Lisa Newburger, a master's level social worker supervisor, helps audiences find humor in talking about tough topics. Her "in-your-face" style of presentations and writing will make you smile or just shock you into taking some action. Either way, she is very effective at empowering others to reach their goals and feel better about themselves. Her entertaining workshops are available for national and international audiences. Writing for the dental industry since 2010, she uses an alterego (Diana Directive) to illustrate her points in a sarcastic but effective way. Presentations can be scheduled by contacting Lisa at www.discussdirectives.com/dental.html.

Domestic Abuse: How to Be an Ally. Image: © Africa Studio - stock.adobe.com


My dental hygienist, Karen, told me her story and asked me to share it with you. She wants to help anyone who may be going through this same nightmare.

Karen had been married to Rob for 4 years. She would show up to work late some days and had action plans put in place to address this. Her dentist was compassionate because he understood what was going on, but no one talked about it. Karen came into work with black eyes and tried to cover them up with makeup or by wearing her hair down, which did not always work well when caring for patients. This became the elephant in the room.

Every day, dental professionals are faced with a variety of issues inside and out of the operatory. In a changing and often-stressful world, it can be difficult to maintain the kind of professionalism that patients expect from their clinician. In the face of these changes, there are effective ways to navigate personal and professional trials–it’s just about finding them.

Master's level social worker supervisor and dental practice recruiter, Lisa Newburger, LISW-S, is offering key insights and advice for dental professionals ranging on a variety of topics. With a focus on reaching personal and professional goals, Lisa hopes to guide dental professionals on how to be the best version of themselves.

Have questions for Lisa? Reach out at diana2@discussdirectives.com and your question may be answered on dentalproductsreport.com.

She was aware of how uncomfortable her work family was with her situation, but did not want to talk about it. She was afraid that if she did, she would be asked whether Rob might show up at the office and be violent. For employers, this is a tricky situation. How can you ensure the safety of all of your employees? You cannot discriminate against a person in this situation, but there are employers who will fire someone experiencing domestic violence or pay them a nice amount to find another job. I know it is ugly to say this out loud, but it happens.

Karen said that, in the beginning of her relationship, Rob was kind and thoughtful, but a little possessive. They had an incredibly romantic courtship but, in retrospect, it was fraught with red flags. Her family did not like him, but she didn’t care because she was in love. He sometimes snapped at her, which made her uncomfortable, but she did not register what was happening. Since her family did not like him, he started manipulating her to have less and less contact with them, and Karen stopped going to family events and talking to her mom. Rob continued to isolate her from her support system of family and friends.

The cycle began. She did not feel anyone would understand. She loved him, but believed he just had a problem. She felt that maybe if she were a better wife, he would stop. But he did not.

Things came to a head the night he attempted to strangle her. She clawed, kicked, and fought for her life. Somehow, she was able to run out of the house, screaming. Her neighbors called the police, and Rob was arrested. This was a terrifying time for Karen. She feared for her life. Rob’s handprints on her neck were photographed. And she finally decided to ask for help. Rob had told her repeatedly that if she ever left him, he would kill her and burn down her parents’ house. He was dead serious.

A female police officer came to her home that night and helped her decide what her next steps would be. Karen decided to go into a shelter and get the help she needed. She had never filed charges in the past. But, with compassionate counselors and that police officer, she took steps to regain her life.

She moved into a women’s shelter in another state until the trial ended and Rob was incarcerated. She says that was the most challenging time in her life, starting to rebuild all that she had lost. She is putting her life back together. She suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder but is determined to live her life without fear. She worked to get back together with her family. Then, she got her job back.

It is with such strength that she survived this nightmare. Even though Rob is in jail, it is not over for her, but she is in the process of healing. It takes time, but she is a survivor. Karen wants you to know that asking someone if they are OK matters. Making it safe to speak freely matters. Being there when everything goes haywire matters. If you need help or someone to talk to, call the 

National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-7233

If you can relate to Karen’s situation, please email me at diana2@discussdirectives.com. There is hope and help available. You are not alone. To learn how you can help someone experiencing domestic abuse, 

Articles

We have no idea what goes on in our employees’ home lives, but it’s vital to show support when we notice troubling signs. A licensed independent social worker shares an important story. 

Domestic Abuse: How to Be an Ally

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.  

5Ws* Urbanek TMJ Device | Credit: © Urbanek TMJ Device and Protocol


Information provided by Urbanek TMJ Device and Protocol.

Whenever patients are suffering from temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD). Results have been successful with patients in as few as 2 office visits, the company states.

Designed by Anthony Urbanek, DDS, MD, MS, the Urbanek TMJ Device and Protocol officially launched its commercial operations in North America, offering dentists a new way to treat the more than 10 million TMD sufferers in the United States. Clinicians who become licensed providers gain access to all the tools needed to successfully grow their practice and become a trusted TJM Device and Protocol.

Developed by an oral maxillofacial surgeon with over 40 years of experience, the Urbanek TMJ Device and Protocol is the only nonsurgical, custom computer-aided design/computer-aided manufacturing, 3D-printed resin device that alleviates the inflammation of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Unlike a night guard, this FDA-cleared medical device was specifically designed to treat the root cause of TMD.

The device, customized to each patient, unloads the joint just like a set of crutches unloads an inflamed knee. The patient starts by wearing the device 24/7 for 2 months, and then at nighttime only for the rest of their life. That works for about 85% of the patients, reportedly, and the company has completed 4000 patient cases with a success rate of 95%, which indicates what can happen if they follow the protocol.

This device and protocol are the only nonsurgical, custom CAD-CAM, 3D-printed resin solution that alleviates the inflammation of the temporomandibular joint.

 5Ws* Urbanek TMJ Device  

With a quick look at all of the newest dental product launches, Product Bites makes sure you don't miss the next innovation for your practice.

Product Bites – August 11, 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'll be covering RAPID ACCESSGUIDE from SICAT, PracticeTek's new Ora practice management solution, Angel Aligners from AngelAlign Technology, Buzzy from Pain Care Labs CandidPro's new mixed dentition support, and ProBiora Professional Strength in Orange from ProBiora Health. So let's jump right in and talk about these latest industry innovations.

Up first, we've got RAPID ACCESSGUIDE from SICAT. This is a new way to do endodontics with a 3D printed guide to make sure that you're going to follow the correct anatomy and really clean out everything in that canal. The system provides a printable endodontic guide file that's based on an AI completed design that can be ready in 20 minutes or less. This can be produced in-office if you've got a 3D printer, and the treatment planning ahead of that is using SICAT's endo software.

Ora from PracticeTek is a new practice management solution that's aimed at the DSO market. This solution is said to be built around using the data gathered from running multiple practices to provide actionable insights that the practices can use to improve efficiency in both clinical and business matters. It's a complete practice management solution with everything from scheduling to patient communications, patient charting, and even integrated customized payment plans.

ProBiora Health is adding orange as a new flavor for their professional strength oral probiotics. The new orange flavor is aimed at adult patients, and just like their original flavor for adults, it features 3 strains of naturally occurring oral bacteria that is said to be beneficial to oral health. According to ProBiora, these probiotics are said to help maintain the balance of your oral microbiome.

CandidPro's clear aligner platform now supports mixed dentition cases. This can be especially ideal for young patients who might require combination airway and aligner therapy. The new indications from CandidPro also include upgraded interproximal reduction support, expanding what this clear aligner platform can do and the number of patients that can be treated with CandidPro clear aligners.

AngelAlign Technology is entering the US market with their Angel Aligner brand of clear aligners. This brand has been around the globe after originating in China many years ago. Their clear aligners are designed to be used for a range of malocclusions and complex orthodontic cases. Their treatment planning software incorporates 3D CBCT data as well as intraoral scan data, and the aligners can be designed to feature attachments and buttons to allow for highly customized orthodontic treatments.

Now FDA-approved for use in dental injections, Buzzy from Pain Care Labs is a really cute pain care device that combines with an icepack to help reduce the pain of dental injections as well as other injections. The device is shaped like a bee and the whole system is designed to both reduce pain and help reduce the fear around dental injections which can prevent people from seeking treatment. The device works by using an M-stim technology that provides mechanical stimulation. Combined with the ice pack, it reduces pain and makes the injection process much less uncomfortable for your patients.

That does it for this week's Product Bites. But check back next week for another dose of the latest new product information and you can always keep up with the latest in new products at 

dentalproductsreport.com/newdentalproducts

. Be sure to check it out. And we'll see you on the next Product Bites podcast.

Podcasts

The weekly new products podcast from Dental Products Report is back. With a quick look at all of the newest dental product launches, Product Bites makes sure you don't miss the next innovation for your practice. [4 Min]

Henry Schein Debuts New Dental Equipment Repair Subscription: © Henry Schein


Henry Schein, Inc’s new Henry Schein Thrive Service Plus is an equipment repair subscription offering that provides comprehensive access to the company’s ServiceFirst technicians, a highly trained team dedicated to delivering personalized, in-office repair service for large dental equipment.

Henry Schein Thrive Service Plus, delivered by ServiceFirst—the newest addition to Henry Schein’s exclusive portfolio of benefits and value offered as part of the Henry Schein Thrive Rewards program—also provides a direct line to expert Technical Advisors who provide remote support and help reduce the need for an onsite visit; and priority dispatch from the ServiceFirst emergency response team to expedite repair services when critical equipment unexpectedly fails.

“When we say rely on us, we make a promise to help our customers operate successfully and deliver quality patient care,” says Dave Steck, Vice President and General Manager, US Dental Group, in a press release on August 9. “The Henry Schein Thrive Service Plus subscription plan helps us deliver on this promise by understanding the vital need our customers have for dependable, expert service and by providing an outstanding solution to address this need.”

Henry Schein’s Thrive brand is a portfolio of offerings designed to provide savings, rewards, support, and experiences specifically designed to help dental practices be successful. With Henry Schein Thrive Service Plus’ paid subscription service delivered by ServiceFirst, members receive comprehensive repair coverage for their large equipment with 1 low monthly fee.

The following Henry Schein Thrive solutions also help clinicians and their practices to grow:

Henry Schein Thrive Rewards: A no-fee, points-based membership program available to private practices and small group practices. Members advance through 4 loyalty levels for increased service benefits, and higher points earn rates and additional solution discounts.

Henry Schein Thrive Signature: This paid subscription service provides enhanced value to the practice through exclusive savings on business management services, merchandise, equipment, shipping, and more.

THRIVELIVE, Presented by Henry Schein: The annual educational event geared for the entire dental team features a robust lineup of world-class education, renowned speakers, and innovative technology. THRIVELIVE 2024 will take place May 2-4 at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada.

For additional information on the new Henry Schein Service Plus, visit 

Henry Schein Thrive Service Plus brings comprehensive access to ServiceFirst technicians when clinicians need repairs for large equipment.

Henry Schein Debuts New Dental Equipment Repair Subscription

Pearl and Vyne Dental Aim for Efficiency Together. Image: © Vyne Dental


Vyne Dental is just the latest in companies that will begin leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) in its workflow by teaming up with Pearl to add Second Opinion® to revenue platform Vyne Trellis. Second Opinion is an FDA-approved AI platform that enables dentists to better spot conditions and issues highlighted in patient x-rays. Though this new partnership, Second Opinion will make insurance claims processing easier through its direct integration into Vyne Trellis, according to Pearl founder and CEO Ophir Tanz.

“Pearl’s breakthrough AI technology solutions are designed to enhance efficiency and elevate the standard of care,” Tanz says in a press release from Pearl. “Our partnership with Vyne Dental will enable smarter, more efficient insurance claim filing so that dental professionals can spend less time searching through patient charts for x-rays, and more time on what matters most––delivering quality care to patients.”

Vyne Trellis handles revenue acceleration in the dental practice, processing over 8 million claims per month across many dental practices. Now, through Pearl and Second Opinion, the Vyne Trellis users can retrieve the correct digital image for the correct claim. This is said to cut down the time it takes to process claims, enabling more efficiency in the dental practice, according to Vyne Dental president Steve Roberts.

“This partnership brings together 2 of the most innovative technology solutions in dentistry,” Roberts says in the press release. “By joining Pearl’s cutting-edge AI-backed technology with our end-to-end revenue acceleration platform, we are uniquely positioned to revolutionize claims processing, enabling dental practices of all sizes to streamline workflow, enhance efficiency, and ultimately maximize revenue.”

This new partnership will match Pearl’s artificial intelligence with Vyne Dental’s revenue management platform, making claims processing smoother and more efficient. 

Pearl and Vyne Dental Aim for Efficiency Together

Zirconia Implants: What We Know and What We Don’t: © EDUARD / STOCK.ADOBE.COM


Zirconia implants have been available in the United States for more than a decade and in Europe for longer. However, clinicians place more titanium alloy implants than zirconia. Why? Consider what we know about zirconia implants and what we do not.

They are biocompatible and osseoconductive and can reduce plaque on the implant surface.

The Journal of International Society of Preventive & Community Dentistry 

concluded that current research on zirconia indicates its biocompatibility with surrounding tissues. Zirconia also showed osseoconductive properties and demonstrated positive interaction with soft tissue. Notably, the literature states the material reduced plaque formation on the implant surface, promoting better healing and successful implant treatment.

 Moreover, recent studies reflect that zirconia osseointegrates as well as or, in some cases, better than titanium, which is partly due to the high level of contact between the implant material and the jawbone.

They have physical properties that make them attractive for implant dentistry.

Zirconia’s physical properties exhibit good flexural strength, resistance to fracture, a low modulus of elasticity, and low thermal conductivity, which make it desirable for implants.

They are an excellent material option for some patient segments.

The material is chemically inactive. Persons with metal allergies or sensitivities, or those who want metal-free dentistry in general, may choose a zirconia implant.

 zirconia implants are these patients’ only “viable” option.

 Additionally, because they are not dark like their titanium counterparts, zirconia implants do not result in dark lines around the gingival margin, which is particularly problematic in patients who receive titanium implants and have thin gingival tissue.

Can zirconia implants last as long as titanium?

Zirconia is a relatively new material for implants, so there is a smaller amount of data about long-term success. By contrast, titanium dental implants have been studied for decades, leading to excellent data about their long-term use.

 However, research is ramping up on the longevity of zirconia implants. A 2020 study suggests clinicians are placing more zirconia implants because there is an increase documented in about 180% of the studies published from 2015 to 2020, and those studies reveal a survival rate of 87% to 100% at 7.8 years.

 By contrast, titanium implants have a 96.4% survival rate after 10 years.

 Time (and more clinical studies) will tell whether the same is true for zirconia implants. 

Do 1-piece zirconia implants perform better than 2-piece?

Most early studies on zirconia implants analyzed the survival and failure rates of 1-piece zirconia implants, not 2-piece. Therefore, many clinicians might be reluctant to take their chances on a 2-piece zirconia implant without more evidence of their survival (or failure) rates.2 A 2022 study from the 

International Journal of Implant Dentistry

 said that 1-piece zirconia implants were a 

type. Still, clinicians should only recommend 2-piece zirconia implants after informing the patient of a lack of long-term success data.

However, 1-piece abutments have limitations, primarily the reduction of angulation options, which can interfere with osseointegration and stability

 and the mechanical properties of the materials.

 The lack of studies on 2-piece implants does little to answer the question as to whether they might perform better.

study suggests that a 2-piece zirconia implant had high survival rates for single teeth in posterior jaws.

Could mechanical properties degrade as zirconia implants age?

Low-temperature degradation (LTD) is a problem for ceramics. LTD occurs in the presence of moisture, hydrogen, and water on stabilized ceramics, resulting in loss of strength and the ceramic’s other beneficial advantages.

 Zirconia is affected by LTD, and more research is needed to understand LTD’s effect on strength, density, and toughness as well as the long-term survival rates of zirconia implants.

Would a combination of titanium and zirconia be a better material choice than one or the other?

 suggests that although titanium, zirconia, and titanium-zirconia implants all had a similar performance for tissue response and behavior, the combination of titanium and zirconia did better than either the titanium or zirconia implants for survival rates, marginal bone loss, and bleeding on probing.

 Does that mean combining the strengths of both materials is the next step here? More research will tell.

Clinical investigations are needed to determine patient satisfaction with zirconia implants. Right now, there is not enough evidence to say whether individuals like them better. However, patients are learning more about them, so current literature suggests that being prepared to meet the demand is not bad for clinicians.

After years of being on the market, we know that zirconia implants are making a place for themselves along the “gold standard” of their titanium implant counterparts with their material properties, inert nature, and esthetic outcomes. As the materials and zirconia implant systems improve, research continues, and more patients choose them for their implant dentistry, we will get more answers about their long-term success and the formula for the right balance for the materials and implant system design.

1. Apratim A, Eachempati P, Krishnappa Salian KK, Singh V, Chhabra S, Shah S. Zirconia in dental implantology: a review. 

. 2015;5(3):147-156. doi:10.4103/2231-0762.158014

2. Sahwil H. Zirconia dental implants — pros and cons. DDS Lab. November 3, 2017. Accessed July 24, 2023. https://blog.ddslab.com/zirconia-dental-implants-pros-and-cons

3. Sahwil H. Advantages of zirconia implant abutments. DDS Lab. October 27, 2017. Accessed July 24, 2023. https://blog.ddslab.com/advantages-of-zirconia-implant-abutments

4. Lorusso F, Noumbissi S, Francesco I, Rapone B, Khater AGA, Scarano A. Scientific trends in clinical research on zirconia dental implants: a bibliometric review. Materials (Basel). 2020;13(23):5534. doi:10.3390/ma13235534

5. Fernandes PRE, Otero AIP, Fernandes JCH, Nassani LM, Castilho RM, de Oliveira Fernandes GV. Clinical performance comparing titanium and titanium-zirconium or zirconia dental implants: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Dent J (Basel). 2022;10(5):83. doi:10.3390/dj10050083

6. Thiem DGE, Stephan D, Kniha K, et al. German S3 guideline on the use of dental ceramic implants. Int J Implant Dent. 2022;8(1):43. doi:10.1186/s40729-022-00445-z

7. One-piece abutment. International Congress of Oral Implantologists. Accessed July 27, 2023. https://www.icoi.org/glossary/one-piece-abutment/

8. Brunello G, Rauch N, Becker K, Hakimi AR, Schwarz F, Becker J. Two-piece zirconia implants in the posterior mandible and maxilla: a cohort study with a follow-up period of 9 years. Clin Oral Implants Res. 2022;33(12):1233-1244. doi:10.1111/clr.14005

9. What is low temperature degradation, and how does it affect the properties of YTZP? Superior Technical Ceramics. 2021. Accessed July 27, 2023. https://ceramics.net/wp-content/uploads/stc-white-paper-ytzp-yttria-stabilized-zirconia-low-temperature-degradation-01062021.pdf

10. Cionca N, Hashim D, Mombelli A. Zirconia dental implants: where are we now, and where are we heading? Periodontol 2000. 2017;73(1):241-258. doi:10.1111/prd.12180

Any material choice has pros and cons, and zirconia is no different. Here, we consider physical properties, endurance, and patient preferences. 


Zirconia Implants: What We Know and What We Don’t

Benco Dental to Begin Offering Planmeca and Asiga Products. Images: © Benco Dental © Asiga


Benco Dental is now set to offer Planmeca and Asiga products, including Planmeca’s Romexis® software and Asiga’s line of quality dental 3D printers and 3D printing materials. These CAD/CAM and digital dental products will now be easily accessible for clinicians through Benco Dental, according to Benco Dental’s Digital Dentistry Manager Lisa Fleming.

“We believe in offering customers the power of choice via the widest possible selection of carefully curated products,” Fleming says in a press release from the company. “We’re delighted to add world-class CAD/CAM and imaging devices from the globally respected, deeply rooted dental industry leader Planmeca. It’s also exciting to help expand awareness and availability of Asiga’s reliable, affordable lineup of 3D printers and materials.”

Planmeca has a variety of digital offerings, including cone beam computed tomography systems, CAD/CAM, and more. These will now all be available through Benco Dental, as well as Planmeca-compatible Ivoclar restorative products. To complement its commitment to digital dentistry, Benco Dental will be distributing not only Planmeca products, but also Asiga products. Asiga offerings include the PRO 4K 3D printer, the MAX UV desktop printer, and 3D dental printing materials. Included in this collection offered by Benco, will also be Asiga’s tech support.

Benco Dental, which has showrooms out of Texas, California, and Pennsylvania, will be focusing on Planemca and Asiga products for in-person demonstrations at these locations. 

Also announced through Benco, is Brian Denby’s return to the company as Field Sales Director for Dental Labs. Denby, who is a CEREC and digital dentistry expert, aims to affirm the company’s commitment to digital products and digital dentistry.

Benco customers will now be able to purchase Planmeca digital dental offerings and Asiga 3D dental printing products. 

Benco Dental to Begin Offering Planmeca and Asiga Products

Planet DDS and Pearl have teamed up to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) directly into the Apteryx XVWeb Cloud imaging system. Apteryx combines imaging software and a dental practice management solution to optimize digital workflows in the dental practice, and this integration will add the new benefit of AI.

Pearl’s FDA-approved AI provides visual support for clinicians while they review x-rays, including bitewing and periapical. Through its advanced technology, Pearl’s Second Opinion is said to be able to detect pathologies and other conditions, enabling clinicians to get a better look at any oral issues of concern that either are occurring or will occur with the patient. Second Opinion is also designed to focus on the patient-first, making treatment planning and case acceptance smoother.

“We founded Pearl to radically improve the accuracy, objectivity, and efficiency of dental medicine with the transformative power of artificial intelligence,” CEO of Pearl Ophir Tanz says in a press release from the companies. “We are excited to partner with Planet DDS to broadly expand the use and positive impact of AI technology.”

Second Opinion will now integrate directly into Apteryx XVWeb, which manages all of the digital images in the dental practice, making it easier than ever to optimize digital imaging workflows. Per the press release, this direct integration boosts patient case acceptance in a way that does not require significant changes to practice workflow

“Driving positive outcomes for dental practices is core to our mission at Planet DDS and we are excited to integrate Pearl’s AI technology with our cloud-based dental software platform,” CEO of Planet DDS, Eric Giesecke says in the press release. “Combining cloud and AI technologies will help practices optimize their operations while offering their patients more transparency and confidence in diagnosis and treatment planning.”

Pearl’s artificial intelligence Second Opinion will now integrate directly into Planet DDS’s cloud image management and practice management software Apteryx XVWeb.

Planet DDS and Pearl Team Up 

Vatech’s portfolio of imaging products will now be distributed by Henry Schein, a move that was announced this week and will help the South Korean manufacturer to expand the availability of its products for dental clinics in North America.

Vatech's product offerings to be distributed to Henry Schein customers will include, Green CT, a low dose cone beam solution, featuring fast scanning and high-resolution image quality, and EzRay Air, an intraoral x-ray solution and imaging center that uses CNT x-ray technology. The company’s diverse product portfolio includes intraoral devices, 2D and 3D CT devices, and dental software, all widely used in dental offices around the globe.

"Vatech looks forward to growing our relationship with Henry Schein, delivering our portfolio of imaging products that can help enhance diagnosis accuracy and treatment efficiency," says Brian Hwang, president of Vatech America, in a press release. "Our commitment to providing systematic and customer-centric service will only continue to strengthen thanks to the depth of Henry Schein's reach, and its aligned interests in continuing to expand globally."

Vatech's various products were demonstrated for oral health professionals at Henry Schein's THRIVELIVE™ event in May in Las Vegas, Nevada, and at the IDS Dental Meeting in March in Cologne, Germany.

The company’s 2D imaging solutions include PaX-i and PaX-i Plus, while Vatech also offers the HD Sensor and Wave Sensor x-ray sensors, and imaging software products for improved diagnosis, treatments, and patient consultation.

"Henry Schein is excited to work with Vatech and expand our imaging solutions for customers," Mackenzie Richter, Vice President of Equipment, Henry Schein Dental," says in the press release. “Vatech's diverse product portfolio, including intraoral devices, 2D and 3D CT devices, and dental software will help us continue to strengthen our customers' diagnostic imaging solutions, allowing for more precise treatment planning."

Dental imaging company expanding availability of its products in North America.

Vatech Imaging Solutions to Be Distributed By Henry Schein

Karen Mitchell is director of hygiene at Commonwealth Dentistry in Richmond, Virgina, a Riccobene and Associates supported dental group.

Katie Poulsen, RDH, is a product marketing manager at VideaHealth.

Dental hygienists strive each day to deliver the best care and help patients make the most informed decisions about their oral health. We all know how crucial patient education is in a dental practice, especially the way it impacts treatment plan acceptance. 

Imagine having a powerful tool that can support this endeavor and bring a new level of standardization to diagnosis and treatment recommendations. Well, you don’t have to stretch your imagination because dental artificial intelligence (AI) is already here to help revolutionize many aspects of dental care.

Periodontal health has many layers of complexity. From inflammation to gingivitis and periodontitis, explaining these stages and their implications to patients is challenging. Any tool that can help relay these complex concepts to patients in a manner they can better understand is welcome. 

The team at Commonwealth Dentistry in Richmond, Virginia is passionate about enabling teams with the latest tools and technology to help provide the highest level of care and patient education. An affiliate practice group of 

, Commonwealth Dentistry eagerly embraced the opportunity to utilize an AI diagnostic support tool after learning the DSO partnered with a dental AI company. Today, with AI-driven visual aids and interactive tools, dentists and hygienists are engaging patients in new ways that make it easier for them to understand the progression of periodontal disease and the importance of maintaining healthy gums.

The Role of Dental AI in Patient Education

Now, let’s dive into the specifics of dental AI and its impact on patient education. Dental AI integrates advanced imaging and data analytics to help illuminate a patient’s oral health in new ways. With these visuals, hygienists can personalize patient education like never before. 

For example, the team at Commonwealth Dentistry uses VideaAI, by 

. It is an AI-powered cloud software for dental clinicians that supports the diagnosis and treatment planning process. For hygiene teams, it makes it easier to help patients understand the condition of their gums by highlighting areas of concern with color-coded measurements that indicate radiographic bone loss levels on x-rays. 

Calling out probing depth numbers is one thing, but showing patients the corresponding visuals with bone level measurements makes it much easier to explain the stage and grade of periodontal disease and the specific treatments to address each patient’s individual needs. Dental AI empowers teams to provide a comprehensive understanding of exam findings so patients feel like active participants in their treatment decisions.

Improving Treatment Plan Acceptance with Dental AI

All dental clinicians encounter patients who struggle to understand the potential outcomes of different treatment approaches, or conversely, the effects of delaying treatment. This is where AI truly shines. Dentists and hygienists can bridge this gap and improve treatment plan acceptance by leveraging AI-generated visualizations. AI helps clinicians present treatment recommendations clearly and compellingly, which allows patients to better understand the necessary action and projected outcomes.

One recent case where AI was particularly helpful involved a patient who started smoking after his initial diagnosis of periodontal disease. As hygienists, we all know there’s a proven correlation between smoking and periodontal disease; to the clinical team at Commonwealth, it was evident this was impacting this particular patient's gum health. 

AI served as an ally with the comparative AI analysis helping the clinical team tell the story of disease progression. This patient was one who needed the AI-powered visualization and external validation to come to terms with the stark reality of his oral health and the action he needed to take. 

No more confused faces or hesitant responses. We can see the potential for dental AI to help us build trust and confidence with more patients, enabling them to make well-informed decisions about their oral health.

Now here’s the icing on the cake; Dental AI can create a much-needed level of standardization among dental teams. As teams embrace this technology, they can streamline diagnosis and treatment recommendations, making certain there is consistency in patient care. 

This is especially helpful with borderline cases. Until now, some practices have relied on probe depth numbers and estimation of bone loss on x-rays. But as you know, slight shades of gray in a radiograph can be challenging to interpret at times, especially on a hectic day. VideaAI’s radiographic bone level measurements are based on accurate data that helps put focus on areas of concern, and more precisely determine the proper diagnosis optimal and treatment approach. 

At Commonwealth, dental AI is also helping to coach teams of hygienists to establish a standardized process that helps eliminate variability in diagnosis. Not only does this help keep teams on the same page, but it increases confidence that the most accurate and reliable information is being provided to the clinician and the patient.

When every hygienist on a team can utilize the same visual aids, this creates a uniform approach to patient education across appointments, and it’s exciting to see how this unified approach translates in terms of patient outcomes over time. 

And let’s not forget about the treasure trove of data and insights gathered through AI. This technology allows practices to analyze this information to refine and improve treatment protocols, and as a result, deliver the best care possible.

AI technology can help in numerous ways, but it is critical to strike a balance between dental AI and hygienists’ expertise. While AI can provide valuable insights and recommendations, clinical judgment and human touch remain irreplaceable. Dental AI is a tool that supports dental practices, but it should not and does not override professional judgment. Maintaining a collaborative relationship between AI technology and clinical expertise is essential to ensuring final decisions and recommendations align with years of experience and the needs of individual patients.

Dental AI is a game-changer that empowers clinicians to take patient care to new heights. By leveraging AI-driven visual aids, clinicians can enhance education, simplify complex concepts and improve treatment plan acceptance. Moreover, dental AI allows for greater standardization, consistency, and clinical excellence. As more practices harness AI’s potential, clinicians can create a brighter future for patients that enables better overall health outcomes.

Artificial intelligence is finding a place in everything these days, and it's important for dental hygienists to see the ways it can help them care for, and connect with patients.