LOCATOR FIXED is a game-changer for both clinician and patient

Zest Dental Solutions, the only manufacturer of the Zest LOCATOR® Family of Abutment Systems, including the Zest LOCATOR Implant System, and provider of clinician-trusted dental materials and small equipment, is preparing to welcome the newest member of its tried-and-true LOCATOR Family: LOCATOR FIXED™. With no new abutment required, the move to a LOCATOR FIXED full-arch solution is seamless, and in most cases requires less bone reduction and chairtime than traditional, screw-retained restorations.

Driven by flexibility and the goal of making an affordable, permanent teeth solution more accessible, clinicians can now utilize patients’ existing or newly placed LOCATOR abutments to provide a FIXED full-arch solution. LOCATOR FIXED empowers them to offer staged treatment planning—removable overdentures today followed by FIXED full-arch tomorrow, simply by switching out the LOCATOR inserts and housings in the existing prosthesis followed by fabricating a new prosthesis later.

“LOCATOR FIXED is the next stage in the long and prestigious LOCATOR story, the most trusted abutment for overdentures, and it moves Zest from an implant-retained overdenture company, to one that provides game-changing, full-arch solutions,” said Tom Stratton, CEO of Zest Dental Solutions. Stratton added, “If you're new to overdentures or FIXED treatment plans, providing full-arch solutions is now easier than you may think and many can be trained to do FIXED cases after a short LOCATOR FIXED online course!”

Dr. Michael Scherer, Zest’s Chief Clinical Officer and board-certified implant specialist further remarks “If you currently offer overdentures in your practice, the move to LOCATOR FIXED is simple; the ability to offer both a removable and FIXED solution with the same abutment and to be able to switch between the two in a matter of seconds is incredible for our patients and any dental implant practice!”

Because LOCATOR FIXED is designed to be less invasive, require less bone reduction, and is less costly than traditional screw-retained approaches, patients will gravitate toward the chance to experience the life they had with their permanent teeth with this paradigm-changing, permanent teeth solution. LOCATOR FIXED helps to address the challenge of tooth loss and make full-arch FIXED dentistry more attainable for more patients.

“I don’t see this as taking away from my existing implant practice… I see it as growing my practice by placing more implants per case, while steering patients from dentures and adhesives to permanent teeth!” remarked Dr. Scherer.

LOCATOR FIXED is already garnering industry attention and was featured in an article by Dr. Joseph J. Massad, in the September 2022 issue of Compendium. To read the article and see what Dr. Massad has to say about his initial experience with LOCATOR FIXED, go to https://bit.ly/fixedarticle.

Request more information and reserve your starter package, shipping in Q4 2022, and be among the first to use LOCATOR FIXED before the full market release in early 2023, by visiting www.zestdent.com/locator-fixed.

Dentsply Sirona introduces the SmartLite Pro EndoActivator, an equipment solution designed for intracanal activation of irrigating fluids used for cleaning and disinfecting root canals. Designed for multi-directional movement, the SmartLite Pro EndoActivator uses elliptical motion and increased energy for effective irrigant activation.

After shaping, ~35% or more of canal surfaces are left untouched, yet the long-term success of endodontic procedures depends on a clean canal.¹ With SmartLite Pro EndoActivator, Dentsply Sirona is introducing an endodontic equipment solution that is easy to use and incorporate into dental clinicians’ current root canal procedure workflow.

Activating irrigants can help produce a surface with more opened dentinal tubules, allowing for better obturation of lateral and accessory canals. “Following the SmartLite Pro EndoActivator protocol provides more than 38% increased cleaning efficacy versus sodium hypochlorite soak without activation.”²

SmartLite Pro EndoActivator Tips are available in three sizes, including a new Medium Long tip to better support longer file lengths. SmartLite Pro EndoActivator Tips are flexible, non-cutting medical grade plastic tips which provide no ledging, transportation, enlargement or shaping of the canal.

“SmartLite Pro EndoActivator moves fluids much more efficiently. When you´re looking through a microscope, you can literally see the difference in the cleanliness of the fluids that are coming out of the equipment. It´s just loaded with debris. So if you just think of this as turning on your washing machine, it does so much more in 30 seconds than you can do just sitting there soaking,” says Dr. Michael W. Nimmich, DMD, MS (US).

Dentsply Sirona endodontic treatment solutions are tailored to dentists’ needs and offer advanced, comprehensive endodontic care for patients. SmartLite Pro EndoActivator is capable of effectively activating irrigants in ProTaper Ultimate™, WaveOne® Gold and TruNatomy™ shaped canals.

“Dentsply Sirona not only provides product solutions – we give endodontists unshakeable confidence,” says Greg Sheehan, Vice President Global Endodontics at Dentsply Sirona. “From shaping, cleaning to obturation, our signature workflows provide the safety and efficiency clinicians require and expect for any successful endo procedure.”

SmartLite Pro EndoActivator is available in the US as of now.

1 Peters OA, Schönenberger K, Laib A. Effects of four Ni-Ti preparation techniques on root canal geometry assessed by micro computed tomography. Int Endod J. 2001 Apr;34(3):221-30. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2591.2001.00373.x. PMID: 12193268.

2 Dutner J, Mines P, Anderson A. Irrigation trends among American Association of Endodontists members: a web-based survey. J Endod. 2012 Jan;38(1):37-40. doi: 10.1016/j.joen.2011.08.013. Epub 2011 Sep 21. PMID: 22152617.

Ultradent Products, Inc., a leading developer and manufacturer of high-tech dental materials, is honored to be recognized for the second year in a row as a ‘Top Large Workplace in Manufacturing and Production’ by Fortune Magazine; moving from number eight last year, to the nation’s top five in 2022. It is the only company in Utah, as well as the dental industry, to ever make the list.

Fortune bases its rankings on a rigorous evaluation of the company’s culture, values, employee satisfaction, and extensive 3rd party employee surveys and feedback.

Of making Fortune’s list for the second year in a row, Ultradent’s President and CEO, Dirk Jeffs, says, “Here at Ultradent, it’s truly our people that make us great, and I attribute receiving this honor to them. We couldn’t be such a diverse, wonderful place to work without the many talents of people from different teams coming together to execute our vision.”

Of receiving the honor despite white water economic conditions, as well as the global pandemic, he continues, “I want to commend our people for their strength, resilience, and remarkable creativity that, despite difficult times, has made us stronger. I feel very proud of Ultradent’s commitment to inclusion and our core values, and I look forward to seeing that continue to drive our success and culture in the future.”

Established in the basement of Founder and CEO Emeritus Dr. Dan Fischer in 1978, Ultradent has sought excellence in both its products and in what its founder calls “happiness in the workplace” since the beginning. Of this honor, Dr. Fischer says, “We owe this recognition to our peoples’ commitment to Ultradent’s core values: integrity, care, hard work, innovation, and quality.” Continuing, “Companies aren’t made of concrete, glass, and steel—they’re made of people—and they are more productive if they are happy. We extend a depth of gratitude to Fortune Magazine for recognizing our efforts in this regard and are excited to be a part of the list again.” 

New Membership Expands The Company’s Growing Dental Industry Affiliations

SmileDirectClub, Inc. (Nasdaq: SDC), the next generation oral care company with the first medtech platform for teeth straightening, announced today its membership with the Dental Trade Alliance, joining dozens of the most elite suppliers and service providers in the oral health industry, with the common goal of improving the state of oral care. SmileDirectClub will be the organization’s only member that offers clear aligners exclusively.

“We are pleased to become a member of the Dental Trade Alliance and contribute to its commitment to make a lasting impact on dentistry,” said David Katzman, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of SmileDirectClub. “We continue to make tremendous progress within the dental industry to increase understanding and acceptance of our award-winning telehealth platform and secure a rightful seat at the table to advance the field of oral health. These partnerships are a pivotal part of our strategy to expand our reach through the growth of the Partner Network and the launch of SDC+, our premium service offering within dental practices that will be available to consumers in the near future.”

In addition to its Dental Trade Alliance membership, SmileDirectClub is also a member, partner or affiliate of the American Academy of Clear Aligners, American Association of Dental Boards, American Telemedicine Association, American Teledentistry Association, Association of Dental Support Organizations, Dentist Entrepreneur Organization, National Dental Association, and Women in DSO.

Since launching in the U.S. in 2014, SmileDirectClub has become one of the fastest-growing health technology companies, enabling care to more than 1.8 million customers around the world while saving them more than $5 billion collectively over the cost of traditional braces.

*Source: Calculated using the SinglePay price for SmileDirectClub aligners as of 4/20/2022 vs. average fees (including diagnostics and in-person exams) for treatment of mild-to-moderate malocclusion with braces as reported in a survey of orthodontists. 

Keating Dental Lab announces its 20th anniversary as a leading full-service dental lab. Based in Irvine, California and founded on September 3, 2002, by its President and CEO Shaun Keating, CDT, Keating Dental Lab has grown to become one of America’s top dental labs, providing end-to-end solutions for thousands of dental practices nationwide.

“Like any great company, you’re only as good as your people, and for the last 20 years we’ve been blessed to have some of the best people in the dental industry working with us,” states Shaun Keating. “Keating is proud of our people, and we stand behind our mantra of ‘You can count on Keating’. As the most personalized lab in America, we take client satisfaction to heart—it’s something we believe in tremendously.”

Shaun Keating started Keating Dental Lab in 2002 as a one-man lab, servicing local dentists in the Irvine, California area. It has grown considerably since, adding new employees to keep pace with demand. Currently, Keating employs 125 people with over 2,000 years of combined experience and has produced more than 2,000,000 restorations to date.

Known for their committed customer service, Keating Dental Lab aims to be a natural extension of every practice they serve. They’re a family-run business and treat their clients like family, valuing personalized relationships, detailed laboratory work, on-time delivery, and unwavering care for their customers. “I count on Keating because I don’t want a problem; I want things to go smoothly, like clockwork, and they do. Thanks to Keating we don’t have any issues with our lab work—it’s on time, it fits, and it looks good!” says 15-year Keating customer, Dr. Scott Lamming.

“In the 20 years I've been with Keating, I’ve witnessed robust growth in all departments, mostly with our CAD/CAM team and digital restorations. We utilize technology to work smarter for our customers, providing the perfect blend of technical expertise, consistent results and lasting relationships based on communication and feedback, adding value to our clients’ practices,” states Bob Brandon, Keating Dental Lab General Manager.

About Keating Dental Lab

Located in Orange County, California and one of America’s top dental labs, Keating Dental Lab is a full-service laboratory that provides end-to-end solutions for dental practices. A pioneer in dental technology, Keating aims to continuously improve the dental profession by guiding the latest developments in materials and processes, combining the latest in CAD/CAM technology with skilled craftsmanship to deliver products that meet dentists’ exact specifications. All Keating restorations are made in the USA, ensuring that nothing is outsourced, and everything is made with the highest quality materials. For more information, visit KeatingDentalLab.com.  

Zahn Dental has announced its upcoming roadshow events which will take place this fall. Implementing new workflows and technology into your dental lab is key to ensuring your future and evolving with new resins and materials. With a wide range of equipment and resins available for 3D printing, selecting the right workflow for your business can be intimidating.

Industry’s experts and current users will share their experiences and walk through the steps necessary for successfully 3D printing All On X provisionals, digital dentures, and other industry leading appliances.

Join Zahn Dental Consultants along with 3Shape, Asiga, GC America, Myerson, DESS, Keystone, Henry Schein Design Services, and Desktop Health for a full day of education. 6 CE Credits will be offered for this course.

Find a Zahn Roadshow in your area!

October 14: Columbus, OH

October 21: Tampa, FL

October 28: Salt Lake City, UT

November 4: Charlotte, NC

November 11: Dallas, TX

Nationwide, over 2,500 underserved patients received donated oral healthcare on the 12th annual day of service, which took place Saturday, August 20, 2022.

This August, Pacific Dental Services® (PDS), one of the nation’s leading dental support organizations, partnered with Smile Generation to partake in the 12th annual Smile Generation Serve Day, a day of service and nationwide campaign of giving that focuses on providing donated dentistry to underserved patients. The collective efforts of PDS-supported clinicians and team members reached new records this year: over $7.6 million was donated in dental services, while PDS team members provided over 55,000 hours of service to their local communities. Since its inception in 2011, more than 24,000 patients have received donated dentistry during Smile Generation Serve Day, totaling more than $46.8 million in donated oral healthcare.

On Saturday, August 20th, more than 700 PDS-supported dental practices located throughout the United States provided donated dental care to over 2,500 patients, including some life changing procedures such as CEREC® CAD/CAM same-day dental restorations, implants, root canals, oral surgery, and much-needed dental cleanings. In addition, hundreds of PDS team members and families joined community service projects such as park and beach clean-ups, blood drives, creating cards of encouragement for children undergoing cancer treatment, packing back-to-school kits with supplies, and serving in local food banks.

“Smile Generation Serve Day has become a substantial part of our organization,” said Stephen E. Thorne IV, Founder and CEO of Pacific Dental Services. “The act of service changes our hearts and minds about what matters most in life. This annual event gives us the opportunity to selflessly engage with the communities we serve and help them improve their health. This year’s success is evident through thousands of lives that have been positively impacted by the hearts of our team members and their gift of over 55,000 hours of service.”

Patients treated during this year’s event included U.S. military veterans and those affiliated with non-profit organizations, such as Special Olympics, Future Smiles, The Freedom Child Foundation, Dental Lifeline Network, Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth, Adopt-A-Vet Dental Program, The Kaufman Fund, After Innocence, and more.

After Innocence is a non-profit organization that provides free assistance to America's exonerees – people released from prison after having been incarcerated for crimes they did not commit. Since 2018, After Innocence has partnered with PDS-supported dental practices to provide more than 200 exonerees a total of over $650,000 in donated dental services on Smile Generation Serve Day, clearing the way for a lifetime of good oral health. The event preparation includes orchestrating the complex logistics of having dozens of exonerees visiting a dentist on the same day, including pre-screening patients located in all parts of the country and scheduling them for services.

“After Innocence provides free post-release support to exonerees across the country, many of whom who have serious dental problems arising from years of inadequate care while in prison, and a general lack of good, affordable care since being released,” said Jon Eldan, Executive Director of After Innocence. “Smile Generation Serve Day is a game-changer for dozens of our exoneree-clients. Welcoming our exoneree clients into dental practices offices for pro bono services helps these deserving individuals take an important step in rebuilding their lives after wrongful convictions.”

This year’s success was also due to Smile Generation’s partnership with Modivcare, a healthcare services company that provides supportive care solutions to underserved patient populations. This includes access to non-emergency medical transportation, personal care, remote patient monitoring, and meal services. For the second consecutive year, Modivcare offered transportation services to patients in Missouri, Texas, Georgia, Florida, California, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia to dental clinics free of charge on Smile Generation Serve Day.

“We were pleased to support Smile Generation’s Serve Day as it aligns perfectly with our purpose to improve access to care for the underserved,” said Heath Sampson, Interim Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of Modivcare. “The socioeconomic disparities of healthcare extend to dental care as well. Not all Americans are given the same opportunity when it comes to accessing basic needs. Transporting patients to their medical and dental appointments eliminates barriers to care and helps to promote health equity.”

Since its founding in 1994, PDS has been committed to providing business and operational support to dental clinicians to facilitate their focused ability to provide patients with exceptional oral healthcare designed to keep them healthier and happier. This includes education on the link between oral health and overall health – what PDS and its supported practices call The Mouth-Body Connection®. Research shows that harmful bacteria and inflammation in the mouth can indicate and even cause systemic conditions throughout the body. Periodontal disease has been connected to systemic health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, pregnancy complications that result in pre-term/low-weight births, and more. Conversely, the link is often bi-directional. Many systemic diseases, conditions, and even medications can affect a patient’s oral health.

For more on the culture of service in PDS-supported practices, please click here.  

Awarded by Cellerant Consulting Group, the Cellerant Best of Class Hygiene Award recognizes game-changing dental hygiene technologies. The Cavitron 300 Series was identified as a standout product that should be part of every dental hygienist’s toolkit. The honor comes in a milestone year for Dentsply Sirona’s Cavitron portfolio, which celebrates its 65th anniversary in 2022.

As a 2022 Cellerant Best of Class Hygiene Award Winner, Dentsply Sirona has been acknowledged as a manufacturer that is driving innovation in the dental hygiene space. The Cavitron 300 Series ultrasonic scaling system was selected as one of the top products for contemporary hygiene practice for its ability to positively impact the lives of both dental hygienists and patients.

“We are honored that the Cavitron 300 Series has been recognized as a standout technology for dental hygiene,” says David Kierce, Senior Global Product Manager for Infection Prevention, Diagnostic and Scaling Platforms at Dentsply Sirona. “Cavitron has been a trusted brand for 65 years – transforming the scaling experience for clinicians and patients. This award highlights our commitment to understanding the needs of the dental hygiene community through innovation and the team’s continued efforts to reimagine Cavitron over the years.”

65 years of quality and performance in ultrasonic scaling

Cavitron products have long led the way for ultrasonic scaling – with innovative features and benefits that make scaling better, faster, and safer. With a legacy of quality and performance, the Cavitron portfolio is a testament to Dentsply Sirona’s commitment to innovation and improving the treatment experience for patients and clinicians alike. As part of Dentsply Sirona’s Preventive range, Cavitron plays an important role in preventing disease and promoting a lifetime of oral health for happy, healthy smiles.

The Cavitron 300 Series Ultrasonic Scaling System is the newest addition to the Cavitron family and Dentsply Sirona’s most efficient scaling system yet. It uses less heat and water for better patient comfort and is quieter than other ultrasonic scaling systems.* The Cavitron Steri-Mate 360 handpiece offers effortless rotation for a comfortable user experience, while the Cavitron range of inserts offers a broad selection of ultrasonic scaling inserts to fit the needs of every practice and patient.

“The Cavitron 300 Series is simple, effective, and efficient,” says Mandy Macachor, RDH, BS (US). “The touchscreen interface makes it easy to select the desired mode and power level, while the rotating handpiece allows for easy maneuverability during treatments, so I don’t need to stop and adjust.”

For more information about the Cavitron 300 Series, visit: www.dentsplysirona.com/en-us/discover/discover-by-brand/cavitron-300.html.

* Compared to other Cavitron model.

Roland DGA’s DGSHAPE Americas business group, a leading provider of advanced dental milling solutions, 3D printers, and accessories for laboratories and clinicians, has announced the launch of the new DWX-53DC dry dental mill. The DWX-53DC represents the next generation of DWX Series milling solutions, incorporating innovative productivity, efficiency, and convenience features that put this state-of-the-art digital device in a class of its own.

The 5-axis DWX-53DC boasts an enhanced Automatic 6-Disc Changer with 50 percent faster exchange as well as a 15-station Automatic Tool Changer, allowing for incredibly efficient, uninterrupted 24-hour production. In addition, the DWX-53DC features a redesigned, more robust spindle that delivers three times the tool-gripping power than other models for increased speed and predictability when milling PMMA applications. Also new is an innovative 4 mm tool, made exclusively for the DWX-53DC, that allows for 30 percent faster roughing of PMMA than 3 mm tools. Users will appreciate the DWX-53DC’s built-in web camera as well, designed to work in conjunction with the mill’s proprietary VPanel and DGSHAPE Cloud software to provide on-site and remote monitoring. For cleaner milling and easy maintenance, the DWX-53DC features an automated ecosystem with a dedicated extraction unit and connection cable (both included) to remove debris, plus a built-in ionizer that makes PMMA cleanup a breeze.

The DWX-53DC boasts sleek, sturdy construction, including a robust frame and structure that maximize stability when milling for optimum precision and superior esthetic results. Additionally, the DWX-53DC mill’s overall footprint—small compared to other disc-changer models—allows even labs with limited space to expand their production capabilities.

Engineered for smooth, steady performance, the DWX-53DC is driven by a reliable ball-screw system with 5-axis positioning or simultaneous operation. Other noteworthy features, such as automatic machine calibration, automatic air pressure control, and a user-replaceable spindle, further enhance the DWX-53DC’s milling precision, simple operation, and easy maintenance.

DGSHAPE also offers additional options to suit specific DWX-53DC user needs, such as integration with Microsoft Surface Pro, and an optical barcode reader with up to 100 ID patterns available.

“We’re extremely excited about the introduction of the DWX-53DC to our existing family of DGSHAPE milling solutions, which are ushering in a whole new era of digital dentistry,” said DGSHAPE Marketing Manager Lisa Aguirre. “The speed, efficiency and accuracy of this robust, powerful dry mill, combined with its ease of use, cutting-edge monitoring systems, and automated maintenance features, will enable any size dental lab to increase production, precision, and profitability.”

For more information on the new DWX-53DC dental milling machine, visit https://www.rolanddga.com/dwx-53dc. To learn more about the complete DGSHAPE dental product line, visit www.dgshapeamericas.com. 

The Ivoclar Group headquartered in Schaan, Liechtenstein, has added a new member to its Supervisory Board: Dr Friederike Hoffmann-Sieg will support the globally operating dental company with her expertise in the field of digitalization.

"Following a period of transition and increased customer focus with special emphasis placed on creating a more integrated solutions offering, we are now ready to take the next step forward," says Dr Helmut Schuster, Chairman of the Supervisory Board, who is delighted to welcome the additional new member on Ivoclar's Supervisory Board. Dr Friederike Hoffmann-Sieg will reinforce the Supervisory Board of the Liechtenstein-based dental and medical device company with immediate effect. She will support Ivoclar's evolution into a more digitally- and data-driven company.

An experienced executive

Dr Friederike Hoffmann-Sieg is a German executive with extensive experience in the field of digitalization. In her current role she is Head of Connected Business Solutions, leading Swisscom’s B2B telecommunication business, and a member of the management board of Swisscom Enterprise in Zurich (Switzerland). She graduated with a master's degree in International Relations and Political Science from the Free University of Berlin (Germany) and earned a PhD in Business Leadership and Management at the University of St. Gallen (Switzerland).

Complementing the competencies of the existing Board members

Dr Hoffmann-Sieg will support the current members of the Supervisory Board, including Dr Helmut Schuster (Chairman of the Supervisory Board), Dr Matthias Donhauser (Vice-President of the Supervisory Board), Robert Ganley, Prof. Dr Peter Leibfried, Prof. Dr Ing. Wolfgang Reitzle, Christina Zeller and Christoph Zeller, with her expertise. 

For more information about the Ivoclar Group, please visit ivoclar.com.