“We are delighted that the Objet Eden260V 3D Printer was selected as a 2011 Best of the Best Product for precision dental manufacturing by Dental Lab Products’ readers,” said Avi Cohen, Head of Medical Solutions at Objet. “The high degree of interest reflects 3D printing’s growing importance in digitizing dentistry. The selection of the Objet Eden260V 3D Printer highlights Objet’s growing success in redefining manufacturing in the dental laboratory industry.”

3D printing is at the heart of the new digital era in dentistry. By combining oral scanning, CAD/CAM design and 3D printing, dental labs can accurately and rapidly produce dental stone models, and a range of orthodontic appliances for dental offices. The Objet Eden260V 3D Printer provides dental labs with an ideal platform for a digitized workflow, enabling more efficient and cost effective production.

Avi Cohen continued: “It is notable that the Objet Eden260V 3D Printer was the only rapid prototyping platform chosen out of more than 230 new product innovations across all categories. We are excited to play our part in bringing improved dental solutions to dentists and their patients. Through the use of proven Objet 3D Printers for additive manufacturing, and our advanced, medically approved materials, we are leading in providing highly accurate and excellent-quality models and parts at an affordable cost.”

Dentistry Today’s second annual Readers Choice Top 50 Technology Products are selected on the basis of lead generation, and represent some of the dental profession’s most innovative technology products.  Joseph LaPorta, VIDAR’s global president, said, “We were excited to receive the news that our newest medical film digitizer, designed specifically for dental applications, has garnered so much attention.  We have evidence that once dentists see the difference between scanned images vs. digitized images, they understand how important a medical grade digitizer is for access to excellent quality images from which to make diagnoses.”

An efficient and affordable solution, the VIDAR Dental Film Digitizer provides the diagnostic detail and clarity needed to determine the best treatment options for patients.  It is ideal for dental offices that are already using digital intraoral imaging but have not yet made the conversion to digital for their panoramic and cephalometric imaging equipment.  It can also digitize x-ray films for integration into patients’ digital records to achieve a completely digital workflow at a fraction of the cost of digital panoramic solutions.

There are significant misperceptions in the industry that office scanners designed for documents are sufficient for scanning dental x-rays, but experts say there are major differences in the technologies that render office scanners inappropriate for medical use.  Arlene Holmes, VIDAR’s director of marketing and corporate communications, stated, “The dental community no longer has to settle for the inferior images produced by flatbed scanners – they now have available a medical grade film digitizer that is able to produce digitized images as detailed as the original film far more quickly and efficiently than flatbed scanners.”

The compact, easy-to-use device connects to a PC with a USB cable and features a variety of software connectivity options, making integration into existing practice management systems straightforward and simple.  Dental films of all standard sizes can be digitized quickly with the VIDAR Dental Film Digitizer; additionally, panoramic films can be digitized in just 18 seconds.

The VIDAR Dental Film Digitizer is the answer for many dental professionals wanting their practices to become completely digital.  The VIDAR product allows practices to discard their patients’ dental films once they are digitized, improving efficiency and freeing up much-needed space in crowded dental offices.

Henry Schein Dental’s Sleep Complete program provides tools to address all of the key components of dental sleep medicine:  education, treatment, reimbursement and monitoring. The Sleep Complete package includes the Dental Writer™ Diagnostic Report Writer and Medical Billing Software for Dentistry through Nierman Practice Management.  This specialty software simplifies the billing and reimbursement process for dentists on procedures that require reimbursement from the patients’ medical insurance and provides the tools needed to easily submit reimbursement paperwork at the click of a button.  Additionally, as part of the Sleep Complete package, Henry Schein Dental is offering dentists registration to the Nierman Practice Management two-day “Successful Implementation of Dental Sleep Medicine” seminars featuring Dr. John H. Tucker, D.M.D., Diplomate ABDSM, Diplomate ICOI.  These two-day live educational courses offered around the country as well as one-hour webinars provide dentists with a comprehensive overview of sleep disorders and guide them in successfully incorporating dental sleep medicine into their practice.

The Sleep Complete package also includes the oral appliance starter kit from Modern Dental Laboratory USA that consists of pre-paid vouchers for The Moses™, the EMA® First Step and EMA® Custom oral appliances as well as marketing materials and other useful tools for the dentist to incorporate this therapy solution into their practice.  This selected range of oral appliances offer options suited to all types of patients. These appliances are all FDA cleared for the treatment of snoring and mild to moderate sleep apnea, or for patients that cannot tolerate CPAP (Continuous Positive Air Pressure).

The final component of the Sleep Complete package is the WatchPAT™ testing device provided through Itamar Medical.  WatchPAT is a user-friendly, non-invasive, portable sleep testing device that gathers data related to the patient’s sleep tendencies that can be interpreted by a sleep physician and used by the dentist to titrate the oral appliance being used for the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea.  Dentists utilize the WatchPAT portable sleep monitoring device in collaboration with the patient’s physician.

“Sleep apnea is a serious health problem, and dental sleep medicine presents a very promising practice extension opportunity for dentists,” said Tim Sullivan, President of Henry Schein Dental.  “Our Sleep Complete program provides all of the key tools and guidance necessary to help dentists easily navigate the intricacies of treatment, reimbursement and monitoring, and makes it simple for our dentist customers to successfully incorporate dental sleep medicine into their practices.”

Sleep apnea, which occurs when the tongue and soft tissues fall back into the throat and block the airway during sleep, is a very serious health condition.  According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, approximately one-half of people who snore loudly have obstructive sleep apnea, which can contribute to an increased risk for high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, diabetes, depression, memory and concentration problems, obesity, excessive daytime sleepiness, and driving accidents.  The American Academy of Sleep Medicine also notes that while an estimated 18 million Americans suffer from sleep apnea, 80-90 percent remain undiagnosed.

The Sleep Complete package will be offered to dentists through a bundled financing package through Henry Schein Financial Services, significantly lowering the financial barrier to entry that often faces dentists interested in incorporating sleep medicine into their practice.

AcceleDent™ is a simple, removable and non-invasive appliance that a patient with braces wears in the mouth for 20 minutes per day to accelerate orthodontic tooth movement. A randomized, controlled clinical trial conducted at the University of TexasHealth Science Center at San Antonio, under the guidance of Dr. Dubravko Pavlin, Professor of Orthodontics, demonstrated, with statistical significance, that tooth movement could be accelerated by 106% during the initial alignment phase and 38% to 50% during closure of extraction space. There was no evidence of damage (resorption) of tooth roots or any other adverse events caused by the appliance, thus demonstrating an excellent safety profile. Dr. Pavlin commented, “The evidence for faster tooth movement with the use of AcceleDent™ is welcomed by both orthodontists and patients since it may result in shorter orthodontic treatment time.  With an increase in rate of tooth movement observed in our study the orthodontic treatment time could be shortened by at least 5 months during the first two stages of orthodontic treatment.  This, together with excellent tolerance, lack of discomfort and ease of use reported by our patients, indicates that AcceleDent™ will likely become an extremely useful tool and valuable adjunct appliance in orthodontic clinical practice.”

Michael Kaufman, Vice President of Business Development & Marketing at OrthoAccel^®, remarked, “We have now completed two clinical trials in the U.S.A. with the AcceleDent™ System, and the results have consistently exceeded our expectations. With continuously increasing demand for evidence-based treatments in medicine and dentistry, we are extremely pleased to introduce the first in a series of innovative orthodontic appliances that has the ability to markedly accelerate orthodontic treatment based on sound clinical evidence.” The first clinical trial on the AcceleDent™ System was completed under the guidance of Dr. Jeryl English and Dr. Chung Kau at the University of Texas Health Science Center Dental Branch, Houstonand has since been published.

OrthoAccel^® has been selling the AcceleDent™ System outside the U.S.A. since October 2009 where hundreds of orthodontic cases have been treated with AcceleDent™. As reported by orthodontists, the average orthodontic treatment time has been significantly shortened. Dr. Stewart Hawthorn, a private practice orthodontist in Winchester, UK was among the first in the world to include the AcceleDent™ System into his orthodontic treatment plan. He recently shared, “I am really surprised at how wellAcceleDent™ works. It is certainly a useful adjunct to my orthodontic techniques. For those patients who are keen to reduce their treatment time I would definitely recommend it!” Indicative of the commitment to advance the understanding and efficacy of this appliance through scientific clinical evidence, OrthoAccel^® has initiated clinical studies with the AcceleDent™ System in other countries.

The science behind the AcceleDent™ System is the result of years of research by many scientists including Dr. Jeremy Mao,Professor of Orthodontics and Zegarelli Endowed Chair at Columbia University College of Dental Medicine in New York. Dr. Mao’s pioneering work in the early 2000′s, which was initially conducted while he was on faculty at the University of Illinois, Chicago, was paramount in establishing the therapeutic effect of pulsatile forces in accelerating bone modeling and remodeling in the orofacial region. Dr. Mao remarked, “FDA clearance of AcceleDent™ is the culmination of sound scientific principles and proof of concept studies translated into a product that benefits society. Two independent U.S.A. clinical trials and hundreds of cases, in Europe and Australia, with children and adults treated with braces and AcceleDent™, demonstrate accelerated tooth movement.”

Dr. Lawrence Levens, a private practice orthodontist in St Louis, MO has been anxiously awaiting the arrival of theAcceleDent™ appliance and recently stated his belief that the technology will revolutionize orthodontic treatment for patients. According to Dr. Levens, “Orthodontic manufacturers have tweaked brackets and wires for years in the hope of gaining some small advances in shortening the total treatment time patients must wear braces. That area of advancement has been tapped completely. AcceleDent™ has adapted existing technology from orthopedics that has been proven to be safe and effective in causing bones to heal more quickly and applied it to orthodontics. I can deliver the same great care to my patients but much more quickly. Who wouldn’t want that?”

Objet Ltd., the innovation leader in 3D printing for rapid prototyping and additive manufacturing, will demonstrate the benefits of adding 3D printing to the digital dental and orthodontic workflow, at 8^th International DLOAC CAD\CAM Symposium and Expo 2011, to be held in Pasadena, CA, on November 18-19, 2011. Objet will also present the new Objet Bio-Compatible 3D printing material (MED610™).

According to Objet, MED610 combines bio-compatibility with high dimensional stability and clear transparency. This makes it useful for a wide range of dental solutions – particularly the production of highly accurate, customized surgical guides.

Avi Cohen, Head of Medical Solutions at Objet comments, “Objet has concentrated its innovative technology in providing dental labs with real business value and high productivity. Our stand promises to be a bee-hive of activity which will be supplemented by expert speaker events such as Don Albensi from Albensi Dental Labs. Orthodontics professionals can also look forward to seeing Objet’s orthodontic solutions using 3D printing systems.”

Additionally, Objet will showcase a broad range of dental models at the event specifically designed for the dental market. The Objet bio-compatible material features extreme toughness, dimensional stability and great detail visualization - producing models that can be handled immediately after being built.

Avi Cohen concludes, “Objet offers the dental market a comprehensive digital solution, providing dental and orthodontic labs with the ability to digitally print high quality dental and orthodontic models with extreme precision. Adding digital dentistry to a lab’s workflow allows them to significantly improve the service they provide to their dentist customers.”

Among dental and orthodontic laboratories already using Objet 3D printing technology are Glidewell Laboratories, Albensi Laboratories, iDent Imaging, Remedent, Clearstep, Protec and Guide3D to fabricate unique stone models, orthodontic appliances, delivery and positioning trays, veneer try-ins, full and partial denture try-ins, surgical guides, clear aligners and retainers.

Watch how Albensi Laboratories is producing better dental restorations and drops turnaround time for dental restorations from 7 days to just 2 days using Objet 3D Printing. View movie.

To find out more about Objet’s digital dentistry solutions please visit http://www.ObjetDental.com.

*Biological Testing: Parts printed by Objet according to Objet MED610 Use and Maintenance Terms (DOC-08242) were evaluated for biocompatibility in accordance with standard DIN EN ISO 10993-1:2009, Biological evaluation of medical devices-Part 1: Evaluation and Testing within a risk management process. This addresses cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, delayed hypersensitivity, and USP plastic Class VI which includes the test for irritation, acute systemic toxicity and implantation.

DISCLAIMER: It is the responsibility of the Customer and its respective customers and end-users to determine the bio-compatibility of all the component parts and materials used in its finished products for their respective purposes, including in relation to prolonged skin contact (of more than 30 days) and short-term mucosal-membrane contact (up to 24 hours). Results may vary if different conditions apply than those existing at Objet Ltd.’s (“Objet”) laboratories at testing time and those that applied for the purposes of the evaluation of biological testing specified in 2009, Biological evaluation of medical devices-Part 1: Evaluation and Testing within a risk management process. Customer acknowledges the contents of this document and that Objet parts, materials, and supplies are subject to its standard terms and conditions identified at http://www.objet.com/termsandconditions/  which are incorporated herein by reference.

Objet does not guarantee the final release and availability of materials, products and/or features referred to herein. Materials will be released subject to Objet’s sole discretion. Not all released materials are currently available for all platforms/systems. Objet will update its website further as releases become available and/or compatible with specific platforms/systems.

The Slim Sonic has a light weight handle, 3 brush heads each providing its own unique cleaning purpose and the charging base is about 3 inches long and 2 inches deep and accommodates the additional brush heads that are not being used. It is available in 3 fashionable colors: Pink, White and Silver. The Slim Sonic also provides 4 30 second quadrant timers and a two minute auto shut-off. It is priced at $49.00 and is offered with a 30 day money back guarantee.

“The CosmicSmile Slim Sonic Toothbrush is a great toothbrush for those with limited counter space in the bathroom,” says Jennifer Burnett, Director of CosmicSmile.com Customer Support. “The handle with brush head attached is about the same weight as a manual toothbrush and it is slim, making it perfect for smaller hands or those who feel the usual electric toothbrush is too bulky. A great feature about the charging base is that it can be wall mounted, which makes it even more of a space saver.”The Slim Sonic Toothbrush, along with the entire new collection of CosmicSmile products, is currently available on the CosmicSmile.com web site, as well as SkyMall Magazine and SkyMall.com. For further information about the Slim Sonic and other products offered, please visit www.cosmicsmile.com.

According to Objet, the material combines bio-compatibility with high dimensional stability and clear transparency. This makes it useful for PMMA simulation and a wide range of dental solutions – particularly the production of highly accurate, customized surgical guides.Avi Cohen, Head of Medical Solutions at Objet adds, “Objet invests significantly in R&D in order to proactively meet the requirements of our customers.

The advanced mechanical properties of the new Bio-Compatible material, including clear transparency, bring benefits to the entire medical and dental workflow – from surgical planning through to the procedure itself.”The new Objet Bio-Compatible material is ideal for prolonged skin contact of over 30 days and mucosal-membrane contact of up to 24 hours. It has five medical approvals according to the harmonized standard ISO 10993-1: Cytotoxicity, Genotoxicity, Delayed Type Hypersensitivity, Irritation and USP Plastic Class VI. MED610 is also manufactured under the ISO 13485:2003 certification, which specifies that each and every batch of the material undergoes bio-compatibility conformity testing, including GC-FID before it is packaged.

This ensures the highest bio-compatible standards for dental solutions requirements.Objet is also showcasing a broad range of the dental models at the event, specifically designed for the dental market. The material features extreme toughness, dimensional stability and great detail visualization-producing modelsthat can be handled immediately after being built.Avi Cohen concludes, “Choosing the right equipment to get the best return on investment is not trivial. Objet enables dental practitioners to reap the maximum benefits from the digital dentistry era, which is exactly what well be demonstrating at the International Expodental Rome.”Among dental laboratories already using Objet 3D printing technology are Glidewell Laboratories, Albensi Laboratories, iDent Imaging and Remedent to fabricate unique stone models, orthodontic appliances, delivery and positioning trays, veneer try-ins, full and partial denture try-ins, surgical guides, clear aligners and retainers.Watch Don Albensi, C.D.T., tell us the value Objet 3D printing has brought to Albensi Laboratories, including the reduction of their dental restorations cycle from 5-7 days to 2-3 days video.

For this reason, the brand is launching the Philips Sonicare Make a Switch Contest via its Facebook page.  The contest, which goes live today, invites consumers to submit a 30-60 second video or photo detailing a small, but impactful switch they have made to improve their health and well-being. Examples might include replacing a nightly bowl of ice cream with fruit salad, or opting for the stairs instead of the elevator. One compelling story will win a Grand Prize all-expenses paid trip for two to Los Angeles, CA – where healthy living is a multi-million dollar business. The trip will include VIP treatment and a free ZOOM teeth whitening session at the office of celebrity dentist, Dr. Bill Dorfman, DDS.

“We recently conducted a survey which found that 50 percent of Americans admit they do not floss as much as they should[1],” said Leopold Stratenus, Marketing Director, Philips Sonicare. “Sonicare AirFloss was developed to provide an easier way to clean in-between teeth and increase compliance.  The Philips Sonicare Make a Switch contest celebrates people who are making – and sharing – this and other healthy switches in their lives.”

Entries can be submitted via the Philips Sonicare Facebook page from now until October 31. A panel of judges will select five video submissions, which will be eligible for the Grand Prize trip for two to Los Angeles; and 10 photo submissions, which will be eligible for a Runners-Up Philips Sonicare prize package.

Upon selection of the finalists and semifinalists on November 3, consumers can visit the Philips Sonicare Facebook page to vote for their favorite switch submissions.  Winners will be notified via email and announced on the Philips Sonicare Facebook wall on November 29.

Sonicare AirFloss

With Sonicare AirFloss, Philips leveraged years of science-based research to expand its product portfolio beyond power toothbrushing for the first time. The first-in-class flossing device effectively cleans between teeth using microburst technology, a rapid burst of air and water droplets, to push plaque and bacteria from in between teeth, removing up to 99 percent more plaque than brushing with a manual toothbrush alone[2].  With a simple point and press, one button operation, Sonicare AirFloss cleans the entire mouth with less than one teaspoon of water in less than a minute.  Sonicare AirFloss is safe and gentle on gums and teeth[3], and during Philips’ consumer testing, 86 percent of users found AirFloss easier to use than string floss[4].

For more information about Philips Sonicare AirFloss or the Philips Sonicare range, including copies of clinical studies, visit www.sonicare.com

Albensi Laboratories, a leading dental laboratory located near Pittsburgh, PA, was among the first to recognize that 3D printing could enable it to produce high-quality restorations in significantly less time. In December 2010, it started using an Objet Eden350V 3D Printer to print models based on digital dental impressions created from intra-oral scans of patients’ mouths.

Accurate dental models in less than half the time

The move to digital dentistry, with Objet 3D printing, has enabled Albensi to improve the accuracy and quality of its dental restorations. An additional advantage of digital dentistry has enabled the laboratory to take on more business, without adding staff.

Albensi now provides its customers with precise, true-fit restorations in 2-3 days, instead of 5-7 days. Instead of laborously pouring models by hand, Albensi now sets its Objet Eden350V 3D Printer to print models overnight, unattended.

Don R. Albensi, C.D.T., the owner of Albensi Laboratories, says that using the Objet 3D printer has transformed the lab workflow and it has brought similarly dramatic benefits to the lab’s customers. “Now, prior to the patient coming in, the dentist can examine the die and check the marginal integrity of the case as well as the contacts, which are two major areas that dentists have to deal with when fitting restorations,” says Albensi. “It normally took about 5 to 7 days to produce a restoration. We’ve developed it now to a digital workflow that we can create restorations within 2 to 3 days…The first model printed I’ll never forget… I was amazed at the quality.”

“The IPS e.max combines lithium disilicate glass-ceramic with zirconium-based bridges, which increases the strength and durability of zirconia while maintaining aesthetics”

Although the costs of acquiring CAD/CAM technology is too exorbitant for many dental labs in the US, endorsement by KOLs and access to central manufacturing facilities from companies such as DENTSPLY, Nobel Biocare, and Ivoclar Vivadent will make adopting the fabrication of CAD/CAM restorations easier because they allow small dental labs the ability to provide CAD/CAM crown and bridges without the investment of CAD/CAM systems. Furthermore, KOL endorsement will continue to increase clinical confidence and promote the additional benefits of CAD/CAM restorations, specifically increased productivity from the lab; the system is boasted to have capabilities equivalent to up to 7 dental lab technicians working with even greater precision. Finally, CAD/CAM restorations allow for custom-milled restorations that provide a closer fit to provide better aesthetic solutions for the dentist and patient. Industry experts and KOLs are also increasingly discussing the use of lithium disilicate, specifically Ivoclar Vivadent’s IPS e.max.

“The IPS e.max combines lithium disilicate glass-ceramic with zirconium-based bridges, which increases the strength and durability of zirconia while maintaining aesthetics,” says Carmen Chan, Analyst at MRG. “Innovations such as these will improve ease-of-use and in turn, dentists’ productivity; factors that are important to dentists when choosing one type of ceramic over another. Continued research and development investments from companies will continue to drive prices over the next five years as companies release new products at a premium to make up for investment costs, and as dentists adopt these products as they better meet their needs.”

MRG’s US Markets for Crowns and Bridges 2011 report includes unit, average selling price, and revenue information on the crown and bridge markets by segmentation of material, which consists of the porcelain-fused-to-metal (high-noble, seminoble, and nonprecious) and all-ceramic (pressable and CAD/CAM) markets.