3M Oral Care

	For busy dental professionals, a variety of responsibilities and tasks make staying on schedule a challenge. Implementing time-saving products and procedures is crucial to meeting these daily demands and even simple changes can make a significant difference. In order to help dentists increase efficiencies, 3M introduces 3M™ Filtek™ Universal Restorative, a new universal composite that's said to offer a modernized approach to anterior and posterior restorations with a simplified shading process and advanced composite technology to provide strong and esthetic results.

	On average, dentists choose to use a single-shade restoration for roughly 80 percent of the cases they perform.* Knowing efficiency is key, 3M simplified the overall shade selection process. Using NaturalMatch technology, 3M developed eight designer shades, plus an Extra White (XW) that cover the 19 VITA classical and bleach shades.

 A pink opaquer was also created to mask metal and stained dentition. In addition, the shades have one universal opacity to meet most clinical needs.

	Filtek Universal Restorative utilizes NaturalMatch technology, a blend of 3M’s composite technologies for durability and esthetics. Propriety low-stress monomers are said to reduce shrinkage stress, while the use of nanofillers reportedly creates a TRUE nanocomposite that provides high strength and excellent wear resistance.

Trending article: 3 tips for overcoming common challenges of shade matching

	“Dentists are pulled in many different directions every day, with countless to-dos that stack up while they serve their 

patients. That’s why 3M wanted to create a solution that helped them cut down on steps and removed some of that stress,” says Sebastian Arana, president and general manager, oral dolutions division of 3M. “The new Filtek Universal Restorative combines a unique shading system in an innovative material that not only provides efficiency but also a highly esthetic and long-lasting result.”

	Filtek Universal Restorative also features capsules that can be warmed

 and an improved tip design that's engineered to allow the material to extrude like a flowable composite and then become more viscous for shaping. At 8 mm, the tip is longer than 3M's previous universal capsules, which reportedly enables good adaptation even in hard-to-reach areas.

	To learn more about the new 3M Filtek Universal Restorative, visit 

Articles

The new material is designed to ensure strong and esthetic restorations while simplifying the shading process to improve productivity.


3M introduces new universal restorative

	3M Oral Care and Bioclear have announced a new partnership to bring state-of-the-art procedures to dentists. 

	“As part of the partnership, 3M will host hands-on training courses across the country, featuring Bioclear approved specialists, in order to amplify education of the Bioclear Method," states 3M in a press release. “Kits containing all of the required Bioclear tools, along with 3M’s direct restorative products, will be available to dentists who are implementing the method into their practice.”

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“It’s our mission to provide dentists and dental schools with the techniques, tools and equipment to allow for longer lasting, stronger, and aesthetically superior composites,” says Dr. David Clark, founder of Bioclear, in a press release. “I’ve honed the techniques and I’ve tested the products so I know, without a doubt, what works best in the mouth, and that’s why I’m excited to partner with 3M to further the education of dentists in modern restorative techniques.”

	According to 3M, the Bioclear Method is a minimally-invasive procedure that offers longer lasting and esthetic anterior and posterior composite results. The procedure is an apparent universal pathway for clinicians, as true engineering and new standardized cavity preparations are combined with 3M materials and Bioclear instruments.

The collaboration will further advance modern restorative technique education.

3M Oral Care and Bioclear partner to bring dentists updated procedures

	Anyone who has experienced xerostomia knows that it is frustrating, especially when relief products wear off quickly or are inconvenient to use. In addition to discomfort, the absence of saliva can lead to the development and progression of tooth decay. 3M™ Xerostomia Relief Spray is a new clinically-proven solution that reportedly provides prescription-strength relief of xerostomia symptoms - for up to four hours per use.

	As a lipid-based spray, 3M Xerostomia Relief Spray is designed to achieve relief by moistening and lubricating mucosa, and it reportedly showed an improvement in dry mouth symptoms in 92 percent of clinical study participants. Available only by prescription from a dental professional, the spray is conveniently portable and ready to use without any pre-mixing or preparation requirements.

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For some, xerostomia is a minor inconvenience. For others, it's a debilitating symptom that can make it difficult to speak, eat and swallow as well as result in increased dental caries. Since xerostomia is a common side effect of many medications and a symptom of certain illnesses, it’s crucial for dental professionals to know when their patients may be experiencing xerostomia, and to have a plan in place to prevent the risk of dentition breakdown.

	For example, when prescribing 3M Xerostomia Relief Spray, clinicians should also consider offering in-office fluoride treatments like 3M™Vanish™5% Sodium Fluoride White Varnish with Tri-Calcium Phosphate and homecare treatments like 3M™ Clinpro™ 5000 1.1% Sodium Fluoride Anti-Cavity Toothpaste and 3M™ TheraMints™ Xylitol Mints, which stimulate the flow of saliva.

	“Oral health is a critical part of overall health, so people struggling with xerostomia should feel comfortable asking their hygienist or dentist for recommendations,” says Jennifer Post, RDH, MDH, senior technical service engineer at 3M. "Sometimes the over-the-counter option from the drugstore just doesn’t cut it - that’s when a prescription solution like 3M Xerostomia Relief Spray is actually what is best for patients.”

	For more information on 3M Xerostomia Relief Spray, visit 

Offer this portable relief spray to patients to prevent dentition breakdown.

3M announces new clinical-grade xerostomia relief spray

Whether for dentures, crowns, clear aligners or custom trays, taking impressions is a necessary procedure in most dental practices. Unfortunately, there are a lot of factors that work against the accuracy of an impression, and retaking an impression is a hassle for everyone involved.

Recently, 3M talked with a number of dental offices and laboratories about some typical challenges associated with dental impressions. Most agreed that while some impressioning best practices can be taught, a lot of the best techniques are learned over time through trial and error. Take it from these seasoned dental and lab professionals who suggested these 10 tips to improve the chance of getting a perfect impression the first time.

Keeping the margins free of blood and saliva is key for an accurate impression. If a patient is bleeding a lot, dentists could consider using hemostasis agents, mechanical retraction with cords or retraction paste, or a combination of any of those to ensure that the margins remain visible and dry.

To counteract any unavoidable blood or saliva that does occur near the margins, impressioning with a hydrophilic impression material like 3M™ Impregum™ Soft Polyether Impression Material or 3M™ Imprint 4™ VPS Impression Material becomes more critical for success.

- Luke Presley, DDS, Kimche & Presley Cosmetic & Sports Dentistry

Trying the tray inside a patient’s mouth prior to adding impression material makes the impression easy and predictable. It also gives the patient a practice round so that he or she knows what to expect when the actual impression is taken.

For a full arch, I typically make sure the tray fits over the bite registration. This trick ensures you’re using the right size tray before dispensing any impression material.

For sizing a triple tray, check the opposite side of the arch while the patient bites down on an empty tray. This provides a mental image of what the occlusion should look like, gives the patient a feel for what he or she needs to do, and gives you an opportunity to ensure the patient is biting down correctly when the actual impression is taken.

- Geetha J. Damodaran, DDS, Birch Lake Dental

For patients who are more susceptible to gagging, try using the least amount of material possible. Usually, an excess of heavy body material is what triggers the gag reflex. Also, it can help to have patients sit up straight, and sometimes even put their legs on the ground so that they are sitting sideways in the chair. This way, they can lean forward to lessen the feeling that the material is going down their throats. In more severe cases, we may have the patient focus on breathing through his or her nose or may try some distraction techniques like lifting a leg during the impression.

One method to ensure the margins are visible is to syringe around the prepared tooth once with the material, lightly blowing air all around the preparation, and then continuing to syringe the remaining material.

A warped impression is occasionally a result of expired materials or improper mixing. To overcome this, it’s important to consult the Instructions for Use included with the material and make sure to keep track of the material expiration date.

An impression can become distorted if a patient gags and moves too much. Even if a patient has been given instructions, he or she might move on accident, so it’s helpful to have an assistant chat with the patient during the procedure. The conversation serves as a diversion that takes the patient’s mind off of any discomfort or gagging sensations. Reminding the patient to take deep breaths through his or her nose or wiggle his or her toes helps distract the patient from the process. Giving the patient verbal updates as to the time remaining is also very helpful.

Take your time on parts that are most critical like packing the retraction cord. Make sure the cord is packed in well and has enough time to push the tissue. If the cord doesn’t have enough time to sit before taking the impression, then the cord does little other than to traumatize the area around the sulcus. Allowing the cord to do its job and maximize the periodontal space makes it much easier for labs in the long run.

The best way to make sure you’re giving the impression enough time to set is to follow the material instructions every single time. Especially since materials handle differently in varying temperatures, the manufacturer’s directions are your best bet to ensure perfect timing. If you’re not sure, talk to your manufacturer’s representative. He or she will be able to help you make sure your product is functioning to its optimal ability.

Once you know the instructions by heart, be consistent. In my practice, we have physical timers that we use to keep track of our mixing time and set time. This has allowed me to achieve incredibly accurate impressions and minimize my chair-side time at cementation.

Many labs would say that they appreciate all the information that full-arch impressions give them, and many dentists who are concerned about occlusion will often do full-arch impressions. A quadrant impression will allow the opposing arches to rock buccal and lingual.

With a full-arch impression, the opposite side of the arch stabilizes the occlusion and will also give more accurate excursive movements to better control occlusal interferences. To confirm that a full-arch impression is preferred, a dentist should have a conversation with his or her lab and come to a mutual decision.



- Mark Ferguson, Vulcan Custom Dental Laboratory


Following these tips can help to ensure that you take a perfect impression every time. 


The 10 golden rules for taking impressions

	3M Oral Care and Patterson Dental have signed a distribution agreement for 3M’s True Definition Scanner. The agreement brings Patterson’s customers the opportunity to explore digital dentistry via an open platform and a trusted partner.

, oral care professionals are choosing a digital hub that gives them an unrestricted entry point into traditional crown and bridge work with any lab, advanced implant solutions, clear aligners, in-office milling and more.

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	“Distributors have enjoyed putting the True Definition Scanner in front of dentists, because they know we’re standing behind it,” said Jim Ingebrand, vice president, Oral Care Solutions Division of 3M. “They can be confident that 3M is committed to ensuring it’s a success for the practice.”

	The True Definition Scanner features the smallest wand on the market which means scanning with this system is not only comfortable for clinician and patient alike, it also delivers precision clinicians can trust. With a low-price entry into digital impressioning at just $16,995, the mobile scanner fits the size, mobility, practice requirements and budget needs of practitioners. The True Definition Scanner’s open architecture allows connection to the most common digital dentistry file formats. This gives dental practices the flexibility to choose the best output option for each case – helping manage the workflow the way the clinician wants it.

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	“3M is a trusted brand and we’re excited to distribute the True Definition Scanner,” said Dave Misiak, president, Patterson Dental North America. “We have a long-standing relationship with 3M as strong Minnesota-based leaders in the dental industry and believe we now have the opportunity to serve 3M customers in new ways via our best-in-class service and support network.”

	The True Definition Scanner is now available through Patterson Dental in the U.S. Visit 

 for more information about 3M’s True Definition Scanner or call 1-800-634-2249 to schedule an in-office demonstration.

3M Oral Care and Patterson Dental have signed a distribution agreement for 3M's True Definition Scanner. 

3M, Patterson Dental open doors to digital dentistry

	Why do people give to charitable organizations? Maybe they have a particular connection to an organization’s cause, or perhaps they know someone who has benefited from that charity. It could also just be the case of good timing-when they were ready to give, this was the charity they noticed. No matter the personal reasons for supporting a particular charity, one underlying truth remains: people want to help other people and they want to know that what they give is really making a difference.

America’s ToothFairy: National Children’s Oral Health Foundation (NCOHF)

 because we believe in their mission, and we see the results they are getting through their many great programs,” says Jim Ingebrand, vice president, oral care solutions divison of 3M. “Helping provide oral wellness is our heart and soul, so it’s very gratifying for all of our employees when we can actually see the difference we make together through such programs!”

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	In the case of a recent NCOHF grant, supported by 3M, to 

 Mounds View Center for Dental Health, that difference is treatment this year for 10 percent more children with special needs. In 2016, Apple Tree Dental provided more than 11,000 children with oral health education, preventive services including cleanings, varnish and sealants, and restorative treatment.

	“Ten percent might not seem like a lot when you’re buying something online, but that 10 percent as an increase in dental care could be another 1,100 kids getting access to critical treatments,” Ingebrand says.

	Underwriting contributions like this make it possible for NCOHF to expand programming and provide valuable support, enabling its nonprofit safety net clincal partners to continue delivering vital care to underserved populations across the nation, provide educational programs and oral care products for youth, parents, caregivers and pregnant mothers, and increase the number of children receiving dental services.

	“There are over 500,000 children eligible for Medicaid in our state, yet Minnesota ranks 50th in the U.S. for Medicaid reimbursement rates to providers of children’s dental care. By partnering with NCOHF, we’re trying to do our part to help these kids get the care they need by providing funding and products to the communities that need it most,” Ingebrand says.

	To learn more about getting involved in NCOHF’s Dental Clinic Resource Program, visit 

A recent grant to Apple Tree Dental will provide treatment this year for 10 percent more children with special needs.

3M partners with America's ToothFairy to help children in need

A more in-depth look at intraoral scanner technologies.

[SPONSORED] What you need to know about intraoral scanning

There are two main scanning technologies utilized in digital scanning systems today: laser scanning and video scanning.

	Though you don’t need to be a Ph.D. in the subject, it is important for oral care professionals to understand the basics behind each technology in order to make the best possible decision on a system for the practice.

	At their core, what are these technologies really doing? They’re capturing the oral anatomy. In order to do that, it is first necessary to apply a pattern to the tooth so the scanner can trace its contours. There are two main ways to apply these patterns:

		Laser scanning: Pattern comes from a laser beam projected on the tooth surface

		Video scanning: Pattern is applied with a light coating of scanning spray

	Maybe you’re asking yourself, “What difference does the technology make anyway? Aren’t both still capturing a digital impression?”

	Let’s examine three important ways that a single difference in technology can have in making all the difference with your intraoral scanning experience!

	Click through the slides to learn more about intraoral scanners.

	When it comes to impression taking, clearly the most important aspect is the quality of the outcome. Dental professionals and labs rely on accurate impressions in producing restorations that fit in the mouth the way they are intended, with minimal adjustments. Not only do you want accuracy, but also precision-a digital scanning system that hits the mark and keeps hitting it again and again.

	With a laser, the pattern is always moving. It’s like trying to hit a moving target.

	By using scanning spray, the pattern of a video scan is fixed, providing more consistently accurate detail than other laser scanning intraoral scanners. This technology is similar to that used by Hollywood in “motion capture” movie effects.

	The size of a scanning wand can have a significant effect on both patient and practitioner. For the dental professional, a lighter-weight, small wand is preferable for ease of use and in reaching difficult areas of the mouth. For the patient, a small wand tip offers comfort benefits.

	Laser scanning wands must be relatively large to accommodate the necessary electronics and optics.

	Video scanning removes the laser, thus eliminating bulk, enabling the potential for more compact wand designs.

	Like many technologies, as time has passed costs have decreased for digital scanners; however, some scanning systems still remain at a price point that is unattractive to many dental professionals. The good news is that dental professionals have choices, and there are options that do not present a significant financial barrier-such as the $16,995 cost of a 3M

	The complicated optics used in laser scanners are expensive, and not used in consumer electronics-so they cannot leverage the economies of scale made possible by mass production. This typically leads to more expensive costs.

	As an example of a video scanner, the 3M

 True Definition Scanner uses a number of “off-the-shelf” components found in today’s more advanced consumer electronics, such as cameras and mobile devices. Because these component are mass-produced, the price of this system is one of the lowest on the market.

	Having already covered the benefit of a smaller wand for patient comfort, we now turn to the overall patient experience. A compact, ergonomic design similar to rechargeable tablets that patients and clinicians use in their daily lives could help make patients more comfortable with the experience. Informed discussion and visual patient communication could be made easy with a system that can be placed directly into the hands or lap of a patient, where they can experience a cutting-edge digital visualization of their oral anatomy, and ultimately, a better understanding of proposed treatments.
	
	2. User experience

	Imagine the ease of a tablet-based system that allows clinicians to move freely between operators without power cords or carts. Additionally, flexible mounting options could help to minimize workspace clutter, offering more space for the clinician and assistant to maneuver in small spaces.
	
	3. Clinical options

	If you appreciate flexibility, an open and secure cloud-based platform that lets dental professionals easily share files and connect with laboratories and other partners, the 3M

 True Definition Scanner is a good choice. Some digital scanners are designed to connect with mills and other systems-now and into the future. This flexibility means that dentists can work with their existing labs to prescribe the best material solution for the desired outcome.
	
	

Copy and images provided by 3M Oral Care. 

		Dental professionals want predictability and confidence with their products and procedures; however, when it comes to light curing dental materials there is a broad and often confusing array of curing light equipment and material protocols.

		Restorative dentistry is responsible for more than half of the revenue generated for dentists

, and problems lead to significant amounts of un-billable chair time. Light-cured restorative materials used in dental procedures are often faulted for failures, underperformance and other issues. Only optimally-cured restorative materials deliver the performance demanded by dentists and required by patients. However, the curing lights used in private practice are often in poor condition. Recent evidence has shown that in many cases, the light curing protocols used by the dentist will not result in the restorative material being cured as required

Trending article: 3M hosts first annual oral health council

-traceable) for validating curing light performance and determining the required curing times for each curing light and material combination in a dental clinic.

		With the checkMARC system, 3M will test and identify the efficacy of a dental office’s curing lights. Based on the results, 3M will review the light curing protocols currently in practice, and work together with the dental clinic to identify evidence-based opportunities to improve clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction.

		Dental clinics are invited to contact their 3M sales representatives, or call 1-800-634-2249 to set up an appointment to have their curing lights tested and light curing protocols reviewed. Visit 

		For more information about the checkMARC technology, visit: 

 NIST = National Institute of Standards and Technology

3M will now offer the checkMARC Curing Light Testing service, enabling dentists to optimize their patient’s clinical outcomes by providing evidence-based curing light information and protocols.

3M Partners with BlueLight Analytics for curing light analyses

	In too many places around the world, people are suffering immensely from poor oral health. Despite its critical role in overall health, oral care is often overlooked, resulting in a population that suffers.

	Children who aren’t given proper access to care often have caries and struggle in school because they are in so much pain. These children grow up to become adults and elderly patients who aren’t nearly as educated or healthy as they could be. As a step to ignite worldwide change for oral health, 

 welcomed professionals and policy makers from around the world to the first-ever Oral Health Council on November 28-30, 2016 at the 3M Innovation Center.

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	The meeting served as a forum for industry leaders from Chile, China, Bolivia, Colombia, the United Kingdom, Peru, Russia and the United States to share the challenges their countries face in delivering care to patients. Attendees learned from industry experts about preventive science innovations, how to better care for elderly, special needs and pediatric patients, and how to implement effective policy for oral health. Attendees walked away from the meeting with solid action plans to improve oral health in their communities.

	“Governments are instrumental in influencing the standard for healthcare, so people with a voice must advocate for change-even if it starts small at first” said Simon Hearne, International Vice President for 

. “As a global industry leader, 3M is taking the responsibility to help people who can inspire change create a network that will aid them in promoting preventive oral care within their communities.” 3M plans to continue this global initiative, and looks forward to the impact this council will have on the future of worldwide 

3m hosts first annual oral health council exploring how to serve the oral care needs of underprivileged.