DPR Top 100: The Top 10 Editor's Choice Products of 2023
Although the majority of the products included in the annual Dental Products Report (DPR) Top 100 are selected based on online traffic and other interactions from you, our audience, some impressive innovations do not make an immediate impact. Each year DPR’s editorial staff compiles its own list of exciting products that did not make the cut in their category. Here are the top 10 Editor’s Choice products of 2023.
// Instruments
Elvatome® 2.0
Designed to enable significantly improved access for simple to complex extractions while providing comfortable grip and compatibility with any shaped root, the Elvatome 2.0 surgical instrument features the company’s TWIST handle for optimal ergonomics. The 2.0 is thicker than the original Elvatome and said to reduce clinician fatigue and increase rigidity when working interproximally. The TWIST handle guides clinicians to make a recommended push-and-twist motion. The clinician can easily obtain a purchase point with a pen-like grip and convert to a palm grip, providing additional apical pressure along the tooth’s long axis.
// AI Software
Clinical Notes
Bola Technologies is making its artificial intelligence (AI)-powered Clinical Notes solution available to practices everywhere. It is designed to help turn tedious tasks into simple, quick engagements through the use of AI. Bola’s Clinical Notes can help practices conveniently standardize workflows, allow staff to spend more time with patients, eliminate the need to take notes between patients, dictate common workflows by working with practice management software templates, use standardized templates for insurance documentation, and alleviate work after hours by making note dictation quicker. The software was previously only offered to practices integrated with a Bola-supported practice management solution.
// TMJ Appliance
Urbanek TMJ Device
Developed by an oral maxillofacial surgeon, the Urbanek Device and Protocol is the only nonsurgical, custom CAD/CAM, 3D-printed resin device that alleviates inflammation of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). This FDA-cleared medical device was specifically designed to treat the root cause of TMJ disorder. The device, customized to each patient, unloads the joint just like a set of crutches unloads an inflamed knee, the company says. This works for approximately 85% of patients, reportedly, and the company has completed 4000 patient cases with a success rate of 95%, which indicates what can happen if patients follow the protocol. Patients have had successful results in as few as 2 office visits, the company states.
// Digital IPR
Viax3D
Developed in collaboration with Lou Shuman, DMD, this new solution uses dental CAD/CAM technology to simplify interproximal reduction (IPR) procedures while making outcomes more precise. The solution features 3D-printed guides in combination with specialized burs to offer precise IPR outcomes that maintain optimal contacts. This streamlined IPR workflow aims to reduce procedure time and enhance the patient experience. The Viax3D solution is designed to integrate with other digital orthodontic treatment plans to create a comprehensive treatment plan that meets each patient’s needs. The system is described as easy to adopt and strives to make orthodontic workflows more efficient and accurate.
// AI Software
OraQ
// Electric Toothbrush
Samba
The Samba robotic toothbrush is designed to allow people with disabilities to brush their teeth effectively and independently. This first-of-its kind toothbrush aims to make a big impact on improving oral care for people with physical and mental disabilities. In development for over 8 years by an Israeli start-up, Samba uses a pioneering combination of low- and high-frequency oscillations, propelling 12,900 soft bristles along the teeth with a dynamic brushing motion that helps remove plaque and debris more thoroughly from the teeth and gums. This technology is designed to eliminate the need for manual hand movements, granting individuals newfound independence in their oral care routine. Unlike traditional toothbrushes that clean only 1 surface at a time, Samba is said to clean 36 surfaces simultaneously, reducing brushing time from 2 minutes to 30 seconds per side. By simplifying the brushing process and optimizing oral hygiene, the new robotic toothbrush paves the way for a healthier future for individuals who have had difficulty maintaining proper oral health, according to CURAPROX, the product brand of Curaden.
// Salivary testing
Oral Health Pro™
Oral Health Pro is an at-home testing kit for patients to determine if they have biomarkers for oral disease or molecular features for oral and throat cancer. This test measures gene expressions and cells that are present in a saliva sample. Viome uses a proprietary RNA sequencing technology and artificial intelligence to measure markers and molecular features associated with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). Per Viome, cancer-free specificity is greater than or equal to 95%, and OSCC and OPSCC sensitivity is 90% or greater. Along with the standard results, Viome provides a personalized treatment plan, allowing for further doctor-patient collaboration.
// Practice Software
Yapi Leap
Yapi Leap is an advanced web application for dental practice administration and patient communication. With a completely redesigned user interface/user experience, it is more intuitive and has features and capabilities to address clients’ current and future requirements with a rapid onboarding process. Improving the experience for dental patients and providing better means to optimize efficiency and revenue for practices, Yapi Leap’s features include universal online dental forms, enhanced 2-way texting, form distribution flexibility, strategic mass texting, in-depth patient profiles, configurable online scheduling, and real-time user notifications.
// Patient Monitoring
ScanAssist
DentalMonitoring’s newest tool is the ScanAssist. This artificial intelligence (AI)-powered innovation enables patients to create quality 3D models of their own mouth to give to clinicians. Patients are guided through a step-by-step process to scan their mouth, using an in-app process that provides both audio and visual cues to start and stop scanning certain sections, per a press release from DentalMonitoring. ScanAssist is said to provide clinicians with a detailed treatment progression report through these scans. It is also said to be able to use AI to detect more than 130 different observations intraorally. Together, ScanAssist and the clinician can create a treatment plan that best suits each patient. Clinicians and patients can access ScanAssist through the DentalMonitoring app.
// 3D Print Resin
Direct Clear Aligner Material
Direct Clear Aligner (DCA) Material is a tough, flexible, clear aligner material. It offers high transparency without manual polishing through LuxCreo’s Digital Polishing™ technology. This process is said to simplify clear dental appliance production—aligners, retainers, and nightguards are reportedly printed directly with 80% higher clarity while eliminating 90% of material and 75% of the labor. DCA has received FDA 510(k) clearance for Class II indications.
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