Dentistry.One Becomes First Dental Telehealth Provider to Earn DiMe Seal of Approval

 

Recognized by the Digital Medicine Society for setting a new benchmark in virtual-first oral healthcare.

Dentistry.One, a virtual-first dental care solution from MouthWatch, Inc., has earned the DiMe Seal of Approval, becoming the first and only dental telehealth company to receive this distinction from the Digital Medicine Society (DiMe).  The recognition reinforces Dentistry.One’s position as a trusted partner for employers, health plans, and benefits brokers seeking to improve dental care through increased access, patient engagement, and improved health outcomes through virtual care.

The DiMe Seal is awarded to digital health platforms that meet rigorous, independently validated standards in four core categories: clinical evidence, usability, privacy and security, and equity. Dentistry.One’s recognition highlights its commitment to delivering measurable value and safe, accessible oral healthcare through its virtual-first platform.

This recognition from DiMe reinforces the organization’s sustained investment in scalable, patient-first models of care.

“The DiMe Seal confirms what we’ve worked toward from the beginning: building a virtual dental care model that delivers real clinical value, protects patient data, and expands access for those who need it most,” said Brant Herman, Founder & CEO of Dentistry.One. “It reinforces to our partners that Dentistry.One offers more than convenience—it delivers credible, secure care that improves health outcomes.”

In addition to the DiMe Seal, Dentistry.One is HIPAA compliant, ensuring secure  
handling of protected health information, and SOC 2 Type 2 certified, with independently audited controls that validate the security, availability, processing integrity, confidentiality and privacy of its systems.

“Our partners entrust us with more than just access to care. They rely on us to safeguard the health and sensitive data of every patient we serve,” said Sharity Ludwig, Senior Director of Clinical Operations at Dentistry.One. “Earning both HIPAA and SOC 2 Type 2 certifications is not just a checkbox; it’s a reflection of our commitment to trust, the protection of patient data, and clinical excellence.”

Dentistry.One offers a nationwide network of licensed dentists, along with AI-powered tools like SmileScan™, which lets users take a few photos with their smartphone and receive a personalized report on their oral health in minutes. The platform also includes oral health coaching, second opinions, multilingual support, and care coordination, making it easier than ever for patients to take control of their oral and overall health.

To learn more, visit dentistry.one/DiMe.

About Dentistry.One

Dentistry.One was created to break down the barriers that prevent millions of people from accessing the dental care they need. Our vision is to make dental health accessible to everyone, unlocking the significant health and cost-saving benefits that come with a healthy mouth. Through telehealth, Dentistry.One provides dental care to the 60% of the population who don’t regularly visit a dentist. Offering anxiety-free online consultations, AI-powered tools, and seamless care coordination, Dentistry.One empowers patients to take control of their oral and overall health. To learn more, visit https://dentistry.one/. 

The ADA Bids Farewell to their Annual Meeting - 2025 Smilecon Will be the Last

Last week I had a post that discussed the recent CDA Anaheim meeting.  As I stated there, in-person industry trades hows have suffered a lot since the pandemic of 2020.  However, some meetings seem to be recovering... at least a bit.

Attendance at many major meetings has dropped significantly since Covid.  However, it wasn't just social distancing that caused the slowdown.  Our world is showing amazing progress in technologies and the ways we communicate and in-person meetings are one of the victims.  Since the pandemic, overall trade show attnedance has been dropping.  Now comes word that on Thursday May 23, 2025 the American Dental Association announced that the 2025 Smilecon meeting will be the last one.

The first video ever played on MTV on August 1, 1981 was "Video Killed the Radio Star" by The Buggles, and that was prophetic.  Now online education has just killed what was once the premier in-person trade show in dentistry.  Young doctors no longer feel the need to close their offices for several days and travel to far away places.  YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram feed the desire for learning and CE credits can be earned through viewing webinars.

Last week I mentioned that the CDA seems to be on the rebound.  I still believe some of the larger in-person meetings will continue.  I think there is something to be said for a meeting at basically the same time and at the same location year after year.  When you are planning on attending a meeting, being able to know the location and not having to travel can be big reason to go.  By trying to move every year, Smilecon wanted to make itself available to the majority of their members who are spread throughout the country.  The goal was that no matter where you lived, every few years the meeting was at least in your general vicinity.  That was an admirable idea, but I think that might have lead to it's demise.  However, this has been something many in the industry have predicted for a few years.  Recent attendance has been down quite a bit both in attendance from doctors and booths manned by exhibitors.  The last Smilecon that I attended was in Orlando in 2023 and everyone noticed that the attendance was light.  And just to be clear, this is not an indictment of Smilecon.  Many meetings have suffered from low attendance since 2020 and I feel we're going to see more contraction in the future.

However, in their press release the ADA mentioned:

The Governance and Organizational Manual of the ADA requires that the ADA hold an annual scientific session. The ADA is exploring new meeting possibilities and programs to advance oral and overall health by keeping dental professionals up to date on the latest scientific guidelines and technical innovations. Further information will be shared when it is available.

That means that the association will still continue to explore options for some type of meeting, which in my opinion is good news.  Education is critical to the profession, and the ADA has frequently helped provide some of the best education there is in dentistry.  I'm hopeful that whatever comes next in the required scientific session is successful.  It will probably be smaller and not such an expensive line item in the budget, but that's ok by me.

More importantly, dentistry needs the united voice that is the ADA.  There is a huge benefit to the profession speaking with a single voice, and that voice is the ADA.  Dentistry has benefitted greatly from the hard work of the ADA.  Now they can take the financial resources that were being poured into the meeting and use it for other projects.  I'm hopeful of what they can with that cash.

Here's a bit of nostalgia... in 1998 what was then called "The ADA Annual Session" was flying high.  This was in the very early days of the Internet and computers in healthcare.  Back then I had started taking computers apart in my office and had begun writing for a newsletter (photocopied and delivered via USPS) called 'Tools R Us' and published by a good friend Dr. Bob Davis.

Back then my writing for Bob's newsletter on technology in dentistry had somehow come to the attention of some folks at the ADA headquarters in Chicago.  With technology poised to have a major impact on the healthcare industry, the ADA had decided to have a special day on the subject as part of their Annual Session.  The first ever ADA Technology Day was in San Francisco in 1998.

I vividly remember my first lecture for the ADA.  One of the things I spoke about was a new technology that allowed users to connect peripheral devices to their computers.  It was called "Universal Serial Bus" and was abbreviated USB.  I clearly remember talking about it while audience members furiously scribbled in their notebooks.  There were some vendors displaying leading edge tech and the one thing I was really blown away by was a 17 inch flat screen display being shown by Intel.  I had seen pictures of them, but this was my first time to actually see one in person.  The retail price was $7000!

I was really lucky.  At that meeting I made a lot of good industry contacts, which is important for anyone who wants to educate their peers.  I spoke at every ADA meeting for about the next 25 years.  Often getting into the show meant going through the doors in a mass of humanity.  It was incredible.  

As someone who has made a career out of being in love with tech I can tell you without a doubt, everything evolves and as progress is made older ideas and tools are replaced.  The evolution of broadband connections and video has changed the way many people receive their information.  I still think some in-person meetings will survive, but we've now entered a time when we are going to see contraction in their numbers.  The ADA Annual Session was a real boon to my career as Technology Evangelist and I'm sad to see it go.  However it makes no sense to spend resources on a meeting that few attend.  At the end of the day, this was a business decision.  I get that and I support the decision, but I can still be nostalgic for those good old days.

The ADA press release can be found here.  There was also a post in the ADA News that you can read here.  

ADA Just Announced 2025 Smilecon Will be the LAST One!

Today, Friday May 23, 2025, the American Dental Association has announced that after this year's 2025 meeting in Washington, DC, Smilecon will cease to exist.  This is a developing story.  Count on a post with details and thoughts on Monday!

UPDATE

The ADA published a press release on the announcement yesterday (Thursday May 22, 2025) which can be found with this link.

A post was also made on the ADA News site that can give you more info.  That post can be found here.

Hot Off the Digital Press - Just Announced! Dandy Launches Real-Time Video Collaboration for Dentists and Lab Techs

 

For years now I've been impressed with Dandy.  They have really embraced the concept of digital restorative solutions and made it priority to bring a lot of digital tech to the forefront of what they do.  I got word a couple of days ago about today's announcement and am really happy to be able to provide this here.  I'm convinced that this is where the dental laboratory of the future is going and Dandy is doing a heck of a job making it happen.

This is a pretty cool announcement and it was just made public a few seconds ago (literally)... read on for some amazing information.

Live Design Review delivers predictable patient outcomes in just a few minutes

Dandy, the fully digital dental lab, today launched a new suite of real-time visual collaboration features for its pioneering Chairside and case management software for dental practices. Dentists and lab techs can now plan and review cases over interactive video calls, ensuring the highest level of accuracy in the fabrication of dental prosthetics.

With conventional communication, important case details are often lost between the office and the lab in a flurry of disconnected emails, phone calls, and paper documents. Dandy’s digital workspace brings dentists and lab techs together in real time, as if they were in the same room, so everyone can see  — and agree — on the case before it’s sent to production. 

Dandy’s first-f-its-kind Live Design Review brings cases to life onscreen using detailed 3D visualizations. Working with experienced Dandy lab technicians, dentists can collaborate on cases, request changes, ask clinical questions, confirm adjustments, and approve designs with complete confidence in the outcome.

Dentists can start a review with a Dandy technician within minutes or schedule a meeting for a convenient upcoming date. Dandy also provides specialized Case Planning sessions to map out complex restorations and Implant Planning sessions with surgical specialists.

By collaborating with the lab on a shared digital/ CAD model, dentists can refine designs before Dandy begins production, thereby creating predictable clinical outcomes and eliminating surprises during seating appointments. It all adds up to a better patient experience and more confidence for dentists.

"I recently experienced Live Design Review with Dandy, and it was phenomenal! I’ve never seen a lab with the capability to review a case in real time with a technician. It was incredible to witness—the technology was impressive, and the workflow to schedule it was seamless. Excellent customer service,” said Dr. Alexander Rabkin, Westwood Dental Partners.

Live Design Review is Dandy’s latest innovation in digitizing dental workflows. Dandy offers advanced 3D intraoral scanners at no additional charge and provides on-demand scan reviews while patients are still in the chair. Its 100% digital US-based dental labs use AI, 3D printing and other leading-edge technologies to create restorations with extraordinary speed and precision.

“Dandy has always been focused on delivering exceptional service and results for our customers. Real-time video collaboration is a natural extension of that promise, giving dentists direct access to expert support exactly when they need it,” said Daniel Hanover, co-founder of Dandy. “By making collaboration faster, easier, and more accurate, we’re helping practices deliver better care while growing their businesses.”

The new features are now available to existing customers in early access. To learn more about Dandy’s new offerings and how they are reshaping communication between dentists and the lab, visit meetdandy.com.

About Dandy

Dandy is building the modern operating system for dentistry, powering the world’s most advanced dental labs. Dandy partners with dental practices to transform their business with state-of-the-art intraoral scanners, always-on expert guidance, and precision manufacturing accelerated by AI, 3D printing, and other state-of-the-art technologies seamlessly orchestrated by Dandy's proprietary software. Dandy empowers dentists with technology, innovation, and world-class support to achieve more for their practice, their people, and their patients. With unparalleled quality, efficiency, and experience, Dandy makes the business of dentistry pain-free. To learn more, visit meetdandy.com or our LinkedIn page, www.linkedin.com/company/dandyofficial/.

Top Dental School Receives ADEA Grant to Use Pearl’s AI Platform to Improve Radiologic Education and Clinical Performance for High-Quality, Consistent Patient Care

 

Artificial intelligence continues to make deeper and deeper inroads into dentistry.  More and more offices are embracing this change to help with diagnosis.  As we do, the entire process of how the profession analyzes radiographs is changing.

I worked alone in a solo practice for about 18 years before bringing in another doctor.  Looking back, I wish I would have made that decision much earlier.  One of the immediate benefits was being able to look a an x-ray and ask another set of trained eyes the question "do you see any pathology on this image?"  Having another set of eyes on target is a remarkable benefit.  

I started working with some dental AI startups back in 2015 (I can't believe it was *ten* years ago) and I immediately saw the benefit.  Even though the interface back then was clunky and required a lot of work on my end to get the images loaded into the AI platform, I was hooked.  AI doesn't diagnose, it gives the doctor a gentle nudge to say "did you look really closely here?"  Because of those gentle nudges, doctors are making better decisions.

Now the UCLA School of Dentistry is bringing Pearl into their clinic.  That means that dental students are going to get exposure to how to practice as the profession evolves.  I'm proud and excited by this decision.  Young doctors are often flooded by new things as soon as the graduate.  In my opinion, our dental schools turn out terrific clinicians, but those students only get limited time with 'state of the art' technologies simply because of the time involved to learn them and the costs to the schools to provide them.  By incorporating AI into their training UCLA is giving these young doctors a great foundation to build on.  Read on for all the details...

Pearl, the global leader in dental AI solutions, today announced that the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) School of Dentistry has been awarded a grant from the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) to integrate Pearl Calibrate, the first AI-powered clinical calibration tool, into its educational and research programs. The grant-powered collaboration will enable faculty, residents, and students to incorporate advanced AI technology into their curriculum and in preparation for clinical work. Insights garnered from the implementation are expected later this year. The integration of Calibrate into dental training infrastructure marks a pivotal moment in dental education, highlighting a collective commitment to adopting innovative solutions that enhance both teaching and patient care.

“It is terrific to see UCLA taking a leading role in the AI-driven advancement of dental education,” said Ophir Tanz, founder and CEO of Pearl. “The ADEA grant empowers faculty and students with a tool designed specifically to foster consistency and higher standards in radiologic diagnosis –– and underscores AI’s increasingly vital influence on dentistry today. In collaboration with UCLA, we are making significant strides toward a dental future where AI and human talent blend to elevate care and foster better outcomes for patients.”

“At UCLA, we are committed to embracing innovation that safely and securely advances our field,” said Dr. Paul H. Krebsbach, Dean of the UCLA School of Dentistry. “Implementing this new technology aligns with our strategic imperative to leverage best-in-class digital architecture and to prepare our students to lead in the evolving landscape of dental care. I commend Dr. Sanjay Mallya, chair of our Section of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology, for leading this initiative.”

Calibrate is a multi-purpose tool that helps a broad range of users hone their dental x-ray evaluation skills and overcome subjectivity endemic to diagnostic radiology. Calibrate helps ensure consistency across clinical professionals operating within dental industry organizations including universities, single- and multi-site clinics, radiology centers, and insurance companies. Offering an extensive internal image library, as well as the ability to upload image datasets, Calibrate allows administrators to prescribe interpretive standards and customize benchmarks tailored to their organizations’ unique clinical specifications.

About Pearl

Pearl is an AI-driven company committed to enhancing patient care in dentistry. Founded in 2019 by a team with decades of experience developing successful, enterprise-grade computer vision solutions, Pearl introduced the first-ever FDA-cleared AI capable of reading and instantly identifying diseases in dental x-rays. With regulatory clearance in 120 countries, Pearl's AI assists dentists in making precise clinical decisions and effectively communicating with patients, thereby transforming the dental care experience worldwide. As dentistry’s global AI leader, Pearl is committed to the ongoing innovation of robust, accessible AI tools that improve patient health outcomes and build greater trust in dental medicine. To request a demo, please visit hellopearl.com/getdemo

Ivoclar Announces OptraGate 2

 

Today's post is short, but that's because the majority of what you need to know will be in the link at the bottom.

Anyone who performs dentistry in the anterior knows that retraction is critically important.  Over the years, there have been several products released that can help solve that problem, but the one that everyone knows is Ivoclar's OptraGate.  It was the first thin and flexible lip retraction device that I ever worked with... and I loved it.  Now the company has announced the new and improved OptraGate 2.

The Optragate 2 is a non-latex lip and cheek retractor that, as you can see in the image above, provides a clear view for treatment in the anterior segment of the mouth.   There are flexible rings in the material that allow the device to be incredibly flexible.  Basically it is folded almost in half, then the interior ring is placed under the lip and as the device unfolds, it expands and retracts the lips.

 The biggest difference in the new design is the addition of a third flexible ring located midway between the inner and outer rings.  Ivoclar says the addition of this third ring "reduces compressive strength on the jawbone".  

From that description, I'm guessing that what they mean is that it helps keep the inner ring from pressing against the facial aspect of the alveolar ridge as it holds the lip back.  I haven't had a chance to to try the product yet, so that is speculation.  However, as a patient I did have the original OptraGate used on me by a friend and I did notice some tenderness along the labial plate due to the pressure of the internal ring.  To be clear, it was not bad and certainly hasn't ever kept me from using one when needed.  I applaud Ivoclar for continuing to innovate on a product that is a simple design.  Everything can be improved and it shows how the company is always looking to make things better.

Ivoclar has set up a nice page with all of the product info and details, including videos.  You can find that page here.  

CDA Anaheim Proves Dental Industry Trade Shows are BACK!

 

I just returned home from the California Dental Association meeting in Anaheim and let me assure you... in person meetings are back!  We've seen a fairly slow rebound since the pandemic.  As we all know, the one super cool thing that emerged out of Covid-19 was the incredible growth of video conferencing.  Before that, I had heard of Zoom, but had never used it.  During the shutdown, I felt like I *lived* on it.

Suddenly there was an abundance of CE courses available online.  Doctors discovered that they didn't need to shut down their office and travel to get quality information.  That seemed to sound the death knell of in person meetings.  The key word in that sentence is 'seemed'.

I remember the early days of video conferencing.  I started tinkering with it in the early 2000s.  It was wonky and the images were jerky, but it worked.  It got better as broadband connections became plentiful.  Back then I remember reading several tech articles that said it would kill the airline industry.  However, it never really caught on the way people thought it would.  I saw a study done back then that discovered that when people connected via video, it created a desire to physically be with the person on the other end.  Suddenly air travel spiked.  It seemed that instead of killing the airlines, it created a boost.

Of course, then along came Covid.  In my 'other' job in dentistry, I tend to go to a lot of meetings.  Post Covid, attendance was incredibly low.  The ADA in 2021 was in Las Vegas and the attendance was sparce.  I talked to several companies who saw around 10 people stop by their booth every day.  There were times in the exhibit hall where you could have played touch football in the aisles and not worried about bumping into anyone.

However, just like the first video conferencing systems boosted travel, that seems to be the case now.  Dental tradeshows are bouncing back.  The CDS MidWinter meeting was well attended and the CDA was incredibly busy.  It was good to see the exhibit hall full.

I think as human beings, we crave interpersonal interaction.  Sure you can learn from your computer, but you don't get the same social  buzz that you get from standing in the same room with other humans.  I spoke with several companies in Anaheim and they all reported good traffic and sales numbers.  I spent quite a bit of time in the Medidenta booth and I can tell you that they had a lot of traffic.

Maybe the best thing I saw was people socializing.  The sitting areas were always packed and the booths not only were full of people checking things out, they were also chatting away.  It gave me a warm feeling to see it and be part of it.  I was staying at the Hilton and every night the bar was full of people laughing and enjoying themselves.

As you all know, I'm full on when it comes to tech.  However, I readily admit there are somethings that technology simply cannot do and never will.  One of those is giving you the dopamine hit that you get when see an old friend or make a new one.  We're social creatures and we crave that interaction.  I'm really optimistic about the future of dental meetings.  There may not be as many small ones eventually, but the large meetings are definitely back.  Learning and meeting in person is something we humans want... and there really isn't a substitute for that.

Podcast Progress!

 

I wanted to provide an update on where I am with the podcast.  We have one 'in the can'.  That one is with Sean Ryan who is the CEO of Medidenta.  We discuss Our journey of creating the podcast as well as talking about Sean's vision of education for dentists.  The profession changes constantly and trying to become well educated on topics that weren't on the market 5 years ago can be daunting.

Medidenta Digital is helping with the podcast and going all in on education for doctors *before* they invest in new technologies to help them see if they are a good fit for their offices.

Sean is an amazing story teller and I think you'll all really enjoy his story and his philosophies on the responsibilities of manufacturers to the profession.

The episode is in final editing and will be available shortly.  We've also got several other guests lined up will start doing more interviews soon.  Once it goes live, I'll make an announcement here.  Enjoy!

Smile Source and ACT Dental Announce Merger

 

As always, I'm working to get the latest and best info to my readers.  Sometimes the posts are on groundbreaking tech that I've found, used, and/or love.  Sometimes, like today, it's on a business change in the industry.  As most of you know, I'm a huge fan of the independent private practice.  There are a few groups devoted to helping private practices thrive as they go head to head against large corporations with multiple locations and the commensurate buying power that brings.

One of those groups is Smile Source.  Founded in 2006, Smile Source® is a private practice dental community empowering independent dentists by offering practice management, continuing education, marketing support, and unsurpassed buying power.  Today comes word of Smile Source merging with practice consulting comany ACT Dental.  Read on for the details.

 Smile Source, the nation's leading private practice dental network, is proud to announce its merger with ACT Dental, a premier provider of dental practice coaching and education. This merger represents a powerful step forward in supporting the vitality of independent dentistry nationwide.

Together, Smile Source and ACT Dental are proud to share a unified mission: to preserve, protect, and elevate independent dentistry. By combining forces, the two organizations are creating an integrated community that empowers private practice dentists with expanded resources, deeper peer networks, and industry-leading education and coaching.

"By joining forces, we're combining expertise, resources, and communities to better serve our mission." said Dr. Jeff Osborne, Chief Dental Officer of Smile Source. "Together, Smile Source and ACT Dental form a powerful alliance, uniquely positioned to help our members not just survive, but thrive."

A defining aspect of this merger is a shared dedication to cultivating a values-driven culture. Both organizations are built on the belief that strong relationships, meaningful collaboration and continuous growth are the cornerstones of long-term success. This partnership brings renewed focus on fostering a supportive and empowering environment for dentists and their teams.

"As a private practice owner for nearly 20 years, it's a privilege to be named the next CEO of Smile Source. I'm passionate about private practice and allowing it to thrive for decades to come." said Dr. Barrett Straub, Smile Source's new Chief Executive Officer. "Together, Smile Source and ACT Dental are creating the kind of community that empowers dentists to lead smarter, healthier, more independent practices." Kirk Behrendt, Founder & Visionary of ACT Dental, added.

As Smile Source and ACT Dental begin this new chapter together, we remain deeply committed to the members we serve. This merger is just the beginning of what's to come! By bringing together our strengths, we are building something powerful. A future where independent dentists have more support, more tools, and more opportunity than ever before. We look forward to sharing more exciting updates in the coming months as we work together to elevate the business and the heart of private practice dentistry.

Align Settles Consumer Lawsuit and is Sued by Smile Direct Club - One of These Things is Not Like the Other...

Photo by Wesley Tingey on Unsplash

 Some interesting news from the legal word recently.  On April 25th, Aligln Technology, the parent company of Invisalign, has agreed to a $31.7 million settlement in a class action lawsuit from consumers.  The settlement deal still requires approval by US District Court Judge Vince Chhabria.

The suit alleged that Align conspired with the now bankrupt Smile Direct Club.  The alleged deal was that Align would not enter the direct to consumer market.  The suit alleges that this allowed SDC to charge higher fees to consumers.  Basically if Align did not compete with SDC, then SDC could charge consumers more for their product.  SDC was not part of the lawsuit...  probably because the company declared bankruptcy and is out of business which means they couldn't pay a dime.

The suit is on behalf of 230,000 consumers which means that the amount received would be about $103 per consumer.  However, it's also noted that the class could potentially be 1.4 million consumers.  I have NO idea how they will determine the number.  If the suit is settled with the high number of consumers, that would mean each would receive about $17 each.  For those of you math minded readers who do the calculation, that doesn't seem to be correct.  The reason for that is the attorneys are requesting $8 million in fees for their work on the suit.  That would bring the amount down to $23.7 million.

Personally, I have no stake in this, but it seems like a lot to go through for roughly a payout of somewhere between $100 to $20 each for the consumers.

Never mind the fact that even without competition, SDC went bankrupt and they burned through cash like a lit match in a gasoline factory.  It was one of the most incredible flameouts in the history of the dental industry.

So now we move on to the twist in this story.  Last week I was made aware of a lawsuit filed by Smile Direct Club against Align.  According to what I've seen, "the history of this case is that SDC was an operating business that was driven to bankruptcy".

This is where it gets interesting.  I'm trying to wrap my head around how, if the agreement was that Align would not compete with SDC... how exactly was SDC "driven into bankruptcy"?  One of these lawsuits doesn't make sense.  Either Align drove them out of business or Align conspired with SDC to not compete and therefor made SDC potentially more profitable.

I'm not an attorney and I don't pretend to know how all of this works in the legal world.  However, it seems that only one of these claims is true.  So I'll be following all of this with a bit of interest.  As I learn more, I'll try and update the story.

AdDent MicroLux DW for Two Ways to Help with Diagnosis

 

Two of the diagnostic technologies that I've been excited about for years are transillumination and caries fluorescence.  Both of these allow the doctor to find decay at its earliest stages.  The great thing about finding things when they're tiny is that is gives the doctor a lot of options.

We all know that some patients suffer problems that quickly break down, while others progress slowly.  Ask any doctor and they will tell you that some patients seem to suffer decay much more easily than others.  Many times these patients can have meticulous home  and still see frequent problems.  The flip side is that some patients don't do nearly as much home care and seem to rarely if ever suffer problems... and if they do, they progress slowly. 

For patients who suffer from frequent and fast breakdown, early intervention is usually needed.  That means finding problems when they are small allows the doctor to remove small amounts of tooth structure and leave more, healthy structure in place.

Finding problems when they are small can also allow a doctor to try remineralization therapy to perhaps reverse tiny lesions in patients who break down slowly.  This can potentially eliminate the need to perform a restoration at all.

Usually by the time an area of caries in the interproximal area is detectable on a bitewing, the lesion is hard to reverse and difficult to monitor adequately.  This is when transillumination is a great thing to have.  Often areas in the interproximal area can be seen with transillumination before they are visible on a bitewing.

It's the same with with areas on the occlusal or smooth surfaces where an explorer is normally used.  Frequently when a lesion is detectable with an explorer, it has cavitated and undermined enough enamel that a restoration is needed.

These clinical problems can be handled with the MicroLux DW from AdDent.  The smart people at AdDent created the MicroLux unit several years ago.  However, they've recently upgraded the device with the new name of MicroLux DW and the DW stands for dual wavelength.  It has both a visible white light mode for transillumination as well as a violet (405nm) light that performs biofluorescence.  This allows the device to perform two important functions to increase diagnostic accuracy and to find areas of concern when they are tiny.

The device comes with a small autoclavable tip that is attached.  The tip is 3mm in diameter and allows the doctor to get it wherever needed in the mouth.  The tip allows for easy illumination of interproximal lesions with minimal light pollution to the doctors eyes, since the small tip directs the light easily below the height of contour of the area being examined.

The transillumination mode can be used for: 

•  Visualizing teeth for cracks, fractures, calculus, and caries
•  Visualize existing composites for marginal defects and microleakage 
•  Checking inlays and onlays for micro-cracks or crazes before cementation 
•  Evaluation of enamel discoloration, including white spot lesions 
•  Visualization of the root canal and root fractures

The fluorescence can be used for:

• Visualize Biofilm 
• Visualize caries Bacteria 
•  Evaluation of White Spot Lesions and Demineralization 
• Visualize Plaque for perio and implant maintenance 
• Differentiate between tooth fluorescent vs non-fluorescent restorative materials 

The unit has a rechargeable battery with a voltage regulator that maintains a uniform brightness no matter how low the battery is.  This helps ensure a consistent light source for accurate clinical determinations.

We have a unit in the office and reach for it frequently.  If you'd like more info, follow this link.