Over 2,000 dental professionals from 58 countries gathered at the iconic Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City for the Nobel Biocare Global Symposium 2016. 

Under the banner “Where innovation comes to life,” the four-day event, held June 23–26, featured an extensive scientific program presented by over 150 of the world’s leading educators in the field of implantology. 

Participants attended lectures, forums, master classes and hands-on training sessions across three main themes.

-           Treatment enhancement and refinement – evidence counts

-           Reaching excellence in esthetics by joining the journey of digital dentistry

-           Achieving clinical excellence in challenging situations

New products and solutions

The symposium was also the stage for the unveiling of several Nobel Biocare innovations, each designed to improve workflow efficiency and treatment outcomes. These included the On1 restorative concept1, the NobelZygoma implant and the new NobelDesign CAD software.

The range of creos regenerative solutions was also extended with the launch of creos xenogain xenogenic bone substitute.

The event also marked the evolution of NobelProcera, with the introduction of the NobelProcera Crown – he first in a series of restorative options in a new high-translucency multilayered zirconia.

Many delegates also took the opportunity to take a tour of the NobelProcera production and services center in nearby Mahwah, New Jersey. Thought to be the largest dental CAD/CAM facility in the world, guests were given a rare chance to go behind the scenes and see the industrial production and extensive quality control procedures in action. 

Further information on all the new products and solutions can be found in the event press release.

Attendees were also given an advance preview of forthcoming innovations such as the Trefoil concept for the edentulous mandible. Developed with some of the world’s leading clinicians, it is a truly innovative full-arch restoration on three implants with a revolutionary prosthetic framework. The concept will allow even more patients to benefit from a fixed implant restoration and feedback from early testers has been excellent. More information about this new, affordable option will be available soon.

Crowdsourcing

For the first time at a Nobel Biocare event, dental professionals around the world could directly influence the Nobel Biocare Global Symposium program by voting on various topics, formats and speakers. Using a crowdsourcing model, visitors to the event website could vote for the topics they would like to see featured at the event. 

The chosen sessions were two case studies – one on soft tissue management, the other on immediate loading protocols – and a keynote lecture on “the true benefits of digital dentistry.” 

Live reporting

The Nobel Biocare Global Symposium 2016 was broadcast to the company’s followers on Facebook via live streaming – believed to be a first in implant dentistry. The reports can be watched again at facebook.com/nobelbiocare.

News from the event was also shared online by event media partners Aegis communications via their channels, including Facebook and Twitter, using the hastag #NYNobel. In addition, key stories from the event were published in two dedicated editions of Dental Tribune International’s Today magazine. The special issues, which can be viewed here, were distributed on site in New York and online. 

What attendees had to say:

Early feedback from the event has been extremely positive. Here is what some of the participants had to say:

“I think everything being presented here at the symposium is very interesting. I have been using implants in my practice for 27 years. I always work with Nobel Biocare. With these products I can offer my patients security and confidence.”

Dr. Javier Alández, Spain

“This is the biggest event in dental implants, and I am here every three years. All of the speakers here are very good. This technology means less discomfort, more predictability and stable results for my patients. In addition to the very valuable lectures, I also enjoy being in New York.”

Dr. Bassim Essandi, Jordan

“This is one of the best global events, offering so much innovation. I came to learn new things and to incorporate new treatment modalities in my practice, especially the All-on-4® treatment concept.”

Dr. Gaurav Malik, India

For more highlights keep an eye on the post-event website.

nobelbiocare.com 

Washington, D.C.—Researchers determined that two bacterial species commonly found in the human mouth and in abscesses, cooperate to make the pathogenic bacterium, Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans, more infectious. Key to the cooperation is that the harmless partner provides the pathogen with an oxygen-rich environment that helps it flourish. The findings, published this week in mBio, an online open-access journal of the American Society for Microbiology, could lead to better ways to fight the majority of bacterial infections that play out within complex communities of bacteria.

“Historically, we tend to think of infections as caused by a single organism, but many diseases are caused by multiple species,” explains Apollo Stacy, a graduate student in Molecular Biosciences at The University of Texas at Austin and lead author of the study. “We wanted to ask, what effect do these multiple species have on each other during infections?”

Working with professor Marvin Whiteley, Stacy and his colleagues used a laboratory model of two oral bacteria, A actinomycetemcomitans (Aa) and Streptococcus gordonii (Strep), which live together in human mouths and are also found in abscesses in the lungs and brain. Aa is one of the main culprits of periodontal disease and can also travel to and infect heart valves. However, the Strep species is considered commensal and does not generally cause problems for its human host. Previous work by Whiteley’s group had shown that these two bacteria alone do not cause severe disease, but together they were highly infectious.

“In this study, we asked what are all the genes that Aa needs to survive with and without the commensal Strep bacteria?” says Stacy.

To do that, Stacy first made mutant strains of Aa, in which each gene in its genome had been disrupted by pieces of DNA called transposons (Tn). Next, he placed the Aa mutants alone or with Strep into abscesses on the thighs of mice. Then, using a technique called Tn-Seq, he cataloged which genes were required for Aa survival either alone or with its Strep partner.

The first list revealed which processes or functions Aa needs to survive alone. Comparing that to the second list told Stacy which of those processes Strep’s presence could compensate for. He discovered that when Strep is present it shifts Aa from an anaerobic metabolism to a more aerobic metabolism.

“Strep is increasing the availability of oxygen in the infection,” says Stacy. “And that’s important because Aa can use oxygen to make more energy and grow better.”

Other researchers in the Whiteley lab had already shown that Strep produces a waste product, L-lactate, which turns out to be one of Aa’s favorite foods. Furthermore, Aa must be able to use the L-lactate made by Strep, a process known as cross-feeding, for the two species to cause severe infection. However, Aa cannot effectively use L-lactate as a food source unless there is enough oxygen around for aerobic respiration. Stacy’s findings provide the key connection.

“It’s pretty amazing that these bugs have evolved these interactions,” notes Whiteley. “Not only is Strep going to feed Aa, but it gives it what it needs, the knife and fork, to eat it, too.”  By providing oxygen to Aa, a process the team dubbed cross-respiration, Strep allows the pathogen to grow to much higher levels, resulting in a worse infection.

“Now we are starting to understand that a lot of modern infections are caused by a community of organisms,” says Whiteley, director of the John Ring LaMontagne Center for Infectious Disease in Austin. “These two bacteria have evolved to live together, so they give us a way to explore these highly intricate relationships.”

The full study can be read online at: https://mbio.asm.org/content/7/3/e00782-16. To learn more, visit the mBiosphere blog post.

The Foundation for Dental Laboratory Technology (The Foundation) announced the winner of the 2017 Kois Center Education Grant:

Michael Flaws, CDT – Libertyville, IL

The Kois Center, along with the Foundation for Dental Laboratory Technology, created this grant in order to support the Foundation’s purpose by making higher level education more accessible to dental technicians working in a laboratory setting. The winner will be awarded one seat in the Biomechanics I & II course at no charge, thanks to the generosity of the Kois Center. The charge for such a course would typically retail for $9,995.

“The Kois Center Education Grant continues to hold a successful track record, as the number of applicants has consistently increased each year. We are excited to see this grant opportunity being embraced by the dental laboratory technology industry. It is only through the generosity of our supporters that we can offer these fantastic opportunities," said Foundation Chair, Jeff Stronk.

The Kois Center is located on the shore of Lake Union in the heart of Seattle, Washington, and offers a didactic and clinical program, featuring a comprehensive course curriculum of 9 courses, with the latest advances in esthetics, implant and restorative dentistry. The Kois Center uses the best and most current technology to facilitate and support the learning environment. For additional information about the Kois Center, visit www.koiscenter.com.

The Foundation for Dental Laboratory Technology is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. The purpose of the Foundation is to advance the profession of dental laboratory technology by addressing industry driven needs and providing solutions that are relevant and accessible to dental technicians and other members of the dental team.

For additional information about the Foundation and its program, visit www.dentallabfoundation.org.

The Foundation relies heavily on donations from individuals as well as companies to fund the scholarship and grant programs. Donations are accepted throughout the year. To support the Foundation, please visit www.nadl.org/dltf/donate-online.cfm.

Roland DGA has strengthened its dental and 3D product management and sales teams with several key personnel changes.

Brian Brooks, previously Roland DGA’s Dental Solution Product Manager, has been promoted and will now serve as Group Product Manager of Specialty Products. In his new role, Brooks will oversee Roland DGA’s dental and 3D product lines, reporting to Roland DGA Vice President of Sales and Marketing, Andrew Oransky. Although Brooks will now be responsible for managing additional Roland products outside of Roland DGA’s Easy Shape dental family, including the company’s CNC milling, 3D printing and rotary engraving offerings, he will continue to be involved in the management of Roland’s dental products as well.

Also changing roles within the company is Matt Anderson, previously Roland DGA’s Service Account Manager, Easy Shape Dental and 3D Products, who will be assuming the new position of 3D Solutions Product Manager. Anderson will officially start his new role on August 1, 2016, after relocating from Florida to work at Roland DGA’s corporate headquarters in Irvine, California.

Roland DGA has also made two important additions to its dental management team. James Babbi has been appointed Sales Manager, Easy Shape Dental Products, while Dwight Blair has joined Roland DGA as the company’s new Dental Solution Product Manager. Babbi brings with him more than 20 years of sales, marketing and business development experience, including a strong background in dental product sales. Most recently, he served as Clinical Digital Sales Specialist - True Definition Scanner for 3M.  Blair joins Roland DGA with several years of dental laboratory experience under his belt, having served most recently as a production supervisor for Glidewell Dental Laboratories in Newport Beach, California.

“These management team changes and additions will allow Roland DGA to better serve our dental and 3D resellers and customers, while also enabling us to solidify our position as a leader within these industries,” said Oransky. “Brian Brooks has done a tremendous job as Roland DGA’s Dental Solution Product Manager, and we’re confident he will excel in his new expanded role with the company. We’re also expecting great things from both James Babbi and Dwight Blair, who bring outstanding skills and valuable experience to our existing Easy Shape dental team.”

To learn more about Roland DGA Corporation, or the complete Roland DGA product lineup, visit www.rolanddga.com.

Brian Brooks

Matt Anderson

James Babbi

Dwight Blair

Dentsply Sirona announced a definitive agreement to acquire all of the outstanding shares of privately held MIS Implants Technologies Ltd., Barlev, a dental implant systems manufacturer headquartered in northern Israel.

“MIS is uniquely positioned to address the value segment of the implant market in both its home region and around the globe. It is strategically important to be able to address the implant market with distinct organizations, portfolios and brands targeting both the premium and value segments. MIS has a broad portfolio of implants and related products under a well-established brand, making it a great complement to our company”, comments Jeffrey T. Slovin, Chief Executive Officer of Dentsply Sirona. The agreement opens up many new opportunities of growth and services for both parties, which benefits customers and patients around the globe.

For over 30 years, Dentsply Sirona has accumulated unique industry knowledge and experience in the field of dental implants. The company develops and produces innovations in implant surface technologies, implant-abutment connections, immediate placement protocols and guided surgery. The basis for this is a thorough scientific approach and dedication to long-term clinical evidence to achieve results clinicians need predictable solutions. Dentsply Sirona delivers individual and strongly tested products for every stage of implant therapy. Solutions like ANKYLOS, ASTRA TECH Implant Systems and XiVE rank among the leading implant systems and are designed to help make the clinical implant procedure, better, safer, easier and faster. The addition of the MIS, a leading value implant company, will extend the range of therapy concepts to additional market segments.

MIS was founded in 1995 in Shlomi, Israel. The company has a strong presence in the value segment, selling its products in more than 65 countries worldwide. MIS (Make It Simple) aims to simplify implant dentistry through innovation and clinical education. The MIS brand offers a wide range of dental implants and prosthetic solutions, together with grafting materials and guided surgery services. MIS launched its latest innovation with the V3 implant system last year in June at the EuroPerio8 in London. It is patented for its unique triangular shape and brings biological benefits in many different aspects. The V3 design allows for greater volume of bone and soft tissue, reduces pressure on the cortical bone, and does not compromise primary stability.

Press Contact

Marion Par-Weixlberger

Senior Corporate PR Manager

Sirona Strasse 1

5071 Wals bei Salzburg, Austria

T  +43 (0) 662 2450-588

F  +43 (0) 662 2450-540

marion.par-weixlberger@dentsplysirona.com

CHICAGO, June 29 – Aspiring pre-dental student Hannah Wilson is riding her bike across the country as the first participant in Oral Health America’s (OHA) new peer-to-peer fundraising initiative, Smile4Health. The new effort engages individuals with opportunities to raise awareness and much needed funds in support of programmatic work. Wilson will bike across the country to participate in a sport that she loves and to spread the word about oral health. 

“It has always been a dream of mine to bike across the United States from the Atlantic to the Pacific. This year I have been fortunate to have the opportunity and time to make this dream come true,” said Hannah Wilson. “This adventure will allow me to combine two passions in my life: biking and spreading the word about oral health care.”

The North Carolina native will bike 4,228 miles of the historic TransAmerica Bicycle Trail from Virginia to Oregon beginning July 6 through the Fall. She strives to raise $4,228 or one dollar for each mile; 100% of donations will support OHA programs.

Hannah will chronicle her journey across nine states with a GoPro camera and service stops where she hopes to raise awareness about oral health. Follow her progress here: https://give.everydayhero.com/us/hannah-6

Established in 1955, OHA supports the efforts of “Bringing Healthy Mouths to Life” through its range of partnerships and program efforts across the country.

You can learn more about the Smile4Health program and Hannah’s ride by visiting oralhealthamerica.org/smile4health or call us at 312.836.9900.  

primotec will partner with Zahn Institute in Miami, Florida to offer educational courses in July. Please see details below for each course.

Zirconia Hybrid Restorations: Techniques for Planning, Design and Characterization

Alexander Wunsche, CDT

Saturday, July 16, 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Sunday, July 17, 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM

This two-day lecture featuring a hands-on workshop will focus on innovative techniques for creating full arch zirconia hybrid restorations, from planning to finish. The course will include planning stage, digital design, nesting strategies, milling pre-sinter contouring and coloring, ceramic layering with firing cycle strategies and glazing techniques. Every attendee will create a restoration from start to finish.

Fixed, Removable and Maintainable: All-in-One Restoration

Arian Desutsch, CDT and Alexander Wunsche, CDT

Saturday, July 23, 7:30 AM – 5:00 PM

Sunday, July 24, 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Restoring the edentulous arch is not a one-size-fits-all approach. Each patient presents a unique set of demands and clinical factors to which a screw-retained hybrid restoration may not be an option. This course will present a novel approach for restoring the arch using a plunger-type attachment system that enables fabrication of a versatile and highly aesthetic restoration. The hands on workshop will explain how to work with the MK1 attachment in full arch overdenture restorations. Every attendee will fabricate a full arch implant-bar retained overdenture from start to finish.

For more information please visit primotecusa.com or email info@primotecusa.com

Boston, MA – Research presented at the American Society of Microbiology Microbe research meeting provides clear evidence that the gloves of healthcare workers contaminate hospital surfaces with bacteria. The researchers’ data also suggest that types of bacteria may affect cross-transmission rates among contaminated gloves and the hospital surfaces.

“Infection control is a priority for all hospitals to reduce the spread of HCAIs,” said study author Sae Otani, a master course student at Bunkyo Gakuin University. “Gloving is recommended as a barrier protection for healthcare workers to reduce the risk of contamination during contact with infectious sputum, urine and body fluids,” she said. However, failure to change or remove contaminated gloves carries a high risk for healthcare-associated pathogens transmission.

The researchers, led by Sae Otani and Kazue Fujita, Nippon Medical School, used common healthcare-associated pathogens in this study. Nitrile examination gloves were inoculated with the specific microorganism. After inoculation of bacteria, contaminated gloves were touched to a sterilized polypropylene surface. Then, the number of viable bacteria on the polypropylene surface was quantified

Acinetobacter baumannii remained on the polypropylene surface. In contrast, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were not detected on the polypropylene surface. Antibiotic sensitivity of bacteria had no consistent effect on survival on the polypropylene surface.

“This study shows that contaminated gloves increase risks of cross-transmission of healthcare-associated pathogens among healthcare workers and in the environment,” said Otani. In addition, the data also suggest that types of bacteria may affect cross-transmission rates among contaminated gloves and the hospital surfaces. A. baumannii are higher risk of transmission from the gloves to hospital surfaces than E coli, K pneumoniae, and P aeruginosa in this study. HCAIs caused by gram-negative organisms such as Acinetobacter spp, P aeruginosa and Enterobacteriaceae are a major concern.

“Proper glove use may decrease the risk of healthcare-associated infections and gloves should be carefully used and removed after use depending on the types of bacteria,” said Otani.

Seoul, Republic of Korea – At the 94th General Session & Exhibition of the International Association for Dental Research, researcher Marco Peres, The University of Adelaide, South Australia, presented a study titled “Overweight and Obesity Impact on Periodontitis: A Brazilian Birth Cohort.” The IADR General Session was held in conjunction with the 3rd Meeting of the IADR Asia Pacific Region and the 35th Annual Meeting of the IADR Korean Division.

Overweight and obesity have been associated with increased periodontitis risk. However, uncertainty persists regarding the causal relationship of such conditions. In this study, participants were followed periodically since their birth. Anthropometric measures and habits were assessed during the life-course. Periodontal examinations comprised a full-mouth probing at six sites per tooth using a PCP2 probe.

Two different periodontal disease criteria were adopted for this study: i) American Academy of Periodontology and the Center for Diseases Control and Prevention (AAP/CDC); ii) Baelum and Lopez (Combination of Clinical Attachment Loss_CAL_ and Bleeding on Probing_BOP). Hypothetical conditions were set independently to each risk factor and in joint interventions with overweight and obesity on the entire population. Researchers performed the parametric g-formula to estimate the 31-year periodontitis risk considering life-course obesity and overweight in association with other habits.

In this study, 539 participants aged 31 years had periodontal examinations in 2013. The 31-year risk under no intervention was 33.3%, 14.3% and 14.7% for any periodontitis, moderate/severe periodontitis and BOP+CAL, respectively. Overweight and obesity increased the risk of all outcomes: 11% (overweight) and 22% (obesity) higher risk of periodontitis; 12% (overweight) and 27% (obesity) greater risk of moderate and severe periodontitis; 21% (overweight) and 57% (obesity) higher risk of CAL+BOP. When combined with other unhealthy habits, the risk was even greater.

The research results determined that life-course overweight and obesity increased the risk for unfavorable periodontal outcomes in this population. This effect was greater when combining excess of weight and unhealthy habits, suggesting a cluster effect.

This research was supported by the National Counsel of Technological and Scientific Development (CNPq) (#403257/2012-3-FFP and #475979/2013-3-MBC).

Newswise — In a sample study, researchers at Johns Hopkins say they have found an association between the makeup of an individual’s microbiome and head and neck cancer, a finding that potentially advances the quest for faster and more accurate cancer diagnosis and therapy.

In a report on the research published on May 30 in Oncotarget, the scientists say that populations of the human microbiome—the collection of normal bacteria inhabiting peoples’ bodies — can help discriminate between patients with head and neck cancer and healthy individuals.

“One of the goals of our research is to better understand how the microbiome may influence the immune response to cancer and how the immune response affects the microbiome in turn,” says Rafael Guerrero-Preston, Dr PH, MPH, assistant professor of otolaryngology–head and neck surgery at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and a member of its Kimmel Cancer Center. “Our findings suggest that we may one day use the composition of the microbiome to test for disease.”

Trillions of microbes colonize the adult body. Changes in this community have already been tied to the risk and presence of arthritis, multiple sclerosis, irritable bowel syndrome and cancer. With more information on how these microbes are connected with cancer and cancer risk factors, such as genetic predispositions, smoking and other environmental factors, researchers hope to create individualized screening and treatment plans for cancer patients and for those at an increased cancer risk.

For this study, Guerrero-Preston and his colleagues extracted bacterial DNA from the saliva of 42 patients. Seventeen samples were drawn from people with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, seven of which were positive for HPV and 10 of which were HPV-negative. Twenty-five noncancerous samples were used as a control.

The bacterial DNA found in the saliva was sequenced and sorted into groups of highly related populations. Through further DNA analysis, researchers were then able to determine the category, or genus, of bacteria to which each group belonged.

The researchers found differences in the bacterial populations present in cancerous versus noncancerous samples. Samples from patients with tumors, for example, showed increased populations of Streptococcus, Dialister and Veillonella genera, as well as decreased populations of Neisseria, Aggregatibacter, Haemophilus and Leptotrichia genera with respect to controls. Tumor samples also showed an increased prevalence of the Lactobacillus genus, which was present in 9.1% of tumor samples and in only 0.1% of the healthy controls. In addition, the researchers found correlations between the types of bacteria present and the patients’ HPV statuses. HPV-positive samples had increased abundances of Gemellaceae, Leuconostoc and Veillonella genera when compared to HPV-negative samples. Veillonella, for example, was present in 15% of HPV-positive tumor samples but was only present in 9.4% of HPV-negative tumor samples.

“We see some specific bacterial populations that are increased or lost in the presence of cancer when compared to healthy controls,” says Guerrero-Preston. This may mean that either the tumor is affecting the environment in the mouth by killing bacteria that would fight cancer or that the patients may be predisposed to cancer because they originally lacked bacteria that prevent tumor development.

Guerrero-Preston cautions that these findings do not establish a direct cause-and-effect link between any of the bacteria and head and neck cancer, stressing the preliminary nature of these assays. In particular, he says that future research needs to distinguish between the detection of bacterial DNA and the effects of the bacteria themselves. In order to determine how bacteria affect the oral environment, Guerrero-Preston’s team intends to look at which genes bacteria have turned on in saliva samples.

If the differences in the microbiome between cancerous and noncancerous/HPV-positive and HPV-negative tumors are confirmed in further studies with more patients, doctors may be able to use the same sequencing tools as Guerrero-Preston to quickly and accurately screen and diagnose patients based on the bacteria present in their mouths.

Guerrero-Preston says other research on the human microbiome has found that bacteria only present in the gut influence immunotherapies that utilize the body’s immune system to combat cancer in other tissues. With a greater understanding of how bacteria interact with a patient’s immune system, doctors may be better able to determine if immunotherapy will be effective and what side effects the patient may experience as a result of the treatment.

Other scientists who contributed to the study include Jessica Bondy, Fahcina Lawson, Oluwasina Folawiyo, Christina Michailidi, Tal Hadar, Maartje G. Noordhuis, Wayne Koch and David Sidransky of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine; Filipa Godoy-Vitorino, Arnold Rodriguez and Herminio Gonzalez of the Inter American University of Puerto Rico; Anne Jedlicka and Amanda Dziedzic of the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health; and Rajagowthamee Thangavel of the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.

Funding for the study was provided by National Cancer Institute grants (U01CA84986, K01CA164092, CA121113), National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research grants (P50DE019032, RC2DE20957).