Curve Dental’s new Curve GRO, the company’s next-generation patient engagement platform, is one of the only solutions that maintains all patient communication and patient records within a single database. The result is a single platform supported by one vendor designed to streamline workflows and reduce costs, while improving the patient experience.

Powered by a robust campaign engine, Curve GRO automatically manages patient reminder campaigns and updates the schedule when the patient confirms. For patients who may need to change their appointment or ask questions, GRO delivers 2-way conversational texting. For patients who do not respond to the reminder campaigns, GRO can automatically create tasks in the 

, allowing the staff to collaborate in real-time to triage patient outreach. GRO is designed to deliver better service, reduce cancelations, and improve staff efficiency.

A rules-based campaign engine combined with the 

 is significant for dentistry because it creates automation, enforces best practices as determined by the practice administrator, and delivers an auditable trail of all activity that occurs. The 

 is customizable, filterable, and dynamic, allowing for group collaboration so that staff can triage the list until everything is completed.

According to Jana Macon, Curve Dental EVP of Customer Success, GRO brings significant new functionality to the industry’s most widely used cloud-based practice management solution. She adds that by automating patient communications, GRO will dramatically reduce the number of reminder phone calls staff must make, saving time and money while streamlining and simplifying many other key front office tasks.

Curve customers can email sales@curvedental.com to schedule their Curve GRO implementation.



Articles

Company launches platform that automatically manages patient reminder campaigns and updates the schedule when the patient confirms.

Curve Dental’s New Curve GRO Advances Patient Engagement

Videos

Dental Products Report Editorial Director Noah Levine and Technology Editor John Flucke, DDS discuss the new dental products he's tested that have him most excited, as well as what lies ahead for the dental industry in 2021.

This Thing Is Amazing: Technology Editor John Flucke, DDS shares the most exciting new products he's taken for a recent test drive

Designed to provide dental practices and labs with a complete 3D printing solution, DMG America announced the launch of its 3Demax printer along with related equipment and materials.

The 3Demax is a digital light processing (DLP) printer with a resolution of +/- 34 microns. The system features a patented Force Feedback printing technology that is said to increase print speeds by up to 50%. The system features a small footprint to fit on almost any countertop, and is capable of producing surgical guides, burn-out casting molds, mouth guards, occlusal splints, crowns and bridges, and physical models.

Along with the printer, the system also includes the 3Dewash unit designed to wash non-polymerized resin from the 3D printed parts. Then the 3Decure unit is used to completely cure the resins via its 360° illumination.

The system is compatible with DMG's LuxaPrint line of resins including LuxaPrint Cast, LuxaPrint Model, LuxaPrint Ortho, LuxaPrint Tray, and LuxaPrint Gingiva. The company plans to launch additional materials later this year.

Also set to debut later this year is DentaMile connect software. This platform is designed to integrate with all three hardware components of the system. The cloud-based software application connects the system and all the design files being produced while validating the print and production workflows.

The new system is comprised of the 3Demax printer, 3Dewash post-processing unit, and the 3Decure light-curing system, as well as LuxaPrint resins.

DMG America Announces Complete 3D Printing Solution

The new AiroPur Dental Aerosol Suction Cup from Ho Dental Company is a disposable device designed to help clinicians eliminate the aerosols generated during dental procedures.

The AiroPur cup is designed to connect to the high volume evacuation (HVE) hose on the operatory's delivery system, and offers an economical aerosol mitigation strategy when compared with stand-alone suction equipment.

The product is designed to be held in position by the patient during treatment. While the cups are disposable and designed to cost less than $1 each, they can be autoclaved for multiple uses, stretching their affordability even further. They are available directly from Ho Dental Company in packs of 40 cups.

The new AiroPur Dental Aerosol Suction Cup is designed to easily attach to the HVE hose.

Ho Dental Company Launches Disposable AiroPur Dental Aerosol Suction Cup

DenMat Holdings, LLC has announced the launch of Zen CP+, a desensitizing gel that is designed to ease tooth sensitivity. Using patent-pending microsphere technology,  Zen CP+ delivers nano-sized minerals to the tooth surface, which then penetrates the dental tubules.

“This innovative new product helps dental professionals treat tooth sensitivity by using what is already present in the tooth – calcium phosphate,” said DenMat CEO David Casper. “Our team recognized a need for a new product in this space, one that treats patients in a safer, more effective manner. University research data shows ZEN CP+ to be a superior alternative to other desensitizing products in its ability to occlude dentinal tubules.”

Zen CP+’s CAPOSAL® microsphere technology consists of small calcium phosphate particles that are deposited in the dentin tubules and release calcium and phosphate ions for rapid mineralization. Formed deep in the tubules, these minerals are reportedly unaffected by wear and acid. Its formula is described as low-abrasion and is said to not cause harm to the enamel surface.

Additionally, this desensitizing gel is safe for patients with lactose-based allergies as it does not contain milk-derived proteins. Zen CP+ is available in 45g tubes. It’s designed for daily use and is simply brushed onto the teeth as part of patients’ daily oral care.


Zen CP+ is available for dental professionals via dealers and will be available to consumers through their dentist offices in the US and Canada. For more information, visit 

Using patent-pending microsphere technology,  Zen CP+ delivers nano-sized minerals to the tooth surface.

DenMat launches Zen CP+ desensitizing gel

Carestream Dental has announced the release of its latest scanner software update, CS ScanFlow v1.0.3.  This newest update is designed to enhance the scanning experience while reducing the steps involved in the scanning process, protect data, and even encourage patients to share their smiles on social media.

The ScanFlow’s new anti-reflective mode eliminates the need to powder spray or microetch reflective surfaces, such as metal or full ceramic brackets, crowns, and resins so they don’t interfere with the digital scan. The anti-reflective mode is designed to allow users to begin scanning immediately while generating high-quality scans of reflective surfaces.

The ScanFlow update also takes security into account by allowing users to securely access digital impression file conversion tools via cloud-based Microsoft Azure. This adds another layer of security by requiring third parties to log in with their credentials before they can access data. This feature also reportedly eliminates the need to update the CS Mesh Converter on all computers in the practice when a new version of CS ScanFlow is available.

The software’s new bite capture capability enables optimal treatment planning and ideal appliance fit. Users can obtain up to 5 bites in addition to the normal 1 for an extensive view of the patient’s overall occlusion. These 5 bites can be exported to a lab or third-party software such as exocad or Blender for dental with an articulator add-on.

“These improvements to CS ScanFlow come based on the requests of users whose valuable feedback makes the software more efficient and the scanning experience better,” said Ed Shellard, DMD, chief dental officer, Carestream Dental.

Additionally, the ScanFlow update allows users to display the scan onscreen in the same orientation as the patient’s mouth using the Smart Position mode. And to help drive patient engagement, practices are able to create an animated MP4 file of the digital impression after completing the acquisition, which can be emailed to patients and is ideal for sharing on social media.


CS ScanFlow is the advanced software that is used in the CS 3700 intraoral scanner and is also available for the CS 3600 intraoral scanner. Subscribers of Carestream Dental’s CS Advantage plan will automatically receive an email with the link to upload CS ScanFlow v1.0.3. Users who are not subscribed to the Advantage plan can make a 1-time software upgrade purchase through Carestream Dental. For more information, visit 

The new software update is designed to make scanning faster, more secure, and sharable.

Carestream Dental Releases ScanFlow Software Update

Health, wellness, and personal care credit company CareCredit has announced a new partnership with dental patent engagement company RevenueWell. The partnership was designed to help practices provide care to more patients.

Facing out-of-pocket costs is a real concern for dental patients, and can even prevent some patients from seeking treatment. In an effort to face this challenge head-on, RevenueWell has integrated the CareCredit Quickscreen™ product, which allows practices to communicate the availability of financing options. With this feature, practices can determine which patients on the schedule have an existing CreditCare credit card or which patients are pre-approved without impacting their credit report, all without leaving the RevenueWell platform. This allows patients to spread out their payments over time, while practices are reportedly able to get paid in 2 business days.

“Oftentimes, patients may delay or decline recommended treatment because of unspoken cost concerns,” said Doug Hammond, senior vice president, and general manager at CareCredit. “By partnering with RevenueWell and integrating Quickscreen, we hope to provide doctors and their teams with a simple, easy way to see who is pre-approved for special financing options so that they can comfortably communicate the benefits of CareCredit and encourage patients to move forward with needed care.”

“We are excited to join forces with CareCredit to provide our practices an additional resource to increase case acceptance while giving patients an additional financing option for their oral healthcare needs,” said Alex Nozdrin, chief marketing officer at RevenueWell.”

Carecredit is a Synchrony solution and a leading provider of promotional financing to consumers for health, veterinary, and personal care procedures, services, and products. Carecredit is accepted at more than 240,000 locations. For more information, visit 

The new partnership is designed to help practices expand services to patients who may have high out-of-pocket costs.

Creditcare partners with Revenuewell for dental patient financing

Desktop Metal will acquire EnvisionTEC in a merger of complimentary 3D printing companies.

The deal, which is priced at $300 million according to a press release, will allow EnvisionTEC to continue normal operations, but as a subsidiary of Desktop Metal. With desktop metal focused on metal 3D printing technologies, and EnvisionTEC a pioneer in polymer 3D printing, the combined companies will have a greater range of 3D printing opportunities to offer a range of industries.

With EnvisionTEC already having more than 1,000 dental customers, this move will help solidify the company's position as an industry leader and innovator, according to the press release.

The two 3D printing companies specialize in different segments of the market, and the combined company plans to continue leading in multiple areas of the 3D printing market.

EnvisionTEC to be Acquired by Desktop Metal in 3D Printing Merger

Kristin Hohman serves as Associate Editor for DPR. 

A beam, a smirk, a grin. Is there any better expression of happiness than a smile? Probably not.

There are many things in life that make us smile—a funny joke, enjoying the company of friends and family.

 has found that listening to music triggers the release of 

, the ‘happy chemical’. It’s also released in anticipation of musical occasions. So in honor of smiling, we’ve compiled 7 songs about smiles. Sit back, listen, and get ready for an ear-to-ear grin!

7 Songs About Smiles

A beam, a smirk, a grin. Is there any better expression of happiness than a smile? Read on to see which songs about smiles made our list!

With proprietary features not previously available with clear aligner therapy, Ormco Corporation has unveiled Spark™ Clear Aligner Release 10, its most substantial upgrade yet.

The new features, along with a suite of enhancements to its Approver™ software and case management portal, are designed to give orthodontists greater start-to-finish control and flexibility for more predictable and efficient treatment planning. These significant upgrades include the new 

, a new material option for finishing and refinements, the ability to add 

during treatment planning for complex cases, and 

, enabling orthodontists to import and visualize CBCT patient data within Spark's Approver software.

: A new proprietary material option for a more rigid designed for doctors for finishing and refinements. With TruGEN XR, doctors now have a "finishing wire material" that allows them to progress from a flexible material at the start of treatment to a more rigid material. This new material option gives doctors more control and better predictability with the finishing details of a case and is on par with the finishing wire option doctors have with traditional braces. TruGEN XR has the same advanced force retention, clarity, stain resistance and material thickness that orthodontists love about TruGEN, the company says.

Integrated into Spark aligners, Posterior Bite Turbos can now be added during treatment planning for more complex cases. Posterior Bite Turbos are esthetic, comfortable, durable, and sturdy. Posterior Bite Turbos are laboratory tested to withstand grinding and compression without cracking or breaking* and do not require any bonding or composite filling. They have the equivalent clinical effects of traditional resin bite turbos.*

Like traditional resin bite turbos, Posterior Bite Turbos are designed to assist with molar intrusion for correction of an anterior open bite, correction of crossbite, or any other clinical condition which requires bite opening in the posterior during treatment.

Orthodontists can now import and visualize CBCT patient data (DICOM files) within the Spark Approver Software. CBCT data is automatically aligned with the 3D Model in the software. Visualizing the cortical bones can help doctors properly plan and more effectively predict tooth movement. Visualizing teeth within a 3D view of the facial structure can also help doctors with treatment planning to create beautiful facial esthetics.

Standing by its commitment to put orthodontists' needs first, Ormco is pleased to incorporate user feedback into these system enhancements:

Spark now enables doctors to seamlessly request multiple treatment plans and compare them more efficiently at the same time in the Approver software. This new feature provides the ideal setup for more efficient and effective treatment planning.

The Spark Case Portal now supports multiple doctors within a group practice.

Case submissions offer an improved user experience compared to the prior version through drag-and- drop photo uploads and background reference images.

The Spark Approver software and Case Portal are now available in 6 languages, including French, German, Italian, Spanish and Simplified Chinese. The expanded global language support is designed to help doctors gain efficiencies for the rapidly growing network of Spark doctors worldwide.

To learn more about the Spark Clear Aligner Release 10 updates,

New features designed to give orthodontists greater start-to-finish control for improved predictability and efficient treatment planning.

Carestream Dental Releases ScanFlow Software Update

Creditcare partners with Revenuewell for dental patient financing

EnvisionTEC to be Acquired by Desktop Metal in 3D Printing Merger

7 Songs About Smiles

Ormco Launches Spark Clear Aligner Release 10