

The life and times of the Chief Dental Editor of Dental Products Report magazine and dentistry's "Technology Evangelist". Follow my thoughts and travels as I practice, write, lecture, tinker, and experiment with technology and technology in dentistry.
25 February 2013, Barcelona, Spain – Telefónica and Sony Mobile Communications (“Sony Mobile”) today reinforced the strength of their commercial partnership in a multi-year agreement that confirms the operator’s ranging support for Sony Mobile’s 2013 Xperia™ Android device portfolio, as well as laying out a joint technical collaboration to explore the development of a handset running Mozilla’s Firefox OS open source mobile platform.
Sony Mobile and Telefónica are long-term partners and Sony Mobile has in the past year steadily grown its portfolio of premium Android-based smartphones available on the Telefónica network, including the Xperia™ T – aka ‘The Bond phone’ and now the acclaimed Xperia™ Zsmartphone and Xperia™ Tablet Z.
Under the terms of the agreement, Telefónica and Sony Mobile will further strengthen their partnership and investigate emerging technologies such as the Firefox OS platform to extend Sony’s premium product portfolio to a wider customer base.
“At Sony Mobile we continue to evaluate innovative technologies that can help deliver the premium user experiences that Sony’s consumers expect,” said Bob Ishida, Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Head of Products Business Group, Sony Mobile Communications. “Our engineers are now working with Firefox OS Mobile and HTML5, evolving technologies which show great potential. In addition, we continue to work with our operator partners, including Telefónica, on a development project with an ambition to bring a product to market in 2014.”
“Sony’s Xperia Z and Xperia Tablet Z are stunning devices that really raise the bar when it comes to the premium smartphone and tablet segment- and we’re delighted to be partnering to bring these to market across a number of our global channels,” commented Marieta del Rivero, Group Devices Director, Telefónica. He continued:
“As well as the great opportunity we have in 2013, our further collaboration around a possible device on the Firefox OS mobile platform will create the opportunity to reach new segments of the market, allowing us to provide an even wider choice of premium Sony device offerings for our customers.”
Firefox OS marks a significant milestone for the industry, enabling for the first time devices to be manufactured to totally open web standards. It will provide customers with a rich, open and dynamic smartphone experience.
Savannah, GA (February 26, 2013) – Brasseler USA®, a leading manufacturer of quality instrumentation, innovation and superior service to the dental industry, is pleased to announce that its EndoSequence® BC Sealer™, a component of the company’s complete EndoSequence endodontic obturation system, has garnered a myriad of success from a research standpoint.
Brasseler’s incorporation of bioceramic nanotechnology into its BC Sealer has been embraced by the dental community as a revelation for root canal sealing and healing. Since its introduction in 2009, many positive studies have established BC Sealer as a new standard for successful endodontic obturation procedures.
Recent advancements in bioceramic nanotechnology have allowed BC Sealer to contain all of the desirable characteristics that scientists and practitioners have been in search of in a root canal sealer with superior handling, sealing and healing properties. These unique characteristics have generated much praise throughout the endodontic profession, and favorable patient results. As Dr. Richard Herman, Diplomat of the American Board of Endodontics comments, “Finally a sealer that is biocompatible, anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial with no post-operative complications.”
Unlike conventional sealers on the market, BC Sealer utilizes the moisture naturally present in dentinal tubules to initiate its setting reaction. This highly radiopaque and hydrophilic sealer forms hydroxyapatite upon setting, and readily forms chemical bonds to both dentin and Brasseler’s patented bioceramic filling material points (EndoSequence® BC Points™). In fact, a recent study revealed just how superior BC Sealer’s bond strength is when compared to other popular sealers.1 The study varied the moisture content to determine its effect on bond strengths, and BC Sealer outperformed all other sealers at all moisture levels.
According to Dr. Martin Trope, Clinical Professor, University of Pennsylvania, “In all my years of viewing high magnification scanning electron microscope images, I have never seen a sealer form such a consistently intimate bond with dentin.”
Unlike traditional points, EndoSequence BC Points are subjected to a patented process of impregnating and coating each cone with bioceramic nanoparticles. The bioceramic particles found in BC Sealer used in conjunction with the bioceramic particles in BC Points form a true gap-free seal. A recent study indicated that BC Sealer, when used in conjunction with Brasseler’s impregnated and coated cones, actually increased the fracture resistance to a level comparable to that of teeth that have not undergone root-canal therapy.2
Moreover, unlike traditional sealers, BC Sealer exhibits absolutely zero shrinkage and is extremely biocompatible and osteogenic, successfully displaying all the essential characteristics of an excellent root repair material. The unique osteogenic properties of BC Sealer make it particularly effective on non-vital cases with extensive bone loss or apical periodontitis. A recent study proved BC Sealer to be much more biocompatible than other leading sealers on the market.3 This truly revolutionary sealer has remarkable healing properties and is specifically designed to be non-resorbable. Because the sealer is essentially a root repair material, in the event of a slight overfill (puff), the common anti-inflammatory reaction is eliminated.
Extremely small particle size and a hydrophilic nature allow BC Sealer to exhibit excellent flow into all aspects of the canal anatomy. A recent study indicated that BC Sealer has a contact angle that is substantially lower than all other sealers tested.4 This unique feature greatly improves its ability to bond to dentin as well as obturation materials, and also improves its ability to effectively kill microbes throughout all aspects of the root canal system.
In addition, BC Sealer contains a highly alkaline pH (+12pH) making it antibacterial during setting. In fact, a recent study revealed that BC Sealer killed Enterococcus faecalis, a potentially fatal bacterium frequently found in root canal-treated teeth, within 2 minutes of contact.5
BC Sealer can be used with cold or heated methods, and can either be syringed into the coronal third of the canal or delivered by a hand file or point. However, many users have come to the conclusion that heat is not necessary because of its slight expansion (.03%) and its superior bonding abilities.
For more information about EndoSequence BC Sealer and all Brasseler products and services, please visit www.BrasselerUSA.com or call 800-841-4522.
Well I am back… and sort of recovering from the biggest meeting in the MidWest. Every year, I head off to Chicago for lecturing and/or research on the latest and greatest my profession has to offer. This year, it certainly didn't disappoint...
There are usually two shows where manufacturers tend to do their major product announcements here in the US. The first is the annual American Dental Association meeting. The meeting is held in the mid-fall time range and its location rotates throughout the country.
The second is Chicago which is always held near the end of February and features an exhibit hall that rivals the ADA meeting.
Dental innovation seems to run in a bit of punctuated equilibrium where some years you see lots of innovations announced with other years much less. Until you make the journey, it's difficult to predict what type of year it will be. This year was an amazing crop of innovation, some of which was announced here in posts that both preceded the show (See? It pays to read this blog… I have connections… trust me) and were also announced during the show.
Here's a recap of some of the things that were announced here in the last few posts. I'll be working on getting more posts about other innovations I saw throughout the days ahead.
i-CAT FLX
Imaging Sciences International (ISI) is synonymous with cone beam 3D imaging. The company has long been known for great hardware & software. The images are amazing and the company has a serious commitment to innovation. When ISI puts something new into the market, the market takes notice. That was certainly the case with the new i-CAT FLX.
The idea behind the device is indicated in its name. The FLX is designed to be flexible in the way it can be used. It allows for a large number of views so that only the area needed is scanned. This allows the device to decrease radiation exposure to the patient. It also features a new software system called SmartScan STUDIO which sports a touchscreen interface.
However, the most impressive aspect of the FLX is the fact that it can produce a true 3D image of a patient with a clear resolution that requires less radiation exposure than a traditional 2D digital panoramic. That's right, for the first time in the history of 3D dental imaging, you can now get a full scan of a patient for less exposure than digital 2D. Over the years that I've been lecturing on cone beam, one of the most frequent questions I get is regarding when 3D will replace 2D as the "go to" and most common image we take of our new patients.
I've always said that I'm sure at some point in the future we will reach that point, but I was never sure when that would be. Now with the ability to get exponentially more data with less exposure, that time is here.
Gendex SRT
SRT stands for Scatter Reduction Technology. The image above is a great example of what this will do.
In 3D, one of the battles for image quality has revolved around reflection of rays which cause some bleeding over of the reflection into & onto adjacent surfaces & teeth. Called "scatter" this is something that can frequently interfere with the diagnostic quality of a scan.
Gendex announced an upgrade to their new GXDP-700 panoramic unit that greatly reduces the amount of scatter in an image. This is a serious breakthrough that is only going to improve.
DEXIS just continues to grow & innovate. Here is the latest from here in Chicago...
Introducing DEXIS go®—Patient Communication With A Personal Touch
A new DEXIS application provides a novel approach to patient education utilizing one of today’s most popular devices.
Hatfield, PA (February 21, 2013) DEXIS is excited to release its latest masterpiece, DEXIS go. This application is a sleek, engaging new way for dental professionals to communicate with patients using an iPad®. A companion app to the DEXIS® Imaging Suite software, DEXIS go was designed to provide a great visual patient experience around image presentation in support of clinical findings and treatment recommendations.
Like its parent program, DEXIS go functions as an imaging hub, displaying all radiographic and photographic images within a patient’s record. DEXIS users will find a comfortable familiarity with its simplicity and quad environment; they'll also find that it's been infused with a modern iPad-style flair and elegance.
The DEXIS go app provides these features:
To experience DEXIS go first hand, download it for free from the iTunes store; it includes a set of sample patients and images that can be used to test the app even without having DEXIS Imaging Suite installed.
“When designing DEXIS go, we were really focused on ensuring that our customer experience is second to none,” states John Steck, Director of Product Management for DEXIS. “We ended up with an elegant app where the interactions feel intuitive from the first time users pick it up, much like the DEXIS software itself.”
This new app works seamlessly with the recently released DEXIS Imaging Suite software. This next-generation software architecture brings exciting new features including a cosmetic imaging module, an enhanced implant planning module, added video capabilities in DEXimage, integration with select 3D products, and of course, the new companion iPad app, DEXIS go. Find out more about DEXIS go at www.dexisgo.com.
*data on file
About DEXIS, LLC
DEXIS is an industry leader in developing high quality digital imaging solutions for the dental community. In 1997, DEXIS introduced digital radiography on laptop computers — making it the first truly portable and affordable digital X-ray system. In 2001, DEXIS became the first intra-oral digital radiography system to be accepted by the American Dental Association into the highly prestigious ADA Seal Program. Today, DEXIS is the most highly awarded intra-oral digital X-ray system with numerous awards from dental researchers and well-respected dental publications. For more information on DEXIS Imaging Suite and the DEXIS Platinum Sensor, and to learn about DEXIS imaging solutions, visit www.dexis.com.
Media contact: Jackie Raulerson jackie.raulerson@dexis.com
This has the potential to be huge. One of the major drawbacks to viewing cone beam 3D images is the reflection and artifacts that are created by metallic and other types of radiopaque materials. Now Gendex has created software to help deal with this problem.
This is one of the "major" announcements I've been mentioning on my Twitter Feed. Read on for the Press Release details:
Gendex new image optimization technology delivers a new level of clarity and details in 3D scans by reducing artifacts generated by metal or radio-opaque objects
Hatfield, PA (February 20, 2013) Gendex introduces SRT, Scatter Reduction Technology, to its award-winning GXDP-700TM Cone Beam 3D system. This new feature allows clinicians to reduce artifacts caused by metal or radio-opaque objects such as restorations, endodontic filling materials, and implant posts.
The use of SRT image optimization technology delivers 3D scans with higher clarity and detail around scatter-generating material. SRT represents a significant aid when 3D scans are required for a variety of procedures from endodontic to restorative and the post-surgical assessment of implant sites.
“We continue to make significant investments in research and development to bring new, meaningful innovations to the market,” says Mike Bosha, Senior Product Manager for Gendex. He adds, “Our proprietary SRT technology further enhances the diagnostic capabilities of the modular GXDP-700 Series.”
The introduction of SRT to the GXDP-700 platform aligns with the Gendex design philosophy focused on delivering innovations with clinicians and patients in mind. The activation of SRT is a very simple and easy step. When a scan is prescribed near a known area of scatter generating material, the user only needs to select the SRT button from the GXDP-700 touchscreen interface to utilize this new optimization technology.
Gendex will unveil the new SRT technology at the Midwinter Dental Meeting in Chicago, IL held on February 21-23, 2013. In booth #4200, Gendex will showcase the GXDP-700 cone beam 3D system with the new SRT image optimization technology, along with its full line of comprehensive imaging solutions: from digital intraoral sensors and panoramics to intraoral cameras.
About Gendex Dental Systems
Gendex, known for its innovative and dependable products, offers a wide variety of comprehensive digital imaging solutions for both general dentists and specialists. The company’s strong history in continuing innovation, along with a deep dedication to deliver products that exceed the needs of dental professionals, have earned Gendex recognition as a global leader. Learn more about the full line of Gendex products at www.gendex.com
New cone beam 3D system optimizes clinical control, ease of use and fast workflow.
Hatfield, PA (February 20, 2013) Imaging Sciences International is pleased to announce a new addition to the award-winning i-CAT® family of cone beam 3D imaging — the i-CAT® FLX— an innovative 3D imaging solution that can help clinicians to quickly diagnose complex problems with less radiation* and develop treatment plans more easily and accurately. This newest system to the i-CAT brand offers 3D planning and treatment tools for implants and restorations, oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthodontics, plus TMD and airway disorders.
i-CAT® FLX has a range of innovative features that deliver greater clarity, ease-of-use, and control.
Visual iQuityTM image technology provides i-CAT’s clearest 3D and 2D images*.
QuickScan+ allows for a full-dentition 3D scan at a lower dose than a panoramic image*.
SmartScan STUDIO’s touchscreen interface and integrated acquisition system yields more control and workflow flexibility by allowing the clinician to easily select the appropriate scan for each patient at the lowest acceptable radiation dose.
Ergonomic Stability System (ESS) offers seated positioning, robust head stability, and adjustable seating controls to minimize patient movement, thus reducing the need for retakes. ESS also provides wheelchair accessibility.
i-Collimator electronically adjusts the field-of-view to limit radiation only to the area of scanning interest.
i-CAT FLX’s small footprint fits easily into any practice.
i-PAN for traditional 2D panoramic images
Of course, as with all i-CAT products, the Tx STUDIOTM optimized treatment planning software provides immediate access to integrated treatment tools for implant planning, surgical guides, and other applications.
“We are thrilled to debut the i-CAT FLX — a complete 3D treatment solution,” says Kalpana Singh,
Sr. Product Manager for Imaging Sciences International. “Given its high level of control over radiation dose and easy workflow, we know that the i-CAT FLX can benefit dental team members and patients they treat.”
In 2012, Imaging Sciences International celebrated two decades of dedication to dental imaging, developing and manufacturing advanced dental and maxillofacial radiography products including the i-CAT® Next GenerationTM and i-CAT® PreciseTM and their exclusive software applications. The i-CAT brand has become among the most trusted 3D radiographic systems in the dental industry. Now, i-CAT FLX continues this legacy.
Well, this will shake things up a bit...
Last summer I got a chance to see a cloud based initiative that Henry Schein was working on. Now its official, the company that owns Dentrix & Easy Dental has just told me that the new initiative will be announced tomorrow at the Chicago MidWinter Meeting.
It's a new system that has been in development (secretly) for over 2 years. The system is designed to deliver info to team members based on what role they occupy in the office.
Interested? Then stop by Booth 2516 at the Chicago MidWinter Meeting. The company is accepting applications for beta testers with a look toward release by the end of 2013.
They won't even tell me the name of the new initiative, but they tell me that I should expect to see "Dentrix" in that name.
When I saw the design and features in the summer of 2012, I was impressed. If you are looking for a Cloud based solution, I think this bears examination.
If you see it in Chicago, let me know what your thoughts are in the comments section.
After 3 years of clinical observation, Ceramir C&B performed well and in a clinically acceptable fashion as a luting agent for permanent cementation of all-metal (high noble metal) and ceramic-fused-to-metal (noble metal) crowns and fixed partial dentures.
Laboratory retention measured through a clinically simulated tensile test method demonstrated equivalent or superior retentive force values for this cement, using zinc phosphate or conventional glass-ionomer cement as a control reference cement to lute both metal-based and all-ceramic substrate crown copings.
In conclusion, the results of this clinical evaluation combined with the extensive body of laboratory and biocompatibility data clearly indicates that this new cement chemistry appears quite acceptable for its stated clinical uses, and its bioactive properties may offer promising and new clinical advantages for the future.
For those of you looking to improve visibility during procedures, Lares Research has something just for you. The new Max-Power LED Coupler.
This new coupler (which I haven't had a chance to try) features what the company states is "dramatically higher light output than leading competitors' LED couplers.
It features:
If you are interested, take a look at the company website for more info & ordering details.
I received the following info from Cosmedent & thought I would pass it along...
If you are interested in this course, call 800-837-2321
Course Summary:
Are you tired of inconsistent results from your lab technicians? Are your laboratory expenses eating away at your overhead? If you want to take greater control of the restorative dentistry in your practice, then this two day workshop is for you!
Dennis Hartlieb, D.D.S.
This presentation is designed to enable dentists to positively affect the level of dentistry that they are able to provide to their patients on a daily basis. The lecture will focus on the skills and materials necessary to place direct anterior and posterior resin restorations that virtually disappear in the mouth. Utilizing the latest in nano-technology composite materials, layering techniques will be reviewed that not only create properly shaped restorations, but will also offset the tooth stress issues related to polymerization shrinkage. Techniques to create tight, appropriately contoured Class II restorations will be reviewed. Layering techniques utilizing nanofilled and microfill composites, opaquers and tints will be taught to create invisible Class IV and other anterior direct restorations. Contouring and polishing techniques of anterior and posterior composites will also be reviewed in detail.
Course Objectives:
This presentation is designed to teach the dentist the appropriate materials and techniques necessary to create beautiful, life-like restorations for anterior and posterior direct resin restorations.
The Participant will Learn:
• What materials are critical for creating excellent restorations with anterior free hand bonding.
• The techniques necessary to blend composite to tooth structure to hide Class IV fractures. • Answers to questions regarding self etch adhesives. • A novel technique to create exquisitely contoured Class II proximal walls.
• Putting it all together; employing a systematic approach utilizing nanofilled composites, opaquers, tints and microfills to create natural, beautiful and predictable anterior direct resin restorations.
Miracles or Myths? Evidence for New Adhesives, Resin Restoratives and Curing Devices
This presentation will focus on the evidence base for using new materials and techniques and cover the following areas: Dental Adhesives (mechanisms for bonding, proper clinical technique, “self-etching” systems, dual-cured systems) Composite Resins (new microhybrids, flowable resins, low shrinkage materials, technique tips for placement) and Dental Curing Devices (lasers, plasma arc lights, LED lights, halogen lights).
Upon completion of this course, attendees will:
* Understand histological variances between enamel and dentin
* Compare/contrast the Total Etch Systems versus the Self Etch Adhesive Systems
* Will learn about the new so-called “nano” and low shrinkage composite resins and features and benefits
* Will learn clinical techniques for placement of anterior and posterior direct resin restorations
* Will learn the nuances regarding curing devices and factors that lead to under curing restoratives
I've just returned from an absolutely amazing week away. I was fortunate enough to be asked by Ultradent to speak at their annual Cancun getaway last week.
If you've never been to this meeting, put this on the "To Do" list. A week's worth of fun in the sun combined with dental education. My good pal Dr. Jaime Morgan was also there to provide education as well. It was tons of fun and the weather was a lot better there than in Kansas City, trust me on that.
I had a great time and was truly honored to be asked to help with the education piece. For those of you who were there, thanks for all the good times. I can't even begin to outline all the fun I had, but it was a complete blast!
I received a suggestion in the comment section the other day & after a bit of research, I've decided it's a good one.
I was contacted by Michael C who is a senior at the University of Florida (Go Gators!). He is a Pre-Dental student who, with a friend, have developed a website DAT Question of the Day.
In order to be accepted into a dental program, there a several requirements and a high score on the entrance exam, called the DAT, is one of them.
When I was in undergrad, the only help I had was buying a study guide or taking a course to help you study, however nowadays that's so old school.
This website offers one question a day from past exams Nd they will even email it to you if you sign up for it. There is also an area to click through and review questions.
If you are working toward dental school, this appears to be a nice helpful site. Check it out!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
I tell ya, I could do an entire blog just on iPad stuff and most of that would probably be rumors.
However, since I prefer to keep the blog on tech, dental tech, and life, I'll just report the occasional rumor that I think bears repeating.
Form what I can glean from research around the Internet, the new iPad (which should be considered if not *named* the iPad 5) will be showing up in the fall. And by the fall I mean October.
The biggest improvement in the rumor mill so far? A new display. This new display called IGZO from Sharp and has twice the resolution of an LCD with a 90% savings on energy. That's right 90%. Imagine what that could do for battery life!
For at least a couple of years, Apple has been rumored to be interested in using the technology. As far back as the iPad 3, there was speculation it would be used, but the technology just wasn't ready for mass production then. Now it looks like Sharp is ready. The company had a fairly large IGZO presence at the recent Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.
When you combine the 90% every savings with the fact that a 128Gb 4th gen iPad is coming next week and I know that an iPad 5 is in my future...