Scott E. Rupp

	A simple saliva test yielding quick results-with an easy-to-understand, multi-point analysis-while providing opportunities for preventive or corrective care before signs of disease appear seems aspirational-until now.

	The SillHa Oral Wellness System quickly and efficiently provides dentists and oral health professionals the ability to clinically test their patient’s saliva to complement an overall assessment of the patient’s oral health.

	SillHa helps doctors easily measure three important oral health components, including the patient’s overall tooth health, gum health, and oral cleanliness.

	With a small saliva sample, SillHa provides an objective measurement of key components of saliva that have been used to show an increased risk to develop caries-tooth decay-and periodontal disease.

	Through the test, doctors can see if patients are at an increased risk for developing caries and periodontal disease. Using the dual reflectance method, SillHa measures the reactivity from a saliva sample applied to a test strip, and results can provide otherwise invisible information-the activity of bacteria, acidity, and presence of inflammatory markers.

	Erinne Kennedy, DMD, MPH, MMSc, a partner at Alliance Dental Center in Quincy, Mass., practicing since 2015, has used SillHa since 2019. 

	“I jumped on board and was really excited to use it because this salivary technology and evaluation solution can be used chairside,” she said. “It is efficient for my busy practice, and has been easy to adapt, implement, and use during patient appointments.”

	Dr. Kennedy’s staff tests each patient’s saliva using SillHa, about 150 per month, during each appointment, primarily as disease control, prevention, and treatment.

	The system is easy to operate and minimizes workflow disruption. It measures seven items in one test in five minutes chairside during the patient’s appointment, so results are available almost immediately. The system is also compact and lightweight and can be used in small spaces.

	The reports generated are visually appealing to support patient education and conversations about oral health.

	“Patients with no sign of disease or symptoms of pain or discomfort usually think they are healthy, but the salivary data collected by SillHa technology helps us gain a view into the things in the mouth that may be changing or in some cases unhealthy,” she said.

	This view into the mouth is especially crucial for patients who are undergoing physical changes, like pregnancy, or for those who are taking medications, so that patients and providers can identify the first signals of the disease process.

	In one patient, a pregnant woman who had no history of restoration, Dr. Kennedy used the SillHa Oral Wellness System and found the patient’s saliva indicated she may be at risk for unhealthy oral health conditions during the pregnancy. Because of the test results, Dr. Kennedy responded with care and prevention before any long-term damage was done to the patient.

	“A patient’s current condition or season of life can change, but we can now identify any changes in their saliva, even before there is evidence of the initial signs of disease,” Dr. Kennedy said.

	Patient response is overwhelmingly positive. “Our patients are obsessed with this,” Dr. Kennedy said. “I haven’t had a patient that doesn’t love having a saliva test.”

	Because of patient response to the tests, she now uses saliva to engage patients more, which-along with the results-helps them feel empowered and that they are taking proactive steps to improve and maintain their health, she said. 

	By using this technology regularly, Dr. Kennedy says her patients even request the saliva tests and are excited to see their results.

	“They want the data to track themselves and to hold themselves accountable for their health,” she said. “Saliva is a reflection of what’s going on in our bodies, and understanding the role of saliva is vital to understanding a patient’s overall health.”

	SillHa for use by dentists and other oral health professionals complements clinical assessment of their patient’s oral health. SillHa provides clinical measurements in three areas; tooth health, gum health and oral cleanliness. With a small saliva sample, it provides an objective measurement of key components of saliva that have been used to show an increased risk to develop caries and periodontal disease.

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SillHa Oral Wellness System technology allows easy testing of patient’s saliva, providing a quick clinical measurement of tooth health, gum health, and oral cleanliness.

A breakthrough approach to salivary screening for dentists

	Dental materials can be environmentally sensitive, so maintaining an optimal oral environment is important. A dry, debris-free working field can make treatment more efficient and restorative materials more effective, but obtaining that ideal working environment can present a challenge.

DryShield effectively performs the tasks of a high-suction evacuator, bite block, tongue shield and oral pathway protector in one easy-to-use device. The mouthpiece lets dental practices easily eliminate dependency on saliva ejectors, bite blocks, cotton rolls and gauze. At the same time, DryShield provides a breakthrough in isolation, bringing new levels of ease and comfort to doctors and patients alike.

, who has practiced dentistry for more than 22 years in Chula Vista, California, has used DryShield since the product first became available more than five years ago. When the single-use DryShield became available, he was excited to try it. Dr. Halabo’s practice is progressive technologically, so advancements in patient technology appeal to him.

	“The DryShield is super easy to use and provides excellent benefits,” Dr. Halabo says. “It provides for the ability for a patient’s mouth to stay open with their tongue out of the way during a procedure, and retracts the cheek while allowing nothing down the patient’s throat-everything stays clean and clear.”

Solve my problem: First all-in-one isolation system with autoclavable and single-use mouthpieces

	It provides for a clear, saliva-free environment for adhesion-especially important during implant procedures, he adds. Most importantly, the device also provides intraoral isolation. DryShield also allows for the ability to easily perform two-quadrant dentistry, reducing patient chair time.

	Dentists report reduced chair times by as much as 40 percent per procedure when using DryShield, meaning the practice frees up time, allowing for additional procedures or patients per day. While it provides all of the same benefits to patients as the reusable DryShield device, the single use version requires no cleaning or autoclaving, which frees up even more time for staff who can focus on other tasks.

	The multi-functional system appears simple, but along with isolation, the DryShield provides suction to remove liquids and debris, an integrated bite block to enhance patient comfort, patient protection in the form of a tongue and oral pathway shield, a cheek retractor which helps enhance visibility, and airway protection for patient safety. With all of this in one device, the DryShield remains simple to set up and easy to place and remove from the patient’s mouth.

All DryShield mouthpieces are made from soft and flexible material that contours to the patient’s mouth. The hands-free, continuous suction feature means patients are comfortable and assistants can multi-task. The DryShield system also is portable for ease of use between operatories and offices.

Related reading: The top 4 benefits of DryShield

	Patients report a more comfort- able experience no matter the procedure and typically face shorter appointments. In Dr. Halabo’s practice, patients’ reactions to the device have been welcoming.

	“We’ve been using isolation appliances for number of years, so patients are used to it, and we always explain the benefits of the instrument to them,” Dr. Halabo says. “All of our patients have gotten really accustomed to the DryShield because it’s less invasive than traditional isolation such as rubber dams, clamps, and cotton rolls. DryShield is really simple to use, in and out. It helps keep patients’ mouths open and they stay comfortable during the procedure.”

	In his experience, DryShield is proving to be better for adhesive dentistry, for isolation, and keeping moisture away from the work environment. For adhesive-based dental procedures, he explains, a dry, isolated environment means the restorations can last much longer than those placed in environments where isolation is not used or is not nearly as effective. Treatment overall, is more effective because of DryShield, Dr. Halabo says. Because of this, he uses DryShield on almost every patient.

	“Treatment is more efficient, and treatment time is quicker,” he says. “DryShield allows more efficient work and time savings during work. I definitely recommend using DryShield because it’s an excellent patient isolation method.”

DryShield provides simplified isolation while adding comfort for dental patients. 