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.  

3D Systems Garners FDA Clearance for Multi-material, Monolithic Jetted Denture Solution | Image Credit: © 3D Systems

3D printing pioneer 3D Systems today announced the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has provided 510(k) clearance for its 

multi-material, monolithic (one-piece) jetted denture solution,

 providing the ability for dental laboratories to more efficiently deliver dentures and resulting in an enhanced patient experience.

This first-to-market offering comprises 2 uniquely developed materials — NextDent® Jet Denture Teeth and NextDent® Jet Denture Base. The materials, combined with 3D Systems’ jetting technology, software, and services are designed to enable the production of durable, long-wear, esthetic dentures.

Glidewell, one of the world’s largest dental laboratories and producers of restorative dental devices—through its partnership with the 3D company—received a preview of this solution and is now in the process of implementing it into its production workflow.

“We take great pride in pioneering the use of new technologies to continually enhance our products and services,” Stephenie Goddard, CEO, Glidewell, says in today’s press release. “We’ve worked with 3D Systems for many years, and using their digital dentistry solutions has helped us achieve tremendous success for our patients. As the first dental lab to have access to 3D Systems’ new multi-material, monolithic jetted denture workflow, we are looking forward to implementing a significantly better denture solution for our customers and their patients.”

3D printing capabilities continue to grow in the dental industry, with big strides in particular coming in the production of prosthodontics.

“With the FDA clearance of our jetted denture solution, 3D Systems continues to expand our market-leading digital dentistry solution portfolio,” adds Neil McCaffrey, vice president & general manager, dental, 3D Systems. “Replacement of teeth is a key pillar of our dental strategy, which is directly supported by this latest innovation. Our jetted denture solution reflects our commitment to the dental laboratory by offering a complete system that enhances automation and profitability within a traditionally labor-intensive workflow. This solution integrates innovations in hardware, software, materials, and process expertise, delivering in a single print session a 1-piece denture with hard, wear-resistant, esthetically beautiful teeth, in combination with tough, durable gingiva properties.

“Unlike other systems, our printer can produce a denture with true multi-material properties—not just color. With the growing use of digital imaging and personalized treatment planning in dental clinics worldwide, digitizing denture fabrication sets a new standard for creating robust, precise dental prosthetics that patients can truly see and feel. It's a win-win-win for laboratories, dentists, and patients.”

As 3D printing continues to play a significant role in the production of prosthodontics, its use is accelerating, driven by the benefits it delivers for both manufacturers and patients. According to 360 Market Updates, the global 3D printed dentures market size was estimated to be more than $1 billion in 2021 and is forecast to reach more than $2 billion by 2028.

 3D Systems’ digital dentistry solutions, including its multi-material, monolithic jetted denture solution, help dental labs and clinics to streamline dental device production, while reducing material waste and lowering capital investment requirements. Patients also benefit from faster turnaround times for prosthetics, fewer dental appointments, and enhanced device durability and comfort.

3D Systems’ solutions address a variety of advanced applications in healthcare and industrial markets such as medical and dental, aerospace & defense, automotive, and durable goods.


1. 360 Market Updates, “Global 3D Printed Dentures Market Research Report 2022 (Status and Outlook)”, June 2022.

Articles

The company’s unique multi-material, single-piece dentures are designed to offer a combination of distinctive break resistance and outstanding esthetics for enhanced patient experience, and Glidewell labs are currently implementing the solution.

3D Systems Garners FDA Clearance for Multi-material, Monolithic Jetted Denture Solution

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

Saving Time and Money Using Nonfiring Lithium Disilicate Materials. Image credit: © GC America


Clinicians desire solutions that are not only effective but also save time in everyday practice. The processing, firing, characterizing, and cooling of restorations can eat up a lot of time, particularly in high-volume practices that serve large patient populations.

Consider a material that eliminates the need for the firing process without sacrificing esthetics or durability. The GC Initial LiSi Block from GC America, crafted from lithium disilicate glass ceramic, does just that, according to Jacob Dent, DDS, who has been using these blocks in his practice since 2023.

“The biggest thing for me is the time savings,” Dr Dent says. “It’s the time, a factor which also plays a big role in the financial aspect of a dental practice. If I can get a chair back open in an hour versus 2, I can see a whole new patient.”

LiSi Blocks are formulated using GC’s proprietary high-density micronization (HDM) technology, which is identified by its densely packed microcrystals. These microcrystals offer a variety of benefits, says Gaurav Joshi, PhD, BDS, FICD, senior product marketing manager of GC America.

“Small crystals also cause less wear. Wear is a complex phenomenon where size and shape of crystals can affect the wear behavior. Large crystals typically cause more wear and more rough surface that will also abrade the opposing tooth,” Dr Joshi says. “With the LiSi Block, because the crystals are so small, there is less wear on the restoration itself as well as the opposing tooth.”

With its fully crystallizated nature, clinicians can skip the firing step, which saves them time.

Conventional lithium disilicate. Note the size and space between. Image courtesy of GC America. 

The HDM technology eliminates the need for firing. Image courtesy of GC America. 

Another feature that Dr Dent finds appealing for his practice is the optimized margins, with an edge stability that makes LiSi-crafted restorations not only durable but also eliminates repeat visits. Its optimized margins along with time savings work so well for Dr Dent, he can create multiple anterior restorations for same-day dentistry, as evidenced by an anecdote about a specific case.

“Yesterday I had a patient come in at 1 pm. At 1:45 we had signed him off for 5 anterior crowns and we close at 4 pm, so there is no way with the traditional firing block that we were going to be able to get out of there on time,” he says. “But with the LiSi Blocks, we did an amazing anterior case for him, prepped all 5, and milled and delivered the restorations within 2 hours. That is one of the biggest benefits to me.”

GC Initial LiSi Block is a fully crystallized lithium disilicate block that delivers optimal physical properties without firing. It is designed to produce natural beauty in a single appointment, with durable esthetic, accurate margins, and natural opalescence. Clinicians just mill, polish, and place. GC Initial LiSi Block can dramatically reduce process time, with no need to fire, glaze, characterize, and cool. This saves 40% of the time required to create your restorations, reducing the chair time for both clinician and patient. Being fully crystallized, GC Initial LiSi Block can be milled directly with smooth and accurate margins. Alternatively, it can be fired after staining and maintain great marginal accuracy.

In modern dentistry, precision is key, particularly when it comes to procedures that involve creating and placing restorations such as onlays and inlays. These restorations are often designed using CAD/CAM, which allows for highly accurate digital designs. However, even with advanced technology, the accuracy of the margin—the edge where the restoration meets the tooth—can significantly impact the success of the procedure.

Dr Joshi emphasizes the importance of marginal accuracy and adaptability in achieving a good fit for restorations. Margins that are not precise can lead to fit issues, which means the restoration may not sit properly on the tooth. This can cause a range of problems, from discomfort for the patient to potential failure of the restoration.

However, the GC Initial LiSi Block offers a solution to these challenges.

“But here, since there is no shrinkage involved, you get better fit of the restorations, allowing clinicians to practice minimally invasive dentistry,”
Dr Joshi says.

Minimally invasive dentistry focuses on preserving as much of the natural tooth structure as possible, which is crucial for maintaining the long-term health of the teeth. When margins are accurate and the restoration fits perfectly, it reduces the need for extensive adjustments or removal of additional tooth structure. This approach not only improves patient outcomes but also supports the overall goal of conservative treatment.

Finally, LiSi Blocks are designed to closely mimic the translucency and color of natural teeth, with 4 shades and 2 translucencies available. According to Dr Joshi, this allows the restorations to blend with the patient’s existing dentition. The high-density microcrystals in LiSi Blocks contribute to their exceptional polishability and smooth surface, which reportedly enhances the visual appeal.

“Because these are already fully crystallized, there is no change in color. You get what you see,” Dr Joshi says. “This means that clinicians are able to determine the shades more accurately.”

These features combine to create a restorative material that aims to save time while maintaining high standards. It is a particularly helpful material for Dr Dent, who serves many neurodiverse and neurosensitive patients at his practice, Baton Rouge Modern Dentistry in Louisiana.

“For me specifically, my specialty is working with patients with neurodiversity, neurosensitivities, or special needs, so time is not necessarily the thing that they give me a lot of,” he says. “The patients’ chair time is limited. So if I do have to do a crown, it is much easier to do a same-day crown in 45 minutes than it is to do it in an hour and a half.”

“A lot of times we’ll get patients who come in and say, ‘I just want whatever my insurance covers. Give me that base benefit crown,’ and that’s traditionally a nonfired crown,” he says. “So we can give them a LiSi Block because it is going to be less expensive for the patient. But it also takes away the time spent in the chair.”

GC Initial® LiSi Block from GC America can be used to mill durable, esthetic restorations without the need for firing, harnessing the power of micronization and densely packed microcrystals.

Saving Time and Money Using Nonfiring Lithium Disilicate Materials 

DEXIS™ Connect Pro from DEXIS

New Dental Products – September 9 - September 13, 2024

A roundup of the latest dental product launches from the week of September 9 - September 13, 2024.

Test Drive SureSmile

Videos

Jeff Rohde, DDS, shares his positive 5-year experience with the SureSmile Clear Aligner System and how it has transformed his practice's efficiency and cost-effectiveness. [5 minutes]

Video Test Drive: SureSmile Clear Aligner System from Dentsply Sirona

A bite-sized look at all the latest dental product launches.

Product Bites – September 13, 2024

Product Bites Script – September 13, 2024

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 Editor Kellie Nock, and on this week’s podcast we’ve got 7 new products with launches from Microcopy, Dentsply Sirona, PreXion, Formlabs, and VOCO.

So let’s get to it and learn about these newly launched dental products.

Let’s talk about the NeoBurr Max2 from Microcopy. This single-patient-use bur is designed to cut through amalgam, composite, and both semi-precious and non-precious metals with ease. Its precision-engineered concentric blading minimizes vibration for smooth, fast cuts—so no more chatter or hand fatigue. With a tough, single-piece construction, the NeoBurr Max2 can handle multiple restorations in one go without dulling.

Next, we have the Primescan 2 from DS Core. This cloud-native intraoral scanner is wireless, allowing you to scan with any internet-connected device, whether it's a mobile or desktop. With its improved workflow efficiency, faster full-arch scans, and seamless integration with DS Core, Primescan 2 lets you expand your services and deliver more accurate, efficient care. Plus, all your scan data is stored safely in the cloud, so you can access it anytime, anywhere.

Imaging just got a lot sharper with PreXion’s Expedition CBCT Scanner. Featuring IGZO flat panel detector technology, this scanner provides high-quality images while saving power. With four fields of view, the Expedition is versatile enough for general diagnostics, endodontics, implants, and more. It’s also designed to be compatible with most DICOM software, and you won’t need to upgrade your graphics card. Plus, PreXion backs it with a 10-year all-parts warranty.

Moving on to materials, BEGO’s VarseoSmileTriniQ Resin is now compatible with Formlabs’ 3D printers. This biocompatible, ceramic-filled resin is designed for permanent and provisional restorations, delivering both accuracy and efficiency. It's a great option for those using Form 4 printers and Formlabs' Open Material Mode.

Formlabs has also introduced its Clear Cast Resin. This material is engineered to minimize turnaround times by optimizing thermal expansion. Accurate within 0.25mm, Clear Cast Resin is perfect for improving workflow efficiency in both dental offices and labs.

Formlabs has also rolled out new SLA and SLS post-processing tools, including a non-flammable Resin Washing Solution that cleans more effectively than IPA. Their Fuse Blast Polishing System is designed to give a smooth, polished finish to SLS-printed parts, and the Fuse Sift Glovebox Bundle helps streamline powder handling while reducing exposure.

Lastly, VOCO has introduced V-Print c&b temp, a 3D print resin for long-term temporary restorations. It offers durability, color stability, and high polish, making it an excellent choice for esthetic temporary crowns and bridges. Available in six shades, this material integrates easily into various clinical scenarios and is compatible with many high-quality 3D printers.

That does it for this week's Product Bites from Dental Products Report. Stay up to date on all the latest dental product news by visiting dentalproductsreport.com/newdentalproducts.

I'm Kellie Nock saying thanks for listening. And we'll be back next week with all the latest new dental products on Product Bites from Dental Products Report.

Podcasts

A bite-sized look at all the latest dental product launches. This week's episode features products from Microcopy, Dentsply Sirona, PreXion, Formlabs, and VOCO.

Product Bites – September 13, 2024

Eyal Simchi, DMD, is a board-certified pediatric dentist who maintains a pediatric dental practice in Elmwood Park, New Jersey. He lectures on various topics related to pediatric dentistry. He can be reached at drsimchi@riverfrontsmiles.com.

Noninvasive Caries Intervention Using Silver Diamine Fluoride. Image credit: © Centrix

Dental treatment challenges are commonplace in an active pediatric dental practice, especially with children in the precooperative stage. This clinical case presents a quick, noninvasive caries intervention using SilverSense SDF™ (Centrix, Inc) to address early-stage caries in an uncooperative child due to dental phobia. It also demonstrates a far-reaching benefit for adults to prevent caries from progressing until the patient returns for restorative treatment.

Noninvasive Caries Intervention

All clinical images provided by Dr Simchi.

During an initial exam of a 6-year-old boy, visual inspection revealed poor oral hygiene and gingivitis surrounding most teeth. Tactile exploration uncovered incipient decay on 2 partially erupted permanent first molars, teeth #3 and #14 (

). Given the poor state of oral hygiene, this patient presented with a high risk for progressive caries.

The treatment plan presented to the child’s parent emphasized the benefits of using a safe, noninvasive product, SilverSense SDF, to apply to the teeth and halt further growth of early tooth decay. As described to the parent, this procedure is a medicinal option for treating early decay compared with the more invasive treatment of drilling to remove decay in a newly erupted tooth.

The primary treatment advantages of silver diamine fluoride (SDF) are the silver’s antibacterial effect, which halts decay progression, and the remineralization benefit of fluoride, which strengthens the tooth. The discussion also included photos of completed cases with SDF to show examples of the localized dark stain along a site-specific application area and offer reassurance that the color of the rest of the tooth remains unchanged. The parent was also told that local anesthetic injections were unnecessary, another key advantage to the proposed treatment. As standard operating procedure, the child’s parent completed a consent form to initiate treatment.

SilverSense SDF, which is 38% SDF, dispenses as a liquid with a blue tint to guide more precise application and avoid staining unintended surfaces. The 5-mL dropper bottle dispenses 30 µL one measured drop at a time. When preparing for treatment, a drop or 2 of SilverSense SDF is dispensed into a dappen dish, and a microfine applicator is made ready to dip and absorb the product. The SilverSense SDF Standard Kit includes a supply of 20 Benda® Micro Fine Applicators (Centrix, Inc).

SilverSense SDF. Image credit: © Centrix

This desensitizer is designed to reduce hypersensitivity and provide more comfort for the patient as they await restorative treatment, according to the manufacturer. It is formulated with 38% silver diamine fluoride, acting fast to harden softened dentin. This enables the clinician to place the restoration on top without being concerned about sensitivity. Because it is designed to be antimicrobial, clinicians can be confident in its placement prior to the finished restoration. It is also said to have remineralization properties. The material itself is tinted blue to ensure easy visibility. SilverSense SDF comes in 2 different package sizes: the Standard Kit, which contains a single bottle, and a Clinic Kit, which contains 3 bottles. The bottles are 5mL each. The dropper allows for more controlled dispensing; a single 30 µL drop is released at a time, which eliminates waste.

The clinical application of SilverSense SDF is simple, quick, and easy. There is no need for drilling or abrasive tooth preparation. However, if the patient cooperates, we may clean the occlusal grooves with pumice. Each tooth receiving treatment must be dabbed dry with a cotton roll before applying the SilverSense SDF with the Benda Micro Fine Applicator. It is important to keep the carious area dry while the product is applied directly to that site alone. As the SDF infiltrates the incipient decay, the wait time is preferably 1 minute and largely depends on the patient’s cooperative behavior. SilverSense SDF is absorbed quickly, and the site-specific application is reactionary and visible. It gradually changes to a darker color over time or immediately, as in this case (

Following the application of SilverSense SDF, a flavored fluoride varnish was applied to the treatment area, serving 2 purposes. First, the varnish does not wipe away quickly and provides an added protective layer of fluoride on top of the SilverSense SDF–treated site. Second, and importantly for the patient, the flavored fluoride varnish introduces a needed pleasant taste. If patients cannot tolerate the immediate use of a fluoride varnish, they enjoy a flavored xylitol lollipop to offset the metallic taste of SDF.

 A characteristic of SDF is that it will stain clothes, surfaces, or skin. Use gloves, face masks, plastic-lined tray covers, patient bibs, patient protective eyewear, and barrier protection on dental equipment that may come into contact with SDF. Applying petroleum jelly to the patient’s lips and the skin surrounding the mouth protects the skin from stain due to inadvertent contact with SDF. It is helpful to avoid oversoaking the Benda Micro Fine Applicator with the product to prevent dripping before reaching the working area.

SDF is a remarkable product with far-reaching advantages. However, flavor is not one of them. SDF has a metallic taste. As standard operating procedure, when introducing new dental materials into our patient care procedures, our doctors and staff try out the products to experience what the patient will experience. This assessment includes trying an SDF treatment and evaluating flavored fluoride varnishes and xylitol lollipops to discern the best flavors to override an SDF aftertaste and recommend to patients.

Our standard SDF treatment protocol is a follow-up appointment within 4 to 6 weeks to assess if an additional application is needed. Visual and tactile inspection of the SilverSense SDF treatment site revealed it to be intact after 6 weeks. A glass ionomer cement was placed over the treated area on both partially erupted first molars, protecting the occlusal grooves from further decay and infusing the occlusal surfaces with the fluoride inherent in the glass ionomer cement (

Treatment decisions at these follow-up visits are made on a case-by-case basis. At times, SDF treatment may need to be applied a second or third time. Definitive treatment decisions depend on the tactile quality of the tooth surface. Despite precooperative challenges, the 6-year-old patient managed very well with this noninvasive treatment protocol to halt decay. These newly erupted permanent first molars were spared a drill-and-fill procedure, and the incipient decay was stabilized. Treatment is complete, and the patient will return for a regular checkup in 6 months.

A pediatric dentist shares his experience using SilverSense SDF from Centrix as a noninvasive caries intervention tool for a patient with dental phobia.

Noninvasive Caries Intervention Using Silver Diamine Fluoride

The Productive Dentist Academy kicked off its 20th anniversary conference Thursday in Frisco, Texas. | Image Credit: © Stan Goff

Making sure that the 20th anniversary of the Productive Dentist Academy (PDA) will be a memorable one, the conference kicked off the first of 3 days in Frisco, Texas on Thursday with its largest crowd ever, great education, a variety of dental vendors, and a keynote speech from an NFL Hall of Fame running back and 3-time Super Bowl champion.

Bruce B. Baird, DDS, spoke to attendees to start off Thursday’s lineup, but the renowned cosmetic dentist and co-founder of PDA also took part in continuing education courses throughout the day, including an afternoon session on productive scheduling. The course focused on helping participants understanding what scheduling to productivity is and how to implement it.

Sommer Carroll, RDA, and business advisor Joanne Miles also presented during the course, and they stressed that most people do indeed want to keep their teeth, so practices and their staff should learn how to best teach their patient base the importance of their care, and how to communicate the need to stick to schedules and appointments.

The objectives included calculating hourly production goals per provider, identifying production block types, and the process of time studies to determine the length of time per procedure/provider.

When the scheduling is run smoothly, the patient experience is enhanced and the provider has less stress.

Dr Baird, Carroll, and Kari Miller have another course on Friday, Scheduling 2.0, with more emphasis on eliminating scheduling unpredictability and steps to ensure practices maintain a steady workflow.

Overjet's Parag Kachalia, DDS, head of clinical practice, talks to attendees Thursday afternoon in Frisco, Texas. | Image Credit: © Stan Goff

Dental AI company Overjet is exhibiting at PDA and Parag Kachalia, DDS, head of clinical practice for the company, expects the AI technology to only continue to enhance the way dentists treat patients as well as improve the patient’s overall experience.

Dr Kachalia, and a team of 14 dentists, work with dentists around the globe to educate them on the benefits of Overjet’s capabilities.

“There are so many more possibilities to come,” he said. “We want to look at the whole patient journey and start to solve any of the issues currently holding practices back.”

In June, Overjet launched Overjet for Educators, an AI tool designed to train future dental professionals. This FDA-cleared technology, which is already used in practice by clinicians, helps analyze x-rays to bolster decision-making in the dental practice. Overjet’s AI annotates dental x-rays with precise, colorful details, and stands as the only FDA-cleared AI technology for detecting, outlining, and quantifying oral diseases in x-rays.

Wade Kifer, DDS, and Kari Miller of PDA, conducted a couple courses on Thursday focusing on the importance of effective communication to successful patient care. The focus of the courses is to help dental team members enhance their skills in communicating risk factors to patients.

Wade Kifer, DDS, talks about the importance of effective communication to successful patient care at the PDA conference. | Image Credit: © Stan Goff

When talking to patients with perio disease, Dr Kifer says it’s important to “put the blame on the disease, not the patient.” Dr Kifer and Miller each offered tips about establishing rapport and connections with patients, and to ensure patients fully comprehend their treatment needs and are committed to doing their part in terms of strong oral hygiene habits and proceeding with necessary care.”

CariFree products play a big role in helping Dr Kifer’s patients improve their oral health. Celebrating 2 decades of cavity prevention, CariFree products are safe to use every day, with non-abrasive products formulated to be highly effective and scientifically proven to prevent cavities through remineralization. The company’s cavity prevention blueprint includes antibacterial & acidity reduction, proprietary pH+ technology, fluoride for remineralization, and nano-hydroxyapatite,

CariFree, an Alliance Partner with PDA, is exhibiting at the conference this week.

Attendees were entertained by a keynote speech from Emmitt Smith, who helped the Dallas Cowboys win 3 Super Bowls in the 1990s and is the league’s all-time leading rusher with 18,355 yards after breaking the record previously held by Walter Payton.

Smith’s presentation, “Game On: A Championship Vision,” covered his illustrious football career, beginning as a youth player in Florida, a high school Gatorade All-American, a star at the University of Florida, and then a record-setting professional career.

Smith made sure to recognize all the support he received along the way, crediting coaches, teammates and family with helping his journey.

“Every yard, every step I took, I had a village of people pushing me,” he said.

Smith talked about how things like leadership, hard work and cleaning up inefficiencies were pillars in his success, and that these same attributes can make dentists successful as well.

“Everybody has a role and every role is important,” he said, again sharing lessons that apply to both teammates on the field and team members helping a dental practice thrive.

The PDA conference resumes with a full slate of courses on Friday and an appearance by the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.

Saturday’s events include a groundbreaking Dental Media Roundtable at 9am on the main stage, bringing together 5 influential editorial voices in the dental profession. 

PDA and AcceptCare, the first all-in-one fee and treatment presentation software for dental offices, are hosting the media roundtable, which will also include moderator Regan Robertson of PDA.

Day one of the conference in Texas features Emmitt Smith, networking opportunities, and plenty of learning.

PDA Kicks Off 20th Anniversary in Grand Style

Maryam Shamuel, RDH, has dedicated a decade to clinical dental hygiene. Her passion lies in disease prevention and elevating patient care by integrating innovative technologies. She is also a proud Swiss Dental Academy Trainer for Guided Biofilm Therapy. She derives immense satisfaction from mentoring fellow and aspiring hygienists, guiding them to excel clinically and to advocate for themselves. She is dedicated to advancing her career and making a meaningful impact on the quality of patient care.

As dental professionals, we are constantly investigating ways to make our practices run smoother, especially concerning something as critical as infection control. Given our fast-paced environment, selecting products with broad-spectrum effectiveness and seamless integration into existing workflow is paramount.

Catapult Education convened a panel of expert evaluators, including dentists, hygienists, and dental assistants, as part of our ongoing commitment to enhance dental practice operations through superior products. Below is a detailed report on our collective findings on the efficacy and usability of 6 PDI products in a clinical setting. PDI has been a leader in innovation for infection prevention, providing cutting-edge infection control products for over 40 years.

Twenty-two Catapult dental professionals were involved in the evaluation process. They tested the following PDI products: Sani-Cloth® AF3 Germicidal Disposable Wipes, Super Sani-Cloth® Germicidal Disposable Wipes, Sani-Cloth® Plus Germicidal Disposable Cloth, See Clear® Lens Cleaning Wipes, Easy Screen® Cleaning Wipes, and Sani-Hands® Instant Hand Sanitizing Wipes.

Let’s look at each wipe and its criteria separately:

These disinfectant wipes are designed to be highly effective, offering bactericidal, virucidal, tuberculocidal, and fungicidal properties with a quick kill time of just 3 minutes. Their broad-spectrum efficacy targets 32 different microorganisms, ensuring comprehensive disinfection across a variety of surfaces. This makes them an essential tool for maintaining hygiene and safety in environments where cleanliness is critical. Additionally, these wipes are registered with the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), providing assurance of their safety and sustainability. With their EPA registration, they meet standards for effectiveness and environmental responsibility.

These intermediate-level disinfectant wipes are effective against 45 microorganisms. They are bactericidal, tuberculocidal, and virucidal, with a kill time of 3 minutes.

Our evaluators highlighted these wipes for their broad-spectrum efficacy and the fact that they are alcohol free and fragrance free. They are ideal to use around patients and staff, especially those with respiratory sensitivity.

These intermediate-level disinfectant wipes are effective against 32 microorganisms. They are considered bactericidal, tuberculocidal, virucidal, and fungicidal.

The panelists appreciated the wipes for their quick microbial kill time of 2 minutes, making them highly suitable for high-turnover environments.

These are US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)–registered, low-level disinfectant wipes. The bactericidal and virucidal cloths are effective against 18 microorganisms, with a kill time of 3 minutes.

These individually wrapped wipes are compatible with glass and polycarbonate lenses, making them safe to use on antireflective, UV, and glare-free coated lenses. They are ideal for disinfecting protective eyewear, reading glasses, and loupes. The dental hygienists in the group praised them highly. The wipes––a particular favorite among some of our evaluators––provide streak-free clarity for optical devices, which is crucial for precision in dental care. Here are some comments from the evaluators: “See Clear wipes are excellent”; “Love these. Patients like them too. RDH and other docs in the practice tried these with the samples sent and now they’re using them regularly”; “Easy to implement into clinical [practice]. [The] packaging allows for easy storage and use.”

These wipes are made with 70% isopropyl alcohol to remove dirt, grime, fingerprints, and smudges. Our evaluators were enthusiastic about their effectiveness on digital displays. They noted their residue-free finish ensures clean and clear views on the screens that are essential for modern dental diagnostics, making these wipes a huge boon in the age of digital dentistry. Many of us use tablets for patients to update their medical history and sign forms electronically; these wipes are perfect for disinfecting those digital devices around the office. Easy Screen Cleaning Wipes are available in canisters or packets.

Comments from our evaluators included the following: “In the age of digital dentistry, everything comes with a screen, and it is important to be able to disinfect all surfaces. [The] packaging makes it easy and efficient to turn over rooms”; “Exactly what I would hope for in a screen wipe”; “The screen cleaners are amazing. I have been using them for my computers and then for my iPad and phone as well.”

These wipes are ideal for hand hygiene both in and outside the office environment. Formulated with 70% ethyl alcohol, they offer fast and effective disinfection. Testers commended the smooth, residue-free feeling they provide after use. They also appreciated the mechanical removal of debris and the sanitizing component. These wipes come in canisters, portable packages, and single packets, making them ideal to use in public settings to prevent the spread of infection.

PDI wipes offer numerous benefits. They come premoistened and ready to use, which helps minimize waste and streamline processes, saving time. These wipes are EPA registered, ensuring compliance with guidelines from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. They are color coded for simple staff identification and boast large compliance icons for easy recognition. Many have a dual-access lid with a large access design for the fast dispensing of single and multiple wipes. Overall, they are practical and seamlessly fit into workflows.

We asked evaluators how well PDI disinfecting wipes (Sani-Cloth AF3 Germicidal Disposable Wipes, Super Sani-Cloth Germicidal Disposable Wipes, and Sani-Cloth Plus Germicidal Disposable Cloth) met specific needs and challenges within their health care environment. These were some of their responses:

“They’re effective, efficient, and don’t smell as bad as [those of] other competitors.”

“Our practice moves at a quick pace. We need to be able to turn rooms over quickly, and disinfection is a big part of that. We especially like the Super Sani-Cloth due to its effectiveness across many bacteria and the 2-minute disinfection time.”

“The wipes were great—they did not leave streaks like the ones we use now.”

Following the evaluation of PDI disinfecting products, 100% of the survey respondents expressed their intention to integrate PDI wipes into their routine infection protocol and recommend them to a colleague. Among the wipes, Super Sani-Cloth Germicidal Disposable Wipes, See Clear Lens Cleaning Wipes, and Easy Screen Cleaning Wipes received the highest acclaim.

This review isn’t solely about acquiring new tools; it is also about elevating patient care. PDI wipes offer a unique advantage in the realm of infection control with their high-grade antimicrobial properties specifically tailored for different equipment and surfaces. Although the market offers a variety of infection control products, a noticeable gap exists regarding ones that effectively disinfect specific equipment such as screens and loupes. PDI fills this void with well-researched products designed to tackle these areas effectively. What sets the company apart is its versatility. They offer a range of options that cater to different needs and scenarios, making disinfection routines more convenient and efficient. PDI products have become indispensable in our practice, significantly boosting efficiency and patient safety.

After thoroughly evaluating PDI’s range of products, we see clearly that they have made a real difference in our daily routines. My colleagues and I have noticed how using these wipes streamlines our workflow, making the necessary but often tedious task of disinfection quicker and more manageable. I am glad to see these products gain our Catapult Vote of Confidence™.

These wipes provide various disinfection and cleaning options for any dental practice’s infection control and cleaning needs.

Surface Disinfection and Cleaning Wipes Designed for Everyday Dental Practice Needs

Dental imaging leader DEXIS has announced a new proactive service platform called DEXIS™ Connect Pro that is designed to monitor device health of both CBCT and intraoral sensor devices. Harnessing the power of IoT [Internet of Things], DEXIS Connect Pro can check on device health and arrange support as needed. Incorporating this platform into the practice will enable practitioners to automatically receive both support and equipment replacements as needed, which will be a time-saver as well as boost practice productivity according to Brian Gooch, global product manager and marketing vice president at DEXIS.

“The ability to ensure top performance of our equipment in the field has increased the level of customer service we’re able to provide,” Gooch said in a press release from DEXIS. “Our goal is to maximize the consistent productivity of our clients’ digital workflows while also providing quick and confident solutions to any issues that may arise. This solution, combined with our knowledgeable customer service team, helps us deliver that experience.”

Devices that are included in DEXIS Connect Pro are ORTHOPANTHOMOGRAPH™ OP 3D™ LX, i-CAT™ FLX V-Series, DEXIS Ti2 Sensor, DEXIS IXS Sensor, and DEXIS Titanium Sensor. Through DEXIS Connect Pro, these devices will be monitored and maintained by more than 100 experienced DEXIS tech support agents. The customer service aims to be a particularly appealing element, according to DEXIS Connect Pro user and dental hygienist at Omni Dental, Amber Metro-Sanchez.

“DEXIS Connect Pro provides the kind of customer experience I’ve come to expect from DEXIS,” Metro-Sanchez said in the press release. “The knowledge that my sensor communicates with DEXIS support and that they’re ready to help me if I ever need it gives me peace of mind. They’ve always been so responsive and helpful, DEXIS Connect Pro really demonstrates the kind of attention to customer care and continuous innovation that I’ve grown accustomed to with DEXIS.”

To learn more about DEXIS or DEXIS Connect Pro, visit the 

A new service platform for DEXIS CBCT and intraoral sensor devices automatically checks device health to inform support agents when its time for updates or equipment replacements.

DEXIS Launches DEXIS Connect Pro for CBCT and Intraoral Sensor Devices

Dental equipment manufacturer Planmeca today announced a commitment to providing the highest-level extraoral imaging available to the 84 myOrthos partner practices. The technology available to myOrthos offices includes the quality and durability of the Planmeca ProMax® product lines, which includes the Planmeca ProMax 3D imaging units.

Henry Schein Dental is aligned to support the Planmeca products, and the Planmeca Digital Academy team will deliver the educational resources and training, the company states. The clinical team of independent orthodontists chose Planmeca after a thorough review that assured operational leadership that Planmeca is the best choice for a long-standing partnership because of its corporate stability and dedication to product development.

"Achieving their high standards of orthodontic excellence is critical for the myOthos partner practices,” Rudy J. Wolf, Planmeca VP of sales and strategic accounts, says in a press release. “The focus on patient care is perfect for our proprietary patient safety technology, including Planmeca Ultra Low Dose™ and Planmeca CALM® patient movement correction algorithm supporting responsible imaging at exceptional image quality and reduced radiation dose* while improving the workflow by reducing retakes. These superior features allow practitioners to concentrate on treatment and assure patients and families of myOrthos' priority towards their care. Moreover, the myOrthos team is experts in their discipline and willing to invest in technology that improves their practices. Planmeca, as the innovative leader in dental technology, aligns with the myOrthos value."

Earlier this year, Planmeca launched the Planmeca Viso® G3, a multifunctional CBCT device designed to meet all 2D to 3D extraoral imaging needs. Also, the company announced the option of a

"We're thrilled to continue our partnership with Planmeca, allowing us to provide our patients with the latest in cutting-edge imaging technology," adds John Heller, CEO of myOrthos. "This collaboration ensures that our practices remain at the forefront of orthodontic care, delivering exceptional results."

Planmeca USA, a subsidiary of Planmeca, is the largest privately held company in the dental equipment market and one of the industry’s leading manufacturers of dental x-rays, CAD/CAM, and core equipment. myOrthos is a next-generation orthodontist platform supporting 77 doctors across 14 states in 84 practice locations.

Dental manufacturer to provide imaging technology and products to growing partner-led specialty practices.