CDS 2022: Midwinter Momentum
A look at some of the new dental innovations on display during the 2022 Chicago Dental Society Midwinter Meeting.
Drone Dood / stock.adobe.com
Dentistry is a fast-paced industry, and the parade of innovations never seems to stop. Because of this, there is never true downtime when there are new dental products being introduced to practices. Still, there are times when the number of new products arriving for dental practices reaches a peak, and that is often around the time the industry descends upon Chicago, Illinois, for the Chicago Dental Society Midwinter Meeting. With so many new products showcased at the show, this month’s roundup is dedicated to highlighting some of the exciting new products that were presented in the exhibit hall this year.
[ Chairside CAD/CAM System ]
VeriONE Digital
Designed to provide dental practices with an efficient and complete chairside 3D printing solution, the VeriONE Digital system from Whip Mix includes 4 solutions bundled together to allow any practice to start printing crowns and bridges, models, splints, surgical guides, custom trays, and dentures. The system includes the VeriPulse intraoral scanner for efficient data capture, the VeriEKO 3D printer for fast and precise printing, the VeriWhirl resin cleaning station for postprocessing printed parts, and the VeriLUX light curing unit for the final curing of print resins. The VeriONE Digital system also includes training and support from Whip Mix.
[ Chairside CAD/CAM System ]
Ceramill Direct Restoration System
Designed as a complete solution for chairside fabrication of dental restorations, the Ceramill Direct Restoration System (DRS) is said to improve collaboration between practices and dental labs through the AG. Live portal. The DRS solution is modular with the DRS Connection Kit, including the Ceramill Map DRS intraoral scanner and its associated software. The DRS Production Kit adds the Ceramill Mind DRS design software and the Ceramill Motion DRS milling unit. Finally, the DRS High-Speed Zirconia Kit adds a Ceramill Therm DRS sintering furnace for rapid finishing of restorations fabricated from zirconia blocks.
[ 3D Print Resin ]
Flexcera Smile Ultra+
Said to be one of the strongest dental resins on the market, Flexcera Smile Ultra+ Resin is cleared by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for use in permanent, printable crowns, bridges, veneers, and full and partial dentures. It features long-chain chemistry and offers ceramic-like strength, as well as 3 times the fracture resistance of other resins, moisture resistance and a natural esthetic for patient satisfaction.
[ Apex Locator ]
Wirele-X
Utilizing the advantages of well-proven patented technology, the Wirele-X is described as a state-of-the-art, innovative apex locator incorporating advanced wireless technology to eliminate the need for long cables. The Wirele-X consists of a small apex locator unit and a 7-in high-resolution touch display. Measurements are transmitted from the apex locator to the display unit using Bluetooth technology.
[ Power Toothbrush ]
Hydrosonic Easy
The Hydrosonic Easy line of power toothbrushes uses an efficient droplet shape with its sensitive brush head. It touts up to 84,000 brush movements per minute as well as single-button operation, and the hydrodynamics allow it to clean into the interdental space. The Hydrosonic Easy is also designed for a 2-week battery life and has a timer for optimal brushing length. It comes packaged in a travel case.
[ Sterilizer ]
Lexa
Featuring a high capacity inside and ideal dimensions outside, the Lexa sterilizer is designed to fit perfectly into your reprocessing room. The efficient sterilizer was built to offer different cycles to fulfill the individual needs of different practices. It meets hygiene standards with its closed-door drying process with HEPA filters, and through the use of fresh water for each cycle. Additional features to enhance the user’s daily workflow include incredible efficiency, flexibility, speed, usability, and protection. The sterilizer fits within the W&H AIMS (Advanced Infection prevention Management Solutions) workflow.
[ Overdenture System ]
ENCOMPASS
The ENCOMPASS bundle is an all-inclusive and digitally-powered overdenture treatment system through a partnership with Absolute Dental Services. ENCOMPASS can reportedly reduce patient visits by 50% while providing them with customized, high-quality overdentures. Each ENCOMPASS bundle includes an Absolute NavaGation pilot guide and treatment plan; 2, 4, or 6 all-in-one Zest LOCATOR implants and abutments with a processing pack; and a Premium Absolute Forever Denture. The pilot surgical guide further adds to this precision and consistency, allowing the clinician to maintain the correct depth and placement for optimum overdenture support and patient comfort.
[ Electric Handpiece ]
Nova
Designed to overcome the challenges of a traditional handpiece, the Nova features a small head and slim handle to enhance visibility and access to the back of the mouth. The Accu-Spray Quattro Mix system features 4 asymmetrical air/water sprays, and its stainless-steel construction with physical vapor deposition (PVD) coating makes it 4 times more resistant to shocks, reportedly doubling the handpiece life. The lightest handpiece in the company’s range, it is said to improve ergonomics and reduce wrist fatigue. The optimized Cylcro gears and monobloc handle reduce vibrations and sounds, and it also offers Cool Touch+ heat-arresting technology and a sterilizable antiretraction valve.
[ Intraoral Scanner ]
VivaScan
The VivaScan is designed as a compact and intuitive intraoral scanning solution. A stand-alone solution, the VivaScan can integrate into the daily practice routine while reportedly offering a more efficient workflow. It features a slim, lightweight, ergonomic design, with the flexibility to fit into all workflows. Thanks to its plug-and-play function, it can be used as a portable system. The scanner comes with 2 different sized tips—normal and small—to offer a comfortable patient experience. The normal tip is ideal for general scans, whereas the smaller tip is well suited for hard-to-reach areas. Its high speed enables fast and efficient scanning.
[ Curing Unit ]
ProCure 2
As part of SprintRay’s speed-to-care ecosystem solution, the ProCure 2 can reportedly reduce postcuring times by 10 times or more. With 25 times more light power from a custom curing engine, dental professionals can cure a night guard in just 3 minutes—no preheating required. Mated to a user-friendly, cloud-connected touch screen computer, chairside 3D printing is now as simple as pressing a button.
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[ Prophy Paste ]
ProphyPaste HAp
Formulated with hydroxyapatite, ProphyPaste HAp is designed to effectively block open dentin tubules on exposed dentin. The result is a barrier that reportedly provides instant relief from hypersensitivity. The 1-step prophy paste is said to deliver outstanding cleaning and polishing results by offering effective stain removal properties at the beginning of the treatment and final polishing properties at the end of the treatment.
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[ Masks ]
Crosstex™ Isolator™ Duckbill N95 Surgical Respirator
This FDA-cleared and National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health-approved N95 surgical respirator features a large breathing chamber and is designed to reduce the spread of airborne infectious diseases. In testing, the masks resisted penetration by synthetic blood, bacteria, and other particulates.
[ Sensor Holder ]
Kimera GC Sensor Holder
Kimera GC is a bio-based digital sensor holder system manufactured using renewable raw materials. This new sensor holder system was developed with replacements for carbon-based oils used in the manufacturing of the plastics to create a more sustainable option for x-ray sensor holders and positioners.
[ Endodontic Irrigant ]
Triton
Formulated without EDTA or chlorhexidine, Triton is an endodontic irrigation solution designed to be highly effective while reducing the amount of irrigant needed. The material’s non-NaOCl components reportedly dissolve dentinal debris, which allows a lower concentration of NaOCl to be used. This multifunctional irrigant simultaneously removes organic and inorganic debris quickly and effectively. Designed to replace all irrigants with a single solution, Triton allows for a single step of irrigation during endodontic procedures.
[ Implant Abutment ]
LOCATOR R-Tx abutment for LOCATOR Overdenture Implants
Designed to be the next generation of abutments for the company’s LOCATOR Overdenture Implants, the R-Tx Abutments offer greater strength and improved ease of use. LOCATOR R-Tx Abutments are reportedly 30% stronger while offering 25% greater wear resistance and a 65% reduction in surface roughness. These improvements are due to the resilient Duratec coating, which is designed to help the abutment last longer. The abutments allow up to 60° of implant divergence for ease of restoration seating. They are available in a range of cuff heights and are compatible with all LOCATOR implants.
[ 3D Print Resin ]
Model Resin
Reformulated to reportedly double the speed of dental model production on the company’s stereolithography Form 3B and Form 3BL printers, Model Resin from Formlabs is designed to provide practices and labs with an efficient workflow for 3D-printed model production. The new formulation is said to reduce print time by 50% and overall work time—including postprocessing—by 60%. It can be used to produce restorative models, orthodontics models, implant analog models, and diagnostic models.
Download Issue: Dental Products Report March 2022
