SS White: Bur Bliss

Photo courtesy of SS White.

In addition to promoting its Jazz Polishers and Diamond line, SS White is talking up its Endo Safe End carbide instruments, which the company believes are ideal for the creation of proper access cavities. These new burs cut only laterally, for a clean lateral enlargement after trepanation. They  are said to provide unimpeded, straight-line access to the root canals. The non-cutting Endo Safe End tip prevents the pulp chamber floor from damage, especially in furcation areas. And the smooth transition from the tip to the lateral cutting blades helps to avoid ledging on the axial walls.

Endo Safe End carbide instruments are available in ISO sizes 014 and 018. In both versions, the length of the working part is 9 millimeters, and the total length is 24 millimeters. The 8 cutting blades are said to ensure a quick, but controllable, reduction of material.

For more information, visit www.sswhiteburs.com.

Schott: The Finer Things

Photo courtesy of Schott.

With so much focus on what goes in the tooth—composite, amalgam, etc.—it’s easy to overlook what goes in what goes in the tooth. Schott, a leading manufacturer of special glass powders for dental fillings made of composite materials, spends a lot of time thinking about just that.

In addition to celebrating 125 years in business here at IDS, the company is also debuting its new NanoFine dental glass powder, consisting of particles that are only 180 nanometers in size. “Glass powder is a key component of modern dental composites,” Dr. Jorn Besinger, head of development at Schott, explained. “Hardly anyone knows that a dental filling contains up to 80% glass powder.”

Photo courtesy of Schott.

By further developing its proprietary multi-stage grinding process, Schott has delivered a powder whose particles are incredibly small in size with a tolerance of only 30 nm and a very narrow grain size distribution.

For more information, visit www.schott.com.

EOS: Laser Sintering

According to a survey conducted by the Millennium Research Group, thanks to a variety of factors, the European market for dental crowns and bridges will continue to grow steadily in the next few years.

EOS believes that technological advancements in the field of dental care are contributing to this. The company’s laser-sintering method can help provide dental restorations which are “simultaneously more affordable, more readily available and of high quality.” Reportedly, one fully-automated laser-sintering machine can produce up to 450 parts for dental crowns and bridges within 24 hours, and all of the finished parts will be of the same consistently high quality. The time-savings and the financial advantage that the dental laboratories gain are huge.

Photo courtesy of EOS.

EOS’s EOSINT M 270 laser-sintering system can manufacture dental implants by “direct metal laser-sintering” (DMLS) using a focused solid-state laser. The machine uses CAD data to produce, from metal powder and in only a few hours, complex geometries that exhibit oprimal mechanical properties, surface quality and detail resolution. The CE-certified EOS CobaltChrome SP2 alloy was developed by EOS especially for the dental industry for use in the EOSINT M 270.

Photo courtesy of EOS.

Photo courtesy of EOS.

Here at IDS, EOS has been demonstrating its entire process chain, from the initial scanner to the creation of the 3D CAD data and the laser-sintering machine, and ending with the finished veneered product. For more information, visit www.eos.info.

Acteon: Get the Picture

Photo courtesy of Acteon.

Acteon debuted several interesting new products at this year’s IDS meeting. One of the products getting the biggest push is the SOPROLIFE, a fluorescence imaging system based on technological efficiency. Serious consideration of the needs of the restorative dentistry practitioner, combined with SOPRO’s established expertise in surgical and dental imagery, made it possible to develop a device that makes use of the auto fluorescence of dentine to become a key aid in performing minimally invasive dentistry.

An anatomical view of the tooth as a native fluorescent image facilitates assessment of the condition of the tissue under observation. The device facilitates the process of assessing the risk of caries by highlighting the level of activity in risk-prone areas.

Because it is said to adapt to the most complex of clinical situations, it reportedly enables the practitioner to quickly adjust his treatment options.

In its three operating modes—Diagnostic, Treatment and Daylight—the SOPROLIFE is used “live,” free from ultraviolet or ionising radiation. While in Diagnostic mode, the device is said to be able to detect damage at various clinical stages, without loss of consistency and in very high resolution. By means of a transparency effect, in fluorescence mode II, or Treatment mode, it reportedly enables actual spatial mapping of unbroken tissue areas which are suspect.

Other notable IDS launches include…

Photo courtesy of Acteon.

PSP!X: This new Digital Imaging Plate System is designed to make intra oral imaging in the dental office easier and more efficient. It features four sizes of imaging plates, thin and flexible with an active area optimized to 100%. The readout process of 4.3 sec. is completely automatic and a screen allows the user to control the different steps of the process and to view your shot.

Photo courtesy of Acteon.

Sopix²: This digital x-ray uses fibre optic based CMOS to provide optimal image quality. The ACE technology is a Sopro “exclusive process” that makes it possible to control the amount of x-rays accumulated by the sensor. It protects each image from overexposure and ensures that all your images are always clear.

Other updated products presented at IDS include the Implant Center 2, Piezotome 2 and a Crown Extension Kit by Satelec. For more information, visit www.acteongroup.com.

Medotech: Beat Bruxism

Photo courtesy of Medotech.

The primary topic of conversation at the Medotech booth is Grindcare, a new biofeedback technology that, according to clinical tests conducted by the School of Dentistry in Aarhus, Denmark, can effectively treat bruxism.

Grindcare measures the movement of facial muscles during sleep through a small electrode place on the temple. Whenever bruxism is detected, the device emits a a small electric impulse which causes the relaxation of the facial muscles involved in bruxism (masseter and temporalis). Both patients and dentists can then track the effect of the treatment on a daily basis. According to studies, treatment does not affect the sleep pattern of patients.

For more on the clinical studies as well as testimonials and other information, visit www.medotech.dk.

Tecnodent: Have a Seat

It’s amazing to consider how many different ways you can construct a delivery system. Operatory seating alone has numerous options for both comfort and function. Tecnodent explores several paths with its product offerings. Here are two:

Photo courtesy of Tecnodent.

ECO.next: Totally electromechanical dental chair features a choice of headrests to adapt to different patient morphologies, including children. It features a new “user-friendly” foot control with joystick for seat and backrest positioning; there is an automatic movement to rinse and zero positions. It also has the ability to memorize and recall up to three programs. Improved ergonomics are facilitated by a new, shorter base, two lobes for enhanced stability and a large or narrow backrest. It is easy to sterilise due to the absence of seams and edges. Clean lines, soft curves and a large number of options.

Photo courtesy of Tecnodent.

Linda 3: Ergonomically designed with a knee break seat for easier patient access, the manufacturer believes this system is particularly suitable for the elderly and children. Totally electromechanical dental chair features modern design with clean lines and soft curves.

Fore more information, visit www.tecnodent.com.

Dyna Dental: Implant Care

Photo courtesy of Dyna Dental.

One of the many products being lauded at the Dyna Dental Engineering booth  here at IDS is ImplaClean, a toothpaste for people with dental implants. In addition to being safe for dental implant constructions, the toothpaste uses anionic active oxygen technology (Ardox-X) in combination with Lactoferrine to penetrate the natural tissue and keep tooth pockets and implants clean and free of damaging bacteria or infection.

The active oxygen is not the active, radical form known in hydrogen peroxide, but a safe, anionic form. Released during tooth brushing, the manufacturer has scientific data indicating that the oxygen goes on to eliminate free radicals, infectious bacteria, viruses, parasites and microbes.  Lactoferrine is a protein that, in combination with the active oxygen, has an antibacterial, antiparasitary and antiviral effect.

The toothpaste has a neutral pH value and a low level of fluoride. For more information, visit www.dynadental.com.

SensAble Technologies: Rapid ROI

Photo courtesy of SensAble Technologies.

SensAble Technologies Inc. announced the availability of a new version of its SensAble Dental Lab System (SDLS), an integrated CAD/CAM solution to scan, design and fabricate a wide variety of dental restorations. Through its significantly expanded capabilities for full contour crown & bridge restorations, as well as new features that speed the design and production of removable partials, Version 2 is said to offer dental labs a smarter way to “go digital.” The SensAble solution enables labs to deliver various kinds of restorations from a single system, made with precision, increased efficiency and consistency. SensAble is showcasing Version 2 of the SDLS here at IDS.
The SDLS digital solution is capable of creating metal and flexible partials, as well as full contour crown and bridge. Its key components – a 3D scanner, design system, resin printer, and case management software – have been tightly integrated to produce accurate, consistent results in a streamlined workflow. Version 2 increases lab productivity by providing the digital tools to design a wider range of fixed and removable restorations, and the freedom to easily handle “real-world” cases that can be challenging and time consuming for other systems.

For more information, visit www.sensabledental.com.

VOCO: Non-drip Technology

When thinking about efficiency or return on investment, your initial thoughts probably don’t turn to dripping syringes. But for VOCO, a company that is invested in high-fluid materials, making that kind of waste a thing of the past was a priority.

Photo courtesy of Voco.

The VOCO solution: NDT Spritze, or the non-dripping technology syringe. Described by the manufacturer as “a flexible poetry in the syringe body,” the design ensures that the material withdraws itself back into the cannula of the syringe after squirting.  The syringe makes it possible to apply the materials in the desired quantity without waste. The company believes this will lead to a cleaner, safer and more economical workflow.

For more information, visit www.voco.com.

From the Floor: Forget what you’ve heard!

If the global economy is in trouble, you wouldn’t know it in the halls of Koelnmesse in Cologne.

The floor is crowded, the booths seem busy, and while many companies acknowledge the gloomy forecast, CEO after CEO has said in press conference after press conference that their companies are positioned to succeed and that the dental industry has the right mix of people and products to weather the financial storm.

It’s nice to hear some good news. And while you may brush off that optimism as spin, these companies are launching the products to back up their comments. The biggest players refuse to sit on innovation, and by keeping the ball rolling, positive energy is created. Let’s hope that energy is contagious.

From the floor,

Thais Carter | Editor in Chief, DPR

[scenes from the show floor]

Photo courtesy of Koelnmesse.

Photo courtesy of Koelnmesse.