Top 100: Upgraded and Updated Products

Updating a product isn't easy. There's customer feedback to consider, as well as how best to use those comments while maintaining the properties that made that product successful in the first place. This list recognizes some of the products that were able to do just that in 2011.

LED Dental Inc.

VELscope Vx (VELscope.com)

Using natural tissue fluorescence to discover abnormalities in the oral mucosa, including oral cancer, the VELscope Vx™ features a compact, cordless design that is compatible with standard digital cameras for documentation. The system’s powerful fluorescence visualization technology is designed as an adjunct to routine oral tissue exams via a non-invasive, 1- to 2-minute procedure. Disposable VELcaps™ and VELsheaths™ protect the device and prevent cross-contamination between patients.

Ultradent

Opalescence Oh! (ultradent.com)

Opalescence Oh! is a sticky, viscous whitening gel in a unit-dose application that facilitates delivery. After removing the bulb’s cap, the gel fills a single tray avoiding waste or mess. The time-tested, proprietary potassium and nitrate formula is said to increase enamel strength, minimize sensitivity, reduce risk of caries and provide a brilliantly striking smile. It is available in 10%, 15%, 20% and 35% carbamide peroxide options in mint, melon and regular flavors.

3M ESPE

Lava Software 3.0 (3MESPE.com)

Lava Software 3.0 for the Lava™ Chairside Oral Scanner C.O.S., is designed to make scanning easier and more efficient. New features include Easy Scan with more scanning options that require fewer wand rotations; Scan Rewind to retake a portion of a scan without starting over; Smart Scan that automatically eliminates extraneous data such as a patient’s tongue; and an Occlusal Reduction Tool that identifies under-reduced areas and premature contact points during the scan.

Patterson Dental

CAESY Cloud (caesy.com)

CAESY DVD is now online via CAESY Cloud, offering instant access to 250 multimedia presentations and access to the patient education resources from multiple locations within the practice. New videos and features are posted frequently. No installation and no network connections between participating computers are required. It is PC and Mac compatible, including iPads and iPhones. A monthly subscription fee is charged.

Imaging Sciences Int'l

i-CAT Precise (i-cat.com)

The  i-CAT® Precise™ Cone Beam 3D imaging solution for implant specialists and oral surgeons is said to provide complete clinical control and optimal performance. It features integrated Tx Studio software that affords total control to implant, abutment and restoration aspects of treatment. The comprehensive treatment tool allows the clinician to guide each case efficiently from plan to completion for enhanced surgical predictability.

Sirona Dental Systems

CEREC Software 4.0 (CEREConline.com)

CAD/CAM CEREC® Software 4.0 is a major re-engineering of the platform, which is said to derive the full potential of the CEREC AC Acquisition unit and Bluecam imaging technology. Enhancements include: multiple restoration design; the ability to work direct on the tooth; intuitive workflow; and streamlined restoration design.

Reality Engineering Enterprises

GURU 5 (howdoyouguru.com)

With a completely redesigned user interface, the GURU 5 patient communication suite provides enhanced usability and user experience while greatly reducing the learning curve. Loaded with hundreds of animations, it also features predefined case presentations and one-click operation, making it simple to present compelling treatment plans in seconds. The suite includes billable procedures, informed consent forms and a customizable look and feel.

Henry Schein Inc.

DDX Labscripts (ddxdental.com)

A new feature of the DDX digital case management system, DDX Labscripts provides dentists, labs and major dental technologies with the first digital prescription workflow to prescribe, route and manage lab casework online. A flexible, intelligent prescription workflow targeted at standardizing lab prescriptions, it guides doctors through case submission, then automatically routes casework among fabrication centers; it can be set to automatically send and receive alerts from outsource partners.

J. Morita USA

3D Accuitomo 170 (jmoritausa.com)

Highly refined, the 3D Accuitomo 170 X-ray unit features enhanced clarity and a new Dose Reduction feature that is said to reduce patient exposure by 30% to 40% compared with the previous model. The unit comes standard with i-Dixel 2.0 3D imaging software that also includes improvements such as an intuitive, new user interface that makes it easier to navigate.

Dux Dental

PeelVue+ (duxdental.com)

The PeelVue+ sterilization pouches now feature “Closure Validators”. These visual guides are printed on the pouch to help clinicians ensure a proper seal, helping to ensure patient safety. Pouches that aren’t sealed properly have seals or gaps where contamination can seep in.