SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Digital Dental Lab, based inLaguna Hills, CA, and Dental Laboratory Milling Supplies, based in Scottsdale, AZ, announce they have merged in order to offer a comprehensive suite of CAD/CAM solutions for digital dentistry.  The merger brings together Dental Mill machines and SinterMax ovens.  The new combined company will be known as Digital Dental and will be headquartered in Scottsdale.

The companies develop advanced technologies and materials, which enable dental laboratories to use computer aided design to create stronger and higher quality dental restorations (crowns, bridges, and dentures). The newly combined company is the only American-made provider of materials and milling machines in the dental laboratory industry. 

The four founders -- Scott and Anna Atkin and Kim and Cameron Karpowitz -- have been working closely for years in advance of the now official merger.  All of the founders are staying on at the new company and are excited about the growth opportunities ahead.

"We are entirely focused on being partners with our customers," said Kim Karpowitz.  "I believe this merger uniquely positions us to continue our leadership role in milled full contour posterior, anterior, and implant restorations."

The combined company also includes a "Center for Excellence" advanced dental milling research and training laboratory in Scottsdale.

"At our research facility, we are not only developing cutting edge techniques and products for milling zirconia, but also harder materials, including titanium, hybrid nano-ceramics, and PEEK," said Scott Atkin.  "I believe the merger strengthens our customer service relationship with our clients putting material support, hardware support, training and best practices advice under one umbrella.  It also ensures that machining enhancements will grow lockstep with evolving dental materials."

The merger was arranged and led by Villhard Growth Partners ("VGP") based in St. Louis, MO.  VGP specializes in making growth investments in established companies in growing industries that anticipate future innovation.  Additional investors include First Capital Partners and Spectrum Financial Services, both of Omaha, NE.

"The Atkin's and the Karpowitz's are amazing innovators and entrepreneurs," said Pete Villhard, VGP managing partner.  "They have a unique way of understanding their dental lab customers' needs and developing innovative solutions to help them grow and expand their businesses."

At the upcoming LMT Dental Lab Show this February in Chicago, Digital Dental will be showing off some recent innovations including its new Crystal Anterior zirconia along with its new Dental Mill 4 HD (heavy duty) milling machine design for titanium and other harder materials. 

For additional questions or for interview requests please contact Rich McComas at rich@digitaldental.com.

Jericho, NY (February 23, 2016) –Darby Dental Supply, LLC, the nation’s largest all-telesales distributor of dental products, recently formed a partnership with Dental Fix Rx, the fastest growing service franchise in the country, to bring dental equipment service and repair to their customers. “We have listened closely to our customers as they discussed their business needs," reported Scott Walsh, Vice President of Sales at Darby Dental Supply. “Partnering with expert technicians at Dental Fix RX provides the services that our customers want and need, while allowing us to continue to offer products at more competitive pricing without carrying the fixed expense of an in-house team of service technicians.” David Lopez, CEO for Dental Fix Rx, a nationwide company with 200+ franchises specializing in the repair and installation of dental equipment couldn’t agree more. “Customer service is one of the key factors in Dental Fix Rx’s success” said Lopez, “Darby is a very customer-centric organization and we see a lot of synergies here that will help both businesses grow in this changing economy.”

Darby expanded its capital equipment offerings a few years ago, after redefining its overall business model. “We’ve seen tremendous growth in this category year-over-year, and we are thrilled that Dental Fix RX will be providing high-quality service and repair to our customers,” stated Richard Kelstein, Darby’s National Equipment Sales Manager. He added, “We have had ongoing discussions with manufacturers and are working to expand new and existing product lines now that we are partnering with Dental Fix RX to provide direct service and repair to our customers.”

In addition to the synergies in dental, both companies are huge supporters of the military, with Darby providing numerous contributions throughout the years to U.S. troops deployed overseas and Dental Fix offering franchise discounts and incentives for military veterans looking to start their own repair business. 

For more information about all Darby services and products, visit www.darby.com.

For more information about Dental Fix Rx franchises and services, visit www.dentalfixrx.com

Anesthesia Progress – Many people are afraid of needles, but children are especially fearful. As a result, dentists are continually looking for ways to make injections less painful and therefore less frightening. Thankfully, new research provides evidence of a promising technique.

The article describing this technique was published in the current issue of the journal Anesthesia Progress. The authors intentionally focused on children when they sought a way to reduce pain associated with local anesthetic injections during dental work. They tested a two-stage injection technique designed to cause less pain.

Dental disease is one of the most common chronic health problems among children, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It accounts for many lost days at school, chronic mouth pain, and difficulty eating. However, putting a child in pain in a dentist’s chair and then approaching that child with a needle of anesthetic can lead to tears and tantrums. For these reasons, the authors of the current study felt that, when it comes to pain control, children should be the target group.

Their study involved 100 children between 7 and 13 years of age who needed local anesthetic before dental treatment. Children received either a conventional injection or a two-stage injection at their first appointment. A week later, each child received the other injection on the opposite side of the mouth. The authors evaluated the pain experienced by each child each time an injection was given, using a pair of rating scales.

They found that by placing a gel anesthetic in the gum area, depositing a small amount of injectable anesthetic, and then waiting 5 minutes, the full injection was far less painful. This two-stage technique resulted in significantly lower pain levels, both reported by the children and observed by the researchers, compared to the pain felt when the conventional technique was used.

The authors concluded that the two-stage injection “is a simple and effective means of reducing injection pain in children.” This technique may improve children’s experience at the dentist and remove one of the barriers to effective dental care.

St. Louis — February 23, 2016 –– Many people are not aware that soft drinks – even diet soft drinks, sports and energy drinks, and fruit drinks – contain acids, which can be especially troublesome for people in orthodontic treatment. The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) strongly advises patients in orthodontic treatment to avoid drinks with low pH (acidic) levels. A new AAO educational flier, Soft Drinks + Orthodontic Treatment = A Recipe for Disaster, lists pH levels of more than 30 soft drinks, including sports and energy drinks, fruit juices, and regular and diet soda pop. 

“It’s tempting to reach for soft drinks. People around us drink them regularly, they are easily purchased in vending machines and at convenience stores, and many are heavily advertised,” says Morris N. Poole, DDS, president of the AAO. “Sugar is known to be bad for the teeth, but sugar-free soft drinks present dangers, as well. 

“Consumption of soft drinks during orthodontic treatment puts teeth at risk of decay due to the acid attack on enamel,” says Dr. Poole. He hopes a closer look at the science of decay might make that next soft drink a little less appealing. “The acid in soft drinks pulls calcium out of tooth enamel. Repeatedly bathing teeth with acidic soft drinks dissolves enamel, a process called ‘decalcification,’ and that’s a sure path to a cavity. If soft drinks contain sugar, the risk increases. Sugar interacts with plaque and forms yet another acid to further dissolve enamel. When enamel is gone, the loss is permanent.” 

Dr. Poole notes that water is an excellent drink of choice, especially for orthodontic patients. The pH of water is 7.0, and is considered neutral on the pH scale, which ranges from 0 to 14. Liquids below 7.0 are on the acidic side of the pH scale. Tooth enamel begins to dissolve at a pH level of 5.5. As listed in Soft Drinks + Orthodontic Treatment = A Recipe for Disaster, the majority of the soft drinks in AAO-commissioned testing fell below the threshold of 5.5 pH. The lower the pH level, the more acidic the beverage. 

Plaque

Plaque is a sticky, colorless film made up of bacteria, food debris and saliva. It forms constantly on teeth. Plaque uses sugar and starches as food, and expels acid as a by-product. Coupled with the acid that is present in many soft drinks, consuming liquids that contain sugar increases the risk to tooth enamel. Frequent brushing throughout the day and daily flossing removes most plaque. Hard-to-reach plaque requires professional attention, so orthodontic patients are advised to see their family dentist for professional cleanings at least every six months during treatment, or more often if recommended. 

Damage You Can See

“I like to tell patients that a single sip of a soft drink is the catalyst for an attack on tooth enamel, and the attack is renewed with each new sip,” says Dr. Poole. Decalcification can leave white spots or lines on teeth. The portion of a tooth covered by a bracket is protected, but decalcification around the perimeter of the bracket can leave the tooth with a permanent outline of where the bracket had been. “This is a huge disappointment to patients and their orthodontists,” says Dr. Poole, and, he notes, is one of the reasons that orthodontists insist that patients brush and floss as recommended. “Consider, too, that the pH level of soft drinks varies. It just makes sense that acidic drinks can’t be good for your teeth, let alone your overall health.” 

Recommendations

Overall, orthodontic patients should: 

• Never consume soft drinks while wearing clear aligners or clear retainers. 

• Drink fluoridated water and use a fluoride toothpaste. 

• Always follow their orthodontist’s instructions on oral hygiene (brushing, flossing and regular professional cleanings). A little extra diligence goes a long way toward reaching the goal of orthodontic treatment: a healthy, beautiful smile. 

If orthodontic patients consume soft drinks, there are important measures to follow to minimize damage to tooth enamel: 

• Drink soft drinks through a straw. 

• Have soft drinks with a meal. 

• Drink the soft drink quickly; avoid sipping over a long period of time. 

• Brush right away after consuming soft drinks, including sports and energy drinks, fruit juices, and regular and diet soda pop. If you can’t brush right away, at least rinse with water. 

“Realistically, we recognize that patients may indulge in soft drinks from time to time,” says Dr. Poole. “While we don’t begrudge anyone the occasional sweet treat, it is imperative that for good oral health, the indulgence is immediately followed by thorough brushing and flossing. We want the very best outcomes for our patients.” 

Zimmer Biomet’s dental division is pleased to announce the availability of its new 3.1 mmD Eztetic™ Implant, manufactured by Zimmer Dental, and accompanying surgical and restorative components. The 3.1mmD Eztetic Implant offers a strong, esthetic solution for narrow anterior sites.

“Zimmer Biomet’s dental division takes pride in developing high-quality products based upon solid research and feedback from our customers. We had a vision to create a narrow, strong anterior solution with high primary stability which will enable clinicians to perform immediate restorations, when appropriate, in the esthetic zone. We are pleased that the 3.1mmD Eztetic Implant achieves this vision with a balance of features designed for strength and beauty in the anterior,” said Michael Collins, who served as the Zimmer Dental Vice President of R & D during the implant’s development.

Exceptional Strength & Primary Stability

The 3.1mmD Eztetic Implant is designed to offer improvements over similar commercially available implants, particularly in the areas of strength and primary stability. When compared to select competitive implants of similar diameters, the Eztetic Implant achieved a 43% higher fatigue strength.1 In addition, the implant performed exceptionally well in insertion torque and torsional yield strength testing.1

Three Principles Combined to Create One State-of-the-Art Connection

For the first time, three concepts have been combined to create a precise implant-abutment connection designed to reduce micromovement and microleakage. This unique connection consists of a conical interface, platform switch and Double Friction-Fit™ technology designed to make strong narrow-diameter implants indicated for all anterior areas.

Designed for Superior Esthetic Outcomes

The Eztetic implant-abutment connection, along with a Contour Abutment profile, is designed to provide space for soft tissue and esthetic emergence of the restoration.

In addition, a wide range of user-friendly restorative options are available, including abutments for cement-retained, custom, and overdenture restoration, aiming to give clinicians the ability to perform quality esthetic restorations with confidence and ease.

The Zimmer Biomet dental division represents the joined forces of Zimmer Dental and BIOMET 3i and is a leader in oral health care solutions. They have operations in 25 countries around the world and sell products in more than 100 countries. For more information, visit www.zimmerdental.com and www.biomet3i.com. To learn more about the new 3.1mmD Eztetic Implant, go to www.zimmerdental.com/eztetic.

References

1. Data on file 

NEW YORK, Feb. 22, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Many of the world's foremost experts on oral cancer will gather together to explore ways to reduce the disease's global impact at the Global Oral Cancer Forum, a first-of-its-kind event scheduled for March 4-5 at New York University's Kimmel Center. 

The Forum comes at a time when nearly 500,000 people worldwide are diagnosed annually with oral and oropharyngeal cancer, according to data from the International Agency for Research on Cancer's Globocan 2000 database and the World Health Organization's Mortality Database. Of that number, one-third to one-half lose their lives annually, many more suffer from the complications of treatment, and—despite the easy accessibility to these body sites by health care providers and the overall impact early detection could have on a person's overall health—more than two-thirds are diagnosed in advanced stages where the cancer has already spread to regional lymph nodes or beyond.

"Rarely have so many oral cancer stakeholders from around the globe been in the same room together, exchanging ideas and learning from one another in pursuit of a unifying goal: a world in which oral cancer is detected earlier and affects fewer lives," said Dr. A. Ross Kerr, Chair of the Forum's Organizing Committee. "Achieving this goal requires new partnerships, fresh perspectives, and a shared vision for increasing awareness and enhancing early detection and prevention, and the Global Oral Cancer Forum is the ideal place to start."

Dr. Michael C. Alfano, Executive Vice President Emeritus of New York University (NYU) and a leading voice in oral cancer education, will serve as the keynote speaker of the Forum, which will convene clinicians, scientists, epidemiologists, activists, public health experts, nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and other stakeholders who are working to understand how to reduce the global oral cancer burden. Paired delegates from eight regions of the world will provide short presentations summarizing the oral cancer situation in their respective regions. The Forum will also include panel discussions examining gaps and innovations in various domains across the oral cancer continuum, with a particular emphasis on early detection.

The Forum is underwritten by an educational grant from the Henry Schein Cares Foundation, Inc., an independent 501(c)(3) organization founded by Henry Schein, Inc.

"The Global Oral Cancer Forum will lay the groundwork for a concentrated effort to fight oral cancer on a global scale by facilitating the exchange of ideas and research between some of the finest minds in the medical and oral health communities, and the public and private sectors," said Stanley M. Bergman, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Henry Schein, Inc. "Raising awareness and enhancing early detection and prevention efforts are keys to reducing the incidence and impact of oral cancer, a disease that serves as a stark reminder of the vital importance of good oral health to a person's overall health. This Forum exemplifies Henry Schein's commitment to wellness and prevention in this regard. Henry Schein is proud to stand with our partners in this endeavor as we work to 'help health happen' together."

In addition to the scheduled presentations and panel discussions, the Forum will also feature "Faces of Oral Cancer," a photo exhibit by braschler/fischer that contains images of oral cancer survivors and demonstrates the disease's devastating impact. A white paper will be generated from the Forum to outline a plan of action to enhance research, public awareness, and early detection and prevention.

"NYU and Henry Schein have been working together for many years to increase oral cancer awareness and enhance diagnosis, and it is particularly fulfilling to see such a large assemblage of talented individuals from around the world come together in like cause," Dr. Alfano said. "The diverse mix of attendees with research, public health and communication skills among many others, sets up the potential to create a 'virtuous cycle' whereby the public becomes more informed about oral cancer which in turn will lead to more research support to improve our understanding, treatment and diagnosis of this deadly disease."

The Forum's Organizing Committee is chaired by Dr. Kerr, Clinical Professor, New York University College of Dentistry, and also includes Dr. Saman Warnakulasuriya, Professor Emeritus, King's College London; J. Silvio Gutkind, Professor, University of California San Diego Moores Cancer Center; Dr. Miriam Rosen, Director, British Columbia Oral Cancer Prevention Program, BC Cancer Agency; Dr. Jatin Shah, Chief, Head and Neck Service, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center; Steve Kess, President, Henry Schein Cares Foundation; and Shannon Nanne, Executive Director, Global Oral Cancer Forum.

In addition to the Henry Schein Cares Foundation, the Forum is supported by the following intellectual partners: the World Health Organization, the American Academy of Oral Medicine, the American Dental Hygienists Association, the BC Cancer Agency, the International Academy of Oral Oncology, the International Association of Head and Neck Oncologic Societies, International Society of Oral Oncology, King's College London, the New York University College of Dentistry, the NYU Oral Cancer Center, the Oral Cancer Foundation, the World Workshop on Oral Medicine VI, the European Association of Oral Medicine, the Academy of General Dentistry Foundation, the American Dental Association, the International Federation of Dental Hygienists, the International Association of Dental Research, Oral Health America, Support for People With Oral and Head and Neck Cancer, the American Cancer Society, Let's Talk About Mouth Cancer, the British Dental Health Foundation, FDI World Dental Federation, the Head and Neck Cancer Alliance, the American Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, the American Head and Neck Society, The Ben Walton Trust, the Canadian Dental Hygienists Association, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, the Oral Medicine Academy of Australasia, Sociedade Brasileira de Estomatologia, and the Canadian Dental Association.

For more information on the Global Oral Cancer Forum, including a schedule of featured speakers and presentations, please visit www.globaloralcancerforum.org.

Zurich, Switzerland, February 23, 2016--Nobel Biocare today announces the introduction of NobelDesign: efficient and intuitive software for the computer-aided design of NobelProcera dental restorations. By combining advanced CAD tools with access to a wide range of NobelProcera restorations, NobelDesign will help dental professionals offer a greater range of superior prosthetic solutions to patients.

NobelDesign is one of a number of innovations to be exhibited at Nobel Biocare’s Global Symposium in New York, taking place June 23-26, 2016.*

Powerful CAD tools without complexity

NobelDesign incorporates intuitive exocad® CAD tools for the efficient design of both cemented and screw-retained restorations. Multiple cases are simple to manage in the easy-to-navigate virtual cockpit.

The software offers time-saving virtual tooth setup and mirroring features as well as a virtual articulator function that helps optimize occlusal contact points. These capabilities are particularly valuable in combination with NobelProcera’s range of translucent full-contour zirconia solutions.

NobelDesign also incorporates exocad® TruSmile technology that visualizes designs in a photo-realistic rendering, meaning the technician can assess how tooth shape and fissure design will appear in the patient’s mouth.

Other options include an angulated screw channel function for improved esthetics and accessibility, and partial cutback tools that aid in the design of veneering support. As the intuitive interface adapts to the user’s preferred way of working, efficiency increases over time.

Access to an increasing number of unrivaled restorations

NobelDesign users will access new NobelProcera innovations first, as new product releases will only be available in NobelDesign.

NobelDesign is accessible only in combination with the highly accurate NobelProcera 2G Scanner, and is available on an annual subscription basis.* This gives users added flexibility, and avoids a significant one-off payment upfront.

Hans Geiselhöringer, Nobel Biocare President, said: “The introduction of the NobelDesign Software is the latest step in Nobel Biocare’s extensive pipeline of digital innovations that increase efficiency for dental professionals and improve patient care.

“NobelDesign’s powerful and intuitive CAD tools will be appreciated by dental technicians, while the excellent results it enables will be valued by clinicians and patients alike.

“With Nobel Biocare’s seamlessly integrated treatment workflow, dental laboratories accessing NobelDesign using the NobelProcera 2G System open up business-building opportunities throughout the treatment process.”

Stay tuned to nobelbiocare.com for more updates.

*NobelDesign is available in regions outside the United States and Canada as of February 2016. In the United States and Canada NobelDesign is currently pending clearance from the respective health authorities.

exocad is a trademark of exocad GmbH

ST. PAUL‚ Minn. – Since Lava Zirconia was introduced in 2001, the material has improved the smiles of millions of patients worldwide – with scientific studies showing excellent strength, esthetics and clinical performance. Now with the 15-year anniversary of the brand, 3M is taking an opportunity to highlight Lava cases from clinicians and laboratories across the globe. At LAB DAY Chicago on February 26 and 27, 3M will launch a new website dedicated to showcasing dentist and lab-submitted case photos that demonstrate the Lava brand zirconia restorations for crowns and bridges.

In its 15 years of clinical use, the Lava brand has become trusted by dentists and laboratories, with millions of zirconia restorations placed in over 40 countries. With the recent introduction of Lava™ Plus High Translucency Zirconia in a disc format, Lava branded zirconia material is easier to access than ever.

“Thousands of skilled clinicians and lab technicians have allowed 3M to offer the benefits of zirconia to patients around the world,” said Jennifer Van Ranst, U.S. marketing manager. “We are looking forward to using this website to showcase the clinical success our customers have achieved with this material.”                                                                                            

Whether it’s a layered porcelain case, a high translucency all-zirconia bridge or simply a highly esthetic outcome that helped improve a patient’s smile, clinicians and dental laboratories are encouraged to upload their favorite cases. The site will showcase these before and after photos for visitors to view, “like” and share.  

To upload cases to the website, clinicians and dental labs can visit www.3M.com/Lava15

SAN DIEGO, CA – The Argen Corporation has hired Steaffani Dall as Sales representative to Northern California and Oregon. Steaffani will promote Argen’s comprehensive line of products and services while developing Argen’s strategic partnerships with dental laboratories.

Steaffani joins Argen after holding the position of Executive District Manager at Dentsply^® Implantsfor 15 years. During her time with Dentsply^®, Steaffani consistently exceeded sales goals, was recognized as “Top Ten Revenue Producer” and was instrumental in the growth of the Northwest Territory. She worked closely with dental laboratories to provide business strategies, technical assistance and training. Prior to her time with Dentsply^®Implants, Steaffani was owner of a dental consulting company where she worked with multiple implant companies and private clinicians throughout the country.Steaffani has also served on the State of California Dental Board Committee for Dental Auxiliaries and is lectured extensively throughout the United States.

“We are extremely excited to welcome Steaffani to the Argen Family,” comments Michael Clark, Senior Vice President of Domestic Sales. “Steaffani brings with her almost 20 years sales experience in the dental industry with year over year growth in her previous markets. She has been a top clinical and laboratory producer for major dental manufacturers and her vast knowledge in digital dentistry are a perfect fit for Argen’s vision.”

More than 100 attendees were all smiles as they took selfies using the #AOSanDiego backdrop during the Welcome Reception of the Academy of Osseointegration’s (AO) 31^st Annual Meeting. Many used complimentary AO selfie sticks to snap their pictures and then shared them on various social media platforms.

It was “Lights. Camera. Action.” as attendees participated in the “selfie studio.” Check out the results of their efforts on Facebook, Twitter, WeChat and Instagram.

The groups varied from single selfies to large groups. Three clinicians (pictured above), all friends studying in Los Angeles, shared their enthusiasm for connecting with colleagues:

“I want to share with my friends that we were at the AO meeting in San Diego because it’s a very good meeting, and I want to them to feel jealous!,” joked Dr. Daniel Ramos-Padilla from Spain.

“I’ve taken a lot of pictures at the meeting to post on social media. This is a big memory for me and is such a treasure … the pictures are helping me to remember the experience,” said Dr. Nozomu Fukui from Japan.

“This is my first international meeting where I presented an E-Poster, and I am a new member of AO. I took a selfie with my friends to remember this experience and so my other friends can know about it,” said Dr. Mostafa Alwakeel from Egypt.

Be sure to share your photos on social media using #AOSanDiego to let others know that you’re connecting at AO’s 2016 Annual Meeting. The Selfie Studio will be open during regular Exhibit Hall hours.

Be sure to following AO on Twitter and Facebook. Twitter: @AcademyOsseo Facebook: AcademyOsseo – Capture the fun and learning … and then share it with your friends, colleagues and patients!