Delcam has launched the 2014 R2 release of its DentMILL software for the milling of dental implant restorations. The new version provides a new mechanism for receiving parts from Delcam’s OrderManager system, more control when using multi-holder fixtures and new options for non-uniform scaling of items.  Smaller enhancements include improved library management and easier set-up for 3+2 machining.

DentMILL is an open-dental CAM solution, which can mill all types of restoration, including crowns, bridges and implants, from all major dental CAD systems on the market. It is based on Delcam’s award-winning PowerMILL software for high-speed and five-axis machining, and includes advanced strategies to mill restorations in any material from PMMA to titanium.

DentMILL is linked to Delcam’s OrderManager workflow management software so that the new part library is updated automatically once a new order is received. OrderManager then manages the whole process from the initial order through to manufacturing and final dispatch. At all stages users can maintain a ‘real-time’ view of the centre’s total order status. The improvements in the 2014 R2 release provide a quicker, slicker and more intelligent mechanism for transferring new restorations into DentMILL from OrderManager thus making the whole process more efficient and saving time.

Multi-holder fixtures allow individual restorations to be machined from discrete blocks of material, rather than machining multiple items from a single block. DentMILL 2014 R2 gives users more control when using this type of fixture. For example, if similar types of restoration are being produced in all the positions, the same set of strategies can be applied to the complete group. Alternatively, individual machining approaches can be used to calculate the toolpaths if each item is of a different type.

In addition, the machining sequence can be set up so that all operations with a particular tool across the various items can be completed in sequence before moving to the next cutter so reducing tooling changes. If preferred, each restoration can be machined completely before moving to the next item.

DentMILL has always offered an option to scale models to compensate for shrinkage of materials during the sintering process. This option has been made more powerful with the ability to undertake non-uniform 3D scaling, allowing more accurate scaling to give better-fitting restorations.

Data import has also been enhanced to improve the import of models from many different open and closed systems, an important area for an open system like DentMILL. In particular, more variants of 3Shape parts can now be read into the software.

Montreal, Munich - Dental Wings and FOLLOW-ME!, both longstanding valued technology partners of 3M ESPE, have announced their partnership in servicing Lava™ laboratories worldwide.

Since 3M ESPE announced in 2013 that it would no longer enhance or expand Lava™ Design 7 CAD software, Dental Wings has offered Lava users a customized version of its DWOS CAD solution, called DWOS Lava™ Edition. The DWOS Lava™ Edition CAD software has the same look and feel as Lava Design 7, is seamlessly integrated with the Lava™ Scan ST scanner, ensures database compatibility, and is optimized for Lava™ materials. DWOS Lava™ Edition includes all the most recent features and functionalities of Dental Wings’ native CAD software and is compatible with all future developments.

FOLLOW-ME! recently launched hyperDENT Lava™ Edition, which is an integral version of hyperDENT that contains all the latest hyperDENT features, including specific milling templates for all 3M ESPE Lava materials. hyperDENT Lava™ Edition can be operated on all existing Lava™ milling machines as well as on a selection of other open milling machines.

Dental Wings and FOLLOW_ME!’s partnership will ensure perfect compatibility between the latest releases of DWOS Lava™ Edition and hyperDENT Lava™ Edition now and into the future.

Glidewell Laboratories announced today that BruxZir® Solid Zirconia crowns and bridges have successfully passed the five-year mark in clinical usage, and have reached this important milestone with over 5 million units prescribed by US dentists.

Even as BruxZir Solid Zirconia passed the one-year and two-year marks with good results from respected clinical studies, many dentists expressed the desire to see how the material might perform over extended years of clinical service before they would elect to utilize it within their own practices.

Now, five years later, BruxZir Solid Zirconia is one of the most prescribed brands of full-contour zirconia restorations, a status owed to the countless dental and laboratory professionals who have adopted the material into their workplaces. As a result of its strength and unique vital translucence, BruxZir Solid Zirconia has revolutionized the landscape of dentistry by replacing bilayer restorations with a high-strength, esthetic monolithic option.

The newest addition to the BruxZir brand is the Full-Arch Implant Prosthesis, a fixed, all-zirconia implant solution for edentulous patients desiring a more durable and esthetic replacement for removable dentures. Constructed from 100 percent BruxZir Solid Zirconia, this full-arch restoration offers superior fracture toughness and exhibits flexural strength up to 1,465 MPa, making it ideal for enduring the functional stresses that dentures must withstand.

BruxZir Solid Zirconia’s achievement extends beyond Glidewell Laboratories, with labs fabricating crowns and bridges worldwide as part of the Authorized BruxZir™ Laboratory program. The tremendous effort put forth by the continually growing list of authorized laboratories ensures that dentists have access to authentic BruxZir Solid Zirconia globally.

For more information about BruxZir Solid Zirconia, the Full-Arch Implant Prosthesis or the BruxZir Authorized Lab program, visit https://www.bruxzir.com.

Attleboro, MA –Sterngold Dental, LLC offers Implant Abutments for most popular implants. This version of the ERA combines the overdenture attachment concept with an implant abutment. Itis made of titanium  alloy. Its ERA female is titanium nitride coated and works with the same overdenturemales used for patients with natural root abutments.

The prosthetic head of the abutments is alsomanufactured in the micro size. This attachment is reduced 20% from the original, making it the smallestoverdenture implant abutment,with no loss of performance. No overdenture abutment lasts longer andnone can compare to the true vertical resiliency of the patented ERA ImplantAbutment. There are straightand angled abutments to achieve functional parallelism even when implants are divergent. For more information or to place an order, visit www.sterngold.com

Woburn, MA-With its continuing growth in the United States, exocad America has announced a new senior support specialist, Jef Schwalbe, who joined the team in July. Schwalbe, a CDT and former small laboratory owner, is an experienced CAD/CAM trainer, having previously supported multiple CAD/CAM systems from Henry Schein, Amann Girrbach, and Sensable Dental. Schwalbe has lectured for Vita at Tufts, Boston University, UConn, and Harvard.  

Larry Bodony, President of exocad America, said, "We are thrilled to have Jef join the exocad America team—he brings a wealth of knowledge and experience as well as a great demeanor. I know our partners and their end-users will enjoy working with him." 

Also, due to increasing reseller/partner demand, exocad America is has moved from downtown Boston to a new office in Woburn, Massachusetts. The new location includes enhanced facilities for testing of scanners, mills, and printers, as well as a start-of-the-art training facility. If you're in Boston area, feel free to stop by or call 855-396-4223

Louisville, KY – Whip Mix is pleased to announce it will be holding the 3^rd annual Survive or Thrive Digital Forum on October 2nd and 3^rd in Louisville, KY.

The Digital Forum offers the opportunity for laboratories of all sizes to learn what it takes to transition into a digital-based laboratory and how to grow it while staying profitable. The program will feature well-known presenters, each with a wealth of experience and information.

Topics will include: transitioning a lab of any size into a digital one, achieving ROI on new technology, how to make your digital lab Lean, scanning and designing dental restorations, milling today’s restorative materials, 3D printing models and burnout patterns and much more. In addition, several lab owners who have been through their own journeys into the digital space will share their personal experiences.

For more information about the Survive or Thrive Digital Forum, or to pre-register visit www.whipmix.com or call 800.626.5651.

Hatfield, PA (September 12, 2014) -- i-CAT, a brand of the KaVo Kerr Group, is proud to announce that the i-CAT FLX cone beam 3D imaging system has been recognized in 2014 with the Pride Institute “Best of Class” Technology Award for excellence in its category for the second consecutive year. i-CAT FLX was differentiated from the competition for its unique characteristics that create value for the dental practice. The i-CAT FLX features clinical control over radiation dose and scan size along with comprehensive treatment tools that benefit both general dentists and specialty practices.

One of the most notable aspects of the i-CAT FLX is its capability for low-dose radiation exposure. Its QuickScan+ provides for a full-dentition 3D scan at a dose comparable to a traditional 2D panoramic x-ray *+. The i-CAT FLX allows for clinical control over scan size, resolution, modality and dose, while the updated Tx STUDIO™ software provides even more integrated surgical and orthodontic treatment tools to help dentists deliver the best care. 

Each product honored as “Best of Class” features unique characteristics that differentiate it from the competition in a compelling way, and more importantly, creates value for the practice. The unbiased and rigorous selection process is achieved by a panel that, in a spirited debate, discusses the value of different innovations. The panel members have significant knowledge of and experience in dental technology and are also actively seeing patients. Because of this, they are able to recognize the innovation that dentists need and should embrace as the profession progresses.

Dr. Lou Shuman, President of Pride Institute and founder of the “Best of Class” Technology Awards program, said, “The i-CAT FLX was chosen for its unique innovations with the most significant being its low-dose options. With radiation dose as a great concern to dentists and patients alike, the panel applauded the ability of this comprehensive system to achieve a full-dentition 3D scan with radiation exposure comparable to a 2D pan*. It is apparent that i-CAT has made low dose a priority.”

“We, at i-CAT are thrilled that the i-CAT FLX has again won this prestigious honor,” noted Rick Matty, Director of Marketing for i-CAT. “This recognition by such a well-respected panel confirms our commitment to listening to the concerns of clinicians, and then to allocating resources to research and development of low radiation dose and clinically beneficial 3D imaging products. With this year marking our 10th Anniversary, our celebration is magnified by achieving the Pride Institute “Best of Class” honor.”

“Best of Class” represents an unbiased, non-profit assessment of available technologies in the dental space. The dental community will have an opportunity to see the winning products in person at the Pride Tech Expo at the American Dental Association’s Annual Meeting on October 9-11 in San Antonio, TX. The event offers face-to-face interaction with the companies as well as technology-centered education provided by members of the panel as well as the esteemed consultants of Pride Institute.

Anesthesia Progress – The anesthetic drug midazolam is in widespread use for brief dental and medical procedures due to its sedative and amnestic properties. However, cardiorespiratory depression can occur when it is given in higher doses or repeatedly to achieve deeper levels of sedation. A new study tests the ability of an added drug, adenosine 5′-triphosate (ATP), to safely achieve these deeper levels of anesthesia.

The current issue of the journal Anesthesia Progress reports results of a study of 10 healthy volunteers who underwent two anesthetic experiments at least 2 weeks apart. In one session, the volunteers received intravenous bolus administration of midazolam followed by a continuous infusion of ATP for 40 minutes. In the other session, the patients received a placebo infusion of saline after the midazolam.

The patients were monitored for 60 minutes. Changes in systolic blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and other cardiorespiratory measures were recorded every 5 minutes. Bispectral index (BIS) was used to evaluate the depth of anesthesia the patients experienced.

BIS analyzes electroencephalogram (EEG) patterns to continuously assess the depth of sedation. The patients’ consciousness was evaluated by their response to verbal commands such as “squeeze my fingers” and “open your eyes.” These parameters showed a deeper level of sedation for the use of midazolam plus ATP.

Under midazolam alone, patients showed a BIS value that went from 97 (±1) prior to administration to 68 (±18) after 25 minutes. The volunteers remained conscious, but showed signs of significant cardiopulmonary depressant effects. However, following 15 to 30 minutes of coadministration of ATP, no adverse cardiorespiratory effects were seen and patients became unconscious. The BIS value further reduced to 51 (±13) after receiving ATP.

No adverse effects such as hypotension, chest pains, headache, nausea, or vomiting were seen. The authors conclude that the addition of ATP significantly enhances the sedation effect of midazolam with improved cardiorespiratory functions.

Full text of “IV ATP Potentiates Midazolam Sedation as Assessed by Bispectral Index,” Anesthesia Progress, Vol. 61, No. 3, 2014, is available at https://anesthesiaprogress.org/doi/full/10.2344/0003-3006-61.3.95.

(Cleveland, OH) – The American Academy of Facial Esthetics (AAFE) has announced a new live patient training course entitled “Treating Black Triangles.” The course will focus solely on treating deficient interdental papilla, otherwise known as black triangles. The procedures taught in this course have been developed and mastered by the AAFE faculty using dermal filler materials.

Dentists gain live patient, hands-on knowledge in non-surgical, minimally invasive procedures to correct deficient interdental papilla in a matter of minutes. Black Triangle Live Patient training will be held in Cleveland, OH at the AAFE Training Center on October 22nd and November 12th, 2014.

“The AAFE is excited to share new techniques for treating the dreaded black triangle. This is a very common problem seen daily in dental practices. Until now, there was no simple solution and it was hard to treat. The AAFE protocol for black triangle treatment is something every dental professional should be offering their patients” said AAFE President, Dr. Louis Malcmacher.

AAFE courses provide accredited training equal to and often exceeding education taught in academic communities around the world. For more information about nationwide live patient and on-demand course offerings, visit facialesthetics.org or call 800-952-0521.