At the 2017 Annual Scientific Meeting of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial surgeons (AAOMS) taking place in San Francisco, California October 9–14, Nobel Biocare is launching the Trefoil system in North America. The Trefoil system is the latest addition to the company’s proven assortment of groundbreaking full-arch solutions for patients in most need. Nobel Biocare will present this revolutionary new system in San Francisco alongside an industry-leading range of solutions for Immediate Function and exceptional esthetics.

The Trefoil system represents a breakthrough in efficiency for treating edentulous patients and patients with failing dentition, enabling the fixed, definitive, full-arch restoration of the mandible in one day.* These significant efficiency gains are the result of an optimized workflow and componentry, which enable shorter time-to-teeth and reduced chair time in comparison with conventional treatments that require provisional restorations.

The cost-effective Trefoil system features a pre-manufactured titanium bar. Passive fit is made possible by a groundbreaking fixation mechanism that compensates for deviations in implant placement. The bar is retained on three implants featuring the TiUnite surface, which is proven to support Immediate Function.1 Combined with the straightforward restorative workflow, this makes the delivery of a fixed, definitive, full-arch restoration possible on the day of surgery. *

One-year clinical data already available

At launch, the Trefoil system is already backed by a year of scientific evidence showing successful early clinical outcomes. The one-year results of a five-year multicenter clinical study evaluating the Trefoil system at five sites across four continents are now available.2 These preliminary findings show high implant and prosthetic survival rates, minor marginal bone remodeling and short time-to-teeth. Patients and clinicians reported excellent functional and esthetic satisfaction at all follow-up assessments, with patients also experiencing notable improvements in quality of life following restoration.

The Trefoil system is the latest addition to the extensive range of edentulous treatment solutions pioneered by Nobel Biocare. It joins the All-on-4® treatment concept as well as the NobelZygoma implant system for the treatment of the severely resorbed maxilla and the extended line of NobelSpeedy implants.

Hans Geiselhöringer, President, Nobel Biocare said: “Nobel Biocare is the undisputed forerunner in full-arch restorations and the launch of the Trefoil system consolidates our leading position in the treatment of patients for whom the potential improvement in quality of life is greatest. The Trefoil system is designed to make a high-quality fixed solution a reality for more of those in need, exemplifying our goal of helping our customers treat more patients better. It is an excellent addition to our already unrivaled range of edentulous solutions.”

Nobel Biocare can be found at the AAOMS meeting in Booth #702 at the Moscone Convention Center South. The Nobel Biocare Corporate Forum will be held on Thursday, October 12 from 5:30 p.m.–7:30 p.m. in Room 156.

*Depending on the preference of the clinician and close cooperation with the dental laboratory.

References

1. Degidi M, Nardi D, Piattelli A. 10-year follow-up of immediately loaded implants with tiunite porous anodized surface. Clin Implant Dent Relat Res 2012;14(6):828-838.

2. Higuchi K, Davó R, Liddelow G, et al. An adaptive prefabricated full-arch framework on three implants in the mandible: preliminary results. Poster presented at: 26th Annual Scientific Meeting of the European Association for Osseointegration; Oct. 5–7, 2017; Madrid, Spain.  

Awrel, a Boston-based dental solution provider, today announced the addition of voice-first capabilities to its communication and collaboration platform, enabling automated voice-powered digital workflow for all types of business transactions including hands-free lab ordering. This new smart virtual assistant solution works within Awrel’s HIPAA compliant text messaging application to power smart conversational voice experiences via cell phone or voice assistant devices such as Amazon Echo and Google Home.

Awrel received positive feedback in Boston after demonstrating a custom-developed voice-powered laboratory order form at the American Academy of Periodontology Annual Meeting in September said Arnold Rosen, DDS, Awrel founder and CEO. “It’s as easy as the following exchange,” said Rosen.

“John: Alexa, open my Awrel Lab.

Alexa: What would you like to order?

John: An implant supported abutment and crown

Alexa: Would you like cement or screw retention?”

The subsequent conversation uses a decision tree to ask appropriate questions about location, implant type and size, abutment and crown materials, and date required, Rosen explained. “It’s essentially a smart form offered via voice,” he stated. “And part of it is designed for non-technical users, so subject matter experts such as clinicians or marketing professionals can create the conversational flow.”

According to Rosen, Awrel’s new add-on voice solution embeds artificial intelligence to guide users verbally through simple or complex customer experiences to ensure transactions are fast, accurate and complete,” “Now, for the first time, the dental industry can quickly and easily leverage texting, hands-free technology and artificial intelligence – all with total HIPAA compliance,” Rosen said.

According to researchers at Gartner, by 2018 nearly 30% of all interactions with technology will happen through conversation. And by 2020, the average person will have more conversations with bots than with his or her spouse. “Following the web and mobile applications, voice is the next digital frontier,” Rosen stated. “Organizations across all sectors are using voice to improve processes, build brands and drive commerce. Dentistry can now reap the benefits as well.”

DSN practice management software systems now feature direct integration with LED’s Apteryx Imaging solutions

LED Medical Diagnostics Inc. ("LED" or the "Company") (TSX-V: LMD) is pleased to announce the launch of a partnership between DSN Software and LED subsidiary Apteryx, Inc., with DSN’s entire line of dental and specialty practice management software solutions featuring a direct, two-way integration with Apteryx’s XrayVision and XVWeb Cloud Imaging Software.

DSN Software is a leading developer of practice management software for dental and dental specialty practices, including Dental-Exec®, OMS-Exec®, Endo-Exec®, and Perio-Exec®. Based in Centralia, Washington, DSN has engineered and marketed advanced practice management solutions since its founding in 1978.

The integration with Apteryx XrayVision and XVWeb offers significant new features, including clinical image viewing directly from DSN practice management software, direct attachment of images via NEA Fast-Attach, and the ability to import images directly from XrayVision or XVWeb directly into referral letters.

“Our goal is the most efficient workflow possible for practices, from both a practice management and clinical perspective,” stated Charles Black, president of DSN. “By incorporating two-way integration through imaging solutions from Apteryx, we deliver a seamless user experience.”

Apteryx XrayVision and XVWeb feature an open-architecture design that allows dentists and dental specialists to use imaging acquisition devices from most manufacturers on the market, precluding the need for DSN customers to switch to a new hardware provider.

“We are excited to partner with DSN on this integration,” concludes Lamar Roberts, president of LED and Apteryx. “Our teams have a shared vision of how practice management and imaging software solutions should integrate for the benefit of our customers. This partnership definitely embraces the strengths of our individual products, creating a strong synergy and powerful solution for our respective and prospective customers.”

For more information on DSN Software, visit www.dsn.com. For more information on LED and Apteryx, visit www.leddental.com or call 844.952.7327.

The National Institute of Dental & Craniofacial Research, part of the National Institutes of Health, has awarded a grant that will provide funding to New York University College of Dentistry (NYU Dentistry) and its collaborators to test the effectiveness of silver diamine fluoride in stopping the progression of cavities in young children.

The grant provides $9.8 million over four years, $2.8 million of which will come to NYU Dentistry, to fund a Phase III randomized controlled trial at three clinical sites: University of Michigan, University of Iowa, and NYU Dentistry. University of Michigan’s Margherita Fontana, DDS, PhD, leads the study.

Cavities early in childhood are one of the most prevalent chronic conditions among U.S. children, especially those from low-income families. If allowed to progress untreated, cavities can have broad dental, medical, social, and quality of life consequences.

“Early childhood cavities are preventable, yet once they are established and left untreated they can have severe consequences on the health and wellness of both the affected children and the families that care for them,” said Amr M. Moursi, DDS, PhD, chair of the Department of Pediatric Dentistry at NYU Dentistry and principal investigator at the NYU study site.

“For many young children who need extensive dental treatment, their only option is to undergo general anesthesia in order to receive fillings or extractions. Given the limited availability, potential risks, and high cost of general anesthesia in a hospital setting, we are interested in finding alternative methods to manage cavities.”

Silver diamine fluoride was approved in the U.S. in 2014 for the treatment of dental hypersensitivity. However, it has been used for many years in other countries for cavity control. The liquid can be applied to a cavity to arrest tooth decay and in some cases replace the need for a filling or crown.

In 2016, the FDA designated silver diamine fluoride a “breakthrough therapy,” a process which is designed to expedite drug development. This NIH-funded study will provide the necessary data for obtaining a cavity arrest drug claim for silver diamine fluoride in the U.S.

The study will closely follow more than 1,000 children, ages 2-5, enrolled in Head Start and other preschool programs. The researchers will treat children and monitor them over a school year to study the impact of silver diamine fluoride applied twice, six months apart, on cavity progression. They will also measure oral health-related quality of life and treatment satisfaction and acceptability.

“Should the trial be successful, the impact would be a change in the standard of care for the management of tooth decay in young children.  It will also expand access to, and adoption of, a simple, non-invasive, inexpensive strategy for cavity management,” said Moursi. “We hope that access to this simple treatment could also help in reducing oral health disparities.”

Additional NYU Dentistry investigators include Drs. Yihong Li, Courtney Chinn, and Mark Wolff. In addition to investigators from the University of Michigan and the University of Iowa, the clinical trial includes researchers from Indiana University, University of Otago in New Zealand, University of Hong Kong and University of Baltimore. The grant (Award Number U01DE027372) began in September 2017.

The Foundation for Airway Health will offer an Airway Summit, a full day of programming at the Greater New York Dental Meeting on Saturday, November 25 at the Jacob Javits Center.

This “White Flag” event brings together leading dental educators, scientific academy representatives, allied health organizations, representatives from the military and members of the public to offer information about what the dental team must know about sleep / airway and what they can do to impact positive health change for patients. Topics include the importance of airway in dental sleep medicine, restorative dentistry, orthodontics, myofunctional therapy, TMD, physiological monitoring, public health initiatives and more.

Unrecognized, ”Hidden” airway problems are not only expressed by poor sleep, but also as chronic disease and inflammation, learning difficulties, performance issues and behavior problems. Currently only 15% of airway problems are recognized. Dentists can and must play a front-line role in diagnosis and treatment of airway dysfunction. Attendees at the Airway Summit will learn about the emerging importance of airway health and sleep in dental practice: how to improve treatment outcomes, join the fight against chronic disease, and expand professional practice in these areas.

Registration Information Here 

For more information about The Foundation for Airway Health and how to participate, please visit www.AirwayHealth.org.

The American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) will debut a masterpiece of comprehensive cosmetic dentistry education on April 18 - 21, 2018 at McCormick Place Lakeside Center in Chicago, Illinois. The AACD 2018 program features an expertly curated selection of topics and speakers which have been purposefully selected to keep attendees ahead of the curve and maximize their CE dollars.

The educational program consists of four main collections of focused education:

• The Complex Case collection features some of the biggest names in dentistry discussing some of the most complicated cases in dentistry. Lee Culp, CDT; Joseph Kan, DDS, MS; Aldo Leopardi, BDS, DDS and Michael Sesemann, DDS, FAACD will tackle two cases: one involving six or more restorations in the upper arch including implants and natural teeth and another involving six or more indirect restorations in the upper arch where all restorations are on natural teeth. Attendees will be able to engage with these specialists as they discuss the challenges of these complex cases and solutions for treatment.

• The Accreditation collection features top Academy educators helping attendees on their way to achieving clinical excellence and professional distinction. Under the guidance of Accreditation Chairman, John Rowe, Jr., DDS, AAACD, and featuring J. Fred Arnold III, DMD, FAACD; Betsy Bakeman, DDS, FAACD; Scott Finlay, DDS, FAACD; Brian LeSage, DDS, FAACD; Brett Magnuson, DMD, AAACD; Frank Milnar, DDS, AAACD; Adamo Notarantonio, DDS, AAACD; Bradley J. Olson, DDS, FAACD; Michael R. Sesemann, DDS, FAACD; John Weston, DDS, FAACD and Corky Willhite, DDS, FAACD, attendees can work hands-on towards mastery of some of the most in demand and profitable cosmetic case types and get started on their journey to becoming an Accredited Member of AACD.

• The Lab Focus collection features two full days of the top dental technicians in the field presenting the latest techniques and materials. Jungo Endo, RDT; Edris Rasta, MDT; Thomas Sing, MDT; Sung Bin Im, CDT, MDC and Aram M. Torosian, CDT, MDC will touch on pink esthetics, biomimetic layering, matching a single central, and digital and esthetic considerations for creating predictable restorations respectively.

• The Dental Team collection will educate dental team members on essential skills for assisting with cosmetic dentistry patients, including courses on leadership, communication, contemporary concepts in cosmetic dentistry and esthetic dental photography. Instructors will include Leigh Ann Faight, RDH; Salvatore Lotardo, DDS, AAACD; Debra Engelhardt Nash; Adamo Notarantonio, DDS, AAACD.

Additional courses fill out the educational program; in total, attendees will be able to choose from more than 40 hands-on workshops, 70 lectures, and 80 educators.

"Dentists attend the Annual AACD Scientific Session because they want to give their patients the best results possible," explained Sten M. Ericson, DDS and Chair of the AACD Professional Education Committee. "So, the educational program has been designed to enable attendees to return to their practices to create masterpieces of their own."

For more information or to register for the 34th Annual AACD Scientific Session, visit www.aacdconference.com

Madrid, Spain, October 06, 2017 -- At the 2017 European Association of Osseointegration (EAO) Congress in Madrid, Spain, Nobel Biocare announced it has entered into a partnership agreement with Dentalpoint AG, a leader in ceramic dental implants, to add a zirconia implant solution to its portfolio.

The partnership with Dentalpoint AG will add a new implant option to Nobel Biocare’s leading range of titanium dental implants with the clinically proven TiUnite surface. The innovations from Dentalpoint AG, known for its ZERAMEX® implant brand, are intended to help clinicians meet patient demand for metal-free solutions and high-end esthetics.

Utilizing breakthrough manufacturing technology, Dentalpoint AG is the developer of the first completely metal-free two-piece bone level implant system with internal connection that is not dependent on cement. Screw-retained with an innovative metal-free screw, the two-piece nature of the system means that clinicians can treat patients with a zirconia implant using protocols similar to those they are familiar with for traditional implants. It also offers greater restorative flexibility compared with existing one-piece or cement-retained ceramic implant options.

A solution featuring this first-of-a-kind technology will be available from Nobel Biocare in early 2018. The introduction of a ceramic implant further extends Nobel Biocare’s comprehensive range of innovative solutions for Immediate Function and excellent esthetics.

Hans Geiselhöringer, President, Nobel Biocare said:

“Nobel Biocare has been actively researching ceramic dental implant technology for many years. In Dentalpoint AG we have now found a partner and solution that meet the high standards we and our customers demand. As a result of this partnership, Nobel Biocare customers will very soon be able to offer their patients the very first completely metal-free screw-retained two-piece implant solution with an internal connection. It is the ideal addition to our already extensive range of solutions that maintain tissue-health and deliver long-lasting esthetics.”  

Jürg Bolleter, President, Dentalpoint AG said:

“As interest in ceramic implants among patients grows, so too does demand around the world. We are excited by the potential of this partnership with a company of the reputation and heritage of Nobel Biocare and, most importantly, the role it will play in helping more clinicians and patients across the globe to benefit from our standard-setting ceramic implant innovations.” 

Sterngold is pleased to announce a partnership agreement with Implant Concierge™ to include our TRU®, PUR® and MOR® implant systems in their digital library.

Implant Concierge™ is a propriety web-based technology that provides dentists and other industry professionals with a centralized, HIPAA compliant tool used to communicate, streamline, and coordinate CBCT solutions and guided implant surgical services. Founded in 2006, Implant Concierge™ has assisted thousands of dentists with their CBCT, radiology and CAD/CAM surgical guide, and restorative needs.

Founded in 1897, Sterngold Dental, LLC is a world leader in dental products and specializes in alloys, attachments, implants, and restorative systems. Examples are the ERA® and ORA family of resilient dental attachments and the TRU®, PUR®, and MOR® Implant Systems for aesthetic restorations.

For more information on our products and services, please call 800-243-9942 or visit, www.sterngold.com.

ATLANTA (Oct. 5, 2017) – The Thomas P. Hinman Dental Meeting -- the nation’s leading dental meeting and comprehensive source of continuing education in dentistry – has launched its new #MyHinman Campaign. When someone posts the official hashtag, #MyHinman, on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram between now and Hinman 2018, he or she will help raise money for scholarships and be entered into a monthly drawing for $100 cash. Each month, the winners will be posted at hinman.org/myhinman. 

Hinman will donate to the scholarship bank each time a post is shared on social media with the #MyHinman hashtag. Individuals are encouraged to vote for which schools should receive the “My Hinman” scholarships, which will be disbursed to three deserving students. The 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners will be announced after Hinman 2018 in March. To see a list of schools and to cast your vote for the school of your choice, visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MyHinman.

“For nearly two decades, the Hinman Dental Meeting has contributed millions of dollars to students and dental education programs throughout the country. The #MyHinman campaign is another way to raise money for students while celebrating the reasons we all love the annual meeting and the Hinman experience,” said Dr. Patrick Yancey III, General Chairman for Hinman 2018.

Posts can range from sharing the #MyHinman YouTube video to posting a photo from the last time you attended Hinman to inviting your friends to join you at Hinman’s Night Out at the Georgia Aquarium on Friday, March 23. Posts also can simply be sharing Hinman’s page with your followers or discussing which courses, events or speakers you are most excited about.

In addition, Hinman’s official housing company, EventSphere, again will match donations to help increase the scholarship amount awarded to the three winners. As a result of EventSphere’s scholarship match at Hinman 2017, Hinman raised $3,000 in additional scholarship funds.  

Hinman Scholars

Because of Hinman’s annual meeting each March, the Hinman Dental Society has contributed more than $8.5 million over the past 17 years, with $600,000 in 2017 alone, in scholarships and large gifts in support of dental education. These gifts in 2017 included 92 scholarships provided to students at 47 premiere dental, hygiene, assisting and lab tech programs. The students selected for scholarships are named “Hinman Scholars” and are recognized during a luncheon each year at the Hinman Dental Meeting.

Hinman 2018 will take place March 22-24 at the Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC) in Atlanta, Georgia. Registration for Hinman 2018 will open on December 5, 2017. Please visit www.hinman.org for more information.

ROSEMONT, Ill., Oct. 5, 2017 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- In response to the nationwide opioid epidemic, the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) released prescribing recommendations that urge ibuprofen – rather than opioids – to be used as a first-line therapy to manage a patient's acute and post-surgical pain.

Recognizing the value and importance of the doctor-patient relationship, the AAOMS White Paper "Opioid Prescribing: Acute and Postoperative Pain Management" stresses that practitioners should be allowed to make individualized pain management decisions for their patients – including drug types, dosages and treatment durations.

If opioids are considered, AAOMS recommends doctors begin with the lowest possible effective dose for the shortest duration possible. Long-acting or extended-release opioids should be avoided as a starting treatment, the document advises. As an alternative, doctors are reminded that ibuprofen and acetaminophen – taken simultaneously – can rival opioids in their analgesic effect.

"Patient safety is the top priority of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons," said AAOMS President Douglas W. Fain, DDS, MD, FACS. "Therefore, AAOMS has taken a leadership role in combatting the opioid epidemic afflicting this country. It is crucial for our doctors to responsibly prescribe based on individual patient needs and to use non-opioids when appropriate."

When using opioids to manage acute and post-surgical pain, it is recommended that doctors prescribe them safely and expertly, use the state's prescription-drug monitoring program, and inform patients and their families about opioids' potential risks as well as safe use, storage and disposal. Doctors also should remain aware of the most recent public health trends, including potential alternatives to opioids, the document advises.

The white paper recommendations, published in August, are the work of a Special Committee on Opioid Prescribing appointed by the AAOMS Board of Trustees this spring.

"While oral and maxillofacial surgeons should ultimately make all final prescribing decisions, the recommendations in this AAOMS White Paper are intended to provide direction and serve as a supportive resource," the document states.

Among recommendations:

• Prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, generically known as ibuprofen) as first-line pain-relief therapy, unless they are harmful to the patient. In that case, providers should prescribe acetaminophen.

• Document dosage levels and times of administration of ibuprofen and acetaminophen taken simultaneously to prevent overdosage.

• Inform patients not to exceed 3,200 milligrams of ibuprofen per day. In addition, the maximum recommended daily dose of acetaminophen is 3,000 milligrams.

• Access the state's prescription drug-monitoring program or other resources if patient drug misuse is suspected.

• Document all instructions for each patient's pain relief and prescriptions.

• Document reasoning for not following these recommendations or those required by state laws or institutions.

• Consider using a corticosteroid during surgery to limit swelling and lower post-surgical discomfort after wisdom teeth removal.

• Consider using a long-acting local anesthetic to postpone the onset and severity of post-surgical pain.

According to a 2017 AAOMS survey of its fellows and members, nearly 50 percent of respondents have decreased the number of narcotics they have prescribed for wisdom teeth extraction cases in the last two years. In addition, nearly 72 percent of respondents said they would refill a narcotic pain prescription only if they see the patient first.

The AAOMS white paper is available online at www.aaoms.org/docs/govt_affairs/advocacy_white_papers/opioid_prescribing.pdf.

For information on managing chronic pain, the white paper refers to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Chronic Pain.