming more popular in the profession.  It can unlock amazing amounts of data that can really help with treatment.  Here's some info about a new DNA based salivary test that just hit the market.  Read on for all the details:

Designed for seamless workflow integration, the PCR-based saliva test delivers actionable microbial data within 24 to 48 hours.

ImpetusDX has launched its IDX Oral Health Microbial Testing panel, a rapid, DNA-based saliva test designed to help dental practices incorporate microbial diagnostics into everyday periodontal care. Powered by Physicians Group Laboratories, the new panel delivers results within 24 to 48 hours and is designed to integrate into routine hygiene visits, periodontal maintenance, and treatment planning.

Using PCR technology, the IDX Oral Health Microbial Testing panel identifies specific high-risk periodontal pathogens associated with gum disease, providing clinicians with a data-driven complement to traditional assessments such as visual evaluation and probing depths. Samples are collected chairside in minutes through a noninvasive process and shipped overnight to a CAP-accredited, CLIA-certified laboratory for analysis.

 “Our focus was on creating a diagnostic solution that is both clinically advanced and operationally practical,” said Michelle Moore, CEO of ImpetusDX. “Practices need tools that deliver meaningful data quickly and fit into existing workflows without adding complexity. This panel was built with that reality in mind.”

The ImpetusDX panel detects a broad range of periodontal pathogens, including several emerging organisms not routinely included in competing tests. These include Selenomonas noxia, Filifactor alocis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Streptococcus mutans. Clinicians receive a semi-quantitative, color-coded report designed to support diagnosis, treatment planning, and retesting over time. With overnight logistics and rapid PCR processing, Monday samples result by Tuesday.

Key features of the ImpetusDX Oral Health Microbial Testing panel include:

• DNA-based detection of high-risk periodontal pathogens, including emerging organisms.
• Rapid 24–48-hour turnaround with overnight shipping.
• Chairside collection that integrates into hygiene, periodontal maintenance, and surgical planning workflows.
• Processing through a CAP-accredited, CLIA-certified laboratory that participates in the American Dental Association.
• A streamlined six-step workflow from collection to data-informed treatment planning and follow-up.
• A list price of $189, with tiered pricing available for higher-volume practices and insurance-eligible collection fees.

In addition to laboratory testing, ImpetusDX offers implementation and education support to help practices adopt microbial diagnostics responsibly. Support includes onsite workflow training, continuing education programs, clinical education forums, hygienist incentive initiatives, and pilot programs.

“We see oral microbial testing as an important next step in the evolution of periodontal diagnostics,” Moore said. “Our role is to support practices not only with diagnostics, but with the education and infrastructure needed to use that information effectively.”

Looking ahead, ImpetusDX plans to expand availability on a state-by-state basis, increase its presence within dental education programs, and continue developing CE-accredited clinical education. As research into the oral microbiome advances, the company anticipates expanding the panel to include additional microbial targets or biomarkers.

Learn more at impetusdx.com. For dental practices interested in offering ImpetusDX, please contact Sandra Zerilli at szerilli@physiciansgrouplaboratories.com. 

About ImpetusDX

ImpetusDX is an oral diagnostics company focused on rapid, DNA-based saliva testing for periodontal care. Its IDX Oral Health Microbial Testing panel identifies key oral pathogens associated with gum disease to support data-driven diagnosis and personalized treatment planning. Testing and results are performed by a CAP-accredited, CLIA-certified laboratory. The company is headquartered in Houma, Louisiana. For more information visit impetusdx.com. 

About Physicians Group Laboratories

Physicians Group Laboratories is a fully CAP-accredited and CLIA-certified clinical laboratory that has been in business since 2013, providing advanced diagnostic testing and practice-support services for dental and medical providers nationwide. As the laboratory partner behind ImpetusDX, the company delivers overnight logistics, rapid PCR processing, and hands-on in-office support to help teams adopt microbial testing with confidence. More information is available at getpgl.com.

New and Important Caries Management Guidelines Released by the World Health Organization...

 

vVARDIS, is welcoming the release of the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Guideline on Environmentally Friendly and Less Invasive Oral Health Care for Preventing and Managing Dental Caries, a global crisis affecting an estimated 2.5 billion people worldwide, according to the WHO.

This guideline supports the Bangkok Declaration and the transition to preventive, less invasive, climate resilient, environmentally sustainable, and safe oral healthcare. This perspective aligns with a broader shift toward a salutogenic model of sustainable oral health, one that prioritizes the preservation and regeneration of natural dental tissues.

This forward-looking perspective is echoed in the article “Equity and integration; why the oral healthcare community urgently needs to reflect on its approach to caries management” just published in the International Journal of Equity in Health, which introduces a biomimetic formulation, in a product known as CurodontTM Repair, as an example of a non-invasive and environmentally-friendly solution for treatment of non-cavitated caries.

For additional information, please refer to the attached press release. As always, let me know if you require additional information.