The National Mobile & Teledentistry Conference 2024 to Take Place in Dallas, Texas. Image credit: © The National Mobile & Teledentistry Conference

The National Mobile & Teledentistry Conference (NMTC) is gearing up to mark its 5-year anniversary at the upcoming event on March 1-2, 2024, in Dallas, Texas. This event aims to demonstrate how virtual and mobile dental practices have become increasingly significant in the wake of the global pandemic, according to a press release from the group. 

The 2-day conference promises a variety of educational courses designed to provide both introductory and deep-dive insights into the implementation, best practices, and protocols for organizations venturing beyond traditional physical dental practices. With an emphasis on collaboration, this year's NMTC event is set to unite industry stakeholders, including the Texas Oral Health Coalition, People of Color in DSO, Speaking Consulting Network, and more.

Reflecting on the lessons learned during the pandemic, Sonya Dunbar, co-founder of NMTC, highlighted the shift in patient dynamics in the press release. "What we’ve learned through the pandemic is that patients may never again walk through our practice doors but certainly will let us walk through their doors. This is critical as we think about how our dental practices will continue to be successful in the future."

NMTC wants to serve as a hub, bringing together stakeholders, management, and decision-makers from various dental practices, public health organizations, dental service organizations, managed service organizations, independent practices, and technology and product companies. Melissa Turner, co-founder of NMTC, emphasized the unique nature of the annual event, stating in the press release, "Our platform creates space for innovation, partnerships, and conversations that significantly shape the future of the clinical and business sides of dentistry."

Courses offered at the conference cover a wide range of topics, from artificial intelligence and remote patient monitoring to getting started in virtual care and best practices for mobile and portable care. Additionally, there will be discussions on adding a virtual or mobile arm to a practice, medical-dental integration, and prevention-based models of care, according to the press release.

As a part of this show, NMTC will once again host The Denobi Awards, a global industry awards program recognizing notable figures in dentistry. The awards ceremony, taking place on the closing night of the 2-day event, will announce 10 individuals and 1 dental team live on stage at the annual red-carpet gala. Those interested in attending 

Since its inception, NMTC has played a crucial role in fostering a community dedicated to advancing mobile and teledentistry. In conjunction with the conference, the community founded the American Mobile & Teledentistry Alliance, a 501c(4) membership association supporting dental professionals, practices, and brands worldwide that effectively employ mobile, virtual, and other non-traditional care delivery methods.

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This 2-day event will take place in Dallas, Texas, and aims to bring together teledentistry experts to advance the quality of care in mobile dentistry. 

The National Mobile & Teledentistry Conference 2024 to Take Place in Dallas, Texas

Zyris Unveils New Retractor. Image credit: © Zyris

Isolite creator Zyris has revealed its latest innovation–the Zyris Retractor. This retraction tool is designed to offer a range of benefits that cater to the various needs of dental clinicians, according to the company.

Designed with the everyday challenges of dental procedures in mind, the Zyris Retractor is said to incorporate stability, patient comfort, and operational efficiency in its design. One of its key features is the provision of extra oral fulcrum stability, ensuring that clinicians can maintain precise control over the retraction process. This is said to be particularly beneficial during lengthy or intricate procedures, where stability is paramount. The tool’s innovative design is said to increase patient comfort for better compliance.

Improved access and visibility are fundamental elements of successful dental procedures. The Zyris Retractor’s design is said to enhance visibility to the gingival margin, according to the company. This is a game-changer for clinicians, providing them with a clearer view of the treatment area and facilitating more precise and effective interventions.

The benefits extend beyond the treatment itself to include imaging procedures, with enhanced visibility of the occlusal plane as well. This ensures diagnostic processes are more accurate for a better treatment plan.

Crafted from a semi-flexible, biodegradable BPA-free polymer, the single-use design minimizes environmental impact while adhering to infection control protocols. This not only saves time for dental professionals but also contributes to a reduction in waste in the dental practice. With the help of direct feedback from clinicians, Zyris designed this retractor with ergonomics in mind. Quick adjustment tabs ensure better maneuverability, placement, and reinsertion in a matter of seconds, making it a user-friendly tool that integrates with existing dental instruments.

To learn more about the Zyris Retractor, visit the 

This new ergonomic retractor is designed with feedback from clinicians, providing a range of benefits to make treatment more effective. 

Zyris Unveils New Retractor 

New DentaSEAL Pro Product Line Provides Sealant, Chairside Sensitivity Relief Gel, and Appliance Topcoat | Image Credit: © DentaSEAL Pro 

The new DentaSEAL Pro product line from DentaSEAL Pro is described as a first-to-market product line offering a next-generation dental sealant, instant sensitivity relief gel and an appliance topcoat.

This product line directly addresses biofilm, stain, inflammation and is set to change how dentists and hygienists prevent oral diseases, according to DentaSEAL Pro, a leading clinical dental startup.

The proprietary formula behind the DentaSEAL Pro product line is a revolutionary self-bonding polymer with multiple applications both inside and outside the oral cavity:

Sealant—When used as a pit-and-fissure sealant, it creates an instant chemical bond, thus eliminating the need to etch or light cure.

Sensitivity Relief—For pre-procedural chairside sensitivity relief, this translucent gel is applied to non-cavitated areas such as root surfaces and demineralized enamel for instant and long-lasting relief.

Appliance Health—DentaSEAL Pro prevents odor and buildup when applied to fixed and removable prostheses such as implants, dentures, retainers, and clear aligners.

Biofilm & Stain—Additionally, the formulation’s hydrophobic qualities positively impact oral inflammation by reducing biofilm, calculus, and stain buildup.

DentaSEAL Pro will be featuring its new product line at upcoming trade shows. | Image Credit: © DentaSEAL Pro

Well suited for any patient, DentaSEAL Pro is especially useful in preventing and addressing peri-implantitis. The company states that it is also valuable for the pediatric population, patients with biofilm buildup, orthodontic patients, and those with removable prostheses.

“I’m thrilled to see the impact our new product line will have on the health of patients. Our vision is to continue to innovate and find new applications for DentaSEAL Pro,” Steve Turley, CEO of DentaSEAL Pro, says in a press release this week. “We've seen how cavities and biofilm are rampant in the majority of communities across the globe, and we wanted to create a product that would allow oral care providers to make a bigger impact in their patients’ lives.”

Industry expert and advisor Melissa Turner, BASDH, RDHEP, EFDA, expects products like this new line to have a growing impact as more oral healthcare providers implement preventive care methods into their practices.

“With DentaSEAL Pro, a new generation of preventive products is here which will help clinicians do more for their patients,” she adds in the press release. “More than ever before, dentistry is transitioning to a preventive-based model of care, and clinicians are focused on implementing products that are fast, efficient, and impactful.We’ve just hit the tip of the iceberg with the launch of DentaSEAL Pro, with so much more coming down the line.”

DentaSEAL Pro can be applied on any restoration or
removable prosthetic device, including all types of dentures, to reduce odor and buildup. Additionally, it is applied chairside to provide immediate and long-lasting sensitivity relief, meaning that patients can walk into the practice with sensitivity pain and leave feeling better, according to DentaSEAL Pro.

DentaSEALPro will have a booth at these upcoming events: 

National Mobile & Teledentistry Conference

 (March 1-2, 2024—Dallas,Texas) and the Chicago Dental Society 

(February 22-24, 2024 Chicago, Illinois), and additional information can be found at DentaSEALPro.com.

New offering from dental startup designed to directly address biofilm, stain, inflammation, and to change how dentists and hygienists prevent oral diseases.

New DentaSEAL Pro Product Line Provides Sealant, Chairside Sensitivity Relief Gel, and Appliance Topcoat

AAO Warns Against Unregulated Practice of "Mewing" | Image Credit: © American Association of Orthodontists

A popular social media trend, known as "mewing," is raising concerns within the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) due to its potential for causing unintended, and potentially harmful, side eﬀects.

The social media trend is one of the latest viral trends, but the AAO warns that any unproven benefits are not worth the potential risks. Mewing

, named after controversial orthodontist John Mew, who lost his license due to unsupported claims

, advocates for speciﬁc tongue placement as a way to reshape the jawline and improve facial esthetics.

However, the AAO says this unregulated practice lacks scientiﬁc backing and carries risks of:

Dental Issues: Chronic pressure from mewing can loosen teeth, misalign bite, and contribute to tooth wear and tear

Speech Impediments: Altered tongue placement can aﬀect speech patterns and clarity, causing slurring or pronouncing diﬃculties

Mewing may require complicated treatment to resolve issues

"While proper tongue posture plays a role in oral health and development, mewing oversimpliﬁes the complexities of facial structure," emphasizes Myron Guymon, DDS, MS, AAO president in a press release. "There's no scientiﬁc evidence to support its claims of reshaping the jawline, and the potential risks outweigh any unproven beneﬁts."

Social media is a powerful tool for informing the public in many subject areas, including mewing, but it is not regulated by experts; unfortunately, many members of the public quickly fall prey to theories that have not been scientiﬁcally tested,

The association advises against relying on unproven, online trends for altering facial features. Orthodontic treatment remains the safest and most eﬀective way to address jaw misalignment and cosmetic concerns, the AAO states.

The AAO represents 19,000 orthodontist members throughout the United States, Canada, and abroad. Founded in 1900, AAO is the world's oldest and largest dental specialty organization.

1. Lee U, Graves L, Friedlander A. Mewing: social media’s alternative to orthognathic surgery? Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery 2019;77:1743-1744. Available at: 

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joms.2019.03.024

2. Church S. Does traditional orthodontics ruin faces? – a debate. British Dental Journal 2006;201:243-244. Available at: 

Popular trend lacks scientific backing and has potential to cause potentially harmful side effects.

AAO Warns Against Unregulated Practice of "Mewing" 

DMG Introduces One-Shade Ecosite One Composite for Posterior Restorations. Image credit: © DMG

Dental materials leader DMG has introduced a new restorative material––Ecosite One. This new composite, part of the Ecosite family, aims to deliver unparalleled color stability and efficiency in posterior restorations, according to a press release from the company.

Ecosite One boasts a single shade that eliminates the need for complex layering. With a curing depth of 3 mm and rapid polymerization within 10 seconds, Ecosite One offers clinicians a time-saving solution that is said to not compromise on esthetics.

At the heart of Ecosite composites is the distinctive "Push-and-Flow effect." Initially firm, the material becomes significantly softer, facilitating optimal sculptability. This unique characteristic is said to ensure the best adaptation while eliminating common issues like cracks and bubbles in critical contact surfaces between individual layers, per the press release.

The inclusion of DMG-NC-1 [non-clustering] technology further sets Ecosite One apart. This technology ensures a homogeneous distribution of particles, providing optimal working characteristics and enhanced polishability. The result is a high-gloss finish and esthetic results that patients desire.

According to the press release, key benefits of Ecosite One include:

Low Shrinkage Stress: Mitigating the common concern of shrinkage stress, Ecosite One ensures a stable and durable restoration.

Stain Resistance: Backed by data on file at DMG, Ecosite One is said to offer long-term color stability, providing clinicians and patients with confidence in the restoration's esthetic longevity.

Ecosite One is indicated for various applications, including Class I and II posterior fillings, Class V fillings, core build-up, extended fissure sealing, and restorations in deciduous teeth.

For more detailed information about DMG and its comprehensive range of dental solutions, visit 

DMG unveiled its latest innovation at the 2023 Greater New York Dental Meeting––a one-shaded layering composite called Ecosite One. 

DMG Introduces One-Shade Ecosite One Composite for Posterior Restorations

In part 4 of this 4 part series sponsored by SDI, Susan McMahon, DMD, discusses the growing popularity of over-the-counter whitening products.

Contemporary Cosmetic Dentistry – Part IV: When to Talk Whitening

Hi there, I'm Dr. Susan McMahon. I'm a clinician from Pittsburgh Pennsylvania

Lots and lots of people are asking for whitening that's just been growing like crazy. And we all know people are spending money on whitening over the counter. Lots and lots of over the counter products influences or selling whitening product. Um, you go into any, any drugstore, any Wal-mart, any Target, there's an entire shelf dedicated to whitening material.

I think it's really important that we offer that as dentists, because our patients want it, and if we don't give it to them, they're gonna look somewhere else. I also think it's really important that every time we do any cosmetic procedure, talk about any cosmetic procedure that we present whitening at that point to the patients too, because that's the time to decide whether or not they're going to whiten their teeth before we close their black triangle. Before we do direct composite veneers before we even do indirect veneers on the top whitening on the bottom. We want to kind of set the stage for the shade that we're looking for and then do our restorative on top of that.

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In part 4 of this 4 part series sponsored by SDI, Susan McMahon, DMD, discusses the growing popularity of over-the-counter whitening products, and the need for dental practices to provide access to the safest and most effective whitening approaches. [2 Minutes]

In part 3 of this 4 part series sponsored by SDI, Susan McMahon, DMD, takes on the desire for longer lasting restorations, and a new composite from SDI, Stela.

Contemporary Cosmetic Dentistry – Part III: Modern Restorative Materials

Hi there, I'm Dr. Susan McMahon. I'm a clinician from Pittsburgh Pennsylvania.

So composite resin, one of the most conservative treatments we can, we can do, right. But it's also one of the most esthetic treatments that we can do.

And we've been placing composites for a very long time here, my whole career i've been using composites, and I think that statistically, long term stability of composites has been a challenge for many of us dentists. And statistically, they last between 5 and 6 years. And we want to do better than that.

And so when we are looking at composite restorations, there are several places where the composites tend to fail. They're failing in class IIs at the base of the gingival box, they're failing at the margin areas in all classes of restoration, posterior restorations, and class V restorations. So how many of us see those class V that we put in, they get that little brown stain around them, or an occlusal restoration that has that little brown stain around it, or the class II restoration, that when you take an x-ray of it, your heart sinks a little bit because you see that translucency down at the base of the box.

So I think there's some really interesting new products that are coming our way that have been developed to address those situations. So we've taken all the things that we love and learned about composite over the years. When I started in dental school, we started with self-cure composites. And with big macro filled self-cure composites, and they were just as ugly as can be, they didn't finish well, they didn't adhere well, and we've learned so much about adhesive and composite over the over my career. And I think what's really, what we could do really well with composite now is we get beautiful esthetics with composite, we get beautiful finish, we get beautiful tensile strength and compressive strength. But sometimes we still have these issues where we're not getting long term adhesion. And we're seeing the failure in our class IIs, IIIs, IVs, Vs, all of that. So as we're looking to do, maybe better with our composites, get more longevity out of them, we look, we're looking at newer products that have some a different approach, let's say.

And the Stela product by SDI is a relatively new product. And it's a self-cure composite. And I know when I heard self-cure composite, I was like, oh, that sounds like a long time ago. But in fact, it's a composite that has taken all the things that we've learned about composite, and built it into a self-cure that gives us an unlimited depth of cure.

When we think about light cured composites, there's a lot of things that we're concerned about. And one of the main things is the shrinkage, is the polymerization happening too fast. And it's pulling adhesive layers off the wall, causing micro voids in the adhesive perhaps. And that's possibly where we're getting the failure in our adhesive. So when we look at a newer product that says self-cure, it's going to start its cure layer down at the adhesive layer. And it's going to cure toward the adhesive as opposed to away from it. And it's also an unlimited depth of cure. So there's no worry about trying to layer your composite 2 mm at a time, or maybe obliquely pack it, so you don't have, you know, see factor factoring in. So these are the these are the things that I find really interesting about the Stela that it's kind of overcome some of those problems, some of those challenges, let's say with traditional composite packing.

So it's a product that is very simple to use. You prep your tooth, you get your decay out of your teeth, and it works for me really well in areas that maybe are dark, deep class II restorations, I just did a really deep class III restoration with this the other day. You clean out your decay, grab your primer, and for five seconds, give it a quick air dry and then you place your the Stela composite and it has a really nice needle tip that let you get it all the way down into the deepest areas of the cavity. You flow it in. It flows in really nicely and you can fill it up the entire way. You can fill it the whole way to the top. It's a one and a half minutes or so, initial set, and then 4 minutes till you get to polish it. So it's a 4 minute set, but during that time, it is curing with the adhesive layer and it is married to the adhesive layer. It's a gap free adhesive layer. And I think that's one of the most exciting things is that we're going to have adhesive and composite gap free in between them. So that's something I'm looking forward to seeing how it performs over time. And it's also very esthetic. So I was sort of surprised how esthetic it is. And it's just a single shade. So very, very simple.

The things that I think are really important for clinicians today, moving forward in dentistry, is that we are looking for the most conservative treatment we can do to get the results that we wan. That the more enamel we're able to keep, the better our patients are going to be long term. If we're able to do minimal prep veneers or almost no prep veneers, if we're using composites, to finesse the smile as opposed to deep cutting, indirect restorations on them. I think it's also important that we kind of minimize our inventories in our offices. The simpler things are, the better it is not just for us, our team, but for our patients we're able to do more efficient dentistry and still get incredible results.

In part 3 of this 4 part series sponsored by SDI, Susan McMahon, DMD, talks about the desire for longer lasting restorations. Dr McMahon highlights Stela, a SDI's new self-cure composite could be a an option for improved direct dentistry longevity. [6 Minutes]

In part 2 of this 4 part series sponsored by SDI, Susan McMahon, DMD, talks about decay at restoration margins, and Riva Star Aqua SDF is up for the challenge.

Contemporary Cosmetic Dentistry – Part II: Arresting Marginal Caries

People are definitely living longer, which is a great thing, right? Especially as we're all aging, it's a great thing that everyone's living longer. But because of that, people that I've restored 20 years ago, are now aging into a more mature place in their life, let's say. And oftentimes, patients that are, say in their 60s 70s 80s years old, have dentistry that might be 25 years old, and they're not always in a position to replace it at this point. They're also sometimes can be going through medical issues. And we will find that we're getting recurrent decay, root caries, because as our population ages there's just going to be more root caries, there's going to be saliva that is not as robust as it once was. And we're going to see changes in their salivary content from medicines are taking and from treatments they're having, there's just more root caries. So we're seeing I'm seeing a lot of it.

And there's a couple of things I really am excited about treating these root caries with, I like for many of these patients, I want to try to maintain their dentistry and do the best thing I can to clean up these caries, there are some really conservative things we can do to restore these patients. Hopefully let them hang on to their dentistry as long as possible and get a result that we're confident with. So I like when I have a patient that's maybe a whole mouthful of crown and bridge, even PFM crown and bridge that I put in 20, 25 years ago, and we're starting to see those little sticks under the margin or you know, actual margins where our whole explorer just kind of sinks under that margin.

I want to try to save that for them. So I am taking that, spooning that out, sometimes round buring that out, sometimes taking a laser exposing a little tissue, getting underneath that decay, and then using the Riva Aqua product to really arrest the decay inside there. Because you can't always see underneath the crown, right? You can't, you can't see the whole depth of the restoration. But you can be pretty confident when you scrub it with the Riva Star Aqua that you're going to arrest the decay, and then you use the potassium iodide because you know I'm in a cosmetic practice and my patients care about the way they look. They care about the outcome of that they care about having black teeth, so the Aqua is going to give us that dark staining when we use the SDF on that on the caries for the caries arrestent, we're gonna get black, that's what we're hoping for to get the black caries arrested solid dentin and you're gonna see some black cementum too.

So when we scrub it with the potassium iodide, it takes away most of the blackness but when you scrub it, you have to remember you've got to scrub till you see the white precipitate. If you just scrub a little bit, you're not going to get the same results. You got to scrub scrub scrub a little bit longer till that white precipitate comes and then you know it's going to be much more esthetic. And then then we cover it with you're gonna get these traditional glass Ionomer to do that, so I'm using the Riva Self-Cure on top of that. Triturate it, and use the self cure, and it's really nice restoration to help these people keep their dentistry longer, get through whatever medical treatment they might need to get through and arrest caries for them.

In part 2 of this 4 part series sponsored by SDI, Susan McMahon, DMD, discusses the growing number of older patients with decay at restoration margins, and how Riva Star Aqua, SDI's silver diamine fluoride product helps her meet this challenge. [4 Minutes]

Susan McMahon, DMD, talks about growing patient awareness of black triangles and how she likes to use Luna 2 composite from SDI when closing them.

Contemporary Cosmetic Dentistry – Part I: Closing Black Triangles

It is amazing how people are so informed about cosmetic procedures these days. People are requesting more and more and more cosmetics. I've seen it 10 times more than 5 years ago, and younger people are requesting cosmetics too, and I think a lot of that is driven by social media.

People are out there comparing themselves to influencers and celebrities and people that have really had a lot of work done. And they're coming to us to seek out cosmetic care. And it's been it's been a wild ride. People now come in the door and say I want veneers. They also come in the door really frequently and say things like, "I have black triangles in my teeth." And that's a newer phenomenon that people know what black triangles are. And we're seeing a huge uptick in clear aligner treatment. And because of that, we all know that 40% of clear aligner treatment in adults results in black triangles, so people know what they are. And they're coming in and asking us to restore them. And that's one of my favorite things to restore, because it's a really pretty easy procedure to do. And closing black triangles can be a huge WOW factor for the patient and a big practice builder too, because so many people know about them. So many people are talking about them. And once you fix it, people are out there telling them, "Look, I don't have that black space in my teeth anymore." And you can do it really easily.

There's a lot of great techniques out to do it. I know there's the clear mylar band technique, and I use a technique where we use a section matrix band, a metal section matrix band that's really simple and cost effective and beautiful results. I like to use the Luna 2 composite because it's just just a right the right opacity to close that dark triangle and the handling is so beautiful for it. Of course the finishing is nice too. And it comes with a compatible flowable. You know the Luna Flow, you get a little void on the lingual. You can just put your little bit of flow material in there. Smooth it out with a brush and give it a cure.

In part 1 of this 4 part series sponsored by SDI, Susan McMahon, DMD, talks about growing patient awareness of black triangles and how she likes to use Luna 2 composite from SDI when closing them, a service she and her patients love. [3 Minutes]

Scottish company Calcivis® is unveiling its innovative preventive dental technology in the U.S. Having submitted a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Pre-Market Approval supplement to the FDA for improvements to its imaging system last year, the newly approved ergonomic, wireless, handheld imaging device is now ready for commercialization.

In line with the company's anticipated growth in the American market, Calcivis has established its U.S. headquarters in Milton, Massachusetts, and has bolstered its commercial team with the appointment of Ronald Frezel as vice president of sales and marketing and Jill McGregor as chief financial officer.

Both executives bring extensive experience in the dental and medical device space. Frezel, with over 20 years of experience, has played a key role in introducing dental products to the U.S. and European markets. McGregor has led financial management for multiple early-stage companies in the United Kingdom and the United States. The U.S. rollout will commence with a limited release launch in the greater Boston area in early 2024, according to Calcivis.

“With our U.S. commercial team in place and a very user-friendly, ready for market device, we are conﬁdent that the Calcivis Imaging System will signiﬁcantly improve patient care and enable restorative dentistry to move to a more preventive approach,” Adam Christie, CEO at Calcivis, says in a press release.

Frezel adds in the press release: “We are excited to bring the Calcivis Imaging System to market and are planning for our launch at the Yankee Dental Meeting, to be held in Boston from January 25-27, 2024. For the ﬁrst time dental professionals and their patients will be able to visualize active demineralization due to carious lesions in real time, chairside.”

The Calcivis Imaging   System is poised to revolutionize caries management through early detection, allowing for a more preventive treatment model. The capability to visualize active demineralization, an early indicator of decay, in real time provides crucial insights into whether a carious lesion is likely to progress and requires treatment.

The imaging system utilizes a patented photoprotein that, in the presence of free calcium ions released from an actively decaying tooth surface, produces a brief, low-level light flash. An integrated intraoral sensor within the Calcivis imaging device promptly detects the luminescence and presents clinicians with a chairside demineralization map. The Calcivis Imaging System is safe and effective for use in adults and children aged 6 years or older and can be applied to all accessible coronal tooth surfaces, the company states.

Founded in 2012, Calcivis has secured over £18 million in funding [about US$ 22,861,000], with investors including Archangels, the world’s longest-running business angel investment syndicate, and Scottish Enterprise, Scotland’s national economic development agency.

Calcivis has pioneered a novel imaging technology that allows clinicians to visualize early signs of active decay, enabling intervention before the development of a cavity that would require drilling and filling.

Following the successful attainment of the final stage FDA Pre-Market Approval (PMA), the company plans to roll out new device at Yankee Dental Meeting.