Labs can now outsource overflow work to an exocad-integrated design service

exocad, an Align Technology, Inc. company and a leading dental CAD/CAM software provider, today announced a collaboration with Evident, a Canadian dental technology company that provides laboratories with third-party design services. exocad users in the United States and Canada can now access Evident’s design service directly through exocad’s multi-directional collaboration tool dentalshare.

“We’re responding to our lab customers’ requests for more support to handle overflow cases and new ways to grow their businesses,” said Novica Savic, CCO and general manager at exocad.” Evident’s scale and expertise make them the perfect launch partner for this new service.” To access the service, exocad users simply need to send their design requests selecting Evident as recipient within dentalshare. Evident will then complete the case designs and send them back to the lab for production. The whole process takes place within the exocad platform, providing an easy and efficient method for labs to scale up their production.

“We design thousands of cases every day and understand that although the design is important, it is all about the workflow,” said Chloe Gordon, Evident COO. “Because we work with tens of thousands of customers around the world, we know how to provide the right support, so our clients can focus on scaling their business.”

These third-party design services will be available in other regions in 2023.

exocad plans to add more third-party design partners going forward.

The two companies announced their collaboration at LMT® LAB DAY® CHICAGO.

Automated Print Preparation, M3 Max Printer and New Validated Post-Processing Solutions Provide New Opportunities for Dental Labs to Reduce Costs

Carbon, the leading 3D printing technology company that is revolutionizing digital dentistry, is expanding its offerings to equip dental labs with time saving and cost reduction solutions. At Lab Day Chicago, taking place February 23rd-25th in Chicago, IL, Carbon is introducing automated print preparation for dental models, new validated post-processing options with Form Wash, and highlighting real world benefits from customers using the M3 Max printing solution. These solutions may enable dental labs to address the staffing shortages that are impacting the growth of businesses, while helping to lower production costs and increase efficiencies.

“The evolution of our platform is a direct result of us listening to our customers and developing features and solutions that help them bring products to market efficiently,” said Phil DeSimone, co-founder and member of the Office of the CEO at Carbon. “We’re excited to offer solutions that may save labs time and money while providing our customers with the tools they need to combat the labor shortages plaguing the industry, no matter who their resin or hardware provider is. Carbon’s platform continues to evolve to meet the needs of dental laboratories.”

Automation to Address Labor Shortages

To enable end-to-end automated workflows for key applications, Carbon is introducing automated print preparation for model production. This new automation feature, available only on Carbon printers, eliminates the majority of lab technicians’ manual preparation time, offering the ability to save up to 15 minutes of active labor per print project. With these automated preparation tools, print technicians can focus on higher value tasks throughout the lab.

New Labor-Saving Post-Processing Options

Carbon is helping dental labs address chronic labor shortages by validating Formlabs trusted Form Wash post-processing systems. The Form Wash process has an automated washing cycle which provides technicians more time to focus on higher value tasks. This sustainable, automated washing solution saves post-processing steps and helps labs to use isopropyl alcohol more efficiently. Both the Form Wash and Form Wash L solutions have been validated for use in production with the Carbon platform.

Increased Efficiency for High Volume Production

The M3 and the M3 Max printing solutions, provide a wide range of high-performance materials and software solutions tailored for applications across dental and lab needs. The M3 Max, which is currently shipping to customers, features a build area 2.2x the size of the M3 with a native 4k light engine that yields the same pixel size and resolution. The M3 Max is ideal for high volume production of dental models, nightguards, dentures and other indications.

"The print accuracy and the repeatability is definitely some of the best I've ever seen, and the data proves it too. The M3 Max is the next level of evolution, it has the speed of the M3 but can print 2.5x the amount of models, it's an impressive amount of models,” said Sam Wainwright, Head of R&D at Dandy. “It's clearly much, much more productive due to the build platform size. We’re getting double the productivity, at least, out of the same footprint in the lab. With that speed gain and build platform size, there seems to be no loss of accuracy and repeatability. As a lab, that's what you want."

Broader Denture Offerings Coming in 2023

As demand for 3D printed dentures continues to grow, Carbon is working with new ecosystem partners and planning to expand its denture teeth, base, and implant-supported denture offerings to meet customers needs. Carbon plans to introduce these new options during the second half of 2023 and they will be available on all M-series Carbon printers including the M3 and M3 Max.

At Lab Day Chicago, Carbon is conducting educational courses that expand on the new solutions on Friday, February 24th and Saturday, February 25th in the Gold Coast Room (West Tower). To see the technology in action and learn how Carbon is partnering with dental labs to deliver the most advanced dental products on the market, visit Carbon’s Lab Day Chicago Booth, Number U-2 (West Tower). For additional information please visit: https://www.carbon3d.com/lab-day-chicago.

For more information on Carbon’s solutions for dental labs, please visit our website at: Carbon3d.com. 

The Company’s Full Suite of Water Treatment, Filtration, Testing, and Procedural Products are Designed to Ensure Every Drop of Water is a Clean Drop of Water

Solmetex, a trusted source of water quality solutions in dentistry is proud to announce the Solmetex System of Water Solutions. The system consists of a robust portfolio of products and services offered by its Sterisil and DryShield brands, as well as a complementary line of Solmetex products marketed under the PowerScrub, DryShield, Sterisil, and NXT brands.

Gene Dorff, Solmetex Chief Executive Officer, stated, “We are committed to providing dental professionals with the best products and services to ensure a healthy dental practice as well as the community it serves. The Solmetex System of Water Solutions includes essential products for water filtration, treatment, testing and amalgam separation, creating the optimal environment for clean and clear lines which improves equipment performance while protecting patients and staff. The Solmetex System of Water Solutions is the culmination of this commitment and makes dental water safety accessible and simple for our customers.”

Amy Gagne, Solmetex’s Vice President of Clinical Affairs and Education, added, “Water is one of the most essential elements in the dental office. It is the most used ‘instrument’. Sure, it’s about regulatory compliance, but it’s also so much more than that. Water has direct effects on patients, procedures, and equipment. It should taste clean, fresh, and have no odor. It should be clear of harmful bacteria and help keep the waterlines and vacuum lines free of biofilm buildup that can hinder the effectiveness of instrumentation. We believe in empowering our customers to provide the best possible care to their patients, and the Solmetex System of Water Solutions demonstrates that commitment.”

For more information about the Sterisil, DryShield, and Solmetex products that comprise the Solmetex System of Water Solutions in dentistry, visit www.solmetex.com.  

Private practices delivering the highest standard in clinical care raise the bar

Planmeca today announces a commitment to provide extraoral dental imaging equipment to locations supported by Elite Dental Partners. Elite Dental Partners has agreed to use Planmeca 3D and 2D imaging units for existing and future sites from across the greater Midwest to the Atlantic shore that offer a range of over 25 dental services.

Clinical capabilities and patient safety protocols were significant factors in the selection by Elite Dental Partners. "The breadth and flexibility of the Planmeca extraoral imaging family made it the ideal choice for the member practices of Elite Dental Partners," stated Planmeca president Glen Kendrick. "From our robust Planmeca ProOne® and Planmeca ProMax® 2D S2 panoramic units to the advanced Planmeca ProMax® 3D LEC, dentists can select the extraoral imaging unit that is the optimal fit for their patients and variety of dental services."

Doctors that choose the capabilities of Planmeca ProMax 3D units will benefit from the advanced patient safety features, including Planmeca Ultra Low Dose™ for an average of 77% reduction in radiation dose* and Planmeca CALM® for patient movement correction.

With over 500 providers collaborating across twelve states, Elite Dental Partners practices can rely on the consistency of Planmeca imaging to support their high standards of clinical care. In addition, Planmeca's reputation for superior product quality, sustained by a network of training and support teams that work in tandem with Henry Schein Dental, the dental division of Henry Schein, Inc., will allow doctors to focus on providing care.

“We’re pleased to collaborate with Planmeca to facilitate the successful implementation of their imaging technology for Elite Dental Partners,” said Brad Connett, Chief Executive Officer, North America Distribution Group, Henry Schein. “We’re confident that our equipment service and training support will help Elite Dental Partners’ providers seamlessly adopt the technology, further enhancing patient care.”

“Planmeca is at the technological forefront in the dental industry. This partnership allows us to support, train and empower our doctors and teams to deliver Elite care to our patients,” stated Elite Dental Partners’ Chief Dental Officer, Dr. Adam Burr.

*According to “Dosimetry of Orthodontic Diagnostic FOVs Using Low Dose CBCT Protocol” by JB Ludlow and J Koivisto

MouthWatch, LLC, today announced the introduction of Dentistry.One, a comprehensive virtual-first solution designed to transform oral healthcare and the dental patient care journey. Built for individuals and organizations supporting patient health, Dentistry.One will feature:

· A nationwide network of on-demand dentists available for live and asynchronous video visits;

· A dedicated team of Care Advisors for personalized care coordination of in-office dental visits and online oral health coaching;

· A digital connection between dental and medical care using our proprietary software; and,

· Benefits navigation to help patients more easily obtain care.

“Virtual-first oral healthcare is finally made complete with Dentistry.One,” said Brant Herman, Founder & Chief Executive Officer of MouthWatch and Dentistry.One. “We create the opportunity for patients to get the care they need and deserve, when they need it, and for organizations supporting patient health to drive improved outcomes, lower costs, and an enhanced patient experience. Dentistry.One is the solution the world needs to connect more patients to care and materialize many of the benefits of medical and dental integration.”

Today’s healthcare consumers are increasingly aware of the proven impact oral health has on their overall well-being. And a growing number of consumers want a telehealth option to make accessing care more convenient. Dentistry.One will bring virtual dental care to today's busy patients through insurance plans, employer benefit packages, Dental Service Organizations (DSOs), and healthcare systems looking to further enhance the patient experience with teledentistry. Dentistry.One helps address current challenges across oral healthcare, such as staffing shortages, access limitations, and improving whole patient outcomes.

Under Mr. Herman’s leadership, MouthWatch has been a pioneering, award-winning company for more than a decade. With Dentistry.One, MouthWatch continues its commitment to creating innovative technologies and solutions that transform how providers and patients experience dental care.

Dentistry.One dentists are highly trained to deliver the best dental telehealth experience possible, meeting patient needs such as emergencies, oral-systemic conditions, prescriptions, second opinions, cosmetic consultations, and overall preventive care. Care Advisors are experts in dental hygiene who will help ensure the patient has a complete care experience, including coordination of in-person dental visits, benefits navigation to help patients better understand their insurance coverage, guidance for improving home care, and recommendations for oral healthcare products and services.

In addition, Dentistry.One will provide oral health coaching services to enhance preventive care and address oral health considerations that improve overall health outcomes for patients with specific medical conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and pregnancy.

“With dental and medical care siloed for far too long, patients have carried the burden of bridging the oral systemic link in their care journeys,” said Herman. “Dentistry.One will offer a digital pathway to bridge a patient’s oral health with their overall well-being by providing exceptional and insightful care, tailored oral health education to improve oral-systemic health outcomes, and care coordination services to get patients into a dental home for treatment.”

Herman continued, “In the future, we envision further connecting a patient’s oral health to their overall health by integrating Dentistry.One with leading Electronic Health Record (EHR) platforms, so that when a patient is diagnosed with an oral-systemic disease or condition, Dentistry.One can simultaneously help the patient begin a better oral care journey.”

Dentistry.One is launching with its first clients in March. The national rollout will begin in April.

For more information, visit mouthwatch.com or dentistry.one.  

The Annual Awards Recognize Scientific Excellence, Charitable Care and Community Impact

The Chicago Dental Society (CDS) recognized Keith Suchy, DDS, and Karen Davis, RDH, for their outstanding contributions to the dental profession during the General Session at the 158th Midwinter Meeting. Dr. Keith Suchy was presented with the Chicago Dental Society Foundation Vision Award and Karen Davis was presented with the Gordon J. Christensen Lecturer Recognition Award in honor of their dedication to scientific excellence, volunteer and philanthropic services and commitment to oral health.

The Midwinter Meeting is CDS’ annual scientific meeting, attracting world-class speakers, hundreds of exhibiting companies and thousands of dental professionals to create one of the dental industry’s premier events in North America.

“We are thrilled to celebrate the achievements of Dr. Keith Suchy and Karen Davis and recognize the contributions they have made to driving dentistry forward,” said Dr. Michael Durbin, 2023 CDS President. “Their work toward improving, advocating for, and representing the field of dentistry has left an indelible mark on the future of the profession and the health of the public it serves. These awards are only a small testament to the accomplished careers and lasting impact these two individuals have left on their colleagues, peers and patients.”

The CDS Foundation Vision Award honors dedicated volunteers who generously support access to care programs and dental education for the underserved in their community, and practice dentistry with integrity, honesty, and truthfulness with a commitment to protecting public trust.

Dr. Keith Suchy has more than 40 years of experience in dentistry and co-owns a private practice, Drs. Sullivan and Suchy LTD, in Westchester, Illinois. Dr. Suchy has been very involved in organized dentistry throughout his career, holding memberships and leadership positions with the Chicago Dental Society, Chicago Dental Society Foundation, Illinois State Dental Society, American Dental Association, The Odontographic Society of Chicago and The American Dental Education Association.

He previously served as CDS President in 2004 in addition to holding several other leadership positions within CDS, such as Treasurer, Chairman of the Finance Committee, Liaison to the Communications Committee and more. Currently, he serves on the Westchester Pension Board and the Community Memorial Foundation Board of Directors.

Dr. Suchy played a key role in launching the CDS Foundation Dental Clinic in Wheaton, Illinois, and was instrumental in driving the clinic forward. He served as the chair of the Board of Managers, the managing entity of the clinic, and donated hours of his time to ensure that those who did not have access to dental care would find a dental home at the clinic. In addition, Dr. Suchy helped garner donations from local philanthropic organizations that financially support the clinic.

Dr. Suchy graduated from the Loyola University School of Dentistry in 1982, where he also served as an Associate Clinical Professor of Endodontics from 1984-1993.

The Gordon J. Christensen Lecturer Recognition Award is named in honor of Dr. Christensen’s many outstanding contributions to dentistry and the Midwinter Meeting.

Karen Davis is a practicing dental hygienist in Dallas, Texas, with more than 35 years of experience. She is also a business owner, accomplished author and a regular on the dentistry lecture circuit.

Her diverse background as a clinician, consultant, team builder and speaker has enabled her to identify the many challenges dental professionals face today. She shares those insights with an array of corporations as a Key Opinion Leader. In addition, Karen’s company, Cutting Edge Concepts®, provides strategies and solutions to help dental professionals communicate effectively, increase case acceptance, and integrate science, experience and practicality into their careers.

Karen has a profound understanding of the human body and the role oral health plays in health and wellness. She is passionate about coaching patients toward disease prevention and optimal health, and she enjoys sharing that passion with colleagues in hopes of inspiring them to do the same.

▪ ST-01 is a MSLA 2.0-powered 3D printer for high throughput digital production in medium to large dental and orthodontic laboratories.

▪ New generation of 3D printers are powered by MSLA 2.0, a step improvement of Structo’s proprietary MSLA technology in longevity and reliability, delivering better unit economics and superior total cost of ownership.

Structo, a dental 3D printing solutions provider is proud to announce a new line of dental 3D printers releasing later in the year. Powered by Structo’s next-generation proprietary technology, Mask Stereolithography (MSLA) 2.0, the new ST-01 and ST-32 3D printers introduce better efficiency and unit economics for dental and orthodontic laboratories.

“Macroeconomic challenges such as the global labour crunch, and supply chain uncertainties from the pandemic have led to increased day-to-day operational costs for our customers, hurting their bottom line,” said Desmond Lim, Structo’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO). “The team knew these were pressing issues that need to be addressed immediately, and we are happy to be announcing a new range of solutions targeted at solving these immediate challenges”.

ST-01 3D PRINTER

ST-01 is a floor standing MSLA-powered 3D printer that is designed for high throughput digital production in dental and orthodontic labs. With a large build volume that is 221 x 129 x 200 (Height) mm, dental laboratories will be able to deploy the printer for high throughput production. For laboratories manufacturing clear aligners, ST-01 has a throughput of 9 clear aligner models every 15 minutes. Paired with Structo’s solventless post-processing workflow, users will be able to get parts ready for thermoforming in 30 minutes. It is also designed for medium and large dental and orthodontic labs, where case volumes require high throughput production.

ST-32 AUTOMATED 3D PRINTER

ST-32 is a MSLA-powered 3D printer built with automation features to enable lights-out manufacturing. Incorporating automation elements in an enclosed cell, ST-32 allows for the continuous printing of clear aligner models with minimal labor by eliminating several non value-add process in between print jobs.

While MSLA 3D printing is extremely quick, the one challenge that it leads to is the amount of time technicians have to spend attending to the printer in between print jobs. This was a core pain point that the development team at Structo set out to solve when developing ST-32 by integrating some automation elements.

ST-32 incorporates a gantry system that automates the changeover process in between print jobs. Each job is printed on an EZrelease magnetic sheet, with full traceability, that allows for easier part removal further down the process. Once a print job is completed, the gantry system will remove the sheet with the freshly-printed parts and store it in a magazine within the cell. It will then insert a new EZrelease sheet to start a new print job. This automation allows dental laboratories to run after hours print jobs, returning the next day to an entire magazine of printed models ready for the next phase in their appliance making process. At peak capacity, ST-32 will be able to print up to 24 EZrelease sheets in a span of 8 hours without needing any technician intervention. The magazine is able to store up to 32 EZrelease sheets at any given time.

Structo will be exhibiting these newly-announced range of 3D printing solutions at LMT Lab Day Chicago on Feb 24-25 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago, Illinois, USA.

For more information, please visit www.structo3d.com.

New release includes new tools for patient engagement, accelerated implant planning and documentation

exocad, an Align Technology, Inc. company and a leading dental CAD/CAM software provider, today announced that exoplan 3.1 Rijeka, the latest version of its powerful implant planning and surgical guide design software, is US FDA-cleared and available for use in the United States. The new release offers an exciting new feature that enables users to simultaneously plan implants and design surgical guides for both the upper and lower jaws.

“exoplan 3.1 Rijeka is designed with labs, clinics, and patients in mind,” said Tillmann Steinbrecher, CEO of exocad. “We’ve incorporated a number of cutting-edge features that accelerate the implant planning process, while at the same time, offering surgeons and patients the predictable and highly esthetic outcomes they want.”

With exoplan 3.1 Rijeka, clinicians can meaningfully engage with their patients in ways that support treatment acceptance by performing rapid pre-planning that helps patients better understand the proposed treatment and then refine the planning and implant selection afterward. The ability to plan implants and design surgical guides for both upper and lower jaws simultaneously allows users to easily check the occlusion with reverse planning, saving design time. A full surgical protocol with a drill sequence from start to finish provides a printable step-by-step plan for guided surgery, offering dentists a clear treatment overview. The new release also provides implant, sleeve, prosthetic and anchor pin placements combined into one step, ensuring the selection of compatible components using exocad’s expansive library collection that is updated frequently.

exoplan 3.1 Rijeka also makes the documentation process easier. A new incognito mode makes it possible to blur patient information when necessary, while powerful tools for managing and customizing screenshots make it easier to save cases, implant planning reports, and surgical guide protocols in one place.

Further key features of exoplan 3.1 Rijeka include:

• Faster tooth setup with Instant Anatomic Morphing

• Improved editing of scan data

• Multi-view adjustment of CT alignment

exoplan 3.1 Rijeka seamlessly integrates with DentalCAD 3.1 Rijeka, exocad’s dental CAD software, to facilitate the planning and production of implant-supported, temporary and final prostheses. The software’s open architecture also allows users to work with the 3D scanner, 3D printer or milling machine of their choice.

exoplan 3.1 Rijeka is now available for use in the United States and will be available in other markets soon.

exoplan 3.1 Rijeka is an essential part of the Align Digital Platform™, an integrated suite of unique, proprietary technologies and services delivered as a seamless, end-to-end solution for patients and consumers, orthodontists and GP dentists, and lab/partners.

exocad names its releases after current EU “European Capitals of Culture” and selected the city of Rijeka in Croatia for the current release cycle.

Additional information is available at exocad.com/exoplan-rijeka. 

Alatus Solutions (formerly “itrac LLC”), a leading provider of a comprehensive suite of services designed to help dental practices thrive, including marketing, training, and software solutions, is excited to announce the strategic merger of Dental Revolution and SmartBox Dental into a unified MarTech firm called Amplify360. Featuring a set of meaningful marketing, membership, and hiring services, Amplify360’s all-encompassing portfolio takes dental professionals and practices from where they are to where they want to be.

Through the creation of customized “Marketing Treatment Plans” Amplify360 offers dental practices meaningful marketing that drives elevated outcomes. These plans take a host of tactics and metrics into consideration, including industry-leading best practices, a focus on big-case targeted campaigns, budget, level of team involvement, internal marketing, community outreach, ideal patient targeting, and ROI tracking.

In addition, as a family of brands, Amplify360 customers have enhanced access to illumitrac software® and DentalPost. Illumitrac is cloud-based software that creates, automates and customizes a white-label membership club that is 100% owned by the doctor. DentalPost is a job search and career development platform that connects dental professionals with job opportunities and provides tools for career growth.

Steve Karasick, Chief Executive Officer of itrac LLC, stated, “Amplify360 is the culmination of our mission to provide dental practices with outcome-oriented supportive marketing tactics and strategies that are proven to help dentists turn their practices into thriving businesses with sustainable growth in any economy.”

John Riley, Vice President of Dental Revolution, added, “We’re excited about the merger of Dental Revolution and SmartBox Dental to create Amplify360. This partnership brings a synergistic combination of teams, solutions, and support to help dentists propel their practices to new heights of success.”

To learn more about Amplify360, visit https://new.amplify360.com/

Two Leading Dental Manufacturers Moving Forward Together to Bring Added Value and Extended Support to the Dental Community

DCI is the world’s largest dental parts manufacturer and fastest growing dental equipment manufacturer in the US, and NSK is the world’s largest manufacturer of rotary instruments for the dental profession. These two companies have joined forces to deliver a comprehensive selection of DCI Edge delivery units along with a choice array of NSK electric and air-driven handpiece ‘bundles’ direct from the factory. With over 130 combined years of experience serving the dental industry, DCI Edge and NSK bring unparalleled expertise to the market to make the life of dental professionals easier.

“We are thrilled to provide our customers with an additional option of buying NSK handpieces and attachments with the purchase of DCI Edge equipment,” said Jason Spencer, President of DCI Edge. “This collaboration will bring a complementary selection of bundles to dental professionals at a value price, and with the peace of mind that an extended warranty brings. Our long-standing relationship with NSK, a company with similar values and focus on innovation, further strengthens this effort.”

“At NSK America, we understand the importance of having reliable and efficient equipment in the dental operatory,” said Colan Rogers, President/GM of NSK America. “Our partnership with DCI offers a unique solution that will enhance the overall procedural experience for both practitioners and patients. We’re proud to be a part of this effort and provide an exclusive extended warranty (along with our worry-free warranty) for our handpieces as part of these bundles. We also consider the after-sale equally as important as the sale, with our product being supported by our 26 Sales Reps in the US and Canada.”

With exclusive pricing and handpiece warranties extended an additional full year, dentists now have the opportunity to improve their operatory with cutting-edge technology at an affordable cost. These bundles include a range of NSK handpieces and attachments, each designed to meet the unique needs and demands of today’s dental practices.

The DCI Edge Delivery Unit and NSK Handpiece bundles are available now through DCI Edge authorized dealers. Special bundle pricing is effective February 23, 2023, through December 31, 2023. For more information and to place an order, dentists can contact their local DCI Edge dealer at www.dciedge.com.