Friday, December 19, 2014
The majority of the visitors to Dentalcompare spend some time looking at products in our directory. Products can be researched, compared and manufacturers can be contacted from these product listings, and it’s not just the new products that draw a crowd.
In our 2014 Year in Review we’ve already presented the 10 most viewed news posts, articles, product categories and new products, but now we finish things off with a look at the overall most popular products on the site.
The other lists tell something about trends. This one does too with a dominance of digital impression and laser systems. However, this list is a bit different because it shows the products with staying power. Only a handful of these products made their debut in the last few years. Shiny and new is exciting, but standing tall and being noticed year after year is a real testament to a product that’s made an impact on the dental industry.
Here are your Top 10 Products of 2014.*
10. 
Solea Dental Laser – The only new product to appear on this list made a big impact on the dental industry in 2014. Convergent Dental’s CO2 laser set new standards for what lasers can do when cutting hard tissue and providing pain free dental treatment to patients. Its likely interest in this laser will continue to grow.
9. 
iTero Digital Impression System – Align Technology’s digital impression system has been around for a number of years, but it continues to be a popular option for dentists looking to step into the world of digital dentistry. The system’s seamless integration with the Invisalign clear aligner system likely contributes to the lasting appeal of this unit.
8. 
iLase Personal Diode Laser – As the second (but not the last) laser to make this list, the popularity of this handheld laser from BIOLASE speaks to the way lasers are becoming a part of everyday practice for many clinicians. Diode lasers are simple to use, affordable and with a range of styles, powers and uses there’s likely a laser to fit every practice, and this is a popular option for practice that prize portability.
7. 
TRIOS Digital Impression System – Like lasers, digital impression systems are a rapidly growing area of dental technology. 3Shape’s open architecture system is the second (and again not the last) of these scanners to appear on this list. The TRIOS is noteworthy because it boasts advanced features such as automatic shade matching and connections to a range of chairside mills.
6. 
DEXIS Platinum Intraoral Sensor – This standard setting digital x-ray sensor has remained a popular product since it made its debut several years ago. With a mix of performance, durability and ease of use, this sensor continues to be one of the top choices for practices making the switch to digital radiography or adding a new sensor.
5. 
DEXcam 3 Intraoral Camera – DEXIS does a lot to promote its many imaging innovations, but this camera is rarely the focus of those efforts. Despite the lack of hoopla, the DEXcam 3 remains a popular option for practices adding an intraoral camera. Crisp images, easy operation and integration into the company’s imaging software likely play a role in the continuing popularity of this product.
4. 
CollaTape Absorbable Collagen – I really have no clue why Zimmer Dental’s collagen surgical dressings are so popular on Dentalcompare. Somehow Year after year they show up on this list surrounded by high tech offerings. Whatever the reason may be, it’s good to have a resorbable option when surgery or other treatments require it.
3. 
Epic 10 Diode Laser – The third laser to appear on this list is one of the most powerful and versatile diode lasers available. BIOLASE recently launched the next generation of this laser, the Epic X, so I fully expect to see that laser showing up on this list next year, but for now the Epic 10 is the standard bearer for the diode laser category.
2. 
CS 3500 Intraoral Scanner – The third digital impression system to make this list is Carestream Dental’s open-architecture offering. This simple to use scanner can be a part of the CS Solutions complete chairside CAD/CAM solution or a standalone option for capturing impressions that can be sent to almost any dental lab.
1. 
CollaPlug Absorbable Collagen Wound Dressing – At the top of the list with the most views during our 13 month product year is another resorbable collagen product from Zimmer Dental. Again, I have no answer for the sustained popularity of the mighty CollaPlug, but it attracts digital crowds year in and year out as a go to option for protecting extraction sites.
*The 2014 Top 10 lists are based on Dentalcompare traffic measured during the 13 month period from October 2013 – November 2014.