Thursday, July 31, 2008
Accupal: Your Dentist's New Best Friend?
Michael Zweifler, a dentist out of Little Rock, Arkansas, has developed an injection prep tool that readies the gums before the needle goes in with a bit of ultrasonic vibration and a tad of topical gel. Once the shot is administered, the patient supposedly feels little to no pain.
From a press release sent to Medgadget:
ACCUPAL incorporates four known and proven pain-reducing theories into one economical, user-friendly device:1. ACCUPAL incorporates the "Pain Gate" theory to energize the dental tissue in and around the site to be punctured by the needle.
2. ACCUPAL's ultrasonic tissue stimulation disrupts the tissue injection site to allow standard topical gel to pre-condition the injection site, thus further reducing the needle's pain-producing effects.
3. ACCUPAL vibrates the needle at the injection site. The pain-reducing effects of direct needle vibration are well documented as having a positive effect on injection comfort.
4. ACCUPAL ensures that the clinician inserts the needle bevel at its narrowest point, which provides the most minimally invasive path possible and reduced tissue damage to deliver a comfortable palatal injection every time.
Product page with a video demonstration of the device: Accupal
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Friday, July 18, 2008
3M ESPE Lava Oral Scanner Gets IDEA Bronze
Gadget aficionados should find a trip to the dentist a bit more exciting if one of these is installed next to the chair. The 3M oral scanner is essentially a digital impression system, and besides being more amusing to patients, the digital images can be used immediately to manufacture implants.
The Lava C.O.S. wand contains a highly complex optical system comprised of multiple lenses and blue LED cells. The system captures massive amounts of visual images in just seconds. Despite housing all of this technology, the wand weighs just 14 ounces and the wand tip is only 13.2 millimeters wide, maximizing maneuverability inside the mouth.The Lava C.O.S. is introducing an entirely new method of capturing 3D data. This 3D-in-Motion technology captures 3D data in a video sequence and models the data in real time.Thus, the Lava C.O.S. is able to capture approximately 20 3D data sets per second, or close to 2,400 data sets per arch, for an accurate and high speed scan. Other traditional point and click technologies rely on the warping of a laser or light pattern on an object to determine 3D data. Unlike video imaging, point and click uses individual "snapshots" to assemble a model.
While capturing massive amounts of data is quite an accomplishment, an even more impressive achievement is the ability of the Lava C.O.S. to model that data in real time. Unlike other systems on the market today, the Lava C.O.S. simultaneously displays the images that are being captured in the mouth onto the touch screen monitor. With this real-time visibility, a dentist can confidently and immediately assess whether enough information has been captured for a completed digital impression.
Video demonstrating how the system functions:
Product page: Lava™ Chairside Oral Scanner C.O.S.
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Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Bioactive Glass That Cleans, Whitens, Reduces Dental Sensitivity
The Engineer is reporting about OSSPRAY, a British company that has developed a dental bioactive calcium sodium phosphosilicate material that, in addition to polishing teeth, remineralizes them, supposedly reducing sensitivity of the teeth.
From The Engineer:
OSspray's bioglass is a composite of component chemicals loosely held together in a 45 per cent silica network. When the powder, consisting of particles around 50 microns in size, is fired at the surface of the tooth, the compound fractures so it does not damage the surface of the tooth. There is so little silica in that network that the calcium and phosphorus in the structure can imbed into the tooth surface, remineralising and desensitising the surface of the tooth.'Tooth dentine consists of fluid-filled tubules, like drinking straws,' said Cartmell [Simon Cartmell, chairman of OSSPRAY --ed.]. 'On the biting surface they are covered with enamel, but in the gumline the tubules are exposed. Our material, because of its particle size and distribution, embeds in the mouth of the tubules, bonding to the surface and locking them off. After repeated use, you build up a thin layer of bioglass, which is remarkably like tooth enamel.'
More from The Engineer...
(image by carf)
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Thursday, July 3, 2008
Sand Away Plaque, Keep The Enamel
A new and apparently more precise method to assess the abrasion caused by dental products has been developed by Fraunhofer Institute for Mechanics of Materials scientists.
From the press release:
A leading manufacturer of dental hygiene products asked the Fraunhofer Institute for Mechanics of Materials IWM in Freiburg, one of whose specialties is the analysis and visualization of surface roughness, to help them develop new prophylactic pastes. The effectiveness of a prophylactic paste has so far been measured by how well the granules that it contains are able to smoothen a rough surface. The test is performed by first roughening tooth enamel or denture materials such as ceramics and titanium to a precisely defined value with an aggressive grinding material. But this does not truly reflect reality, as chewing wears out different materials at different rates. The new measuring method developed by the IWM researchers, a kind of chewing simulation, takes this factor into account. As the experts led by Dr. Raimund Jaeger, head of the Biomedical Materials and Implants department, discovered when comparing pastes and subsequently analyzing the surfaces, some pastes polish the surface but also unnecessarily ablate the tooth material, producing slight grooves on the tooth surface. The ideal paste, on the other hand, polishes so lightly that only the roughness is eliminated while the tooth enamel is hardly ground at all. “Obviously, every case is different,” says Jaeger. “Teeth with particularly heavy plaque or discoloration will need a more abrasive paste.” Normally, however, a gentler prophylactic paste will do the job. Thanks to the IWM researchers, the manufacturer has now been able to optimize the formulation.
Press release: Polished to perfection ...
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Monday, June 23, 2008
Accelerated Orthodontics: Now Powered by Your Bones!
Scientists at USC's School of Dentistry have refined an orthodontic technique that facilitates the straightening of teeth within months instead of years. Their secret? Your bones!
A case study in the Compendium of Continuing Education in Dentistry describes the technique. First score marks are made around the roots of the upper and lower teeth. Then a particulate bone graft is harvested and applied to the scored area. The healing process that then takes place softens the bones around the roots of the teeth, giving them much more mobility allowing treatment to take place more rapidly and with less side effects.
While this technique has been around for a while, the bone graft used was typically not from the patient itself.
Read the abstract for the case study here...
Image by mygothlaundry.
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Monday, May 12, 2008
OraVerse, Dental Anesthestic Reversal, Gets FDA OK
This is not about a device, but rather the first pharmaceutical agent in a new class. Novalar Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a private San Diego, CA firm, is reporting that its proprietary phentolamine mesylate formulation (OraVerse™, formerly known as NV-101) has received FDA approval for the "reversal of soft-tissue anesthesia and the associated functional deficits resulting from a local dental anesthetic." Pictured above is the current theory on how the drug works, as no one seems to know about the exact biochemical mechanism behind the drug's action.
From the press release:
OraVerse’s approval for use in adults and children is based on data from several clinical studies, including two Phase 3 studies in adults and adolescents age 12 and older and a Phase 2 pediatric study. The two Phase 3 studies were conducted in 18 centers across the United States, including leading dental schools, clinical research organizations and private clinics. There were 484 dental patients enrolled across the two studies.In the randomized, double-blinded, controlled Phase 3 studies, following the administration of local anesthetics and completion of the dental procedure, patients were administered either OraVerse or control. OraVerse reduced the median time to recovery of normal sensation in the lower lip (as measured by standardized lip tapping procedures) by 85 minutes compared to control. OraVerse reduced the median time to recovery of normal sensation in the upper lip by 83 minutes. Within one hour after administration of OraVerse, 41% of patients reported normal lower lip sensation as compared to 7% in the control group, and 59% of patients in the OraVerse group reported normal upper lip sensation as compared to 12% in the control group. In both Phase 3 studies, the primary endpoint showed that OraVerse was statistically different compared to control (p<0.0001).
The multi-center, randomized, double-blinded, controlled Phase 2 pediatric study evaluated the safety and efficacy of OraVerse in the reversal of soft tissue anesthesia in patients undergoing dental procedures after receiving local anesthetic. This study enrolled 152 patients: 96 patients in the OraVerse group and 56 patients in the control group. Of the 152 patients enrolled, 115 were trainable in the assessment method: 72 patients in the OraVerse group and 43 patients in the control group. The study assessed OraVerse’s efficacy through the measurement of time to normal lip sensation for those trainable in the assessment. The median time to normal sensation in patients age 6-11 was reduced by 75 minutes for the OraVerse treated group, a 56% acceleration of the time to normal sensation.
In all OraVerse clinical trials, there were no serious adverse events reported and the most common adverse reaction that was greater than control was transient injection site pain. Although tachycardia and cardiac arrhythmia may occur with the parenteral use of alpha-adrenergic blocking agents, such events are uncommon after submucosal administration of OraVerse.
Product page: NV-101...
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Monday, April 14, 2008
The Single Tooth Anesthesia (STA) System
Canon Communications' Medical Design Excellence Awards (MDEA) are in. The first winning product that we want to profile is the Single Tooth Anesthesia (STA) System from Milestone Scientific, a Livingston, NJ company. Touted as a computerized local anesthesia injection system, the STA can "accommodate all standard 1.8 ml local anesthetic cartridges and a variety of luer lock needle sizes."
Here's how the company profiles its device to dentists:
The Single Tooth Anesthesia (STA™) System from Milestone Scientific is the first computer-controlled local dental anesthetic system where just one injection at a single tooth is all that's needed to scientifically, safely and predictably ensure single-session injection precision. It's even highly effective for multi-quadrant cases.STA is the only system of its kind with patented real-time visual and audible feedback technology, allowing you to easily obtain proper needle placement between the tooth and bone...
STA increases your confidence administering the Block - proper technique prevents needle deflection - improving your ability to inject into the Block the first time!
Single tooth anesthesia means that you get right to work - with faster onset - and your patients return to their routine without collateral numbing.
"It's the best shot I ever had" - "It's the best shot I ever gave" that's what you can expect to hear.
Voted one of the practices "Best Investments" find out why STA dentists have happily packed away their needles and syringes.
Press release: 33 Innovative Products Win Medical Design Excellence Awards...
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Friday, March 21, 2008
PerioSim Force Feedback Dental Simulator
Researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago are working on optimizing haptic interactive technologies to be more realistic and practical for fine hand work such as dentistry, and have released a dental training simulator called PerioSim that utilizes much of their work.
Students can access PerioSim via the Internet. A realistic 3-D human mouth is shown in real-time, and the user can adjust the model position, viewpoint and transparency level.The haptic device allows the student to feel the sensations in the virtual mouth, and a control panel lets the user choose different procedures to practice and instruments to use, Steinberg [Dr. Arnold Steinberg, professor of periodontics at UIC and project leader --ed.] said.
The system allows instructors to create short scenarios of periodontal procedures, which can be saved and replayed at any time. The 3-D component permits students to replay from any angle, so the user can observe different views of the placement of the instrument and gingival relationships during a procedure, Steinberg said.
The recorded file can be viewed on any personal computer, and while not in 3-D, it is an actual representation of the original scenario, which offers great training potential, Steinberg said.
The program also allows for a second playback mode, where an instructor leads the trainee through the program. By simply holding onto the haptic stylus, the trainee receives the same sensations felt by the instructor. Trainees can also be tested and evaluated on their ability to mimic the instructor's periodontal procedures, Steinberg said.
Demonstration video of the simulator:
Press release: Practice Makes Perfect with 3-D Dental Simulator
(hat tip: The Raw Feed)
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Tuesday, March 11, 2008
MIHARU Home Video Endoscope
For the armchair dentist in you, the MIHARU video endoscope allows getting a checklist ready before seeing the tooth doctor, and can even help going over the work, once you're back at home. The unit runs on a couple of batteries, features an LED light to illuminate the scene, and conveniently plugs into a standard RCA video port found on almost any TV set. The device also includes an adapter for viewing closeups of the skin. So what's the best view? The uvula, of course.
Product page...
(hat tip: Gizmodo)
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Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Cavity-Fighting Herbal Lollipop
Sure to be hailed a hero by children everywhere, UCLA professor Wenyuan Shi has developed a cavity fighting lollipop that he recommends eating twice daily. What's the secret formula? STAMPs: specifically targeted antimicrobial peptides.
Over the years, more than 5,000 Chinese herbs have been used to create and refine more than 100,000 formulas to fight various types of infections. After determining the top 400 most commonly prescribed and effective herbs in traditional Chinese medicine, Professor Shi used an anti-cavity biological assay developed at UCLA to test them for anti-microbial effectiveness against S. mutans.Finally, he determined that an extract of licorice root (Glycyrrhiza uralensis) is effective against tooth-decaying bacteria, providing the scientific basis for the ancient practice of chewing licorice root. "This was particularly charming because in both Chinese and in Western cultures, people have been chewing it maybe for the taste, but it also has a lot of good health reasons. It stimulates saliva flows, has anti-bacterial properties and keeps bacteria from adhering to your teeth", explained Professor Shi.
C3 Jian is currently working with a candy manufacturer on the healthy lollipop's production. It is recommended to eat one lollipop after breakfast and another one before going to bed at night for a period of ten days. Then, in order to maintain the treatment's effectiveness, one should eat a lollipop about 2-4 times a year. "The difficulty there is that the support staff keeps eating them!" said Professor Shi.
Dr. Maxwell Anderson, President of C3 Jian and a dentist himself, notes that the lollipop might also be affective against strep throat caused by streptococci, the same bacterial genus. In addition, the licorice root extract is effective against Heliobacter, a bacteria associated with stomach ulcers.
"We've turned an old fashioned candy into a high technology delivery device", concluded Anderson.
As a result of Shi's study, an herbal library, useful for researches studying other diseases, was established. He also gave samples of the licorice extract to UCLA teams studying the immune system, cancer, and aging.
New lollipop may be a candy-coated solution for cavities ...
Flashbacks: Fighting Cavities with STAMPs
(hat tip: The Future of Things)
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Tuesday, January 22, 2008
Ezlase Diode Laser System
What looks like a Samsung mp3 player is actually a dental laser system from Biolase Technology, Inc of Irvine, CA, that wants to stand out. And it has succeeded by winning a silver at the 2007 Medical Design Excellence Awards presented by Canon Communications.
Available in the 810 nm wavelength or the new 940 nm wavelength, the ezlase™ is designed to deliver the best clinical characteristics of existing diode lasers in one state-of-the-art system.Its unique ComfortPulse™ settings deliver short, high-power cutting pulses with longer intervals for tissue thermal relaxation, which can provide both efficient cutting and greater patient comfort with less anesthetic.
Imagine the benefit of working without packing cord or using astringents, the ease with which you will be taking impressions, or the simple pleasure of all the ezlase's features.
Product page: ezlase™
MDEA winners in the dental category...
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Wednesday, December 19, 2007
Distracting The Pain Away
There was a time when your dentist had the patience to chit-chat with you as you sat in the chair, mouth full of metal and cotton, mumbling back with words that lacked all consonants. Today, however, these one way conversations simply don't suffice for the iPod generation. To alleviate the dentist from being a part-time entertainer, Dutch company relaxView B.V. is marketing a heads up display that purports to be effective at distracting the patient from the realities of the procedure. This, though, seems fundamentally no different than the SnowWorld application we've seen for burn victims.
From the press release:
Pain or pleasure "It is all about focus" according to Dr. Rob Roef, dentist in Nijmegen, The Netherlands. "Patients that, only occasionally see, hear, taste and smell the things that happen in a dentistry tend to become very sensitive even for the more simple procedures." "The pain that people experience should not be minimised." "Some people are so frightened that they require anaesthetic treatment, or they simply don't seek necessary treatment until it is too late." "Facilitating and helping to get the patients' focus away from pain to pleasure pays off for both the patient and the dentist."Newest video eyewear
Video eyewear has been on the market for years and the specifications have improved dramatically lately. Now the immersive virtual screen that the patient sees is an image of almost 1.5 metres at a distance of three metres, in VGA resolution. Adjustments of the nose support lead to optimum comfort levels. The new generation video eyewear has, along with a modernized look, become smaller and less bulky, so the dentist can do his work without the video eyewear becoming an obstacle. Dr. Roef notes:"Weighing only 65 grams the days of having something the size of a refrigerator on the patient's head are now gone."Patient -- dentist communication maintained
Distraction is one thing, but does this imply that there won't be any communication anymore? With the latest video eyewear the patient continues to be able to have eye contact with the dentist by focusing the eyes above the video screen. The volume level is adjustable and using only one earphone, for example, ensures that the communication between patient and dentist is maintained.
Press release: Newest Video Eyewear Helps Dental Patient to Relax
(hat tip: Engadget)
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Monday, December 17, 2007
gumEase™ for Drugless Pain Relief at The Dentist
BioMEDevice of Laguna Hills, California last month received FDA approval for its gumEase® dental mouthpiece. Developed to provide pain reduction during procedures, the device does not elute any drugs, but uses cold temperature to temporarily numb the gums. We are not really sure how effective cold-numbing of the mouth really is.
Here's a video of a dentist using gumEase® during a tooth extraction procedure:
Product page...
(hat tip: Engadget)
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Friday, November 30, 2007
Japanese Do It Again: A Scary Robotic Intraoral Experience
Simroid, a robotic model of a dental patient by Japanese Kokoro Company Ltd., has been spotted at the 2007 International Robot Exhibition in Tokyo, according to Pink Tentacle.
More at Pink Tentacle...
(hat tip: Boing Boing)
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Tuesday, November 6, 2007
CarieScan™ Takes Aim at X-Rays
British company IDMoS plc has just released its CarieScan™ dental device for detecting caries, the cracks and irregularities within teeth. Having the advantage over X-rays of not exposing patients to radiation, but relying on electric impedance spectroscopy, this technology might catch on among the world's dentists.
The technology, as explained by the company:
CarieScan technology is based on the ac impedance spectroscopy technique.Impedance measurements have no effect on the sample being measured and changes in the physical structure of the sample can be related to its electrical behaviour. This method is therefore particularly suitable for medical applications.
The measurement relies on the application of a small ac signal through the tooth while monitoring the response to the sensor.
By changing the frequency of the applied signal, we can build up a spectrum of impedance points in a plot that is unique to the sample under investigation.
More from The Herald...
Product page: CarieScan™...
(hat tip: MTB Europe)
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Monday, November 5, 2007
3M Introduces "Smart" Braces
3M Unitek Corp's new Clarity SL (self-ligating) braces are made from a translucent ceramic material and designed for a clear, less frightening presentation.
Unlike traditional braces, self-ligating braces such as Clarity SL and SmartClip&tarde; brands from 3M Unitek do not need elastic bands (ligatures) to attach the wire to the brackets. Ligatures can slow down the teeth-moving process by causing friction or resistance, much like driving a car with the emergency brake on. Eliminating elastics reduces friction and can help the braces work more efficiently.With the introduction of Clarity SL braces, consumers do not have to choose between clear and self-ligating braces. They can get both in one system.
"For the first time, adults and children who need braces no longer have to trade off looks or performance to achieve a beautiful smile," said Anoop Sondhi, DDS, MS, an orthodontist in Indianapolis, Ind. "Clarity SL braces are an important new option, especially for teens and adults, who often want less visible braces and to get their braces off as quickly as possible."
Clarity SL braces use advanced technology 3M Unitek pioneered for its SmartClip Appliance System, the first truly self-ligating braces. Designed with sophisticated engineering and space-age material, these braces use a unique clip to hold the wires in place without elastic ligatures, yet carefully regulate force. With no mechanisms to slide or clog or become difficult to operate, these clips permit easy and simple wire insertion and removal. The result is less patient discomfort and more efficient treatment.
Self-ligating technology is one of the most significant modern innovations in orthodontics. According to the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO), the self-ligation market grew 40 percent from 2005 to 2006. Although conventional braces are still a good option, braces without elastic ligatures allow the use of lighter force, which can move teeth into position more efficiently and comfortably, shorten overall treatment time and may mean fewer and quicker visits for adjustments.
Press release: 3M Unitek Introduces Revolutionary New Braces with Beauty and Brains ...
Product page: 3M Braces...
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Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Uncorrected Teeth Pacifiers Promotion
Brilliant!
The orthodontist Dr. Rathenow specializes in early diagnosis and correction of children's defective jaws and teeth. To promote this service, specially designed pacifiers were handed out to parents of small children. The pacifiers gave the parents a funny, but very remarkable impression of how their kids could look with uncorrected teeth. The doctor's business card was attached to the pacifiers. Headline business card (front): Take your kids for a check-up of their jaws and teeth before it's too late.
London International Awards 2007...
(hat tip: Direct Daily)
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Monday, August 27, 2007
Brush and Rinse Toothbrush
Scott Amron, a New York inventor, has implemented a great idea of his: a regular toothbrush with a little groove to redirect the water, creating a little water fountain. Hence one will need no more cups or hands to rinse the mouth. Very clever!
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Monday, August 6, 2007
New Toothbrush Smarter Than You
The hypercompetitive world of toothbrush selling has a new player on the scene. Triumph, the new toothbrush from Oral-B, along with the SmartGuide display unit, promises to be the smartest at home dental hygiene device yet. In addition to a motorized brush head, it features wireless connectivity to the SmartGuide unit that keeps track of your brushing, compiles statistics, and among other things, recommends to ease off the toothbrush if you're pushing too hard.
Here's the German language TV ad for the Triumph:
(Hat tip: Popgadget)
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» Dental Robot Chews Over a Toothy Problem (June 28, 2007)
» Ultreo Ultrasound Toothbrush (April 20, 2007)
» Lab-on-a-Chip for Periodontal Disease (April 2, 2007)
» Lasers to Detect Tooth Decay: Because X-rays Are so 20th Century (March 23, 2007)
» Stem Cells to Regrow Teeth (Yawn) (February 23, 2007)
» Never Swallow Another Pill With Your Medication Dispensing Tooth (February 1, 2007)
» Dentists Look into Needleless Anesthesia, No-Drilling Cavity Care (January 24, 2007)
» Dental Films and Osteoporosis (January 3, 2007)
» Kevlar-like Dental Composites (December 8, 2006)
» Fighting Cavities with STAMPs (October 24, 2006)
» Instant Crown Is Going to Get You (October 24, 2006)
» Anti-Periodontitis Plastic (September 18, 2006)
» A Digital Camera and the Internet Used to Detect Tooth Decay (August 24, 2006)
» Probiotic Gum (August 21, 2006)
» FDA Acceptance for CompuFlo (July 26, 2006)
» Bone-Regenerating Dental Implants (July 19, 2006)
» Ultrasound Based Device To Regrow Teeth (June 29, 2006)
» The IGI System for Dental Surgery Navigation (April 27, 2006)
» The VELScope (April 13, 2006)
» VIOlight Toothbrush Sanitizer (December 29, 2005)
» Cranberry Juice: Not Just For UTI's Anymore (November 28, 2005)
» Award-winning SLActive for Dental Surface Bonding (November 17, 2005)
» Prevent Oral Cancer With Mouthwash (November 8, 2005)
» The Stain Cleaner Machine (October 21, 2005)
» The Crocodile, Toothbrush for Kids (September 28, 2005)
» In Disasters, Dental Records Endure (September 12, 2005)
» 'Nanospheres' that Block Pain of Sensitive Teeth (September 2, 2005)
» Brace Yourself: Hormones to Augment Orthodontics (July 13, 2005)
» Ultra Suction™ Does USA (May 18, 2005)
» The IntelliClean System (April 29, 2005)
» Liquid Medgadget? (April 21, 2005)
» Dental Surgery Planning by TactileTech (April 20, 2005)
» CDR Wireless™ X-Ray Sensor (March 28, 2005)
» Medgadget.com Goes to Frost & Sullivan's Awards (March 17, 2005)
» Nomad ™ hand-held X-ray (February 24, 2005)
» Ultra Suction™ dentures (February 24, 2005)
