The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry has just released a new study comparing the trueness and precision of three intraoral scanners: 3Shape TRIOS 3, Medit i500 and Planmeca Emerald.

The in vitro study of complete-arch accuracy found the 3Shape TRIOS 3 to be significantly more precise than the two other scanners with the Medit i500 considered the least precise.

In terms of trueness, a significant difference between the scanners was also found. The 3Shape TRIOS 3 was determined the most accurate along with the Medit i500.

The ability of the scanners to reproduce the files of the reference scanner without overestimation or underestimation was also tested during the research. The TRIOS 3 and Emerald did not significantly either underestimate or overestimate the files of the gold standard. The Medit i500 produced files that significantly underestimated the reference scanner’s files.

The study’s conclusion stated: in terms of dentate complete-arch precision, 3Shape TRIOS 3 was the statistically more precise scanner. With the Medit i500 producing files that significantly underestimated the reference scanner files.

The comparison study was conducted by Dr. George Michelinakis, DDS, MSc, MPhil, Dr. Dimitrios Apostolakis, DDS, MSc, MSc, Dr. Andreas Tsagarakis, DDS, Mr. George Kourakis, BSc and Mr. Emmanuil Pavlakis, CDT.

The study can be found at: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/338140927_A_comparison_of_accuracy_of_3_intraoral_scanners_A_single-blinded_in_vitro_study

Discover more about 3Shape TRIOS intraoral scanners: https://www.3shape.com/en/scanners/trios

About 3Shape

3Shape is changing dentistry together with dental professionals across the world by developing innovations that provide superior dental care for patients. Our portfolio of 3D scanners and CAD/CAM software solutions for the dental industry includes the multiple award-winning 3Shape TRIOS intraoral scanner, the upcoming 3Shape X1 CBCT scanner, and market leading scanning and design software solutions for both dental parctices and labs.

Two graduate students founded 3Shape in Denmark’s capital in the year 2000. Today, 3Shape has over 1,500 employees serving customers in over 100 countries from an ever-growing number of 3Shape offices around the world. 3Shape’s products and innovations continue to challenge traditional methods, enabling dental professionals to treat more patients more effectively.

Technology company is on a mission to liberate dental care

Kleer, the leader in subscription dentistry, today announced its corporate headquarters is moving to a larger office space, located at 676 East Swedesford Road, Suite 350, Wayne, Pennsylvania 19087. Kleer will begin operating out of this space in late January 2020. The new office will accommodate Kleer’s growing team to support a rapidly expanding client base.

This announcement is made on the heels of a year of rapid growth at Kleer. The company launched its advanced, cloud-based dental membership plan platform in January 2018 and quickly became the leader in subscription-based dental care plans.

Highlights of the company’s success in 2019 include the following:

• Kleer added thousands of dentists to its membership plan platform, achieving 250% growth.

• Kleer became a truly nationwide company serving dental practices in all 50 states.

• Patient subscription purchases on the Kleer platform grew by 391%.

• Kleer’s team grew by 150%, including the addition of three vice presidents, rounding out the management team.

• Over 100 new features were added to Kleer’s platform. The company continually releases product enhancements.

• Kleer launched its product for Group Practices—which enables dental support organizations (DSOs) to easily design, launch and manage membership plans across multiple dental practice locations—and quickly grew its group client base by over 200 locations.

"Kleer’s mission is to liberate dental care by empowering dentists to offer simple, affordable and personalized care directly to their patients—with no middleman in the way,” said Dave Monahan, CEO for Kleer. “We are seeing thousands of dental practices implementing our solution in an effort to reclaim control of the dental marketplace and better serve patients. Their success drives our commitment to continuously invest in, update and evolve our solutions to meet the needs of practices and patients alike. We look forward to everything the future holds for Kleer, our customers and the dental care industry."

About Kleer

Kleer, the leader in subscription dental membership plans, is on a mission to liberate dental care. Its advanced, cloud-based platform allows dentists to reclaim control of the dental marketplace from insurance companies by creating membership plans to offer directly to patients. With Kleer, dentists can grow their practices, serve more patients, and offer those patients the highest levels of care. Patients get better, more affordable care without jumping through insurance company hoops. To learn more, visit www.kleer.com.

Dr. Steven Perlman founded Special Smiles at request of Eunice Kennedy Shriver

As the world gets ready for the Special Olympics Sweden Invitational Games in February, one of the ADA’s member dentists will be watching as the Special Smiles program he founded will be used to screen and attend to the dental needs of the competing athletes.

Special Smiles is the dental health discipline of the Special Olympics Healthy Athletes program that provides athletes with intellectual disabilities the opportunity to take charge of their oral health, said Dr. Steven Perlman, a clinical professor of pediatric dentistry at the Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine. Special Smiles provides comprehensive oral health care information and offers free dental screenings and instructions on correct brushing and flossing techniques to Special Olympics athletes.

“Special Smiles is taking care of an invisible population,” Dr. Perlman said. “Our dental screenings may be the only time people with intellectual disabilities encounter a health professional in an entire year, and in many cases their entire life, because they fall through the cracks in the health care system. I’m proud to share that over the last 20 years, we have conducted over 289,000 Special Smiles screenings globally for our Special Olympics athletes, with over 130,000 of those screenings completed in the United States.”

Dr. Perlman now serves as a global clinical adviser with Special Olympics, working with Special Olympics health staff and discipline managers to oversee the strategic growth of Special Smiles and provide clinical guidance on protocols and materials. He leads clinical director trainings at major Special Olympics events and within regions as needed.

“My charge is to try to provide access to care and address educating the dental professional on how to provide care to people with intellectual disabilities,” he said. “For people with intellectual disabilities, there is a much higher burden of disease because they might not have the physical dexterity or capacity to take care of their own oral health care needs.”

Dr. Perlman first became involved with the Special Olympics through its founder, Eunice Kennedy Shriver. In 1993, Ms. Shriver sought out Dr. Perlman to treat her sister Rosemary Kennedy, who had an intellectual disability, and he restored her entire dentition without the removal of any teeth.

“After I treated Rosemary, Ms. Shriver met with me and we talked about the health disparities that exist for people with intellectual disabilities and the huge gaps in access to services and access to equitable care,” Dr. Perlman said. “Athletes sometimes had access, but they didn’t have access to quality care. Within two weeks of treating Rosemary, Ms. Shriver had me meet with her to talk about dental care for treating people with intellectual disabilities. She wanted me to make sure people with intellectual disabilities worldwide had access. She made me promise to never leave the movement.

“I had a practice, I had patients, but I was inspired by her. We did it together. I created the Special Smiles program at her request.”

In 1995, at the Special Olympics World Games, in New Haven, Connecticut, Dr. Perlman and others created the Special Olympics’ first health clinic, eye clinic and oral health clinic, all located in the middle of the Olympic village.

“What we found was stunning,” Dr. Perlman said. “Almost 30% of the athletes screened in those clinics had visual problems or could not see, despite having been treated previously by a doctor. Almost 20% were in severe [dental] pain. These are athletes that had been screened by doctors, had been prepared to come to the games, yet notwithstanding that they were walking around with acute pain so severe that it was interfering with their daily lives. Almost 15% of the athletes screened on this occasion had to be referred immediately to the emergency room for care of serious health conditions either related to their oral health care or to their eyes.”

Inspired, Dr. Perlman further committed himself to the movement.

In 2002, Dr. Perlman helped co-found The American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry to provide a forum for health care professionals who provide clinical care to people with neurodevelopmental disorders and intellectual disabilities.

Alicia Bazzano, M.D., Ph.D, is chief health officer of the Special Olympics, and commended Dr. Perlman and his colleagues for their work.

“Oral health care is critical for everyone regardless of age, insurance or disability, and people with intellectual disabilities are not the exception,” Dr. Bazzano said. “We have shown that people with intellectual disabilities have higher rates of gingivitis and periodontal disease than the general population and this results in negative health consequences. The causes of these disparities include lack of provider education, communication challenges, difficulties with oral hygiene and low reimbursement. Everyone should have access to quality health care. Special Olympics is working hard to eliminate these health disparities for people with intellectual disabilities by providing oral health screenings and education, training professionals and working to ensure equitable access to quality health for all, so that we can get to health equity that is inclusive of people.”

Dr. Perlman agrees.

“We need to focus more on the preventive side of dental care and both educate and empower athletes to take better care of themselves,” he said. “Ultimately, this is about the quality of their lives.”

Special Olympics holds competitions at the local, state, country, region and world level every year. In all, more than 70,000 Special Olympics competitions are held every year. To learn more about the Special Olympics, visit specialolympics.org.

The CEREC team from Dentsply Sirona and Ergosign at the presentation of the Red Dot Awards in Berlin. Left to right: Christian Murra (Lead UX Designer, Ergosign), Jochen Hartmann (Global Product Management CEREC SW, Dentsply Sirona), David Detzler (Head of Site Berlin, Ergosign), Ravid Aloni (Software Developer HMI, Dentsply Sirona), Rebecca Collong (Global Product Management CEREC SW, Dentsply Sirona), Isabelle Geri (UX Designer, Ergosign), Daniela Hery (Senior UX Designer, Ergosign), Federica Lignini (Project Manager, Ergosign).

Joseph A. Califano III, MD, professor and vice chief of the Division of Otolaryngology in the Department of Surgery at UC San Diego School of Medicine.

University of California San Diego School of Medicine researchers have identified the molecular mechanism activated by the presence of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) — the ingredient that causes people to feel the euphoria or “high” associated with cannabis — in the bloodstream that accelerates cancer growth in patients with human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

“HPV-related head and neck cancer is one of the fastest growing cancers in the United States. While at the same time, exposure to marijuana is accelerating. This is a huge public health problem,” said Joseph A. Califano III, MD, senior author and professor and vice chief of the Division of Otolaryngology in the Department of Surgery at UC San Diego School of Medicine.

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma is the sixth most common cancer worldwide. These cancers begin in the cells that line the mucous membranes inside the mouth, nose and throat. Approximately 30 percent of cases of this disease are related to HPV infection, and it is these cases, in particular that are on the rise. Califano suggested increased marijuana use may be a driving factor.

Previous studies have linked daily marijuana exposure to an increased prevalence of HPV-related throat cancer. However, a mechanism linking cannabis exposure to increased growth of the cancer was unknown.

Reporting in the January 13, 2020 online edition of Clinical Cancer Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research, researchers outline how the presence of THC in the bloodstream activates the p38 MAPK pathway, which controls programed cell death called apoptosis. When activated, p38 MAPK prevents apoptosis from occurring, thus allowing cancer cells to grow uncontrollably.

Working with Chao Liu, MD, visiting scientist at UC San Diego and a physician at China’s Central South University, and other colleagues, Califano and team used animal and human cell lines to show that THC turns p38 MAPK on and were able to stop the growth of HPV-positive head and neck cancer by turning off the pathway.

The team then analyzed blood samples from patients with HPV-related throat cancer who had their genomes comprehensively mapped to define activated gene pathways. Similar to the cell lines, the blood samples showed p38 MAPK activation and loss of apoptosis in tumors from patients with THC in their blood.

The authors said studies and public opinion suggestions that THC and other cannabis products have cancer-fighting properties need additional, more critical evaluation. Past studies showing anticancer effects of THC and other cannabinoids often used levels of THC higher than those found with recreational use, but doses used recreationally clearly activate a cancer-causing pathway, said Califano.

“We now have convincing scientific evidence that daily marijuana use can drive tumor growth in HPV-related head and neck cancer,” said Califano. “Marijuana and other cannabis products are often considered benign, but it is important to note that all drugs that have benefits can also have drawbacks. This is a cautionary tale.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), HPV infections are responsible for approximately 35,000 new cancer diagnoses each year in the United States. Infection is so common that nearly all men and women will get at least one type of HPV at some point in their lives. Most clear up on their own, without the person ever knowing they’ve had it.

Several vaccines are available that can prevent the majority of HPV-related cancers. The vaccines work best when they are given before a person is exposed to the virus. The CDC recommends vaccinating boys and girls age 11 to 12 years old but it can be administered as early as age 9.

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, 15 percent of youth 12 to 17 years old and 47 percent of adults age 26 and older have used or tried marijuana.

Together, a low HPV vaccination rate and an increase in marijuana use among youth has the makings of a storm, said Califano, physician-in-chief and director of the Head and Neck Cancer Center at Moores Cancer Center at UC San Diego Health.

Moores Cancer Center is one of only 51 National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers in the country and the only such center in San Diego County.

Treatment options for patients with early- or late-stage head and neck cancers include minimally invasive surgery, reconstruction and rehabilitation, proton therapy and other radiation therapy, innovative clinical trials and targeted therapy, including immunotherapy.

The Head and Neck Cancer Center provides comprehensive care that includes counseling, education and support groups, nutrition, dental rehabilitation, speech and language therapy and social workers to help patients through every step of the process beginning with diagnosis to support lifelong wellness.

Califano and team are now looking at whether cannabidiol, or CBD, has a similar effect to THC. CBD is another major chemical compound found in marijuana, but does not produce the “high” and is now commonly used in various over-the-counter products, such as lotions, ointments and edibles.

In addition, the team is investigating whether p38 MAPK can be targeted with drugs to stop HPV-related head and neck cancer from growing.

Co-authors include: Chao Liu, Sayed Sadat, Koji Ebisumoto, Akihiro Sakai, Bharat Panuganti, Shuling Ren, Yusuke Goto, Sunny Haft, Takahito Fukusumi, Mizuo Ando, Yuki Saito, Pablo Tamayo, Huwate Yeerna, William Kim, Jacqueline Hubbard, Andrew Sharabi and J. Silvio Gutkind from UC San Diego; and Theresa Guo from Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions.

Funding for this research came, in part, from the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research and National Institute of Health (R01 DE023347, U01CA217885, R01HG009285, R01CA121941 and P30CA023100).

HIGHLIGHTS: Researchers say tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) in marijuana triggers a molecular mechanism that accelerates cancer growth in patients with human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, the sixth most common cancer worldwide.

Rising recreational marijuana use may be a driving factor in rising HPV cancer rates.

Researchers are now investigating whether cannabidiol in marijuana has a similar effect on HPV cancer.

Surgery that moves the jaws forward can result in significant improvements in long-term quality of life – including functional outcomes and sleep quality – in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), according to a new study.

Researchers analyzed long-term quality of life factors in patients who underwent jaw surgery – known as maxillomandibular advancement (MMA) – which helps open the airway to treat severe OSA, according to the study in the January issue of the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, the official journal of the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS).

During OSA, airway muscles, large tonsils, the tongue or excess tissue blocks the airway – leading to breathing stopping and starting during sleep. The condition can result in excessive daytime sleepiness, lower quality of life and impaired cognitive function that affects daily activities.

The study’s 27 patients underwent follow-up examination for at least five years and at an average of nearly 13 years. They answered a questionnaire that asked about sleep quality, daytime function as well as physical, mental, emotional and sexual health.

Among the results, 88 percent of patients said they snored less, 82 percent said their sleep quality improved and 77 percent said they experienced less difficulty remaining awake during the day. Patients also expressed contentment with the surgery: 76 percent were satisfied MMA managed their OSA, 71 percent would undergo MMA again to treat their OSA and 65 percent said they would recommend MMA to other OSA patients.

Patients also said they felt their speech quality or swallowing ability did not change, they experienced bearable pain after surgery, and they had a satisfactory facial appearance.

“The most significant subjective improvements were in the specific categories of personal satisfaction, sleep quality and functional outcomes,” researchers wrote. “These data tend to indicate that very long-term subjective improvements in (quality of life) issues from MMA for OSA are possible.”

No significant improvement or change occurred in some categories – including physical health and sexual desire – but their results could decrease with age even in those who do not undergo surgery, researchers wrote.

The authors of “Maxillomandibular Advancement for Obstructive Sleep Apnea Is Associated With Very Long-Term Overall Sleep-Related Quality-of-Life Improvement” are from Allegheny General Hospital, Division of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Pittsburgh, Pa.: Joseph E. Cillo Jr., DMD, MPH, PhD; Neil Robertson, DMD; and David J. Dattilo, DDS.

The full article can be accessed at JOMS.org/article/S0278-2391(19)30640-8/fulltext.

The Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery is published by the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons to present to the dental and medical communities comprehensive coverage of new techniques, important developments and innovative ideas in oral and maxillofacial surgery. Practice-applicable articles help develop the methods used to handle dentoalveolar surgery, facial injuries and deformities, TMJ disorders, oral and head and neck cancer, jaw reconstruction, anesthesia and analgesia. The journal also includes specifics on new instruments and diagnostic equipment, and modern therapeutic drugs and devices.

The experts in face, mouth and jaw surgery® — The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons (AAOMS) is the professional organization representing more than 11,000 oral and maxillofacial surgeons, OMS residents and OMS professional staff in the United States. AAOMS supports its fellows’ and members’ ability to practice their specialty through education, research and advocacy. AAOMS fellows and members comply with rigorous continuing education requirements and submit to periodic office anesthesia evaluations. For additional information about oral and maxillofacial surgery, visit the AAOMS websites at AAOMS.org and MyOMS.org.

Fast Track Dental CE is excited to announce the release of their two new online courses Fast Track Clear Aligners (www.LearnAligners.com) and Step-by-Step Printing Your Own In Office Clear Aligners (www.InOfficeAligners.com)! 

Fast Track Clear Aligners is a comprehensive online learning designed for doctors ready to get started with clear aligners in their practice. This course explores the foundation and concept of clear aligners from patient identification, diagnosis & treatment planning all the way to retention. A live step-by-step video catalogue is utilized to teach clinical procedures including bonding attachments, interproximal reduction, photography & record taking, making digital and polyvinyl impressions, and removing attachments. Business skills and insurance billing are introduced to prepare for financial success. The course explores patient engagement through social media to increase the number of aligner cases in the office. Concepts presented are universal to all aligner brands, the major aligner manufacturers are discussed so the doctor can decide which aligner company they would like to use in their office with Invisalign and ClearCorrect as the predominant examples. Doctors should complete the course ready to begin clear aligner treatment in their office, and team members completing the course will be ready to communicate with patients and support the doctor. Up to twelve hours of CE can be awarded with AGD PACE national recognition. www.LearnAligners.com 

For those doctors that want to take clear aligners a step further, Step-by-Step Printing Your Own In Office Clear Aligners includes all the information of Fast Track Clear Aligners and expands into software and laboratory procedures necessary for in office aligner fabrication. Special guest Dr. Michael Scherer, DMD, MS, teaches 3D printing and processing. This course is designed for the doctor, assistant, and technician wanting to take full-control of the clinical and laboratory process for clear aligners. Up to twenty-five hours of CE can be awarded upon course completion. www.InOfficeAligners.com 

The 36th Annual American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD) Scientific Session in Orlando, April 22 – 25, will continue its tradition of providing a multifaceted educational experience, along with networking and social activities for cosmetic dental professionals, all while serving up several entertaining events to raise funds for the Give Back a Smile program. These events include a high-tech golf experience, a step-counting competition, a silent auction, and more.

The AACD Charitable Foundation’s Give Back a Smile (GBAS) program connects adult survivors of domestic and/or sexual violence with dental injuries to volunteer cosmetic dentists who restore their smiles free of charge. Since the program’s 1999 inception, more than 1,800 people have had their smiles restored through the Give Back a Smile program. In 2019 the program underwent a full rebrand and refresh in order to increase their visibility and better position themselves to both attract volunteers and to promote their services to those in need. The Annual Scientific Session is a key fundraising event for the Give Back a Smile program.

On Thursday, April 23, Orlando conference attendees are welcomed to Topgolf for a golf experience like no other. This official AACD 2020 Orlando fundraising event features unlimited golf in high-tech, climate-controlled hitting bays, space to socialize and network, and a cash bar with appetizers like mini meatballs, charred Romaine and baby kale Caesar salad, and chocolate chip cookie bites. All proceeds of the Topgolf event will benefit survivors of domestic and sexual violence through GBAS.

On Friday, April 24, The AACD Steps for Smiles Event will once again raise funds for Give Back a Smile; this time, attendees compete in tracking their steps for one full day. The attendee with the most steps wins! All participants (while supplies last) will receive an official Steps for Smiles T-shirt. All proceeds of Steps for Smiles will go to survivors through the GBAS program.

And on both Thursday and Friday, attendees are welcomed to the Exhibit Hall for the Give Back a Smile Silent Auction and Wine Pull to raise funds for furthering the mission of the Give Back a Smile program. Wine enthusiasts especially will not want to miss this chance to take home a quality bottle or two for a fraction of the retail price.

AACD 2020 in Orlando promises world-class education and networking events, along with several opportunities to make a difference in the lives of others by fostering a spirit of philanthropy. To learn more about the Give Back a Smile program, visit www.givebackasmile.com.

For more information or to register for the 36th Annual AACD Scientific Session, visit www.aacdconference.com.