Biotech Company Integral Dental Enters Market for Treatment of Peri-Implantitis

 

WASHINGTON D.C. Oct./30/2024 – Today Integral Dental announces the launch of its first product, OraclePI, the only early diagnostic test for peri-implant disease. The test delivers a disease diagnosis and personalized care plan recommendations based on patient specific data. Dental implants represent an important option for patients with missing teeth. While implant success rates are high, the greatest risk of failure is an infection of the surrounding tissue, called peri-implantitis. Integral’s new product, OraclePI enables clinicians to gain insight into 100% of the bacteria present at the implant site, diagnoses the state of infection, and makes recommendations on most effective antibiotics and other treatments. “This has the potential to improve patient outcomes and drive profitability for dental practices,” said Rachel Raymond, CEO of Integral Dental. “As the demand for implants grows, we’re excited to offer an option for personalized management.” 

By combining cutting-edge genomic sequencing and AI, OraclePI empowers dentists with actionable insights to improve patient outcomes through personalized care. “We’ve worked hard to make sure our processes fit seamlessly into the daily workflow of the dental office,” said Matt Getz, COO of Integral Dental, “our $110/test cost to dentists is part of the innovation we’re bringing to the table.” Earlier interventions in peri-implant disease are often more effective and less invasive than if they are performed at more advanced stages of infection. Performing a diagnostic test as part of routine implant management can help clinicians identify problems early and keep their patients healthy. “The specific antibiotic recommendations give us the opportunity to practice true personalized medicine,” said Dr. Peter Joseph, DMD, Clinical Advisor to Integral Dental, “I plan to integrate this tool into my practice and ask all my referring doctors to do the same. The better the information, the better we can help patients.”  

Diagnosing peri-implant disease is just the beginning for Integral’s technology platform. Integral’s vision extends beyond oral health to addressing systemic diseases triggered by oral pathogens, such as cardiovascular disease, pre-term birth, rheumatoid arthritis, and colon cancer. When we diagnose and treat oral pathogens early and effectively, healthcare costs reduce precipitously, and patient outcomes improve. Integral Dental continues to explore innovative applications for OraclePI, building bridges between oral health and broader medical care.

Call to Action:  OraclePI  is now available for purchase and is being offered in 10 kit packs for a limited time. To learn more and add Integral to the services offering your patients, visit  IntegralDental.bio. 

About Integral: Integral is a biotechnology company dedicated to closing the gap between oral and systemic health. The innovation is based on Next Generation Sequencing and Machine Learning technology and driven by co-founders Rachel Raymond and Matt Getz. The founders bring extensive biotech and healthcare executive experience, MBAs from Harvard Business School, and a passion for preventative medicine to this large, global health problem. Integral is a resident company of Johnson & Johnson Innovation - JLABS, a premier life science incubator program in Washington, DC. 

Dentsply Sirona Provides Update on Byte Aligner Products - Company Suspending Sales of Byte Alingers

Here is some info for any doctors that might have been using Dentsply Sirona Byte Alingers.  This comes from a recent company press release...

Voluntarily Suspends Sales and Marketing of Byte Aligners and Impression Kits

CHARLOTTE, N.C., Oct. 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DENTSPLY SIRONA Inc. (“Dentsply Sirona” or the "Company") (Nasdaq: XRAY), today announced the voluntary suspension of sales and marketing of its Byte Aligners and Impression Kits while the Company conducts a review of certain regulatory requirements related to these products. The Company’s decision was made in consultation with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

In connection with this review, and Dentsply Sirona’s proactive efforts to continuously improve its processes, the Company has suspended shipment and processing of new and recently placed orders for Byte Aligners and Impression Kits.

The Company holds itself to the highest standards of quality and compliance with patient safety at the center of everything we do. To that end, we will continue to work closely with the FDA and other regulatory authorities, while communicating with treating dentists and their patients to support their continued care as appropriate.

Independent of the above matter, the state regulatory environment has adversely impacted our Byte Aligner business model, resulting in declining conversion rates, and new documentation, records and additional requirements (such as evidence of visits to a dentist or patient x-rays). As a result, we had begun to assess our resources at Byte to leverage and/or redeploy infrastructure, talent, and capability elsewhere in our business. Examples include augmenting resources to improve other software platforms, accelerating DS Core functionality, and enhancing the patient experience.

Additional details regarding today’s announcement can be found in the Company’s Form 8-K that was filed today with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Select Preliminary Third Quarter 2024 Results

Dentsply Sirona is also announcing select preliminary financial results for the three months ended September 30, 2024 (“third quarter 2024”). The Company expects to report third quarter 2024 net sales of approximately $951 million and adjusted EPS is expected to be between $0.49 and $0.51. For the third quarter 2024, the Company expects to report year-over-year net sales growth in Essential Dental Solutions, partially offset by

declines in Orthodontic and Implant Solutions and Connected Technology Solutions segments. Wellspect Healthcare net sales are expected to be approximately flat due to timing with a large US distributor. Net sales and adjusted EPS were favorably impacted by a shift in the timing of distributor orders for Essential Dental Solutions products from the fourth quarter into the third quarter of approximately $20 million associated with the Company’s planned fourth quarter ERP implementation in North America. The Company does not provide preliminary estimates of EPS on a GAAP basis as certain information needed to prepare adjustments is not yet available and cannot be reasonably estimated. A description of the adjustments typically made to compute adjusted EPS can be found in Exhibit 99.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on July 31, 2024.

The Company expects to record non-cash charges for the impairment of goodwill within the range of $450 - $550 million, net of tax, pertaining to two of its reporting units, Orthodontic Aligner Solutions and Implants & Prosthetic Solutions, which together comprise the Orthodontic and Implant Solutions segment. The decline in fair value for the Orthodontic Aligner Solutions reporting unit is driven primarily by adverse impacts from state regulatory trends pertaining to the Company’s Byte Aligner business, while the decline in fair value for the Implants & Prosthetic Solutions reporting unit is driven by weakened demand in conjunction with competitive pricing pressures and adverse impacts of ongoing global conflicts in certain markets, as well as lower long-term expectations for volumes of lab materials. These factors contributed to reductions to forecasted revenues, lower operating margins, and expectations for lower future cash flows in the near term, resulting in an impairment during the third quarter for the aforementioned reporting units.  

The Company will evaluate and assess the appropriate next steps for Byte, with the goal of continuing to provide access to quality oral care to underserved populations. In connection with this assessment, the Company may incur additional impairments and write-offs regarding this business, which may be material in the current and future periods.

The preliminary estimates above are based solely upon information available to management as of the date of this press release and are subject to change. The Company’s actual results may differ materially from these estimates due to the completion of its quarter-end closing procedures, final adjustments and developments that may arise or information that may become available between now and the time the Company’s financial results are finalized and included in its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2024.

Dentsply Sirona will provide further updates on the business and its performance including an update to its 2024 full year outlook during its third quarter 2024 earnings call, which has been scheduled for November 7, 2024.

About Dentsply Sirona

Dentsply Sirona is the world’s largest manufacturer of professional dental products and technologies, with over a century of innovation and service to the dental industry and patients worldwide. Dentsply Sirona develops, manufactures, and markets a comprehensive solutions offering including dental and oral health products as well as other consumable medical devices under a strong portfolio of world class brands. Dentsply Sirona’s products provide innovative, high-quality and effective solutions to advance patient care and deliver better and safer dental care. Dentsply Sirona’s headquarters is located in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Company’s shares are listed in the United States on Nasdaq under the symbol XRAY. Visit www.dentsplysirona.com for more information about Dentsply Sirona and its products.

Forward-Looking Statements and Associated Risks

All statements in this Press Release that do not directly and exclusively relate to historical facts constitute “forward-looking statements.” Such statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in such statements, many of which are outside of our control, including those described in Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors” of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 (the "2023 Form 10-K"), and other factors which may be described in the Company’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). No assurance can be given that any expectation, belief, goal or plan set forth in any forward-looking statement can or will be achieved, and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements which speak only as of the date they are made. We do not undertake any obligation to update or release any revisions to any forward-looking statement or to report any events or circumstances after the date of this Press Release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Investors should understand it is not possible to predict or identify all such factors or risks. As such, you should not consider the risks identified in the Company’s SEC filings to be a complete discussion of all potential risks or uncertainties associated with an investment in the Company.

Curadont Samba is Here!

The Sambra toothbrush has arrived.  As you may remember, I recently posted about this interesting new brushing device that basically brushes your teeth for you, with little physical effort needed by the user.

I'm happy to say that the company wasted *no* time in getting it to me.  I inquired about a sample unit to try and they were incredibly responsive.  I love follow through!

Samba was developed by Curaprox to provide users with a thorough cleaning without the effort required to manually move the brush into all the proper areas.  Many patients have trouble with accessing all areas of their teeth properly and the idea of Samba is to take that part of the routine out of the process.

The 'U' shaped brush is simply put over an entire arch and then activated to brush every surface simultaneously.  The user holds the brush in position and then presses the 'On' button and Samba does all of the work.  It turns off automatically and then the user flips it over and repeats the process on the opposite arch.

Personally, I've taken a greater interest in helping people with their home care since I saw my dad decline in his later years.   Many older adults lose manual dexterity as they age and brushing their teeth can suffer from that.   There are also many patients who, for many reasons, lose or lack dexterity and I feel that a device like this could be a tremendous benefit for those type of people as well.

Even younger patients often don't understand proper brushing technique and my opinion is that it would be much easier to give them a device such as Samba and *know* things are being taken care of as opposed to educating them in the office and then *hoping* they understand and follow through at home.

I'm going to put the Samba through my own personal home care routine and let you know how it goes.  It is currently charging as I type...

I'm grateful to the good folks at Curaprox in sending me a device to evaluate.  I'll let you all know how it goes...

MUSC Digital Post-grad Program Struggling

 

Occasionally I get some not so great information and today's post is about one of those subjects.  I recently spoke to someone off the record about the profession's first digital dentistry post graduate program.  The program is offered by MUSC (Medical University of South Carolina) College of Dental Medicine.  It is a "two-year clinical program with an emphasis on prosthodontic rehabilitations using multiple digital and analog systems to restore routine to complex patients".  Doctors who complete the program receive a degree "MSD (Master of Science in Dentistry, College of Dental Medicine, Digital Dentistry Track). 

As most of you know, I've been involved with digital dentistry since the very early days of my career and have made it my life's work to  deliver information about it to the profession.  Digital technologies have allowed dentistry to make incredible leaps forward.  Doctors now have the opportunity to provide treatment that is exponentially better than ever before.  Advancements have created 'totally digital workflows' with amazing outcomes.

I was thrilled when I learned that MUSC had started their post graduate program because that is exactly what the profession needs.  Many schools currently teach a mixture of analog and digital systems.  While these current educational programs allow doctors to graduate with a high degree of competency, many new graduates are then in need of learning how to incorporate the true digital aspects of practice.  This normally requires a serious financial investment in continuing education.  While established doctors have the financial wherewithal to do that, recent graduates are saddled with significant student loan debt.  When you add to that the costs of setting up a new office, debt loads can be severe.  Coming up with the money to then educate themselves about all the digital systems is often not possible.

That's why I was so excited about the MUSC program.  It allows doctors to get a post graduate focus on all the digital tools and how to incorporate them together.  The benefits of something along those lines would be a tremendous help to doctors and patients.

Unfortunately what I'm hearing is that the program is struggling... and that is unfortunate.  Digital systems are only advancing and doctors need knowledge and exposure to these systems to be able to integrate them into their practices for maximum benefit and impact.

Hopefully what I'm hearing is only a bump in the proverbial road.  Sometimes good ideas simply take a bit to catch on and any business goes through cycles of expansion and contraction.  I support MUSC in their decision to setup this program and I hope it continues.  The profession needs forward thinking projects like this to help prepare for the future.

I didn't get any specifics in my conversation, but I'm hoping for the best.

Another Post on the Importance of Security and Ways to Help

 

First of all, the way to help.  On Friday November 8th I'll be giving a webinar on data security in the dental office.  However,  while I'm passionate on the subject doctors need an expert to listen to.  That's why the webinar will  be a tag team effort by myself and Gary Salman who is the CEO of Black Talon Security.  As the CEO of a data security firm, Gary knows this subject forwards and backwards.  Click here to register.

The second thing I want to bring up today is about the severe penalties that can be meted out by the federal government *and* affected individuals for violations of HIPAA.  There are many reasons why data security is incredibly important, but if for no other reason, doctors should be concerned about the costs incurred with these types of security situations.

I'm not going to mention the practice by name, but in February 2023 (between the 17th and 22nd), a DSO with over 300 offices experienced a data breach that compromised PHI (Protected Health Information) of patients.  

In addition to the fines, affected business operations, etc that come along with these incidents, there was also a class action lawsuit filed by some of the patients.  Recently the DSO settled the lawsuit filed by the patients for $2.5 million.

I truly think that doctors should look at data security as 'insurance' and not as a 'nice to have'.  No locked door is 100% effective, but becoming a more difficult target certainly means that threat actors will go after less protected systems.

If you'd like to learn how to help avoid these kinds of situations, join Gary Salman and I on November 8th.  

 

A short post today as most of the info will come from the video above.  

Last week, I did a post about the special Compendium issue that has a lot of info about the Philips Sonicare Power Flosser.  It's interesting to me how well these devices work.  Most people tell me they dislike flossing, so I feel that anything the profession can provide them that cleans well between the teeth with greater ease than flossing is definitely a good thing.

After the post went up, I was lucky enough to be able to get the video above that shows how well the device works.  The device uses  Quad Stream technology which allows for greater coverage.  Basically the water exists the tip in an 'X' shape which allows the user to get better coverage without having to work at it.

The direction of the stream is important when using an irrigator and the thing that is nice about Quad Stream is that because the water strikes the teeth and gingival tissues at several angles, it makes it easier for the device to reach into all kinds of difficult to reach areas with less effort.  A single stream will work, but having multiple angles makes it more efficient and less technique sensitive.  You get a really good view of this in the video.

Some offices sell these directly to patients, but they are also available at most major retailers as well.

Don't Miss the Dr. Nate Lawson Webinar Tonight!

 

I mentioned this not too long ago, but I want to re-emphasize this course because I think it's that important.  Tonight at 7:00pm Eastern Time, there is a great webinar being given by Dr. Nate Lawson.

Every doctor works in the anterior region and the profession has all kinds of choices in techniques and materials to provide the best aesthetic results possible.

Dr. Lawson is not only a materials genius, since he runs the UAB Division of Biomaterials, but he also practices clinically so he understands the struggles of being 'in the trenches' with the rest of us.  He's got a great way of explaining things that will quite simply, make your anterior composites better.

The webinar is FREE and you can also get one CE credit for attending.

Follow this link to register.

Here's the course info:  

Materials and Techniques for Anterior Composites

Tue, Oct 22, 2024 7:00 PM EDT

This lecture will cover different types of composites for anterior restorations. We will discuss advantages and limitations of single shade composite. We will also cover injection molding and have a conversation about adapting and polishing anterior composites.

Learning Objectives:

• Learn advantages and limitations of single shade composite.
• Learn about materials for injection molding.
• Learn materials and techniques to adapt and polish composite.

Course Details:

• AGD Subject Code: 250
• CE Credit: Catapult Education, LLC designates this activity for 1 continuing education credit.
• Audience: Dentistry Professionals
• Cost: Free
• Method: Live Webinar Lecture

Sponsored By:  SDI

Meet the Instructor:

Nathaniel Lawson, DMD, PhD, is the Director of the Division of Biomaterials at the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Dentistry and the program director of the Biomaterials residency program. He graduated from UAB School of Dentistry in 2011 and obtained his PhD in Biomedical Engineering in 2012. His research interests are the mechanical, optical, and biologic properties of dental materials and clinical evaluation of new dental materials. He has published over 200 peer reviewed articles, book chapters, and research abstracts. He was the 2016 recipient of the Stanford New Investigator Award and the 2017 Innovative Research Fellowship both from the American Dental Association. He served on the American Dental Association Council of Scientific Affairs and is on the editorial board of The Journal of Adhesive Dentistry and Compendium. He has lectured nationally and internationally on the subject of dental materials. He also works as a general dentist in the UAB Faculty Practice.

Samba from Curaprox - Brushing Without Moving Your Hand...

 

Meet Samba, the new toothbrush from Curaprox.  It's an interesting concept.  

It uses a combination of high and low frequency movements, a flexible brush head and a thin 12,900 bristles structure.  This design allows Samba to clean all 36 surfaces of the teeth.  The really interesting thing about it is that all of this happens without having to move your hand.  

Basically,  the user puts their teeth into the 'U' shaped brush head and turns on the unit.  The bristles move independently so all the user needs to do is get it in place and hit the button.  It allows the user to clean an entire arch in only 30 seconds.  Once it shuts off, the user flips it over and then brushes the other arch.

For years, dentists have advised patients to brush for 2 minutes.  Of course with the traditional toothbrush design this requires the user to put the brush where it needs to go.  That means cheek side, top, and tongues side.  Since Samba cleans all of those sides at the same time, less time is needed.

Samba could also be a good solution for patients with impaired dexterity.  Many older folks lose grip strength and manual dexterity as they age.  With a large handle and no need to move, those people may find this to be a much better solution.

The company is sending me a unit for a personal trial and after I've used it a bit, I'll post again about my experience.

Here's what the company has to say about it:

Samba is the first toothbrush created explicitly to allow people with disabilities to brush their teeth effectively and independently. Developed over eight years by an Israeli startup and introduced by the Swiss premium oral care brand Curaprox, Samba automates the brushing process and opens the door to a healthier future for millions of people in the U.S. and worldwide.

 People with physical and mental disabilities currently have two options when it comes to brushing thir teeth - rely on a family member or a caregiver, or brush on their own and compromise their health with subpar cleaning; leaving 88% of them suffering from dental problems. That’s where Samba comes in. 

By eliminating the need to move your hand, Samba grants everyone daily independence to eliminate the health risks associated with inadequate brushing. It is the first toothbrush to combine both low- and high-frequency oscillations in its brushing movement, driving 12,900 soft bristles along the teeth for a superior, effortless clean.

 MSRP: $299​

Learn more at enjoy.curaprox.com/us/product/samba.

New Findings about Philips Sonicare Power Flossers

 

Everyone involved in the dental profession knows one of the key components of periodontal health is proper cleaning between the teeth.  Keeping the interproximal areas clean and healthy is important.  Especially because of all the discoveries of oral-systemic links to disease.

The easiest way to clean interproximal areas is flossing, but it can be challenging for patients.  Probably one of the most difficult things in dentistry is motivating people to floss.  Isn't there a better, easier way?  The good news is that, yes, there is a better and easier way.  Oral irrigators that clean between the teeth are becoming more and more popular.

While a device that does this is, obviously, more expensive than traditional 'kite string' floss,  most patients are much more likely to use an irrigator than try to floss.  In our office, we recommend irrigators routinely and patient acceptance is pretty high.  We do *not* sell the devices in the office.  Patients purchase them based on our professional recommendation, which I think is a pretty good indication of their acceptance of the idea.  Most patients don't like to floss, but using something like the Philips Sonicare Power Flossers is easier and appeals to them.

These devices have been proven to clean just as well, if not better than floss.  If you need even more info on what they can do,  a special issue of Compendium has several articles dealing with the Philips Sonicare Power Flossers.   There are several studies that definitely deserve to be read on the subject.

Motivating patients is only half the goal.  Patients need a solution that they will actually use.  I highly recommend reading them.

Owandy Radiology Relocates its U.S. Headquarters to Larger, Modern Facility in Garden City, NY

 

Owandy makes some pretty incredible radiology equipment.  Here's an announcement about the new company headquarters...

 – Owandy Radiology Inc., a global leader in the manufacture of dental radiology hardware and imaging software, recently moved its US headquarters to a newly-renovated office building on 585 Stewart Street, Suite L30, Garden City, New York. This move is the company’s third expansion and relocation on Long Island since establishing its U.S. headquarters there almost 20 years ago.

The new 1,800 sq. foot ultra-modern facility is a combination of office, showroom, and training center. According to Boris Loyez Owandy’s VP of Sales and Marketing for North America. “Our Paris-based company has a strong presence in 100 countries world-wide, but this new location will help us to better serve our largest market, North America for years to come.”

The recent move enables Owandy to hire the additional employees such as field sales representatives, administrative personnel and technicians required to respond quickly and efficiently to the growing demands of its North American customers. The custom-configured facility will also be able to host hands-on technical training for distributors and customers.

“We invite any GP dentist or specialist in the New-York tri-state area to schedule a visit to our new headquarters,” added Loyez. “Here you can see first-hand our game-changing, wall-mounted, high-resolution  I-Max 3D CBCT unit which is compact and affordable. Also available for on-site demonstrations are our full line of  innovative digital radiology hardware including I-Max 2D pan ceph units,  digital scanners, intraoral cameras, digital sensors, and our breakthrough AI powered software for dental implant placement.”

In conjunction with the grand opening of its new facility, Owandy’s, year-end special pricing is now in effect. Download the promotional flyer from https://www.owandy.com/offers.  To schedule a product demonstration in Owandy’s new Garden City, NY showroom, call 516-858-5695 or send an email to sales@OwandyUS.com. 

About Owandy Radiology, Inc.: 

Headquartered in France, and serving North America from Garden City, New York, Owandy Radiology is a global leader in the manufacture of dental radiology hardware and imaging software. Its products are distributed through dental dealers across the USA, and in more than 100 countries world-wide, on every continent. For more information, visit www.Owandy.com.

3D Printing Utilizing Different Systems for Great Results

 

As you probably know, I've spent a lot of my testing time this year, working with 3D printing.  If you'd like to know more about the entire world of 3D printing in dentistry, you can read my cover story from the September issue of Dental Products Report by following this link.  That article has a lot more info on the entire subject than I normally cover in a blog post here.

Today's subject is just to expand things a bit for people that are looking to get into this, but are a little confused about it.  As I've said before, the tech has been around since before Covid in 2020.  Some offices even decided to purchase one... but they are critically underused by most of those offices.  The main impediment?  Design.  Printing and finishing a project is actually pretty fast and easy.  It's getting that project to a form that is something you need... well that's another story.  Or at least it used to be.  Todays' post is about how easy it can be.

One of the systems I've been working with is the DentalMile system from DMG.  The company sells a complete turnkey system.  They sell everything you need, including the resins, and every piece, including the resins, are validated to all work together.  That's a huge plus.

One of the other parts of the 3D printing space I've been evaluating is resins.  Not all resins work and cure properly in all 3D printers.  If you currently have a printer and want to try a new resin, be sure and check with the printer manufacturer.  The will have a readily available list of resins they have verified to work with their system.  

I've also been working with VOCO on testing some of their 3D resins.  They do not currently sell a printer, but they have validated that their resins work with the Asiga line.  Asiga is a company based out of Australia that are becoming bigger players in the market here in the US.  The Asiga UV Max is verified with VOCO resins and because I have one, I figured this was a great case for that.

I recently had a case where a patient had a hard acrylic splint they had been wearing for several years and it finally needed replacing.  I didn't do the original one, but the patient understands the value of wearing one and asked me if I could make a new one.  One of the resins I've been testing is VOCO's V-Print Splint and I wanted to use it on this case.

Of course the critical part of any occlusal guard or splint is the design.  As a doctor, you want precision when creating a hard splint.

That's where having access to a good design system enters the equation.  DMG has a Cloud based system called DentaMile Connect.  It's part of the DMG system and users pay a monthly or yearly fee for access.

There are lots of design systems out there, but I've been really impressed with DentaMile Connect.  The system uses a lot of AI in the design process, which makes creating things incredibly easy.  I downloaded the patient's scan to my computer.  We use iTero scanners in the office and it's easy to log into the iTero Cloud based storage and download the stl files.  I selected 'models mounted in occlusion' and then downloaded.

In DentaMile Connect, I uploaded the upper and lower scans and selected occlusal splint.  The system took the scan data (from both stl files) and then virtually mounted them on a virtual articulator.  This greatly simplifies the design process.  

Advancing through the process, the system created the guard and showed it to me on the models in occlusion.

In the above image you'll notice the red and green dots in the UR & UL corners.  Those represent the condyles.  You then can adjust the margins of the device.  The next two images will show what I mean.

This is the guard from a straight on view.  The red and green areas are indicating undercuts and their severity so that you can good a path for placement.  The blue line is the margin of the project.  If any changes need to be made, it's as simple as left clicking an area and dragging it to the correct spot.   The system will then adjust it automatically and show you the new margin line.  These virtual models are in 3D and can be rotated to any view.

This image shows the margin from the lingual aspect.  Once again, if an edit is necessary, it's a simple click and drag.

When the correct margin is done, you are then given a view of the occlusion which the virtual articulator has worked out and proposed.  All of this is completely editable if you want to change anything.  

Once the design is completed and finalized, the file can be downloaded and printed.  In this particular case I was not using the DMG printer.  I chose the Asiga UV Max because I wanted to use the VOCO V-Splint Print resin and I knew the VOCO resin was validated with that system.  I bring this up because this is a great reason for 'Open Architecture' systems.  I created in DentaMile Connect and downloaded the completed project as an stl file.

I then opened the stl file with Asiga Composer which is Asiga's 'nesting software'.  A nesting software is a program that translates the stl file into a language that the printer can understand.  From Asiga Composer, I sent the completed project to the printer via WiFi.  The completed guard is the first image in today's post.

Really, the point of this rather long post is #1 how easy this is to do.  The design took about 5 minutes.  Point #2 is that if you find a design system/program you like, you can use it with any printer you have.  As long as it is 'open architecture'.  In those systems, everything works with everything else.

In this case there were no impressions, no models, nothing physical... other than the patient.  This is a truly digital workflow.  The guard went right to place, fit perfectly, and required zero adjustments.

3D printing is going to change dentistry in the next 12-18 months... maybe sooner than that.  This is a tech that can be used routinely for 'bread and butter' things that we do every day.  If you've been thinking about exploring this tech, the time is now.  It's affordable and easy to do.  A well trained dental assistant can design things like this and have it ready for doctor approval in minutes.  This is not a tech that needs to improve or will see radical changes in the future.  We've already seen those changes.  This is ready for prime time right now.  

If I can do this, *you* can do this too!

OraQ AI and Patterson Dental Canada, Inc. Partner to Deliver Advanced AI Technology

The AI industry in dentistry continues to expand.   I've been working with several AI companies over the years and since I first got involved back in 2016, I've seen some amazing advancements.  Almost every imaging company is dentistry is either offering AI or partnering with existing AI companies to bring the tech to the forefront of diagnostics and practice management.  Now comes word that Patterson Dental Canada will be offering a system to their customers...

OraQ AI is excited to announce a strategic partnership with Patterson Dental Canada, Inc., aimed atintroducing OraQ’s innovative clinical AI decision support tool to dental professionals across Canada. This collaboration will allow OraQ AI’s advanced dental treatment planning software to empower dental teams and patients to make informed decisions that enhance oral health and elevate practice profitability.

“As a practicing dentist and founder of OraQ AI, I’ve witnessed firsthand the power of AI in transforming patient care,” said Dr. Amreesh Khanna, CEO of OraQ AI. “By partnering with a trusted name like Patterson Dental, we can now deliver AI-driven solutions that go beyond traditional methods like X-rays, helping dentists across Canada provide precision care while ethically growing their practices.”

OraQ AI’s cutting-edge software brings a new level of transparency and personalization to dental care. By holistically analyzing patients’ medical and dental histories, OraQ’s AI offers tailored treatment recommendations, which have resulted in up to a 30-40% increase in patient acceptance rates for its users. Patients can conveniently access their exam results and treatment plans from their smart devices or computers, enabling them to approve treatment from home, with instant notifications sent to their dental offices.

“OraQ is proud to be at the forefront of dental technology, having achieved all necessary approvals and clearances, including our Medical Device Establishment License (MDEL) from Health Canada and the FDA in 2023,” Dr. Khanna added. “This ensures that our technology adheres to the highest standards of safety and compliance.”

Patterson Dental Canada’s Region President, Dan Begin, expressed the company’s enthusiasm for the partnership: “At Patterson, we have always been committed to advancing dental care through strong, innovative partnerships. By collaborating with OraQ, we are reinforcing our dedication to equipping Canadian dentists with top-tier clinical solutions that support patient care and treatment acceptance.”

The partnership signifies a key step forward in OraQ’s mission to expand its commercial footprint while continuing to provide groundbreaking AI solutions that empower dental practices and improve patient outcomes.

For more information about OraQ AI and its groundbreaking technology, please contact Dr. Amreesh Khanna, CEO at

amreesh@oraq.ai.

Ultradent Donating to Red Cross for Hurricane Helene Relief

 

With Milton on the way to Florida, I'm sure Ultradent will be updating this info.  They do a lot of charity work which I am extremely happy to tell you all about.  Here's their latest on helping with the fallout from Helene...

Ultradent Products, Inc., a leading developer and manufacturer of high-tech dental materials, is donating 5% of total sales from orders placed on Tuesday, October 8th, to the Red Cross to support relief efforts for those affected by Hurricane Helene. "The devastation caused by Hurricane Helene has deeply impacted countless lives and we are inspired by the compassion we’ve seen from so many people working to help those in need,” says Ultradent President and CEO Dirk Jeffs. “We invite the dental community to join us in supporting these communities through the Red Cross.”

 Additionally, Ultradent is offering dental supplies to affected care providers to assist in their recovery.

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.

Oral Biolife Announces Large Animal Data Breakthrough in Periodontal Disease

 

Every once in a while a company reaches out to me with some interesting news.  When that happens, I try and pass it along to all of you.  Today's post is something I feel bears further investigation, but it looks promising in its initial stages.  

One of the most difficult areas to treat, from a periodontal standpoint, is furcation involvement.  It seems that frequently once the furcation of a molar becomes periodontally compromised, there is little we can do to help stem the tide of the disease.

The study sited below is *very* small (only 3 subjects), but a positive result is still intriguing.  I'm interested to see how this looks long term and with more results.  I would say that at this point, it definitely bears more investigation.  Long term, something like this (if it pans out) could be a great thing for patients.  Especially as our medical system continues to improve and people are living longer, quality of life becomes extremely important.  Being able to eat and stay well nourished is part of the quality of life.  Periodontal health has a tremendous impact on overall systemic health and patients with periodontal disease aren't always good candidates for implant placement.  That means helping those patients keep their natural teeth is critically important.

The Biotech company has large animal proof-of-concept results for its lead product, Ambrilux Dental Gel, in the setting of periodontal disease characterized by bone loss in the tooth furcation 

Oral Biolife (OBL), a biotechnology company developing a first-of-its-kind dental treatment for humans and companion animals, today announced critical new developments of large animal data backing their lead product, Ambrilux Dental Gel. 

Ambrilux Dental Gel has been shown to promote the regeneration of bone in the furcations of teeth in three Beagle dogs with induced periodontal disease(PD). 

Radiographs were taken at baseline 28 days after the first application and 29 days after the 2nd application. The radiographs demonstrated that 100% (n=3) of animals treated with Ambrilux showed increased bone regeneration at both the 1st and second month post-treatment while only 33% (n=3)of control animals had detectable bone growth. The ability of Ambrilux to promote bone growth in the setting of periodontal disease in large animals provides key translatable data supporting the potential use in human disease.

 There were no Adverse Events or other safety issues noted throughout the study. An adverse event is defined as any unexpected observation seen in dogs that is unfavorable and unintended and occurs after the use of an investigational veterinary product, regardless of the possible relationship to the product. 

“This proof-of-concept marks a major milestone in our journey. It reinforces our confidence that Ambrilux Dental Gel has the potential to revolutionize how dental care is provided, offering a less invasive and more accessible option for patients," says Bill Breitenbach, CEO of Oral Biolife.”

With Periodontitis affecting nearly 20% of the global population, 47% of US adults, as well as costing an estimated yearly 54 billion USD in loss of productivity1, there is clearly an unmet need for an effective non-invasive solution to treat PD. OBL’s findings are a step towards a potential breakthrough in dental and oral health research.  

“At OBL our mission has always been to find a way to provide Americans with access to non-invasive dental care,” says Stella Vnook, President of Oral Biolife. “We are pleased with these promising results and are excited to continue our research to further establish the safety and efficacy of the Ambrilux Dental Gel.”

About Oral Biolife Inc.

Oral Biolife is an innovative biotechnology company headquartered in Bethlehem, PA that utilizes the unique properties of biotechnology materials to develop groundbreaking, first-to-market products. Their lead asset, Ambrilux Dental Gel, via its unique ability to regenerate bone lost due to periodontal disease, represents a potential breakthrough for treating periodontal disease. For more information, please visit https://www.oralbiolife.com/ and on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/oralbiolife-inc/.

References:

Thornton-Evans G, Eke P, Wei L, Palmer A, Moeti R, Hutchins S, Borrell LN; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Periodontitis among adults aged ≥30 years - United States, 2009-2010. MMWR Suppl. 2013 Nov 22;62(3):129-35.åˇ

Join Dr; Nate Lawson for a Terrific Learning Opportunity on Anterior Composites - October 22nd

 

One of the things I love about my work in the industry outside of clinical practice is the friendships I've made over the span of my career.  I've gotten to meet, spend time with, and make friendships with some of the best minds in dentistry.  One those people is Dr. Nate Lawson.  I've known him for about a decade and he is an impressive individual.

He is one those people who has some unique gifts.  Number one, he is just a 'great human being'.  He's one of those people who is personable and funny.  He's a great guy to hang out with.

However, Dr. Lawson is also one of the brightest people I've had the pleasure to meet.  In all seriousness, he has an incredible mind and an amazing comprehension and knowledge of dental materials.  He graduated from the UAB School of Dentistry in 2011, but he was just getting started.  He then dug in and obtained a PhD in Biomedical Engineering in 2012.

He now serves as the Director of the Division of Biomaterials at UAB.  That means he spends a lot of time in the lab testing, working with, and studying cutting edge dental materials.  He's published over 200 peer reviewed articles (which is impressive, trust me) as well as chapters for books.

In addition to his smarts, he also is a great communicator.  He's got a real knack for taking complicated subjects and breaking them down into easy to understand concepts.  When you listen to him, you'll understand what I mean, but he is one of those people who provide you tons of information you can immediately use to make your dentistry better.

In addition to all of the above, he also works in the UAB Faculty Practice which means that he not only knows a lot, but also understands what things are like from the perspective of the practicing dentist.

Dr. Lawson will be presenting "Materials and Techniques for Anterior Composites" as part of the DPR webinar series on October 22 at 7:00pm Eastern Time.  This is one of those events that help you be a better doctor for your patients.  You really need to be there!

Register for the event by following this link  

DGSHAPE Announces new DWX-53D Mill

 

Yesterday, October 1st, DGSHAPE announced that their newest dry mill, the DWX-53D is now available.  As you can see from the photo above, this is a beautiful piece of equipment.

DGSHAPE has been in the milling space of the dental industry for decades now.  However, in the early 2020s the company made the entrance into in-office milling space, bringing their decades of milling experience into dental offices.

We installed a DWX-42W wet mill into our office in April of 2022 and have seen tremendous results.  I'm writing about that part of my experience just so you know that I have experience with DGSHAPE and have been incredibly impressed with the hardware as well as the company.

Now the company has released a new dry mill that general dentists can purchase.  The DGSHAPE DWX-53D is a *dry* mill that mills 'pucks'.  For those of you not familiar with the term, dental mills use one of 2 different shapes in the milling process.  The first is the traditional 'block' which is used to create a single restoration.  The second type is the 'puck'.  They are circular in shape and derive their name because the tend to look like a hockey puck.  They are normally 98mm in diameter with different thicknesses depending on the need.

The advantage of pucks is that they can be used to create longer span dental prostheses such as long span bridges.  However they can also be milled into multiple single units prostheses as well.  The image below shows the VOCO Grandio Disc.

Using a mill that handles pucks allows for all kinds of advanced applications like All-On-X, traditional and implant supported dentures and other removable and fixed prosthetics.

The advantage of the new DWX-53D is that now dental offices can create these longer span projects in-office.  This allows the doctor greater control over the anatomy, fit, contour, and occlusion of their projects.  There is also the obvious advantage of speed.  Longer span prosthetics can be created in much less time than sending the case to a traditional dental lab.  Cost is also a factor as custom milled restorations save the office significantly on lab fees.

One of the things I like about DGSHAPE is the fact that their system is 'open architecture' which simply means that you can use any intraoral scanner and any dental design software.  This means that DGSHAPE mills don't require the user to purchase any specific pieces of software.  I'm a big fan of having choices and 'open architecture' means that the doctor can use the systems they prefer and still have a seamless integration with the mill.

To find out more, you can go to the DWX-53D webpage.

GlideWell Labs ORB Sports Mouthguard a High Tech Way to Protect Your Smile

 

Introduction

Almost my entire career I have worked with athletes to help protect not only their teeth, but their overall brain health through the use of mouthguards.  Whether you're a seasoned athlete or a casual player, protecting your teeth during sports activities is essential. Traditional sports mouthguards can be uncomfortable and bulky, often hindering performance and not offering adequate protection. Enter the ORB Sports Mouthguard from GlideWell Lab, a custom-fitted, comfortable, and effective solution for athletes of all ages.  But wait... there's more.  Much, much more...

Now the entire science of sports mouthguards has taken a tech leap forward with the introduction of the ORB Sports Mouthguard from Glidewell lab.

What is the ORB Sports Mouthguard?

The ORB Sports Mouthguard is a custom-made oral appliance designed to protect your teeth, gums, and jaw from injuries during sports activities. Unlike generic boil-and-bite mouthguards, the ORB is made from high-quality materials and is tailored to fit your unique dental anatomy. This ensures optimal protection and comfort.

However, the truly amazing thing about it is the technology that is embedded in it.  The ORB has a sensor that tracks more than 20 key metrics.

Key Benefits of the ORB Sports Mouthguard 

• Custom Fit: Each ORB Sports Mouthguard is custom-made to fit your specific dental structure. This provides a secure and comfortable fit, preventing the mouthguard from shifting or interfering with your performance.
• Comfort and Breathability: The ORB is designed to be comfortable and breathable. It doesn't impede your speech or breathing, allowing you to focus on your game.
• Tech: An embedded chip monitors heart rate, body movement, head impacts, and more.
• Protection: The ORB effectively protects your teeth, gums, and jaw from injuries caused by impacts, falls, and collisions.

How Does the ORB Sports Mouthguard Work?

The ORB Sports Mouthguard acts as a protective barrier between your teeth and the impact of a blow. It helps to distribute the force of a hit, reducing the risk of dental injuries.  In addition to protecting your teeth and related structures, it also provides valuable data.  The ability to track head impacts will give trainers and medical professionals critical data to help diagnose and evaluate the potential of concussions from those impacts.

Is the ORB Sports Mouthguard Right for You?

If you participate in sports activities, the ORB Sports Mouthguard is an excellent investment in your oral health. Whether you play contact sports like football or non-contact sports like basketball, a custom-made mouthguard can provide essential protection.  It's difficult in many sports to wear some type of device that can monitor your performance, but having these features built into a mouthguard makes recording that data as easy as slipping the device over your teeth.  It even comes with a case with a protective sleeve and built-in wireless charging.

The data recorded can be viewed on a smartphone via Bluetooth and the ORB Sport mobile app.

Wrapping Up

The ORB Sports Mouthguard from GlideWell Lab is a good choice for athletes seeking a comfortable, effective, and custom-fitted mouthguard.   However, by including the ability to monitor multiple fitness data points, especially head impacts, I feel this is a true revolution in sports dentistry.

For more info about the ORB Sports Mouthguard, check out the product page from Glidewell Lab.  

A Big Thank You to the Southeast Kanas Dental Society

 

Yesterday, September 30, I was honored to spend the day lecturing to the Southeast Dental Kansas Dental Society.  I always really enjoy getting to share with my peers, but it's always especially amazing to have the privilege to do that in front of people who are 'in your own neighborhood'.

There's an old joke that says an expert 'is anyone from more than 50 miles away with a laptop and Powerpoint'.  Basically people want new perspectives and new information and sometimes that hard to get in your same area.

Fortunately I was more than 50 miles away from the SEK and I have my laptop.  Seriously though, it was a tremendous honor to speak at a meeting for doctors from my home state.  It was a nice event and the location at the Downstream Casino Resort was a great location.

I want to publicly thank everyone who attended.  I had a great time and I appreciate the attention and questions.