Dentistry Today — January/February 2026

Inside this issue

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1. Page 8

   EDITOR’S PAGE ee ——————————— Th Ti Th Ar our profession’s future, from evolving materials and teche mes cy (S »w nologies to the changing dynamics of education and clinical CR) ; practice. A-Changin J Also, Drs. Cherilyn G. Sheets and James C. Earthman, i along with Dr. Gregori M. Kurtzman, introduce new tech- > nology called the InnerView system (Perimetrics), an Alt's hard to believe Dentistry Today is hitting its 45th year. driven chairside device that will detect tooth fractures and When we rolled out our first issue in 1980, “high tech” instability, failing cement, implant stability, and more, long…

2. Page 10

   8 _————————— Brid 3 n the Ga . = 2 By 2030, nearly rin 5 Americans will be 65 or older." While g1 g p: many older adults today retain their natural teeth longer . . - than previous generations, nearly 13% of adults aged 65 or I IY 1prO V1 ng Senior older suffer from untreated tooth decay, and 11.4% of adults of aged 65 to 74 years—a figure that rises to 19.7% for those aged Oral Health Ac C ess an 75 or older—have lost all their teeth.” Across underserved areas like my home state of Mississippi, the…

3. Page 12

   VIEWPOINT ee poser wal od 8 " se igre J. Portes R. 1 in & pera to coming these barriers would require _— be 65 years old or older by 2030. S&P Global. fore thin. good: ihtEons—it ...our work goes beyond teeth—we have a Fae i i) agp would take partnerships, innovative chance to build healthier, stronger communities. articles/2024/11/1-in-5.americans-to-besolutions, and a deep empathy for the ” bie roirng orKlerhy20%0 doar0zes. —_ seniors we serve. Collaborative initia- 2024 Oral Health Surveillance Report: Selected tives, like the Senior Oral Health Partran zon. irl mio. nership Program supported by the in olderadults exacerbate…

4. Page 14

   I Advancing Endodontics Through Evid lit dl ti vidence, Quality, and Innovation Dentsply Sirona is proud to underscore its commitment to being a trusted partner to clinicians worldwide through evidence-based endodontic solutions, meticulous quality standards, and a longstanding tradition of pioneering innovation. meets rigorous global standards certified by leading regulatory authorities to aN) produce over 140 million endodontic instruments annually. These products ¥ support more than 35 million procedures each year. Demonstrating this ¢ \ fl deep commitment, over 3 million individual quality measurements are con- 5 ha I=3 = ducted each year across these sites, helping to ensure precision,…

5. Page 16

   ] = The PK Universal Screw-Retained Abutment This unique solution is designed to make all malpositioned implants screw retained. Walter K. Kulick, DMD — tions regarding the angle >) ©) at which placement is INTRODUCTION = 9 allowed. The crown is Screw-retained implant h I'd K \ \ hollowed out to allow crowns have become the bs sd A TN 5 - 3) the screw to be turned treatment of choice over da Ay E Neer” N= inside the crown, which cement-retained implant - tm” an’ can weaken the crown. STovm=sIt has bESqidstcr Figure 1. Xray prior to seating the…

6. Page 17

   modate the specific torque requirements of the ally, depending on the tooth being restored. If EE at manufacturer. The design, incorporating 2 screws, there is a pontic, an extension is added into the 3. Chen YH, Wu YL, Chen HS, et al. Reverse torque value of anguis shown demonstrating the correction (Figure 3). edentulous area with a hole to accept the crown a Pon tre 878 (aa. The abutments were inserted, and the implant screw, also allowing ideal placement of the Doi:10.3390/jf014030124 angulation was demonstrated intraorally (Figures retaining screw. Vertical space is not a problem, ~~ Hu Petich Aumamuta 6.…

7. Page 18

   In First Impressions, George Freedman, DDS, [4 gives readers a brief LAE % summary of products that a . tp have recently been introduced \ 4 to dentistry, based on his clinical experience. . . ~d 1 x nt Microlux DW Illuminator INCORPORATED AdDent The key to successp> EARLY DETECTION [es ment is effective Posh S AVE S LIVES diagnosis, which in turn is depen- ® : dent on predict- - and increases revenue [ENON "—- intraoral visualization. AdDent, N aleader in dental light technology for many decades, has introduced ; the Microlux DW, Mild & a dual-wavelength technology that…

8. Page 19

   » - EyeSpecial C-V Shofuu Dental Pp Earlier dental cameras (intraoraland ~~ EyeSpecial C-V body is easy to extraoral) were difficult to master. manipulate, even while wearing ‘While it was possible to generate gloves, and safeguards patient priprofessional-quality images, the varivacy with strict HIPAA compliance. ous components of the system were It elevates the practice's clinical complicated to set up, laborious to photography with a system built for ~~ allowing rigorous infection control ~~ patient folders and the WLSD- operate, and time-consuming touse. ~~ performance and safety. standards without compromising Monitor software automatically and Shofu’s latest digital dental cam- With…

9. Page 20

   18 - - a Air Abrasion: a A Practical Tool in Daily Dentistry § ° Peter Auster, DMD ~~ Micro-blaster (Directa USA) is a rotic dentin: In cases where dentin 4 = p practical, economical option that is smooth or sclerotic—often seen a . LH here are integrates easily into day-to-day with abrasion, erosion, or occlusal E { =A =X afew workflows. wear—light air abrasion may help The Dento-Prep Micro-blaster from Directa ; pieces of create micro-retentive surface tex- USA is fully autoclavable, and the head Ra equipment every Common Daily Applications ture to support adhesion. rotates 360° for improved…

10. Page 22

    New Universal Composite Delivers n ] Natural-Looking Restorations —— N Vo” \ “§ / \ [3 py A - ) i € - ) “ LS - a R - — - Figure 1. Preoperative image of Tooth No. 31. Figure 2. Rubber dam isolation. Figure 3. Removal of the existing composite. / NN. No 3 3 . / ’ So / \ ~ “ik - N / ¥ Po bo p / ’ ) : |) \ ‘ 1 > d 3 ) % i \ 3 5 / _ 3 > » —- ‘ <5 . a »…

11. Page 24

    2026’s Top 3 Green Trends Dentsply Sirona’s Tony Johnson shares his insights on sustainability in the dental industry including the role connected dentistry plays in the company’s products and innovations. Q: As we enter 2026, sustainability continues to A wu Sustainable oral healthcare is about delivergain momentum across the dental industry. What \ ming equitable, ethical, high-quality, inclusive, do you see as the most defining trends shaping N and safe care while using resources efficiently the dental sector this year? A and minimizing negative environmental impacts. In A uWe see 3 major sustainability trends that A other words, it's about…

12. Page 26

    . . Industry News Bacteria Linked s t to Parkinson’s Shofu Continues Article Series Dental Herb Company Unveils . . | on Refreshed Brand Look Disease Ris K Shofu is very proud to continue its quarterly A leader in natural New research suggests a common cavityarticle series spotlighting two incredible dental oral care since 1996, causing bacterium, Streptococcus mutans students from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Dental Herb Company (S. mutans), may move from the mouth Medicine's (LECOM) School of Dental Medicine Pia A is entering 2026 with to the gut and influence the brain, potenover on . Now entering…

13. Page 30

    28 4 TOP | INNOVATIVE “PRODUCES QEADERS CHOICE ggp, 2026 4 ) READERS’ CHOICE Dentistry Today's 10th Annual Top Innovative Products are selected on the basis of lead generation. The products, which were featured in our Innovations section throughout the past year, appear here in no particular order. EE 0 hh - Glidewell V AVY ;) AY] Innovative Next-Day Service Delivers i ¢ Strength and Aesthetics | W y Next-Day BruxZir is an expedited service for lab-made zirconia } 4 restorations. Through a streamlined digital workflow, Glidewell — designs, mills, and ships BruxZir crowns and bridges up to 3 units…

14. Page 31

    29 = “GrandioSO 4U has been a fantastic addition to my restorative arsenal. voco What | appreciate most is the versatility—I can confidently use it in both CrmaQROR) == A New Class anterior and posterior restorations and get great results every time. of Universal I've been really impressed with how well it works across the board.” eB | 1 § ri Composite —SUSAN MCMAHON, DMD -—a — : VOCO's new GrandioSO ~ 4U, a decade in the making, is a 91%illed universal has toot pial NEXT-DAY BRUXZIR® has tooth-like physical prop- = erties, including modulus of iveesme. | LAB TO…

15. Page 32

    30 . 1 === TOP INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS BNovATIVE < PRODUCTS wR —————————————————————————————————————————————————————————— rT - SEE =: . Philips | I At-Home Whitening System Consistently Delivers | High-Quality Results ; === he Philips Zoom! Delivered is an athome teeth whitening solution that delivers consisg— | gi tently high-quality results to your patients while simplifying your workflow. Send a [= - patient's intraoral scan to the Philips lab, select a gel type, and professionally made, — — — -~ | lab-quality custom trays with take-home formulations will be shipped directly to their V x <= w— -% ~ homes within 10 business…

16. Page 34

    32 . 1 == TOP INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS wovATIVE PRODUCTS ere LQ Overjet — ACTEON Optimize Your Workflow With HN ES p— Compact CBCT Al-Powered Platform 1 ¢ 8 Tr System Features | i. 8 : NY Al Integration, pre—— — || | w= Advanced — . —— | — 8. i — | Imaging Ey tL Capabilities ea — X-Mind Optima 3D has = = earned a spot in Dentl eel (] [7] [$4] (© ] hy | tistry Today's Top Innova- = = tive Products thanks to its - unmatched blend of clinical performance, user-friendly design, and intelligent artificial…

17. Page 36

    34 . 1 d Cee - be J _TOP V¥ ==" TOP INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS “PRODUCTS we 036.0 SHINING 3D res Intraoral Scanner Features Precision, Comfort, and —— . . . 0 Intelligent Diagnostics » Step into a smarter, more efficient digital workflow with the Aoralscan Elf, an ultra-light intraoral scanner designed to deliver precision, comfort, and intelligent diagnostics. Weighing > just 106 g, its ergonomic design supports fatigue-free scanning, enhancing efficiency and THREE REASONS TO BUY patent pa ck the ho blghpef I — The ultra-light 106 g ergonomic design ensures comowered by advanced optics and high-performance algorithms, Aoralscan Ef…

18. Page 38

    36 . 1 ope === TOP INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS ese DEKA Dental Lasers Dentsply Sirona HuFriedyGroup Lasers Feature Wireless Intraoral Scanning All-In-One Piezoelectric Latest Advancements Solution Captures Scan Data on Scaler and Air in Technology Cloud Platform Polisher Offers Power DEKA offers some of Primescan With Comft ort the most advanced 2 powered CO, and Nd:YAG ’ by DS Core lasers in the indusis the first try. With 8 dedicated ” cloud-native research and develop intraoral J ment facilities around scanning B h the world, DEKA h) solution, et 5 By - represents the latallowing fe: J: hk mt…

19. Page 40

    38 . 1 I” ERT iL === TOP INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS INNOVATIVE © PmeDUCTS TE Dental Herb Company Shofu Dental Nonstaining, Naturally Strong Dual-Cure, Self-Adhesive Resin Cement is Ideal Perio Rinse With Many Indications for Zirconia Restorations BeautiLink SA is a dual-cure, self-adhe- = sive resin cement er specifically designed _ get SI er for zirconia restora- > pt tions. It features “I use this mouthwash in pet ee FA — clinically proven the office, and it's reall -— Cia Te y ) - Technology to reduce good. It’s quite helpful for moet - == crown failure due to [J healing,…

20. Page 42

    40 . 1 me == TOP INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS ere LQ Millennium Dental Technologies Lar | Laser System Effectively Treats Periodontal Disease Lanap = ai4s7 The PerioLase MVP-7 has the first and only scientifically proven FDA clearance for true bone [; ay = =. regeneration with the LANAP protocol for moderate to severe periodontitis. It also features the \ LAPIP protocol to save ailing and failing dental implants, the BLAST protocol for peri-implantitis | er and implant integration, and more than 100 value-added procedures (VAPS) including extraction | ¥ AN fe socket disinfection, ridge preservation, hemostasis, and depigmentation, as…

21. Page 44

    42 . 1 2 oy RK I ¥ [#5 TOP INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS u uly Xlear [3 rH: 0 . i = ] ze Science-Based Toothpaste Provides Advanced Enamel Support x I) Eyes FH = 3 Spry EnamelMax Toothpaste delivers advanced enamel support through a clinically informed, modern formula- 3 gq : tion designed for today's preventive-focused dental practice. Built around xylitol, EnamelMax helps shift the \ d © oral environment away from acid-producing bacteria while supporting saliva’s natural protective role. What sets EnamelMax apart is its targeted combination of L-arginine and sodium trimetaphosphate ! (STMP), ingredients recognized in scientific literature…

22. Page 45

    BAGTERIALIDISEASE # \ ¢ (NS @NES IS A ® —_—— eee — re ee eee == Spry® EnamelMax is formulated to more effectively prevent tooth decay by suppressing Streptococcus mutans activity, disrupt cariogenic biofilm, AND strengthen enamel at the biological level. PATHOGENIC BALANCED ORAL . BIOFILM MICROBIOME : i EH £ E g w{)= ALA 2 J - Cavities are not solely caused by poor brushing, flossing, or a lack of fluoride: it is driven by a 8: . 3 pathogenic shift in the oral microbiome towards acid-producing bacteria such as S. mutans. 8 FH g 4 : 2 SH:…

23. Page 46

    44 . 1 7 == TOP INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS DWNOVATIVE PRODUCTS BISCO Luting Cement Delivers Optimal Aesthetic Veneer Cementation Choice 2 is a light-cured luting cement designed specifically for cementation of porcelain, zirconia, and composite veneers. Choice 2 exhibits color stability which is a critical factor in aesthetic veneer cementation. A range of VITA shades as well as chromatic shades are available allowing for flexibility to achieve high aesthet- [] ics. Corresponding try-in pastes (sold separately) are available for facilitating shade “8 . selection prior to final cementation. 0 Choice 2 is compatible with all dental materials, however when coupled with…

24. Page 48

    46 . 1 » oul gd 7 y = TOP INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS we HCE mtg Bien-Air Dental h pa] All-in-One Operatory Solution Offers Unparallelled OptiTé Versatility — Discover iOPTIMA™T, Bien-Air’s revolutionary all-in-one system engineered to elevate \ J =) your dental practice through seamless internal integration into any existing delivery \ \ unit and unparalleled versatility. Fully compatible with any delivery unit, it unites \ = 00 (3) electric handpieces, endodontics, piezo scaling, surgery, and implantology in a sinis I gle, intuitive platform controlled via an iPad mini interface. Ideal for multispecialty \ ° L — applications—including WaveOne and other…

25. Page 50

    48 . 1 == TOP INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS BNovATIVE PRODUCTS > rere Cleartooth Digital X-Ray Ritter Dental Turnkey Imaging System Simplifies Complete Operatory Bundle Everyday Workflows Goa Cleartooth offers the ] fer ol L ¥ able, turnkey 2D imag- Deh Yi ‘ ing system, supporting Epi J | accurate decision-making gy in modern dentistry. ; i . FT - TEFEN | Cleartooth Digital I 4 = ALE VT oot 138, 0) 4 i rie) | X-Ray optimizes every = (i | rr cage WI! 777 = Jo step of the radiographic | Yd [=~] . \ process, from acquisition | \…

26. Page 51

    49 ————————————"""_ “The biggest benefits of the Yomi platform are speed and efficiency of treatment. ATTRA Neocis : A os - a DEC § Being able to do same-day, fully-guided surgery and eliminate the need for ia ~ p x Robotic Platfor m multiple patient visits is a game-changer”” RLY Streamlines Dental A ———— COE MICHAEL COSTA, DDS Hr Implant Surgery ER § & THE ART j > 4 = 2 OF RITY — Say hello to Yomi S—the (0) C LA I second-generation robotic - platform from Neocis, the leader in robotic implant denif apt or © FY At…

27. Page 52

    50 . 1 » == TOP INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS ENOVATIVE PRODUCTS VELMENI Al ; B . . . TT a Al-Powered Intelligent Imaging for Modern LE " he Dentistry ‘ 3 iment The core technology behind VELMENI Al hamesses advanced deep-learnu— —— ing and image-segmentation algorithms to analyze dental radiographs. 5 £0 — Using its FDA 510(k)-cleared solution for panoramic, bitewing, and periapical VELMENT. DENTIST 2D! 3D Verify - EasyRiter x-rays, the platform rapidly detects caries, restorations, implants, and other pathologies by comparing new images with a vast annotated dataset, then presents Al-gen- << u erated findings for clinician confirmation. <<…

28. Page 54

    52 . 1 J TOP INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS ere LQ Advantage Dental Products Desensitizer Significantly Increases Bond Strength r—— Hemaseal & Cide Desensitizer eliminates postoperative sensitivity with its proven 4% chlorhexi- SClde dine formula. Compatible with all dentin adhesives and soft-tissue friendly, it can also significantly — increase bond strength while providing as much as 2 times the antimicrobial capability compared to ns other desensitizers. Safe and effective, Hemaseal & Cide provides daily protection against sensitiv- = A ity and microleakage. While formulated to eliminate post-op sensitivity, the desensitizer precludes = Toa the need for retreatment or endo due…

29. Page 56

    54 . 1 Comme === TOP INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS | wevaTive PRODUCTS 205 DMG America = J Align Technology ul . . . . » High-capacity Curing Unit a. . "e Jor Compr ore . Maximizes Efficiency and Output yy CE, OSIIGLIALS Intraoral Scanner The DMG DentaMile Cure RS-XL is a high-capacity Co i curing unit tailored for large-scale dental labs, capaiTero Lumina intraoral scanner delivers ble of curing up to 36 models in under 10 minutes. precision for restorative workflows with Utilizing 360° illumination proprietary Multi-Direct Capture technology, and advanced vacuum offering 3X wider field of capture and 25 mm…

30. Page 57

    . 1 55 iE TOP INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS == oVTIVE PRODUCTS . Zyris A Dental Isolation System Provides Exceptional Patient Comfort ) and Safety 1 The Isolite System is your allin-one solution for efficient dentistry. From visibility to moisture < Ty rE Tk control and patient compliance, every feature is designed to help you do better dentistry, in less SB TAA Alu] kE-55 [m3 time. In fact, practices using Isolite are reducing procedure times by up to 50%. Isolite pro- -{ \ EE vides continuous, hands-free isolation and suction of both quadrants in the operative field, this i: Ey wi means…

31. Page 58

    56 . 1 HER =x. TOP INNOVATIVE PRODUCTS NOVATIVE PRODLCTS : choice » “ [ b- Engineered Endo | Burs Suited for Chasing Calsified Canals | The Munce Discovery Bur 28 mm Super Shallow Troughers are particularly useful in cases of limited inter-arch space. | { As with the full complement of Munce Discovery Burs, these burs are designed for procedures on the chamber floor and | beyond, such as chasing calcified canals, troughing for the MB2 canal of maxillary molars, the middle mesial canal of man- \ dibular molars, or the often-complex canal systems of bicuspids. | Technical advantages…

32. Page 60

    58 = [MR [=] Jha: FREE LIVE c© WEBINAR IER ES on Wednesday, March 25, expanding on this article's topic. EEF Scan QR code or visit webinar to register. INTRODUCTION The above list doesn't include the following The dentistry of today doesn’t resemble the dentechnologies still in various stages of developtistry I was taught in dental school over one- \ ment (Figure 2): half century ago. There has been an explosion of © Scanning, such as with iTero (Align Techactivity and many significant changes in clinical nology) is beginning to replace physical imprespractice types, clinical procedures, practitioner i sions with…

33. Page 62

    Ey TECHNOLOGY i massive opportunities if your product curing depths. Be careful. Some cure J— can fulfill our needs! (Figures 3 to 5.) relatively well, others do not. Test $ Cariostatic restorative materithem yourself. A = als. Except for glass ionomer, we do ® Reduced shades are a good 1 L y not have cariostatic restorative mateconcept for reducing inventory, “A 1] Pa rials (Figure 6). Why do resin-based though they come with some known A To 1 composite restorations look beautilimitations. [al KR 4 ful forafew months or years only and Continued challenges with res- || - = E—…

34. Page 63

    Ce overcome the caries-promoting new, inexpensive design will attract This technology is in the early Studymodels,occlusalsplints,sleep problem. Recurrent caries at crown the entire dental market toadopt this adopter stage with clinicians and is appliances, implant guides, etc, are margins remains a significant and desirable technology. primarily used clinically for objects the most used clinically produced ongoing clinical problem (Figure 7). Three-dimensional printing. with intermediate longevity needs. objects. Will this concept make it to In my opinion, inventors and manufacturers, should please place emphasis on modifying or replacing current cariostatic cements to | increase their cariostatic ee —————" faa roperties. ?…

35. Page 64

    £2 TECHNOLOGY long-term restorative needs, suchas [J X_N - 4 yo ; 5 Fe crowns and fixed prostheses? [) \ Manufacturers are pushing to cre- - ate these resins as fully filled as possi- ~~ \ A 4 ble.Isurely hope soas many clinicians » rr ed yy arestill hesitant, and rightfully so. The technology is very new and we really Wl EY \ x - don't a long term studies. Figures 3 to 5. Radiographic sensors need major changes to allow identification of initial caries and other important small anatomical Twill be pleased to see a low-wear structures or pathology.…

36. Page 65

    TECHNOLOGY d = . E f ££ 10 — i | 11, - il ‘ p - o : - Se ATX | : Sa J9" 9.959, ae a = iS SE EY 24 =e »® "CC LG Lak e's . ) ZEN [PY \ S| \ ~~, ® ® & | a a ) Figures 9 to 11. Bioactive materials are not just an overused commercial “buzz” word. They can work when done properly! These images show the placement of the Morita Foundation, a xenograft, the results in the two 4-wall grafted sockets 12 weeks later, the implant placement,…

37. Page 66

    64 [EpEHE ase FREE LIVE c© WEBINAR Hy TLE . A [frat on Wednesday, March 18, discussing the new technology. [Ope aH Scan QR code or visit webinar to register. Seeing What the Eye Can’t With oc titati Pe i Di ti Introduction: The Problem and the Solution sal surface of the tooth or implant (Figure 1). The Dental diagnostic methods for measuring the struchandpiece is held horizontally to the floor, and the tural integrity of teeth and implants have remained patient’s head is adjusted to make sure the tip face largely subjective despite advances in restorative { { 1…

38. Page 68

    Seeing What the Eye Can’t With... continued from page 64 = Energy Return Graph Basics Radiographically, the crack needs y Height of curve = overall mobility Shape of curve = localized mobility to be oriented perpendicular to the river rar al 3 oy et radiograph sensor and deep enough - in the tooth structure to be identifipy - able radiographically. —— - = ~ : Additionally, adhesive break. }- }- down, marginal leakage, or internal es ge Rey voids can develop beneath appar- Bh = ently intact restorations. Exploret - p= ers and radiographs are limited in = = detecting…

39. Page 69

    TECHNOLOGY orf in the implant itself by monitoring before peri-implantitis can a a pu = = = the NFE Score. When not caught develop. a 5 *y early, increasing levels of damage - Pug eR o 115 may result. Undetected screw loosen- Case Example: Monitoring | Ed DE Ba en BE BN ingmaylead toafractureofthescrew Implant Health Over Time | ) [ \ A 1 4 or damage to the threaded channelat A female patient who had | \ [ the internal of the implant fixture. been restored years ear- Fracture of the implant itself may lier was being monitored t…

40. Page 70

    TECHNOLOGY a [ fl c d ¥ s b b ' 4 | : Pas Ma di : J Figure 8a. Radiograph of the implant at Figure 8b. Full-mouth QPD testing showed a high NFE Figures 8c and 8d. Crack noted at the base of the implant when exam: No. 13, demonstrating good radiographic reading of 120 on the implant at site No. 13. ined through the clinical microscope at 16x following removal of the bone levels and no noticeable issues. restoration and confirmed on the CBCT. The doctor was informed, and an a b x-ray was requested (Figure 9).…

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