Kavo changes Diagnodent Pen Design

The Diagnodent was the first digital caries detection system on the market and remains as one of the best. The 655nm diode laser measures caries fluorescence and gives the doctor and patients a digital readout and audible signal to indicate the depth and size of cavities. A few years ago, Kavo introduced the Diagnodent Pen which was much smaller and more portable than the "Classic" style that utilized a handpiece connected by a cord to the rest of the unit.

While the pen was easier to use and much easier to transport around the office, I always disliked the idea that the digital readout was facing the floor. This made getting the digital readings from the device more cumbersome and it also meant the patient couldn't see the readings at all.

To fix those problems, Kavo has created a remote display that mimics the readout of the pen. The devices communicate over an infrared signal that is "line of sight". The new display was just shown at the Chicago Midwinter meeting and is available now. Contact your Kavo dealer or your local Kavo rep for details.

ImageCentrik - Helps create perfect photos with a minimum of clicks

On Friday, I got a chance to tour the newest product from Dental Learning Centers, ImageCentrik. Dennis Braunston, who founded the company has a real passion for photography and helping doctors achieve the very best they can with a minimum of effort of their parts. His philosophy has always been to make dental photography simple enough that anyone in the office can do it... and do it well. DLC has sold easy to use camera kits for some time now, but that was only the beginning.

Now DLC has moved forward into the realm of imaging software with ImageCentrik. It keeps with the companies philosophy of ease of use and great results. The idea behind the software is a good one. Take the necessary components that anyone in dentistry needs to make their photos outstanding and provide only those tools in an easy to use interface.

From my demo on Friday, I'd say they'e nailed this one pretty well. The image editing is great and easy to do. The interface is slick and simple. It even provides pre-setup templates that allow for drag and drop images and text so that reports for patients, parents, or third party payers can be easily created.

Let's face it, there are a ton of image editing software programs out there. Some are great, some are so-so. What I think sets this one apart is the interface and ease of use. If you are looking for a way to make you photos editing easy, take a look at ImageCentrik.

ImageCentrik includes:

• Themed backgrounds (portrait and landscape)
• Layout templates - dental specific
• Full featured image editor
• AACD, Orthodontic and many more custom templates
• Drag and drop images
• Multiple page presentations
• Customizable content libraries
• Patient specific photo library
• Photo quality printing
• Emailable presentations

Dennis Braunston’s newest dental imaging software ImageCentrik"Presentations by Design",continues the Dental Learning Center promise to simplify and improve the dental imaging continuum.

ImageCentrik combines the essential elements of dental image editing and case presentation into a powerful and easy-to-use tool for every sized practice.

Today’s busy dental team can now create professional presentations, with consistent diagnosis content and beautiful results everytime.

This all inclusive program allows practices to improve patient education and present winning presentations from simple preventive to complex restorative and cosmetic cases.

Wester Digital Announces SiliconBlue SSD's

The SSD or Solid State Drive just keeps getting better. WD now has this amazing 256GB monster. Granted it's not as big as some regular hard drives, but the gap is closing and when you consider no moving parts and blazing fast transfer speeds, I can see these drives being the future.

Product Features

Solid state drives with WD quality and reliability - Protecting your data is in our DNA. With years of experience building drives that watch over data, we understand the exacting requirements needed to keep your data safe. These SSDs are no exception. Before we put the WD brand on them, they are designed and tested in WD's Fit Lab on hundreds of systems to pass our rigorous data integrity and reliability screening. Fast data transfer - Up to 250 MB/s read and up to 170 MB/s write transfer rates allow your system to run faster so you can work more efficiently. SSDs for extreme conditions - Because there are no moving parts, these rugged SSDs deliver a high tolerance for shock, vibration and extreme environments. Perfect for notebook computers that live on the edge. Low power consumption - Translates to longer battery life for portable computers. Advanced wear-leveling - Lengthens SSD life and preserves speed with a combination of dynamic and static wear-leveling algorithms designed to overcome performance degradation that occurs as a result of continual heavy use. TRIM command support (Windows 7) - Helps maintain the SSD's performance throughout its lifespan. Native Command Queuing (NCQ) - Increases the performance of SATA drives by placing read/write commands in the optimal sequential order for the fastest execution. Advanced error correction - Enables error-free data transmission by deploying advanced correction technologies to detect and correct errors. Data integrity protection - Helps ensure data integrity and availability by preventing data loss from unexpected power loss during write operations. Compatible - Works in any system that accepts a SATA hard drive with a standard 9.5 mm 2.5-inch form factor.

CDC: Recommended Adult Immunization Schedule Update for 2010

Interesting info from the CDC. Take a look:

The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) annually reviews the recommended Adult Immunization Schedule to ensure that the schedule reflects current recommendations for the licensed vaccines. In October 2009, ACIP approved the Adult Immunization Schedule for 2010, which includes several changes. A bivalent human papillomavirus vaccine (HPV2) was licensed for use in females in October 2009. ACIP recommends vaccination of females with either HPV2 or the quadrivalent human papillomavirus vaccine (HPV4). HPV4 was licensed for use in males in October 2009, and ACIP issued a permissive recommendation for use in males. Introductory sentences were added to the footnotes for measles, mumps, rubella, influenza, pneumococcal, hepatitis A, hepatitis B, and meningococcal vaccines. Clarifications were made to the footnotes for measles, mumps, rubella, influenza, hepatitis A, meningococcal, and Haemophilus influenza type b vaccines, and schedule information was added to the hepatitis B vaccine footnote.

Additional information is available as follows: schedule (in English and Spanish) at http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/recs/schedules/adult-schedule.htm; adult vaccination at http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/default.htm; ACIP statements for specific vaccines at http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/pubs/acip-list.htm; and reporting adverse events at http://www.vaers.hhs.gov or by telephone, 800-822-7967.

Changes for 2010

The human papillomavirus (HPV) footnote (#2) includes language that a bivalent HPV vaccine (HPV2) has been licensed for use in females. Either HPV2 or the quadrivalent human papillomavirus vaccine (HPV4) can be used for vaccination of females aged 19 through 26 years. In addition, language has been added to indicate that ACIP issued a permissive recommendation for use of HPV4 in males.
The measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) footnote (#5) has language added to clarify which adults born during or after 1957 do not need 1 or more doses of MMR vaccine for the measles and mumps components, and clarifies which women should receive a dose of MMR vaccine. Also, interval dosing information has been added to indicate when a second dose of MMR vaccine should be administered. Language has been added to highlight recommendations for vaccinating health-care personnel born before 1957 routinely and during outbreaks.
The term “seasonal” has been added to the influenza footnote (#6).
The hepatitis A footnote (#9) has language added to indicate that unvaccinated persons who anticipate close contact with an international adoptee should consider vaccination.
The hepatitis B footnote (#10) has language added to include schedule information for the 3-dose hepatitis B vaccine.
The meningococcal vaccine footnote (#11) clarifies which vaccine formulations are preferred for adults aged ≤55 years and ≥56 years, and which vaccine formulation can be used for revaccination. New examples have been added to demonstrate who should and should not be considered for revaccination.
The selected conditions for Haemophilus influenza type b (Hib) footnote (#13) clarifies which high-risk persons may receive 1 dose of Hib vaccine.
The Recommended Adult Immunization Schedule has been approved by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the American College of Physicians.

Suggested citation: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Recommended adult immunization schedule---United States, 2010. MMWR 2010;59(1).

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention www.cdc.gov
The above message comes from "CDC", who is solely responsible for its content.

Novalar Receives FDA Letter Saying Marketing Brochure Could be Misleading

Novalar is the company that markets Oraverse, an injectable drug that helps the body remove local anesthetic more quickly thus allowing a patient to become "unfrozen" faster. It seems that on February 26th, the company received a letter from the FDA stating "The brochure omits and minimizes the risks of the drug while overstating its benefits".

In part, the letter states: "The patient brochure is misleading because it suggests that OraVerse is useful in a broader range of conditions or patients than has been demonstrated by substantial evidence or substantial clinical experience. Specifically, the patient brochure contains the claim, “And now the safety and effectiveness of OraVerse have been successfully demonstrated through clinical trials involving pediatric, adolescent and adult patients ages 4 through 92.” This claim misleadingly suggests that OraVerse is approved for all patients ages 4 through 92, when this is not the case. FDA is not aware of substantial evidence to support efficacy claims in patients under the age of 6 years old. According to the Indications and Usage section of the PI, OraVerse is not recommended for use in children less than 6 years of age or weighing less than 15 kg (33 lbs). Furthermore, the Pediatric Use section of the PI states, “The safety, but not the efficacy, of OraVerse has been evaluated in pediatric patients under the age of 6 years old” (emphasis added)."

For the full FDA letter, click here.

Sirona Launches New CEREC® Software with Biogeneric Capabilities

I got a chance to see the new Cerec software version 3.8 at the Chicago Midwinter meeting last week. This update is impressive! If you are a Cerec Service Club member, you should be receiving it around May.

Rather than give you my opinions after 30 minutes of time with the product, I'll let the Sirona Press Release give you the pertinent info:

• 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.

ORALDNA® LABS INTRODUCES ORARISKsm HPV SALIVARY DIAGNOSTIC TEST TO HELP DENTISTS ASSESS THE RISKS OF CERTAIN TYPES OF ORAL CANCER

At the Midwinter meeting, there was some major buzz surrounding OralDNA labs and their ability to identify things through simple tests. Fairly amazing stuff that may change the profession. Read on for details:

Nashville, TN – February 26, 2010 – OralDNA® Labs Inc. (www.OralDNA.com), 
leaders in advancing wellness in dentistry through salivary diagnostics, and a subsidiary of Quest Diagnostics® Incorporated (NYSE: DGX), recently introduced its OraRisksm HPV test, a non-invasive, easy-to-use screening tool to identify the type(s) of oral human papillomavirus (also called HPV). Oral HPV is a mucosal viral infection that is a known risk factor for oral, head, and neck cancers. High-risk types of HPV that persist present an increased risk for cancers in these regions. This test will provide the dental clinician with the ability to establish risk for HPV-related cancers of the oral, head, and neck regions and determine appropriate referral and monitoring conditions.

Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN), which can be found in the oral cavity, tongue, tonsils, oropharynx, and larynx, affects approximately 40,000 individuals in the United States each year.1 The most common symptoms of SCCHN include sore throat, earache, hoarseness, and, quite often, enlarged lymph nodes in the neck. Early detection of oral HPV presents an important opportunity to detect those at risk for these types of cancers before symptoms appear.

According to OralDNA® Labs’ Medical Director Ronald C. McGlennen, MD, “The availability of the OraRisksm HPV test marks an important and timely advance in oral diagnostics, because the at-risk profile for oral cancer is rapidly changing.”

The use of tobacco and heavy alcohol consumption have traditionally been considered to be the primary risk factors for SCCHN, but an alarming number of new cases are being diagnosed each year among persons who do not fit the tobacco and alcohol user profile.1

“In fact, a new high-risk profile for SCCHN has emerged,” explains Dr. McGlennen. “Recent research studies have identified several high-risk strains of the human papillomavirus (HPV), especially the variant known as HPV-16, as potential etiologic agents in the development of SCCHN.”

It is now estimated that 50% of all diagnosed cases of oral cancer in the United States are attributed to the HPV virus.4 It has been well documented that HPV transmission is associated with sexual contact, with the risk of contracting HPV higher among those with multiple sex partners.

“Oral HPV is a silent, serious infection that can now be detected and closely monitored by the dental professional,” states OralDNA® Labs’ Chief Dental Officer, Thomas W. Nabors, DDS. “Specifically, the laboratory report derived from the OraRisksm HPV salivary diagnostic test helps dental professionals identify the specific types(s) of oral HPV present, as well as the associated risk profile for each type of HPV variant detected in the patient’s oral cavity.”

Strong candidates for the OraRisksm HPV test include patients with the following profile characteristics:

• Sexually active
• Family history of oral cancer
• Signs and symptoms of oral cancer
• Traditional risk factors for oral cancer
• Suspicious oral lesions

Innovative salivary diagnostic tests from OralDNA Labs are fundamental elements of a patient’s wellness plan. OraRisksm HPV is the third molecular salivary DNA test that OralDNA® Labs has introduced to the dental profession in less than a year. In 2009, the company launched two tests for periodontal disease named MyPerioPath® and MyPerioID® PST®.

Specifically, MyPerioPath® identifies the type and concentration of specific perio-pathogenic bacteria that are known to cause periodontal disease and helps support clinicians with better risk assessment and personalized treatment options for more predictable patient outcomes.

MyPerioID® PST® identifies an individual’s genetic susceptibility to periodontal disease and enables clinicians to establish which patients are at increased risk for more severe periodontal infections due to an exaggerated immune response.

For more information, education, and training related to OralDNA®’s salivary DNA diagnostic tests, dental professionals, including periodontists, general dentists, and dental hygienists, should visit www.OralDNA.com/training or call (877) 577-9055.

About OralDNA® Labs Inc. (www.OralDNA.com)


OralDNA® Labs Inc., a subsidiary of Quest Diagnostics® Incorporated (NYSE: DGX), is a leader in advancing wellness in dentistry through salivary diagnostics. The company’s goal is to help the dental profession achieve better clinical outcomes by providing reliable, definitive, and cost-effective clinical tests that drive the detection and prognosis of disease at an earlier, more treatable stage. Innovative salivary diagnostic tests from OralDNA® Labs are fundamental elements of a patient’s wellness plan. OralDNA® currently offers three DNA-Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests for periodontal disease and oral HPV:

MyPerioPath® identifies the type and concentration of specific perio-pathogenic bacteria that are known to cause periodontal disease and helps support clinicians with better risk assessment and personalized treatment options for more predictable patient outcomes.

MyPerioID® PST® identifies individual genetic susceptibility to periodontal disease and enables clinicians to establish which patients are at increased risk for more severe periodontal infections due to an exaggerated immune response.

OraRisksm HPV is a non-invasive, easy-to-use screening tool to identify the type(s) of oral HPV, a mucosal viral infection that could potentially lead to oral cancer, and in turn, enables the clinician to establish increased risk for oral cancer and determine appropriate referral and monitoring conditions.

About Quest Diagnostics®
Quest Diagnostics® is the world's leading provider of diagnostic testing, information, and services that patients and clinicians need to make better healthcare decisions. The company offers the broadest access to diagnostic testing services through its network of laboratories and patient service centers, and provides interpretive consultation through its extensive medical and scientific staff. Quest Diagnostics® is a pioneer in developing innovative new diagnostic tests and advanced healthcare information technology solutions that help improve patient care. Additional company information is available at www.QuestDiagnostics.com.

References:

1. Haddad RI. Human papillomavirus infection and oropharyngeal cancer. Medscape CME Website. http://cme.medscape.com/viewarticle/559789. Published July 17, 2007. Accessed December 4, 2009.
2. Mork J, Lie K, Glattre E, et al. Human papillomavirus infection as a risk factor for squamous-cell carcinoma of the head and neck. N Engl J Med. 2001;344:1125-1131.
3. Kreimer AR, Clifford GM, Boyle P, Franceschi S. Human papillomavirus types in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas worldwide: a systematic review. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2005;14:467-475.
4.

Saraiya M, Kawaoka K. Incidence of human papillomavirus (HPV)-related head and neck cancers in the US from 1998-2003: Pre-HPV vaccine licensure. Proc Am Soc Clin Oncol. 2007;25:299s.
5. Schwartz SM, Daling JR, Doody DR, et al. Oral cancer risk in relation to sexual history and evidence of human papillomavirus infection. J Natl Cancer Inst. 1998;90:1626-1636.