Top 50 products of 2016: Part I

Each year, the dental industry is presented with a myriad of products that make promises to revolutionize and transform the way dentistry is practiced. Some of the claims end up being a bit of hyperbole-perhaps a product is good or an iterative update to a useful product, but it might not be something that makes people wonder, “Why didn’t I think of that?”

And then, on the other side, there are a class of products that stand apart. The ones that truly do shape and shift the dental industry in such ways that bottom lines are improved, that jobs are made more efficient and, of course, that patients are better cared for. Those are the type of products we’ve picked for our top 50 editor’s choice products of 2016. These products blew us away throughout the year, and we’re proud to bring you this roundup of the solutions pushing dentistry forward.

To find out more about each product, simply click on the company name and you'll be taken right to that product's website, or call the number provided. This product review is part of our Top 100 in 2016, we hope you'll enjoy seeing the top products, web articles, E-books, webinars and videos we thought really made this year great.

This is part one of a four-part series, looking at the top 50 products of 2016. Check out:

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Next: See what the editors thought were this year's top products

RelyX Fiber Post 3D

Read more: 3M once again named as Most Innovative Company

3M’s RelyX Fiber Post 3D features an updated design that reportedly offers higher mechanical retention to the core build-up material and maintains a strong bond in the root canal due to its microporous surface. In combination with RelyX™ Unicem 2 Automix Self-Adhesive Universal Resin Cement, Scotchbond™ Universal Adhesive and Filtek™ Bulk Fill Posterior Restorative, the post-and-core procedure can be significantly simplified.

3M Oral Care

800-634-2249

Sof-Lex

The Sof-Lex™ Diamond Polishing System is a two-step system that reportedly imparts a gorgeous diamond paste-like gloss in the convenience of a rubberized system. The system contains two spirals: The Sof-Lex™ Pre-Polishing Spiral (beige) is said to smooth and remove scratches in restorations that develop during contouring and prepare the surface for final polishing. The Sof-Lex™ Diamond Polishing Spiral (pink) is embedded with diamond particles designed to deliver a gorgeous, paste-like gloss.

3M Oral Care

800-634-2249

Mobile True Definition Scanner

Mobile tablets have arrived in the dental industry with the introduction of the 3M™ Mobile True Definition Scanner. The compact, ergonomic design is similar to rechargeable tablets that patients and clinicians use in their daily lives, allowing clinicians to move freely between operatories without power cords or carts. Patients can experience a cutting-edge digital visualization of their oral anatomy, and ultimately, a better understanding of proposed treatments.

3M Oral Care

800-634-2249

EXPASYL

EXPASYL™ is a gingival retraction paste designed to offer effective and atraumatic sulcular opening. It is said to be ideal for obtaining superior conventional impressions and a must for those using digital CAD/CAM technology, as there is no risk of damaging the epithelial attachment, resumption of bleeding, gingival recession or pain for the patient, which is very common using other options such as cords. EXPASYL™ has more than 15 years of clinical evidence and is reportedly recommended by dentists worldwide for its effectiveness.

ACTEON North America

800-289-6367

CamX Elara

Air Techniques announces the next generation of CamX Spectra Caries Detection Aid and debuted CamX Elara, a new intraoral camera. CamX Spectra and CamX Elara are designed to make a perfect pair. The new CamX family of products provides invaluable support of dental treatments and enhances patient understanding of necessary treatment. These products tell patients the complete story of their oral health. The cameras’ sturdy and lightweight designs are said to fit comfortably in any practitioner’s hand.

Air Techniques

800-AIR TECH

LiteTouch Laser

After years of design and engineering, the newest addition to the award winning Picasso line of soft tissue lasers is here. With collaboration from Syneron Dental Lasers, this LiteTouch ER:YAG laser provides fast-cutting, high-energy non fiber, and minimally invasive treatment for both hard and soft oral and maxillofacial tissues. It is designed to offer unsurpassed precision for a wide range of dental procedures. With a cutting-edge ergonomic design,it is described as an affordable and user-friendly all-tissue laser.

AMD Lasers

866-999-2635

Advertisement

EndoSync™ Endodontic Handpiece System

The EndoSync™ Endodontic Handpiece System reportedly features the lightest-in-its-class EndoSync Cordless Micromotor along with the unprecedented accuracy of the EndoSync A.I. Apex Locator. While possessing the ability to work independently, connecting the EndoSync Cordless Micromotor to the EndoSync A.I. Apex Locator provides users with a wide variety of automatic controls for increased confidence and safety, even in the most challenging cases.

Brasseler USA

800-841-4522

Sheer White! System

The CAO Group’s Sheer White!® System Teeth Whitening, described as the world’s first in-office teeth whitening strips with one-minute chair time, are offered through exclusive distribution partner, Henry Schein, Inc. The strips are uniquely designed with CAO’s Comfort Fit Technology™ and require no soft tissue retraction or isolation. 

The CAO Group

877-877-9778

CS 3600

Carestream Dental’s new intraoral scanner, the CS 3600, is designed to simplify the scanning process with high-speed, continuous scanning and full HD 3D images. The CS 3600 also features an Intelligent Matching System that allows users to freely fill in missing information for any area in the data set. Additionally, the broad 13 mm scanning range is reportedly engineered to allow users to capture scans in a way that feels most natural to them.

Click here to see the CS3600 in action!

Carestream Dental

800-944-6365

HyFlex EDM

HyFlex EDM is the newest innovation in controlled memory rotary endodontics, featuring unmatched flexibility and fracture resistance in a one file system. HyFlex EDM features OneFile, designed to reduce the number of files needed in some clinical cases. Provided as a modular system of sterile instruments, HyFlex EDM includes Shaping, GlidePath, OneFile, Orifice Opener and Finishing files.

COLTENE

330-916-8800

BRILLIANT EverGlow

BRILLIANT EverGlow is a universal submicron hybrid composite distinguished by easy polishability, gloss retention, ideal handling and optimal blending properties. Highly esthetic outcomes reportedly can be achieved using seven universal shades in COLTENE’s Duo Shade system, each of which covers two classical VITA shades. Two enamel and three opaque shades enhance design options for customized restorations.

COLTENE

330-916-8800

Firefly

DenMat announced the newest addition to the PeriOptix® line of magnification products. The Firefly is the first cordless headlight system that fits any pair of loupes, reportedly allowing users the freedom to focus on what matters most: their patients. At only 28 grams, the Firefly’s design is a lightweight and ergonomic alternative to conventional headlight systems.

DenMat

1-800-4DENMAT

DEXIS is Dentrix Connected

DEXIS is known for delivering high-quality digital imaging, but did you know it integrates directly into Henry Schein Dentrix to help you diagnose and treat patients faster? DEXIS is Dentrix Connected, which means no more headaches. It is designed to eliminate frustration with technology that doesn’t work together. Practice management technology and Dentrix work as one solution, reportedly making the dental staff more efficient and practices more profitable.

Henry Schein Practice Solutions

800-DENTRIX

Aquasil Ultra+

Dentsply Sirona’s Aquasil® Ultra+ Smart Wetting® Impression Material is formulated to merge state-of-the-art intraoral hydrophilicity and intraoral tear strength to deliver improved results. The material is a final VPS impression material indicated for use in all impression techniques. The material is said to deliver clinically relevant work/set times, viscosity choices, and Dentsply Sirona’s patented digit® Targeted Delivery System to provide a no-compromise product solution for single-unit crown cases and more.

Click here to see Aquasil Ultra+ in action

Dentsply Sirona

800-532-2855

SureFil SDR flow+

SureFil® SDR® flow + bulk fill flowable is said to be a revolutionary flowable composite. It’s reportedly the first bulk fill flowable that self-levels and designed to provide excellent cavity adaptation with up to 60 percent less polymerization stress. SureFil SDR flow+ material reportedly allows a bulk fill of up to 4 mm without any manipulation for a fast, easy application with lasting results. Now with improved wear resistance and radiopacity, SureFil SDR flow+ material is said to help ensure you can practice with clinical supremacy.

Dentsply Sirona

800-532-2855