Sirona Dental, Inc. (Nasdaq:SIRO), the company that pioneered digital dentistry, will ring the Closing Bell remotely from Las Vegas, NV to celebrate the 30th anniversary of CEREC and digital (CAD/CAM) dentistry. CEREC 30^th (C30) is recognized as one of the world’s premier digital dental forums and has attracted thousands of luminaries who have congregated at The Venetian^® and The Palazzo^® for an unprecedented three-day extravaganza of first-rate continuing education, technology, and entertainment.

In honor of the occasion, Jeffrey Slovin, President and Chief Executive Officer, will ring the Closing Bell. Slovin remarked, “After three decades of CEREC technology providing dental professionals and patients across the globe with state-of-the-art innovations and solutions, Sirona is honored to provide its esteemed clients with such a prestigious event. Sirona bestows its warmest welcome to our thousands of CEREC friends and family who have joined us to celebrate a technology that forever changed dentistry.”

Where:

The Venetian Las Vegas Hotel, Las Vegas, NV

When:

Thursday, September 17, 2015 – 12:45 pm to 1:00pm PT (3:45 pm to 4:00 pm ET)

CHAPEL HILL, N.C., Sept. 17, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Students in the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Dentistry, with the support of the Dental Foundation of North Carolina, have established a community service event that will be conducted annually to honor the late Deah Barakat and Yusor Abu-Salha, two of three victims of a fatal shooting in February 2015.

This year's community service event is being held today at 22 sites across the Carolina triangle area. More than 350 dental school students are participating and completing about 1,200 hours of service. The school has cancelled all classes and clinics, and will do so each year on the community service day.

Student leaders wanted to create something lasting and impactful to remember Barakat and Abu-Salha and their lifestyle of giving back to those less fortunate. After discussion among the students, they came up with DEAH DAY: Directing Efforts And Honoring Deah AndYusor. Barakat was a member of the DDS class of 2017 at the UNC-Chapel Hill School of Dentistry and Abu-Salha was a member of the DDS Class of 2019, which entered the school this fall.

"There were many requests to honor their legacies from students and faculty," said Kaushal Gandhi, a member of the DDS class of 2017. "Their legacy is that of learning, service, humanity, faith and compassion. DEAH DAY is the perfect way to pay tribute to their lives."

"When several students approached us about the honoring the memory of Deah and Yusor through community service events, it seemed like such a natural way to join together to honor their lives of service," said Jane Weintraub, dean and alumni distinguished professor at the UNC School of Dentistry. "They had such incredible hearts, often giving their weekends to help those less fortunate. I am very proud of our students for organizing and participating in this wonderful event."

Barakat and Yusor Abu-Salha had been married six weeks at the time of their deaths. The third victim was Razan Abu-Salha, a sophomore at North Carolina State University and Yusor's younger sister. The couple had planned to travel to Turkey to provide dental care to Syrian refugees and, following their graduations, they planned to open a dental practice together.

Sirona Dental, Inc., is underway with its widely anticipated CEREC^® 30^th (C30) Anniversary Celebration. CEREC professionals from around the globe have congregated at The Venetian^® Hotel and The Palazzo^® Hotel in Las Vegas for 3 days of education, keynote speeches, and entertainment.

C30 kicks off with general session speeches from some of the foremost thought leaders in digital dentistry, including Frank Spear, discussing optimal patient care in the digital world; Rella Christensen, instructing attendees how to overcome challenging clinical situations related to lithium disilicate; Sam Puri, reviewing the proper steps to prepare, fit, and finish CEREC restorations; and James Klim, delving into the art of creating esthetics. Breakout sessions will cover a comprehensive curriculum of disciplines, including digital radiography, orthodontics, implantology, and much more.

Following the educational speeches, the tradeshow floor opens to a plethora of exhibitors, exposing attendees to the latest innovations and providing endless networking opportunities. Furthermore, participants can see business and leadership speeches made by former NFL great Emmitt Smith and world-renowned life success mentor Tony Robbins.

Grammy-Award winning rock band Train is set for a live performance Friday, before the weekend culminates as attendees “Party Like a Rockstar” Saturday night at TAO the Nightclub.

“After many months of preparation and anticipation, C30 has finally arrived, and we’re thrilled with the reception thus far,” says Michael Augins, president of Sirona Dental Inc. “Sirona is honored to have the best and brightest in dentistry join us in celebration of three decades of digital innovations that have shaped the dental landscape.”

C30 provides participants up to 18 CE credits across a full spectrum of digital dentistry topics and tracks.

For a full listing of all educational courses and speakers, and to view a live streaming of the latest C30 updates in real time, dental and laboratory professionals are encouraged to visit www.Cerec30th.com. 

ST. LOUIS, MO – September 16, 2015 – Patients come to the dental office with clear healthcare needs, but each patient’s unique mix of desires and concerns complicate treatment.  Dentists are routinely asked about costs, time away from work, fear or anxieties, and hopes of whiter, brighter smiles. A delicate balancing act is required to develop a comprehensive treatment plan to satisfy patients. Some doctors are particularly good at this. Patricia Lugo-Blanco of Mayaguez, Puerto Rico is one of them. Dr. Lugo-Blanco recently received the Orkos Award for a case study that illustrates her fine sense of balance.

When the 71-year-old patient in this case study first presented to Dr. Lugo-Blanco’s office, it was clear that she hadn’t seen a dentist in many years. She was afraid of dental procedures, in part because she had several teeth extracted in the past, but she knew she needed professional attention. Upon examination, Dr. Lugo-Blanco diagnosed her with moderate to severe periodontitis. Her pocket probing scores ranged from 3-9mm with bone loss and she exhibited generalized heavy bleeding of the gingival tissue. Treatment of the disease was urged because the patient also had high blood pressure and is at higher risk for a cardiac event, which has a well-known association to gum disease. The patient accepted treatment. She also hoped that subsequent restorative work would repair her smile. 

For the treatment of gum disease, Dr. Lugo-Blanco focuses on the bacterial infections inducing the disease, so she makes sure that patients have the best tools to address the bacterial cause. Treatment started on June 6 with oral hygiene instructions and a homecare kit that included an electric toothbrush, floss, toothpaste and rinse. Dr. Lugo-Blanco also prescribed periodontal trays (Perio Trays®) from Perio Protect LLC (St. Louis, MO, USA) to deliver hydrogen peroxide gel (Perio Gel®, QNT Anderson, LLC, Bismarck, ND) deep under the gums where the infections hide. Patients use the trays and medication at home for just minutes each day.

“Perio Protect has become a priority in our office, as important as brushing and flossing, simply because patients can’t brush and floss away periodontal disease. The bacteria are too deep below the gums to be removed with toothbrush, rinse, or floss. But with the Perio Tray®, medication is maintained below the gums to fight the infections causing the disease. And,” Dr. Lugo-Blanco emphasizes, “we really want to address the cause, not just the symptoms, to improve patient health. We start with prescription tray delivery to get the bleeding under control. Patients then continue to use their trays between office visits and also after therapy to maintain the treatment gains.” In this case the periodontal improvement was necessary before the patient would be a good candidate for the partial dentures she wanted.

After three weeks of the new homecare regimen, the patient returned to the office for the needed cleanings and laser therapy. Bleeding had already subsided significantly and continued to improve. By November the bleeding was resolved and the pocket probing scores measured within normal limits, allowing Dr. Lugo-Blanco to prescribe maxillary and mandibular removable partial dentures, which improved both the function of the patient’s bite and the appearance of her smile. Importantly for the patient, her natural teeth were significantly whiter, a nice side effect of the hydrogen peroxide gel. 

“In our office,” hygienist Yesenia Ramos said, “Dr. Lugo-Blanco and our prosthodontist Dr. Rodriquez focus on patient health, but often patients want whiter teeth and fresher breath and all at an affordable price. With Perio Protect, we can provide health benefits and cosmetic improvements at the same time. These cosmetic side effects help with compliance. Perio Protect is a great value for patients. They tell us they are more confident with their smiles.”

The excellent results documented by Dr. Lugo-Blanco earned a case study Orkos Award, founded by Perio Protect LLC to recognize excellence in treatment of periodontal disease. “Orkos is an ancient Greek word associated with the Hippocratic Oath, “explained Dr. Tanya Dunlap of Perio Protect, “and Dr. Lugo-Blanco deserved the award for her attention to the patient’s periodontal condition, restorative work, and dental anxieties. Patient health and satisfaction can be hard to achieve, and Dr. Lugo-Blanco has our congratulations.”

LONG BEACH, Calif., Sept. 16, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Epson America today announced that Patterson Companies, Inc., parent company to Patterson Dental, and iDent have agreed to market a solution to U.S. dentists nationwide featuring Epson Moverio BT-200 smart glasses.

With the solution, a pair of Epson smart glasses will feature iDent's eye-CAD Connect software to assist dentists using a CAD/CAM system that produces 3D digital models of patient teeth for dental restoration.

With eye-CAD Connect, dentists can view a transparent, binocular display of the 3D model with the Epson Moverio BT-200 smart glasses while maintaining visual contact of the patient's teeth, eliminating the need to constantly look up at a computer monitor during procedures.

The eye-CAD Connect and Epson Moverio smart glasses solution will be officially launched and demonstrated at the CEREC 30thAnniversary event, being held September 17-19, 2015 at The Venetian and The Palazzo Hotel in Las Vegas.

The solution is currently being used by Dr. Vasquez and Associates, a cosmetic and general dentistry office based in San Diego, Calif.Daniel Vasquez, DDS, wears the Moverio BT-200 smart glasses in his daily practice while using a CAD/CAM system to scan his patients' teeth to create a wide-variety of dental restorations.

"Viewing a precise image display is indispensable to creating a quality scan and the Epson Moverio glasses deliver accurate and stable images with exceptional quality," Vasquez said.  "The Moverio smart glasses ultimately make me more efficient while increasing the precision of the scan and decreasing patient chair time."

"In addition, the Moverio reduces my own potential for repetitive stress injury," Vasquez said.  "By wearing the glasses I don't have to look down or over my shoulder to see how I'm doing in the monitor, preventing lower back, wrist and neck strain."

Once the patient's teeth are scanned, the dental CAD scanning system can immediately design and output a digital mold for a highly accurate crown that can be inserted into the patient's mouth during the same office visit, according to Dr. Vasquez.

"We are thrilled the Moverio BT-200 can serve as an invaluable tool in the dental field, and we are working closely with Patterson and iDent to launch the solution nationwide," said Eric Mizufuka, product manager, New Ventures for Epson America. "This solution demonstrates the power of Epson's technologies and our unique ability to deliver high volumes of production smart glasses to the market at a reasonable price."

The optimal device for 3D augmented reality applications, the Moverio BT-200 smart glasses feature micro projectors located on each side of the lens that project transparent overlays of digital content directly in the user's field of view over the real-world environment, while sensors enable head-motion tracking for hands-free navigation.

To see the Moverio BT-200 in action, visit the official YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/moverio. To engage with the Epson Moverio team on Twitter, visit https://twitter.com/MoverioUSA. For more information, visit www.epson.com/moverio.

NEW YORK, Sept. 17, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- With back-to-school now well underway parents across the country can help their kids excel in the classroom by caring for their smiles.  To better equip families and educators with the resources they need, Colgate has partnered with The Kids In Need Foundation and Country artist and mom Jessie James Decker as part of Smile for Picture Day™ - an annual campaign that uses the tradition of school picture day to promote healthy brushing routines.

"Picture day is an iconic tradition that marks a new year of learning and special milestones. When you're shopping for the perfect picture day apparel, make sure you add toothpaste and a new toothbrush to the list," said Dr. Marsha Butler, Vice President of Global Oral Health and Professional Relations, a dentist who oversees the Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures® program. "By scheduling dental check-ups and promoting healthy habits at home, we can help children feel good about themselves and the school year ahead."

To kick-off this year's campaign, Colgate has donated 25,000 Colgate® Kids'® toothbrushes and toothpaste tubes along with $25,000 USD to The Kids In Need Foundation, a 501(3)(c) charitable organization that prepares children to learn and succeed by providing free school supplies to students most in need.

"It is hard to learn without the proper tools, and Colgate understands that not every student arrives at the first day of school with school supplies," said Dave Smith, Executive Director, The Kids In Need Foundation. "When kids have the proper school supplies, we see their confidence soar. We know that with these supplies, students' classroom behavior improves and grades go up, because kids feel they have a better chance of achieving in the classroom. We want to thank Colgate for helping more children start the school year right."

Several studies have demonstrated a connection between poor dental health and low grade point averages and in some cases, children with poor oral health are nearly three times more likely to miss days at school than their peers due to dental pain.1 Each year, to help create healthy smiles, Colgate's award-winning oral health curriculum reaches nearly 9 out of every 10 kindergarten students and 3.5 million children in all 50 states.  Additionally, throughout the Smile for Picture Day™ campaign, Colgate's fleet of mobile dental vans will travel to more than 150 elementary schools providing free dental screenings to children in need.

Consumers are encouraged to show their support for children's oral health and this year's campaign by sharing their camera ready smiles on Twitter and Instagram using #SmileforPictureDay. 

"Taking the time to encourage healthy routines, like brushing twice a day, can be fun and easy, even for busy moms like me," saidJessie James Decker, who welcomed her second child earlier this month.  "I'm excited to join Colgate's Smile for Picture Day™ campaign to help fellow parents care for their kids' smiles – for picture day and every day.  Follow me on Twitter and Instagram to see how we're working on our Colgate smiles in our house!"

To access free learning materials, mobile apps, videos and more, please visit the Colgate Bright Smiles, Bright Futures® website atwww.ColgateBSBF.com. Also be sure to follow Smile for Picture Day™ Ambassador, Jessie James Decker on social media(www.Twitter.com/JessieJDecker and www.Instagram.com/JessieJamesDecker) for exclusive smile tips for the whole family. And, to find out more about the great work The Kids In Need Foundation is doing nationally, visit www.kinf.org.

Researchers at the University of Birmingham have shown how the development of coated silica nanoparticles could be used in restorative treatment of sensitive teeth and preventing the onset of tooth decay.

The study, published in the Journal of Dentistry, shows how sub-micron silica particles can be prepared to deliver important compounds into damaged teeth through tubules in the dentine.

The tiny particles can be bound to compounds ranging from calcium tooth building materials to antimicrobials that prevent infection.

Professor Damien Walmsley, from the School of Dentistry at the University of Birmingham, explained, "The dentine of our teeth have numerous microscopic holes, which are the entrances to tubules that run through to the nerve. When your outer enamel is breached, the exposure of these tubules is really noticeable. If you drink something cold, you can feel the sensitivity in your teeth because these tubules run directly through to the nerve and the soft tissue of the tooth."

"Our plan was to use target those same tubules with a multifunctional agent that can help repair and restore the tooth, while protecting it against further infection that could penetrate the pulp and cause irreversible damage."

The aim of restorative agents is to increase the mineral content of both the enamel and dentine, with the particles acting like seeds for further growth that would close the tubules.

Previous attempts have used compounds of calcium fluoride, combinations of carbonate-hydroxypatite nanocrystals and bioactive glass, but all have seen limited success as they are liable to aggregate on delivery to the tubules. This prevents them from being able to enter the opening which is only 1 to 4 microns in width.

However, the Birmingham team turned to sub-micron silica particles that had been prepared with a surface coating to reduce the chance of aggregation.

When observed using high definition SEM (Scanning Electron Microsopy), the researchers saw promising signs that suggested that the aggregation obstacle had been overcome.

Professor Zoe Pikramenou, from the School of Chemistry at the University of Birmingham, said, "These silica particles are available in a range of sizes, from nanometre to sub-micron, without altering their porous nature. It is this that makes them an ideal container for calcium based compounds to restore the teeth, and antibacterial compounds to protect them. All we needed to do was find the right way of coating them to get them to their target. We have found that different coatings does change the way that they interact with the tooth surface."

"We tested a number of different options to see which would allow for the highest level particle penetration into the tubules, and identified a hydrophobic surface coating that provides real hope for the development of an effective agent."

Our next steps are to optimise the coatings and then see how effective the particles are blocking the communication with the inside of the tooth. The ultimate aim is to provide relief from the pain of sensitivity.

CHICAGO, Sept. 15, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dennis Tarnow, DDS, of New York City is to be awarded the American College of Prosthodontists (ACP) Distinguished Lecturer Award during the 45th Annual Session of the ACP held in Orlando from Oct. 21-24, 2015.

Dr. Dennis Tarnow is currently Clinical Professor of Periodontology and Director of Implant Education at Columbia School of Dental Medicine and has a private practice in New York City. He is the former Professor and Chairman of the Department of Periodontology and Implant Dentistry at New York University College of Dentistry. Dr. Tarnow has a certificate in Periodontics and Prosthodontics and is a member of the American College of Prosthodontists. He is a recipient of the Teacher of the Year Award from New York University and has been honored with a wing named after him at New York University College of Dentistry. He has published over one hundred articles on perio-prosthodontics and implant dentistry and has coauthored three textbooks including one titled Aesthetic Restorative Dentistry. Dr. Tarnow has lectured extensively in the United States and internationally in over thirty countries.

"It is a great honor to be the recipient of this coveted award. The American College of Prosthodontists is an outstanding organization made up of the premier restorative dentists in the world. It is so very humbling to be recognized in this manner by one's peers. I thank everyone involved for allowing me to be this year's recipient," said Dr. Tarnow.

The distinguished lecturer award is presented to individuals (ACP members, non-ACP member dentists or non-dentists) who have made significant contributions to the welfare and advancement of the College or Prosthodontics; provided outstanding service to the College; and/or made significant contributions to the sciences or health professions. The winner of this award has presented high-quality original research representing a major contribution to Prosthodontics, or significant contributions to the literature, teaching or clinical applications.

Prosthodontists are specialized dentists with advanced training in oral health issues, who are committed to improving patient outcomes. From implants, crowns, veneers and tooth whitening, to full-mouth reconstruction, Prosthodontists specialize in digital dentistry, CAD/CAM, and cosmetic dentistry solutions.

The ACP is the only prosthodontic specialty organization whose membership is based solely on education credentials. ACP members must be in or have completed an ADA-accredited advanced education program in Prosthodontics.

Primotec announced that it is now a certified partner and milling center of JUVORA, enabling Primotec to bring a new treatment option in the shape of the JUVORA milled restorations or in disc form to its valued customers.

"Primotec is committed to offering innovative developments and novel products that outstandingly improve the quality of every piece of dental work they are used to create, and to contributing to greater efficiency and streamlining workflows in the dental laboratory," the company says in a press release.

The JUVORA Dental Disc is a high-performance polymer for metal-free prosthetics. Available in a wide range of sizes and thicknesses, the JUVORA Dental Disc is suitable for CAD/CAM manufacturing in 4- or 5-axis systems and can be milled wet or dry. The polymer is already used in abutments and healing caps by most major dental companies.

The material is the only polymer with a 15-year clinical history that has been used in more than 5 million implanted medical devices globally, according to the press release.

Because of the material’s natural flexibility, frameworks made from JUVORA allow for a more uniform transfer of stress to the underlying bone. This can reduce stress points in the mouth, which can lead to improved comfort for the patient.

To learn more about Primotec’s new offering and see what dental professionals and patients have to say about JUVORA, visit juvoradental.com. For more information or to purchase JUVORA, contact Primotec at 866-643-3129 or info@primotecusa.com.

Two of the dental industry’s largest companies revealed a blockbuster deal September 15 as DENTSPLY International Inc. and Sirona Dental Systems, Inc. announced the Boards of Directors of both companies have unanimously approved a definitive merger agreement. The combination will create a company known as DENTSPLY SIRONA with the largest sales and service infrastructure in the dental industry with 15,000 employees globally.

“This is an exciting day for both companies, for the dental community, and for patients around the globe,” says Jeffrey T. Slovin, President and Chief Executive Officer of Sirona, who will serve as CEO of the combined company. “We are bringing together two world-class companies that share a culture of innovation and will foster the development of differentiated, integrated solutions for general practitioners and specialists, particularly in the highest growth segments of the dental industry.

“Combining Sirona’s proven digital solutions and equipment with DENTSPLY’s leading consumables platform creates the most comprehensive dental solutions offering available to meet customer demand in every key segment. I look forward to leading the talented teams of both Sirona and DENTSPLY as we drive the global digitization of dentistry, offer superior solutions to customers and patients, and create The Dental Solutions Company.”

The combined company, supported by its leading platforms in consumables, equipment, and technology, will offer a powerful set of complementary offerings and end-to-end solutions to enhance patient care. Dental professionals across the globe will be supported by the largest sales and service infrastructure in the industry, supported by leading distributors, to deliver an optimized product range that will meet the increasing global demand for digital dentistry and integrated solutions.

“We are excited about bringing together two industry leaders,” says Bret W. Wise, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of DENTSPLY, who will serve as Executive Chairman of the combined company. “DENTSPLY SIRONA will offer a comprehensive line of solutions to more effectively meet the needs of dental professionals all over the world and advance patient care. With a strong financial profile, comprehensive product offerings, and integrated solutions, DENTSPLY SIRONA will be uniquely positioned to deliver attractive returns to our shareholders and make dentistry better, faster, and safer around the world. I look forward to working with Jeff and the combined management team to deliver on this mission.”

DENTSPLY SIRONA will trade on the NASDAQ under the symbol XRAY. DENTSPLY SIRONA’s global headquarters will be located in York, Pennsylvania, the location of DENTSPLY’s current headquarters, while the International headquarters will be located in Salzburg, Austria.

As Executive Chairman, Wise will work in collaboration with Slovin to execute the corporate strategy and to integrate the companies and cultures. Slovin also will be a member of the Board of Directors.

From DENTSPLY, Christopher T. Clark and James G. Mosch will serve as President and Chief Operating Officer, Technologies, and President and Chief Operating Officer, Dental and Healthcare Consumables, respectively. From Sirona, Ulrich Michel will serve as Executive Vice President andChief Financial Officer. The Board of Directors will consist of 11 members, 6 of whom (including Wise) are current DENTSPLY directors and 5 of whom (including Slovin) are current Sirona directors. Additional senior leadership positions at DENTSPLY SIRONA will be named at a later date, including representatives from both companies. The transaction, which is expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2016, is subject to the receipt of certain regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions and approvals.