A new independent, international dental journal, Dental Hypotheses, will soon hit the web and the press. Like many dentistry publications, this journal will provide peer-reviewed articles for the professional dental community. However, Editors-In-Chief Edward F. Rossomando (Director of the Biodontics® Program at the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine., United States) and Jafar Kolahi (Torabinejad Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences,Isfahan, Iran, Islamic Republic) and their editorial team seek submissions about controversial and out-of-the-ordinary issues. For example, nano-dentistry, biodontics, dental specialties, community dental health, and the economy of dentistry are ideal topics for submission.

Dental Hypotheses is not supported by any institution, commercial company, or advertisers, and authors are not charged for publication. The magazine supports academic freedom for presentation and criticism of challenging, thought-provoking ideas in the dental field. Expect to see radical, speculative and non-mainstream concepts in the pages of this journal.

If you’d like to submit an article for review, see guidelines here. You can also read about the peer review process at www.dentalhypotheses.com. Articles are accepted by online submission.

Easily and Precisely Reconstructs Natural Occlusion Automatic Design Procedure is Fast, Reliable, and Compatible with all Restorative Indications

Charlotte, NC (February 25, 2010) – Sirona Dental Systems, LLC (Nasdaq: SIRO), the company that pioneered digital impressions and dental CAD/CAM 25 years ago and the world’s leading producer of dental CAD/CAM and digital impression systems, is pleased to introduce user-friendly software developed for its CEREC® chairside system.  The new software is based on Sirona’s patented Biogeneric technology.

Like fingerprints, no two human teeth are identical and each tooth has its own unique characteristics.  A group of researchers led by Professor Dr. Albert Mehl (Zurich University) and Professor Dr. Volker Blanz (Siegen University) have unraveled the rules that shape natural teeth, and these rules are based on a patient’s genetic makeup.  Sirona has harnessed this understanding into the new Biogeneric CEREC 3D software.

Version 3.8 of the CEREC software enables dentists to create lifelike reconstructions – even while working with completely damaged occlusal surfaces.  On the basis of a single intact tooth, the program extrapolates the natural morphology of that tooth to the patient’s damaged tooth structure.  CEREC 3.8 software can be used for all single-tooth restorations and for three-unit bridges.

“Biogenerics is based exclusively on the patient’s individual dentition status,” remarked Professor Mehl.  “This is a major advantage in terms of clinical reliability.  The more individual the occlusion, the better the resulting functionality.”

Currently, all occlusal design approaches are based on limited dental libraries and databases containing data records of various standard teeth.  Conventional CAD/CAM programs retrieve a matching tooth from the archive, and then generate a design proposal for the given clinical situation.  The user then manually edits and adapts this proposal.  No objective principles exist to justify this selection, and using matching databases can be subjective and time-consuming.

Explains Professor Mehl, “These standardized teeth are comparable to off-the-rack garments manufactured in standard sizes.  Frequently, such garments do not fit properly in all places and require subsequent alteration.  By contrast, a biogenerically designed tooth is a made-to-measure product; ‘tooth couture,’ if you will.”

“Biogenerics will revolutionize occlusal surface design,” remarked Bart Doedens, Vice President, Dental CAD/CAM Systems at Sirona.  “With a single mouse click, the user will obtain a natural and individually designed restoration that requires hardly any manual adjustment.  Such made-to-measure restorations are simpler, quicker, and, above all, more precise than their ‘off-the-rack’ equivalents.”

The Biogeneric design feature will replace the “dental database” feature in previous CEREC software versions.  With Version 3.8, it will be possible to easily create crowns, veneers, and anatomically sized bridges.  The user will simply require an intact reference tooth of the similar type – i.e., anterior or posterior.

The time-consuming process of selecting tooth morphology from dental databases has been virtually eliminated.  Moreover, due to the standardized and largely automated routines, the software is easy to learn and use.

For more information about any of Sirona’s CAD/CAM and digital impression solutions or to schedule a free demonstration, call your local Patterson branch, 800-873-7683, or visit www.cereconline.com.

About Sirona Dental Systems, LLC

Sirona, the dental technology leader, has served dealers and dentists worldwide for more than 130 years. Sirona develops, manufactures, and markets a complete line of dental products, including CAD/CAM restoration systems (CEREC); digital intraoral, panoramic, and 3D imaging systems; dental treatment centers; and handpieces. Visit http://www.sirona.com for more information about Sirona and its products.

Release 3 Brings Accelerated Performance, More Types of Fixed and Removable Prosthetics, Support for Milling, Impression Scanning and More

WOBURN, Massachusetts – February 25, 2010 - SensAble Technologies, Inc®, a leading provider of  touch-enabled 3D modeling systems, dental CAD/CAM solutions and haptic devices, has announced Release 3 of the SensAble Dental Lab System (SDLS), with significant enhancements to this integrated system for creating dental restorations efficiently and more cost-effectively.

Release 3 dramatically speeds the scan, design and fabrication processes for partial dentures as well as crowns and bridges; provides support for milling; adds support for impression scanning and the SensAble OpenScan™ interface; and expands SensAble’s unique software intelligence, called Intelli-Fit™, that automatically compensates for inaccuracies inherent in both digital and manual processes such as scanning artifacts and physical distortions introduced during fabrication processes.  With analysts predicting a significant increase in CAD/CAM-created dental prosthetic devices through 2015¹ , Release 3 lets labs gain optimal value from their technology investment and achieve sought-after efficiencies throughout their workflow.

In related news today, SensAble announced its first two Authorized Milling Centers and introduced its dental impression scanner (see press releases).  The company will preview Release 3 enhancements at the Cal-Lab and LAB DAY events in Chicago this week.

“The SensAble Dental Lab System has been a huge productivity plus to our lab since day one, and it just keeps getting better and better,” said Kristine Van Cleve, president of Dental Prosthetic Services (DPS). “In our business, every minute saved goes directly to the bottom line. As a beta partner, we’re already appreciating the new release’s dramatic speed improvements, and the many software enhancements that are allowing us to complete even more types of restorations than before. Release 3 is a perfect example of how SensAble continues to expand the versatility of their system as well as their commitment to helping dental labs grow.”

“Dental labs either have to get more efficient, or they face a diminished role as digital methods transform the industry and demand for dental restorations increases,” said Bob Steingart, president of SensAble Dental Products. “But, speed isn’t enough – labs need to produce accurate, consistent products on a repeatable basis, or their dentists will go elsewhere. Release 3 of the SensAble Dental Lab System continues to extend SensAble’s built-in advantage of total integration from A-to-Z. We sweat the hundreds of details involved in digital design and production so that lab technicians can focus on what they do best – designing precise, esthetically pleasing and great fitting restorations.”

Release 3 Highlights:

Scan: Support for impression scanning, providing increased accuracy and speed.  Labs can start designing digitally using the impression scan right away. New OpenScan interface, which will allow the SensAble Dental Lab System to import industry-standard STL files from other open scanners that a lab may already own. Faster scanning times, through innovative software and enhanced integration. Design: Dramatically faster performance through innovative applications of hardware and software acceleration. Expanded versatility with more types of restorations and streamlined design workflows for inlays, onlays, metal occlusion, metal dummies, open facings, and combination cases with attachments. Enhanced features that speed design for multiple workflows, such as improved automatic positioning and sizing of virtual teeth, connectors, retention beads, hollow pontics and multi-part partials. Fabricate: Support for milling and the ability to send digital design files to SensAble Authorized Milling Centers, providing labs with an additional fabrication option. Intelli-Fit processing to automatically adjust, by restoration type, for fabrication techniques (3D printing and milling) and materials (alloys, ceramics, investment, resins, plastics, etc.).

The SensAble Dental Lab System is the only CAD/CAM solution that includes built-in support for both fixed and removable restorations in an integrated, touch-enabled platform. The system also uniquely incorporates a 3D “virtual touch” stylus where technicians work by holding a haptic (touch-enabled) device instead of a computer mouse, and use virtual wax-up tools to literally feel the onscreen model as they apply, smooth and carve digital wax. This touch-enabled approach mimics the traditional method of hand-modeling dental restorations, allowing technicians to keep the artistry and manual dexterity they have spent years perfecting.

System Configurations and Availability

Release 3 of the SensAble Dental Lab System is sold in several configurations to suit the needs of any size lab:

A complete SensAble Authorized Production Center configuration for labs that want complete in-house control, from scan to fabrication, to produce their own restorations, and that may also want the option of providing production services for other SensAble Dental Lab customers. A Scan/Design configuration, for labs that want to design in-house, but outsource fabrication. And, a Scan-only option for labs that want to outsource both design and fabrication. Release 3 is scheduled for general availability at the end of April.   Contact SensAble for more information on the SensAble Dental Lab System by calling 781-939-7493 or visiting www.sensabledental.com.

About the SensAble Dental Lab System

The SensAble Dental Lab System is an integrated digital solution to scan, design and fabricate common dental restorations.  It is the first integrated digital solution to support the production process for removable partial frameworks, as well as full contour crown and bridge. The system’s unique 3D “Virtual Touch” stylus allows technicians to digitally design multiple restoration types with unmatched speed and precision – while keeping the artistry and manual dexterity they have spent years perfecting. In the SensAble system, technicians hold a haptic (touch-enabled) device instead of a computer mouse.  They use virtual wax-up tools to literally “feel” the on-screen model as they apply, smooth and carve “digital wax.” This touch-enabled approach mimics the traditional method of hand modeling dental restorations – yet adds the consistency, precision and repeatability of a digital system.

About SensAble

Founded in 1993, SensAble Technologies is the leading developer of 3D touch-enabled (force feedback) solutions and technology that allow users to not only see and hear an on-screen computer application, but to actually “feel” it.  With 41 patents granted and over 8,000 systems installed worldwide, SensAble Technologies’ haptic technology is being used in applications ranging from designing toys and footwear, to surgical simulation and stroke rehabilitation, to dental restorations, as well as a range of research and robotic applications.  The company markets its own 3D modeling solutions as well as its haptic devices and developer toolkits to medical, dental, design, and manufacturing companies; educational and research institutions; and OEMs. SensAble products are available through direct and reseller channels worldwide.  www.sensabledental.com.

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SOURCE: Press Release from SensAble

Researchers at Howard University in Washington College of Dentistry believe that tooth enamel stores important data about a person’s exposure to radiation. The team is developing Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) to determine the level of free radicals in substances, including tooth enamel.

What will this information be used for? The hope is that EPR can assist medical workers in triaging patients or dividing victims of radiation exposure into classes by the amount of radiation received. The new technology is minimally-invasive and would provide data useful in treating people exposed to radiation in an accident or by a “dirty bomb,” which refers to a radiation dispersal device.

A tiny bit of tooth can be removed without damaging the remaining tooth. This sample is then analyzed with microwaves. Free radicals absorb the waves and allow a trained professional to measure the amount of free radicals in the sample.

Problem is, a dentist has to use dental tools to remove the enamel sample, and this isn’t practical in an emergency. Furthermore, EPR currently detects high levels of radiation, so samples from people with moderate or minimal exposure would not show an accurate reading. The Howard University researchers will continue to work on EPR with the goal of creating a machine that can produce higher-frequency microwave energy for quick and accurate results of various levels of radiation exposure.

At present, EPR can be used to assess a person’s radiation exposure throughout life, which will provide data for other studies, such as radiation exposure’s influence on cancer risk.

SOURCE: LiveScience

Smile Reminder

Thanks to Dr. Tom Hedge for providing video coverage of select vendor booths at the Chicago Midwinter Dental Conference!