AMD Lasers Announces New Picasso Pro Diode Laser and LEAP Endodontic Protocol

Regular readers may remember that, for a general dentist, I've always loved endodontics.  I've had the unique benefit of working with a couple of amazing endodontists who sat with me and gave me a hands-on "mini residency" in how to get the best results possible.  If I would have been forced to only do one procedure my entire career, I would have become an endodontist.  Because of my intense interest in the subject, I follow the advancements in endodontics with great interest.  I've also been fortunate enough to have been able to teach endodontics to other GP's many times in my career.  I find it really rewarding to be able to help other doctors, who face the same GP challenges that I do, about ways to make the procedure easier and get better clinical outcomes.

About five years ago, I was visiting AMD Lasers at their headquarters outside Salt Lake City.  During that visit, Dr. Densen Cao, the CEO of the company, told me they had begun research on simplifying endodontics.  The idea was interesting as it involved using a diode laser to disinfect the canals.  For years AMD has manufactured and sold the Picasso line of diode lasers and the company had discovered that there was potentially a way to greatly reduce bacterial counts in root canals through the use of laser disinfection.  The idea was in the early stages of research and development, but Dr. Cao thought it held great promise.  All good science takes time and AMD did an incredible amount of testing and research in this area.  Now, five years later, the company has announced a new laser and their new endodontic protocol, with the science to back it up. 

The new laser is the Picasso Pro and the new endo procedure is LEAP (Laser Enhanced Ablation Procedure).  The company has research demonstrating >99.9% reduction of E. faecalis and I think this would be a great protocol to pair with the new Endocator from Vista-Apex Solutions.

The recent press release from AMD contains all the critical info...

Innovative integrated diode laser protocol achieves >99.99% bacterial reduction while simplifying endodontic workflow and reducing treatment time

AMD Lasers, Inc., a subsidiary of the CAO Group, Inc. and a global leader in dental technology and manufacturing, today announced the launch of LEAP® (Laser Endodontic Ablation Procedure), a next-generation laser-assisted root canal disinfection system designed to deliver predictable, reliable, and affordable complete bacterial elimination while simplifying clinical workflow. The technology will be formally introduced at the 2026 American Association of Endodontists (AAE) Annual Meeting beginning April 15, 2026.

LEAP integrates the Picasso Pro™ diode laser, proprietary LEAP disinfection solution, and specially engineered LEAP fiber tips to create a complete laser-driven canal disinfection protocol. All LEAP elements and the overall protocol have been FDA approved. Independent laboratory research demonstrates greater than 99.99% bacterial reduction against Enterococcus faecalis, one of the most persistent pathogens in endodontic infections.

Addressing a Two-Century Challenge in Endodontics

Canal disinfection is the most critical step in root canal treatment. Reliable and complete root canal disinfection has been sought by researchers and clinicians since modern endodontic therapy was first introduced more than 200 years ago. Conventional protocols rely primarily on chemical irrigation, most commonly using sodium hypochlorite. Some also combine ultrasonic or laser agitation techniques. While widely used, sodium hypochlorite presents challenges including tissue toxicity risk, procedural complexity, and extended contact times required for improved antimicrobial effectiveness.

Following more than a decade of research and development, AMD scientists have developed a method that converts diode laser energy into controlled thermal ablation within the root canal system, eliminating residual bacteria through ablation while preserving surrounding cementum and periodontal ligament structures.

The LEAP tip, beginning at 200 μm in diameter, enables clinicians to reach the apical third of the canal with minimal canal enlargement, helping preserve natural tooth structure.

Integrated Laser Disinfection Platform

The LEAP system combines four key technologies: the Picasso Pro 810 nm diode laser, dedicated LEAP treatment protocol software, proprietary LEAP irrigation and disinfection solution, and disposable LEAP endodontic fiber tips. This integrated approach enables deep canal penetration, controlled thermal disinfection, and predictable bacterial reduction under low-energy laser parameters.

Independent laboratory testing has demonstrated >99.99% reduction of E. faecalis bacteria. Early clinical evaluation has also reported strong patient comfort outcomes, including 80% of patients reporting no pain with 24 hours of treatment and 100% reporting no pain after seven days.

Faster Workflow for Endodontic Procedures

The LEAP protocol simplifies traditional endodontic procedures and may also significantly reduce treatment time. Key workflow advantages include minimal file sequence and reduced dentin removal, reduced irrigation steps, and shorter solution exposure time. The LEAP protocol also eliminates the need for sodium hypochlorite in root canal treatment.

Together, these efficiencies may reduce endodontic procedure time by up to 50% while minimizing the potential for multi-visit treatments, improving chairside productivity and- enhancing the patient experience.

Picasso Pro: A Multi-Purpose Clinical Platform

The Picasso Pro diode laser platform provides clinicians with a versatile tool for multiple dental procedures, including soft tissue surgery and management, laser assisted pain alleviation (LAPA™) for painless injection, photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy, endodontic applications including LEAP, and future laser induced reversible adhesive (LIRA™).

Key platform features of this 810 nm diode laser include its dedicated LEAP protocol mode, iPad-based interface with automatic software updates, and compact design for easy integration into dental operatories.

Clinical and Economic Advantages

LEAP was developed to deliver advanced endodontic technology at a practical price point. The MSRP for the Picasso Pro laser system will be under $10,000, and LEAP consumables carry less than a $30 per-procedure cost. Treatment time is reduced from an average of 90 minutes to 50 minutes, improving the patient experience while allowing clinicians to treat more patients per day. By combining advanced disinfection performance with accessible technology costs, LEAP allows practices to enhance patient care while improving operational efficiency.

Executive Commentary

“LEAP represents the first fully integrated diode laser protocol specifically designed for root canal disinfection and is a part of our continuous innovation in dentistry,” said Densen Cao, PhD, CEO of CAO Group, AMD’s parent company.

“By achieving greater than 99.99% bacterial reduction while eliminating sodium hypochlorite and significantly reducing procedure time, LEAP provides clinicians with a repeatable, reliable, and affordable canal disinfection technology. We believe this innovation represents a revolutionary advancement in dental root canal treatment.”

For more information about LEAP and Picasso Pro, please visit www.amdlasers.com or booth #1809 at the 2026 American Association of Endodontists Annual Meeting. AMD will provide comprehensive demos and lectures at AAE booth. Clinicians can also preview the Picasso Pro system and LEAP products at www.amdlasers.com.

About AMD Lasers

AMD Lasers, Inc. (AMD), a subsidiary of the CAO Group, Inc., is a global innovator and manufacturer in advanced dental technologies. AMD has created many innovations contributing to dentistry including LED curing light, diode lasers, PVP teeth whitening thickener and viscoelastic gelatin strips, direct x-ray photon detection sensor, laser curing light, complete canal disinfection, and many others. The Picasso diode laser product line has become one of the most widely adopted dental laser platforms worldwide. The company innovates and manufactures clinically proven products to make dentistry easier, faster, and better for practitioners and patients.

Calcium Phosphate Ion Clusters (CPIC): Biomimetic Remineralization and the Next Step in Preventive Dentistry - ProMin from PacDent

 

A long post today.  I've been working on this one for a while and I think it's finally ready.  I was originally thinking of this as an article, but I decided to post it rather than go that route.  Dentistry has always been about being as minimally invasive as possible, and with that in mind, take a look below.  This is something I'm pretty excited about from a remineralization standpoint.

Dentistry is in the middle of a quiet revolution. For decades, the profession has been steadily moving away from a purely mechanical model of treatment and toward something more biologically driven. Adhesive dentistry changed the way we think about tooth preparation. Digital dentistry transformed diagnostics and workflow. Now biomimetic technologies are beginning to reshape how we manage early disease.

One of the most exciting developments in this space is Calcium Phosphate Ion Cluster technology—commonly referred to as CPIC. This approach takes a different path from traditional remineralization strategies. Instead of simply coating the surface of enamel or slowly releasing minerals, CPIC technology delivers calcium and phosphate in an ultra‑bioavailable form that can penetrate microscopic defects in tooth structure and rebuild mineral from within.

For clinicians who are passionate about minimally invasive dentistry, that idea should immediately grab attention.

To understand why CPIC matters, it helps to revisit the basic chemistry of teeth. Enamel is composed almost entirely of hydroxyapatite crystals arranged in highly organized rods. Despite being incredibly strong, enamel is not immune to chemical attack. Acids produced by bacteria—or introduced through diet—begin dissolving hydroxyapatite, pulling calcium and phosphate ions out of the tooth. The result is demineralization and the formation of microscopic porosities within the enamel structure.

If the oral environment shifts back toward neutrality and minerals are available, the tooth can repair itself. Saliva plays a major role in this process, providing calcium and phosphate ions that help rebuild hydroxyapatite. The challenge is that natural remineralization is often incomplete. In many patients the balance tips toward continued mineral loss, eventually leading to cavitation.

Traditional preventive strategies have focused on strengthening enamel or increasing mineral availability. Fluoride remains the gold standard because it promotes the formation of fluorapatite, a crystal that is more resistant to acid dissolution than hydroxyapatite. Fluoride has saved countless teeth over the decades, but even fluoride has limitations when it comes to rebuilding deeper subsurface lesions.

And that is where CPIC technology enters the picture.

Calcium Phosphate Ion Clusters represent a biomimetic approach to remineralization. Instead of delivering minerals as particles or compounds that dissolve slowly, CPIC technology organizes calcium and phosphate ions into extremely small, stable clusters. These clusters remain highly soluble and mobile, allowing them to diffuse into the microscopic channels created during enamel demineralization.

Once these clusters penetrate the lesion, they rapidly transform into hydroxyapatite crystals. In essence, the mineral rebuild begins inside the lesion rather than simply forming a protective coating on the surface.

From a clinical perspective, that capability is extremely important.

Early carious lesions often exist beneath an apparently intact enamel surface. These so‑called white spot lesions represent subsurface mineral loss. Traditional remineralization agents sometimes struggle to deliver sufficient mineral ions to these deeper areas. Because CPIC clusters are so small and chemically reactive, they can move through the porous enamel matrix and deposit minerals exactly where they are needed.

This creates the possibility of repairing early lesions before they ever require a handpiece.

Another area where CPIC technology shines is dentinal hypersensitivity. All of us who treat patients regularly know how common—and how frustrating—sensitivity can be. When dentinal tubules become exposed, fluid movement inside the tubules stimulates nerve endings, producing sharp pain when the patient encounters cold, sweet, or tactile stimuli.

Many desensitizing products attempt to block these tubules using various compounds or precipitates. CPIC technology takes a slightly different approach. By delivering calcium and phosphate ions directly into the tubule openings, CPIC formulations encourage hydroxyapatite formation within the tubules themselves. Over time this mineral deposition helps seal the tubules in a way that closely mimics the tooth’s natural structure.

The result is reduced sensitivity combined with strengthening of the surrounding dentin.

The synergy between calcium, phosphate, and fluoride also makes CPIC particularly attractive in preventive dentistry. When fluoride is present during the remineralization process, the newly formed mineral can incorporate fluoride ions and create fluorapatite. Because fluorapatite is more resistant to acid dissolution than standard hydroxyapatite, this combination provides a powerful defensive mechanism against future demineralization.

In other words, the technology does not simply repair the tooth—it helps make the repaired structure more resilient.

One of the most interesting clinical applications of CPIC technology today comes from PacDent in the form of ProMin F. This formulation combines Calcium Phosphate Ion Cluster technology with fluoride in a desensitizing and remineralizing paste designed for professional use.

What makes ProMin F particularly intriguing is the way it fits into modern digital dentistry workflows.

Today’s dental practices increasingly rely on intraoral scanners and 3D printing to create custom appliances. Nightguards, surgical guides, orthodontic models, and occlusal splints are routinely fabricated through digital workflows. PacDent’s ProMin F takes advantage of this same technology by allowing clinicians to deliver the remineralizing paste through custom 3D printed trays.

This approach creates a highly targeted mineral delivery system.

Using an intraoral scan, the clinician can design and fabricate a tray that precisely adapts to the patient’s dentition. The tray holds the ProMin F material directly against the enamel surfaces, ensuring intimate contact between the CPIC formulation and the tooth structure. Because the tray is custom fabricated, the material stays exactly where it is intended rather than being diluted by saliva or displaced by soft tissues.

For remineralization therapies, contact and consistency matter. The tray allows patients to wear the appliance for short daily intervals, providing repeated exposure to calcium, phosphate, and fluoride ions. Each application contributes to the gradual rebuilding of minerals within enamel defects and dentinal tubules.

From a patient management perspective, this is a really attractive  solution. The treatment is non‑invasive, comfortable, and easy to integrate into daily routines.

Clinically, there are several scenarios where this approach can be especially valuable.

Orthodontic patients are one obvious example. White spot lesions around brackets remain a persistent challenge in orthodontic care. Delivering CPIC therapy through a custom tray provides a way to encourage remineralization of these lesions once appliances are removed.

Another useful application is post‑whitening sensitivity. Tooth whitening procedures can temporarily increase dentinal permeability and sensitivity. Using a CPIC‑based desensitizing paste in a custom tray allows clinicians to rapidly occlude dentinal tubules and restore mineral balance after bleaching.

High‑risk caries patients may also benefit significantly from this approach. Patients with reduced salivary flow, high bacterial loads, or dietary challenges often struggle to maintain adequate remineralization. Targeted CPIC therapy delivered through a tray provides an additional layer of mineral support that complements traditional preventive measures.

Perhaps the most compelling aspect of CPIC technology is how well it aligns with the philosophy of modern dentistry. Today’s clinicians are increasingly focused on preservation. The goal is not simply to repair damage but to prevent disease progression whenever possible. Technologies that mimic natural biological processes fit perfectly into this mindset.

Instead of removing  weakened enamel and placing a restorative material, clinicians can support the tooth’s own repair mechanisms.

The integration of CPIC chemistry with digital tray fabrication is also a reminder of how rapidly dentistry is evolving. Digital workflows provide precision and customization. Biomimetic chemistry provides the biological repair mechanism. Together they create treatment strategies that would have been difficult to imagine just a decade ago.

Looking ahead, the potential applications of CPIC technology may extend well beyond topical pastes. Researchers are exploring ways to incorporate biomimetic mineralization strategies into restorative materials, coatings, and preventive treatments. As our understanding of enamel chemistry continues to grow, technologies that replicate natural mineral formation are likely to become increasingly important in everyday clinical dentistry.

For clinicians who enjoy staying on the leading edge of dental technology, CPIC represents a fascinating intersection of chemistry, biology, and digital workflow.

It is not just another preventive product. It is a glimpse into the future of how dentistry may repair and preserve tooth structure in a truly biomimetic way.

eHealth Deepens Support for Consumers with End-of-Life Financial Planning Solutions

 

New Final Expense Life Insurance Plans help people and their families 
better plan for funeral and burial or cremation expenses 

A new eHealth survey found 65% of Americans underestimate the cost of a funeral with viewing and cremation; 35% underestimate the cost of a funeral with cremation

eHealth, Inc. (Nasdaq: EHTH), a leading private online health insurance marketplace, today announced it now offers Final Expense life insurance plans, helping Americans and their families plan for funeral and burial or cremation expenses. 

The new plans are part of eHealth’s strategy to better meet the coverage and wellness needs of individuals and families, offering an expanded portfolio of plans, services and support to help consumers live healthier, more financially secure lives.  

“Honoring loved ones upon passing is an important part of life for many families, yet this is an often-overlooked part of end-of-life planning,” said Derrick Duke, CEO of eHealth. “The cost of a traditional funeral and burial averages over $8,000, so these new plans can help people prepare for this part of life while helping protect their loved ones from the financial burden associated with a funeral and burial or cremation.”

A new eHealth survey of more than 1,000 Americans aged 65 and older found many people are unprepared to cover the cost of funeral and burial expenses. Key findings:

• 65% underestimate the average cost of a funeral with viewing and cremation, while 35% underestimate the average cost of a funeral with cremation.
• 47% worry about burdening loved ones with the cost of a funeral and burial or cremation.
• 62% plan to be cremated, while 23% prefer to be buried; 15% don’t know or have no preference.

Among survey respondents living on an income of less than $50,000 per year:

• 56% worry about burdening their loved ones with the cost of a funeral and burial or cremation.
• 33% have no insurance or money set aside to help cover these end-of-life expenses.

eHealth's Final Expense plans are offered through Mutual of Omaha and available by phone, allowing licensed insurance agents to discuss coverage options as part of a broader, personalized financial protection discussion. The policies can provide tax-free funds* for various purposes, including funeral and burial or cremation expenses, outstanding medical bills, travel costs, legal fees, or other related needs.

Two types of Final Expense plans are available:

• Level Benefit Plans, offered to people ages 45 to 85, with coverage amounts ranging from $2,000 to $50,000.
• Graded Benefit Plans, offered to people ages 45 to 80, with coverage amounts ranging from $2,000 to $20,000.

Applicants are not required to undergo a medical exam to qualify for coverage. Instead, eligibility is determined through responses to a limited set of health questions covering a lookback period of approximately two to four years. The plans are designed to be affordable and provide beneficiaries with quick access to guaranteed funds, helping reduce financial stress during a difficult time.

The average cost of a funeral with a viewing and burial exceeds $8,000, while the average cost of a funeral with a viewing and cremation is more than $6,000. 

“These new plans allow us to provide people with affordable, easy-to-qualify coverage that helps protect their loved ones from the financial burden associated with end-of-life expenses,” continued Derrick Duke. “It aligns with our commitment to expanding access to products that support financial peace of mind in retirement.”

Specific plan availability may vary by state; some plans may not be available in Arkansas, Montana, New York, and North Carolina. Coverage and premiums may vary based on qualifying factors.



*Consult a tax professional for personal tax advice.

About eHealth


We’re Matchmakers. For over 25 years, eHealth has helped millions of Americans find the healthcare coverage that fits their needs at a price they can afford. As a leading independent licensed insurance agency and advisor, eHealth offers access to over 180 health insurers, including national and regional companies.  

For more information, visit ehealth.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook,  Instagram, and X. Open positions can be found on our career page.  

American Dental Association and American Board of Dental Examiners Advance Dental Licensure Examinations Through New Agreement

 

ADEX to incorporate the Dental Licensure Objective Structured Clinical Examination (DLOSCE) into the ADEX Dental Examination no later than Aug. 1, 2026

 

The American Dental Association (ADA) and the American Board of Dental Examiners (ADEX) have finalized an agreement to license the ADA's Dental Licensure Objective Structured Clinical Examination (DLOSCE) for incorporation into the ADEX Dental Examination, marking a significant step forward in modernizing dental licensure and advancing patient safety.

The agreement benefits public health, dental licensure candidates, the dental profession, and licensing boards to help ensure dentists enter the profession with proven competence and uphold the highest standards for patient safety.

The integration of the ADA's DLOSCE simplifies licensure pathways and supports licensure portability, benefiting candidates seeking to practice in 48 states and other jurisdictions — including Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, Jamaica, and the U.S. Virgin Islands — that currently accept or require the ADEX Dental Examination.

"This agreement represents an important milestone for the dental profession," said Dr. Richard Rosato, D.M.D., president of the ADA. "By aligning pathways to licensure and advancing candidate assessment, we are strengthening licensure portability, supporting a more mobile and responsive workforce, and ensuring that patient safety remains paramount. The ADA has long championed solutions that modernize licensure while protecting the public, and this collaboration reflects our commitment to shaping a strong, sustainable future for dentistry in service to public health."

The ADEX Dental Examination with its DLOSCE component represents a modernized, evidence-based approach to evaluating clinical competence and readiness for practice. The ADEX Dental Examination will continue to assess candidates' clinical hand skills alongside their treatment-planning and decision-making abilities. Through inclusion of the DLOSCE, the ADEX Dental Examination will benefit from the DLOSCE's extensive use of images and 3D models that allow candidates to demonstrate their clinical judgment in scenarios that closely mirror real-world practice.

 "ADEX has long served state dental boards to support licensure processes that reflect both public protection and clinical competence," said Dr. Mark Armstrong, Chair of ADEX. "This agreement continues that work by strengthening alignment across assessment components while preserving the clinical hand-skills evaluation that remains central to licensure in most U.S. jurisdictions."

 The agreement follows extensive collaboration among the ADA, ADEX, the Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations (JCNDE), and the ADA Council on Dental Education and Licensure (CDEL) that began in 2025. In March 2026, the ADA Board of Trustees and ADEX Board of Directors voted to approve the general terms that led to this joint agreement.

Central to discussions was a shared commitment to ensuring that dental licensure assessments continue to evolve in step with advancements in clinical education, technology, and patient care. Both organizations emphasized the importance of strengthening public protection while also enhancing the portability of dental licensure for candidates navigating an increasingly mobile profession.

 ADEX will sunset its DSE OSCE no later than Aug. 1, 2026. Upon sunset of the DSE OSCE, all ADEX Dental Examination administrations will include the DLOSCE.

 The DLOSCE will no longer be offered or administered as a standalone examination to new DLOSCE candidates, except in conjunction with the ADEX Dental Examination, after Aug. 1, 2026. All standalone administrations of the DLOSCE will cease after Oct. 9, 2026.

 About the American Dental Association

The not-for-profit ADA is the nation's largest dental association, representing more than 152,000 dentist members. The premier source of oral health information, the ADA has advocated for the public's health and promoted the art and science of dentistry since 1859. The ADA's state-of-the-art research facilities develop and test dental products and materials that have advanced the practice of dentistry and made the patient experience more positive. The ADA Seal of Acceptance has long been a valuable and respected guide to consumer dental care products. The Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA), published monthly, is the ADA's flagship publication and the best-read scientific journal in dentistry. For more information about the ADA, visit ADA.org. For more information on oral health, including prevention, care and treatment of dental disease, visit the ADA's consumer website MouthHealthy.org. 

About the American Board of Dental Examiners

The American Board of Dental Examiners (ADEX) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting dental boards in their mission to protect the public through the licensure of qualified oral health professionals. Established in 1969, ADEX administers independent competency examinations developed and approved by representatives of state dental boards. ADEX examinations are accepted or required by law in 51 U.S. jurisdictions and serve as the initial licensure pathway for 98% of dental and 85% of dental hygiene candidates nationwide. Through ongoing collaboration with dental boards and educators, ADEX continues to advance innovative, evidence-based assessment methods that uphold the highest standards of fairness, clinical competence, and public protection. Learn more at adextesting.org.

SuperMouth Launches One of the First Electric Toothbrush Systems Designed Exclusively for Orthodontic Care

 

If you happen to know someone who's going through orthodontic treatment that uses traditional wires, here's something to definitely think about.  SuperMouth has just released a new powered tooth brush made specifically for orthodontics.

Orthodontic brackets and wires are difficult to clean around, even if the patient is diligent about it.  I love the idea of a brush specifically designed to help with that problem.  In my career I've seen many patients that needed fillings done because cavities formed around the edges of the brackets.  They normally are small areas, but I've never enjoyed putting fillings on teeth right after a patient finishes ortho treatment.  I'm all for anything that can help prevent that.

I've tried the SuperMouth Ultim8 brush, which I got my hands on last year.  I really liked it.  The company is shipping me this new model to try.  I think you can assume I'll be happy with it, however if I have any concerns, I'll let the company know and post something here, so that all of you know too.

Here's all the info on the new Ultim8 Ortho Edition...

Orthodontist-Engineered Electric Toothbrush Features Up to 60x Better Cleaning Around Braces; Patented Bristles, and UV Sanitization to Revolutionize Oral Hygiene

SuperMouth, the dentist-founded brand known for its advanced oral care solutions for all ages, is proud to unveil its latest innovation: the Ultim8 SmartBrush System Ortho-Edition. As one of the first orthodontist-engineered electric toothbrushes designed to support users through every stage of orthodontic treatment, it delivers superior cleaning, advanced hygiene, and unmatched comfort. 

Equipped with patented SuperBristles® Ortho, the Ultim8 Ortho SmartBrush cleans up to 60 times more effectively around braces than a manual brush. Developed after scanning thousands of teeth with braces, these specialized bristles adapt to the natural contours by wrapping around braces or other orthodontic appliances, like aligner attachments, for a meticulous clean, while the super-soft PBT filaments provide three times more bristles than standard brushes. To ensure peak hygiene, the system’s Ultim8 SmartHub™ features a built-in UV sanitizer that effectively eliminates 99.9% of germs in just five minutes and dries the bristles between uses. 

The system was developed through decades of clinical experience by Dr. Kami Hoss, founder of SuperMouth and orthodontist of over 30 years. Dr. Hoss identified three common issues with traditional toothbrushes––that they are ineffective, unsafe, and unhygienic––and set out to revolutionize at-home oral care through accessible, high-performance technology. 

“We’re thrilled to introduce the Ultim8 SmartBrush System Ortho-Edition, a comprehensive electric toothbrush specially engineered for braces,” said Dr. Kami Hoss, founder of SuperMouth. “Following years of patient care, we identified the unique hygiene challenges of orthodontic patients and where ordinary brushes fall short. This system was created to fill those gaps. With bristles that clean up to 60 times more effectively and features that ensure a deeper clean, our goal is to support patients through every stage of their smile journey.”

The latest addition to SuperMouth’s collection of electric toothbrushes, the Ultim8 SmartBrush System Ortho-Edition includes standout features such as: 

• Four Sonic Modes: Select from four modes designed to effectively clean: Ortho, Super, Sensitive, and Smart. The new Ortho mode is specifically designed for patients in braces or aligners, and the new Smart mode intelligently adapts to real-time brushing pressure for optimized, effortless results. 
• Pressure Sensor Protection: Prevents over-brushing by providing real-time visual feedback through lights that indicate if pressure is too heavy, too little, or just right. 
• Replaceable Brush Heads: Developed by leading orthodontists, the system includes three replaceable ortho-specific brush heads. 
• Ultim8 SmartHub™: This all-in-one station stores, charges, sanitizes, and dries the brush between uses. It features a five-minute UV sanitizer, a built-in dryer, and a dual function cap that serves as both a protective cover and a practical rinse cup. 
• Travel SmartCase™: A new standard for portable care, the SmartCase features a powerful UV sanitizer to eliminate germs and bacteria on the go, a long-lasting rechargeable battery, and custom spaces for travel-sized toothpaste and floss. 
• Versatile Charging: Offers multiple power options, including SmartMag wireless charging, an adaptive charger in the base, and the Travel SmartCase. 
• Waterproof Design: Fully waterproof to allow for convenient brushing in the shower.
• SmartTimer™: Automates shut-off after two minutes and provides 30-second quadrant reminders to ensure even, dentist-recommended brushing time. 

Currently available for purchase at SuperMouth.com, with Amazon availability coming soon, the Ultim8 SmartBrush System Ortho-Edition comes in two customizable versions: $199.99 for the SmartBrush, SmartHub, and Travel SmartCase, and $169.99 for the SmartBrush and SmartHub. Each system is also available in three beautiful colors: Sapphire Blue, Pearly White, and Rose Gold.  

For more information about SuperMouth and the Ultim8 SmartBrush System Ortho-Edition, please visit www.SuperMouth.com.

About SuperMouth®

SuperMouth is a dentist-founded oral care brand offering over 200 best-in-class products and holding nearly 300 patents, reflecting its commitment to innovation and excellence. With products designed for every age and stage of life, SuperMouth continues to push the boundaries of oral care, creating solutions that combine safety, effectiveness, and fun. Learn more at www.SuperMouth.com.

Bringing Artificial Intelligence to Help with Oral Cancer Detection

 

Sometimes less is more and in this case, it applies to this post...

Today is a short post because most of the info will come from the link at the bottom.  Researchers at Harvard are working on ways to bring AI into the realm of detecting oral cancer.

Oral cancer is a horrible disease.  It is often fatal, mainly because it isn't detected in the early stages.  Cancers detected in Stage 1 or Stage 2 often have much better outcomes.  However, oral cancer is often not detected until Stage 3 or Stage 4 which makes them much more difficult treat and extremely difficult to recover from.  Globally it is responsible for around 325,000 deaths per year.

Dentistry has been trying for decades to create a way to make them easier to detect.  That's why I was excited to read about a study from Harvard that deals with using the emerging tech of AI to make detection easier and faster.

Follow this link for more info.  

DMG Introduces New Clinical Protocols for Icon Resin Infiltration

 

Minimally invasive dentistry is a hot topic.  Doctors know that nothing works better in the environment of the oral cavity than the original structures that nature put there.  Discovering and implementing ways to remove as little natural tooth structure as possible saves more tooth structure for later.  I wish I could remember who told me this (unfortunately I can't) but years ago someone called this concept "tooth bank dentistry" which implied it is "banking' more natural enamel and dentin for the future".  I love that analogy and use it frequently when talking about minimally invasive procedures to both doctors and patients.  

One of the ways to perform minimally invasive procedures is with a concept called "resin infiltration".  This is a process where a tooth is etched and then thin, flowable resin is applied to the area.  This thin resin penetrates the microscopic porosities in the lesion and is then photo-polymerized with a curing light.  The resin reinforces the area while also sealing it from breakdown.   

One of the best products for resin infiltration is Icon from DMG.  It's especially helpful in conservatively treating 'white spot lesions' on anterior teeth.   I've worked with the material and have been really impressed with the results.  I've also worked with the team at DMG on several projects over the last few years and I can tell you from personal interactions, they are a great group of people.  I love it when good products come from great people.  It always makes my work a little easier.

I have to offer kudos to the folks at DMG for the hard work they've done on Icon.  The kudos are especially appropriate today as DMG has announced a new "decision tree" that doctors can download and use to make Icon usage easier.  

There are a few quotes below from Dr. David Rice, who is a terrific guy.  If you'd like to learn more from Dr. Rice, here is a link to an interview I did with him for The Technology Evangelist Podcast.

All the info & details from DMG are below...

Protocols improve diagnosis, treatment planning, and esthetic outcomes

Dental professionals across North America now have access to updated clinical protocols for micro-invasive Icon® resin infiltration. These new protocols from DMG incorporate enhanced diagnostic techniques, optimized infiltration timing, and structured treatment guidance designed to improve predictability and outcomes for patients with early enamel lesions and opacities.

The updated approach is the result of DMG’s commitment to clinical research and integrates transillumination-based diagnosis, extended infiltration times, and new pre-treatment strategies, alongside a newly-developed clinical decision tree that helps guide dental professionals through case selection and treatment pathways.  Resin infiltration represents a cornerstone of modern minimally invasive dentistry, enabling clinicians to intervene early and preserve healthy tooth structure while addressing patients’ esthetic concerns. 

With the addition of improved diagnostics, refined protocols, and structured clinical guidance, the updated Icon approach aims to help dental professionals achieve more predictable, conservative, and esthetic treatment outcomes.  

Enhanced Diagnostic Protocol: Transillumination

One of the most significant updates to the clinical workflow is the incorporation of transillumination as a diagnostic and monitoring tool that improves case selection and reduces the risk of misdiagnosis or unnecessary invasive treatment. It is also helpful during treatment to assess lesion dehydration and infiltration progress. 

This diagnostic enhancement allows practitioners to better differentiate:

• White spot enamel lesions and opacities
• Early carious lesions
• Developmental defects such as fluorosis 

Optimized Infiltration Protocols

The updated protocol also emphasizes longer infiltration times, allowing deeper penetration of the low-viscosity resin into porous enamel.  “Over the years, I’ve found that success with Icon resin infiltration isn’t just about the material—it’s about refining the protocol,” said Dr. David Rice, a recognized dental industry key opinion leader and founder of igniteDDS. “By incorporating transillumination for better diagnosis and allowing more time for resin penetration, we’re seeing more predictable outcomes and significantly improved esthetic results. It’s a meaningful step forward in how we manage white spot lesions without drilling.”  Longer infiltration periods can improve diffusion of the resin into hypomineralized enamel structures, increasing the masking effect and enhancing lesion stabilization. 

Expanded Pre-Treatment Strategies

The new protocols also incorporate pre-treatment methods designed to produce predictable, esthetic outcomes, including:

• Microabrasion to remove resistant enamel layers and improve access to the lesion body
• Pre-whitening or bleaching protocols in certain cases to reduce contrast between affected and healthy enamel prior to infiltration

Introducing the Icon Clinical Decision Tree

To support clinicians in implementing these updated protocols, a new Icon Clinical Decision Tree has been introduced.

The decision tree provides a structured pathway to help dental professionals:

• Evaluate lesion etiology and severity
• Determine whether infiltration is appropriate
• Identify when additional pre-treatment steps may be necessary
• Select the correct treatment protocol based on lesion characteristics

The tool simplifies clinical decision-making and promotes predictable treatment planning for white spot lesions, fluorosis, and early caries lesions.

Clinicians can access the decision tree here:

https://drilling-no-thanks.info/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/DMGA_Icon_Decision-Tree_2026.pdf

About Icon Resin Infiltration

Icon is a micro-invasive treatment designed to halt early enamel caries and improve the appearance of white spot lesions without drilling. By infiltrating a low-viscosity resin into the lesion body, the  technique arrests lesion progression and restores the natural optical properties of enamel.

About DMG 

DMG manufactures and distributes a full range of market-leading dental materials and  equipment that are internationally recognized for their quality and innovation. Known for its breakthrough dental technology – including flagship products like Luxatemp® and LuxaCore® Z Dual, the revolutionary Icon® caries infiltrant, LuxaCrown® long-term crown and bridge material, and new additions such as Ecosite restorative composites, and DentaMile® 3D printing solution, complete with software, hardware and resins – DMG is committed to helping provide holistic solutions and streamlined workflows for dental and lab professionals to meet their needs through innovation, collaboration, and dedication. 

For more information about DMG products, or to find a sales representative, please visit online at www.dmg-america.com, or call 800-662-6383.

Together, we’re looking ahead: A smile ahead together

A Totally Digital Workflow and the DWX-43W Helps

 The world has changed dramatically due to the influx of technology.  Dentistry has seen a huge swing toward digital in the last 10 years.  One of my personal pet peeves was the introduction of the concept "digital workflows" into marketing.  What bothered me is that it seemed to imply there was a true digital workflow and not the *concept* of digital workflows.

Digital radiography made tremendous changes in how offices functioned.  That *is* a digital workflow, but it didn't mean everything around it was digital as well.  I felt the term brought a dust cloud of misunderstanding to doctors trying to evaluate things to incorporate into their practices.

However, now I'm much happier because I can tell you with confidence that digital workflows truly exist.  It's now routinely possible to really have 1s and 0s be the only thing between you and delivery of care.  The DWX-43W mill form DGSHAPE is a good example of this.  This is the second DGSHAPE mill that's been in my practice.  We started out with the DWX-42W in 2022 and upgraded to the new model about 14 months ago.

The unit is open architecture which is a huge benefit.  When I began milling in 2022 we had been taking digital intraoral scans with our iTero scanners for about fifteen years.  We were familiar with our scanners, knew how to use them, and were getting tremendous results with them.  Because of the open architecture we could immediately use the scanner data to feed the mill.  Our results were impressive.

The process is now scan digital, design digital, and mill digital.  The only physical part of the process is the patient and the finished crown.  That is a truly digital workflow!

The amazing thing to me is that this is only getting better.  I think in the next 5-10 years dentistry is going to see a tremendous amount of what we do migrate into the in-office sphere.  The results are precise and predictable and the delivery time will be cut dramatically.  There is always going to be a need for dental labs.  There are somethings that will require human brains to create them.  However labs are currently more digital than most dental offices.  That means that even if you don't ever want to do things in-house, you'll still get better results and help your lab by doing as much digitally as you can.  This is the future that I've been dreaming of for over two decades and it's finally starting to arrive.

Research Report from Dandy Examines the Impact of Remakes on Restorative Dentistry

 

Dandy is really going on all in on making digital dentistry easier and as massively predictable as it can be.  I am continually impressed with their efforts to move dentistry forward.  One of the questions I get frequently from other doctors is "won't this digital dentistry stuff cause the end of the lab industry?"  My answer is always a resounding NO.  The reason I feel that way deals a lot with labs like Dandy.  This lab is doing pretty amazing things and making themselves a necessary partner for dentists.  Here's some interesting news from them.

Survey Reveals 58% of Dentists Have Lost a Patient Due to Poor-Fitting Prosthetics

Every dentist knows the frustration of receiving a poor-fitting crown or implant from the lab. But a new research report from Dandy, the fully digital dental lab, has now revealed that poor fit has a direct impact on patient retention, especially for fast-growing practices.

Dandy’s report investigates the extent of prosthetic fit issues for dentists across the U.S. and their impact on dentist practice performance. According to the survey of 137 dentists:

• 94% have had to order a remake
• One in four (23%) have had to re-make a prosthetic three or more times
• The problem is even more pronounced for dentists whose practices are growing quickly, with 22% of them sending more than half (50-75%) of their prosthetics back to the lab

The survey found that sub-par prosthetics are directly impacting dentists’ productivity. 

• Over half (51%) report spending more than an hour a week dealing with remakes. 
• More than three-quarters (79%) report having spent more than 30 minutes chairside addressing an issue caused by an ill-fitting prosthetic for a single patient and 28% have spent more than one hour. 

But it’s not just the dentists’ time that’s lost. Lab work issues have a direct impact on patient experience. A majority of dentists (58%) say they have, or suspect they have, lost a patient to another provider due to a restoration that didn’t fit properly. Dentists whose practices have grown significantly over the past year are even more likely to feel the impact: 74% of them have, or suspect they have, lost a patient for this reason.

Broader Financial Pressure for Dentists

More broadly, Dandy found that 97% of dentists faced growing costs over the past 12 months, predominantly related to dental supplies (reported by 80% of dentists), followed by personnel (64%) and administrative expenses (56%). Many have seen this reflected in their take-home pay: while 67% said their practice has grown over the past year, a much smaller percentage (52%) said their personal income has grown, indicating that costs are increasing faster than revenue and dentists are paying the price personally. 

Solving the Remake Problem

Dentists attributed remakes to a variety of factors: chiefly in the clinic-to-lab workflow. The most common cause was inaccurate impressions or scans (34%), followed by lab fabrication issues (31%). Just 12% of dentists cited patient-related issues such as anatomical challenges. 

Respondents were optimistic that technology could help. Nearly half (42%) said they’d reduced their remake rate by using intraoral scanners, while 53% said they expected AI to improve the fit of lab-produced prosthetics. 

“Amid rising costs, efficiency is crucial for dentists today; but that shouldn’t mean compromising on quality,” said Cong Yu, Head of Engineering at Dandy. “Technology is improving every step of the restoration process, from scan to lab to installation, making it economically possible to deliver high-quality restorations the first time around, every time. For example, our AI Scan Review analyzes scans in real-time, flagging crown preparation issues while the patient is still in the chair, and AI-powered quality control in the lab ensures each device is perfected to a high level of accuracy. By eliminating remakes, we’re helping dentists to deliver a better patient experience and save time so they can grow more profitably.”

Read the Report

The full report: “Solving the Squeeze: Eliminating the Toll of Dental Prosthetic Remakes”.  

 

Survey methodology

Dandy conducted an online survey of 137 dentists across the U.S. in Q3 2025.

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/.

Warming Composite: Trend, Trick, or True Clinical Advantage?

 

Every so often, something starts popping up in conversations, lectures, and online groups that makes you stop and think, “Am I missing something here?”  Lately, that something is warming composite.  You’ve probably heard it: “It flows better.”  “It adapts like a flowable but keeps its strength.”  “Once you try it, you’ll never go back."

That’s a pretty strong set of claims for something as simple as… heating up your composite.  So let’s take a step back and look at what’s really going on.  Quick disclaimer: I've been using warmed composite for over two decades and I'm a believer.

What Happens When You Warm Composite?

At its core, composite is a highly filled resin system. That filler content is what gives us strength, wear resistance, and esthetics—but it also makes composite more viscous and, at times, harder to manipulate.  When you warm composite (typically into the 120–155°F / 50–68°C range), a few things happen:

1. Viscosity Drops

This is the big one.  Warmer composite flows more easily. It adapts better to:  Internal line angles, Margins, Irregularities in prep design.  In practical terms, that means less “fighting the material” and more controlled placement.

2. Improved Adaptation

Better flow = better adaptation.  That can translate into: Fewer voids, Better marginal integrity, Potentially reduced microleakage.  Now, is this a magic bullet for poor technique? No.  But does it make good technique easier to execute? Absolutely.

3. Increased Degree of Conversion (Potentially)

There’s a body of evidence suggesting that preheating composite can:  Increase monomer mobility and improve polymer chain formation.  The result? A potentially higher degree of conversion.

That could mean:

• Better physical properties
• Improved wear resistance
• More stable restorations over time
• The Real-World Benefits

Let’s bring this out of the lab and into the operatory.

✔️ Easier Handling

If you’ve ever tried to sculpt a high-fill composite in a tight box prep, you know the struggle.  Warming composite makes it:  Smoother and more responsive.  This makes the material less “sticky” in an annoying way and that's a good thing.

✔️ Better Margins (When Done Right)

That improved adaptation can help you get: Cleaner margins, fewer gaps, and less need to “chase” the material with an instrument.

✔️ Fewer Layers (In Some Cases)

Some clinicians find that warmed composite behaves closer to a flowable—without sacrificing strength. That opens the door to: simplified layering, faster placement, and best of all more efficient procedures.  But this is where I think the conversation needs some balance.

Because while warming composite has real advantages, it’s not without limitations—and it’s definitely not a cure-all.  Here are a few things to consider:  ⚠️ Working time decreases because warm composite doesn’t stay warm forever.  Once it’s out of the heater it starts cooling immediately and that means viscosity begins to increase again.  So you’ve got a shorter window to work with that ideal consistency.

This is one of the reasons I like the Compex HD from AdDent and the Phasor from Vista-Apex Solutions.  These devices are both "warming guns" that actually let you dispense warm composite directly into the prep.  The material stays warmer longer and allows you more of the placement benefits.

However, ⚠️ Polymerization Shrinkage Still Exists

So let’s not forget:  Warming composite may improve flow and conversion—but it doesn’t eliminate shrinkage.  It's still important to know the shrinkage factor of your material and place it accordingly.  That means you still need proper layering techniques, thoughtful curing protocols, and good bonding fundamentals.  When it comes to adhesive dentistry, there are no shortcuts there.

⚠️ Equipment and Workflow Matter!  To do this consistently, you’ll need:

• A composite warmer - this can be a base like Calset or the guns mentioned above
• A system for cycling compules efficiently
• And more importantly—you need a workflow that supports it.

Otherwise, it becomes one more “cool idea” that slows you down instead of helping you.

The Bigger Question: Is It Worth It?  Here’s my take.  Warming composite isn’t a gimmick.  There’s real science behind the concepts of:  Improved flow, better adaptation, potentially enhanced material properties.  But the impact is incremental, not revolutionary.  This isn’t going to suddenly make average dentistry exceptional.  What it will do is:  Make good clinicians more efficient, make excellent clinicians more precise, and sometimes, that’s exactly the kind of edge we’re looking for.

The Future of Whitening? A Powder That *Just Might* Brighten and Repair Teeth

 

Every few years, something comes along in dentistry that makes you stop and say, “Okay… this could be a big deal.”  This might be one of those moments.  The effects won't be seen for years, but it's still intriguing to look at something and think "maybe one day".

Researchers have developed a new type of tooth-whitening powder that doesn’t just whiten teeth—it may actually help repair enamel at the same time. That’s a pretty bold claim in a space where, historically, whitening and enamel preservation haven’t exactly gone hand in hand.

For bit of history, because I love backstories, let me tell you how tooth whitening was discovered.  In the 1960s, two doctors (who did not know each other) both faced the same problem.  One of the doctors was a periodontist and the other was an orthodontist.  Both faced finding a better way to help decrease gingival inflammation.  They started to use nightguard trays with filled with hydrogen peroxide to help eliminate the microbes that were causing the problem.  Over time what they both discovered, independently of one another, was that their patients had significantly less bleeding... but they also had significantly whiter teeth. 

That's why if you review the early literature on the subject you'll see this process referred to as NGVB, which refers to "night guard vital bleaching".

Now let’s break down this new concept, because there’s some really fascinating benefits—and I feel some potential—behind it.  Whitening is just the tip of this iceberg...

The Problem with Traditional Whitening

We all know the (ahem) drill...

Most whitening systems—whether in-office or take-home—rely on peroxide chemistry. Hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide breaks down into reactive oxygen species (ROS), which attack and fragment the pigmented molecules that cause stains.

It works. No question.  And it works incredibly well.  So well in fact that tooth whitening is now a multibillion dollar segment of the market.  The sales are not just from dental offices, but from consumer products available over the counter.

But there’s always been some potential tradeoffs.  Those same ROS that remove stains can also:

• Potentially increase surface roughness
• Potentially contribute to sensitivity
• Potentially make teeth more prone to future staining

In other words, we’ve been accepting a bit of potential collateral problems in exchange for a brighter smile.  And for years, the industry has been trying to minimize that downside.  Studies since the late 1980s and early 1990s have proven that the chemistry used is safe and effective.  Adding things like ACP, fluoride, and KNO3 have helped deal with those potential problems.  However, science always looks for better alternatives.

Enter: Vibration-Activated Whitening

Now here’s where things get interesting. Instead of relying on constant chemical activity, this new concept uses a vibration-activated powder—meaning it only “turns on” when you brush with a powered toothbrush.

The material itself is a ceramic compound made from calcium, strontium, and barium titanate.

When exposed to those vibrations, it produces a small electrical field through the piezoelectric effect.  That electrical activity triggers the formation of reactive oxygen species—but only during the time brushing occurs and the material is activated.  So instead of bathing the tooth in continuous chemical activity, you get targeted, on-demand whitening reactions.  That’s a big conceptual shift.

Here’s what makes this especially intriguing to me.  In lab studies, teeth stained with coffee and tea showed:

1. Visible whitening after about 4 hours of brushing
2. Up to 50% more whitening after 12 hours compared to controls

These *very* preliminary studies show efficacy.  However this system also requires time.  I haven't seen the definition of "visible" that they used to determine whitening.  I'm guessing that there was some scientific value measurement, but I'm not sure.

Also, if you do that math on 4 hours of brushing,  that is 240 minutes.  If you break that down into 2 sessions of 2 minutes each, that is 60 days to achieve the effect.  Are people willing to wait that long? Especially if, at the end of that time you have "visible" whitening?  The 50% improvement is pretty impressive, but once again, 50% compared to what?  And then factor in that 50% occurred after 12 hours of brushing.  That is 180 days to get the effect.  That's a pretty long time in a world where you can get delivery of almost anything overnight.

Current tray based chemistries provide significant change in as little as 2 weeks.  In office solutions can provide a similar effect in 2-3 hours.  So the time doesn't seem overly appealing, however, there's something else to factor in here.  What is different is what happened in the next finding.

Simultaneous Enamel Repair

While the powder is generating whitening activity, it’s also releasing calcium and strontium ions.  And those ions don’t just sit there.

They actively:

• Deposit into enamel and dentin
• Promote remineralization
• Help rebuild damaged tooth structure

So instead of potentially weakening the tooth or causing sensitivity during whitening, this system may potentially be reinforcing it.  Let me say that again, because it’s worth emphasizing:  This is a whitening system that may improve tooth structure while it whitens.  I feel this may actually be the real benefit.  If the chemistry can cause remineralization, that's terrific.  The whitening is an added benefit.

Bonus: Microbiome Effects

And it doesn’t stop there.  In animal studies, this same material:

• Reduced harmful bacteria like Porphyromonas gingivalis
• Lowered inflammation
• Helped rebalance the oral microbiome

So now we’re not just talking about whitening and remineralization—we’re potentially looking at a system that supports overall oral health.  I like to say "everything works in the lab", which is an overstatement but we all know it doesn't matter what results are achieved in an controlled environment.  No, the real answers are what happens in the mouth in real life.  However, this system has the potential to provide:

• Whitening
• Repair
• Microbial balance

Why This Matters Clinically

Even if whitening is considered a "side effect" of its use, if this works in real world applications we have a great potential for mineral repair and microbiome balance.  Remineralization therapy is gaining interest in the profession.  Obviously, nothing is better for tooth structure than nature's own structures.  Reinforcing those structures or repairing them through remineralization would be a first choice for many situations.  This would be especially beneficial if it were used before any breakdown occurs.  It's always harder to stop caries after it starts, but being able to have the tooth undergo repair twice a day every day, could potentially keep things from starting in the first place.

Imagine a daily-use product that has the potential to:

• Removes stains
• Strengthens enamel
• Supports microbiome health

But Let’s Pump the Brakes (Just a Bit)

Now, before we all start asking when will this be available…  This is still early-early-stage research.  Most of the data so far comes from: laboratory testing on extracted teeth and animal studies (rats).

We are nowhere near the point of:

• Long-term human clinical trials
• Real-world compliance data
• Information on formulation in commercial products

So while the concept is incredibly promising, it’s not ready for chairside adoption and it may be a long, long time before that ever happens.  IF it happens.

My Take

This is one of those innovations that checks a lot of boxes for me as a tech loving dental practitioner:

• It uses smart physics (piezoelectricity)
• It improves on an existing products (potentially)
• It adds real biological benefit (remineralization + microbiome support)

And maybe most importantly—it aligns with where dentistry is heading which is less damage, more biology and potentially better outcomes.   If this technology holds up in clinical trials, it could represent a genuine evolution in how we think about toothpastes—not just brighter teeth, but healthier ones.  Even if we continue our use of hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide for whitening, this system would be worth use just for the remin and microbiome effects.  Of course, that all hinges on IF it is safe and effective.

From what I've read on this, the excitement seems to be about the whitening.  I don't see it that way.  I suppose that for people who aren't as involved in dentistry as I am, whitening grabs the attention.  For me it's more about the remineralization and microbiome effects.  I can see whitening the teeth the traditional way and then using a substance like this to keep the teeth beautiful while also getting the other benefits.  Whitening toothpastes are a huge part of the consumer market, but whitening that provides these other benefits is what really piques my interest.

Dental Intelligence Suffers Outage - and Explains Why

 

As a tech guy and tech lover, huge pieces of my life are dependent on technology.  My life is frequently centered around screens, LEDs, beeps, and clicks.  Probably more than most, some type of service outage can wreak havoc on what I do and my way of life.

However, I also know that we live in an imperfect world.  There is no way a life cannot be interrupted by an unexpected change or problem.  I recently dislocated the fifth finger on my right had and have been going to physical therapy a lot lately.  Earlier this week I arrived for my appointment at the clinic, only  to find that "our system is down' and none of the employees knew what patients were scheduled or when they would arrive.  I've suffered a similar outage in my own office twice and it can be never wracking.  Many of you who read this blog are probably clients of Dental Intelligence.  In the company's own words:

 "Dental Intelligence is the only end-to-end practice performance solution in the dental market. We help practices increase production, number of visits, and collections while decreasing overhead using actionable insights and automation."

Dental Intelligence is massively important to many practices.  The system takes all of the numbers of a practice and gives amazingly detailed analytics.  Most users become quickly hooked on those analytics and come to depend on it.  Those same offices often use DI during "morning huddles" as they organize their scheduled day.   Yesterday, there was an outage of Dental Intelligence, and today they took responsibility, owned the problem, and explained what happened:

Yesterday morning, you may have experienced a disruption to your Engagement tools. We understand how important those morning hours are to your practice, and we sincerely apologize for the inconvenience a service interruption must have caused.  

Our team resolved the issue within a few hours, but you deserve an explanation as to what occurred, and what we’re doing to prevent it from happening again. Here’s the short version: 

Early on the morning of March 18th, we experienced an unexpected spike in system activity due to a high volume of data from a third-party integration. This unprecedented demand placed excessive load on a portion of our system responsible for processing Engagement activity.  

In response, our team quickly identified the issue, redirected every Engineer to the problem, and restored functionality to all affected system components by 10:25 UTC.  

All systems are now fully operational. If you would like a more detailed technical explanation, visit the status page by clicking this link.  

Moving forward, we’re committing to the following: 

We’re investing in additional monitoring systems to proactively prohibit outages and ensure faster detection 

We’re enhancing our communication processes to keep you better informed, faster 

We’re adding more technical resources and systems to solve issues at greater speed 

Thank you for your understanding. If you’re still experiencing problems, reach out to support@dentalintel.com. 

Sincerely, 

The Dental Intelligence Team 

In my opinion, this is the right way to handle a problem.  Admit the problem, find the solution, put things in place so that it doesn't happen again.  I salute Dental Intelligence for the way they handled this.  I wish more companies had this attitude. 

Getting a Grip on Composite: My Take on VOCO GrandioSO 4U

 

Let me tell you something that hasn’t changed in dentistry—no matter how much technology evolves, no matter how digital we get—we still spend a lot of time placing composite.  And because of that, I’m always on the lookout for materials that make that process more predictable, less stressful, and a little more enjoyable.

Recently, I’ve been spending time with VOCO’s GrandioSO 4U, and I want to share some thoughts—not from a brochure, but from the perspective of someone who places composite day in and day out.

First Impressions Matter (And So Does Handling)

You know how it goes. You pick up a new composite and within about 30 seconds you already have a feeling about it.

• Too sticky?
• Too slumpy?
• Does it go where you want it or does hang it on the instrument as you're trying to shape it?

With GrandioSO 4U, the first thing I noticed was control.

It has that nice balance—not overly tacky, not overly soft—where you can sculpt it without fighting it. It stays where you put it, which is one of those things that sounds simple… but makes a huge difference when you’re trying to build anatomy efficiently.

And let’s be honest—anything that reduces “composite wrestling” is a win in my book.  It hate it when I'm sculpting a composite and every time I lift the instrument away, the material is hanging on the end of the instrument.  It's frustrating.  GrandioSO for you does NOT do that.  The handling is a dream.

The “4U” Concept—More Than Just Marketing

VOCO designed this material around a simplified shade system—hence the “4U.”  Now, I’ve seen a lot of “simplified” systems over the years. Some work. Some… not so much.  What I appreciate here is that this isn’t simplification at the expense of results or over promising the aesthetic outcome.  Instead, it’s about:

• Reducing decision fatigue
• Streamlining your workflow
• Still delivering highly acceptable esthetics

In a busy practice, that matters. When you’re moving from operatory to operatory, you don’t always want to spend time overthinking shade selection, especially in the aesthetic zone.  GrandioSO 4U lets you be efficient without feeling like you’re cutting corners or "getting close" on the shade.

Esthetics That Hold Up in the Real World

Here’s the thing—most composites look good when they’re first placed.  The real question is:  How do they look a week later? A month later?  At 6 month recare?

What I’ve seen with GrandioSO 4U is nice polishability and color integration. It blends well, especially in those everyday restorations where you want things to look natural without turning it into a 20-minute (or longer) layering exercise.  It’s not about chasing perfection on every case—it’s about delivering consistently good results efficiently.  And that’s what most of us need most of the time.  The material gives you just enough shade choices to provide great results without having to go through eye and brain gymnastics trying to find "just the right shade".

The '5 cluster shades' give stunning results.  I'm always amazed that it is translucent as you place it and then turns opaque as it's cured.  The material science behind this blows me away.

I like simple, but I also like choices.  GradioSO 4U gives me both.

Strength Where It Counts

VOCO has a long track record with high filler load composites, and GrandioSO 4U continues that trend.  What that means clinically:

• Good wear resistance
• Solid durability
• Confidence in posterior applications

I’m a big believer that materials should earn their keep in the mouth, not just on paper. So far, this one checks that box.  The 91% filler content means that the material closely matches the physical properties of natural tooth structure.  The idea of matching the physical properties of natural tooth structure also applies to volumetric shrinkage.  This material has a 1.44% volumetric shrinkage factor.  That means less physical stress on the tooth during polymerization and less pulling at the margins.

Why This Matters in 2026 Dentistry

The current environment in clinical practice isn't all rainbows and unicorns.  We’re practicing in a time where:

• Patients expect esthetics 
• Schedules are tighter than ever 
• Efficiency isn’t optional—it’s essential

Materials like GrandioSO 4U fit into that reality.  It’s not about reinventing composite—it’s about making it work better for the way we actually practice today.  This is especially true with a its 4mm depth of cure in only 10 seconds.  That means fewer increments which translates to more efficient placement.

Anything that increases efficiency during placement is a huge plus for me.  The enemy of adhesive dentistry is contamination.  The moment you start the bonding procedure... the moment you etch, starts a game of "beat the clock" in keeping contamination at bay.  The less time you spend in placement, the better your odds of controlling the field and ensuring clinical success.

Final Thoughts

At the end of the day, I judge materials by a pretty simple standard:  Do they make my life easier while still delivering great care for my patients?  With VOCO GrandioSO 4U, I’d say the answer is a resounding yes.

Simply put that is because this material is:

• Easy to handle
• Efficient to use
• Esthetically reliable
• Clinically solid

And sometimes, that’s exactly what you’re looking for—a material that just works.

If you’re like me and always evaluating what earns a place in your operatory, this one is definitely worth a look.  VOCO GrandioSO 4U is *highly recommended*.