Long-Awaited Solution to Help Fight Secondary Caries is Finally Here

 

For the last 2-3 years now I have worked with the smart people at Nobio to help them with their Infinix composite.  It is NOW available!  This product can be a serious disruptor/game changer in the restorative market.  Imagine a restorative material that actually kills bacteria.  The press release is below.  As many of you know, I have been placing Infinix restorations for a few months now and they are starting to show up at recare exams.  They look as good today as the day they were placed.  Here is all the info from Nobio:

Nobio Announces the launch of the Infinix™ Advanced Restoratives Product Line Including an Antimicrobial Bonding Agent and the Dental Industry’s First FDA-Cleared Antimicrobial Composites

Kadima, Israel & Middlebury, CT; February 22, 2022 — Nobio Ltd., is excited to announce the official launch of Infinix™, a new line of advanced antimicrobial restorative materials, designed to fight recurrent decay. “The Infinix family of restoratives is the first use case of a fundamental technology platform, that we see as applicable to a wide range of dental and non-dental products,” said Ronen Raz, Nobio’s Chief Operating Officer. The infinix system currently includes universal and flowable composites, as well as a universal bonding system, all incorporating Nobio’s patented QASi™ antimicrobial particle technology. A bulk-fill composite will be added later in 2022. 

“The goal has been to provide long-lasting bacteria inhibition at the restorative margins, reduce tooth demineralization, and as a result reduce restoration failure due to secondary caries,” said Nathan Zaltsman, Nobio’s Chief Technical Officer.  “Our patented antimicrobial technology is scientifically proven to provide a non-leaching, non-releasing, electrostatic contact kill of bacteria in dental restorative materials.” 

“While the antimicrobial properties of infinix are game-changing, we have also worked hard to achieve the handling and aesthetics that dentists need and expect. The feedback from our early users has been fantastic,” said John Scott, Nobio Chief Commercial Officer and head of U.S. operations. The Nobio team will be at the upcoming Chicago Dental Society Annual Meeting (Feb. 24 – 26th) to mark the initial launch. “We invite the entire dental community to learn more about Infinix™ at infinix.com and are looking forward to in-person discussions with the dentists that attend the upcoming mid-winter meeting at booth #1507,” said Scott.

Infinix products will be available for purchase starting on February 23, 2022. Order online at infinix.com/shop or by calling (844) INFINIX (463-4649). 

About Nobio

Nobio is a material sciences company that redefines the field of antimicrobial products and solutions with its long-lasting, safe, and highly active novel QASi™ particle technology. Nobio developed and is commercializing Infinix, the first line of dental materials with its revolutionary antimicrobial technology to address the main causes of dental treatment failure and tooth loss. Nobio is also working with leading medical, dental, consumer, and industrial manufacturers to bring long-lasting antimicrobial properties to a wide range of products and applications. For more information, visit www.nobio.com or www.infinix.com.

MouthWatch Announces Integration of Its TeleDent™ Teledentistry Platform with Open Dental’s Practice Management System

 

MouthWatch, LLC recently announced the integration of its award-winning, market leading TeleDent teledentistry platform with Open Dental Software’s open-source practice management system. 

TeleDent users now have the ability to utilize  Open Dental’s powerful, flexible, and affordable practice management software that delivers a host of benefits to small and large practices alike

According to MouthWatch LLC founder and CEO Brant Herman. “This integration between TeleDent and Open Dental is the starting point to add teledentistry to one of the leading, innovative practice management solutions. The result will be  a comprehensive, convenient and scalable virtual care platform for digital dental practices.” 

TeleDent/Open Dental integration is now available for new and current TeleDent users. For more information, please contact Jay Martorelli, MouthWatch Director of Sales at sales@mouthwatch.com.

About TeleDent:

TeleDent, the all-in-one teledentistry solution from MouthWatch, LLC was designed to  help dental teams  connect with their patients and collaborate with their colleagues. The recent   introduction of new features such as an intuitive, mobile-friendly patient portal, text messaging, and online patient intake, make it easier to connect with patients in the safe and convenient way they now expect. For example, new patient consults, post-op evaluations, home care instructions, specialist referrals and emergency triage can all be conducted with the highest degree of simplicity, security, and safety. TeleDent’s professional grade technology can serve as the backbone of key virtual clinical workflows to increase 

efficiency and profitability. In recent years, TeleDent has received several prestigious industry awards, such as The 2020 and 2021 Cellerant Best of Class Award. In 2021, TeleDent also won Dentistry Today’s  Top Innovative Products, and Top 25 Aesthetic and Restorative Products awards. For more information visit www.TeleDent.com.

About Open Dental Software:

Open Dental is a HIPAA compliant open-source dental practice management software that provides on-premises electronic charting, billing, practice management, and imaging applications that's suitable for any large and small dental practice. Open Dental’s practice management solution includes patient care charts, prescribing capabilities, treatment planning, appointment scheduling with automated appointment reminders, an integrated graphical tooth chart, SMS and email texting, credit card processing, and custom reporting. For more information, visit www.OpenDental.com.

Heading to Chicago!

 I'm heading to Chicago today for the 157th Chicago Dental Society MidWinter Meeting!

I'll be meeting with companies and scouring the trade show for the latest and greatest improvements.

Follow my Twitter feed @jflucke for updates

Midmark and Bien-Air Announce Strategic Partnership

 New collaboration brings enhanced simplicity and safety to the dental operatory

Midmark Corp., a leading dental solutions provider focused on the design of the clinical environment to improve the delivery of care, today announced a new strategic partnership with Bien-Air Dental SA that combines the two companies’ renowned dental technology into a simple, easy to use delivery care solution. 

With a shared commitment to enhancing the point-of-care experience and a combined 170 years of design and manufacturing experience, Midmark and Bien-Air are partnering to integrate Bien-Air’s latest electric handpiece solutions into Midmark’s dental delivery equipment for a more complete operatory ecosystem.

Dental clinicians are exposed to health and safety risks on the job every day. Midmark and Bien-Air are working together to enhance safety, optimize ergonomics and improve both clinician and patient experiences. Now, dental clinicians can select Midmark’s leading Procenter and Elevance delivery units with Bien-Air’s newest micromotor and contra-angle handpieces for an operatory-ready solution designed to:

• Simplify workflow with the versatility of the newest micromotor and two new contra-angle handpieces to perform a broad range of clinical procedures compared to the limitations of other solutions that require up to seven attachments.

• Provide proper ergonomic balance, lighter weight and smaller size for less strain on the clinician’s hand, arm and shoulder. 

• Enable remarkable access to the oral cavity with smaller handpiece heads for a better workflow and patient experience.

• Reduce the risk of patient burn with CoolTouch+, the world’s first heat-arresting system proven not to exceed human body temperature.

• Reduce cross-contamination with the only autoclavable anti-retraction valve. 

“Midmark is constantly looking for ways to help design better care in the clinical environment, which is what makes this partnership so exciting,” says Jon Wells, president, and CEO for Midmark. “We are thrilled to be joining forces with another industry-leading company like ours that shares our strategic vision. Our collaboration reflects the emphasis both of our companies place on improving the lives and livelihoods of each dental team we serve and improving the experience at the point of care.” 

“For more than 60 years, Bien-Air has been leading the way in electric motor systems for dental and surgical applications,” says Edgar Schönbächler, CEO, Bien-Air Dental. “Reliability and efficiency, typical Swiss values, have always guided our company. We are excited about this new step in our long-term partnership with Midmark. The seamless integration of our products is the result of a common understanding of the practitioner’s needs, helping to improve clinical efficiency and the patient’s journey.”

As part of this new partnership, Midmark is also offering Bien-Air’s Lubricare 2 handpiece care and maintenance system for automatically cleaning and lubricating handpieces. This maintenance system integrates easily into the instrument processing workflow and is compatible with handpieces from a variety of manufacturers.

Bringing together the key elements of the operatory into a single offering is the next evolution in better care. To learn more about Midmark and Bien-Air electric handpiece solutions, visit www.midmark.com/bienair.

About Midmark—Dental

Midmark helps dental professionals deliver exceptional care by harmonizing design, technology and workflows. Quality, high-performance solutions provide integrated ergonomic support, keeping the principles of safety for patients and practice teammates at the center of design. Midmark is a single-source leader for planning, equipping and developing better utilization of operatory, imaging, digital impressions, instrument processing, dental cabinetry and mechanical room solutions. Learn more at midmark.com/dental.

About Midmark 

Midmark Corporation is the only clinical environmental design company that enables a better care experience for the medical, dental and animal health markets. With more than 2,200 teammates worldwide, Midmark focuses on harmonizing space, technology and workflows, creating a better experience for caregivers and patients at the point of care. Founded in 1915 and headquartered in the greater Dayton, Ohio area, Midmark maintains production facilities, administrative offices, and the Midmark Experience and Technology Centers in Versailles, Ohio, with nine additional locations in the United States as well as subsidiaries in India and Italy. To learn more about Midmark, visit midmark.com.

About Bien-Air

Bien-Air Dental SA is a family-owned company founded in 1959 and headquartered in Biel/Bienne, Switzerland. The Bien-Air Group is active in the field of powered instrumentation for dental and surgical applications. Renowned for its innovative Swiss Made products and based on a large sales network of 9 subsidiaries throughout the world, Bien-Air Dental is one of the world’s leading manufacturers for dental electric motor solutions and rotary instruments. To learn more, visit bienair.com. 

Ultradent Introduces MTApexTM Bioceramic Root Canal Sealer

 

Endodontics continues to evolve and I am excited to see *all* aspects of the treatment evolve as well.  We've seen major improvements in the last 10 years in both instrumentation as well as irrigation.  In the early to mid 2000s we saw the dawn of bonded obturation systems, but since then I feel the most improvements had been outside the realm of the filling process.

Now we are seeing a great deal of research and product implementation of biocompatible sealers... which I am very excited about.  The latest entry into the area comes from the smart folks at Ultradent and their MTA based sealer with syringe deliver.  Here is all the low down from the great minds in South Jordan, Utah:

Ultradent Products, Inc., a leading developer and manufacturer of high-tech dental materials and equipment, is thrilled to announce the launch of its new endodontic product, MTApexTM bioceramic root canal sealer. 

For clinicians performing root canal treatments requirement obturation, MTApex bioceramic root canal sealer provides a sealer that is bioceramic and can be used with any endodontic obturation method. It features an extra smooth consistency that when mixed is designed to be delivered through Ultradent’s 29 ga Single Sideport NaviTipTM tip. The proprietary gel and tricalcium silicate powder mixture releases calcium ions, stimulating bone repair and increasing the pH of the canal. This helps avoid post- procedure bacterial growth and root resorption. Each kit of MTApex bioceramic root canal sealer contains enough powder and gel to seal approximately twenty canals. 

Bien Air Annonces Nova Electric Handpiece Will be Available for Ordering at Chicago MidWinter Meeting

 

I have used electric handpieces in my clinic for about 10-15 years now and I cannot bear the thought of ever being without them.  Because of my job in evaluating products for my peers, I approach things cautiously, letting products prove to me their value rather than expecting the value before I touch them.

So when I started with electrics, I went into it thinking there would not be much of a difference... and I cold not have been more wrong.  Within about 2 procedures, I understood electric headpieces were a total game changer for med  Before long I had invested in electrics in all of the 'doctor ops' in my practice and the air turbine headpieces began to gather dust.

Now I proud to announce to you that there is a new addition to the Bien Air family of electric handpieces.  The Nova system takes electrics to a new level.  I have been test driving them in my office since early December 2021 and I can tell you that if you are looking to upgrade your current electrics or are ready to install electrics in your practice, this handpiece should be on your short list to evaluate.  Here are some of the things that set it apart from the competition:

• The Nova is the first handpiece to be constructed of stainless steel.  That means it is durable and will look like new no matter how many autoclave cycles it goes through.
• It has the industry's ONLY sterilizable anti-retraction valve.  Almost every dental unit has these now, but the Nova has one inside the handpiece, which is an industry first.  That means added safety for your patients.
• The chuck of the Nova is the industry's first PVD coated chuck.  PVD stands for "Physical Vapor Deposition" which is a manufacturing technique where a solid material is vaporized in a vacuum chamber and deposited onto a target material.  The PVD coated chuck extends its life by 30%.  That is an amazing extension of service life.
• Cyclcro Gears - these are a material that are is used in the transmissions of high performance racing cars.  I find it incredible that the same type of metallurgy used in the transmission of Formula 1 cars is used in the transmission of a dental handpiece.  These smooth running gears help decrease vibration (which patients love) and doubles the service life of the handpiece.
• Between the PVD chuck and the Cylcro gears, this handpiece spends much more time in the doctor's hand & a lot less time in the repair shop.
• The smallest head with a 4 port water spray in dentistry.  In order to perform well, your must see well.  Having a handpiece that is small but has incredible torque and performance means your access to the field is better which means more efficient appointments with high quality preparations.

I truly feel that Bien Air has hit a home run with this product... and I don't say that lightly.  If you are looking to add to your electric armamentarium or if you are in the process of preparing to upgrade from air turbines to electric handpieces, be sure you to a close look at the new Nova.  I think you will be as impressed as I am.

Beware of Budget Composite Curing Lights

 Technology can be a double edged sword.  It can do amazing things, but it can also be used to perform amazing criminal acts.  One of those less than ethical things is selling goods that appear to be high quality but instead are not.

For the last decade many of us have been warning doctors about the risks of buying curing lights over the Internet from non name brand companies.  Often times a doctor, looking for a bargain will see an amazingly low price and make a purchase expecting the product to be similar to a name brand.

Unfortunately, curing lights are hard to judge.  You buy a light, it lights up blue, you figure it's doing what it is supposed to do...

However, that isn't always the case.  My friend Dr. Richard Price is part of a recently done study that should be required reading for the profession.  Dr. Price is a dentist and an amazing top-notch researcher as well.  I tell people that he may have forgotten more about curing lights than many of us will ever know.

The study he is part of compared "no name" curing lights against a well known quality brand unit.

Give the study a read and make your conclusions.  I think you'll see why many of us that teach have been encouraging name brand purchases...

Here is a link to the study.