SAN JOSE, CA -- Align Technology, Inc. has expanded workflow options for the iTero intraoral scanner by announcing the availability of a digital workflow for Nobel Biocare implants. iTero customers can now order Nobel Biocare implant cases through their dental labs. Dental labs can now order NobelProcera® single-unit restorations for their doctors, when using NobelProcera's open access partnership with Elos scan bodies and 3Shape's Dental Designer software. 

Elos Accurate® scan bodies are specifically made for digital scanners and are compatible with multiple implant platforms, including those of Nobel Biocare. Now a full selection of Elos Accurate® scan bodies are available on iTero scanners. Incorporating NobelProcera's implant- and cement-based single-unit portfolio and Elos Medtech's quality scan bodies further enhances iTero's growing presence within the restorative dental market.

"Integrating the digital workflow of our market leading iTero scanners with Nobel Biocare implants and Elos Medtech scan bodies is a natural fit and enables all parties involved to deliver restorative solutions to the dental community at the highest standard possible," said Raphael Pascaud, Align Technology chief marketing officer. "Align is delighted to work with Nobel Biocare and Elos Medtech to offer dental practices, surgical specialists, and laboratories advanced digital workflows that enhance their patient care and improve clinical outcomes. We will continue our ongoing collaboration to further expand workflow options for customers in the future."

The Nobel Biocare implant workflow option is now available on the iTero scanner in North America and Europe. For more information, please visit https://www.itero.com/en-us/products/restorative_ecosystem.

Bensheim/Salzburg - Only one year since the merger of DENTSPLY and Sirona, the Company is offering end to end solutions brought together through enabling technologies and procedural solutions for better, safer, and faster care. 

According to Michael Augins, Group Senior Vice President for the United States Commercial Organization, "It is a major challenge to unite two successful companies, to form one global team and to create a single entity that brings out the best of both of its predecessors. But our combination has given us new perspectives and has created myriad opportunities for both the company and our customers.“

New product launches for thorough dental care

At the Chicago Midwinter Meeting 2017, Dentsply Sirona presented a new integrated preventive care concept. This summer, the Cavitron built-in ultrasonic scaler will be available with the Intego line of Treatment Centers for fast and effective removal of the most stubborn calculus. The Intego and Intego pro Ambidextrous models are available in the US and offer modern dental practice everything necessary for professional dental hygiene, dental aesthetics and dental care.

Proper dental care starts with a safe diagnosis. Dentsply Sirona offers innovative imaging systems with new user-friendly applications. In Chicago, the Company showed its Orthophos SL with 3D I-X Imaging for the first time. This enables acquiring 3D information at the same dose level as 2D Images, which is appropriate for a large number of clinical indications.

Leveraging expertise to create innovative products and solutions

The CEREC Zirconia Workflow, launched by Dentsply Sirona at the Midwinter Meeting in Chicago just last year, enables dentists to make and deploy full zirconium restorations in only single visit. A sintering furnace was developed with the CEREC SpeedFire: The sintering process for a crown takes less than 15 minutes to complete. To make CEREC Zirconia easier to use for dentists, Dentsply Sirona combined all the components that are needed for a seamless workflow into a starter kit: the Celtra Duo blocks, the new CEREC SpeedGlaze glaze spray and the new cement Calibra Universal – an ideal set-up for customers. A current survey involving 300 dentists in the USA showed that 70% of practitioners are aware that CEREC now also allows all-zirconium restorations to be made in only one session.

Another demonstration of the technological advances of this merger is the new 3D Endo Software. It is the first CBCT-based software with which complex endodontic cases can be planned. In combination with Orthophos 3D devices and the integrated file database, treatments can be simulated and optimized. Various typical questions asked by endodontics specialists can now be answered with much more certainty thanks to the new software. 

Visit www.dentsplysirona.com for more information

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. – Spear Education announces that Dr. Jeff Rouse, a prosthodontist and expert in interdisciplinary treatment and airway management, has joined its roster of faculty members.

“I have been practicing dentistry with Jeff for the last year, and I am very excited that he can join our resident faculty,” said Dr. Gregg Kinzer. “His work in airway is groundbreaking, making him an excellent fit with our current faculty.”

While his campus lectures and Spear Online courses are still in the planning stages, Rouse did share that he hopes to raise awareness with airway evaluation and management strategies he refers to as “sleep prosthodontics.”  This unique process involves three core principles: prevent, control, and resolve airway issues.

One of the biggest fears dentists have when talking about airway is that they think it only has to do with sleep, Rouse explained. He has found that dentists don’t want to jump into the world of sleep dentistry – medical billing, working with physicians, making appliances, etc. 

“Every single dentist has made a nightguard,” he said. “What they forget is that when the patient wears it, they wear it when they’re asleep. It’s a sleep appliance; they have been making sleep appliances their entire career and didn’t recognize it.”

The protocol he teaches aims to help dentists realize that airway issues can be addressed in a variety of ways rather than just making a repositioning appliance. His six-step protocol walks dentists through an evaluation and management strategy that ranges from simple options to manage airway issues to progressively more complex ways – e.g. sleep appliances. Anywhere during the six-step protocol a patient can be controlled, which then helps  the dentist figure out  different treatment option for more long term resolution, e.g. orthodontics, orthognathic surgery, etc.

“And I remind them in that last step, they don’t have to make a sleep appliance – it’s just a dental appliance,” Rouse said.

While he said he’s honored by the opportunity to be a part of the Spear faculty, Rouse’s main goal is the same as it was when he started researching airway eight years ago.

“I just want to get this information out there,” he said. “To have the opportunity to deliver it myself … that’s an incredible experience.”

Read Dr. Jeff Rouse’s full biography here or learn about his seminar here.

Somerset, NJ– Belmont Equipment, a dental manufacturer that specializes in operatory equipment, unveiled the all-new EVOGUE Cabinet Mounted Rear Delivery System at the Chicago Midwinter Meeting.

“As the newest configuration in our EVOGUE Series, the Cabinet Mounted Rear Delivery System is designed to work seamlessly within an operatory environment,” said Bart Gammons, National Sales Manager of Belmont Equipment. “Each configuration brings efficiency, comfort, and productivity to the forefront; helping practitioners achieve a versatile and functional workspace.”

EVOGUE mounts to the rear treatment cabinets within the operatory. Doctors have access to 4 handpiece adjustable holders with a master ON/OFF switch and handpiece flush and assistants can utilize a syringe, HVE, and SE on the vac-pac. A built-in bottle system conveniently brings water to your workspace and is refillable with a quick disconnect feature. Each system is height-adjustable to ensure that operators are comfortable and can effectively work in their ideal position. The EVOGUE cabinet mounted configuration works best positioned on Belmont’s D66CM, K66, ECO6, and E6 Cabinetry.

Research from the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Public Health suggests preventive dental care provided by a dentist for children before the age of 2 enrolled in Medicaid in Alabama may lead to more care long term.

Early preventive dental care was associated with more frequent subsequent treatment for tooth decay, more visits and more spending on dental care, compared with no early preventive dental care for children, according to a study.

The American Academy of Pediatrics, American Dental Association, and American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommend children see a dentist once baby teeth begin to come in; but limited evidence is available about the effectiveness of early preventive dental care or whether primary care providers can deliver it. Despite the focus on preventive dental care, dental caries, such as tooth decay or cavities, are on the rise in children under the age of 5.

The study, published in JAMA Pediatrics, compared tooth decay-related treatment, visits and dental expenditures for children receiving preventive dental care from a dentist or primary care provider, and those receiving no preventive dental care.

Authors analyzed Medicaid data from 19,658 children in Alabama, 25.8% of whom received preventive dental care from a dentist before age 2.

Compared with similar children without early preventive dental care, children receiving early preventive dental care from a dentist had more frequent tooth decay-related treatment (20.6% versus 11.3%), a higher rate of visits and higher annual dental expenditures ($168 versus $87).

Preventive care delivered by primary care providers was not significantly associated with tooth decay-related treatment or expenditures, according to the results.

“This study highlights the need for continued careful evaluation of the evidence basis for clinical recommendations,” said Justin Blackburn, PhD, assistant professor in the Department of Health Care Organization and Policy at UAB. “What we find is that we cannot definitively say whether early preventive dental visits reduce tooth decay with the available data.”

The study had limitations, including that it did not measure other benefits of preventive dental care such as improved quality of life, or include information on oral health behaviors such as teeth brushing. The study also did not include information regarding water fluoridation.

“Adding to a limited body of literature on early preventive dental care, we observed little evidence of the benefits of this care, regardless of the provider. In fact, preventive dental care from dentists appears to increase caries-related treatment, which is surprising. Additional research among other populations and beyond administrative data may be necessary to elucidate the true effects of early preventive dental care,” the study concluded.

Working with Blackburn on the effort were Michael Morrisey, PhD, of the Texas A&M School of Public Health and Bisakha Sen, PhD, of UAB.

Copenhagen/Basel – 3Shape and Straumann announced that 3Shape users can now scan and design using their 3Shape scanner and obtain original Straumann implant bars and implant bridges from Straumann’s manufacturing global facilities.

Dental lab technicians using 3Shape Dental System software can access the original Straumann implant bar and bridge libraries directly in the 3Shape software. The 3Shape design files are then sent to Straumann global production facilities for the manufacture of Straumann original implant bars and implant bridges. Straumann CARES Screw-Retained Bridges and Bars allow for the construction and manufacturing of complex superstructures. They are available in two materials, titanium grade 4 and cobalt-chromium alloy (coron) for the restoration of Straumann implants.

“With the partnership, 3Shape users gain more options and importantly, now have the opportunity to design and receive original Straumann implant bars and implant bridges,” said Flemming Thorup, President and CEO at 3Shape. 

Frank Hemm, Executive Vice President Customer Solutions and Education at Straumann commented: “Our strategy to adopt an open system offers significant benefits to 3Shape users. Straumann CARES prosthetics offers them flexibility and a very high level of precision and quality. With adding SRBB portfolio we nearly completed our offering also to 3Shape customers.”

The integration marks a further cooperation between the two companies. In 2014, the two announced the integration of Straumann CARES libraries with 3Shape Dental System software. Original Straumann libraries (DME files) for implant bars and bridges will be available free of charge with the Dental System 2017 software – expected release May 2017.

www.3shape.com

www.straumann.com

Ivoclar Vivadent and Harvest Dental announced that they have formed a strategic partnership, allowing Ivoclar Vivadent to promote and distribute Harvest Dental laboratory products.

"This partnership symbolizes our continued support of bringing innovative products and services to the dental laboratory profession," said COO Sarah Anders.

“Ivoclar Vivadent views the dental world in a unique and profound way that is very attractive to us,” said Sasha Der Avanessian, CEO Harvest Dental.  "They’re a visionary company that lives to uncover new technical insights through an esthetic lens, and their leadership position speaks for itself."

Leading Harvest brands include:

• Temp Esthetic - a layered PMMA for esthetic provisionals. 

• Wax Press- a premium modeling wax offering synergy between digital and analog workflows.

• Fusion- a line of veneering brushes made of a hybrid Kolinsky.

• Surfactant - a wetting agent for pressing ceramic patterns with high definition.

• P3- a one step rotary polisher that shines e.max and zirconia in seconds.

• Yellostone- a rotary abrasive for detailed contouring of e.max and zirconia.

• Super Peg II- a firing putty for all-ceramics that eliminates challenging cleanup.  

"This is a great opportunity for Harvest," added Der Avanessian,  "We can now fully align our products and future developments with the Ivoclar materials that inspire all of us, creating long-term synergies and exciting new avenues for growth."

As part of this partnership, laboratories will be able to purchase these products by calling Ivoclar Vivadent (800-533-6825) or visiting their website at www.ivoclarvivadent.com

Irvine, Calif. – Roland DGA has introduced its new “DGSHAPE by Roland” dental solutions brand, following its parent company’s decision to transfer 3D and dental product development to the newly established, wholly owned subsidiary, DGSHAPE Corporation.

The formation of DGSHAPE will allow Roland to dedicate more time, energy and staff solely toward the development of dental and 3D solutions. 

Andrew Oransky, president of Roland DGA points out, “While the creation of ‘DGSHAPE by Roland’ does not change anything to how Roland DGA is structured or how we deliver our products to market, it will enable us to better deliver on our vision of empowering people to give shape to their ideas, while increasing the brand recognition for this segment of our business.”

To learn more about DGSHAPE by Roland, or the complete DGSHAPE dental product lineup, visit https://www.rolanddga.com/products/dental/dwx-series.

New Orleans- Plans are underway for the first Summer Campers “BACK-TO-SCHOOL-CAVITY-FREE!” initiative. The program is a collaboration of the New Orleans Recreation Development Commission (NORDC) and the National Dental Association (NDA).  The project will consist of a series of NORDC events that will take place beginning March 4th through August 19th, 2017. The goal is to provide free dental care for the city’s 4,000 summer camp enrollees and to send each camper back to school with happy smiles and a healthy head start. The project is supported by the Louisiana Department of Health and the State Oral Health Coalition.  Corporate sponsors are: VOCO, Colgate, Henry Schein, Inc., and Sunstar. 

The program was conceived to address persistent oral health disparities impacting vulnerable and underserved populations. In 2007, 12-year-old Deamonte Driver, a Maryland boy, died from untreated tooth decay that caused a deadly brain infection. A simple dental screening, referral to a dentist, and an $80 extraction would have saved his life. But he was uninsured, and Maryland’s public health system failed him. The National Dental Association (NDA) began a crusade to address issues of access and disparities, believing that no one should ever die from a preventable disease like tooth decay. In 2014, NDA-HEALTH NOW-New Orleans was launched at the Treme Center. But since that time, death from dental disease struck again when a popular New Orleans trumpeter, Travis Hill died while on tour in Japan from a dental infection that caused his heart to stop beating; and a 26 year-old diabetic truck driver died from a tooth infection that spread to his lungs.

In a major report published in 2010 by the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals Oral Health Program, “Oral Health in Louisiana”, a document on the Oral Health Status of Louisiana’s Population, these important findings were cited:

•       There are 80 Title I schools in the New Orleans area

•       In 2009, 38.5% of 776,127 Medicaid eligible children received dental services

•       478, 533 children covered by Medicaid did not receive dental care in 2009

•       87% of the state is designated as a Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA), including Orleans and the surrounding parishes (which are also designated as Dental Health Shortage Areas)

•       In Louisiana, there is a chronic shortage of oral health data and the state’s Oral Health Program is striving to overcome this challenge.  

Louisiana also received a failing grade in oral health from the most recent Pew Report that rated each state on performance in 8 benchmark areas.

Community partners will provide dental services and health education and will form provider networks to increase access to care. The coordinated efforts of voluntary health organizations, consumer groups, and concerned citizens, are vital to the success of this program. Dr. Hazel Harper, Project Director said, “Partnerships uniting sports organizations, schools, churches, community businesses, and other community groups and leaders, working together with the health community, can contribute significantly to improved oral and general health.”

The 2017 NORDC “Back-to-School-Cavity-Free!” oral health events for the children:

Summer Camp Expo– Saturday, March 4, 2017 -– 9a – 12p

      Lyons Rec. Center (624 Louisiana Ave. – New Orleans, LA  70112)

      Treme Rec. Center (900 N. Villere St. – New Orleans, LA 70116)

      Joe W. Brown Rec. Center (5601 Read Blvd. – New Orleans, LA  70127)

Youth Fit Fest – Saturday, April 22, 2017  -– 10a – 2p

              Milne Rec. Center (5420 Franklin Ave., New Orleans, LA 70122

Back-to-School Expo– Saturday, August 12, 2017 -– 9a – 1p

     Behrman Rec. Center (2529 General Meyer Ave. – New Orleans, LA  70114)

               Joe W. Brown Rec. Center (5601 Read Blvd. – New Orleans, LA  70127)

Back-to-School Expo– Saturday, August 19, 2017 -– 9a – 1p

              Stallings St. Claude Rec. Center (4300 St. Claude Ave. – New Orleans, LA  70117)

               Rosenwald Rec. Center (1120 S. Broad St. – New Orleans, LA  70125)

The project is supported by a vast network of community organizations, businesses and volunteers including: EXCELth, Inc., Audio Visual Technology, The New Orleans Dental Society, the Pelican State Dental Society, New Orleans Chapter of the Links, Incorporated, New Orleans Chapter of Jack and Jill, Inc., Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, LSU School of Dentistry, Xavier University College of Pharmacy, Dillard University School of Nursing, National Black Nurses Association, Black Men of Labor, Yellow Pocahontas Indian Tribe Mardi Gras, Sudan Social and Pleasure Club, and the University of New Orleans Pre-dental students. 

LYONS Recreation Center VOLUNTEER SIGN-UP LINK FOR MARCH 4th EVENTS:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1zCtdTJYPZ9DfQ4n7o1YqGpqxePm8w8lO5dZnC2AjrIk

TREME Recreation Center VOLUNTEER SIGN-UP LINK FOR MARCH 4th EVENTS:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ak0Fk-dtRhZZtmQJNXz1ytj3e7qg1vMS0ruXqbRP3Z8

JOE W. BROWN Recreation Center VOLUNTEER SIGN-UP LINK FOR MARCH 4th EVENTS:

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kHjJ-Vc-C9CNfrnUSjqRLqtWyFmRc4tlTTTlm4B2f8c

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