A new digital mirror from Halo Dental Technologies.

Halo Digital Mirror from Halo Dental Technologies

Denticon from Planet DDS

A new digital design tool for operatories from DCI Edge. 

DCI Edge 3D Visualization Tool from DCI Edge

Vyne Trellis Payments from Vyne Dental

3Shape Automate Anterior Crowns from 3Shape

NanoCure from SprintRay

NightGuard Flex 2 and NightGuard Firm 2 from SprintRay

Apex Base and Apex Teeth from SprintRay

FlowStar Touch from Air Techniques

DUO Sensor from A2Z Imaging

Waterlase iPlus Premier Edition from BIOLASE

Acuity from AMD Lasers

Automated Case-by-Case Clear Aligner Production Solution by HeyGears

SimpliCut from Kerr Dental

Ori 2.0 and the Ori Tech Membership™

New Dental Products – February 26 - March 1, 2024

Articles

Catch up on all the latest dental product launches from the week of February 26 through March 1, 2024. 

Intraoral scanner manufacturer Ori introduced Ori 2.0 and the Ori Tech Membership™program at the Chicago Dental Society (CDS) Midwinter Meeting, February 22-24, 2024. The new scanner and membership program are designed to provide a transformative approach to advanced dental technology tha tis easily accessible and beneﬁcial for practices and patients.

The new Ori Tech Membership program looks to allow this cutting-edge dental technology to be more accessible to clinicians through the combination of low entry costs and aﬀordable monthly payments, the company states. Members can now enjoy the beneﬁt of automatic device upgrades every 3 years, so their practice always has up-to-date technology.

The Ori 2.0 scanner is easy to use and enhances patient care by maximizing the level of detail in impression scanning. The technology is said to provide the clinician with up to 7 microns of precision.

Ori says testimonials from dental professionals underscore the scanner's impact on reducing chair time, improving patient engagement, and increasing case acceptance. Additionally, the company’s minimal entry cost membership is designed to allow the clinician to get cash ﬂowing immediately with the technology without having to make a signiﬁcant capital expense or take on new debt.

“As an Ori member, I am able to always have the latest scanning technology in my practice. With their monthly membership, I never have to own outdated equipment. Every 3 years, they replace my scanner at no charge to me,” Cary Goldstein, DMD, says in a press release.

Other clinicians say the new scanner’s precision is reducing the number of adjustments needed in their practices. Regarding the Ori scanner, Shelly Stroham, DDS, notes, "The biggest change I’ve noticed...is that I’m not having to make adjustments to crowns or implants...I’m not having those adjustments since I’ve started using the Ori scanner." Similarly, Nate Heywood, DDS, highlighted the scanner's impact on delivering occlusal guards "with no adjustments needed," he adds in the press release.

Other benefits include better engagement and education and happier patients, the company says. As Rhett Raum, DMD, observes, "It deﬁnitely creates a more engaged patient...It’s increased case acceptance and understanding of treatment." Harrison Long, DMD, emphasized the scanner's role in improving practice eﬃciency and patient satisfaction, advising that "now is the right time" to adopt scanning technology, he says in the press release.

According to Ori, the new scanner has garnered high marks from 

 noting its "high resolution and detail, lower cost than many brands, a small and lightweight handpiece, intuitive software, and overall acceptable performance."

Faculty from the University of Utah School of Dentistry published an 

 that echoed this sentiment, highlighting the scanner's "advanced capabilities in enhancing patient education and treatment outcomes."

Ori was developed by over 75 key contributing dentists sharing a commitment to excellence. Together, these doctors have assured the industry that this technology meets the highest standards of dental care. The company also provides support and assurances designed to assist clinicians and build confidence.

According to the company, those who invest in Ori Scan 2.0 and the Ori Tech Membership are guaranteed the following:

A dedicated USA-based support for seamless integration and operation

An all-inclusive device and software warranty for peace of mind

A promise of automatic device upgrades every 3 years to keep practices ahead with the latest technology

Additional information about the Ori Tech Membership can be found at 

New Ori 2.0 scanner features Ori PhaseLogic™ Technology and is designed for ease of use and high precision.

Ori Launches New Intraoral Scanner and Tech Membership at Midwinter Meeting

All the latest dental product launches in a bite-sized episode. 

Product Bites – March 1, 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, DPR Editor Kellie Nock, and on this week’s podcast we’ve got 5 new products with launches from Ackuretta, J. Morita, Mid America Dental Sales, 3D Systems, and Carbon.

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

Ackuretta has unveiled the SOL Plus, a new dental 3D printer aiming for optimal precision. With an expansive platform, the SOL Plus can print up to 28 full arches in a single vertical print or 8 full arches when printed flat. The monochrome LCD panel boasts an iXY resolution of 45 microns, allowing for the printing of layers as thin as 30 microns—ideal for intricate dental applications. The SOL Plus is already compatible with industry-leading dental resins, ensuring a seamless workflow for our dental professionals. To make operation user-friendly, the SOL Plus comes with failsafe technology, a removable Thermal Agitator for precise temperature control, and features like a build platform lock and a hood sensor. Plus, the Ackuretta Concierge Service, available in the United States and Canada, offers a 2-year warranty, remote onboarding, and personalized training.

Now, onto our next product. J. Morita presents the Root ZX3, housed in a new design with automatic calibration and a high-contrast display screen. This latest offering boasts a high-frequency module for canal treatment. J. Morita's technology, based on impedance measurement, achieves an 97.5% accuracy and can be used in wet or dry canals. Additionally, the optional Root ZX3 HF Module introduces high-frequency conduction for various dental procedures, providing a versatile tool for clinicians.

Breaking through in dental imaging, Mid America Dental Sales introduces the X4 Handheld X-ray Device. This technology, featuring Carbon Nano Tube (CNT) X-ray tube, promises enhanced efficiency in a lightweight 4lb build. The CNT tube technology ensures streamlined performance, coupled with a protective scatter shield for maximum user protection. With a fixed 70kV/2mA beam and a 0.4mm focal spot, the X4 Handheld is designed to reduce arm fatigue for clinicians, especially those performing implants or dealing with pediatric patients.

Next, we have the Multi-Material Jetted Monolithic Dentures from 3D Systems. This new product offers a combination of strength and esthetics by utilizing distinct materials for the base and teeth. Pending FDA clearance, this workflow by 3D Systems aims to save time for dental laboratories, creating single-piece appliances with fewer print supports needed.

For our final product this week, we have the Automatic Operation (AO) Suite—a scalable collection of resources to enhance 3D printing productivity from Carbon. With components like Automatic Print Preparation, AO Backpack for extended printing hours, and AO Polishing Cassette for automated surface smoothing, this suite is a game-changer in reducing time and labor for dental professionals.

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

All the latest dental product launches in a bite-sized episode. This week's episode features products from Ackuretta, J. Morita, Mid America Dental Sales, 3D Systems, and Carbon.

Join the Sanders sisters and "OSHA Lady" Karen Daw as they dive deep on all things patient safety, honoring Patient Safety Awareness Week in March.



About Karen: Karen Daw is an award-winning national speaker, author, and Authorized OSHA Trainer. She earned her BA from the Ohio State University and her MBA with concentrations in Healthcare Administration and Business Management. Karen was recruited from the Emergency Department to the OSU College of Dentistry as the Safety Director. The federal government, OSAP and dental manufacturers have benefited from Karen’s expertise. She now coaches practices across the country live and via Zoom with a “This is going to be so much fun!” approach to OSHA compliance. Interesting fact - Karen recently earned her certificates in the following: Clinical Hypnotherapy, Time Techniques, EFT, Reiki, FIRES Technique, Neurolinguistic Programming (NLP) and Life and Success Coaching through a trauma-sensitive/informed lens. Something people don’t know about me – I am a sucker for underdogs, the voiceless, and have a (MASSIVE and inordinate) sense for justice and fairness

Join the Sanders sisters and "OSHA Lady" Karen Daw as they dive deep on all things patient safety, honoring Patient Safety Awareness Week in March.


Floss & Flip Flops – Episode 27 – Patient Safety Awareness with "OSHA Lady" Karen Daw

Can Ultradent’s Thermo Clone Clear Bite Material Improve Your Life? Image credit: © Ultradent


Crown preps (and the unexpected challenges they can present) are among my favorite procedures. I love the test of turning my focus to a single tooth for an hour or 2. In our office, we commonly talk about striving to make each one the “best crown ever”—prep design, hemostasis, impressions, temporaries, crown fit, occlusion, and cement all play a role in trying to achieve this.

Thermo Clone Clear Bite products from Ultradent are among those advancements that improve my provisional crowns. Thermo Clone Clear Bite is a vinyl polysiloxane impression (VPS) material that sets fast (60 seconds), which is quicker than most conventional VPS materials. Its flexibility simplifies removing and reinserting into the mouth. It is far more accurate than alginate and can be reused should the patient lose their temporary a few days later. It also has the unique property of being a clear material that aids in seating the material back over the prepared teeth.

Ultradent Case Study

The patient shown in this case is a man aged 92 years who had an onlay I did for him 15 years ago on tooth #31 (

). It had been serviceable for many years until it fractured along the distal marginal ridge. No caries and no pain were reported. We discussed options and decided that we would replace the restoration with a zirconium-based crown.

I placed J-Temp (Ultradent) into the missing distal area (

. J-temp is a radiopaque, light-cured, flowable, methacrylate-based temporary resin that has a self-leveling quality. Its purple color makes it easy to distinguish from tooth and crown materials.

I placed the Thermo Clone Clear Bite into a quadrant tray and placed this over the lower right quadrant (

). Note that the use of an impression tray is optional with Clear Bite. I have found a tray helpful when working on most distal teeth, but Clear Bite also can be extruded directly over the teeth to be impressed without the need for a tray (

After removal of the old ceramic onlay and completion of the crown prep (

), I proceeded with tissue hemostasis—this is an especially important and often overlooked step. It is important to control any hemorrhage prior to cord packing and retraction. I placed Astringedent X (Ultradent) in a syringe with the yellow Metal Dento-Infusor tip (

The way you use the chemistry is just as important as the type of chemistry you use. Use of a firm scrubbing motion with the Dento-Infusor tip is critical. You do not want to lightly apply it to the tissue as this tends to run and can be messy. Application must be done with a firm scrubbing or rubbing motion, working the solution into the tissue, which is far more effective in controlling bleeding. If you were not taught the benefits of ferric sulfates in dental school, do not fear the brown color; it goes away quickly and it is more important that you have control of the area for a quality impression.

This transparent bite material impression is designed to improve accuracy and visibility, all while ensuring an ease-of-use that makes it suitable for any dental practice. It’s translucency is said to make it easier to ensure that the impression is seated appropriately over the right tooth. Light-cure composites are able to cure through this material.

For cord packing, I used ViscoStat (Ultradent) and did a double cord packing technique. I soak the cord for a few minutes (

) and then just lightly blot the cord to remove excess hemostatic material. The viscous material helps the cord slide into the sulcus better for me. In this case, I used an Ultrapak cord #00 (yellow) as a first layer (

), then placed a larger #1 cord (blue) over this for greater retraction (

). I find that I can pack larger diameter cords than I used to because the cord compresses much more than I originally realized. It is still very gentle and I get better retraction. I am not in a hurry to pack the cord; my goal is to be gentle and achieve retraction without injury to the tissue. I want the top cord to be visible (

) and I leave this in place for 5 minutes. When I remove the cord (

), I am careful to tease the moistened top cord out and check for bleeding, then I rinse and dry. This technique is called “car wash” because I spray heavy with a combination of water and air. If I can do this and not have any bleeding, then I am ready for the impression (

). If I have bleeding, then I just pick up hemostatic solution in a syringe and scrub the area again before retesting the area with the car wash spray until I am confident that I have a clean and dry area to impress. Do not rush this step. Using the hemostatic solutions prior to cord packing, soaking the cord in the solution, and gently teasing out the moistened cord all help to not create bleeding.

I am impressing with a dual arch tray and Thermo Clone heavy and light body VPS impression material (

To create the provisional restoration, I placed ExperTemp material (Ultradent) into the #31 site of the Clear Bite matrix we had previously created (

). ExperTemp is a bis-acryl material with a working time of 40 seconds. I remove it from the mouth between 1½ and 2½ minutes (I tend to go much faster if the tooth has a great deal of retention or if I am concerned about locking the material into proximal undercuts; if we have a second molar like this, I can wait the full 2½ minutes if my patient will allow it). (

Upon removal you will see flash around the margins and the proximal areas (

). You can trim the flash with a diamond in a handpiece and polish in your lab or use composite polishers such as the Jiffy Natural Composite Polisher (Ultradent) pictured (

). ExperTemp material, like other bis-acryl materials, needs to have the oxygen inhibition layer removed with alcohol. You can add to any deficiencies with more ExperTemp or a flow resin. You can bond to it or apply a glaze such as PermaSeal (Ultradent) if you want a shiny temporary crown.

I have found that the fit of the temporary crowns made with the help of the Clear Bite have been exceptional. Do temporaries come off? Yes, but not as often. If I have a good crown prep with adequate retention and a nice provisional crown with closed margins, I am confident that it will be a durable and protective crown that will be there until the final crown is ready. If a temporary crown comes off or is lost, I can remake the temporary crown in minutes with the saved Clear Bite impression—I save and label them in a clear plastic bag until the final crown is seated.

There are many temporary cements we can choose from to select the ideal retention for the case on which we are working. My go-to is the new UltraTemp REZ II (

). This is a recently reformulated cement that has great seal, low irritation, and seems easy to clean up. One of my favorite features is that when I remove it, the cement tends to stay in the temporary crown and not as much on the tooth. If I am worried about too much retention with the temporary cement, then I have our UltraTemp cement, which is a great cement with low irritation and less retention.

We owe it to our patients to offer the best skills and materials available.

We take a deep dive on this impression material to unwrap just what makes it such a boon for restorative treatments.  

Can Ultradent’s Thermo Clone Clear Bite Material Improve Your Life? 

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

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

This Is Where Things Get Interesting…Image credit: © Panithan – stock.adobe.com


Sometimes in what I like to call the great invention curve, there is a calm before the announcement storm. We saw it with artificial intelligence (AI). As I wrote in February 2024, AI was making quiet inroads into society at large and then moved into the dental profession before anyone was really aware of it. As we all know, AI seemed to explode across the profession in 2023; however, it had been flying under the radar for almost a decade. We are now about to see some similar amazing things that are in development in the areas of magnification.

First things first, though. I refer to loupes as surgical telescopes or scopes because that is what they are. Personally, I feel the word loupes lessens how important these things are.

I find it amazing how far the profession and our industry have come in this field. When I look back over the years of my career, I can say that I have seen the full spectrum of this. When I was being trained, no one used magnification. To many of you reading this, that probably seems hard to fathom, and I’ll admit that it is for me as well. I do remember one particular doctor in my clinical team who kept a very low-magnification pair of glasses in his pocket. Occasionally when he was looking at a crown on a model, he would pull out those antiquated glasses and look at a margin. I don’t ever recall him actually looking in a patient’s mouth while wearing them, though. Rumors were that he had been incredibly successful and was teaching just to give back, but I never made the connection that perhaps that incredible success could be, in part, due to magnification helping him achieve his clinical excellence.

The first 7 years I spent in private practice, I did so with just my naked eyes. One day a good friend from Phoenix called me to excitedly tell me about his new 2.5x glasses. By this point you could see booths at trade shows selling these “glasses,” but the crowds looking at them were sparse. My friend kept pushing me to make a purchase, but I was stubborn. I had been blessed with 20/15 vision, while my friend needed prescription eyewear to read the newspaper. I thought, “Of course you need that. You can’t see things right in front of you without help.” Ah, youth.

However, he kept after me and I am so grateful that he did. About 6 months later, I finally succumbed to his persuasion and bought a pair identical to his. They were 2.5x “flip-ups,” and they rocked my world. By this time he had purchased a light system, and he told me I needed to purchase the light system too. This time, I was all in. By this point I’d have bought clown shoes if he told me they would help me see better.

Back then the lighting systems were big boxes that had a high-intensity halogen bulb. The light traveled to the glasses via a fiber-optic cord that you plugged into the light box. The boxes were big and heavy, so you had to have one in every operatory, and the $125 halogen bulbs burned out every 3 months. The setup was expensive but so worth it. I quit using the track lights in the operatories, and I was amazed how much easier it was to work when I wasn’t reaching up to constantly reangle the track light every time a patient moved or I needed to change my angle of access. Everywhere I looked, the light followed. It was phenomenal.

Once I got used to working with 2.5x, I wanted to see even better. Before long I had reinvested by upgrading to 4.8x, and my world changed again. My posture got better, I was more efficient, and best of all, my dentistry got better.

The next big jump was to LED lights. I was no longer tethered to “the box,” and I no longer had to buy all those expensive halogen replacement bulbs every 90 days. I was much more mobile while still having all the advantages of the light on my scopes. When I built my new office, I helped buy scopes for the hygiene team because I wanted them to see what I was seeing. That also meant that I didn’t need to purchase track lights for 7 new operatories either. And for those of you who are wondering, there are several very low-cost options for assistants that can attach to regular safety glasses, so your auxiliaries don’t need you there to provide illumination when they are fabricating temporaries, etc.

Of course, the only constant is change, which I love. The bright people doing research and development kept working at making vision better and better. One of those earlier changes was to prismatic lenses. These high-quality lenses gave doctors a more generous field of view with amazing definition and edge-to-edge clarity. Prismatic lenses allowed me to see even better while allowing me to see even more.

This is also a good point to mention: the improvements to LED lights and why lighting is so important. Many current LED systems are incredibly bright, but they are also very much needed. One of the laws of light physics is that when you increase the magnification, you also need to increase the length of the telescopes. The longer the scope becomes, the less light actually enters it. The result is that a bright illumination of the field is not only nice but also required. I honestly don’t even want to think about practicing without the light.

Further improvements came along in the form of telescopes that have variable magnification. These scopes allow me to work at 3.0x-4.0x-5.0x, depending on my needs. The level is adjusted by rotating the telescopes until they click into the next level up. I find that for my needs, I like to do hygiene exams at the lower magnification of 3.0x, which allows me to see about a single quadrant at a time. This gives me a better field of view to help visualize and get a big picture of what is going on. During the exam, if I see an area that perhaps needs a closer look, I can easily move to a higher magnification level by just rotating the barrels on the scopes to the right. For those of you thinking about infection control in this scenario, wiping the barrels (and anything else you’ve touched with gloves) can be accomplished with a CaviWipe or similar surface disinfectant.

The only drawback to variable magnification is that if you prefer to do most of your dentistry at 3.0x and use higher magnification only in certain situations, you have the weight of all 3 levels on your nose all the time. For those who would like to have higher magnification on less frequent occasions, I’ve got your answer. For that doctor, I’d recommend a frame that allows you to swap in and out individual telescopes to change your levels. The OmniOptic frame (Orascoptic) has a single frame that has interchangeable telescopes that snap into place and are held there with powerful magnets. The telescopes come in levels 2.5x, 3.5x, 4.5x, and 5.5x. The nice thing about these is that you can have all those levels of magnification but have the weight of only what you are currently using. You can also pick and choose which telescopes to purchase and buy only the ones you prefer. Of course, if you then decide to have 

level, you simply purchase the level you’d like. All the personal correction (if you need an optometric prescription for your vision) is built into the lenses mounted into frame. This means you don’t need to buy anything else with the correction. The telescopes are off the shelf and readily available when you order.

The great news here is that progress continues. Recently we’ve seen the launch by several manufacturers of deflection or declination telescopes. These telescopes exit the lens of the glasses and have a bend or angle built into them. The idea behind this is to allow the operator to sit in more upright posture. As someone who has been using straight telescopes since the late 1990s, there was a bit of a learning curve as I used them, but that learning curve was short. If a doctor bought some as a first-ever step into magnification, I would anticipate that learning curve to be less. At this point, I can swap between standard and deflection systems without even thinking much about the change.

However, the next step in this product category is coming soon, and it is going to be game changing

 That’s because this product space is soon going to be digital! When you think of how much the camera in your smartphone has improved over the last 3 to 5 years, imagine that being built into your surgical telescopes! That’s right. Digital magnification is about to hit it big in dentistry.

Few things in recent history have gotten me this fired up. We are talking about a head-mounted system that puts high-definition stereoscopic screens right in front of your eyes. This is going to be paired with either a single or a pair of high-resolution camera(s) and bright, true-color, adjustable lighting. These systems will offer a large viewing field that will enable the operator to zoom in to levels of magnification that will up to this point have been available only with a surgical microscope.

Some of the systems will be WiFi enabled, which will allow the operator to take still photos or full-motion video and save them on the office network. You will also be able to stream this video for live demonstrations or for those curious patients who have always wanted to see what’s going on. If your WiFi signal is weak, the system should also have a memory card slot so that the images and video can be stored for downloading later.

There may be foot pedal controls or even voice activation to simplify usage and decrease infection control concerns.

Of course, there are going to be bumps in the road as we, the end users and our patients, adapt to this. How will patients react to these systems? No matter how stylish manufacturers design these, they are going to look different. Some systems may prevent the patient from actually seeing our eyes. Will patients trust that we are seeing better than ever before?

There is also the issue of what is referred to as lag time. The digital processors are going to need to be superfast so that there is no time difference between what the camera sees and the moment it is rendered on the screens. We cannot have a system where something moves and there is even a fraction of a second before the doctor sees it.

Weight is a concern. How heavy will these be and how comfortable will they be to wear? Doctors suffer enough from neck and back issues. The weight of these must be kept to a minimum. Some systems will be worn with a head loop, while others will look more traditional, with the system secured with the snugging neck strap we are used to.

And of course there is the simple subject of need. I know that some doctors are going to say that we are seeing well enough already. Do we need to see any better? How high in magnification can we go before small head movements appear to be drastic? One other factor to consider is the resolution. How high can the magnification go before we see pixelation on our screens? These questions and others are all things that both manufacturers and the end user need to consider.

As regular readers know, I am always enthusiastic about progress in our profession, but I try to remain realistic in my expectations. “Underpromise and overdeliver” is normally my mantra. However, I feel in my gut that this is going to be a quantum leap forward over today’s systems. For years I’ve been saying that, at least for me, the more and better I see, the more and better I want to see

As you read this, I will be knee-deep in a clinical evaluation of one of these systems that is being created by a major manufacturer. I am going to be bench testing the device and then after the learning curve, I’ll be going live with use during actual clinical procedures. As soon as I am able, you can expect a follow-up column on my experiences. I can’t wait to tell you more!

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

Loupes and magnification enable clinicians to be more accurate and efficient. Dive into this month’s Technology Evangelist to learn more about just how far loupes have come. 

This Is Where Things Get Interesting…

Dr Jamal is a full-time clinician in Lloydminster, Alberta, where he has a referral-based practice limited to providing sedation dentistry and third molar extractions. He is the founder of Third Molars Online, where he empowers and educates dentists around the world to safely and efficiently tackle surgical extractions and impacted wisdom teeth in their own offices. (

). You can also follow him on Instagram @drnekkyjamal.

 The versatile W&H Implantmed Plus Motor System. Image Credit: © W&H 

As a clinician in a surgical general practice, my top priority has always been the search for reliable dental instruments that optimize my efficiency. I believe you’ll agree—there’s nothing more frustrating than dealing with handpieces that lack the necessary power and torque to cleanly section through a tooth. Stalling burs and chattering handpieces are enough for us all to pull our hair out.

Having dependable dental equipment is not just a matter of speed and convenience; it is a necessity that directly impacts my patient care. With this in mind, I would like to highlight 3 essential tools that have formed the cornerstone of my practice.

The Piezomed module is an easy add-on solution for the Implantmed Plus that creates new treatment options for patients. The Piezomed is said to be a true game changer in piezo surgery. Its modular design is said to allow the device to be adapted to the user’s specific requirements across specialties, including periodontal, oral surgery, and dental implant surgery. It is designed to simplify the processes in oral surgery and implantology, as users do not always have the correct device on hand for use in compact spaces. The modular system’s standardized operation simplifies the practice’s daily workflow.

First, the W&H Implantmed Plus Motor System. 

To call the Implantmed Plus unit just a surgical motor is an understatement: I like to think of it as more of a surgical ecosystem. I use the W&H Implantmed Plus system (

) for all my everyday oral surgery procedures—from dental implant placement to impacted third molar removal.

The added flexibility of connection to the new Piezomed Plus module from W&H allows the use of surgical piezo procedures to perform sinus lifts, ridge splits, and atraumatic extractions. The Implantmed Plus motor combines incredible power with a simple, intuitive, and user-friendly interface that I can depend on for efficiency in my surgical procedures.

Further, after dental implant surgeries are completed, we can wirelessly connect the Osstell Beacon tool to the Implantmed Plus to assess the implant stability quotient post surgery and then again prior to delivering the final restoration. Through the modular components of the W&H system, we minimize the overall counter space necessary to perform many procedures in an already crowded surgical operatory. Short of physically extracting a tooth, there isn’t much that the Implantmed Plus can’t do for me.

Second, the W&H WS-91 surgical handpiece. 

) with a 45-degree head connects to the W&H Implantmed Plus motor and supports you with precise and smooth sectioning of all teeth. When I say smooth, I mean no chatter, no stalling bur—just crisp, clean sections. This handpiece is my go-to, everyday extraction hero.

 The W&H WS-91 surgical handpiece (Figure 2) and the W&H S-16 are key tools in this author’s armamentarium and provide confidence in his everyday surgical dentistry. | Image Credit: © W&H

With a gear ratio of 1:2.7, I set the Implantmed motor to 40,000 rpm, which allows for up to 108,000 rpm at the bur. I prefer the WS-91 over other handpieces due to its smaller head, bright LED system, and precise sterile saline spray to keep the site cool and my bur clean. I highly recommend this handpiece to dentists who do any level of surgical extractions.

Lastly, the tool I can’t live without, the W&H S-16 surgical handpiece. 

 Third Molar Handpiece. In my opinion, this is a must-have handpiece for any dentist who tackles wisdom tooth extractions.

As you know, when you approach deeper impactions or horizontally positioned third molars, you always wish your bur was just a little longer. This is where the S-16 handpiece (

) truly shines. With the perfect 20-degree angle for tackling impacted third molars, a 1:2 gear ratio that allows you to section teeth at up to 80,000 rpm, and incredible torque at full speed, I feel confident sectioning furcations and removing bone around wisdom teeth.

 The W&H WS-91 surgical handpiece and the W&H S-16 (Figure 3) are key tools in this author’s armamentarium and provide confidence in his everyday surgical dentistry. | Image Credit: © W&H

Combined with my favorite bur, the 1703 HP bur (45 mm), the S-16 allows me to provide my patients with efficient extractions of impacted third molars. One of the biggest advantages of the W&H S-16 and WS-91 is that they are fully dismantlable into several individual parts for proper cleaning and then sterilization of the handpiece. This feature increases the life span of the handpiece while also ensuring complete removal of any bio burden within it.

In conclusion, the W&H Implantmed Plus and WS-91 and S-16 handpieces provide me with the confidence to continually redefine and elevate the standard of care in surgical dentistry, ultimately benefiting both clinicians and patients alike.

One clinician explains how 3 products from W&H enable him to confidently redefine and elevate the standard of care in surgical dentistry, which in turn benefits both clinicians and patients.

Essential Tools That Redefine and Elevate the Standard of Care in Surgical Dentistry

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

A Comfortable, Patient-Friendly Way to Deal With the Gray Areas. Image courtesy of Ankur Gupta, DDS.

This profession is full of gray areas. In the mouth, and (literally) in the radiographs, we are asked to make a distinction between perfectly healthy, fully mineralized, intact enamel and cavitated enamel requiring restorative intervention.

While there are times where these distinctions are easy, we all must admit that there are several clinical occasions that we encounter daily where the surface of a tooth lies somewhere in the middle. Let’s take, for example, the following:

A patient with a high-acid oral environment

Stained margins around an old composite or crown

Radiographic decayed enamel that doesn’t extend to the dentin

While there are several practical clinical strategies to handle situations like the ones above, perhaps none is more accepted and well researched than regular topical application of a fluoride varnish. Several randomized controlled trials have supported and maintained the idea that regular application of fluoride varnish is an incredibly cost-effective and successful strategy to prevent the incidence or progression of decay, especially in high-risk populations.

As a result, the vast majority of practicing clinical dentists and hygienists have made it a part of their regular clinical routine to at least offer fluoride varnish for all interested patients after their routine recall prophylaxis and maintenance appointments.

Profisil

Twenty years ago, the fluoride application that was most common consisted of foam trays with a fluoride gel, intended to bathe the teeth in fluoride for approximately 5 minutes. Patients were told not to eat for several hours after the appointment due to the toxicity of fluoride when consumed. Most patients and practitioners found this to be a cumbersome and messy treatment modality.

Kettenbach USA’s new Profisil Fluoride Varnish is described as a new dimension of varnish gel that contains 5% sodium fluoride in a mucosa-friendly, pleasantly flavored dimethicone gel. This formula does not contain ethyl alcohol nor colophony (rosin), which means the potential of soft tissue irritation or rosin-based allergies is reduced, according to the company. The product features a number of benefits for both the clinician and the patient, and it is suitable for most ages because it is ethyl alcohol free. Benefits for the dental professional include the following: Each single-dose blister contains sufficient varnish to cover all affected teeth of both arches; the product can be applied in any direction to all affected tooth surfaces, migrating even to difficult-to-access areas; a prophylactic cleaning is not required prior to use; it is not necessary to dry teeth prior to application of the varnish gel; the product has a lubricious, nonclumping formula; and there no need to replace gummy brushes. Patients, meanwhile, appreciate the smooth mouthfeel and refreshing lubricating properties, according to the manufacturer.

It was replaced in the past decade with the use of fluoride varnish, painted onto the teeth. This painted-on substance forms a sticky covering of the teeth and quickly hardens when exposed to saliva, which effectively delivers fluoride onto the enamel. Patients are allowed to eat immediately afterward, but in order to maintain effectiveness, it is required that they not brush off the material for several hours. This was thought to be a superior alternative for most practitioners. The biggest drawback was the sticky, waxy feeling that sadly made the teeth feel less “clean” even though they just had a professional cleaning completed.

Kettenbach, a leader in the dental industry in providing high-performing materials in the fields of impression taking, cementation, and temporization, has recently introduced a new product, Profisil, a 5% sodium fluoride delivered in a mucosa-friendly, pleasantly flavored dimethicone gel. In contrast to other topical fluoride options, this particular product is free of colophony (rosin). As a result, this varnish is said to eliminate that uncomfortable, sticky feeling on the teeth post cleaning.

Profisil was given to 15 members of the Catapult Education product review team, who were asked to use this new fluoride varnish in typical clinical scenarios and compare the patient experience with that of their original fluoride varnish. The results are below.

Almost all the Catapult reviewers used this product on 10 or more patients. Several indicated that they used the product on themselves and on their dental teams. As a result, many had the opportunity to test the product in a variety of clinical scenarios and oral environments.

Areas of evaluation and results are as follows:

Overall handling: 73% reported excellent, 13% very good.

Viscosity: 60% reported excellent, 20% very good.

Ease of application: 80% reported excellent, 6% very good.

Ability to apply to dry teeth: 73% reported excellent, 6% very good.

Ability to apply to moist teeth: 73% reported excellent, 6% very good.

Volume of material in the pack: 73% reported excellent, 13% very good.

The patient reaction to the varnish was 64% excellent and 21% very good, with 1 evaluator commenting, “perfect balance of taste and stickiness. Very well received by all.” Another commented, “Berry flavor is wonderful!”

None of the survey respondents reported adverse effects of the topical application.

When asked to compare the Profisil product with what these clinicians were already using, almost every evaluator reported that this material was either similar or superior, with most remarking that the material is simply more comfortable, is less sticky, and tastes better.

Of the survey respondents, 85% would recommend Profisil to a colleague and 70% intend to immediately incorporate this product into their practice.

I had the opportunity to try this product myself, using it on my team, my patients, my children, and myself. The positive response was consistent and overwhelming. The berry flavor truly was delightful, and there was a very noticeable decrease in the sticky feeling. I must agree with the majority of Catapult reviewers and am happy to see this product achieving the Catapult Vote of Confidence™.

This fluoride varnish from Kettenbach USA aims to eliminate the discomforts that sometimes come with other fluoride varnishes all while maintaining the efficacy that clinicians desire. 

A Comfortable, Patient-Friendly Way to Deal With the Gray Areas

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.  

Image by Kristen Morabito / MJH Life Sciences using AI

For the longest time, we’ve known that using loupes is critical when it comes to seeing inside the mouths of patients. Magnification is essential, and using loupes—and even surgical microscopes—has allowed dentists and hygienists to deliver better care. After all, it’s hard to fix what you can’t see.

Dental loupes and magnification have changed for the better over the years, with lighter, more comfortable designs and a variety of magnifications designed to aid clinicians. Much has been written about the importance of ergonomics in the dental operatory, with seating, lighting, and cabinet and delivery system locations all revamped over the years to help staff with everyday work that can be physically and mentally stressful.

After decades of clinicians working through back and neck pain caused by the often awkward movements and difficult posture positions required to examine a patient’s mouth, a much-needed focus was given in recent years to protecting dentists and hygienists, who are more susceptible to musculoskeletal injuries and disorders. Dental professionals frequently suffer from back and neck pain caused by the awkward, forward-hunching posture that is necessary to examine a patient’s mouth.

 Designed to work in comfort and prolong careers.

“Magnification provides an ergonomic solution that can reduce musculoskeletal discomfort and improve patient outcomes,” says Erica Born, marketing manager, consumer strategy, at Orascoptic. “Loupes can help dentists and hygienists reduce back and neck discomfort, see the mouth with more clarity, and improve efficiency.”

Katrina Klein, RDH, CEAS, CPT, is a certified ergonomics assessment specialist and a certified personal trainer in addition to a hygienist, and she’s well aware of the importance of using proper magnification to reduce pain while improving your work.

“Studies have shown that magnification is the number one impactful piece of equipment for reducing workplace injury. Stated more simply, they significantly help reduce our pain from practicing,” says Klein. “Wearing loupes benefits clinicians by promoting a neutral body posture. Magnification keeps the upper body at a safe working distance.”

While manufacturers have been providing magnification solutions for dental practitioners for decades, a newer trend has brought about a newer category of loupes—ergo loupes. While earlier versions were indeed designed to combat back and neck pain and eyestrain, today’s loupes help clinicians improve their posture and mitigate neck discomfort.

 in April 2023, Orascoptic’s High Definition Ergo loupes tout a 3.5x magnification that allows users to reduce neck tilt while maintaining a clear view of the treatment area. The loupes are mounted through the lens with a field width of 8.5 cm and a field depth of 8 cm.

 These loupes from Orascoptic are the only 3-in-1 variable magnification loupes. Users can switch seamlessly among magnification levels 3x, 4x, and 5x.

“Ergo loupes are a great new option in clinicians’ ergonomic toolbox. Using ergo loupes allows the user to sit up straight, further reducing back and neck discomfort,” adds Born, who also notes the importance of choosing the best loupes for each individual team member. “Loupes are an important tool for clinicians as they function as an extension of themselves—having loupes that are custom-made to each user is essential for proper function, which in turn improves patient outcomes.”

The InfinityVUE Loupes from Designs for Vision, Inc, are designed to provide a straightforward approach to ergonomics and are available in 3.0x, 3.5x, and 4.5x magnification. Infinity VUE Loupes with Vision Up Ergonomics are said to keep a practitioner’s chin up, neck straight, and eyes forward while viewing the oral cavity. By changing the positioning of the internal prisms, these loupes allow you to see intraorally without having to bend your neck.

Irene Iancu, BSc, RRDH, CTDP, OM, gave a presentation on the Infinity VUE Loupes at the Greater New York Dental Meeting last fall and explained that if you wear standard telescopes, you know that although your magnification is great and your posture may be great, you may also still be suffering from head and neck pain because of the angle of declination and from bringing your chin down and forward.

 Designed to provide a straightforward approach to ergonomics, the Infinity VUE Loupes are available in 3.0x, 3.5x, and a new 4.5x magnification.

What these new ergonomic loupes do is bring your chin up and your posture back because you are looking straight down at the patient, instead of having to bring your chin down in the line of vision as you do with traditional loupes. “It’s kind of like using a microscope, but the microscope is attached to your loupes,” says Iancu, a restorative dental hygienist from Toronto, Canada.

Mounted on a Steam frame and with the side shields attached, the VUE Loupes weigh 3.2 oz. They arrive in a plastic case with a secure fastener that keeps the loupes protected.

Enova Illumination provides loupes and surgical microscopes to the dental industry. The Minneapolis, Minnesota, company’s Vizix® Ergo Elite Loupes are the company’s latest product with a big emphasis on protecting the health of oral caregivers.

Available in 3.5x, 4.5x, and 5.5x magnifications, they are described as a lightweight, ergonomic, angled prismatic loupes that provide unparalleled visibility through the lens. They are designed to support natural posture and therefore help prevent pain caused by the awkward, unnatural movements often associated with using traditional loupes. The Vizix Ergo Elite Loupes can be paired with any frame in the company’s Airon™ series.

“When using prismatic [ergo] loupes, the spine, head, and neck are in neutral,” adds Klein, who uses the 3.0 ErgoPrism Airs by LumaDent. “The majority of our pain comes from putting our heads down into flexion so to reduce or eliminate the primary cause for pain is a huge benefit.”

Scott Green, executive vice president for Enova Illumination, is proud that his company has played a role in improving the way clinicians see and practice dentistry and in how improved magnification helps clinicians stay healthy and extend their careers.

“When my dad started practicing over 50 years ago, dentistry was done without any magnification, including loupes and microscopes,” Green says. “It was not uncommon for a dentist to work as close as 6 to 8 inches from the patient’s face. You could always tell a dentist because their shoulders were rounded. With that being said, the biggest advantage that we’ve seen is the ergonomic body positioning that has improved over the years. We’ve gone from traditional loupes to ergo deflection loupes to now microscopes.”

Loupes and microscopes have enabled dentists and hygienists to visualize the oral cavity in much greater detail at a much farther distance. This allows them to identify pathology, decay, and anatomy that would otherwise be very difficult to see with the naked eye, Green explains. Using these tools leads to more accurate diagnoses and improved treatment precision and success rates, all while clinicians are in a more upright position that protects them from back and neck fatigue and pain.

 Magnification using a microscope gives dental professionals the opportunity to offer a higher standard of care. Enova is the exclusive US distributor of Zumax® microscopes. While most endodontists use microscopes to assist in their procedures, general practitioners can take advantage of the technology to help them with a variety of everyday restorative procedures.

Breaking down all the latest trends and technologies in dental loupes and magnification. 