Thommen Medical USA announces an exclusive partnership with Lab Distribution Network (LDN) to provide high quality dental implant products and service to LDN customers throughout the United States. This agreement expands the reach of Thommen and allows LDN to offer a high quality dental implant system with a heritage of Swiss precision and manufacturing.

Todd Fridrich, General Manager of Thommen Medical USA explains, “We remain one of the few independently owned Swiss implant manufacturers. We take quality and customer support seriously. Dental technicians have always played an integral role in prosthetic treatment, the importance of which has grown exponentially from advances in digital workflow. The LDN concept allows Thommen to partner with an established network of highly skilled professionals. As a technician myself, I am excited about working directly with David and LDN. This strategic partnership acknowledges the dental lab for their contribution to patient care and provides a unique platform for sharing their expertise.”

David Sklarski, President/CEO of LDN says, “It is the goal of LDN and partner companies to be the technical, dental support resource. We only wanted to partner with an implant company that delivered a quality product with excellent results. In Thommen, we found just that.”

The Thommen Medical USA / LDN partnership will commence in Q1 of 2018.

Stephen I. Hudis, DDS, FACP, was sworn in as Vice President of the American College of Prosthodontists (ACP) during the 47th Annual Session of the ACP held in San Francisco, Nov. 1-4, 2017.

“As a prosthodontist, my passion has always been about patient care. Science and technology have given us amazing tools to provide the best treatment outcomes for our patients,” said Dr. Hudis. “These are challenging times for health care delivery in this country, and especially for our specialty. I am very excited for the opportunity to support and defend our specialty and promote its continued growth.”

In addition to being sworn in for this one-year term, Dr. Hudis received the Private Practice Prosthodontist Award for Region 1 (Northeast), recognizing his outstanding contributions to the specialty of prosthodontics and his role in advancing the quality of life for his patients.

Dr. Hudis has been a member of the American College of Prosthodontists since 1980, when he joined as a student. Since then, he has been heavily involved with the College including fundraising, increasing awareness, and serving on several task forces. Dr. Hudis was previously the Treasurer for the American College of Prosthodontists Education Foundation (ACPEF). Over his seven years in the role, the ACPEF’s endowment grew from $800,000 to more than $4 million.

Currently, Dr. Hudis maintains a private practice in Princeton, New Jersey and is an associate clinical professor at the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine. He is proud to be involved with Dental Volunteers for Israel where he has made several trips to help treat underprivileged children in Jerusalem.  Dr. Hudis is also a Diplomate of the American Board of Prosthodontics.

Before attending New York University College of Dentistry where he received his Doctorate of Dental Surgery (DDS), Dr. Hudis studied music and was a professional musician. He completed his general practice residency at Bellevue Hospital Center in New York City, and went on to earn his certificate in prosthodontics from NYU College of Dentistry.

Roland DGA has announced the launch of DGSHAPE d-CLINIC – a new open architecture CAD/CAM solution that makes it easy and affordable for dental clinics to produce precision glass ceramic and composite resin restorations in-house. Featuring DGSHAPE’s DWX-4W wet dental mill, plus MillBox CAM and new CliniCAD design software, the new DGSHAPE d-Clinic solution is a turnkey package for producing same-day prosthetics, including high quality inlays/onlays, crowns, veneers, and more. The open architecture of the DWX-4W and CliniCAD design software allows users to work with today’s most popular scanners and materials.

“The beauty of d-CLINIC is that it provides a platform that works with many open system scanners and popular CAD/CAM materials readily available to clinicians,” said Dwight Blair, Roland DGA’s dental product manager. “It enables dentists and clinicians who create these restorations in-house using their own equipment to maintain their own quality control. Dentists can choose their desired scanning device, while incorporating the hardware and software they need to create in-clinic single restorations easily, quickly and cost-effectively.”

The DGSHAPE d-CLINIC solution combines the innovative features and capabilities of the DWX-4W with MillBox CAM and CliniCAD design software, taking all the complexity out of 3D design. In addition to offering the freedom and flexibility of open architecture, the DWX-4W enables clinics to mill up to three different pin-type materials at the same time for optimum efficiency, productivity and convenience. The 4-axis DWX-4W also boasts a high-performance Jaeger DentaDrive spindle that operates at speeds of up to 60,000 RPM, a 4-station Automatic Tool Changer that switches out used grinding burs as needed without interruption, and a host of additional advanced features.

Powered by Exocad, new CliniCAD software puts a wealth of useful tools and resources at the user’s fingertips to make production-ready prosthetic design easier than ever. This powerful, feature-filled software lets you import directly from a scanner, access a library of pre-loaded material profiles materials, and design in either “Expert” or “Automatic Single Proposal” modes with an automated process. A software wizard guides the user through all the work steps, and even novices can generate dental restorations from highly accurate STL, OBJ and PLY files with minimal effort. CliniCAD software offers an optional DentalShare feature that allows you to send files to dental labs for design or milling when you’re short on time or need to produce more complex restorations. DentalShare also makes it easy for colleagues to share files for review.

For more information on the new d-CLINIC open architecture in-clinic CAD/CAM solution, visit https://www.rolanddga.com/d-clinic. To learn more about the complete DGSHAPE by Roland product lineup, visit www.rolanddga.com/dental.

The LeEject 2 Syringe and Needle system has received the FDA clearance for sale. This unique system, protected by the US patent, differs from conventional dental syringe and needle systems because it allows the loading of the needles from the side portal and disposal of the needle without recapping and unscrewing.

The needle is secured by inserting it from the side and rotating the plastic sheath clockwise. The loading and unloading procedures of anesthetic cartridges are the same as the conventional dental syringe and needle system. The removal of the needle is very simple; by rotating the safeguard counterclockwise and inverting the syringe over a sharps container, and letting the needle fall into it, this eliminates the potential risk of recapping and unscrewing the contaminated needle. Interested readers are encouraged to visit the website, www.LeEject.com.

Dr. Alexander Lee, DDS, who has been overseeing the application process to the FDA for the past six years, commented that he is “very relieved and delighted at the same time.” During this time, he reflected that “[it] has been a total learning experience... when changes had to have been made in the syringe design by adding the plastic sheath, the self-aspiration claim had to be dropped, there was a change of filing agencies and I had to meet with several leading examiners from the FDA.”

The LeEject 2 system is safe, simple, and economical. Dr. Lee wants to concentrate on marketing towards dental schools, hygiene programs, and residencies by providing the systems at a reduced cost for them because inexperienced operators are more likely to sustain needle stick injuries.

Currently, OSHA prohibits recapping or removal of contaminated needles and other contaminated sharps unless the employer can demonstrate that no alternative is feasible. Because of the lack of alternatives in the market, recapping or needle removal must be accomplished using a mechanical device or a one-handed technique.

It has been shown that dental assistants are ten times more likely to sustain needle stick injuries than dentists. In that study, dental assistants have sustained needle stick injuries while cleaning instruments and trays, followed by changing a local anesthetic cartridge and recapping needles.

Although its ultimate success will be decided by the market this new addition to the dental syringe and needle system is welcomed by all dental professionals, especially those who want to protect themselves and their employees. 

Ultradent Products, Inc., proudly introduces the Jiffy® Natural Universal Finishing System—a complement to Ultradent’s renowned Jiffy® Universal Finishing System. The polishers in the Jiffy Natural Universal Finishing System are designed to efficiently and easily reach all tooth surface areas to give a natural finish on all ceramic materials, including zirconia. They can also be used to temper super high-gloss finishes to create the look of natural enamel.

The Jiffy Natural Universal System consists of malleable spiral-shaped wheels that are designed to easily conform to tooth anatomy. Their pliable, finger-like extensions easily reach where cups and points can’t, including occlusal anatomy. The system is designed to be used in conjunction with the Jiffy Universal Finishing System to give clinicians options and versatility to achieve the right esthetic look for their patient. The efficient two-step process allows clinicians to easily get the most natural finish they desire on any ceramic material, including zirconia, lithium disilicate, and porcelain.

To learn more about the Jiffy Natural Universal System, please call 800.552.5512, or visit ultradent.com. 

Air Techniques, Inc., a leading innovator and manufacturer of dental equipment, has announced their latest dry vacuum system, the Mojave LT. The new Mojave LT will be on display at the Air Techniques Booth 3401 during the upcoming Greater New York Dental Meeting.

The Mojave LT is Air Techniques’ latest technological achievement for their high-quality line of dental vacuum systems. Designed to replace conventional liquid ring pumps and to be completely 100% water-free, the LT ditches the collection tank for a motor driven air/water separator. Mojave LT has been engineered to deliver the highest performance while staying nearly silent. The compact size of the LT allows it be installed in any practice, even inside cabinets. Equipped with a vibrant multi-color touch screen display, the LT is constantly monitoring itself to make sure it’s running optimally at all times. It easily connects with NEO Pulse front-of-office software to complete the most advanced utility room monitoring system available.

“We are very excited to introduce the Mojave LT at the Greater New York Dental Meeting,” said Gregory Kass, Product Manager of Utility Equipment. The Mojave LT is technically advanced and offers today’s dental professionals a fresh, new choice when it comes to choosing a dry vacuum system for their practice.”

Mojave LT joins the established line of Mojave dry vacuum systems form Air Techniques. The current Mojave models are capable of supporting practices from three simultaneous users, all the way up to sixty simultaneous users. Mojave is designed to meet the needs of any office – with high performance, high efficiency and low operational costs.

For more information on Air Techniques, please visit: www.airtechniques.com.

At 6 feet, 3 inches tall, no one would call Oliver Kurzyp of the Buffalo Bills Stampede Drumline a “little drummer boy,” even as this celebratory time of year gets underway. Although, “if all you want for Christmas is your two front teeth,” as Evolution Dental Science’s manager for the production of dental prosthetics (implants, crowns, bridges, etc.), Oliver can grant that wish for you!

For those who enjoy a good, full-blown, old style football game with all the trimmings, each Bills home game offers a unique and upbeat pre-game experience when watching the Buffalo Bills Stampede Drumline perform. Oliver is in his second season as a permanent member of the Bills Drumline, which performs most often as pre-game entertainment for the crowds who come to New Era Field.

Oliver was born on Long Island, NY, and was a member of his high school drum corps at Walter G. O'Connell Copiague High School, as well as the third place winner in the Drum Corps International Championships, a worldwide competition for excellence in drums corps performance.

“When your passions are drumming and football, drumming while being on a professional football field feels like being in paradise,” remarked Oliver. “Some of my best times are performing for Bills fans at tailgate parties and definitely during the excitement of the opening stampede.”

After high school, Oliver attended the University of Buffalo’s music program, and during those years, he also performed with the Empire Statesmen Drum Corps, an all-age, world-class, multi-year, international championship drum corps in operation from 1983 to 2013. Oliver played with the Bills Drum Corps for the first time in 2009, and beginning in 2015, he became part of the permanent assembly of corps members. The Buffalo Bills Stampede Drumline is under the management of Dan English, founder of Downbeat Percussion. Downbeat Percussion is composed of world-class percussionists who thrive on energy, precision, and performance. The group performs for more than 70,000 audience members each week.

Oliver is a first generation immigrant whose parents fled communism in Poland during the 1980s. His family crossed the Atlantic to seek a better life for themselves and their children under the Ronald Reagan era special VISA program supporting individuals seeking to escape communism. Kurzyp himself was born in the United States. He beams when sharing some his favorite moments as a professional drummer performing with country music star, Keith Urban and with the hip hop-famed Rapping Rabbi.

Oliver Kurzyp lives in Kenmore with his fiancé Kaitlynd and their two children, Janek and Paxton.

Wow! This year’s IAPA conference had it all. Amazing lectures, workshops, and clinical teaching at its best. It wasn’t just all work and no play. . . The IAPA meeting had a successful After Dark Party “White Night” themed and an Oktoberfest happy hour with German food, music and the most popular staple BEER. These events gave all doctors, exhibitors, staff and clinicians a change to cut loose and mingle together.

This year was the first annual 2017 IAPA Aesthetic Eye contest which allowed IAPA doctors to submit their best cases for a chance to win prizes. Kettenbach would like to congratulate the following winners once again on their amazing cases and all of those who participated. 

People Choice Winner – Dr. Paul Peterson

Category 1 (Anterior Aesthetics) winner– Dr. Jerry Hu

Category 2 (Full Arch/ Full Mouth) winner – Dr. Paul Peterson

Category 3 (Glamour Portrait) winner – Dr. Michael Reece

Category 4 (Single Tooth Match) winner – Dr. Frank Sullivan

Kettenbach is a product supporter of the IAPA Conference and LVI Global Institute. We are honored to be a part of this continuing education community.

For more information about the International Association of Comprehensive Aesthetics, visit https://www.theiapa.com

Dr. Steven Eckert of Minneapolis, Minnesota has been honored for his leadership in prosthodontics and implant dentistry by several prestigious dental organizations in 2017. He received the Academy of Osseointegration Brånemark Osseointegration Award in March, the American Academy of Maxillofacial Prosthetics Ackerman Award in October, and was most recently presented the American College of Prosthodontists Dan Gordon Award this month.

Dr. Eckert has practiced for over 40 years with 25 of those years at the Mayo Clinic where he served as the Prosthodontic Program Director for 15 years. He is currently the Director of Clinical Research & Development at ClearChoice Management Services, LLC (CCMS) and the previous Chairman of the ClearChoice Clinical Advisory Board.

The Brånemark Osseointegration Award is given annually by the Osseointegration Foundation to honor an individual’s impact on, and leadership in, the field of implant dentistry in any or all of the Foundation’s mission categories: research, education and charitable causes. It was first presented in 2008 to the father of modern implant dentistry, Professor Per-Ingvar Brånemark. Dr. Eckert is the third ClearChoice affiliated clinician to receive this award, along with Dr. Ole Jensen (2016) and Dr. Stephen Parel (2015).

The American Academy of Maxillofacial Prosthetics promotes education and research and advocates for care of the maxillofacial patient. Maxillofacial Prosthetics is a subspecialty of prosthodontics. The Ackerman Award is bestowed upon a member of the Academy who the Board of Directors considers to have made significant contributions to the advancement of this special area of practice. Dr. Eckert is the third ClearChoice affiliated doctor to receive the Ackerman Award, along with Dr. Rhonda Jacob (2013) and Dr. Stephen Parel (2000).

The American College of Prosthodontists Awards of Distinction recognize and honor individuals for their achievement of outstanding and substantial contributions to prosthodontics. The Dan Gordon Award is given annually to recognize lifetime achievement. This is the third time Dr. Eckert has been honored by the ACP with an Award of Distinction (2007, 2011). He is also one of four ClearChoice affiliated clinicians to be honored with an ACP Award of Distinction, along with Dr. Dale Cipra (2013), Dr. Rhonda Jacob (2008), and Dr. Stephen Parel (2001, 2005).

A groundbreaking three-way partnership has been announced between BEGO, a provider of digital and traditional dental materials; XYZprinting, a desktop 3D printer brand; and Nexa3D, maker of professional-grade stereolithography 3D printers. This partnership aims to transform digital dentistry and successfully access this multibillion dollar opportunity.

Under this agreement BEGO will exclusively market and sell, under its own label, a specially designed high-speed Nexa3D dental printer that will be solely manufactured by XYZprinting. BEGO will also market and sell other XYZprinting products under its label, all supplied with BEGO’s most advanced digital materials. Nexa3D will exclusively develop the required technology and products for this partnership.