Dentsply Sirona and 3Shape Forge Deeper Digital Workflow Integrations. Images: © Dentsply Sirona, 3Shape

Dentsply Sirona and 3Shape, 2 leaders in dental technologies, will expand their workflow integrations offering dental professionals new ways to enhance patient care, according to a press release from Dentsply Sirona. This collaboration aims to empower dental professionals by streamlining their workflow integrations through DS Core and 3Shape Unite, enabling them to embrace a scan-to-lab workflow or establish design and manufacturing protocols directly within their practices.

One of the key highlights of this partnership is the direct connection between Dentsply Sirona's intraoral scanners, including Primescan, and the 3Shape Dental System Software via DS Core. This innovation allows dentists to effortlessly transmit orders to their lab partners via DS Core, leading to a more efficient workflow. In the lab, the data can be seamlessly processed using the 3Shape Dental System, ultimately saving time for both dental professionals and technicians.

Dentists can also take advantage of the innovative in-office solutions offered by Primemill and Primeprint through DS Core. This integration allows for in-office milling and printing using the 3Shape Unite platform, DS Core, and the inLab CAD software. As a result, high-quality prosthetic restorations such as permanent esthetic crowns, splints, temporary crowns, and models, can be same-day manufactured directly within the dental practice, per the press release. This expansion of workflow integrations marks an essential step for Dentsply Sirona and 3Shape in their mission to advance digital dentistry in both practices and labs, ultimately contributing to the improvement of oral health worldwide, according to 3Shape senior vice president of product strategy, Rune Fisker.

"3Shape and Dentsply Sirona are providing seamless workflows for our shared customer base. Dentists and labs will now benefit from smooth in-office manufacturing and send-to-lab solutions thanks to an expanded and validated interconnection of our systems,” Fisker says in the press release. “By being faithful to 3Shape’s open system principles, we are excited to combine such powerful opportunities in the industry."

Andreas Frank, Executive Vice President and Chief Business Officer at Dentsply Sirona, added, “The closer integration of leading offerings from Dentsply Sirona and 3Shape via DS Core opens new possibilities for dental practices and labs. Our customers expect to easily combine solutions from different companies in their practice to confidently deliver optimal performance. We are committed to expanding workflow integrations through our platform, DS Core, and thereby help dental professionals move forward with confidence. We are excited that 3Shape TRIOS users will now be able to expand their practices easily with in-office manufacturing solutions such as Primemill and Primeprint.”

To learn more about this integration visit Dentpsly Sirona’s website 

. This integration was announced during DS World 2023, a live education and entertainment event that took place in Las Vegas, Nevada, on September 21st through September 23rd hosted by Dentsply Sirona. DS World 2023 featured a variety of educational courses including 2 live dental surgeries, as well as entertainment like speaker and TV star Kevin O’Leary and former 

 live, on-the-floor coverage of this event, click 

Articles

This integration will enable smoother digital dental workflows between 3Shape and Dentsply Sirona, enabling professionals to deliver care in a more efficient way. 

Dentsply Sirona and 3Shape Forge Deeper Digital Workflow Integrations

Stan Goff is a Managing Editor with MJH Life Sciences, which includes Dental Products Report, Dental Practice Management, Dental Lab Products, Modern Hygienist, and Dentist's Money Digest. He has covered the dental industry since 1999 and can be reached at sgoff@mjhlifesciences.com.  

Sting performs at Dentsply Sirona World 2023 Friday night in Las Vegas. Image Credit: © Stan Goff

Dentsply Sirona World 2023 offered something for everyone this week in Las Vegas. The annual dental education event delivered plenty of education, great speakers, product launches, laughs, and world-class music.

The event managed to pull all of this off in just 3 days, kicking off Thursday at the MGM Grand and wrapping up Saturday night with a closing party at the Hakkasan Nightclub located at MGM Grand. In between, DS World 2023 offered attendees the opportunity to learn about the latest in digital dentistry, pick up continuing education credits from an impressive collection of speakers, become aware of how to help dentistry become more sustainable, and even participate in a record-breaking smile album milestone that also led to another donation from Dentsply Sirona to Smile Train, the world’s largest cleft-focused organization

with a sustainable and local model of supporting surgery and other forms of essential care.

Friday morning’s general session included the second of 2 live surgeries at the event, as well as an inspiring talk from television star and businessman Kevin O’Leary. Known as “Mr. Wonderful” on the television show 

, O’Leary offered attendees valuable insight on investment and entrepreneurship. He talked about lessons he learned years ago, as well as key things businesses learned duringthe COVID-19 pandemic. O’Leary also shared his belief in the importance of oral health, noting that he has multiple dentists since he travels the world on a regular basis.

Over the years DS World has featured top-notch music performers, comedians and other entertainers, and 2023 proved to deliver more of the same. On Thursday night attendees were entertained and amazed by a variety show that featured magician Mat Franco, impressionist Frank Caliendo, and abstract performers Blue Man Group. Members of the Dentsply Sirona team and attendees at the performance were included in on-stage magic acts and the next day many were still trying to figure out how Franco pulled off some of his tricks. Caliendo, meanwhile, worked plenty of dental references into his act and his impressions, while Blue Man Group did what only they can do to awe those in attendance.

To learn about some of the products launched at DS World 2023 and for more on the event, 

As great as Thursday’s evening entertainment was, Friday’s concert by music legend Sting had the crowd standing, singing and dancing for much of the show which featured a number of hits from the 17-time Grammy Award winner. The performance included hits from The Police such as 

Roxanne, Every Breath You Take, King of Pain, and Message in a Bottle

, dating back to the 1970s and 1980s before Sting went out on a solo career.

Saturday morning, Moataz Kasrawy, DDS, and Dr. Steven Mulligan, clinician, teacher and researcher based in U.K, and founding member of the FDI World Dental Federation’s Sustainability in Dentistry Task Team, and Dr. Rainer Seemann, VP Clinical Affairs and Workflows at Dentsply Sirona led the breakout session called “5 Tips to Make Your Practice More Sustainable.”

The trio acknowledged that dentistry is required to use its share of single-use products for infection control and safety purposes, but that steps can be taken today to substantially reduce the carbon footprint of practices. They admitted that dentistry does indeed contribute to climate change, but that there are methods in place today to help minimize problems going forward.

Georgia dentist Dr Kasrawy talked about how teledentistry can play a big role by providing care while limiting long commutes to dental practices and eliminating unnecessary drives. Other solutions include staff carpooling, public transportation and even the idea that dental practices can participate in bicycle riding services for patients and even a charging station for electric cars.

Another big factor is new, environmentally friendly packaging solutions from companies like Dentsply Sirona, plus the role digital dentistry plays in providing more efficient care and less patient visits.

Dr Mulligan urged the industry to make strides in using less plastic and added that simple steps such as turning off the lights in the practice during lunch breaks, and adding recycling bins to breakrooms can have a positive impact on reducing carbon footprints.

Dr Mulligan suggests all clinicians check out a tool kit available from the FDI World Federation at https://sustainability-platform.fdiworlddental.org/# for more information on how to reduce their dental practice's environmental impact and earn sustainability stripes.

Annual event held in Las Vegas filled with high-quality education, entertainment, and digital dentistry product launches. 

Dentsply Sirona World 2023 Delivers a Little of Everything

DSWorld2023 Kicks Off Thursday with “The Future of Care” Theme | 

Dentsply Sirona World 2023 kicked off Thursday at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas with its usual high-energy, high-quality education and top-notch entertainment. Dental team members attending the annual event were presented with great speakers and education, along with product demonstrations at the exhibit hall, and Dentsply Sirona’s usual fun festivities.

DS World 2023, which runs through Saturday, is one of the dental industry’s most anticipated annual clinical education events. Thousands of dental professionals come together for an engaging, empowering, and unique experience with over 130 education courses presented by more than 100 distinguished experts. This year’s theme is “The Future of Care,” and Dentsply Sirona announced the addition of several new products and solutions to their highly integrated product portfolio this week, as well as discussions on the company’s ongoing initiatives to address sustainability.

Adding to its comprehensive portfolio, Dentsply Sirona this week announces the following new products and solutions* in Las Vegas:

Updates in DS Core’s Communication Canvas, Ordering and Viewer Functionalities

The updates are designed to allow, among other things, annotations on 2D x-ray, 2D media, and 2D CBCT slices, both freehand drawing and text; support GDPR/HIPAA compliant file sharing with patients; improved chat function for better accessibility from mobile devices and the capability to view even more data formats such as STL and PLY. This makes DS Core a powerful communication and collaboration tool for users of 3rd party IO-scanners, the company states.

The SureSmile Simulator, powered by DS Core, empowers dental professionals to transform treatment conversations by showing patients the potential esthetic benefits and helping them make informed and timely decisions. Prior to treatment planning, the SureSmile Simulator assists dental professionals in evaluating each case. By measuring initial models and generating estimated treatment duration and complexity from the post-simulation results, clinicians can enter the planning phase with greater insight. Speakers at DS World shared thoughts on how helpful this simulator will be in terms of patient acceptance.

The pericardium membrane along with the GLYMATRIX® sugar cross-linking properties of OSSIXAgile provides longevity and biocompatibility, resulting in low host reactions and a long-lasting barrier effect.

: This complete new electric handpiece series features a significantly increased lifetime and is equipped with a variety of innovations. This new line is designed to make daily treatment even easier and more pleasant.

Other existing and recently launched solutions such as Primescan, Primeprint, Primemill, Axeos, and OmniTaper EV Implant—the latest addition to the company's EV implants family—are also available for hands-on experiences and demonstrations in Las Vegas. Participants can also take part in the DS Core Showcase,

a new educational experience to help gain a true understanding of the power of the cloud solution in a realistic practice environment.

, is not just about imagining the possibilities of digital dentistry, but seeing these possibilities come to life with DS Core at the heart of our next wave of innovation in dental care,” Andreas Frank, EVP and Chief Business Officer at Dentsply Sirona, says in a press release. “At DS World, we aim to unite with dental professionals to help them move forward with confidence and advance our shared vision of transforming dentistry together."

title for the largest online album of smiles

Attendees are encouraged to join the company in supporting their partner Smile Train in setting a Guinness World Records

title for the largest online album of smiles. For more information and to participate, please visit 

https://www.everysmile.org/dentsplysirona

As part of the ongoing comprehensive sustainability strategy BEYOND, DS World this year includes sessions featuring Moataz Kasrawy, DDS, and Dr. Steven Mulligan, clinician, teacher, and researcher based in U.K, and founding member of the FDI World Dental Federation’s Sustainability in Dentistry Task Team, and Dr. Rainer Seemann, VP Clinical Affairs and Workflows at Dentsply Sirona. The breakout session is called “5 Tips to Make Your Practice More Sustainable.”

Members of the Dentsply Sirona executive team joined media members to help create oral care packages to donate to Smile Train on Thursday afternoon. Image Credit: © Stan Goff

“Education is vital to improve sustainability, increase awareness, and identify actions that can lead to environmentally sustainable outcomes.” explains Dr Mulligan in the press release. “Hosting a sustainability in dentistry session at DS World is another way in which Dentsply Sirona demonstrates its commitment to supporting dentists in their journey towards becoming more sustainable and I’m thrilled to collaborate in this endeavor.”

Dentsply Sirona also continues to uphold its ESG commitments during this week’s event by offsetting CO2 emissions generated from staff travel to and from the event, ensuring equal representation of women speakers on the main stage, offering sustainable catering options, and striving to achieve zero print marketing material use. In addition, the company also has a sustainability booth that attendees can visit to learn more about the topic and find resources that enable them to take immediate action.

Dentsply Sirona and 3Shape Expand Workflow Integrations

In other news this week, Dentsply Sirona and 3Shape announced the opening of the next chapter in their workflow integrations. The harmonization of DS Core, Primemill, and Primeprint, with the 3Shape TRIOS intraoral scanner powered by 3Shape Unite, is designed to create more integrated workflows for digital dentistry. Dentists and dental technicians will benefit from simple, secure, and connected technology solutions designed for effective collaboration which enables them to provide optimal dental care and move forward with confidence.

Dentsply Sirona intraoral scanners such as Primescan will now connect directly with the 3Shape Dental System Software via DS Core. This means dentists will be able to easily transmit orders to their lab partners via DS Core. In the lab, this data can then be directly processed in 3Shape Dental System, which can save valuable time.

Clinicians will be able to seamlessly connect TRIOS scanners to Primemill and Primeprint for in-office milling and printing via 3Shape Unite, DS Core and the inLab CAD software. Thus, high-quality prosthetic restorations such as permanent esthetic crowns, as well as removable and temporary dental applications such as splints, temporary crowns or models can be manufactured directly in the practice the same day.

Rune Fisker, 3Shape’s Senior Vice President of Product Strategy, states in a press release, "3Shape and Dentsply Sirona are providing seamless workflows for our shared customer base. Dentists and labs will now benefit from smooth in-office manufacturing and send-to-lab solutions thanks to an expanded and validated interconnection of our systems. By being faithful to 3Shape’s open system principles, we are excited to combine such powerful opportunities in the industry."

After busy days in courses and on the trade show floor, attendees can unwind at DS World with great entertainment. After Thursday’s Day One wrapped up, a variety show featuring big names like magician Mat Franco, impressionist Frank Caliendo, and abstract performers Blue Man Group entertained the crowd.

Friday night’s show features Sting, who has sold 100 million albums worldwide and has earned a myriad of awards, including a total of 17 Grammy Awards®, a Golden Globe®, 4 Oscar® nominations, a TONY® nomination and more.

* Due to the different approval and registration times, not all technologies and products are immediately available in all countries.

**Requires user to have a DS Core subscription and Primescan IOS. Displayed results are a simulation of potential aligner treatment and not a prescribed treatment plan, which has to be directed by the dentist and complied with by the patient. Actual treatment outcomes may differ substantially.

Dentsply Sirona event features education, networking opportunities, the latest in digital dentistry, dental product launches, great entertainment, and more.

DS World 2023 Kicks Off Thursday with  “The Future of Care” Theme

Laura Dorr is the former executive editor of DPR's Modern Dental Network and a regular contributing author.

All They Don't Know: Dealing with Knowledge Gaps Among Younger Dentist. Image: © natali_mis - stock.adobe.com

At some point, every lab has been at the receiving end of a dentist’s ire about a misfitting crown or problems with a prosthetic. And sure, labs make mistakes; we’re all only human after all. But often, perhaps the finger is being pointed at the wrong human.

The long-term complaint that any problem with a bridge or removable is the lab’s doing probably isn’t one that (unfortunately) is going to go away any time soon, particularly because the disconnect seems to be growing. With changes in how dental school programs are run, the emergence of digital technology, out-of-country outsourcing, and increases in chairside milling, rifts between labs and dentists seem to run deeper than ever. And it’s starting earlier and earlier.

Beginning in dental school, dentists aren’t getting the same exposure to the laboratory as they once did. While many dental schools used to have labs on-site, those days have mostly come to an end because of the cost of running a lab and the increase in product outsourcing outside the country. And losing this opportunity to see firsthand how lab technicians work has contributed to a gap in understanding exactly how labs create final products.

“Dynamics in dental school have changed; they no longer have to make a certain number of dentures in school,” says Thomas Zaleske, owner of Matrix Dental Laboratory in Crown Point, Indiana. “And since they’ve removed dental laboratories from schools, students are no longer able to just go down and watch what is going on in the lab; they don’t have that opportunity anymore. That creates a gap because they can’t see how it all comes together, except on a screen. I think that really handicaps them because they can’t experience the full benefit of the manual way of doing it.”

As a result, many dental schools don’t afford burgeoning dentists the opportunity to collaborate alongside lab technicians, doing away with the chance to not only learn about the process, but also develop critical communication skills necessary to a productive lab/dentist relationship.

“I think a big challenge for younger dentists is going from learning and working in a clinical environment to working in practice, where you have to be able to communicate and connect with their patients and their counterparts on the lab side of the patient,” says Marybeth Starr, head of brand promise for Harvest Dental.

And recently, even the face of this transition to practice has changed, with the rise of dental service organizations (DSOs). With more young dentists going to work for DSOs, fewer are joining small practices as associates. And this can often close the door on another opportunity for knowledge transfer.

“Transitioning to a single-doctor practice as an associate used to be the normal transition, but it’s rarer than it used to be,” Zaleske says. “In those settings, older dentists were able to mentor and train the people coming into their practice in the traditional ways, so to speak, of doing things. So there’s a gap in what they’re learning when they don’t get that mentorship.”

Without this mentorship, many young dentists are missing out on important lessons in lab relationships as well as the analog skills required to provide good scans or models. And as technology increases and analog skills are lost to the past, knowledge gaps in young dentists are increasing as well.

Technology has changed the game and the dental industry as a whole. It has reshaped the dental workflow, expedited treatment, and simplified things like impressions and scanning. It’s pushing the industry forward, and the young dentists—and lab techs—embracing it are at the forefront of the field.

“Technology is a great thing and the younger dentists who are coming into the industry are so savvy with that side of the business—it’s a beautiful thing,” Starr says. “The younger generation on both the lab and clinical sides have changed the industry all around. We live in a digital world and they both understand it well.”

But while both sides are recognizing the benefits of such a digital world, technology is also creating disconnect, and allowing for greater knowledge gaps in younger dentists.

“I think that there is a bit of collegiality between both dentists and labs when it comes to technology because both are eager to learn it,” Zaleske says. “But when you start to dive into the deeper reasons, I think that’s where the deviations are, where the separation begins. They can both agree that the technology is going to create a faster product and it’s going to eliminate some steps and they both have to learn it together. But it does create a gap between the two, because at a certain point, it’s always boiled down to who touched it last. It’s still always going to be the lab’s fault because you can’t blame the machine; the machine is finite.”

The issue becomes this: If both the dentist and the machine are as infallible as some seem to believe, the blame must surely fall squarely on the lab’s shoulders, even if perhaps the real issue isn’t the lab or the machine, but user error.

“I think a big gap in [younger dentists’] knowledge comes from the fact that they don’t have to use their hands to do anything,” Zaleske says. “They’re taught from the get-go that digital will cure or remedy any situations or problems, instead of understanding that digital technology has its limitations. It’s like more emphasis is being placed on learning to use the calculator rather than the actual math.

This does not work well with dentistry. “Once you take out the understanding of the math and all you learn is how to use the calculator, and you’ve never had any kind of manual comparison, well, that becomes a very tough problem to solve,” Zaleske says. “You start to rely on the information being supplied by digital tools, and you don’t investigate further.”

In his own experience with removable prosthetics, Zaleske sees this manifest regularly in a lack of understanding of what constitutes a successful complete capture of soft tissues and biologic landmarks—the factors that ensure successful denture delivery and treatment. He gives the example of locating a vibrating line.

“We learned (or the dentist used to learn) how to palpate the mouth and find that vibrating line instead of using a default fovea location for locating it,” Zaleske says. “That knowledge has gone away because the scan will identify the fovea, and use that as a default marking location, and the dentist will never explore any deeper on how to make it a better location (or how to find a better location).”

This manual learning process is something that has historically allowed dentists to better understand preparations for successful production. For example, dentists who bake their own crowns have a better understanding of what a preparation requires in order to create a successful crown. By doing it from both sides, dentists gain a deeper understanding so that when a problem arises, it’s much easier to solve, since they’ve already done it and know what they’re trying to accomplish.

This translates to digital. If a dentist understands what goes into a successful impression, they’ll understand what information a scan needs to impart.

“Everyone wants to take digital denture impressions,” Zaleske says. “Anybody who takes good denture impressions clinically understands that there are extensions and flowing of material that a digital scan around the periphery can’t accomplish. But if you’ve never done a manual impression, then you don’t understand what could be accomplished or what’s not being accomplished by the digital means.”

And incomplete or lacking digital scans can result in a poor-quality end product, ultimately hurting the patient. This makes it imperative for dentists to be careful about how heavily they rely on digital technology to do the job for them.

“The difference between artificial intelligence (AI) and a human is that a human actually cares about what’s being produced to go in the patient’s mouth,” says John “Johnny O” Orfanidis, CDT. “Dentists should understand who they are. You’re a dentist. You are a doctor of the mouth. And the only way you can get really good at it as an artist and as an expert is by putting hours into your hands. The only way you can get good is by putting in the time. You want to be the top dentist in the world charging $10,000 per crown? You can do that. But you can’t do it in a day.”

“Digital technology is just a tool, not a replacement for knowledge and an understanding of what constitutes good successful treatment,” Zaleske adds. “Dentists need to understand the legacy skill sets to provide the best treatment for their patients.”

It’s not hard to understand the pull of digital technology. Convenience, simplification, speed, and, presumably, accuracy are selling points that are hard to refuse. And this is the battle cry of the digital world, to dentists, labs, and patients alike—a battle cry that manufacturers have doubled down on.

Take digital dentures, for example. They’re touted as the most convenient thing. There’s a file on hand, so if a dog eats the dentures, the dentures can be immediately reproduced without starting from scratch. However, while this sounds appealing (and it certainly would be in the event of a denture-eating dog), it’s not the most likely of scenarios.

“I don’t know that any dogs are getting together and saying, ‘Hey, let’s eat dentures,’” Zaleske says. “Sure, it may happen, but not often. But manufacturers like to emphasize those kinds of things, rather than the longevity of the old way of doing it. There’s a lot of longevity and personalization that occurs without all the extra nuances that they have to teach you in order to get what you need for the patient. But younger dentists aren’t being told that from the manufacturers.

However, the allure presented by the manufacturers is hard to resist, and the potential gains a dentist can get from the latest and greatest technology are enticing. Quicker turnaround means higher production, which means more money. Manufacturers tell dentists that technology, such as chairside, saves time, getting more patients in the chair per hour.

“I think it’s sad because it puts a young dentist in a bad situation because they have to pay those debts off,” Zaleske says. “And they have to do that, so the promise of doing things quicker is a no-brainer for them. And I understand that. But at the end of the day, it’s not always the best choice for treatment in many cases.”

This technology seduction that gets people to invest is successful because the potential seems so great. But, Zaleske says, this can be a trap.

“Companies always like to compare the worst of their competition with the best of what they can produce, and I think that’s a disservice to the profession,” he says. “Because there are some really good benefits for digital technology in certain applications. But there are others that are basically saying that a hammer can do everything. And that leads to buy-in from new dentists because of the potential that they won’t have to learn to do this or that.

“And potential is one thing, but you’ve got to understand the basics before you understand the potential,” Zaleske continues. “The people who are successful with the digital technology are the ones that already have a solid baseline of how to do it. But what happens is everyone is looking for the quick fix.”

Perhaps one of the biggest gaps that needs to be closed is that many of today’s dentists simply don’t understand what it takes to create successful lab products, the processes that are required to do so, and what the clinician needs to contribute to ensure a smooth case workflow.

“I do think they understand to a certain extent what goes into lab work, but really none of us knows about lab but the lab technicians,” Starr says. “I believe they understand the lab industry, but they also may underestimate the work that it takes case by case.

“We have a big disconnect in the dental industry,” he says. “Dentists just want to send the case to the lab, have it taken care of, and if it’s not perfect, often the lab gets burned.”

Perhaps the lack of understanding of the information necessary for each case is one of the biggest hurdles in these situations. Since younger dentists haven’t done manual impressions or don’t understand what a lab needs beyond a point-and-click scan, the potential for error increases exponentially.

“The day-to-day is a grind and there are variables on every case—not one is the same and that is the challenge for the lab,” Starr says. “How do you bring on a new dentist and cover every variable? The answer is in open communication and building that relationship.”

This communication is an intrinsic part of closing the gaps, and while dentists may not have received the benefits of mentorship from another clinician, the lab has a unique opportunity to provide education that may have been missed along the way.

“Number one, be honest with them,” Orfanidis says. “Don’t be afraid. It is a difficult industry that we’re in, and the only way you can help them to do better dentistry is by telling them it’s insufficient. Because you’re not doing the best job you can if you don’t have the information you need. Most lab guys, if they see a margin, they’ll hit it perfectly. But you need to get those margins from the dentist, and if you’re not, no one is doing their best work.”

No one likes to be told they are doing things incorrectly, however, so Zaleske recommends a light touch.

“If a new doctor comes into my office, I know the smartest thing to do is to not barrage them with a ton of different things to change, right?” he says. “I can’t give them all that information off the bat, but I kind of spoon-feed them things that can give immediate results. This also helps instill confidence in my suggestions, which is a benefit down the road.

Zaleske also ensures his dentists aren’t just taking his word for things, but backs his suggestions up by sending his dentists peer-reviewed articles (by other dentists) that are making the point he’s trying to emphasize. He’ll send physical articles or links to the dentist along with the case and allow that information to marinate so that the dentist can be educated and come to the (hopefully correct) conclusion.

“I send articles peer-reviewed by dentists so that it’s not the world according to the laboratory, but the world according to dentistry,” he says. “I think that by and large, dentists have more respect for those in their own profession than they do laboratory technicians. They respect us to a certain degree as far as our technical knowledge goes, but when we start to convince them that they have to change something in the clinical environment, they need to see somebody that works in the clinical environment making the suggestion. I’ve found that they respond better to that and it’s a good way to convince them, or at least encourage them to investigate.”

Communications like these don’t only improve cases, but also can improve relationships.

“It is all about communication and building relationships and building those relationships in different ways: in person, webinars, newsletters, tips and tricks—getting their attention in a positive way,” Starr says. “The challenge may lie in interpersonal communication and, in particular, on cases that are more analog in nature, but this may give the dentist and the lab an opportunity to bond.”

Ultimately, dentists are always going to have knowledge gaps, particularly as technology continues to literally take more work out of their hands. But as frustrating as it may be, labs can weather the storm. It all comes down to good communication, continued education, and perhaps, most importantly, a healthy dose of patience.

Dentists right out of school might have a hard time adjusting to the way a dental lab works. Here are a few ways to bridge this knowledge gap and create streamlined workflows. 

All They Don’t Know: Dealing With Knowledge Gaps Among Younger Dentists

This week's Product Bites podcast features new launches from Align Technology, Neoss Group, Pac-Dent, Weave, Henry Schein One, Cocofloss, and AirPay.

Product Bites – September 22, 2023

Welcome to Product Bites, a weekly podcast from Dental Products Report providing you with a rundown of recently launched and updated dental technologies, materials, instruments and everything else you might use with patients or while running your practice.

I'm your host for this week DPR Editorial Director Noah Levine, and on this week's podcast, we've got 8 new products to talk about from Neoss Group, Pac-Dent, Align Technology, Weave, Cocofloss, AirPay, and Henry Schein One. So without further ado, let's learn about these 8 new innovations.

In collaboration with Osstell, Neoss Group recently introduced NeoTell, an implant stability testing device. NeoTell uses resonance frequency analysis technology to swiftly and accurately assess implant stability. This affordable solution provides an objective stability score benefiting both clinicians and patients in making informed treatment decisions. NeoTell is user friendly and eliminates the need for invasive procedures, leading to improved patient outcomes. The device is compatible with SmartPegs which offer a convenient and sterile way to do stability testing which enhances the precision of treatment planning and contributes to heightened patient satisfaction.

Pac-Dent recently introduced an expansion to its Rodin product line with Rodin Bond, a versatile, light-cured dental adhesive that features cutting edge glass filler technology that deeply permeates dentin tubules, creating strong structural bonds. It is compatible with various dental materials including dentin, enamel, composites, zirconia, and metals. When used with Rodin Sensiguard, a 2-in-1 desensitizer and primer, it further enhances bonds and reduces sensitivity. Both products are designed for efficiency with a user friendly flipped up cap for precise dispensing.

Align Technology recently introduced a range of new updates to enhance their dental treatment planning software and other product offerings. One update for their ClinCheck software is a new plan editor which gives dentists the ability to easily edit treatment plans within the software. Changes made are quickly reflected in the treatment plan, allowing for real time adjustments to ensure the best possible care for patients. The new Align Oral Health Suite is an innovative software app that empowers clinicians to create custom oral health reports using Align's iTero Element series of intraoral scanners. Patients can gain a clearer understanding of their dental and oral health conditions through these easy to visualize reports. On the Invisalign aligners front, a new feature for SmartForce attachments reduces the need for double attachments. This enhancement improves the esthetics of aligners without compromising care quality. Finally, the new Vivera retainer subscription model is available. This is for non-first time patients and allows them to conveniently order retainers directly from their doctor, which eliminates the need for office visits.

Also new from Align Technology is the Invisalign Palatal Expander. This new 3D printed solution for palatal expansion and growing patients is unlike traditional metal expanders, in that it does not need any screws to be turned. The palatal expanders are crafted using a proprietary 3D printing formula to ensure rapid and safe expansion and a more comfortable process for young patients. It addresses hygiene concerns with its removable design, and when used in conjunction with Invisalign First aligners, it provides comprehensive early orthodontic solution. The Invisalign palatal expander is expected to enter the market officially in 2024, pending regulatory approval.

Weave recently introduced Practice Analytics to aid dental practices with data driven decision making advice. Compatible with Dentrix, Open Dental, and Eaglesoft practice management software platforms, the new feature builds upon Weave's existing message analytics and phone analytics capabilities, providing dental professionals with real time performance metrics on patient retention, appointment scheduling efficiency, treatment acceptance rates, and revenue generation. Practice Analytics also unveils unscheduled restorative or hygiene treatment plans, highlights cancellations, and reveals the average time between treatments. Additionally, it facilitates seamless patient communications through its mobile application. This robust analytics tool empowers dental practices to track missed opportunities related to patient care, patient volumes, revenue and resource utilization.

Cocofloss has launched Cocoshine, on innovative toothpaste with a nano-hydroxyapatite formula designed to tackle four essential tasks simultaneously. Cocoshine whitens teeth, addresses sensitivity, balances the oral microbiome, and strengthens enamel. The nano-hydroxyapatite formulation penetrates beneath the tooth surface to remineralize and fortify, repairing microcracks and enhancing whiteness. It addresses hypersensitivity by replenishing lost minerals and filling dentinal tubules. This oral care solution also contains key ingredients like xylitol, coconut oil, and aloe vera. It's free from sulfates, parabens, propylene glycol, triclosan, artificial dyes, and sweeteners. Cocoshine is cruelty free, vegan, and available in two flavors, delicious mint or lychee breeze.

AirPay recently introduced its new solution designed to simplify and automate the pre-appointment workflows for dental front desk teams. AirPay integrates seamlessly with popular practice management systems and performs bulk insurance eligibility checks, saving staff time and reducing claim denials and missed collections AirPay provides increased transparency regarding insurance plans and treatment costs helping patients understand the costs of proposed treatment.

Finally, Henry Schein One recently launched Lighthouse360+. Designed to seamlessly integrate with any practice management system, Lighthouse360+ offers simplified online patient scheduling, customizable digital forms that automate data intake and sync seamlessly with the practice management software. This helps reduce paper usage and saves time. The integrated phone system sends missed call text notifications to help attract new patients, while payment reminders streamline workflows and ensure timely payments to the office. Lighthouse360+ also offers reputation management, prompting regular patient reviews. Its user friendly dashboard makes it simple for office managers and front office staff to take advantage of the software capabilities.

That does it for this week's Product Bites from Dental Products Report. Thanks for listening. As always, check out all the latest new dental products on dentalproductsreport.com/newdentalproducts, and be sure to check back next week for the next episode of Product Bites.

Podcasts

This week's Product Bites podcast features new launches from Align Technology, Neoss Group, Pac-Dent, Weave, Henry Schein One, Cocofloss, and AirPay. [7 Min]

OraPharma and League of United Latin American Citizens Join Forces to Tackle Gum Disease. Image: © League of United Latin American Citizens

In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, Bausch Health Companies Inc and its oral health care subsidiary, OraPharma, have teamed up with the historic League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC). Together, they are embarking on a mission to enhance awareness of gum disease detection and treatment within the Hispanic community.

Periodontal disease is a chronic bacterial infection that affects nearly 65 million American adults, with a higher prevalence among Latino populations, according to a press release from LULAC and OraPharma. Prominent symptoms include bleeding during or after brushing and red/swollen gums. Research also indicates that periodontal disease may be linked to an increased risk of other chronic conditions, which can significantly impact the Hispanic community.

This partnership incorporates LULAC's participation in supporting the Cover Your Bases campaign, a nationwide awareness initiative featuring patient ambassador and World Series Champion, Alex Rodriguez. Rodriguez is playing a pivotal role in raising awareness about the disease by urging individuals to engage with their dentists regarding their oral health, including screenings for gum disease.

"I'm honored to welcome LULAC to the Cover Your Bases campaign, which aims to educate the Latino community about recognizing the signs and symptoms of gum disease," Rodriguez says in the press release. "I consider myself fortunate that my dentist detected my gum disease early and initiated an effective treatment plan. I hope that by sharing my personal journey, I can encourage more people to do the same, particularly since gum disease is more prevalent among men and within the Latino community."

OraPharma's collaboration with LULAC includes a comprehensive array of educational resources featuring Alex Rodriguez, which will be disseminated through the organization's social and digital platforms. Additionally, OraPharma will be present at LULAC's National Health Summit in Dallas, Texas on October 21st, 2023 to educate attendees about periodontal disease and available treatment options.

Juan Proaño, LULAC Interim-CEO, stated in the press release, "As an organization committed to advancing the health of the Hispanic population in the United States, LULAC is privileged to collaborate with OraPharma and Alex Rodriguez to convey this vital message. Millions of Hispanic Americans suffer from gum disease, yet many remain unaware and undiagnosed. Given the potential associated health risks, it is imperative that we elevate awareness surrounding this condition and empower our members with information that motivates them to seek guidance from their dentist."

For individuals grappling with periodontal disease, considering a comprehensive treatment plan is important to combat the bacteria responsible for the condition. Similar to other bacterial infections, periodontal disease can be managed by a dentist. One treatment option for adults with gum disease is ARESTIN® (minocycline HCI), an antibiotic applied at the site of infection in conjunction with scaling and root planing.

Tom Stern, Vice President and General Manager at OraPharma, says in the press release, "As we commemorate Hispanic Heritage Month, OraPharma takes pride in partnering with esteemed organizations like LULAC to address gum disease as a frequently overlooked health disparity in the Latino community. Although there is no cure for gum disease, our joint mission aims to bridge the information gap and empower the Hispanic community to take charge of their oral health by engaging in discussions with their dentists and exploring treatment plans that may effectively manage the condition."

To discover more about this initiative, please visit 

The League of United Latin American Citizens will join up with OraPharma to educate and bring awareness to gum disease and treatment within the Hispanic community. 

OraPharma and League of United Latin American Citizens Join Forces to Tackle Gum Disease

DEXIS, a pioneer in dental imaging technology, is proud to unveil the groundbreaking OP 3D LX, a new generation of its notable OP 3D technology. This advanced panoramic imaging system brings a host of innovations designed to enhance diagnostic capabilities and streamline dental workflows, according to a press release from DEXIS.

The OP 3D LX boasts several notable features, such as:

Expanded Field of View (FOV): Dentists can now access larger FOV options of up to 15(H) x 20(D) cm, providing a more comprehensive view for accurate diagnoses.

Seamless artificial intelligence (AI) Integration: The OP 3D LX seamlessly integrates with the AI-powered DTX Studio™ Clinic software, offering dentists powerful tools for improved diagnosis and treatment planning.

Enhanced Patient Positioning: Improved positioning ensures precise imaging, reducing the need for retakes and boosting clinical confidence.

Enhanced Image Clarity: The OP 3D LX delivers crystal-clear images, allowing dentists to visualize even the smallest details.

Cloud-Based Connectivity: This innovative system connects to the cloud, enabling remote access for easy installation, maintenance, and improved practice efficiency.

Lori Clements, Vice President, Commercial, North America at DEXIS, highlights the significance of the OP 3D LX: "The OP 3D LX offers all the powerful features practices know and trust from our OP 3D line, with the addition of new innovations that provide expanded flexibility, improved workflow efficiencies, and enhanced diagnostic confidence."

DEXIS has historically collaborated with renowned CBCT brands, including Instrumentarium, SOREDEXTM, Cranex, Gendex™, and i-CATTM. Over the last 15 years, DEXIS has installed over 35,000 CBCT units in dental practices, and the OP 3D product line continues to evolve. The OP 3D LX offers a comprehensive range of 2D and 3D imaging options, covering various dental extraoral needs, from endodontics to complex surgical cases. With flexible FOV options ranging from 5(H) x 5(D) cm up to 15(H) x 20(D) cm, it is the most extensive FOV option available on the DEXIS OP 3D platform, enabling efficient workflows with single non-stitched scans.

Additionally, the integration with the DTX Studio Clinic software introduces AI-assisted features like MagicAssist™, simplifying tasks and allowing dentists to spend more time with patients. These AI features include 3D x-ray landmark detection, tooth-centric workflows, correction of patient positioning, and annotation of mandibular nerve canals, per the press release. The system is said to allow for precise adjustments, bi-directional scout modifications, and without interfering with soft tissue profiles for orthodontic and surgical applications.

An embedded noise reduction feature, EPNR (Edge Preserving Noise Reduction), ensures clean, high-quality images with minimal artifacts, providing clinicians with detailed visibility in areas of interest.

DEXIS demonstrates its commitment to customer satisfaction by including a 60-day satisfaction guarantee program with each purchase. Additionally, they offer self-paced educational opportunities with a radiologist on reading CBCT scans, ensuring clinicians maximize the advantages of CBCT technology.

Starting September 18, 2023, dental practices can place orders for the OP 3D LX. Note that the OP 3D LX may not yet be available in all regions. To check availability, contact your local DEXIS representative or preferred dealer partner. For more information about this cutting-edge technology, visit the 

DEXIS Introduces the FDA 510(k) Cleared ORTHOPANTOMOGRAPH OP 3D LX

Neoss Group, a pioneer in dental implant solutions, has set a new benchmark in digital dentistry with the launch of the NeoScan™ 2000, a wireless intraoral scanner designed to streamline dental procedures. Building on the success of its predecessor, the NeoScan™ 1000, this groundbreaking technology is poised to redefine the digital impression landscape.

The NeoScan™ 2000 is a game-changer, offering dental professionals the perfect blend of innovation, efficiency, and affordability. According to Dr Robert Gottlander, President and CEO of the Neoss Group, "We believe that our new impression machine will make it possible for more clinicians to start using digital impressions. NeoScan 2000's combination of wireless technology, extended battery life, ergonomic design, and affordability makes it the ultimate choice for dental practices looking to enhance their efficiency and precision."

One of the standout features of the NeoScan™ 2000 is its wireless technology, which provides unrestricted mobility during scanning. This newfound freedom allows for the effortless capture of even the most challenging proximal areas, ensuring comprehensive and precise digital impressions. Additionally, its long-range connectivity ensures stable and uninterrupted data transfer, eliminating the need for constant repositioning or signal dropouts.

In a significant move to support dental professionals, Neoss Group has also announced an increase in the free cloud storage available in their NeoConnect platform to 1 terabyte, which is said to be equivalent to about 25,000 cases. This offer is available to any user of the NeoScan, per the press release. Furthermore, all NeoScans come with free upgrades of the NeoPro software and NeoConnect cloud service, enabling dental professionals to experience seamless integration and maximize the potential of their scanner without incurring extra costs.

The NeoScan™ 2000 is now available to dental professionals seeking to enhance their practice's digital capabilities. For more information and to explore the NeoScan™ 2000's features and benefits, visit Neoss Group's 

Leading innovator in dental implant solutions introduces its brand new wireless intraoral scanner.

Neoss Group Unveils NeoScan™ 2000

Philips Sonicare Partners with Spotify and Soccer Star Sydney Leroux to Promote Oral Care and Wellness. Image: © Philips Sonicare


As a way to empower individuals to make the most of their daily routines, Philips Sonicare, the globally renowned sonic toothbrush brand recommended by dental professionals, has joined forces with Spotify, one of the world's leading audio streaming platforms, and accomplished soccer player and gold medalist, Sydney Leroux. Together, they aim to motivate listeners to embark on a journey of positive and healthy changes, starting with their oral care routines.

Recognizing that brushing one's teeth is often the first and last ritual of the day, Philips Sonicare emphasizes the importance of using tools that truly make a difference. Their power toothbrushes are expertly designed to enhance oral healthcare routines, ensuring maximum effectiveness in just 2 minutes, according to a press release from Philips Sonicare. Philips Sonicare believes that a confident smile can inspire individuals to make healthier choices beyond those 2 minutes, twice a day. To extend this post-brushing feeling of confidence, Philips Sonicare has partnered with Sydney Leroux to encourage self-care through a creative and customizable in-app playlist experience on Spotify.

Through a unique in-app campaign, Philips Sonicare offers Spotify listeners personalized playlists tailored to motivate them to achieve their wellness goals. Whether it's ensuring a full 2-minute tooth brushing session, running an extra mile, or pushing for one more repetition at the gym, listeners can access various motivational audio tracks featuring Sydney Leroux and other notable guests, including comedian Hannah Berner, and personal trainers Corey Calliet and Matt Wilpers.

"I'm excited to be partnering with Philips Sonicare to keep people motivated and help them strive for healthier habits," Leroux says in the press release. "There are so many facets of wellness. Whether it's physical training or working toward better mental health, investing in yourself starts with small steps. It's important to have the best tools to set yourself up for success, so you can harness the momentum from small wins to achieve bigger goals in all aspects of your life."

Philips Sonicare's ProtectiveClean 6100 is equipped with state-of-the-art technology to deliver a next-level clean and improve dental check-ups. With features such as a pressure sensor and a 2-minute SmarTimer™, this toothbrush is said to ensure the best oral care routine for morning and night, according to Director of Marketing, Consumer Activation for Philips Sonicare, Christine Croce.

"At Philips Sonicare, we are passionate about helping people reach their goals," Croce says in the press release. "Whether that's starting healthier habits by brushing your teeth or running a marathon. We are thrilled to expand our partnership with Spotify and find new ways to motivate people to strive for success in all areas of life, with personal health at the forefront."

To celebrate individuals committed to longer physical training programs, Philips Sonicare is lending its support to marathon runners, empowering them to achieve their goals, beginning with adopting healthy oral care habits. Philips Sonicare proudly serves as a presenting sponsor of the annual Long Beach Marathon, reinforcing its dedication to wellness.

The Long Beach Marathon, Southern California's premier fall marathon, will feature a range of activities aimed at inspiring over 17,000 runners and their supporters to incorporate healthier habits into their daily lives. The festivities will commence on October 13th and 14th, 2023 at the pre-race expo, where an interactive art experience will allow participants to contribute to a motivational mural alongside talented artists.

For more information on Philips Sonicare, visit 

Leading oral health care brand, Philips Sonicare, collaborates with Spotify and Sydney Leroux to inspire positive changes in daily routines, with a focus on oral care.

Philips Sonicare Partners with Spotify and Soccer Star Sydney Leroux to Promote Oral Care and Wellness

The Dynamic Duo from Buffalo Dental Manufacturing includes (L-R) the V35 Electric Handpiece, ThermaKnife with smoothing tip, and the ThermaKnife with cutting tip. Image Credit: © Buffalo Dental Manufacturing 

Buffalo Dental Manufacturing (BDM) has combined 2 of its best-selling dental lab products to launch “The Dynamic Duo” lab bench innovation. The Dynamic Duo combines BDM’s V35 Electric Handpiece; a high-powered, reliable value-priced 35,000 RPM electric handpiece system for dental laboratories, and the ThermaKnife

; an effective and time-saving tool for fast and easy trimming of bleaching trays, night guards, mouthguards, and 3D printed prostheses.

“The Dynamic Duo not only saves dental labs time, money and bench space, it also makes workflows more efficient–especially when detailing aligners,” says Buffalo Dental Manufacturing CEO Don Nevin in a press release.

The new Dynamic Duo includes the following features and benefits:

4 multi-speed options (14k, 22k, 27k, 35k rpm) said to enable ideal speed selection for most cutting needs

High-Torque motor that provides smooth operation and powerful performance with less operator fatigue

Fully adjustable temperature control for precise cutting action. The cutting tip heats ultra-fast and is designed to save time and eliminate waiting

A & B selection switch enables the use of 2 different Thermal Pens to reduce time and increase trimming productivity, according to the manufacturer

Lightweight pen features an ergonomic design and sharp, permanent tip for improved comfort and control

An optional Heated Aligner Dimple Plier is also available, which is used for creating dimples in the aligner where the clinician wants to apply additional pressure to accelerate and/or guide tooth movement

Headquartered in Syosset, NY, Buffalo Dental Manufacturing supplies the dental profession with a wide range of handpieces, lab products, lab equipment and vacuum forming materials and accessories.

For more information, or to order the Dynamic Duo, visit 

, call 800-828-0203, or send an email to sales@mailBDM.com. The company welcomes distributor inquiries.

Launch combines the high-powered V35 Electric Handpiece with the timesaving ThermaKnife to keep lab benches organized and to boost productivity.