John Flucke, DDS, is in private practice in Lee’s Summit, Mo. He also serves as chief clinical editor and technology editor for 

® and keeps an active blog filled with thoughts and tidbits on the world of technology at blog.denticle.com.

CBCT has radically changed our profession. For many officers using this technology is critical to successful treatment outcomes. Whether the case involves implants, extractions, endodontics, orthodontics, airway management, or a myriad of other procedures, the first step is frequently to take a CBCT of the situation. I tell my patients that being able to sit at my desk and evaluate their imaging from any direction, in any way, to be able to take the image apart in small pieces and carefully evaluate it, makes my treatment plan much more precise. Patients appreciate the investment in technology that our office makes and they have come to expect that the care they receive from us is state of the art care that provides the best possibility for successful and long term clinical outcomes.

CBCT technology continues to evolve and make things easier for doctors as well as both easier and safer for patients. Continuing the evolution of dental CBCT, I'd like to tell you about one of the most state of the art CBCT machines currently available, the Carestream CS 9600.

Efficiency in an office is important, and especially so when radiation is involved. Even though the dosage from a CBCT is low, patients may have concerns. It's also critical that when CBCT imaging is used that the image is taken properly so that all relevant information can be seen. That's why it's important to tell you about the CS 9600's amazing positioning features. The unit has AI positioning for panoramic imaging, which detects and traces the Frankfurt plane. This ensures the patient is correctly positioned and helps reduce the need for retakes. The system utilizes the new Tomosharp algorithm as well as the AI to quickly deliver ultra-sharp panoramic images.

The system also has cameras that provide live positioning views on the unit's touchscreen, which allows for exact positioning. This high tech element removes the need for laser beams, which have been used for decades, since the operator can see exactly what the unit itself sees. The screen is color and provides vivid images which lets the operator see the needed details during the positioning process.

Reducing radiation exposure through proper positioning is important, but the CS 9600 goes even further in that regard. The unit utilizes a feature called SmartAuto Technology that analyzes the patient's individual morphology and then automatically calculates the correct exposure settings as well as the beam trajectory. This feature virtually eliminate the chance of the patient being incorrectly positioned while also increasing the precision of the image. The system software provides guidance through the process allowing even novice users to take great images.

In addition to reducing exposure due to retakes or working from a less than optimal scan due to poor positioning, the device also has a Low Dose Imaging mode for both 2D and 3D imaging. This setting gives the office the option of having a 3D volume at up to 86% lower dosage than 2D panoramic images.

Of course not every patient needs the same treatment and that means that a CBCT system needs to be able to adapt and easily provide the doctor with the images they need to accomplish their clinical goals. The CS 9600 allows the doctor to capture the data volume necessary for that specific treatment. Keeping with the ALARA principle, taking only the necessary images keeps patient exposure low. To aid with that, the unit can take 14 different FOVs (Field of View) which allows the doctor to see only the area needed without unnecessary exposure for the patient. Explaining to the patient that we are only seeing what is needed and keeping exposures low increases patient confidence in the office.

The system can also be equipped with an optional Scan Ceph module that gives the doctor the ability to capture high quality cephalometric scans quickly. This option provides automated cephalometric tracings in as little as ten seconds.

Digital implant planning can be performed via the Prosthetic-Driven Implant Planning Module. This feature allows for digital treatment planning of the entire implant procedure right from the doctor's desk. It allows the doctor to digitally place the implant in the perfect location for the best clinical outcome. The module also provides automatic tracing of the inferior alveolar canal which lets the doctor know the exact location of this critical area. Once the precise location of the implant is determined, the digital implant plan can then be used to create a highly accurate surgical guide which enables the placement of the implant in the exact location and depth the practitioner needs. The module works with files from leading intraoral scanners which helps the guides fit easily and precisely. This greatly reduces the chance of less than optimal implant placement surgeries, which means more precision and predictable results.

For doctors who are providing treatment of patient airways or airway management services, the CS 9600 can be equipped with the CS Airway Module. This module creates colorized segmentation of a patient's airway and automatically segments and measures the upper airway. It provides information such as total volume, minimal cross-section, anterior/posterior, and left/right measurements. The colorized images make it easy to communicate with patients as the color coded 3D views highlight things like constrictions present in the airway. This greatly increases the patient's understanding as they can clearly see the problem.

Another thing that factors into a quality CBCT image is how easy structures are to see and identify. To help with that, the CS 9600 has an exclusive ability to reduce metal artifacts. In some CBCT units, the reflection of metal from things such as crowns or amalgam restorations can create a 'sunburst' effect around the restoration that obscures other things from being properly rendered in the images. The CS 9600 utilizes an exclusive feature called CS MAR (Metal Artifact Reduction) that drastically reduces this effect and helps the image appear clear and concise. It also allows you to compare the images dynamically so that the doctor can evaluate both before and after the CS MAR has been applied. The unit also has the ability to reduce beam hardening artifacts and increase contrast of images due to its use of a 120 kV x-ray tube and intelligent filtration that is built in.

For fine detail that might be needed for endodontic treatment, the CS 9600 provides resolution of up to 75 microns. This resolution is a great help for finding lateral canals, fractures, or un-treated canals requiring endodontic re-treatment. This high resolution detail greatly enhances the doctor's ability to find even the hardest to see nuances. Should you need it, the unit can even capture an entire volume at this high resolution.

For surgical, orthodontic, or cometic cases the device has CS Face Scan which generates realistic 3D facial images and automatically superimposes them over the CBCT images and 3D models. This allows the practitioner to see exactly how the facial features appear over the underlying anatomy.

As the technology of CBCT has improved, Carestream has taken these improvements and packaged them into a system that can provide critical and state of the art information for the doctor. For the variety of clinical situations we all face, the Carestream CS 9600 can provide you with precise and accurate data. Taking advantage of the optional features helps the doctor to handle almost any procedure and provide the best results possible. This is why the Carestream CS 9600 was the winner of the 2024 Cellerant Best of Class award.

Articles

Carestream CS 9600

In her lecture at the 2024 Greater New York Dental Meeting, Haley Buckner, RDH, BS, details Elevate Oral Care's gel formula of silver diamine fluoride. 

GNYDM24 Product Focus: Haley Buckner, RDH, BS, reviews Elevate Oral Care's silver diamine fluoride gel 

Hey everybody. I'm Haley Buckner, and I'm here at the Greater New York Dental Meeting, and I'm excited to share that we have a full line of preventive care products at Elevate Oral Care. One of our exciting new products is the Advantage Arrest Silver Diamine Fluoride Gel. That's right, it's a gel formula. You probably use silver diamine fluoride in your practice at some point, and we decided to create a gel formula so it's a little bit thicker. It gives that clinician that added control when you're trying to treat a patient with silver diamine fluoride. So it reduces opportunities for it to drip and spill on a patient or stay in an area that you weren't intending. It could be great for root surface lesions, great for wiggly children. So be sure to check out the Elevate Oral Care's newest Advantage Arrest Silver Diamine Fluoride Gel. You can visit us on our website at ElevateOralCare.com and be sure to request a free AGD pay-certified continuing education course for you and your team to learn more about it. Thanks.

Videos

GNYDM24 Product Focus: Haley Buckner, RDH, BS, reviews Elevate Oral Care's silver diamine fluoride gel

In a presentation at the Greater New York Dental Meeting 2024, Scott Ganz, DMD, detailed Carestream's CS 9600 cone beam CT device and its accompanying software, which uses AI for metal artifact reduction.

GNYDM24 Product Focus: Scott Ganz, DMD, showcases innovations in cone beam CT 3D imaging from Carestream

Hi, I'm Dr Scott Ganz. I'm here at the Greater New York Dental Meeting at the Javits Center in the heart of New York City, and I just completed a very quick lecture on 3-dimensional imaging in cone beam CT, and that was sponsored by Carestream. 

In today's lecture, I talked about 3D imaging cone beam CT and, very specifically, I have a CS 9600 Carestream cone beam CT device. And we were able to focus in on some of the highlights of their software application and their image acquisition, especially their MAR, which is their metal artifact reduction, which allows us to be able to use artificial intelligence and software algorithms to remove scatter that occurs from the metal artifact. And that really is a great help for many of the diagnostic areas that we need to be able to visualize, they get blocked out when patient has big fillings in their mouth, or crowns or bridge work.... My focus really, is on dental implants, so to be able to take that information from our cone beam CT, which is the foundation, because, as I like to say, we're the architects and the engineers of the oral cavity, and we have to create that blueprint for success for our patient. And so that foundation is going to be cone beam CT, and I'm very happy that Carestream was able to sponsor this program.

Dan McNeff, CEO of Legally Mine, highlights the company's asset protection and tax strategy services for physicians and dentists. 

GNYDM24 Product Focus: Dan McNeff highlights Legally Mine's asset protection and tax strategy services 

Hi, my name is Dan McNeff. I'm the CEO of Legally Mine. Legally Mine is, in fact, the world's largest asset protection firm. We specialize in protecting the business and personal assets of both physicians and dentists all throughout the country. Currently, we have 21,000 clients. We've been doing it for close to 25 years. 

To date, we've had 1 client go to court, but they didn't lose any assets in the trial. We also do a lot of work in helping people to reduce their tax liabilities. We have programs in place with tax attorneys [and] CPAs, who are very knowledgeable on how to take businesses and show them how to significantly reduce their tax liabilities. And in fact, most of the people that work with us actually see a rather large sum of money right up front that  comes into their hands simply because they're using tools and ideas that they've never used before. And so that's led to the success of Legally Mine. 

I'm here at the Greater New York Dental Conference, which I understand now and I will verify, is in all likelihood the largest dental conference in the world, and frankly, we've loved it. We've had a great time here. We're talking to a lot of people, ran into a lot of existing clients who are all happy with the services. In fact, ran into a client who yesterday told us he was excited because he just got a check for $100,000, put into his account, and it was because of our work and what we did for them. 

It's not just about money, though. It's about getting money. It's also about protecting what you have and beating the trial attorneys at their own game. That's what we do better than anything else, and there's never been a company do it as well as we do it. Thank you very much. If you want more information, very simple, go to LegallyMine.com. Simple as that.

At the Greater New York Dental Meeting 2024, Dan McNeff, CEO of Legally Mine, a leading asset protection firm for physicians and dentists, highlighted its success in protecting assets and reducing tax liabilities for its 21,000 clients over 25 years.

GNYDM24 Product Focus: Dan McNeff highlights Legally Mine's asset protection and tax strategy services

Ankur Gupta, DDS, after completing a 1-year GPR in Cleveland, Ohio, started a practice from scratch in 2005. Armed with what he considered adequate knowledge, hand skills, and a personable demeanor, he watched as his practice floundered, finances became unpredictable, and his lower back and spirit toward life became worrisome. Rather than continue the trend, he made a guinea pig out of his office, family, and self, attempting any and all personal and professional “experiments” in self-improvement. More than a decade later, he enjoys enviable new patient numbers and case acceptance, a solution- oriented dental team, and, most importantly, a meaningful and positive identity. He happily shares the failures and successes with dental and community groups throughout the country, always ending his presentations with practical, implementable, step-by-step ways to be better.

Last month in Part 1 of this article, we looked at a variety of dental material types including traditional light-cured bulk fill flowable composite, incremental fill of packable composite, and resin-modified glass ionomer. Here, in Part 2, we’ll get into the benefits of self-cure bulk fill flowable composite.

Until recently, I didn’t know that a self-cure bulk-fill flowable existed. SDI Limited, an Australian-based dental product manufacturer, has been providing innovative solutions for more than 50 years.

Most dentists have already tried or regularly use its composites, cements, silver diamine fluoride, and whitening products available through brands like Luna, Riva, and Pola. One solution that I have had the opportunity to try was the Stela Self-Cure Bulk Fill Flowable Restorative. What makes this product unique is that it self-cures at the point of contact with its proprietary primer/adhesive.

The composite itself is a combination of a bisphenol A (BPA)–free resin monomer along with a bioactive ion glass filler. It is delivered via an auto-mix syringe and comes out in a consistency similar to flowable composite (Figure 4). This results in an overall bulk fill with very high compressive and flexural strength to rival any modern composite, zero voids, and a gap-free interface between the material 

and tooth surface. The fact that the material is BPA free, free of tertiary amine, and bioactive is icing on the cake for an already excellent option.

Let’s take a closerlook at the Stela Bulk Fill Flowable Self Cure Restorative via a clinical case (

Dentistry is, and probably always will be, difficult at times. But materials like Stela, a monolithic solution that is a self-cure, bulk-fill composite that does not require separate etching or light curing steps, can make things easier for clinicians. Thanks to SDI and its Stela solution, I can confidently deliver bulk-fill restorations with a lot less indigestion, nausea, and upset stomach!

[Sponsored] In part 2 of this article, one clinician explains the benefits of self-cure bulk fill flowable composite.

Part 2: SDI’s Stela Self-Cure Bulk Fill Flowable Self Cure Restorative Delivers Stress-Free Bulk-Fill Restorations

Kellie Nock is the assistant editor for Dental Products Report. She graduated from Kent State University in 2018 with a Bachelor's in Journalism. Kellie enjoys multimedia content creation with a focus on audio and video storytelling. 

Strength and Esthetics Take Center Stage With This 3D Printing Temporary Material | Image Credit: © VOCO

While a provisional restoration is intended to be temporary, the waiting period can feel much longer and more uncomfortable than anticipated for patients undergoing extensive restorative procedures. The appearance, fit, and durability of temporaries play a significant role in a patient’s comfort and confidence during this time.

Fortunately, advancements in dental technology, particularly with the rise of 3D printing, have streamlined the production of temporaries. Companies such as VOCO America are at the forefront of this innovation, offering new materials designed not only for strength and durability but also for enhanced esthetics. These temporary materials, such as V-Print c&b temp, allow patients to maintain the smile and function they desire while they wait for their permanent restoration.

VOCO’s V-Print c&b temp is a 3D print resin for creating highly esthetic long-term temporary restorations. The new material, like all V-Print resins, is sedimentation-free, eliminating the need for shaking or rolling before use, thus saving time for clinicians and lab technicians. With a flexural strength of 132 MPa, it is formulated to ensure durable and stable temporary restorations. Its high filler rate provides wear resistance, allowing crowns and bridges to last up to 12 months, offering patients long-lasting solutions. Additionally, V-Print c&b temp has low water absorption, making it resistant to discoloration and ensuring color stability. Its high-luster polish and natural fluorescence are designed to deliver the esthetic look of a final restoration and to meet high esthetic demands. Available in 6 shades (A1, A2, A3, A3.5, B1, and BL), V-Print c&b temp offers versatility and customization for dental professionals.

Pittsburgh-based clinician and cosmetic dentistry expert Susan McMahon, DMD, AAACD, FAGD, says that V-Print c&b temp from VOCO has set the trend for new and innovative restorative materials, particularly as her office has moved from analog to digital.

“I used to wax up all my cases in my back room by pouring up models,” Dr McMahon says. “Now we work a lot in the digital realm, and V-Print crown and bridge temporary materials made a huge difference in my practice.”

Long-Term Solutions for Short-Term Restorations


V-Print c&b temp harnesses a light-curing resin formulation that touts qualities such as its high abrasion resistance, low water absorption, natural fluorescence, and resistance to discoloration. These features, combined with it being sedimentation-free, makes V-Print c&b temp applicable in a variety of cases such as crowns, bridges, and mock-ups.

Dr McMahon cited its advantages over the old analog ways. “Within a very short period of time, we are able to print a temporary right out of my 3D printer that is already very close to where I want it to be, and it’s going to have absolutely precise margins,” she says. “I know that the embrasures will be open the way I want, so there’s almost zero finishing and polishing when it comes out of the printer.”

Another notable advantage of the V-Print c&b temp material is the way patients have adopted it, especially as more of them are seeking cosmetic dental work, according to Dr McMahon.

“One of the things that I find time and time again is when people are having cosmetic work done, and loads of people are asking for it these days, people want cosmetic work done on their teeth, but they hesitate. They’ll say 2 things—‘last time I had this done, the temporaries were so horrible I hated it. They looked horrendous, and they tasted awful.’

“What printing temporaries with a material like this crown and bridge temp from VOCO can do is you can confidently say to [patients], ‘You are going to have beautiful provisionals,’” she continues. “They’re going to look great. They’re not going to look like anything you had before, and it doesn’t [require] the skill [of] somebody who has been doing dentistry for 30 years because we have this digital help. We have the collective intelligence of the dental community that works with us now.”

One of the key advantages of digital dentistry is that it gives clinicians the confidence to print restorations effectively and efficiently, thanks to faster print times. According to Dr McMahon, the entire process of designing and printing a provisional restoration can take as little as 45 minutes, depending on the complexity of the design and the amount of components that need to be printed. By moving from analog to digital methods, clinicians can avoid the mess and inconvenience of pouring models and save valuable time in the process.

With the fit, durability, and efficiency of using V-Print c&b temp, VOCO has developed a temporary material that crafts provisionals that both patients and clinicians desire, with features such as its color stability, optimal margins, and more.

“I never, ever want to make provisionals the other way anymore. Once you make them like this, you just don’t ever want to go back because of all those benefits that we talked about,” Dr McMahon adds.

A dentist, author, lecturer, and instructor, Susan McMahon, DMD, AAACD, FAGD, is an expert in the fields of cosmetic dentistry, dental care, dental services, and teeth whitening. Dr McMahon is a past clinical instructor in prosthodontics and operative dentistry at her alma mater, the University of Pittsburgh School of Dental Medicine. She lectures around the world on cosmetic dentistry, minimal prep dentistry, dental technology, dental service, and teeth whitening.

VOCO’s V-Print c&b temporary material prioritizes both flexural strength and esthetics to ensure patients receive a strong provisional that they can be pleased with.

Strength and Esthetics Take Center Stage With This 3D Printing Temporary Material

"The Geriatric Toothfairy" discusses the importance of geriatric oral care in mobile dentistry and long-term care facilities following her Dental Products Report Product Showcase Center presentation at GNDM24. [1.5 minutes]

GNYDM24 Product Focus: Sonya Dunbar, RDH, shares her passion about the importance of geriatric oral care in mobile dentistry and long-term care facilities.

Hey, my name is Sonya Dunbar. I'm affectionately known as “The Geriatric Toothfairy”, and I am so excited. I just spoke at Greater New York. The energy in here is amazing. I'm always so excited to be at this conference. To me, it’s one of the best ones in dentistry, because it welcomes dentists, hygienists and assistants—everyone.

And I'm so excited to be here. I was able to speak about my passion, which is geriatric oral care in mobile dentistry and long-term care facilities. I was able to share with dentists and hygienists and assistants on how they can incorporate that into their private practice. Mobile geriatric dentistry is not always mobile dentistry in a van. We're talking about how you can pop up and go with mobile equipment, or how you can extend an arm in a community and send your hygienist out. We talked about how you can just go into a nursing home and provide that care to patients who once were your patients. I and my husband were Navy veterans, and we believe in no man left behind. So, if we all keep living, we're going to get older one day. So, we want someone to take care of us. We believe in paying it forward, giving that same attention and care that we did when they were paying us big money. We want to continue to take care of them now. So, my name is Sonya Dunbar, I'm excited about being at Greater New York. It's an amazing conference. And let's do it again next year. Bye for now.

GNYDM24 Product Focus: Sonya Dunbar, RDH, shares her passion about the importance of geriatric oral care in mobile dentistry and long-term care facilities

Robert Marus, DDS, AAACD, FICD, discusses the benefits of G-ænial A’CHORD from GC America while at the GNYDM24. [1 minute]

GNYDM24 Product Focus: Robert Marus, DDS, AAACD, FICD talks about G-ænial A’CHORD and why he recommends clinicians give the simplified unishade composite a try

Hi, I'm Dr Robert Marus and I just gave an excellent presentation on 

, a simplified unishade composite, which I strongly recommend that you try. It's something that can give you shade matching in the esthetic zone, having 1 shade match 3, and generally speaking, it's going to give you a higher level of esthetics compared to a single-shade composite. It's something that I recommend you try.

It's got great wear strength, polishability, resistance to stain, and natural fluorescence, so it looks extremely esthetic. And if you're interested, you can come to the GC America booth, at 3008 and you can find that and actually try the product there. Thanks so much and have a great meeting!

Robert Marus, DDS, AAACD, FICD, discusses the benefits of G-ænial A’CHORD from GC America in this video interview at the Greater New York Dental Meeting. [1 minute]

Karen Gregory, RN, CDPIC, discusses the importance of proper dental instrument processing and patient safety at the Greater New York Dental Meeting, as well as the benefits of the Lexa sterilizing units from W&H. [2 minutes]

GNYDM24 Product Focus: Karen Gregory, RN, CDPIC, discusses the importance of proper instrument processing and patient safety

Hi, my name is Karen Gregory. I'm actually a registered nurse who found her home in the dental industry. I love instrument reprocessing. I love anything to do with patient and employee safety. And one of the consistent issues that I see when I am out working with clients is the fact that a lot of times instruments that are wet at the end of the sterilization cycle are removed from the chamber and actually placed on a counter to dry or taken chair side. If you look at national standards, you will find that these packages should be considered wet. They should not be used for patient care. They actually should be taken back. They should be repackaged and they should be reprocessed.

So, there's a lot of things that you can do to reduce the likelihood of those wet packaging. Just a few would include making sure that the instruments are dry before you package them and put them in the sterilizer. Make sure that you are loading that sterilizer appropriately. Heavier items need to go at the bottom of the unit. One thing is really important, that you don't overload, because that can lead to a sterilization failure. There are also differences in sterilizers. There are sterilizers such as the Lexa units [from W&H] that use a closed door drying system, and with that, you automatically reduce the temptation of removing those instruments that are wet, plus they use a mechanical means to assist with the drying. Hope that every day, as you're working in sterilizing in the sterilization area, that you realize that patient safety is a priority, and you always want to provide instruments that are sterile for that patient care delivery.

Karen Gregory discusses the importance of proper dental instrument processing and patient safety at the Greater New York Dental Meeting, as well as the benefits of the Lexa sterilizing units from W&H. [2 minutes]

DPR Managing Editor Stan Goff and Midmark's Holly Weaver, marketing manager, dental instrument processing, discuss the features of Midmark's new M11 steam sterilizer at the Greater New York Dental Meeting 2024. [3 minutes]

DPR Managing Editor Stan Goff and Midmark's Holly Weaver, marketing manager, dental instrument processing, discuss the features of Midmark's M11 steam sterilizer.

DPR Managing Editor Stan Goff and Midmark's Holly Weaver discuss the features of Midmark's new M11 steam sterilizer at the Greater New York Dental Meeting 2024. [3 minutes]