Osteogenics Biomedical announces distribution partnership with cortical bone collector manufacturer Micross and Safescraper® bone scrapers offer latest advancements in autogenous bone grafting

Lubbock, TX, June 10, 2009 – Osteogenics Biomedical has signed an agreement with Italian-based medical device manufacturer META Advanced Medical Technology, giving Osteogenics exclusive distribution rights in the United States to the Micross autogenous bone scraper. Osteogenics has also obtained rights to distribute META’s Safescraper® Twist. Both are now available for purchase.

The distribution agreement gives Osteogenics Biomedical the opportunity to distribute the autogenous bone scrapers alongside its line of Cytoplast® barrier membranes and PTFE suture.

“META brings us the latest advancements in manual autogenous bone harvesting. The Safescraper® Twist incorporates several improvements to first and second generation bone scrapers, and the Micross is the first bone scraper designed to be used in a flapless procedure. We are excited to help bring this technology to the U.S. and add it to our growing line of bone grafting products,” said company president Shane Shuttlesworth.

The disposable Micross cortical bone collector is a minimally invasive option for obtaining autogenous bone. Micross is the only bone collector that can be used in a tunnel technique, which allows collection of bone in narrow and hard-to-reach areas. A 160-degree blade allows clinicians to collect bone from any bony surface. Grafting using Micross preserves the cortical tissue’s cell vitality, thereby maximizing the osteogenic potential of the graft.

Safescraper® Twist is a disposable cortical bone collector that features an ergonomic design, a semicircular blade, and a curved tip. These components allow clinicians to harvest autogenous bone from any intraoral site, including near the defect. The Safescraper® Twist’s transparent chamber holds up to 2.5 cc of bone, which can be used alone or mixed in combination with other graft materials. The manual harvesting method preserves the cellular component of the graft, thereby retaining living and well-preserved bone cells.

For more information about Micross and Safescraper® Twist bone scrapers, contact Osteogenics Biomedical by calling 1.888.796.1923, or visit www.cytoplast.com.

About Osteogenics Biomedical: Osteogenics Biomedical is a leader in the development of innovative guided tissue regeneration products for use by oral and maxillofacial surgeons, periodontists and other clinicians involved in regenerative or implant dentistry. Based in Lubbock, TX, the company’s core brands include Cytoplast® barrier membranes and PTFE suture, PermaRidge® and Osteogenics Clinical Education™.

Purchasing new technology? Exercise your right to choose… When you’re in the market to purchase new technology for your dental practice, it can be tempting to buy equipment from the first rep who contacts you. This can be a costly mistake. It’s worth the extra effort to educate yourself about the equipment that’s out there and make an informed decision about what will work best for your practice. Although it may require a little more work up front, it will pay off in the long run with a higher return on investment. Tom Terronez of Medix Dental has put together some tips to consider while you are making your purchasing decision:

Think about your future plans for technology in your practice. It’s important to determine how the new technology will integrate with your existing equipment and future plans. This will help limit compatibility issues that may arise. Remember that lower initial cost doesn’t not necessarily mean lower overall cost. Realize that if you buy lower-end equipment, you will likely pay more in the long term dealing with performance issues. Lower-end equipment will also become obsolete faster. Opt for products that have a multi-year warranty incorporated into the initial price. That way you’ll be covered if any issues arise. Talk to other dentists who are using the technology you are considering. Ask them about the pros and cons. This type of insight can be invaluable while you’re narrowing down your list. Realize that you don’t have to buy computers through your software provider. Many dentists do this because they falsely believe they will only have to call one support center with computer issues. In reality, most software providers have separate support departments for software and hardware issues. It’s easy to get sucked into purchasing all your technology, equipment and supplies from one company. But keep in mind that not all dental practices are the same, and this cookie cutter approach doesn’t always work. It will also limit your flexibility when it comes to other vendors’ products. Ask your vendor if the new technology is compatible with your existing equipment. Go beyond a yes or no answer. Determine how it’s compatible – is it a seamless integration or was it made compatible through a bridge? Try and get your hands on the technology you are considering, so you can try it out for yourself – this is particularly relevant for equipment you may be using in your day-to-day activities with patients.

It is well worth the effort to take some time to educate yourself about the technology choices in the market. This will help minimize your technology headaches and ensure that your practice is running as smoothly as possible.

What you already know… Invisalign by Align Technologies, Inc. is a system of clear, custom, acrylic aligners that incorporates 3D treatment planning for orthodontic therapy. Invisalign was approved by the FDA in 1998. Adult patients and teens who want straighter teeth without the hassle and appearance of metal braces often prefer Invisalign. In addition to being inconspicuous, the clear aligners are removable, and treatment is usually shorter than with traditional orthodontics.

The issue at hand… On June 1, 2009, Align Technology, Inc. announced Invisalign® Proficiency Program. This new training standard is mandatory for dentists who offer Invisalign. Here’s an excerpt from the press release:

“Effective June 1, the Invisalign product proficiency program requires every Invisalign provider in North America to start 10 Invisalign cases and complete at least 10 Invisalign-specific continuing education (CE) credits each calendar year to maintain active provider status. Doctors who do not meet the annual case start and CE requirements by the end of each calendar year, starting with December 31, 2009, will be able to continue treating any cases in-progress, but they will not be eligible to submit new Invisalign cases or to use Invisalign marketing resources. Doctors can reactivate their provider status by retaking Invisalign Clear Essentials I training and meeting the proficiency requirements during the new calendar year.”

Dan Ellis, VP of North American Sales, says that a dentist’s Invisalign treatment proficiency is a reflection of case experience. The “Proficiency Pathway” program is a way to ensure that six milestones set by Align Technologies are met by Invisalign dentists.

How this affects you… Grumbling has ensued. Many dentists want to choose the CE courses they take each year instead of having a product manufacturer dictate them. Is Align just trying to increase profits at by forcing current customers (dentists) into the training program? With the recent legal issues between ClearCorrect™ and Invisalign®, it’s no secret that Invisalign has competition. Some dentists are turning to competing products to continue to offer clear braces for patients. On the flip side, Invisalign’s marketing is great. For those dentists who comply with the new Proficiency Program, there could be marketing benefits. Invisalign products should appear more exclusive and could gain a reputation as the solution of choice for high-income, image-conscious consumers who can afford to pay for cosmetic dentistry.

A little optimism… The June 2 press release from Align states that the company does not expect the Proficiency Program to impact financial results for 2009.

For dental implants to truly imitate natural teeth, a strong periodontal foundation is required. Extreme pressure can damage an unstable implant, and orthodontic treatment isn’t possible for a tooth with a weak foundation. A natural tooth with a solid anchor in the jawbone, however, can withstand chewing forces and orthodontic therapy.

A June 22nd article at www.RDHmag.com tells us that Journal of Oral Implantology released a report on how stem cells can contribute to periodontal tissue regeneration around dental implants. In the study, stem cells contributed to the growth of cementum, bone tissue, and periodontal ligament, which are required for periodontal tissue.

Download the pdf here: http://www.allenpress.com/pdf/ORIM-35-3-106.pdf.

You may also enjoy this post at Implant Dentistry and Laser Dentistry blog.

Technology and teaching go hand in hand these days. A while back, DentalBlogs told you about Simroid, a lifelike robot that responds to dental students like an actual patient might. We also let you know that NYU School of Dentistry went to completely digital textbooks in 2007. This year’s cool technological training innovation leverages video games to teach implant dentistry.

Medical College of Georgia reports a team effort with BreakAway, a video game developer, in which an implant simulation game introduces students to patients with various clinical situations. The game allows students to examine and ask the virtual patient about medical history. Because each case is different, dental students must consider the virtual patient’s personality and clinical condition for optimal diagnosis and treatment planning. For qualified implant patients, student dentists must determine the proper type of implant, location for the implant, anesthesia, and tools to use.

The Virtual Dentist Implant Training Simulation Program utilizes Pulse!! Virtual Learning Lab, which was created by Texas A&M and BreakAway. The Virtual Implant Training and Simulation Program came to being because of a $6.5 million grant by Nobel Biocare. Twenty schools in the Nobel Biocare University Partnership Program are evaluating the implant simulation software. Soon, 25 universities, and potentially 15,000 dental students will use the instructional video game, primarily for third and fourth-year students.