CEREC Primescan Evaluation is in Full Swing

CEREC continues to evolve.  Most of us expect to see an intraoral scanner (acquisition unit) on a stand and being wheeled about the clinic throughout the workday.  However, the smart people at Dentsply-Sirona have decided to give offices a choice when it comes to portability.  The new CEREC Primescan Connect does away with the "cart based"footprint and instead becomes the imaging device (camera) connected to a laptop.

This *greatly* increases mobility and portability.  If a office chooses, they can have a laptop in each treatment area and then simply bring in the camera and connect to the laptop when needed.

As regular readers know, I am constantly tinkering with new devices here in the clinic.  However, sometimes they become much bigger "deep dives" that are run through Dental Products Report.  We call these Test Drives and I am currently engaged in a Test Drive of the CEREC Primescan Connect.

While we are no nearly done yet with our Test Drive, I thought I'd give you folks a sneak peek at how things are going as well as some initial thoughts.  The acquisition by the camera is incredibly smooth... with the images appearing on the screen with an appearance of water pouring over stones in a stream.  The camera is also well balanced and easy to hold. You   The software is also really responsive with the unit able to locate itself in the mouth at all times. 

What I mean by that last sentence is that no matter where in the mouth you place the camera, it orients itself on the arch almost instantaneously.  I've worked with other systems in the past that had a hard time "knowing" where they were in the mouth.  Not an issue with this unit.  The moment the camera shows a tooth, the software knows what tooth it is.  It is *really* impressive.  We are getting ready to design and mill some restorations utilizing exocad and the DGShape DWX-42W mill as further exploration in the Test Drive.  At this point, I'm optimistic about what the results will be, but trust when I say I will be objective and honest about the results we achieve.  I will be posting more as the process progresses.

In the meantime, I was working on putting together some info on the device *before* I was approached to do the Test Drive.  I figured that I'd share that with you here, rather than let it sit unused...

A recent study evaluated the accuracy of the CEREC Primescan compared to traditional impressions. The study found that the CEREC Primescan was able to accurately capture the shape and position of the teeth, with an average error of less than 0.5 millimeters. The study also found that the CEREC Primescan was able to produce restorations that were as accurate as those made from traditional impressions.

The CEREC Primescan has a number of advantages over traditional impressions. First, it is more efficient. The entire process of creating a restoration can be completed in a single visit, which saves the patient time and money. Second, the CEREC Primescan is more accurate. The 3D model created by the scanner is more accurate than a traditional impression, which can lead to better-fitting restorations. Third, the CEREC Primescan is more comfortable for the patient. There is no need to take impressions with a tray, which can be uncomfortable for some patients, for a variety of reasons.

Overall, the CEREC Primescan is a valuable tool for use in dentistry. It is more efficient, accurate, and comfortable than traditional impressions, and it can help dentists to provide their patients with the best possible care.

Here are some additional benefits of using the CEREC Primescan:

• Reduced chair time for patients

• Increased productivity for dentists

• Improved accuracy of restorations

• Increased patient comfort

• Reduced risk of restoration remakes

• Improved patient satisfaction

If you are a dentist, I encourage you to learn more about the CEREC Primescan. It is a powerful tool that can help you to provide your patients with the best possible care and give them the best possible outcomes.

Join Us on Friday June 23rd at 10 a.m. ET for Specialties in Dentistry!

 

One of the things that I love the most about my work at Dental Products Report is that the publication and our parent company have a tremendous focus on education.  Our world and profession are constantly changing and knowledge is increasing at an exponential rate.  Basically that means if you are not moving forward, you're moving backward.  Doctors *need* to work at staying up to date with that constantly changing knowledge base and I am incredibly proud of helping to be a part of that process.

So... with all of that being said, it gives me a tremendous amount of pride to let all of you know that on Friday June 23 Dental Products Report is going to bring our second online learning event of 2023 to offices and monitors everywhere.  This event is being called "Specialties in Dentistry" and will offer three hours of continuing education credits to those who attend.  

I'll be hosting the event and I'm very excited to announce Dr. Brett Gilbert and Dr. Douglas Young will be the instructors.

Here is Dr. Gilbert's bio:

Dr. Gilbert graduated from the University of Maryland School of Dentistry in 2001, and received his certificate in endodontics in 2003. He is a clinical assistant professor in the Department of Endodontics at the University of Illinois Chicago and is a Diplomate of the American Board of Endodontics. 

Dr Gilbert is the founder of Access Endo, a global education platform, and the Access Endo Impact Academy, and a co-founder of the Dental Yogi Academy. He was named a top 10 young dental educator in America by the Seattle Study Club in 2017. In 2019 he was named to Academic Keys Who’s Who in Dentistry Academia. In 2020, he won the People’s Choice Award as the Top Instructor of 2020 for Endodontics by Course Karma. He is a fellow in the International College of Dentists and a contributing consultant for Oral Health Journal. 

Dr Gilbert lectures nationally and internationally on clinical endodontics and wellness. He is a partner in US Endo Partners since 2020 and serves on the clinical advisory board. He has a private practice, King Endodontics, focused on endodontics in Niles, Illinois.

Here is Dr. Young's bio:

 Douglas A. Young, DDS, EdD, MS, MBA, is a professor emeritus at the University of the Pacific, where he is an active and ardent educator in the field of minimally invasive dentistry and cariology. He was one of the founders of the CAMBRA Coalition, the American Dental Education Association Section on Cariology, and the American Academy of Cariology.

Dr Young has served on the ADA Council on Scientific Affairs and is currently a cariology consultant for the ADA. He has presented at congresses and universities around the world and has been published in numerous peer-reviewed dental journals and textbooks on caries management using minimally invasive dentistry, silver fluoride, and glass ionomer restoratives. 

Both of these gentlemen are well respected experts in their fields and I am truly looking forward to working with them and hearing what they have to say.

Dr. Young is one of the world's leading experts in cariology and his work with glass ionomer restoratives has been groundbreaking.  I have seen him present before and trust me when I say you will learn a ton by attending.  Here is quick course description:

The Chemical Magic of Glass Ionomer Restoratives and Sealants

Despite caries risk assessment and therapeutic tools that have been in use for decades, dental caries remains a significant problem in many populations. The science and chemistry for using glass ionomer restoratives for its unique ability to treat caries lesions chemically will be presented. Success is often determined by correct placement techniques.  

Dr. Young will review how to properly use glass restoratives with, and without, the use of silver diamine fluoride (SDF) using minimally invasive methodology to bridge the gap between remineralization and traditional restoration. 

That will be followed by Dr. Gilbert's presentation on endodontics.  If you are a doctor that performs endo in your practice, even if it is only the easy and straightforward cases, you'll gain a treasure trove of good clinical info that you and your patients will benefit from.  Here is the course description:

Overcoming Common Pain Points in Endo: Perforations, Locating MB2, and Negotiating Calcified Canals 

This course will use multimedia visuals to illustrate and demonstrate techniques through the dental operating microscope to help you overcome common pain points in endodontic procedures. Learn tips and techniques to help you prevent these iatrogenic occurrences such as perforation on access. 

MB2 is an elusive canal structure that can be difficult to locate and can result in case failure if not addressed. Learn the anatomy and techniques through the microscope to help you more successfully locate and treat these canals. Calcification is another challenge to overcome in endo. Watch demonstrations through a microscope to learn procedures that will help you succeed in negotiating these canals. 

Our online courses are always really well received and provide amazing amounts of information.  It's also super convenient top be able to receive 3 hours of continuing education right from your  phone, tablet, or computer without having to travel.  I'm looking forward to seeing lots of you at this event.  You can follow this link to sign up right now!  

Enjoy Memorial Day!

 

Here in the United States, the last Friday in May is designated as "Memorial Day".  For a lot of people in the U.S., it is looked on as the traditional beginning of summer with neighborhood pools opening and, normally, schools closed for the summer break.  However, I love the expression "it is the curse of man that her forgets" and along that same thought, Memorial Day has a much deeper meaning than "the start of summer".

I found the following on the Veteran's Affairs (va.gov) website and thought I'd share it since the holiday should really hold a much deeper meaning for U.S. citizens.

The Origins of Memorial Day

Three years after the Civil War ended, on May 5, 1868, the head of an organization of Union veterans — the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) — established Decoration Day as a time for the nation to decorate the graves of the war dead with flowers. Maj. Gen. John A. Logan declared it should be May 30. It is believed the date was chosen because flowers would be in bloom all over the country. 

The first large observance was held that year at Arlington National Cemetery, across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C. The ceremonies centered around the mourning- draped veranda of the Arlington mansion, once the home of Gen. Robert E. Lee. Various Washington officials, including Gen. and Mrs. Ulysses S. Grant, presided over the ceremonies. After speeches, children from the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Orphan Home and members of the GAR made their way through the cemetery, strewing flowers on both Union and Confederate graves, reciting prayers and singing hymns. 

Local Observances Claim To Be First 

Local springtime tributes to the Civil War dead already had been held in various places. One of the first occurred in Columbus, Miss., April 25, 1866, when a group of women visited a cemetery to decorate the graves of Confederate soldiers who had fallen in battle at Shiloh. Nearby were the graves of Union soldiers, neglected because they were the enemy. Disturbed at the sight of the bare graves, the women placed some of their flowers on those graves, as well. Today, cities in the North and the South claim to be the birthplace of Memorial Day in 1866. Both Macon and Columbus, Ga., claim the title, as well as Richmond, Va. The village of Boalsburg, Pa., claims it began there two years earlier. A stone in a Carbondale, Ill., cemetery carries the statement that the first Decoration Day ceremony took place there on April 29, 1866. Carbondale was the wartime home of Gen. Logan. Approximately 25 places have been named in connection with the origin of Memorial Day, many of them in the South where most of the war dead were buried. 

Official Birthplace Declared

 In 1966, Congress and President Lyndon Johnson declared Waterloo, N.Y., the “birthplace” of Memorial Day. There, a ceremony on May 5, 1866, honored local veterans who had fought in the Civil War. Businesses closed and residents flew flags at half-staff. Supporters of Waterloo’s claim say earlier observances in other places were either informal, not community- wide or one-time events. By the end of the 19th century, Memorial Day ceremonies were being held on May 30 throughout the nation. State legislatures passed proclamations designating the day, and the Army and Navy adopted regulations for proper observance at their facilities. It was not until after World War I, however, that the day was expanded to honor those who have died in all American wars. In 1971, Memorial Day was declared a national holiday by an act of Congress, though it is still often called Decoration Day. It was then also placed on the last Monday in May, as were some other federal holidays. 

Some States Have Confederate Observances

 Many Southern states also have their own days for honoring the Confederate dead. Mississippi celebrates Confederate Memorial Day on the last Monday of April, Alabama on the fourth Monday of April, and Georgia on April 26. North and South Carolina observe it on May 10, Louisiana on June 3 and Tennessee calls that date Confederate Decoration Day. Texas celebrates Confederate Heroes Day January 19 and Virginia calls the last Monday in May Confederate Memorial Day. 

Gen. Logan’s order for his posts to decorate graves in 1868 “with the choicest flowers of springtime” urged: “We should guard their graves with sacred vigilance. ... Let pleasant paths invite the coming and going of reverent visitors and fond mourners. Let no neglect, no ravages of time, testify to the present or to the coming generations that we have forgotten as a people the cost of a free and undivided republic.”

 The crowd attending the first Memorial Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery was approximately the same size as those that attend today’s observance, about 5,000 people. Then, as now, small American flags were placed on each grave — a tradition followed at many national cemeteries today. In recent years, the custom has grown in many families to decorate the graves of all departed loved ones. 

The origins of special services to honor those who die in war can be found in antiquity. The Athenian leader Pericles offered a tribute to the fallen heroes of the Peloponnesian War over 24 centuries ago that could be applied today to the 1.1 million Americans who have died in the nation’s wars: “Not only are they commemorated by columns and inscriptions, but there dwells also an unwritten memorial of them, graven not on stone but in the hearts of men.” 

To ensure the sacrifices of America’s fallen heroes are never forgotten, in December 2000, the U.S. Congress passed and the president signed into law “The National Moment of Remembrance Act,” P.L. 106-579, creating the White House Commission on the National Moment of Remembrance. The commission’s charter is to “encourage the people of the United States to give something back to their country, which provides them so much freedom and opportunity” by encouraging and coordinating commemorations in the United States of Memorial Day and the National Moment of Remembrance.

 The National Moment of Remembrance encourages all Americans to pause wherever they are at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day for a minute of silence to remember and honor those who have died in service to the nation. As Moment of Remembrance founder Carmella LaSpada states: “It’s a way we can all help put the memorial back in Memorial Day.”

To see the page on the Veteran's Administration website, follow the link.  

Oryx Dental Software Gets AI-Powered Imaging with Pearl Partnership

As many of you know, I've decided to call 2023 "The Year of AI in Dentistry".  To that end, we have been using Pearl in our office since January and we continue to be super impressed with how it performs.  Now comes word from Pearl of the chance for more offices to see what AI can do for them...

The partnership between Pearl and Oryx will bring Pearl’s industry-leading dental AI capabilities to the Oryx practice management system’s native imaging solution

Pearl, the global leader in dental AI solutions, and cloud-based dental practice management system developer, Oryx Dental Software, today announced plans to integrate Pearl’s Second Opinion® disease detection capabilities within the Oryx’s native dental imaging feature set.

“At Pearl, we are deeply committed to the advancement of the dental industry through widespread access to the clinical advantages of our AI toolset,” said Ophir Tanz, founder and CEO of Pearl. “Our partnership with Oryx will seamlessly integrate Second Opinion into the dental industry’s most complete cloud-based patient care and practice management system, bringing the benefits of AI-assisted dentistry to Oryx users nationwide.”

Pearl’s Second Opinion is the first-and-only chairside AI software with global regulatory clearances to assist dentists in the detection of numerous common conditions in bitewing, periapical and panoramic x-rays of adult teeth in patients as young as 12 years old. Through this partnership, dentists using Oryx will be able to directly access Second Opinion’s AI capabilities for reviewing intraoral images, scans, and radiographs within the native imaging utility of Oryx’s practice management software.

“Our team of experienced dental professionals designed our all-in-one cloud software to deliver an enhanced patient care and practice management experience,” said Oryx CEO, Rania Saleh. “We offer the highest quality dental imaging software available, and with the integration of Pearl’s Second Opinion AI software, our users will have access to dentistry’s most advanced pathology detection aid designed to deliver an enhanced standard of care, improved patient communication, greater clinical consistency and improved oral health outcomes.”

About Pearl

Pearl is leading the global dental AI revolution with groundbreaking computer vision solutions that elevate efficiency, accuracy, and the standard of care in dentistry. Founded in 2019 by Ophir Tanz, Pearl is backed by Craft Ventures and other leading venture capital firms. To request a demonstration, please visit hellopearl.com/demo.

About Oryx Dental Software

Founded in 2016, Oryx is the only AI cloud-based dental practice management software created by dentists for dentists. It is an evidence-based platform that takes a systematic approach to patient care and practice management. Software features include but are not limited to: evidence-based diagnostics backed by the Kois Center, native imaging, integrated billings and e-claims, online scheduling and much more to help you run the best practice possible.

Academy of Laser Dentistry Installs New President & Officers During Annual Meeting in Dallas

 

The Academy of Laser Dentistry (ALD), an international, professional membership association, recently installed James Carreiro, DMD as its president.  The announcement was made during the ALD’s recent 30th Anniversary Meeting in Dallas. 

Dr. Carreiro is a general dentist with a private practice in Largo, Florida who has been utilizing laser technology since 2007. He incorporates laser technology, including photobiomodulation in almost every aspect of patient care. Dr. Carreiro is a graduate of Fordham University and earned his dental degree from Boston University School of Dental Medicine. In addition, he holds Mastership Certification and Advanced Proficiency Certification from the Academy of Laser Dentistry and is a member of the Academy’s Speakers Bureau. In addition, Dr. Carreiro has also earned Fellowship Certification with the World Clinical Laser Institute. 

“My number one goal as ALD president is to encourage and support new Academy initiatives to increase awareness of the many benefits of laser and light therapy for patients and practitioners alike,”  said Dr. Carriero. “This includes being a strong dental industry advocate for laser education, certification and safety.”

Other recently installed ALD officers include the following leaders in laser dentistry: 

President-Elect and 2024 Conference Chair | Walid Altayeb, DDS | Private Practice, Dohar, Qatar Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE) 

Dr. Altayeb received his dental degree from the Faculty of Dentistry, Damascus University, in 1998 and completed his Master of Science degree in Periodontics in 2004 and Doctor of Philosophy in Periodontics in 2007. Dr. Altayeb has achieved Advanced Proficiency certificates from the Academy of Laser Dentistry in 980-nm diode and Er:YAG lasers. He also has Mastership in the Academy of Laser Dentistry and is also Chair of the ALD Gulf Laser Chapter. He works in private practice as a periodontist and implantologist in the Tamim Dental Polyclinic, Doha, Qatar, The British Lasik and Cosmetic Surgery Center, Dubai, UAE, and the Masters Dental and Aesthetic Center, Abu Dhabi, UAE. 

Treasurer |Grace Sun, DDS | Private Practice, Los Angeles, California

Dr. Sun graduated from the University of Southern California School of Dentistry in 1981 and operates a full-time comprehensive cosmetic practice and dental laboratory in the Beverly Hills, California, area. She was the first female Accredited Fellow of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry and served on the AACD Professional Education Committee for two terms. Dr. Sun is also a Master of the Academy of General Dentistry, a Master and Educator with the Academy of Laser Dentistry (ALD) and an international lecturer for dental laser and PBM education. She is also a senior instructor with the International Association for Orthodontics (IAO) and holds Mastership status with the International Congress of Oral Implantologists (ICOI). In January 2022, Dr. Sun received Dental Acupuncturist Certification with an emphasis on orofacial pain management from the UCLA Center for East-West Integrative Medicine. Dr. Sun utilizes multiple wavelengths of dental lasers, including photobiomodulation, acupuncture and photoacupuncture in various treatment procedures. 

Secretary | Shigeyuki Nagai, DDS, PhD | Private Practice, Tokyo Japan

Dr. Nagai received his DDS from Osaka Dental University, Japan in 1987 and studied at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine as a Clinical Fellow from1989-1992. He practiced at the Massachusetts Veterans Administration Medical Center and Massachusetts General Hospital in 1991. He received his PhD from Tokyo Medical and Dental University.  Dr. Nagai serves as a Board member of the Japanese Society for Laser Dentistry, Asia and Pacific Division of the World Federation for Laser Dentistry and Vice President of the Japanese Academy of Color for Dentistry. He served as the board member of Academy of Laser Dentistry from 2010-2018. Dr. Nagai is a committee member of the Japan Academy of Esthetic Dentistry, Japan Society for Laser Surgery and Medicine and Japan Association of Microscopic Dentistry.  He is responsible for translating ALD’s certification examinations in Japanese and maintains a full-time private dental practice in Tokyo, Japan. Dr. Nagai is also a visiting lecturer at Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Department of Periodontology. 

Immediate Past President | Samuel B. Low, DDS, MS, MEd | Private Practice, Palm Coast, Florida

Dr. Low is Professor Emeritus, University of Florida, College of Dentistry, and an Advisor Member of the Pankey Institute. He is a past president of the American Academy of Periodontology and is a current officer of the Academy of Laser Dentistry as Immediate Past President. Dr. Low provides periodontists, dentists, and dental hygienists with the tools for successfully managing the periodontal patient. He was selected “Dentist of the Year” by the Florida Dental Association, Distinguished Alumnus by the University of Texas Dental School, and recipient of the Gordon Christensen Lecturer Recognition Award. 

He is a Past President of the Florida Dental Association and past American Dental Association (ADA) Trustee. 

Executive Director | Gail Siminovsky, CAE | Coral Springs, Florida

Ms. Siminovsky is a leadership professional and has served as executive director of the Academy of Laser Dentistry since 1999 and serves the ALD Board as an advisor. Gail is the 2019 Florida Society of Association Executive of the Year. She earned and maintains the credential Certified Association Executive (CAE) from the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) and served on ASAE’s Small Staff Advisory Committee. Gail is an active member of FSAE after serving as Chairwoman of the Board in 2021-22 and is a member of the American Dental Association’s Committee on Dental Meetings and National Coalition of General Dental Organizations (NCGDO). Gail raises awareness of the role of lasers as beneficial tools that dentists and hygienists have for treating dental disease. She speaks on governance and board leadership, building strategic alliances, and the importance of associations being trusted knowledge brokers. 

About the Academy:  The Academy of Laser Dentistry (ALD) is the only independent and unbiased non-profit association devoted to laser dentistry and includes clinicians, academicians, and researchers in all laser wavelengths. The Academy is devoted to clinical education, research, and the development of standards and guidelines for the safe and effective use of dental laser technology. The ALD was founded in 1993, with the merging of the International Academy of Laser Dentistry, the North American Academy of Laser Dentistry, and the American Academy of Laser Dentistry. For more information, visit www.LaserDentistry.org.  For updated news and information, follow the ALD on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram. 

Photo Caption: Left to right: Executive Director, Gail Siminovsky, CAE | Immediate Past President, Samuel B. Low, DDS, MS, Med | President, James Carreiro, DMD | President-Elect,  Walid Altayeb, DDS | Treasurer, Grace Sun, DDS | Secretary, Shigeyuki Nagai, DDS, PhD. 

CareQuest Institute Requests Grant Proposals Focused On Care Transformation

Submissions Should Include Proposals for How Community Organizations Can Expand Their Care Delivery  

 

 — CareQuest Institute for Oral Health®, a leading national nonprofit focused on creating a more accessible, equitable, and integrated oral health system, has launched a request for proposals (RFP) to fund projects and partners geared toward health care transformation. Applicants will likely be community organizations looking to expand how oral health care is delivered or safety net clinical facilities looking to grow their community engagement. Proposals are now open and are due by June 30.

 Relevant RFPs should combine two core interrelated elements of work: (a) carry forward care transformation concepts; and (b) ensure authentic and deep community engagement is embedded in the practical implementation of those concepts.

 “Investing in organizations that share in our vision of an oral health care system that works better for everyone allows us to get one step closer to a future where everybody can access the health care they need,” said Trenae Simpson, Director of Grants and Programs at CareQuest Institute. “We know that oral health care solutions will not be as effective and meaningful without those individuals most impacted by oral health disparities driving the work. This RFP is an opportunity for oral health providers, advocates, and researchers to share information, act, and collaborate with communities toward a healthier, more equitable future.”

To advance oral health equity and access to quality, whole-person care at a systemic level, CareQuest Institute, along with other partners in oral health care, has been at the forefront of developing and testing care transformation best practices. Winning proposals will focus on the idea that care transformation efforts cannot advance effectively without the community members those efforts intend to serve driving the project forward.

 Examples of projects that fall within the Community and Care Transformation Request for Proposals:

• A safety net partner piloting new value-based care procedures within clinical practice, overseen by a representative patient/community body that has active input into the planning, implementation, and evaluation of the new practice impact on patient experience

• A state policy organization utilizing a formal process that ensures ongoing community input and involvement to advocate for medical/dental integration measures within state Medicaid policy

• A community-based or grassroots organization building power among community members to participate in advocacy in local or state policy spaces around care transformation concepts

• A safety net provider collaborating with community partners to expand and use innovative workforce models that are representative of their patients and families

 Specific details related to eligibility, proposal requirements, and evaluation criteria can be found on our Community and Care Transformation Request for Proposals page.

  

Fully Digital Same-Day Restorative Dentistry

A short post today because if you follow the link, you'll get about 4 pages to read...

As I've written here before, for a little over a year now, in the office we have been working with the DGShape DWX-42W mill.  It has allowed us to do some pretty amazing dentistry as well as bring added value to our patients who have busy schedules.  We are doing "same day dentistry" as well as what I have termed "just in time dentistry".  The JIT dentistry is for situations where a patient may not have time in their schedule for the entire procedure, but we can certainly prep on one day and then deliver next day or in the next couple of days, again allowing them to return when their schedule permits.

Last summer as we really hit our stride with the device. we decided to do a peer reviewed case study to show the efficiencies and amazing results of the DWX-42W.  The good people at Inside Dentistry were interested in publishing it and the process went really well.

The result was published in the May 2023 issue of Inside Dentistry.  I was especially impressed with Jason and the editorial team who allowed my byline to state my title as Chief Dental Editor and Technology Editor for Dental Products Report.

You can read the full case study here.  

 

VisionButler is Available to Order - Details in the Post

 

I *love* coming across new and really well thought out products.  It's even more rewarding when I get to tell you all about a new product from a small company that was started by a fellow practitioner.  Just before the pandemic hit and shut us all down for a bit, I got the opportunity to meet Dr. Paul Moore.  He is a dentist who lives and practices in Ireland and, like a lot of doctors, he see the problems faced by practitioners and then creates viable solutions to those problems.  The VisionButler is his latest solution!

Retractors are something that most of us use routinely, but we never really consider how they could be improved OR how much revenue is spent on a disposable item.  That's why I'm so impressed with what Paul has developed here.  Not only is the VisionButler a great product, but because it is made of medical grade silicon, it is autoclavable.  That means single use retractors are now a thing of the past.

Paul's company is a small one.  It literally is a mom & pop operation run by he and his lovely wife.  That means when you buy, you are helping to support a small doctor owned business and not some corporate behemoth.  I'd also like to add that Paul is a truly a "nice guy" who runs his business the right way and I'm proud to help get the word out about.

Order the VisionButler here!!!  

The June issue of Dental Products Report is featuring doctors who are visionaries and create products.  Paul will be featured in that issue.  Here is what you'll read:

Manufacturer - DentalOrganiser Ltd  / Steiriliu Roscahill Galway Ireland

As a clinician, the benefits of lip and cheek retraction in dentistry are obvious and no one solution fits all needs.

We wanted to provide a viable new alternative that would provide an effective and efficient solution that would give an effective and efficient alternative to the well used single-use retractor. 

The idea was born from developing a photocontrastor for photography and developed to a lip and cheek retractor that could be sterilised and re-used, reducing the cost to the clinician.

The VisionButler is a  new  pliable, comfortable, reusable, autoclavable, soft  satin black silicon, retentive lip and cheek retractor. The buccal “wings” hold the cheeks away from the teeth and the labial flanges physically hold the lips away from the teeth  and prevent the retractor slipping even when the patient closes.

Did you know if you use 10 single use retractors 20 days a month, 12 months a year @ 1.50 Euro each time they are costing 3,600 Euro a year. 

Tested to over 1,000 cycles  a single VisionButler (98.00 euro) is equivalent to 12 boxes of 80 single use retractors )

We currently offer a medium size VisionButler and large size is launching in May 2023

APPLICATIONS:

Photo-contrastor: Made with a black, satin, smooth surface to reduce the flare and glare of flash photography, the soft silicon will hold the lips and cheeks away from the teeth and gums . The oval retraction of the labial tissues can be adjusted simply with manual tension and the gentle engagement of the fitting surface intra-orally allows the patient to close their mouth without the VisionButler being dislodged.

Hygienist: VisionButler will allow the hygienist to work with the patient’s lips comfortably retracted and allowing easy access for the suction system of choice.

Whitening: In office procedures require the protection of the lips and labial  soft tissues for the duration of the procedure.  VisionButler will hold  the mouth open and keep the lips away during the whole procedure. 

Digital Imaging:All digital imaging is simply made easier if soft tissues of the lips and cheeks are kept out the field of view.

Restorative Dentistry: Preparation and cementation of composites, porcelain crowns / veneers requires control of the soft tissues of the lips and the cheeks. It is like having a spare set of hands.

Easy to place and no hard rims to pressure vulnerable soft tissue structures such as the frenum.

Holds in place even when the patient swallows inadvertently.

Autoclavable for repeated use, saving clinical waste and reducing carbon footprint of single use options.

Processing:

The VisionButler can be placed in ultrasonic both, washer-disinfector  and pouched as required for autoclave in a standard self-seal pouch or a 3D Deep Pouch ( supplied by www.steriliu.com ). 

Ecofriendly:

The VisionButler saves cost, saves time, saves clinical waste and associated costs  of postage and storage space to the practice with a reduced carbon footprint.

Available worldwide from www.steiriliu.com and selected dealers. 

The Continuing Progress of AI into Healthcare

 

Continuing today with the subject of AI, comes a recent article from Wired magazine about the incredible wave of AI and its applications in healthcare.

Longtime readers of the blog will remember I am a *huge* fan of Wired.  I've had a subscription since the early 1990s and I am a religious reader of every issue.

However, for some reason I missed the article I am discussing today... although it was published in January 2023, the entire premise is still incredibly current.  That's because it doesn't so much deal with AI for healthcare professionals, but instead for healthcare patients.

We are on the cusp of some pretty incredible possibilities of combining our smartphones with either AI imaging databases or some specialized hardware attachments for those devices.  Soon the age old question, "does this look infected to you?" might well have an intelligent answer.  However, that answer won't come from your friend or your mom, but from your phone.

One of the things that I personally feel is near to reality is dermatology exams.  Many folks put off having a potential area of skin cancer examined simply because they don't have time  or they figure "it's probably nothing".  Soon you'll be able to a picture of an area of concern and find out if it is something you need to schedule an appointment for.   Skin cancers are pretty cancer and can be serious if left untreated so being able to know whether you need to be examined or not is really important.

There are image libraries out there with millions of images in them and an AI system will be able to scan through them in a flash and let you know within seconds.

The article also discusses potential home ultrasound scans too.  It's a pretty fascinating read.

Follow this link to head over to Wired and check it out.  It is a short read, but I love the possibilities it describes.

Artificial Intelligence Potentially Twice as Good at Screening for Lung Cancer than Humans Alone

 

As AI makes greater and greater inroads into our society and world, more and more health specialities are turning to AI to aid in diagnosis.

Now please note that above the phrase "to aid in diagnosis" was used.  Machines DO NOT make diagnostic decisions... only human beings can do that.  The role of any device is to help the doctor gain more data and more information.  Then, that data and information is used by the doctor to make a decision on how to proceed.  The decision rests with the human being and the human alone.

One of the things that some people have asked me about it this concept of machines or programs diagnosing.  My best explanation is to say that in order to make a sound clinical decision a good doctor will gather as much data as possible... and AI is simply another way to do that.  An AI system my remind the doctor to "look here".  That is the way the current dental systems work.  They analyze x-rays and then mark them so that a doctor can see areas that *might* be of concern.  That is simply providing data that the doctor should consider.

The article I read recently about lung cancer was interesting because it will also be gleaning data from x-rays.  The article states "In a real-world setting, machine learning-based software significantly boosted the identification of lung nodules on chest X-rays."

What that tells us is that these areas of concern are detected better by AI, but once again it only points out to the doctor areas to be more closely evaluated.  Machine Learning systems are really good at detecting changes in density of x-rays.  In the RGB color model for computing, there are 256 shades of gray while the accepted range of the human eye is somewhere from 16-32 shades.  Basically this is why AI systems can be a great help for doctors.  The computer is better are detecting nuanced changes.  By pointing these areas out to the doctor, diagnosis gets better and potentially earlier.

The article appeared in the publication Radiology and can be found by following this link.  

Benco Dental Partners With SimplyClear Aligners by Orthobrain®

 

It's pretty incredible to think back to the 1990s and remember that clear aligner therapy was conceived by a Stanford undergraduate student and basically created in a dorm room.  Now clear alingers are a huge piece of the orthodontic market and have treated millions of patients around the world.

The market space continues to expand with many companies now providing the necessary services to doctors.  In 2017, the original patent that was filed by Invisalign expired and the market for clear aligner therapy *exploded* with competitors.  Now comes the announcement from Benco Dental that they have a clear aligner partner.

Benco Dental Partners With  SimplyClear Aligners by orthobrain® to Bring Clear Aligner Treatment Within Reach of More Practitioners and Patients 

Benco Dental, the nation's largest independent distributor of oral healthcare technology and supplies, has partnered with SimplyClear Aligners by orthobrain to offer customers an aligner option that's not only attractively simple and profitable for doctors, but also affordable and effective for their patients.  

 "At Benco Dental, we believe in the power of choice. SimplyClear Aligners by orthobrain is another compelling choice in our portfolio of partners that will be right for a large number of practitioners," said Julie Radzyminski, Benco Dental's Vice President of Business Development. "SimplyClear is orthodontist owned, and structured specifically to help general dentists hit the ground running with a minimal upfront investment of time or money. That makes it especially ideal for practices wishing to grow with orthodontic treatment, but SimplyClear is equally well positioned to support high demand from large single offices, multi-unit practices and DSOs." 

 SimplyClear is more than an advanced, flexible aligner that provides optimal clinical results. It's also part of a wider support package that aims to streamline the introduction of orthodontic treatment. No certification or lengthy training are required, and chairside time is reduced owing to an orthodontist-led case management service. The proprietary software provides clinics with patient care plans and support in the areas of education and business optimization. 

 “We understand that general practitioners don’t typically go beyond basic orthodontics in their day-to-day work," said Dr. Dan German DDS, orthobrain founder and CEO. "That’s why our team of experts evaluate, plan, and provide a treatment setup that works for you, your staff, and your patients.” 

 On average, SimplyClear costs around 30% less than competing clear aligner systems. Combined with a very low cost of entry, it allows practitioners substantial business flexibility to suit their individual profit requirements.  

 SimplyClear allows for 3D modeling of dental treatments with a wide range of popular scanners to create individualized and effective solutions for each patient. This cloud-based system combines the latest technology with sophisticated computer algorithms and utilizes Artificial Intelligence (AI) to design individualized aligners tailored to each patient’s specific needs. 

 The collaboration between Benco Dental and SimplyClear Aligners is an example of both organizations' commitment to helping clinicians optimize clinical outcomes and practice efficiencies while providing the highest level of patient care. By using AI-assisted digital planning in the practice workflow, clinicians are able to deliver clear aligner treatment options to their patients quickly and efficiently while saving time in practice operations. With features like live chat support, patients are able to receive personalized service at any time of day or night without ever having to leave the comfort of their home. 

Vista-Apex Announces Re-Gen Bioactive Endo Sealer

 

One of the biggest things in endodontics in the last few years has been the development of bioactive sealers.  The sealer is incredibly important in the proper healing of the situation.

Early in my career I had a conversation with a doctor who had a lot of clinical experience with endo and he explained to me why the sealer is so important.  If you really think about it on a microscopic level, gutta percha, even if it is heated and plasticized, cannot easily flow into all the nooks and crannies of the canal system.  Even properly cleaned and shaped canals are not uniform in shape.  The job of the sealer is to get into all those little areas that are in the canal system and fill them.  The idea is to eliminate voids and bacteria.

The doctor explained to me that he considered the sealer to be *more* important in healing than the gutta percha.  He also told me that he looked at the cone as a piston that was used to create hydraulic pressure and drive the sealer into all of those little areas that remain after instrumentation.  After that conversation, I began to pay a lot more attention to what type of sealer I used.

When bioactive sealers came on the market I felt that, anecdotally, I was getting better results.  Post-op pain became much less common and healing seemed better.  Now I'll be the first one to say that is completely my experience and NOT a scientific study... but I do feel these new bioactive sealers give me a better result.

That's why I was really excited to see this new sealer from Vista-Apex.  The company has done a great job in the last 2-3 years with their Re-Gen products so when I saw they were bringing an endo sealer to market I was excited.  I have not used the material yet.  It just arrived in my office yesterday, but you can bet that I will be trying it on my next case.  Give me some time to get a few cases done and I will report back to you here.

Following is what the company has to say about this new product:

RE-GEN™ Bioactive Endo Sealer is a hydraulic, ready-to-use injectable bioactive paste that utilizes moisture naturally present in dentinal tubules to initiate a setting reaction. Endodontic sealers are used in the obturation of root canal systems to achieve a fluidtight seal throughout the canal including the apical foramen, canal irregularities, and minor discrepancies between the dentinal wall of the root canal and the core filling material.

• Employs Bioglass to promote bio-regenerative healing while attracting and exchanging ions that promote remineralization of hydroxyapatite and reduces inflammation

• Ready to use: Injectable, single-component, bioactive paste with smooth flow handling

• Biocompatible and Osteogenic: Bioactive root repair material that is effective on non-vital cases

• Anti-bacterial: Creates a high alkaline environment to prevent bacteria formation

• Dimensionally stable: Low solubility with high wash out resistance

• A faster set: Fast and efficient set time of under 1 hour

• Highly Radiopaque

• Cost Effective + Paired with material savings MST Visco-Tip™

If you are interested, you can find more info about the product and/or order it here. 

Ultradent Unveils New Universal Shade Composite

 

Here is some pretty exciting news!  Ultradent is announcing the release of their single shade composite called Transcend™.  We are now in a phase of clinical aesthetics where shade matching is not nearly as subjective as it once was.  In the "good ol' days" of dentistry, there was often the need to mix or layer different shades to achieve the proper clinical appearance.  For those dentists who had "the gift" of good color perception, it was a fun endeavor.  However for doctors that didn't have that gift, shade matching could be frustrating.  Now with the advent of single shade systems we are seeing terrific results without the work and angst.  I have not yet had the chance to work with Transcend™, but if the material is similar to other Ultradent products I've worked with, I'm anticipating being impressed.  Here is what the company has to say about it: 

Ultradent Products, Inc., a leading developer and manufacturer of high-tech dental materials, is announcing the launch of Transcend™ universal composite, a new composite material providing unmatched esthetics and handling properties. Transcend composite is designed to simplify the restorative process by allowing dentists to complete most restorations with just one shade of composite. 

Thanks to Ultradent's Resin Particle MatchTM technology, Transcend composite offers high levels of translucency, allowing for ideal pigmentation and opacification to match the surrounding dentition. The Universal Body shade also has optimal opacity to help block the underlying tooth color, eliminating the need for a blocker shade. 

"Transcend composite enables dentists to achieve excellent esthetic results with ease," says Ultradent Sr. VP of Research & Development, Neil Jessop. "Its unique formulation offers the perfect balance of flexibility, strength, and gloss retention to ensure the long-lasting results patients are seeking." 

Transcend composite is a nanohybrid formula that combines high strength and easy sculptability, making it ideal for both posterior and anterior composite restorations. The handling properties of Transcend composite have been finely tuned to be firm but malleable, allowing it to stay in place without drooping or slumping during manipulation. The material is highly wear-resistant, but also less abrasive to opposing dentition than other composites on the market. 

In addition to the Universal Body shade, Transcend composite features four dentin shades and two enamel shades for cases when a layering technique is appropriate. These layering shades were handpicked to include only the most popular shades from Ultradent's esthetic composite lines to ensure dentists have the shades needed to accomplish restorative work done on a regular basis. 

About Ultradent Products, Inc. 

Ultradent Products, Inc., is a leading developer and manufacturer of high-tech dental materials, devices, and instruments worldwide. Ultradent’s vision is to improve oral health globally. Ultradent also works to improve the quality of life and health of individuals through financial and charitable programs. For more information about Ultradent, call 800.552.5512 or visit ultradent.com or find us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. 

2023 Chicago Dental Society Midwinter Meeting, Interview with Brant Herman, CEO and Founder at MouthWatch and Dentistry.One

Today's post is short because the real info is available from the link.  For several years now, I've been a huge fan of the company Mouthwatch and all they do.  The company makes great affordable intraoral cameras.  They also have the Teledent program for remote dental appointments.

In Chicago in February, the company announced Dentistry.One  It's something I think is a really good idea.  

At the Chicago meeting, Dental Products Report had a chance to do an interview with the company founder and CEO Brant Herman.  Brant is a visionary guy in dentistry and he's making an impact.  Add to that the simple fact that he is a nice guy and you I think it's easy to understand why I'm a fan of the company.

Follow this link to the DPR story and the video.  I think you'll enjoy it!

 

Aspen Dental Releases Info on Recent Cybersecurity Incident

 

Aspen Dental has released info on a recent cybersecurity incident.  I'll report more as things develop.  Here is what the company is saying so far...

TAG - The Aspen Group experienced a cybersecurity incident that temporarily impacted our ability to access scheduling systems, phone systems and other business applications for Aspen Dental.

Thanks to our IT team, the issue was discovered early, and we have been working diligently to bring systems back online as quickly and as safely as possible. Our offices are open and we are seeing patients. We are still working to resolve all the issues related to the incident, but we are open and seeing patients largely as normal.

Our investigation into the incident is in its early stages and is still ongoing. We remain focused on remediating this incident, and will provide our employees, patients, and partners with updates directly as we have further information to share.

When will your systems be restored?

While we are not able to share a specific timetable as to when everything will be 100 percent back to normal, our offices are open, and we are continuing to care for our patients as we did pre-cyber incident.

Was this a ransomware attack or some other type of hack?

The investigation is ongoing and confidential in nature, and we do not have additional details to share at this time.

Was patient information compromised?

Our investigation into the scope of the incident is in its early stages and remains ongoing. If it is determined that any sensitive, personal information may have been involved in the incident, we will notify those individuals in accordance with applicable law and as quickly as possible.

MouthWatch Intraoral Imaging and Teledentistry Solutions Now Available Through BEST for Dentistry Group Buying Program

 

Recognized as a dental industry leader in teledentistry and intraoral cameras, and BEST for Dentistry (“BEST”), a group purchasing and services organization supporting independent dentists, have partnered to provide BEST members with access to the MouthWatch portfolio of products and services.

“We are excited to partner with MouthWatch,” said Walt Gramley, BEST Partner & COO. “The company’s commitment to innovative solutions that improve communication between dentists and patients and enhance the delivery of care is consistent with our mission of supporting independent dental practices with access to high quality, high value products and services.”

As a Group Purchasing and Services Organization with more than 1200 members, BEST, which stands for “Building Everyone’s Success Together”, has negotiated special rates and discounts with industry leaders, such as MouthWatch, who focus on improving patient care. BEST’s portfolio of products and services, combined with dedicated support professionals, enables independent dental practices to reduce costs, improve profitability, operate more efficiently, and grow their practices.

“MouthWatch is committed to enhancing the patient and provider experience with continuous innovation,” said Brant Herman, Founder & CEO of MouthWatch and Dentistry.One. “We’re very pleased to work with BEST for Dentistry to expand access to our solutions and bring group buying advantages to independent dental practices.”

MouthWatch product offers tailored specifically for BEST for Dentistry members can be accessed through the BEST web site. 

About Best for Dentistry

BEST advocates for independent practices and provides competitive cost savings across clinical supplies, labs, equipment, patient engagement, benefit programs, and education through the power of group purchasing. We combine this with ongoing communication and support, revenue enhancement and PPO negotiation services, and a range of practice management resources designed to help our members succeed and grow. With our unmatched customer freedom, we are able to offer each member an approach that’s as unique as their practice. For more information, visit  www.bestfordentistry.com

About MouthWatch, LLC

MouthWatch, LLC, is a leader in developing digital technology solutions that drive success for dental professionals, improve oral health care, and enhance the overall patient experience. 

Headquartered in Metuchen, New Jersey, MouthWatch is widely known for its intraoral cameras that help engage patients in treatment planning through high quality, affordable imaging technology, and its TeleDent software that provides practices and organizations with a teledentistry option to engage patients with providers remotely. The company recently introduced Dentistry.One, LLC, a virtual-first care company.

MouthWatch hardware and software is in use at over 40,000 practices, over 30 leading Dental Service Organizations (DSOs), and over 100 dental schools. The company has been recognized three times in the Inc. 5000. For more information, visit MouthWatch.com.

Ultradent Adds 168,000 Sq. Ft. Facility to Campus

 

Ultradent Products, Inc., a leading developer and manufacturer of high-tech dental materials and equipment, is unveiling a new 168,000 sq. ft. facility on its South Jordan campus. 

The building’s grand opening will feature a 10amMT ribbon cutting on May 3, 2023. Ultradent’s leadership, South Jordan Mayor Dawn Ramsey, as well as numerous state and local officials will be in attendance—including representatives from the offices of Senator Mitt Romney and Gov. Spencer Cox. 

The 168,000 square feet, state-of-the-art building, which Ultradent broke ground on last year, makes room for the company’s tremendous growth—housing its injection molding, equipment manufacturing, 

repair facilities, and more. The building will support 24/7 operations to facilitate Ultradent’s increasing domestic and international presence. PGA&W Architecture headed up the structure’s design, and Layton Construction led the contracting work. 

Of the new building, South Jordan’s Mayor Ramsey says, “Ultradent has been an incredible part of the community, both as an employer, and with their longstanding 

tradition of giving back. We are thrilled for their success and continued expansion. This new building marks an exciting growth benchmark for not only Ultradent, but also for South Jordan.” 

Ultradent invites media to attend the ribbon cutting, which will take place at 10:00am MST today, at 10193 S. Jordan Gateway, in South Jordan, Utah. Attendees should enter at the Southeast corner of the building. Following the ribbon cutting, Ultradent will host an open house, tours of the new building, and serve refreshments and drinks to guests and media. 

About Ultradent Products, Inc. 

Ultradent Products, Inc., is a leading developer and manufacturer of high-tech dental materials, devices, and instruments worldwide. Ultradent’s vision is to improve oral health globally. Ultradent also works to improve the quality of life and health of individuals through charitable programs. For more information, call 800.552.5512 or visit ultradent.com or find us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. 

Privacy and the Sneaky Ways Companies Try to Compromise You

 

I recently had an appointment with a local medical specialty group as a patient.  Part of the patient intake process was, of course, gathering my demographic information.  This is why medical records are so valuable.  We have so much personal info in our medical records, that identity theft is easy for criminals that have access to that data.  Things like name, address, SSN, date of birth... all of that info is in there.

Now, just to set things straight here... I have NO problem with providing that info as long as I can be assured that all reasonable precautions are being made to safeguard that data.

The "sneaky" part in the title of this post has little to do with the office I visited... it's what happened when I got home.  Shortly after my appointment, I received an email (the office had collected this as part of my intake process).  The email subject said "XXXXX office invites. you to join FollowMyHealth".  The first line of the email said 

"Congratulations on joining the new generation of patients who are taking a proactive role in managing their health care with FollowMyHealth."

This was followed by instructions on how to setup an account and login.  There were several steps to do this and one of those steps was:

Accept the agreement to share your email/username. This is solely for the purpose of authenticating your online health record account. Your email will never be shared or sold."

Enter your Invitation Code. This is the last four digits of your social security number or year of birth, if the office does not have your SSN. Click “Agree” to the release of information. 

At this point all of my alarm bells began to go off.  How many times have we been told that our data will NOT be sold, only to find out later, our data was sold.  This was especially alarming since this was my medical records.  The most alarming part (

The company email lists a ton of benefits and emphasizes the convenience I'll gain by  signing up and agreeing to their TOS... but I wasn't buying into it.  Instead I did a little research and one of the first things I found was a link to an article on Medpagetoday.com that basically confirmed my fears of what FollowMyHealth.com was doing with my data.

I highly recommend you read the linked article.  Basically this company sent me an email soliciting me to participate.  However, they disguised that in a way that made me think it was an email from my doctors' office and my doctors were encouraging me to join.  It was worded in a way that made it seem like it was almost a requirement.  That's not only sneaky, that's unethical... and it could potentially be illegal as well.  

Needless to say, I won't be signing up or agreeing to their Terms of Service.  This is a typical high tech bait and switch operation where they want you, the unsuspecting patient and/or consumer, to agree to everything because it appears to come fr. Mom your doctor's office.  They also try to hide their true purpose behind the disguise of convenience.  They even go so far as to say:

"you will then be ready to access and manage your personal health record in a secure online environment 24 hours a day / 7 days a week, from any computer, smartphone or tablet!"

What they fail to mention is the fact that they will take that data and use it to market to you.  I don't like that.  My grandfather once told me, "if you are acting like you've got something to hide, chances are that you've got something to hide."  My grandfather was a pretty smart guy...

Once they've got your data, they've got your data.  Good luck on getting it back or getting it removed.

DEXIS Announces Clearance by FDA for AI Findings on 2D Radiographs

 

As I've mentioned here before... in my January Technology Evangelist column in Dental Products Report I went out on a limb and gambled by calling 2023 "The Year of AI in Dentistry".  Over the years I've worked quite a bit with large and also start-up companies that were doing massive amounts of R&D into AI in dentistry.  The focus at that point in time was in using AI to help with reading radiographs (x-rays to the non-healthcare readers).

My behind the scenes work with those companies (and there were several) quickly convinced me of the value that AI brought to the equation.  I quickly became hooked on having an objective all seeing eye that was backing me up as I reviewed and read radiographs throughout my day.  The problem was, all of this incredible tech was not commercially available.  That meant I couldn't really tell others about it AND once testing was done, I lost access to the programs.  Losing access was tough on me because I had rapidly grown accustomed to AI and all the benefits it delivered.

Then, in 2022 we started to see the research bear fruit as companies began to bring AI programs to market.  In the fall of 2022 the office decided to implement an AI solution and we started using it full tilt in January 2023.  I knew in my gut that AI was/is going to be the next "Big Wave" in dentistry so I gambled with my January column.  Yet, I didn't really feel it was a risky gamble as I knew that in addition to the companies that were already selling their solutions to the profession, there was also more than one system that had submitted to the FDA and were waiting for FDA Clearance.

One of those companies was DEXIS and their product DTX Studio.  I had been involved with beta testing and helping with the design of DTX Studio several years ago... back before AI was even considered as part of the program.  I was helping with using DTX Studio to evaluate CBCT volumes and to help design surgical guides and other appliances that could be fabricated using the data in the program.  So basically I knew the program and I was extremely confident in what it could do.  *Then* I had a tour of the latest and greatest DTX Studio with some of the R&D folks at DEXIS that were working on the AI features.

Wow!  It was impressive.  However, due to the FDA submission, I was asked to keep what I saw confidential until the news cleared.  Well, the news has been cleared.  

You can get more info from the home of my column, Dental Products Report.  Enjoy!!!  

Ultradent Announces New Leadership

 

I have worked with Ultradent a lot over the years.  It's an amazing company that employs amazing people.  The man who founded Ultradent, Dr. Dan Fischer, is not only someone that I consider a friend, but is truly one of the"nice guys" in dentistry.  He built a company in his own image and they make amazing products.

Because of my work with them and also because of multiple site visits over my career, I've gotten to know a lot of the people that work in their headquarters.  This is an announcement on some changes at the company.  The good news is that I know both of these individuals and I know they will continue to drive Ultradent to greater heights.

The sad part of this post is that Karen Phillips is retiring.  Karen has been a part of Ultradent for as long as I've been dealing with the company.  She's a smart lady and I've enjoyed working with her over the years.  Karen I wish you the best!

Here is the press release from Ultradent:

SOUTH JORDAN, Utah April 27, 2023. Ultradent Products, Inc., a leading developer and manufacturer of high-tech dental materials, is announcing leadership changes in sales and marketing. 

Steve Clark is now the General Manager of North America and Sean Kennedy is the Senior Vice President of Marketing. 

Steve Clark 

Steve has been with Ultradent for 20 years, most recently serving as Director of U.S. Sales. Steve has successfully led and developed a very large sales team with significant achievements over the last several years. “Steve’s knowledge and passion will no doubt continue to serve the company well in this new role,” says Ultradent President and CEO, Dirk Jeffs. In addition to U.S. sales responsibilities, Steve will also lead consumer retail sales and client relations teams. 

Sean Kennedy 

Sean has grown tremendously over his more than fifteen-year career in marketing at Ultradent. During his time as Senior Director of U.S. Marketing, he was instrumental in the many positive changes that have taken place within our marketing team. “We are confident the marketing function at Ultradent will continue to develop under Sean’s leadership,” Jeffs says. 

These changes come as former VP of Sales and Marketing, Karen Phillips, announces her retirement. 

About Ultradent Products, Inc. 

Ultradent Products, Inc., is a leading developer and manufacturer of high-tech dental materials, devices, and instruments worldwide. Ultradent’s vision is to improve oral health globally. Ultradent also works to improve the quality of life and health of individuals through financial and charitable programs. For more information about Ultradent, call 800.552.5512 or visit ultradent.com or find us on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram. 

Designing Dental Restorations with Artificial Intelligence

 Today’s post won’t be very long, but that’s because I’m going to provide a link that will be much more informative on the subject than I can currently deliver.  As many of you know, my January 2023 “Technology Evangelist” column in Dental Products Report declared 2023 as the “Year of AI in Dentistry”.  Sometimes you get lucky with a prediction and I’m feeling this happened to me in January.  That’s because, while I was confident AI would make some serious in-roads in the profession this year, there has been even more progress than I hoped for.

Hence we have today’s post.  One of the big ways we are going to see AI rapidly improve the profession is in the design of restorations.  The past 10 years have seen tremendous advancements in what software can do to drive 3D printers and mills.  However, all of those advancements have also required a human to power the software as the “brain”.

Now we are seeing AI driven programs that can learn from the patient’s intraoral scan and then design phenomenal restorations through machine learning.  There are already programs that can do this and we are going to see more in the near future.  Add in the fact that these systems are only going to get better and we are poised at the edge of an incredible advancement for in office milling.  I can hardly wait to mill a crown on our DGSHAPE DWX-42W mill that no human hand or brain has come in contact with.

If you want to see and learn more about where this is all headed, follow this link to a great article from Glidewell.

Just in Time for National Volunteer Month, Newly-Added Cloud Dentistry Feature Powers Its “Engage for Change” Program

 

Dental Professionals Can Now Search for Local Community Outreach Opportunities and Register to Volunteer Within the Cloud Dentistry App

Cloud Dentistry, the company that perfected the process of hiring full-time and temporary dental professionals, recently enhanced its platform and simultaneously introduced its “Engage for Change Program” to connect socially conscious dental professionals with public health and non-profit programs in their communities. 

 “We’re simplifying the process of connecting dental professionals, who want to donate their time and services, to local public health programs for underserved residents of their communities,” said Cloud Dentistry CEO Trey Tepichin. “This will have an enormous grass roots effect on the health and prosperity of communities across the country.” 

Here are the details about how Engage for Change works on the Cloud Dentistry dental job marketplace platform

• The “Engage for Change” program is free for dental hygienists, dental assistants, dentists and in some cases, depending on the event, the front desk staff as well. 

• Dental Professionals can browse the community outreach events in their area and sign up for those that pique their interest. 

• Posting community outreach event listings is free for event organizers via this link: https://try.clouddentistry.com/engage-for-change

• On the Cloud Dentistry platform, dental professionals can sign up for events that interest them right through their dashboard under the “Upcoming Events” tab. 

• Cloud Dentistry will be offering thousands of dollars in rewards to frequently participating dental professionals. 

To learn more about Engage for Change, download the FAQs and Features and Benefits documents or contact Community Outreach Manager, Amber D’Andrea at amber@clouddentistry.com. For more information about Cloud Dentistry, visit www.CloudDentistry.com, email to Service@CloudDentistry.com, or call (844) 643-3128.

About Cloud Dentistry:

Headquartered in Boston and founded in 2014, Cloud Dentistry’s namesake product is a digital employment app that connects dental offices with dental professionals via its on-demand booking and messaging features. Cloud Dentistry is free for dental professionals seeking either temporary or permanent full-time employment. Dental offices looking to fill temporary or permanent full-time positions pay a nominal subscription fee comparable to a gym membership. Cloud Dentistry is the ultimate hiring solution for private practice offices and DSOs alike because it is a fraction of the cost, quicker, and more reliable than traditional recruitment methods such as job sites, staffing agencies or recruiters. For more information, visit www.CloudDentistry.com or call (844) 643-3128.