Nine great new products I saw at the Chicago Midwinter Meeting
By Kevin Henry, Editor
After walking the halls of McCormick Place and having the opportunity to see firsthand what's new and what's hot in the dental industry, here are nine new products (listed below in no particular order) that I think will make an immediate impact in dental practices around the country.
AvaDent digital dentures by Global Dental Science LLC — This digital technology brings the precision, speed, and profitability of CAD/CAM technology to removable dentistry. In just two appointments, dentists are now able to provide patients with advanced, comfortable, and esthetically pleasing dentures. Impressions are scanned and a permanent digital record of the patient's denture is created, meaning additional dentures are easy to make should the patient want an extra set or lose the original. There is no capital investment required and the dentures are milled for a precision fit. For more information, log on to www.avadent.com.
RelyX Ultimate Adhesive Resin Cement from 3M ESPE — Ideally suited for CAD/CAM and glass ceramic restorations, this dual-cure cement is versatile (for total-etch, selective-etch, or self-etch procedures) and, according to the company, produces industry-leading bond strength. RelyX Ultimate Adhesive Resin Cement works in combination with Scotchbond Universal Adhesive to allow dental professionals to work with only two components in many cases. This product will be available on March 15. For more information, log on to www.3MESPE.com.
LED 2000 curing light from Southland Distribution and Sales — For $399, dentists now have the option of a powerful curing light (2000 mW/cm2) with three curing modes (full, ramp, and pulse). It polymerizes all composite materials and provides cordless operation with a long battery life. Available in three colors (silver, pink, and blue), it has a solid aluminum body design that makes disinfection easy. It comes with a two-year warranty, including one year on the battery. For more information, log on to www.sdssouthland.com.
RevenueWell from Patterson Dental — RevenueWell is an online system that uses information from the office's existing practice management software (Eaglesoft, Dentrix, etc.) to automatically communicate with patients, let them access their accounts online, and help practices send out highly targeted, effective marketing campaigns to the patient base. That's right ... this can be used with other practice-management programs besides Eaglesoft. RevenueWell is delivered as an online service, with no software to buy, install, or support. RevenueWell can completely automate more than 20 types of common patient communications. For more information, log on to www.pattersondental.com/appstore.
NANOCERAM BRIGHT from DMP USA — This light-cured nano-hybrid composite contains a special blend of nano and micro fillers to produce excellent esthetic results. Through a unique manufacturing process, nano fillers are integrated into the resin matrix, resulting in very low wear. It has high marginal integrity, strong radiopacity, is nonsticky, and has virtually no microleakage. To order or for more information, call (800) 880-0240.
Concentrix high-speed handpiece line by StarDental, a brand of the DentalEZ Group — The new Concentrix family (made up of four models) consists of economical handpieces that are durable, dependable, and well-designed for superior performance. Each handpiece in the Concentrix family is made of sturdy stainless steel and contains a lubricated steel-bearing turbine for smooth, high-torque operation. A unique water spray enables the user to maintain a cool temperature for both the tooth and bur. Each handpiece in the Concentrix line carries a one-year warranty. For more information, log on to www.dentalez.com.
UltraCem Resin-Reinforced Glass Ionomer (RRGI) from Ultradent — This is the first liquid-powder RRGI cement to be mixed and delivered conveniently in a syringe. While the bond strength numbers are impressive, I was equally impressed with the unique SpeedMix syringe ensures the ultimate luting convenience. UltraCem is used for luting indirect restorations made of metal, porcelain fused to metal, resin to natural teeth, and cementation of orthodontic bands to enamel. For more information, log on to www.ultradent.com.
CS 7600 digital intraoral radiography system from Carestream Dental — This compact system reinvents imaging plate technology by improving usability, productivity, and security. This cost-effective system's patented intelligent workflow technology prevents plate mix-up and reduces operation time. The CS 7600 is fully automated and as easy to use as film — with all the benefits of digital imaging. For more information, log on to www.carestreamdental.com.
AO ProVantage family of products from PerioSciences, LLC — These products contain the unique combination of antioxidants Phloretin and Ferulic, which have been shown in university-based studies to neutralize free radicals which lead to oxidative stress commonly caused by dental materials, alcohol, nicotine, and the hydrogen peroxide used in teeth whitening products. The AO ProVantage product line includes AO ProVantage (an antioxidant-infused gel designed for application on soft oral tissue), AO ProVantage BLAST (a higher concentration antioxidant gel is designed to be applied after tobacco use delivering the most advanced combination of antioxidants), and AO ProRinse (an alcohol-free mouth rinse that contains a proprietary antioxidant combination with the added power of catechins from green tea). For more information, log on to www.periosciences.com.