The Maturing Dental Technology and Materials Landscape

Friday, March 17, 2017

The Maturing Dental Technology and Materials Landscape

At the beginning of each year, the Chicago Midwinter Meeting introduces us to a host of new products, rivaling any other dental meeting. While this year did not disappoint, I believe we saw a shift in the theme of these introductions. Rather than seeing product innovation, we saw a maturing of existing categories.

For example, at one point, digital impression systems were science fiction additions to the show floor, invoking the expected “wow” factor. This year, we saw many examples of digital impressions improving workflow, accuracy and functionality. Rather than being “cutting edge,” this technology is simply becoming “the way we do things.” Dentistry is unquestionably in the digital age, and as always seems to be the case, there is no better time to jump in than right now.

Disclaimer: The products mentioned were chosen by me, and the companies have not paid to be mentioned in this space.

Fillings that do more than “fill”

For the most part, our current system of amalgams and composites do the same thing. They plug the hole we made when we removed decay from a tooth. While composites are technically “glued” into place, they suffer from the same problem over time: marginal breakdown of tooth structure.

I had a chance to hear Larry Clark of Pulpdent speak on this subject. His passion for clinical excellence and superior patient care is infectious, and it is displayed in the company’s restorative material, Activa. This is a “bio-active” restorative material that has all the best components of existing solutions. It is a composite that allows uptake and release of calcium, phosphates, and fluoride to maintain the strength of the marginal seal. It also has a “rubberized” resin to help resist fracturing.

The dispenser for the material is a gun style mixer with an automix tip, so placement is easy. While it is indicated for adults, this is definitely an ideal material for kids. Plus, there’s a ton of research, both completed and ongoing, that shows the long-term patient benefits.

Digital impressions – 3Shape takes it to the next level

As mentioned before, we are seeing a maturing of technology in the industry. Digital impression systems are no longer demonstrating that they can actually acquire an image. Many systems can do that. The question now is, ‘What can I do with that file?’

Every system can transfer the file digitally to a lab, and we are all well aware of systems that can fabricate a restoration chairside. Implant scanning is only starting to become a possibility, forcing many doctors to use traditional impression material for those restorations.

3Shape has introduced a solution for major implant systems that allows you to scan a digital impression coping in the mouth. There is also a code on the side of the coping that tells the software exactly what implant you are scanning. Now you are able to plan the implant position, fabricate a guide, and restore it with tremendous accuracy. Add to that integrated shade matching, and the capability to do an accurate full arch scan, and there is little left this system can’t do.

At the meeting, 3Shape also introduced its own smile design software. We have seen this in software before, but you almost had to be a pro at Photoshop to get it to look right. With the 3Shape solution, it takes just a few intuitive steps to give patients a simulated smile makeover, all in full color.

iTero Element – Still making waves

iTero Element

Speaking of digital impressions, Align Technology’s iTero Element scanner continues to make improvements to its functionality. New software features allow you to see a time lapse view of a patient’s teeth, comparing one year to the next. This helps monitor relapse or demonstrate a patient’s need to initiate ortho treatment. Even better, it has the integrated ability to show simulated movement of teeth for treatment. Similar to the smile design software, the iTero software will take a 3D scan of crowded teeth, and quickly move everything to the proper position. While this is not the final prescription for movement, it helps to show patients the possibilities of Invisalign, right then and there. If this helps patients understand and accept treatment, it’s worth the investment. Keep in mind you can still use this for traditional impressions as well.

The dental chair – reimagined

Perhaps the only thing that KaVo’s new dental chair system cannot do is prep the tooth for you. It’s called the Estetica E70 and E80. The first thing you notice is the chair itself is suspended from the side, allowing the clinician to move unhindered around the patient. The delivery system integrates high and low speed handpieces, electric motors, heated air, intraoral cameras, and hygiene instrumentation.

The best part of the delivery system is the touchpad. Rather than being a simple set of buttons, it is a full touch screen. You can, of course, control the chair, but you can also look up images from the patient’s chart to preview x-rays or intraoral pics with a quick glance to the side.

Cleaning functions for the chair are all integrated into the menus, and you can set up presets for different procedures or different doctors. The chair even allows for surgical situations requiring implant motors or saline irrigation. Mounted on the side of the chair is an integrated LED light and 22” patient monitor for viewing pictures or x-rays.

This chair system is the perfect choice for your main room where you do most of your work, especially if you are doing surgery in your office.

Core Operatory PackageBut what if you have 10 operatories you need to build? And does your hygienist need all this functionality? This is where the new CORE system comes into play. Created by DentalEZ, this chair was designed to be a more economical solution. Some may use the words “economy line,” but the chair looks like nothing but luxury. It features clean lines and a simple touchpad. You can integrate up to five different handpiece types, including the air water syringe, and the assistant instrumentation has up to four.

Being a fan of LED technology, my favorite part is the CORE LED light. It turns on with a wave of your hand, and is rectangular to flash light into your patient’s eyes. There is no “cure-safe” setting with orange lighting, but if that is important to you, you can always upgrade to the EverLight from DentalEZ.

 

 

 

Bonus New Product: Numbing, with no injection

If there is one thing I love about my Solea CO2 all-tissue laser, it’s that I don’t have to do any injections or drilling on a tooth for cavity preparations. Obviously, patients love not having to deal with the needle. But there are still those moments when numbing is required, such as cutting off an old crown.

Recently, the FDA approved a new non-injectable local anesthetic. Kovanaze is tetracaine HCl and Oxymetazoline HCl, and is applied with a simple spray in the nose. Its official indication is “regional anesthesia when performing restorative procedures on teeth 4-13 in adults and A-J in children who weigh 40 kg or more.” Of course, that’s a child who weighs 88 lbs. or more. On average, that is probably a 10 year old, so the indications for pedo teeth may not be as profound. However, I can’t imagine an adult patient who wouldn’t prefer this over a needle.

We will continue to bring you the newest product news on Dentalcompare. As always, we will try to continually be a resource for you and your practice by providing context around many of these new products. The goal remains the same: Finding the right product, for the right practice, at the right time.

Have another new product you saw, or something you would like to see us review? Drop a comment below!

 

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