Top 5 New Dental Lab Technology Products of 2020

Articles

The top new dental laboratory technology products of 2020 as chosen by the Dental Lab Products® editorial team.

On March 16, 2020 the American Dental Association issued its recommendation that dental practices across the country cease all elective and nonessential patient care due to the onset of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. As these shutdowns hit practices, the lack of patients being treated meant a corresponding reduction in the number of cases being sent to dental labs.

The ranking of dental lab technicians in a report from Business Insider on the jobs at the greatest risk for contracting infectious diseases.1

of US dental offices were closed to all but emergency appointments for at least part of April, according to the American Dental Association’s Health Policy Institute. Although some labs followed suit, most reduced staff and pivoted to 3D printing personal protective equipment or finding other ways to help their local communities.2

dental jobs were lost during the month of April due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This represented the hardest-hit segment of the health care sector of the economy, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.3 Many of these jobs did eventually return over the summer as practices reopened.

of dental labs with employees laid off or furloughed employees as a result of the pandemic, and although 

 of those employees were back to work by August, that leaves almost a fifth of that cohort of technicians out of work.4

of dental practices reported seeing 85% or less of their pre-COVID-19 patient volume during the week of November 2.5 This shows that while the industry is recovering, most practices remain far from returning to normal.

Kiersz A, Gillett R, Hoff M. 47 jobs that will always be bad for your health, and how much they pay. Business Insider. July 14, 2020. Accessed November 11, 2020 

https://www.businessinsider.com/most-unhealthy-jobs-in-america-2017-4

COVID-19: economic impact on dental practices, week of April 20 results. Health Policy Institute. Accessed November 11, 2020 

https://surveys.ada.org/reports/RC/public/YWRhc3VydmV5cy01ZTlkYjFlMTRlZDkxOTAwMTU4NTU4ZmItVVJfNWlJWDFFU01IdmNDUlVO

The employment situation—April 2020. News release. Bureau of Labor Statistics. May 8, 2020. 

https://www.bls.gov/news.release/archives/empsit_05082020.pdf

Fessel Carr, K. Strategic recovery: uncertainty, solidarity continue. 

. September 16, 2020. Accessed November 23, 2020. 

https://lmtmag.com/articles/strategic-recovery-uncertainty-solidarity-continue

COVID-19: economic impact on dental practices, week of November 2 results. Health Policy Institute. Accessed November 11, 2020. 

https://surveys.ada.org/reports/RC/public/YWRhc3VydmV5cy01ZmEyYzBjMmNhZThkNzAwMGViZTExNTMtVVJfM3BaeGhzWm12TnNMdjB4

This year brought more than its share of surprises to the dental industry, and as dental practices shut down and saw fewer patients, dental labs experienced a drop in business, as well.

DLP 2020 By the Numbers

Information provided by Axsys Dental Solutions

Versamill 5X450 precision dental machining center

Axsys Dental Solutions – 855-687 7941 

Dental labs and milling centers of all sizes, and even dental clinics with open-architecture chairside CAD systems.

All the time, because this durable mill is designed for reliable high-precision production.

Versatile and open source, the Versamill 5X450 provides 5-axis machining of crowns, bridges, inlays, onlays, copings, models, abutments, bars, dentures, and more from almost dental milling material, including wax, zirconia, acrylic, composites, glass ceramics, and titanium. Capable of producing complex geometries including undercuts, the machine is engineered for accuracy and fast production, and produces optimal surfaces. It is also designed for ideal stability, which improves milling quality and can extend the life span of the tools used in the system.

A powerful 1.28-kW spindle with integrated coolant delivery ensures fast and accurate production while the machine’s heavy-gauge cast aluminum-alloy frame keeps the system stable and absorbs vibrations while machining, further enhancing precision and speed. It is designed with precision ball screws with anti-backlash ball nuts, linear guides, and servo drives to assure accurate positioning within the mill. These features eliminate the need for frequent calibration. Quick-change blank holders allow the mill to quickly switch from machining material discs to blocks and abutment blanks.

This durable mill from Axsys Dental Solutions delivers reliable high-precision production well suited for labs and milling centers of all sizes.

5Ws* Versamill 5X450

3D printers can’t all deliver the accuracy and speed necessary for dental and orthodontic production.

Additionally, some 3D printers are cost prohibitive for small labs and dental practices and do not deliver stable, long-term performance.

Said to offer the fastest print speed for a standard DLP printer and to deliver extremely accurate parts with the finest detail available

Built on an industrial 4K DLP projector, which is designed to guarantee stable performance for many years

Compatible with all EnvisionTEC DLP resins for the dental industry, providing essential solutions for applications from models to full dentures and everything in between

Designed for chairside and small labs, featuring a build envelope of 148 mm x 83 mm x 110 mm (5.8 x 3.3 x 4.3 in), an XY native resolution of 50 μm, and a patented enhanced XY resolution of 25 μm

Produced by the original inventors of DLP 3D printing technology. Since 2003, EnvisionTEC has been a leading dental 3D printer manufacturer, developing equipment and material innovations for both the dental and orthodontic industries.

EnvisionTEC’s new DK4 Pro high-resolution 4K desktop 3D printer provides the fastest print speed for a standard DLP printer and is designed to deliver extremely accurate parts with fine detail.

Solve My Problem: Fast Print Speed With Accuracy Delivers the Finest Detail

Tom Zaleske is the owner of Matrix Dental Laboratory in Crown Point, Ind., and has more than 25 years of experience in removable prosthodontics. He regularly lectures on providing high-quality service to dentists and, most importantly, to their patients. He can be reached at

and fabricated removable prosthetics for 34 years, and I realized early on that if I wanted to be successful, I was going to have to problem-solve to head off potential production-killing issues, maintain a quality benchmark, and meet clinical appointment schedules.

One issue that arises quite routinely is receiving impressions taken with stock trays with the instructions to treat the subsequent model as definitive 

. Most times these impressions produce models with inadequate flange extensions, tray compressions, or incomplete anatomy, interfering with our ability to fabricate a successfully retentive denture. 

Accompanying this situation is the dread of making the call to the account to explain that I need to make a standard custom tray to capture a reasonable and customary imprint.

For this reason, I adapted a tray technique to encompass both the master impression process and the records appointment in 1 session, basically condensing 2 appointments into 1. I call this technique/product a regi-tray, the combining of both the bite registration and custom impression. By providing this modality, the request to reimpress without losing an appointment makes the whole situation much more palatable. It is also useful as a work-around when patients need to condense appointment sequences to make a personal deadline (wedding, graduation, reunion, etc).

GC America Inc’s Coecal laboratory stone for models

Keystone Industries’ baseplate and tray polystyrene

Primotec USA’s Primobase light-cure baseplate material

Gebdi Dental-Products’ baseplate and preformed ivory rim wax

Ever since I implemented this technique in my lab, it has become commonplace for many clients to send a stock tray impression with instructions to “fabricate that bite tray thing.” When clients make those requests, it fortifies in my mind that I have established a position astechnical partner.

Outline tray extensions and spacer terminus on the preliminary model. This will guide your design 

Construct a spacer of wax or vacuum formable material/polystyrene that will not adhere to your tray material choice 

. I prefer a vacuum formable material due to the uniformity of thickness provided by the forming process.

Place tissue stop in the spacer in a pattern that will provide support uniformly. Use tuberosities and anatomy known to be supportive in construction of a standard custom tray. I prefer circular stops as opposed to square because they are less apt to dig into tissue and produce a compression spot, as square angles do 

The Technique

Adapt your tray material of choice over the spacer. I use Primobase from Primotec USA. Make sure to finger adapt the material into the spacer holes before adapting over the spacer to ensure the tissue stop hole is completely filled. Cure.

When adapting tray material, be sure to define the area between the tray and the spacer with finger adaption. Ideally, later, when the spacer is removed, you will have created a rim lock for the impression material to adhere to mechanically. This will aid the adhesive in preventing the impression material from pulling from the tray during the impression process 

Finish the baseplate/tray with carbides and stones of choice. No handle is needed, as we will add a wax rim to this tray.

Before adapting the rim, I prefer to attach “nail head” retention to the area where it will be placed. This will prevent the rim from coming loose during the impression/records process 

Adapt the rim using basic design measurements established for making a standard baseplate and rim 

. I prefer to use Gebdi Dental-Products’ Tribos preformed wax for the rim construction because it is firm and looks biologically better during rim trim when ivory is canvased against the lips 

Polish wax rims, and remove the spacer before sending


Regi-Trays are returned with impression and records ready for boxing and pouring using Wonderfill from Dental Creations, Ltd 

Border the molded master models and records in one appointment 

This adapted tray technique streamlines the master impression process and the records appointment into a single session, condensing 2 appointments into 1.  

Save Time, Get Higher-Quality Dental Impressions With Regi-Tray 

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Procter & Gamble Oral Care will introduce recyclable toothpaste tubes across its Crest, Oral-B, and Blend-a-med brands beginning next year, the company announced on December 1. This announcement is in line with P&G’s commitment to achieving 100% recyclable or reusable packaging by 2030.

Crest and Oral-B and the European brand Blend-a-med will begin the switch in January, and the transition is expected to be completed by 2025. The multi-material composition of toothpaste tubes has been a challenge to recycling facilities, meaning millions of tubes end up in landfills each year.

To solve this issue, P&G will begin using high-density polyethylene (HDPE) to manufacture its toothpaste tubes. HDPE is designed to provide the same protection afforded by the current materials and has been certified by North American and European bodies to be compatible with existing recycling technologies. HDPE tubes can be recycled wherever collection programs already exist.

P&G is currently in discussions with several HDPE tube suppliers and has already reached an agreement with personal and beauty product packager Albéa to start using its Greenleaf Generation 2 tube technology. This allows tubes to be recycled wherever collection programs are in place. Additionally, Greenleaf Generation 2 tubes are recognized by the 

In order to earn APR recognition, the Greenleaf Generation 2 tubes demonstrated that the toothpaste tubes could be converted into quality post-consumer HDPE resin, which was then reused to make new plastic bottles.

“P&G Oral Care started our sustainability journey many years back and continue to reduce our footprint. To drive a more circular supply chain, all of our production sites globally are qualified as sending zero manufacturing waste to landfill, and our sites across the United States, Canada, and Europe purchase 100% renewable electricity,” stated Steve Bishop, P&G Health Care CEO. “There is much yet to be done; however, we are proud of the steps we are taking with our leading brands, Crest in North America, and Oral B and Blend-a-med in Europe, to achieve recyclable tubes in the years ahead.”

“We have committed to enable and inspire responsible consumption through innovation on our product and packaging. Our leading oral care brands touch millions of people around the world,” added Virginie Helias, P&G’s chief sustainability officer. “This new packaging innovation will contribute to making the toothpaste tubes recyclable at scale in existing recycling streams, hence reducing our footprint and striving for circular solutions. It’s no longer about if or what we can do, but how quickly we can do it.”

The announcement is part of Procter & Gamble's commitment to achieving 100% recyclable packaging by 2030.

Procter & Gamble toothpaste tubes will transition to recyclable material

The newest version of Carestream Dental’s modeling software, CS Model + v5 is now able to integrate with the SprintRay Pro 3D printer, the company announced in a press release. This is said to allow practices to add in-house clear aligners as a treatment option for their patients.

The technology that makes clear aligners possible—such as intraoral scanners, CAD software, and 3D printers—may be disruptive to a practice and may not work with existing equipment. CS Model +v5 with the SprintRay Pro is said to remove the barriers that stand between practices and affordable in-house aligners.

“We’re excited to announce this integration between Carestream Dental and SprintRay,” John Cox, vice president of sales and marketing, SprintRay, said. “Simplifying the process from scan to print removes friction from the digital workflow, helping to drive the adoption of CAD/CAM technology, which ultimately benefits the patient. Intraoral scanners and 3D printers are very complementary technologies, and we’re proud to offer this integration to our user bases.”

The system is designed so users can start with a scan captured by either the CS 3600 or 3700 intraoral scanners. Next, the CS Model + v5 helps users plan and design aligner cases with its color-coded case complexity ranking and other automated features. Then aligner models can be directly imported into the SprintRay nesting software, which ensures proper orientation before being sent to the SprintRay Pro 3D, which can reportedly fabricate 8 models in 30 minutes.

“Practices have been telling us they want more control and more options when it comes to clear aligners to meet growing patient demands,” Ed Shellard, D.M.D., chief dental officer, Carestream Dental, said. “CS Model+ v5 gives users control over the design and printing with the SprintRay Pro lets them keep treatment in-house, so they can compete with direct-to-consumer brands but with the benefit of clinician- guided treatment--and in a shorter timeframe.”

The newest version of Carestream Dental’s modeling software, CS Model + v5 is now able to integrate with the SprintRay Pro 3D printer.

Carestream integrates newest model software with SprintRay printer

3M’s truly universal two-component system for all direct and indirect bonding applications designed to streamline restorative workflows was introduced this week.

The solution answers the question: what if two components were all you needed to cover virtually every self-adhesive and adhesive dual-cure resin cement indication as well as all direct adhesive cases? With the launch of 3M

 Universal Plus Adhesive in December 2020, the company answers the question.

When used alone, RelyX Universal Resin Cement works as a self-adhesive resin cement with optimal bond strength reliably solving routine cases with maximized efficiency. Scotchbond Universal Plus Adhesive is the first radiopaque, all-in-one universal adhesive. It serves as a universal primer for all materials including glass ceramics and further boosts bond strength of RelyX Universal Resin Cement for demanding adhesive resin cement cases, according to 3M. As a fully aligned system, the adhesive is initiated and cured by RelyX Universal Resin Cement thus saving the light-cure step.

These features reduce procedure steps and the number of required components to two, eliminating the hassle and confusion associated with the use of different resin cements, adhesives and primers, reducing stock and saving time, space and money.

The new universal resin cement comes in a game-changing 3M

 Universal Automix Syringe. Due to its proprietary self-sealing design, it can be cleaned easily and stored without the used Micro Mixing Tip for better hygiene. Being smaller than currently available standard automix systems, the ergonomic syringe delivers the usual number of applications with half the plastic waste. The unique mixing tip design is responsible for an 80 percent reduction of cement waste per application compared to the standard mixing tips.

The new two- component system with RelyX Universal Resin Cement and Scotchbond Universal Plus Adhesive is designed to streamline direct and indirect restorative workflows and increase efficiency for clinicians. 3M recognizes the importance of simplifying procedures to help dentists cut down on steps and eliminating some of the challenges that can arise on a daily basis, says Eric Wenzel, USAC Area Leader, 3M Oral Care Solutions Division.

Other benefits of RelyX Universal Resin Cement are related to the development of a unique initiator system and new filler architecture. Thanks to the new initiator system, excess outflow can be easily removed after tack curing. Moreover, it ensures that a high bond strength is developed independent of the selected curing mode (self-cure or light- cure). The new fillers offer a radiopacity higher than that of enamel, which facilitates identification of the cement layer and possible excess material on X-rays.

More information about the true two-component resin cement system is available at 

These 2 designed do it all: 3M presents truly universal two-component system for all direct and indirect bonding applications. 

3M’s Latest Launch Designed to Streamline Restorative Workflows

With the introduction of uLab Clear Aligners, uLab SystemsTM of San Mateo, California, is expanding its complete aligner system platform. The company is also the creator of uDesign® treatment planning software designed for orthodontists.

With over 130,000 cases planned to date, uLab offers important key benefits to orthodontists:

Efficient treatment planning–in as few as 10 minutes and in just one sitting, uLab provides orthodontists with easy control over treatment planning without any back-and- forth with a remote tech

Unparalleled value–savings of up to 51% on moderate treatment1 versus other aligner companies

State-of-the-art orthodontics–uLab provides state-of-the-art tools to help each orthodontist use their unique skills and artistry to design the perfect smile

Practice branding–custom packaging with the orthodontist’s logo so providers can build their business and their brand (coming soon)

uLab Clear Aligners are created in a state-of-the-art manufacturing plant in the United States. They will be delivered to orthodontic practices in 10 business days or less from its Tennessee facility. This is significantly faster than other aligner systems that are manufactured outside of the U.S., allowing patients to start treatment within days (not weeks) of their first visit, according to the company.

Amir Abolfalthi, CEO and Co-Founder, says uLab has focused on a state- of-the-art software and aligner treatment system to improve the experience for both orthodontists and their patients, and the latest announcement means the company now offers a comprehensive solution with the introduction of our uLab Clear Aligners.

As of December 1, uLab Clear Aligners are now available to all orthodontic practices in the U.S. To learn more about uLab Systems, visit 

1. Data on file. Based on 65 annual cases of 20 stages (40 aligners) each. List price for competitor. uLab software costs amortized across annual cases.

New clear aligners created in a state-of-the-art manufacturing plant in the United States; designed to be delivered to orthodontic practices quickly.

Introduction of uLab Clear Aligners Allows uLab Systems to Offer Complete Clear Aligner Platform

Dental lasers are already used for a lengthy list of clinical applications, and now, with the launch of the Monet Laser Curing Light, AMD Lasers is expanding that list to include curing dental materials.

The laser curing light is based on diode laser technology and implements advancements in laser optics, mechanics, electronics, and modules. It can cure dental composites to a depth of 8 mm in 3 seconds and produces a consistent collimated beam with a 12 mm diameter that does not lose intensity with distance. The light also features aperture attachments to attenuate the light and provide 2 mm, 4 mm, and 6 mm beam diameters which can be used for a variety of applications.

The curing light is designed with a fully rotating head, and is cordless with easy battery changes for smooth operation throughout the day. The charging station also features a light intensity meter.

The first handheld laser curing light for dentistry, the Monet Laser Curing Light is designed to be efficient and reliable.

AMD Lasers Announces Monet Laser Curing Light

Kristin Hohman serves as Associate Editor for DPR. 

Top 5 Equipment & Supplies of 2020

Here are our picks for the Top 5 Equipment and Supplies products of 2020.

Top 5 Infection Control Products

Here, we’ve gathered our top 5 infection control products for 2020.

Top 5 Infection Control Products of 2020

Dr. Lou Shuman is the CEO of Cellerant Consulting Group, dentistry’s leading corporate incubator and accelerator; a venturer-in-residence at Harvard’s i-Lab; the chairman of the technology advisory board at WEO Media; a long-time contributor to Dental Products Report; and the founder and creator of the Cellerant Best of Class Technology Awards.

Year-in-review articles are a staple in the public and professional media. Columnists offer their takes on lessons learned and predictions for the future. I’ve written many of these myself over the years. In normal times, I relish the opportunity to put a spotlight on game-changing technologies and their relevance for the dental community in the year to come. Like so many other things, this tradition feels a little different in 2020.

What does it mean to highlight “game changers” when coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is the 800-lb gorilla in the room? It rewrote schedules, protocols, patient communication, and personnel management. The importance of Zoom and virtual learning, along with new definitions of PPE, arose while taking a toll on our national mental and emotional health, not to mention the millions who contracted the disease. It is with this in mind that I wanted to recalibrate our focus: Instead of innovations driving change, what are the core values and guiding principles of patient care that remain unchanged in your practice?

I’d like to share some of what I heard in dialogue with the dental community this year.

There are 2 pieces of dialogue from the dental community I’d like to name, and they are closely related. Making clinically sound decisions meant the patient first comes first. With so much up for grabs in 2020, you never lost sight of your No. 1 responsibility: providing optimal clinical care. Firstly, for some of you that meant investing in prerinses, upgrading your handpiece in evaluating aerosols, and creating a new office definition of “safe.” Secondly, for others, that meant keeping much of your workflow the same—prioritizing stability over incremental improvement. In every conversation, it was clear that your decisions began and ended with the patient in mind.

Addressing patient concerns and maintaining patient trust were the most important thing, and I’m pleased that our profession never lost sight of that.

Current events provided once-in-a-lifetime levels of distraction, but there were guiding principles at play as dental practices reopened.

First, innovation should align with impact. This wasn’t a year for cool toys or bells and whistles. Dentists, always discerning customers, continued to ask hard questions, engage in evidence-based decision-making, and seek out the products that would create the most value for their patients and practice.

One example of that was how dentists invested in “upgraded” basics. While there are some consumables best selected on price, this year I saw dental professionals lean hard into quality over affordability. When it comes to the systems and equipment that create the foundation of the patient experience—patient communication and billing, PPE, handpieces, etc.—you spent more to overdeliver at a time when patients were most vulnerable.

Last, but certainly not least, I was reminded how personal integrity drives professional success. The decisions around reopening—how to do so responsibly, establishing new protocols, supporting your staff, easing patient fears—weren’t always easy or straightforward. There was so much advice it was almost overwhelming. Seeing how many of you blended strategic thinking and compassion to find a way through was a reminder that integrity is always the right response.

This has been one heck of a year, but I’m so proud of the way the dental community navigated the complex challenges presented by the pandemic. We don’t know what 2021 has in store, but I am confident in our ability to overcome any hurdle. Here’s to remembering what matters most and why we chose this profession in the first place!

After 2020 threw so many elements of life and work into chaos, how can your practice focus on the fundamentals for success in 2021? 

Game Changers for 2020: A Different Perspective

Top 5 Editor's Choice Products of 2020

The editors of Dental Products Report share another look at 5 of the most innovative products launched in the past year.

Dr. Lorne Lavine, founder and president of The Digital Dentist, has more than 30 years invested in the dental and dental technology fields. A graduate of USC, he earned his DMD from Boston University and completed his residency at the Eastman Dental Center in Rochester, N.Y. He received his specialty training at the University of Washington and went into private practice in Vermont until moving to California in 2002 to establish TDD, a company that focuses on the specialized technological and HIPAA needs of the dental community. He can be reached at drlavine@thedigitaldentists.com or 866-204-3398.

By any definition, 2020 has not been a good year for most of us. Coronavirus disease 2019, lockdowns, social unrest…the list goes on. As a dental information technology (IT) provider, I realize it has been a very scary year for dental practices when it comes to the protection and security of patient data. From criminals trying to separate you from your money to complying with governmental regulations, it’s been a challenging year for dental practitioners. Here are the 5 biggest threats to dental offices and the steps you should take to minimize those risks.


I believe this was the biggest technological threat to dental offices in 2020 and will be for years to come. A ransomware virus is a computer virus that can lock and block access to files. The only way to recover these files is by paying a fee, or ransom, to the individuals who locked the files. Of course, that’s assuming you can get the unlock key. There have been many reports of offices that paid the ransom but were still unable to regain access to their files. A ransomware attack is considered a Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) violation, and practices are required to declare a breach to patients and the federal government.
A firewall, antivirus software, and anti-ransomware software are tried-and-true methods of protecting your practice from ransomware. Newer approaches include application whitelisting, which allows you to prevent any unapproved programs from running and can be very effective.




We can spend hours discussing how to deal with ransomware if it hits your network, but the better approach is to prevent malware from reaching it in the first place. This is where a firewall comes into play. A firewall is a network security device that monitors incoming and outgoing network traffic. It permits or blocks data packets based on a set of security rules. As with many things in life, you tend to get what you pay for. Yes, your cable modem or inexpensive router has a firewall built into it, but in many cases, it’s not sufficient. I suggest investing in a business-class firewall such as those from SonicWall or Sophos. These are more costly, usually $500 to $700, but the peace of mind you get is priceless.



Improper Backup and Disaster Recovery Protocols


Your data protection and security are only as good as the backup plan you have in place. Many offices have poor systems in place—they do infrequent backups, often to unencrypted hard drives that are rarely removed from the office, and they can’t remember the last time they checked the backup or did a test restore. Each one of those flaws is a HIPAA violation. A proper system includes a full copy of the server that can be booted up quickly, in case the main server goes down, and a copy of the data off-site. The system should be tested a few times a year.




Understanding HIPAA rules is critical because it permeates through almost all of a dental office’s IT systems. Even for first-time offenses, the typical fine is $25,000 to $50,000 and can be much higher if the practice is found to be willfully negligent.

Start with a formal risk assessment, which is required by HIPAA law. Once risks are thoroughly evaluated, it’s much easier to address those deficiencies. It’s also important to understand that while addressing HIPAA, you’ll be simultaneously addressing many cybersecurity best practices.




Although many dental practices have multiple layers of insurance to cover their building and employees, most have not invested in breach or cyber liability insurance. It’s impossible to prevent all viruses or attacks against the practice. But are you protected for when that day comes? The fines and penalties you may face from a breach are likely a small part of the overall costs when considering legal fees, loss of business, etc. Some form of cyber liability insurance is critical. Beware, however—because so many practices were hit with ransomware in the past year, the cost of these policies has skyrocketed.

While 2020 has been a bad year for many dental offices, practices should invest in securing patient data to ensure a safe and protected 2021.

Here are the 5 biggest threats to dental offices and the steps you should take to minimize those risks.


Top 5 Tech Hazards That Put Your Practice's and Your Patient's Information At Risk

On March 16, 2020, the American Dental Association (ADA) issued its recommendation that dental practices across the country cease all elective and nonessential patient care due to the onset of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This was followed by recommendations and shutdown orders from state dental authorities across the country.

are the rankings of hygienists, general dentists, dental lab technicians, dental assistants, and prosthodontists, respectively, in a report from 

 on the jobs at greatest risk for contracting infectious diseases.

of dental offices in the United States were closed to all but emergency
appointments for at least part of April, according to the ADA’s Health Policy Institute.

dental jobs were lost during April due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This represented the hardest-hit segment of the health care sector of the economy, according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

 Many of these jobs eventually returned during the summer as practices reopened.

of dentists contracted COVID-19 in the first 2 months after reopening their practices, according to a study published in the November issue of the 

Journal of the American Dental Association

 The study’s authors said this shows dental practices took the risks of COVID-19 seriously.

foreign manufacturers of KN95 masks were pulled from the United States Food and Drug Administration’s list of companies granted emergency use authorization due to failed tests showing the masks offered protection at levels often far below the 95% threshold for filtering out particles 0.3 µm or larger. These masks were removed from the list in May, several weeks after the testing was conducted.

 study said they implemented enhanced infection control procedures due to the pandemic.

 These measures likely helped protect both clinicians and patients throughout the rest of the year.

of practices reported seeing 85% or less of their pre–COVID-19 patient volume during the week of November 2.

 This shows that although the industry is recovering, most practices are still not back to normal.

new dental products appeared in the pages of 

® during 2020. This is a drop from the number of new products in 2019, but it shows innovation in dentistry continues, even as the industry faces adversity.

Kiersz A, Gillett R, Hoff M. 47 jobs that will always be bad for your health, and how much they pay. Business Insider. July 14, 2020. Accessed November 11, 2020, 

2. COVID-19: economic impact on dental practices, week of April 20 results. Health Policy Institute. Accessed November 11, 2020, 

https://surveys.ada.org/reports/RC/public/YWRhc3VydmV5cy01ZTlkYjFlMTRlZDkxOTAwM

3. The employment situation—April 2020. News release. Bureau of Labor Statistics. May 8, 2020. Accessed November 11, 2020, 

4. Estrich CG, Mikkelsen M; Morrissey R, et al. Estimating COVID-19 prevalence and infection control practices among US dentists.

. 2020:151(11):815-824. doi:10.1016/j.adaj.2020.09.005

5. Nicas J, Kaplan S. F.D.A. bans faulty masks, 3 weeks after failed tests. 

. May 7, 2020. Accessed November 11, 2020, 

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/07/health/masks-banned-n95-coronavirus.html

6. COVID-19: economic impact on dental practices, week of November 2 results. Health Policy Institute. Accessed November 11, 2020, 

The dental industry was hit by multiple surprises in 2020. This numerical look back highlights their impact.

2020 By The Numbers

Dr. John Flucke is in private practice in Lee’s Summit, Mo. He also serves as technology editor for Dental Products Report magazine and keeps an active blog filled with thoughts and tidbits on the world of technology at blog.denticle.com.

s one of the highlights of my work here at 

®. As many of you know, throughout the year I get to evaluate a fair number of new or improved products. I keep a list of my favorites, and the 5 I like the best end up as my top 5 test-drives.

I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I enjoy tinkering with and evaluating new ideas and products.

We’ve seen some tremendous advances in curing lights over the years. The devices continue to get smaller and more powerful every year. Every curing light on the market is slim and ergonomic and has more than enough power to cure any shade of composite. As the market stabilized, I thought we had pretty much seen just about all the tricks that photopolymerization had up its sleeve…and then came PinkWave.

The PinkWave from Vista | Apex uses a unique array of LEDs, some of which give off a pinkish glow. In the last few years we’ve seen companies produce broadband curing lights with wavelengths that cure any material on the market. The PinkWave does even more by offering its QuadWave Technology to provide even more curing energy. QuadWave consists of ultraviolet light, blue light, red light, and NIR (near infrared) to deliver an incredible cure. In addition to the curing LEDs, Vista | Apex included a white LED that can be switched on separately to turn the PinkWave into a transilluminator.

The device can provide a 4.7-mm depth of cure, and company studies show a 15% decrease in polymerization shrinkage. The company also says there is a 19% increase in polymerization, and the curing head is currently the largest on the market at 115 mm2.

Current “blue only” lights put out different wavelengths of blue. The problem is that the blue light is easily absorbed by the pulp. As blue lights have become more powerful, they are also putting a fair amount of heat into pulpal tissues. The NIR wavelength is not absorbed by the pulp. This decreases postoperative sensitivity that may be caused by heat absorption by the pulp while generating better depth of cure.

This is a pretty amazing composite that I’ve been using for about 2 months. By the time you read this, you should be able to order it and see for yourself.

VisCalor is an interesting material. It is a thermoviscous bulk fill composite, which means it is used in a specialized composite warming gun. The gun warms the compules using infrared energy, and this heat energy makes VisCalor flowable. With the special warming gun you express the composite into the prep where it is easily sculpted. My best description of the viscosity is that it is similar to cake icing. The material is smooth and very easy to work with.

Its low viscosity allows it to easily adapt to proximal boxes and hard to reach undercuts.

The compule is designed with a thin cannula diameter that makes placement very simple, and the low viscosity of the warmed material allows it to pass through the cannula easily.

Another great feature is the composite’s esthetic appeal. I found that VisCalor blends incredibly well with surrounding tooth structure. It comes in 4 shades, and I have yet to find a case where the restoration wasn’t almost invisible when finished.

It polishes well, and it can be placed in 4-mm increments, handy for bulk filling in many clinical applications. VOCO has always been an industry leader, but VisCalor takes it to a whole new level.

In this crazy, topsy-turvy pandemic world, we are seeing our infection controls taken to new levels. Before 2020 we were more concerned about bloodborne pathogens or those spread by bodily fluids, but then along came SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019. Suddenly we also had to be concerned about airborne pathogens.

What to do? How about filtering the air—better yet, filter it as soon as it leaves the patient’s mouth. That’s the concept behind the Aegis Aerosol VacStation.

The VacStation is a high-powered system that has a large, positionable hose that attaches to a powerful vacuum. The other end of the hose has a large clear plastic dome that can be positioned very close to the oral cavity.

The device creates a suction of 3.5 m3, which can recirculate the air in a standard 8 x 8-ft room every 5 minutes. Air is then moved through 4 types of filtration: high fiber, fiberglass, active carbon, and LEDs, which are on a wavelength known to kill viruses.

This unit has been independently evaluated by the Medical University of South Carolina to reduce spatter and aerosols to almost zero.

Also, patients are impressed when they see units such as this cleaning the air. They know we are doing all we can to protect everyone in the office.

Printing in 3D has come to dentistry in a big way, and one of the true market leaders is SprintRay. Their newest 3D printer is the SprintRay Pro, and I’ve been working with it a lot this year.

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