“Constructing an Antibiofouling and Mineralizing Bioactive Tooth Surface to Protect against Decay and Promote Self-Healing”

ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces

Cavities, or dental caries, are the most widespread non-communicable disease globally, according to the World Health Organization. Having a cavity drilled and filled at the dentist’s office can be painful, but untreated caries could lead to worse pain, tooth loss, infection, and even illness or death. Now, researchers in ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces report a bioactive peptide that coats tooth surfaces, helping prevent new cavities and heal existing ones in lab experiments.

Conventional treatment for dental cavities involves removing decayed tissue and filling the hole with materials, such as amalgam or composite resin. However, this procedure can damage healthy tissue and cause severe discomfort for patients. Hai Ming Wong, Quan Li Li and colleagues wanted to develop a two-pronged strategy to prevent and treat tooth decay: 1) prevent colonization of the tooth surface by the plaque-forming bacteria that cause cavities, and 2) reduce demineralization, or the dissolving of tooth enamel, while increasing remineralization, or repair.

The researchers based their anti-cavity coating on a natural antimicrobial peptide called H5. Produced by human salivary glands, H5 can adsorb onto tooth enamel and destroy a broad range of bacteria and fungi. To promote remineralization, the team added a phosphoserine group to one end of H5, which they thought could help attract more calcium ions to repair the enamel than natural H5. They tested the modified peptide on slices of human molars. Compared with natural H5, the new peptide adsorbed more strongly to the tooth surface, killed more bacteria and inhibited their adhesion, and protected teeth from demineralization. Surprisingly, however, both peptides promoted remineralization to a similar degree. After brushing, people could someday apply the modified peptide to their teeth as a varnish or gel to protect against tooth decay, the researchers say.

The authors acknowledge funding from the National Natural Science Foundation of China.

Note: ACS does not conduct research, but publishes and publicizes peer-reviewed scientific studies.

New formulation for great handling and precise application

Helioseal F Plus is a light-curing, white-pigmented, fluoride-releasing pit and fissure sealant. The sealant features a new formulation with fine filler particles and cannula tip design which give it outstanding handling. This new sealant is thixotropic and flows easily into complex surfaces, even in the upper jaw. Fine filler particles ensure a smooth sealant surface, and the tight marginal seal provides protection against cariogenic germs. The handling is extremely user-friendly.

Faster to apply

Helioseal F Plus can be cured in only ten seconds, and its easy-to-use syringe allows you to dispense and apply the right amount of sealant precisely where it is needed. The fine tip promotes swift and exact placement in fissures. Precise application, excellent flow and wetting properties together with exceptionally short light-curing times make Helioseal F Plus your first choice when it comes to sealing fissures quickly and efficiently.

Helioseal^® is a registered trademark of Ivoclar Vivadent, Inc.

Captions: Fig.: Helioseal F Plus – The efficient fissure sealant is available in syringes containing 1.25g and in Cavifils containing 0.1g of the product.

About Ivoclar Vivadent

Ivoclar Vivadent is a global leader in innovative materials and processes for quality, esthetic dentistry. The company employs over 3,500 people and operates in over 120 countries throughout the world. Ivoclar Vivadent is headquartered in Schaan, Liechtenstein. Its North American headquarters is based in Amherst, NY.

FiteBac® Cavity Cleanser can not only remove debris in carious lesion preparations but can penetrate exposed dentin tubules allowing restorative adhesives to tightly bind to the prepared dentin surface.

Largent Health, LLC announced today receipt of FDA clearance to market FiteBac® Cavity Cleanser with 2% K21. Cavity cleansers are intended for cleansing and moistening/re-wetting of prepared dental surfaces prior to completing a restoration.

Largent Health is a company dedicated to bringing innovative antimicrobial technology to healthcare products. “The clearance of Largent Health’s FiteBac® Cavity Cleanser represents the second FDA regulatory clearance of our FiteBac® technology and the first for our K21 molecule” said Kirk Kimmerling, DDS, Founder and CEO of Kimmerling Holdings Group.

FiteBac® Cavity Cleanser, with 2% K21, is intended to become part of the restoration/dentin interface by copolymerizing with the dental adhesive. Research shows FiteBac® Cavity Cleanser can not only remove debris in carious lesion preparations but also penetrates exposed dentin tubules allowing restorative adhesives to tightly bind to the prepared dentin surface. Published research supports that a 2% K21 solution is significantly less cytotoxic on human dentin pulp cells than 2% chlorhexidine gluconate, a common component in other cavity cleanser and dental preparations.¹

“Receipt of our first medical device clearance from FDA represents a significant step forward for all of us at Largent Health and would not have been possible without the efforts of our collaborators and partners, both here in the U.S. as well as overseas.,” commented John W. Sharkey, Ph.D., CEO of Largent Health LLC. “With the potential for low cytotoxicity and the ability to promote strong binding of adhesives systems to dentin,² we believe FiteBac® Cavity Cleanser will become the preferred cavity cleanser for the dental professional.”

To learn more about how FiteBac® technology is being developed for dental applications please visit https://www.FiteBacDental.com.

About Largent Health LLC

Largent Health, LLC, based in Marietta, GA, is a private company dedicated to the research, development and commercialization of innovative healthcare products incorporating FiteBac® technology, a superior approach to antimicrobial protection. To learn more please visit www.LargentHealth.com.

¹ U. Daood, C.K.Y. You. Transdentinal cytotoxicity and macrophage phenotype of a novel quaternary ammonium silane cavity disinfectant. Dent. Materials, v35:2 (206-216) 2019.

² D. Daood, C.K.Y. Yiu, M.F. Burrow, L.-N. Niu, F.R. Tay, Effect of a novel quaternary ammonium silane cavity disinfectant on durability of resin–dentine bond. J. Dentistry, v60 (77-86) 2017.

CEREC takes another big step forward with the introduction of CEREC Primemill, a brand-new grinding and milling unit from Dentsply Sirona. Fabricating chairside restorations is about to get easier and significantly faster. Thanks to state-of-the-art technology, a wide range of restorations can now be manufactured with more speed and outstanding results. Together with CEREC Primescan and the CEREC Software, CEREC Primemill forms a modern setup for achieving predictable results with a completely new chairside experience – for both the user and patient.

CEREC Primemill, Dentsply Sirona’s new grinding and milling machine, ensures producing impressive restorations with precise margins and a very smooth surface which results from the high-speed-setup with two spindles and four motors. CEREC Primemill features a powerful 7-inch touch interface, an integrated camera for scanning blocks with compatible data matrix code and an RFID scanner for reading tool information. It also works with a wide range of materials. The new design offers significantly smoother operation.

"CEREC Primemill is a real game changer in the whole workflow," said Dr. Gertrud Fabel, dental practitioner in Munich (Germany) and key opinion leader for Dentsply Sirona. "Everything works significantly faster than before, the quality of the restorations is convincing due to the very fine margins and smooth surfaces, and handling is more than simple: the team can provide perfect support and thus accelerate the entire workflow to make it even more pleasant for the patient."

Guided operation for maximum convenience

When developing the new CEREC Primemill, special attention was paid to its user-friendliness: The large touch interface guides the user through all workflow processes. Each workflow step is displayed in order and shows, for example, which tools are used for the selected material and machining option. The tools are outfitted with a color code depending on the material to be processed and are therefore easy to distinguish. Each tool also contains a small radio frequency identification (RFID) tag that can be read by an integrated scanner in the CEREC Primemill. The machine informs the user about the tool’s status and if or when it should be replaced with a new one. The new user guidance makes it even easier to delegate the operation of the machine.

For additional convenience, material blocks with a compatible data matrix code can be scanned with the integrated camera. With this the block information including type, size, color and zirconia enlargement factor are recorded. The unit’s LED light strip also informs the user about the unit’s status including a moving blue progress bar which changes to green when the manufacturing process is finished. In addition, the interface guides the user through routine maintenance procedures and thus facilitates the easy upkeep of CEREC Primemill.

More esthetic, faster and simply excellent

With CEREC Primemill, restorations, especially those made of zirconia, can be milled even faster thanks to new tools and improved technology. The time required to fabricate a zirconia crown has been reduced by more than half: It can be cut from around 10-12 minutes to as little as 5 minutes using our new Super Fast mode.

The results speak for themselves. Using newly developed, very fine tools (0.5 mm) in the Extra Fine milling mode, the unit achieves a high level of detail for occlusal fissures as well as interdental areas on bridges, enabling users to achieve predictable, first-class results.

Superior chairside experience

The entire CEREC system takes on a new dimension with CEREC Primemill. For those customers who now want to step into the chairside CAD/CAM world and want to use CAD/CAM technology in their practice, with the all-new CEREC they get a full system with great flexibility for reliable results. Users who are already successfully using CEREC in their practice will appreciate the system with the new level of speed, high level of quality, and convenience provided by CEREC Primemill.

“It was important for us to create real added value with CEREC Primemill, both for the CEREC newcomer and for those who have been passionate CEREC users for years,” explained Dr. Alexander Völcker, Group Vice President CAD/CAM & Orthodontics at Dentsply Sirona. “We have noticeably increased the process speed while delivering outstanding restoration results. The variety of applicable materials leaves nothing to be desired and operating the unit has never been easier. The complete system does not require any data imports or exports. All processes are coordinated with one another and fully validated for an excellent and seamless chairside experience.”

Unless stated otherwise, all comparative statements in this press release refer to a comparison of Dentsply Sirona products.

Due to various certification and registration periods, not all products are immediately available in all countries.

Registered brands, trade names and logos are used. Even in particular cases, when they appear without their trademark, all corresponding legal rules and provisions apply.

ABOUT DENTSPLY SIRONA

Dentsply Sirona is the world’s largest manufacturer of professional dental products and technologies, with over a century of innovation and service to the dental industry and patients worldwide. Dentsply Sirona develops, manufactures, and markets a comprehensive solutions offering including dental and oral health products as well as other consumable medical devices under a strong portfolio of world class brands. Dentsply Sirona’s products provide innovative, high-quality and effective solutions to advance patient care and deliver better and safer dental care. Dentsply Sirona’s headquarter is located in Charlotte, North Carolina. The company’s shares are listed in the United States on NASDAQ under the symbol XRAY. Visit www.dentsplysirona.com for more information about Dentsply Sirona and its products.

A Bioactive Self-Adhesive Flowable Composite with Bioactive Giomer Technology Inside—It’s the Better Choice!

During the 2019 Greater New York Dental Meeting, Shofu Dental Corporation, a leading manufacturer of award-winning dental materials and equipment, announced the introduction of FIT SA, a new comprehensive self-adhesive flowable restorative with bioactive Giomer Technology inside.

FIT SA has eliminated the need for the technique sensitive bonding procedure. This revolutionary nano-hybrid bioactive self-adhesive flowable composite is designed for use as a liner, small Class I (PRR), Class III, and Class V, and other non-load-bearing restorations. The unique chemistry of FIT SA is BPA-free and provides a chemical bond as well as resin tag infiltration. FIT SA offers superior strength and polishability, and the unique filler structure combines the light transmission and diffusion properties of both dentin and enamel to blend with the surrounding dentition.

Shofu’s exclusive bioactive Giomer Technology gives FIT SA the ability to release and recharge six beneficial ions for the life of the restoration. These bioactive ions inhibit plaque formation, minimizes hypersensitivity, neutralize acid, and release and recharge fluoride. Giomer Technology is clinically vetted in an eight-year study at the University of Florida, where no failures or decay were found in any of the restorations.

FIT SA delivers precision placement with its ideal handling, high bond strength for reliable adhesion, and total integration of bioactive benefits.

Available in 2.2g syringes in two viscosities (low flow and high flow) and five shades at a low introductory price of $38.70.

PN       FIT SA F03 (Low Flow)     PN       FIT SA F10 (High Flow)

Y2550 A1                                      Y2560 A1

Y2551 A2                                      Y2561 A2

Y2552 A3                                      Y2562 A3

Y2553 A4                                      Y2563 A4

Y2554 B1                                      Y2564 B1

More information on FIT SA can be found on Shofu’s website at www.shofu.com.

About Shofu Dental Corporation

Shofu has been known for its excellence in abrasive and restorative dentistry. The company’s expertise in abrasive technologies and restorative materials combined with a continuous strive for excellence has led it to the development of a score of high-performance products. Five-time winner of the Cellerant’s Technology Award, the EyeSpecial digital dental camera, makes clinical photography predictable, consistent, and easy for the entire dental team. Bioactive Giomer Technology, a proprietary component of Shofu’s materials, combines the clinical benefits of bioactivity with superior physical, mechanical, and aesthetic properties. This unique technology has been rigorously vetted in 13- and 8-year clinical research studies, which recorded intact aesthetics, no secondary caries, no failures, and no post-operative sensitivity. Shofu’s expertise in dentistry translates into delivering life-transforming products that help dental professionals increase their patients’ satisfaction and, ultimately, improve the growth and profitability in their practices.

NASHVILLE, TN – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Former American Association of Endodontists (AAE) President, Dr. Terryl Propper, DDS, MS, has announced the launch of Endodontic Practice Partners (EPP), a newly formed Specialty Partnership Organization (SPO), focused entirely on supporting the unique needs of endodontists. More than 5,500 endodontists across the U.S. perform over six million endodontic procedures every year, saving countless natural teeth and relieving patient pain, often in urgent situations. Endodontic Practice Partners was founded to provide world-class business support services to these specialty dentists. Affiliate practices benefit from resources in recruiting, marketing, human resources, group purchasing, insurance negotiation, growth capital and strategic planning, helping them grow their practices; all in a model that is endodontist owned, endodontist led and focused on their specialty. EPP is unique in that partners of affiliated practices are owners of the company and will have a stake in its growth and strategic direction. 

“Since serving as president of the AAE in 2016, I have seen rapid changes taking place in the specialty market. Traditional practice models are quickly fading away as retiring practitioners are being replaced by group practices and consolidation across the US. Student debt is influencing young endodontists’ practice choices,” says Dr. Propper. “EPP is taking the lead to help endodontists adapt to these changes. We provide expertise to endodontists to position them for the best possible clinical, professional, and business success.” 

The Company partnered with River Cities Capital Funds, an established healthcare investor and preferred partner to entrepreneurs and management teams throughout the healthcare landscape.

“River Cities immediately understood the mission we are on and were exactly the type of supportive and collaborative financial partner we need,” says Sam Hutcheson, EPP’s CEO.

EPP’s founders have a combined 60 years of clinical and operational experience in the dental and healthcare industries:

Dr. Terryl Propper – Dr. Propper serves as Chief Dental Officer and is a former president of the AAE. She retired after 30 years of clinical practice and served as CEO and Managing Partner of a three-location group endodontic practice made up of eight doctors in Nashville, TN. Dr. Propper is a former ADA Hillenbrand Fellowship finalist, assistant director of marketing for the ADA and a former member of the ADA’s speaker bureau. In that role, she lectured on practice management and marketing across the US and Canada. She was the founder and editor of the ADA’s marketing newsletter, Dynamic Dental Strategies.  She is the current president of the Tennessee Dental Association and the first female to hold this position in 153 years. She graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a certificate and MS in endodontics.

Sam Hutcheson – Sam serves as Chief Executive Officer and is a seasoned healthcare leader with expertise in building companies through acquisitive growth strategies. He most recently served as Chief of Staff for LifePoint Health, where he led LifePoint’s $6 billion “go-private” sale to Apollo Global Management; transitioning LifePoint from being a publicly traded company to an $8 billion privately held company.  Prior to his role as Chief of Staff, Sam held progressive leadership roles at LifePoint Health and successfully closed over $1.25 billion of acquisitions for the company.  Sam earned an MBA from the Owen Business School at Vanderbilt University and a BS from the University of Tennessee

Sherry Bunce – Sherry serves as Chief Operational Officer and has more than 20 years of operational, strategic growth and management experience with three of the nation’s largest Dental Support Organizations. Immediately prior to her position with, she served as Vice President of Specialty Services for Aspen Dental Management, where she developed an enterprise-wide strategy for integration of specialty services across 700 practices. Before that role, she was Divisional Vice President of Operations where she oversaw the growth and operations of  more than100 offices across 11 states. She earned a degree in Health Care Administration from Concordia University. 

EPP’s headquarters are based in Nashville. To learn more, visit www.EndodonticPracticePartners.com.

Contact: 615-933-5166

Panthera Dental is proud to reveal the participants of the Panthera Master Cup 2020. They all have a chance to win more than $50,000 in prizes. This year, the 10 participants automatically win a trip to come to Quebec City, Canada. They will all participate in the Master Cup ceremony during the Panthera Days on June 19 and 20.

“Once again, we have received a lot of excellent applications from more than 15 different countries! The choice of the 10 participants was extremely difficult because of the quality of everyone's presentations. Good luck to everyone!” - Béatrice Robichaud, Panthera Dental Co-founder

Follow the Master Cup competition directly on the Panthera Dental Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram pages or visit pantheradental.com/mastercup

The German CAM solution provider vhf is delighted to announce that California-based Esthetic Professionals will add the high-precision milling and grinding machine Z4 to their portfolio. vhf and Esthetic Professionals agreed on the distribution starting in January 2020.

“We are proud that true dental enthusiasts such as Esthetic Professionals offer our premier milling machine, because we share the same passion for highest quality and service. The Z4 is an investment that will definitely pay off for their customers: high-quality restorations are a matter of mere minutes now. The number of machinable block materials constantly increases, as well as the number of scanners and CAD software packages that are validated with the Z4,” explains Dr. Nicolas Rohde, the CEO of vhf Inc.

Dr. Bruce Crispin, owner and founder of Esthetic Professionals states: “With the vhf Z4, clinicians can unlock the possibilities of digital dentistry. We tested the Z4 thoroughly – and were impressed with its performance. At the Esthetic Professionals Distribution Center, we sell what we use in our commercial laboratory and dental practices every day. That has made us industry leaders and a go-to resource for all our clients. In addition, we install, train, and repair the technology we sell.”

vhf states that the four-axis Z4 is a sophisticated milling and grinding machine for same-day restorations that fits perfectly into the digital workflow. With its intuitive operation, the machine can produce top-notch restorations in little time, so that patients can receive permanent restorations of highest quality in just one session.

Besides distribution, Esthetic Professionals operates a dental clinic, a dental lab, and a dental education center that offers education on the complete digital workflow, which includes hands-on training for the Z4.

Henry Schein, Inc. has announced that it ranks first in its category on the FORTUNE^® “World’s Most Admired Companies” list for 2020. This recognition by FORTUNE also marks the 19th consecutive year that Henry Schein, which participates in the category of Wholesalers: Health Care, has been included on the overall list.

“Team Schein measures success by our ability to do well by doing good, so it’s rewarding to be recognized for our commitment to industry-leading business practices, the quality of our work, and our efforts to support access to care around the world,” said Stanley M. Bergman, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Henry Schein. “This honor belongs to the approximately 19,000 Team Schein Members around the world who conduct themselves with integrity every day and serves to reinforce our commitment to ‘helping health happen’.”

According to FORTUNE, the “World’s Most Admired Companies” list is the definitive report card on corporate reputations. FORTUNE has posted the complete rankings on its website.

All-Day Programs & Specialty Courses Held March 19-21 in Atlanta

The Thomas P. Hinman Dental Meeting -- the nation’s leading dental meeting and comprehensive source of continuing education in dentistry – announces the return of all-day programs for dental hygienists, assistants and office staff, featuring new topics and speakers on Thursday, March 19. In addition, Hinman 2020 will host a variety of specialty courses provided by dental hygiene, dental assisting and dental practice experts from around the country during the three-day meeting. Attendees can search courses by audience, day, program type or speaker online here.

“We’re excited to offer more than 300 courses, seminars and special events for the entire dental team to come together and learn the latest developments and best practices in dentistry,” said Dr. Bob O’Donnell, General Chair for Hinman 2020. “Dental hygienists, assistants and office staff can take advantage of all-day specialty educational tracks, choose several specialty courses, visit the exhibit hall with nearly 400 companies and attend professional networking and social events, including Hinman’s Night Out at The Tabernacle this year!”

Courses for Entire Dental Team

Hinman 2020 will feature topics ranging from mainstays such as treatment planning, case acceptance and effective scheduling to trending topics like opioid addiction, lumps and bumps, bugs and drugs, hackers and more. A special Auxiliary Lunch and Learn (Course Fr504) will be offered in the Exhibit Hall at 12 p.m. on Friday, March 20. Hygienists and dental assistants are invited to learn about the latest dental products and services.

Hinman also is bringing back its popular all-day educational tracks designed for hygienists, assistants and office staff. New this year, attendees of these tracks will receive a $10 food and beverage voucher when arriving at the course, courtesy of Hinman Housing Powered by Eventsphere. The voucher can be redeemed at any Levy outlet in the Georgia World Congress Center. The all-day educational tracks (Th200, Th201 and Th202) will be held on Thursday, March 19 from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Prevention Convention

Hinman’s Prevention Convention (Th201) is designed primarily for dental hygienists, but is open to dentists, students and others as well.

·     “Boning Up on Osteoporosis: An Update for the Dental Team,” Dr. Tieraona Low Dog, 8 – 9:30 a.m.

·     “Something to Chew On: The Effects of Aging on Oral Health,” Ms. Judy Bendit, 9:30 - 11 a.m.

·     “Oral Pathology Update for the Hygienist,” Dr. Samson Ng, 12 – 1:30 p.m.

·     “Jump with Me! Take That Step to Treating the Entire Patient, Not Just the Oral Cavity We Are Used To!” Ms. Shannon Nanne, 1:30 – 3 p.m.

Dental Assisting Extravaganza

Hinman’s Dental Assisting Extravaganza (Th202) is designed primarily for dental assistants, but is open to dentists, students and others as well.

·     “A ‘360 Slam Dunk’ Guide for Successful Teams: Practice Enhancement,” Dr. Mark Hyman, 8 – 9:30 a.m.

·     “The Psychology of Case Presentation: Why Patients Say ‘No’ When You Want to Hear ‘Yes’,” Dr. Roger Levin, 9:30 – 11 a.m.

·     “Communication Solutions: Attitudes, Breakdowns and Conflict Resolutions,” Ms. Judy Kay Mausolf, 12 – 1:30 p.m.

·     “Become the ‘Awesome’ Dental Assistant,” Dr. Lori Trost, 1:30 – 3 p.m.

Business Office Bonanza

Hinman’s Business Office Bonanza (Th200) is designed primarily for dental office staff, but is open to dentists, students and others as well.

·     “Playing the Insurance and Accounts Receivables Game Your Way,” Ms. Lois Banta,   8 – 9:30 a.m.

·     “Banish Broken Appointments: Eliminate Cancellations and Last-Minute Changes,” Mr. Larry Guzzardo, 9:30 - 11 a.m.

·     “You Got This: Leading with Charisma and Confidence,” Ms. Janice Hurley, 12 – 1:30 p.m.

·      “Grow Your Dental Practice with the Best Marketing Secrets,” Dr. Bobbi Stanley, 1:30 – 3 p.m.

Registration for Hinman 2020 is now open with early registration extending through Feb. 20. Please visit Hinman.org for more information.

The Hinman Tradition

The Hinman Dental Meeting is designed with a commitment to quality and professionalism and a high regard for the value of continuing education. The Meeting is sponsored by the Hinman Dental Society, a non-profit organization, and excess revenue is invested and gifted in the form of individual scholarships to dental, hygiene and assisting students and in contributions to institutions that foster dental education. For additional information about the Thomas P. Hinman Dental Meeting, visit Hinman.org or contact Ms. Sylvia Ratchford, Executive Director, at (404) 231-1663.