John Flucke's Blog - Ramblings from Dentistry's Technology Evangelist

3D Printing Waste - How Do We Handle It?

2026-05-21T06:00:00.000-05:00

As regular readers will know, I am all in on 3D printing. This area of dentistry is really starting to take root and continues to grow. The profession is rapidly moving to delivery of common "bread and butter" removable appliances and crowns to in-office. The design process has gotten much easier as AI is integrated more and more into the workflow. More 3D printing in being done in dental offices and even more is being done in dental labs. The dental lab industry was quick to see the benefit of digital dentistry and incorporating 3D printing into their workflows has given labs increased speed while cutting costs.

This product category is growing, yet there is one area of this change that we all need to think about. 3D printing does create some excess cured resin and how can that be recycled in an environmentally friendly way? As the image above shows, when a device is 3D printed, it's necessary to create supports. These small pieces literally 'support' the project while it is being printed. These supports are then trimmed off, the project is polished, and the supports are normally tossed in the trash. Obviously we're all trying to reduce the amount of plastics that end up in landfills and despite my love of 3D printing, I think we need to think about this.

The good new is, now there's a way to recycle this excess cured resin. You read that right, recycle. DRNA (Dental Recycling North America) is now offering a way to dispose of the pieces without sending them to a landfill.

Back when amalgam disposal was still a minor concern in the industry, DRNA began selling amalgam separators that removed amalgam from dental suction. Their system is a canister that connects to the suction unit and removes the amalgam dust and particles before they go into the municipal sewer lines. Amalgam separators are new required in dental offices, but back when I had one installed, I did it simply because I thought it was environmentally responsible. I've been using their product ever since.

Recently the company came out with a system to recycle 3D printed resins and, again, I think it's a great idea for the environment. As we are all aware, taking care of the planet is something we should all be concerned with and this is great idea to help with that. The company can safely dispose of both cured and uncured (liquid) resin.

The process is simple. You simply purchase a 2.5 gallon bucket from the company, place the cured resin pieces into it, and when the bucket is full it is shipped back to DRNA who then recycles the material. It's a simple, turnkey solution, that simplifies the process of recycling the cured resin leftovers. Occasionally a 3D printer will make a mistake and misprint something. It isn't common, but it happens and you can recycle those as well. I like the idea because it makes recycling consistent, easier, and provides paperwork to the office that the materials have been responsibly disposed of.

The idea came to the folks at DRNA when the SprintRay Midas 3D printer came to market. The Midas uses the same concept as the Keurig Coffee Pod. It uses a small cartridge that contains enough resin to print a single crown. It cuts waste by reducing the amount of resin used and streamlines the workflow for offices that are 3D printing crowns. However, in addition to the left over resin, there is also the pod to consider as far as waste. The folks at DRNA decided to create a solution that was easy and environmentally friendly to make recycling easier. Yet you don't need to be a Midas user to recycle. Now DRNA has brought 3D recycling to any office using a 3D printer. As the 3D printing market expands and printers evolve, there will also be other 'pod' type solutions on the market and getting started with recycling now is a good thing for everyone.

You can find all of the info on DRNA's system here.

During AAPD 2026: CaviSense™ Showcasing its 10-Second Chairside Test for Active Demineralization in Pediatric Patients

2026-05-20T06:00:00.000-05:00

At the Yankee Dental Congress this past January I got a chance to see the CaviSense™ system in action and I also got a chance to actually have it used on me. This is a unique idea that moves the profession further into the prevention model by helping to identifying demineralization at its earliest stages. This may allow doctors to then be able to provide remineralization therapy or resin infiltration.

The big news here is that the company will have a booth at the upcoming AAPD meeting in Las Vegas this weekend. If you are planning on attending, be sure to stop by Booth #104 and tell them I said hello! Read on for the details...

Company Will Also Provide an Early Preview of its Full-Mouth Active Demineralization Detection Tray System

Leading Pediatric Dentist, Adam Silevitch, DMD will explain his success with CaviSense, Saturday 11:00AM, May 23rd, in CaviSense Booth #104

CaviSense Inc., a Harvard/Tufts spin-out and developer of a radiation-free diagnostic technology for active tooth demineralization. CaviSense will be returning as an exhibitor to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) Annual Session, May 21–24 in Las Vegas.

At Booth #104, CaviSense will be providing live chairside demonstrations of its 10-second diagnostic sensor designed to identify interproximal active demineralization before lesions become radiographically apparent.

In addition, the company will be previewing its new and revolutionary tray system designed to provide comprehensive screening for localized active tooth demineralization of the entire dentition in 30 seconds.

According to Dr. Gili Naveh, founder of CaviSense. “Today with our CaviSense single point sensor and our upcoming, full mouth tray system, we’re rapidly

shifting the caries management paradigm. We’re enabling detection to extend beyond the four walls of the dental office and into home testing. Clinicians can now detect the early stages of caries and intervene earlier, when minimally invasive treatments are most effective.”

The CaviSense single point sensor and full mouth tray system both integrate seamlessly into the pediatric office workflow, with no radiation exposure and without invasive procedures - important considerations for both clinicians and parents. 

“Anything we introduce into our pediatric operatories has to be fast, kid friendly, and clinically meaningful,” said Dr. Adam Silevitch, DMD, pediatric dentist and early CaviSense adopter. “This technology checks all three boxes. It enables me to identify active acid challenges in specific areas, and have a much more precise, visual conversation with parents and their children.”

Dr. Silevitch will be making a special appearance at CaviSense booth #104 on Saturday, May 23rd, at 11AM to explain how CaviSense transformed his pediatric practice and enabled him to boost revenue by increasing case acceptance and positive outcomes of minimally invasive treatments.

During the AAPD Annual Session, CaviSense will also promote its Lunch & Learn program, inviting pediatric practices to schedule post-meeting, virtual lunch & learn sessions designed to educate the entire team on the benefits of early caries detection with CaviSense. Schedule a Lunch & Learn here: https://bit.ly/CaviSenseLearning

About CaviSense

CaviSense develops advanced diagnostic technologies to improve the early detection and management of dental caries. Its patented chairside sensor and upcoming full mouth tray system identify localized cariogenic conditions and active tooth demineralization in seconds, enabling clinicians to intervene earlier and deliver minimally invasive care.

References: 1. CDC Oral Health Surveillance Report 2. NIDCR Dental Caries Data

Premier Announces Lumira™ LED Curing Light

2026-05-19T06:00:00.000-05:00

I've always been fascinated by curing lights and the science behind them. About 80% of what general dentists do is based on adhesive procedures, so that aspect of clinical treatment is critical to long term success. Unfortunately, many in the profession don't really think about the light and how intrinsic it is to the process. I often refer to the curing light as "the stepchild of dentistry" because while it's always around, people don't pay a lot of attention to it.

So, with that being said, I'm excited about a new curing light announced by Premier. I haven't had a chance to get my hands on one to test... yet. However, I'm pretty excited about the features, especially that the user can select a mode with the stated output of 3000mw/cm² intensity. I like to see a light with a minimum output of at least 1000, and this tops that by a long way!!! That is great for instances of getting good depth of cure in deep areas.

Here is the press release from Premier with all of the features and benefits of Lumira™:

Lumira™ LED Curing Light – Technology Inspires Clinical Confidence

Premier Dental® announces the launch of the Lumira™ LED Curing Light, a powerful, durable, and ergonomically designed curing solution engineered for consistent, predictable performance in today’s clinical environment.

“With Lumira™, we focused on delivering a curing light clinicians can trust—combining power, precision, and thoughtful design to support consistent clinical outcomes,” said Larry Pijanowski, Director of Product Management, Premier Dental®. “Its reliable performance and durable, ergonomic construction reflect our commitment to inspired solutions that enhance confidence and efficiency in daily dentistry.”

Lumira delivers a broad wavelength range of 440–490 nm to effectively polymerize camphorquinone-based materials and offers up to 3000 mW/cm² irradiance for rapid, efficient curing. Its collimated, uniform beam supports reliable depth of cure, even in deep restorations.

Key features include:

Broad wavelength range (440–490 nm) to effectively polymerize CQ products
Up to 3000 mW/cm² irradiance for rapid, efficient curing
Collimated, uniform beam for reliable depth of cure
Seven clinical modes: Normal, High, Turbo, Ortho, Soft, Pulse, and Check
Ergonomic, all‑metal, low‑profile head with 360° rotation for easy access throughout the oral cavity

Designed for ease of use and durability, Lumira features a lightweight, all-metal construction and a low-profile head with 360° rotation, providing effortless access throughout the oral cavity. With seven clinical modes—Normal, High, Turbo, Ortho, Soft, Pulse, and Check (transillumination)—Lumira offers flexibility for a wide range of procedures.

The Premier® Lumira™ LED Curing Light is available in the U.S. and Canada through authorized Premier Dental distributors.

About Premier Dental

Premier Dental® is dedicated to delivering Inspired Solutions for Daily Dentistry® worldwide. For over 100 years, dental professionals have trusted Premier for innovative, standard-setting products that improve procedures, practices, and patient outcomes. Inspired by the work clinicians do every day, we are committed to providing effective, efficient solutions.

From Dentistry to MedTech: A Journey of Transformation with Dr. Namrata Upadhyay - The Technology Evangelist Podcast Episode 41

2026-05-18T06:00:00.000-05:00

One of the best things about my career outside of clinical dentistry is the friendships I've made along the way. Often those friendships open doors to meeting even more great people and this is one of those moments. At the Dental VIP Summit this past February one of my longterm dental friends introduced me to Dr. Namrata Upadhyay.

She's the guest on the most recent episode of The Technology Evangelist Podcast.

In the world of healthcare, transitions are common but not always straightforward. Heck, I started out taking computers apart in my spare time just to figure out how they worked and that desire to tinker completely changed my trajectory. Have you ever wondered how a dentist could successfully pivot to a thriving career in the MedTech industry? And how about if that person could help you to do the same thing? In this post, I’ll share the remarkable journey of Dr. Namrata, who navigated various global landscapes and professional challenges to become a leader in medical/dental technology. You'll learn how her diverse background shaped her approach to clinical studies, product development, and how she can help do the same for you.

About Dr. Namrata

Dr. Namrata is a dental professional turned MedTech expert who has lived across multiple countries, providing her with a global perspective on healthcare. With a background in general dentistry and specialization in endodontics, she transitioned into roles that bridge the gap between clinical practice and regulatory requirements in the medical device industry. Her unique journey is not only inspiring but also illuminates the complexities faced by healthcare professionals in today’s evolving landscape.

Perspectives... A Unique Beginning: Growing Up as a Global Citizen

Dr. Namrata's story began as the daughter of a diplomat, moving from country to country. This upbringing allowed her to experience various educational systems, including American and British curriculums, while still holding onto her Indian roots.

The exposure to different cultures and education systems helped her develop a global mindset, making her adaptable and open to new ideas. Dentistry can be a pretty change resistant profession, but she learned to embrace change and that made a huge difference in her career path.

As an example, influential teachers from her early years in Chicago instilled in her the importance of reading and forming connections. Those diverse backgrounds ultimately shaped her decision to pursue a career in dentistry, as she sought a stable environment after years of constant movement.

Navigating the Challenges of a Global Career

After completing her dental education in India, Dr. Namrata faced the challenge of transitioning into the European healthcare system. She boldly moved to Slovenia, navigating the process of getting her credentials recognized while working in various clinical settings. That's key because each location presented unique patient behaviors and expectations—urban patients were tech-savvy and informed, while rural patients offered her opportunities to encounter rare cases.

One memorable case involved performing a complex root canal on a lower molar with eight canals, showcasing her dedication and skill early in her career. You read that right. Eight canals on a lower human molar.

Despite her successes (when was the last time you did endo on a molar with eight canals?), the transition to Switzerland brought new hurdles, including the need to start her qualifications again from scratch. This experience taught her resilience and the importance of perseverance.

Finding Her Footing in MedTech

After years of clinical work, Dr. Namrata faced a crossroads when she moved to Switzerland and needed to redefine her professional identity. Frustrated with the traditional job application process, she took a proactive approach by networking at conferences and branding herself as a "MedTech enthusiast."

Building a New Path

Her journey through the MedTech industry included specializing in regulatory processes, clinical research, and marketing for medical devices. The EU has an organization similar to the FDA called EMA (European Medicines Agency). Working alongside experts in the field provided her with invaluable insights into how to align clinical practices with regulatory standards, ultimately benefiting companies and patients alike.

Here in the US, we have doctors who are experts in dealing with the FDA. She became a similar expert in Europe by having an incredible work ethic and learning what to do from the ground up. Dealing with regulatory agencies takes a specific skillset and I'm impressed with the fact the she developed that skillset more or less on her own.

The Birth of a New Venture: FreeDen

After gaining extensive experience in the MedTech space, Dr. Namrata identified a significant gap in the industry: the difficulty companies faced in accessing a broad range of clinical insights from doctors "in the trenches". This led to the creation of her company, which aims to connect healthcare companies with a diverse pool of clinicians and experts to enhance product development.

Learning through her own journey, she recognized the struggles of clinicians transitioning into MedTech and other consulting roles. There are lots of dentists who want to work on products and techniques to give patients better outcomes and quality of life, but they don't know how to get started. That's where FreedDen comes in. FreeDen allows both companies and doctors to create an online profile that describes who they are and what they are seeking. This gives both parties a chance to understand each other better and provide ideal 'fits' for working together.

However, it doesn't just serve as an online matching platform. FreeDen is also dedicated to providing training and support to help others navigate similar career shifts. Doctors looking to expand their careers by working with companies can do online study through FreeDen to help them expand their knowledge and their skillsets.

When I met her in Chicago, I knew after five minutes into our conversation that I had to have her on the podcast. In my career I've had a lot of doctors ask me, "How can I do what you do?" I've also had companies contact me and ask, "Do you know of a doctor who knows about...?" When Dr. Namrata told me about FreeDen, I thought it was a great idea and I wanted to help her get the word out about it.

Key Takeaways from the Episode

Embrace Diversity: Dr. Namrata's journey exemplifies the importance of diverse experiences in shaping one’s professional path.
Adaptability is Key: Navigating multiple healthcare systems requires flexibility and a willingness to learn from each experience.
Proactive Networking: Building relationships and leveraging personal branding can open doors in unexpected ways.
Identify Gaps: Recognizing unmet needs in the market can lead to innovative solutions and new business opportunities.

As you reflect on your career journey, consider how your unique experiences can shape your professional identity and open new doors. If you are a doctor who is interested in expanding your career by working with companies, be sure to check out FreeDen. I love my 'other job' and it may be something you would enjoy as well. You can find all of the podcast episodes on your favorite podcast app or by following this link to the YouTube channel.

Planet DDS 2026 Dental Industry Deep Dive Report Reveals a Widening Performance Gap Across the DSO Industry

2026-05-14T06:00:00.000-05:00

In my recent podcast interview with Dr. Howard Farran, we discussed the importance of being able to critically interpret data to make good business decisions. The good news is that data is easier than ever before to find and assimilate. Data is critical to make smart choices. Today's post has links that will give you access to some of that info. Read on for the details from PlanetDDS

Analysis of 8,500+ practices across 497 DSOs reveals six performance drivers, and a $545M opportunity that requires no new patients to capture.

Planet DDS, the leading provider of cloud-based enterprise dental software, today released its 2026 Dental Industry Outlook: Deep Dive, a comprehensive performance analysis drawn from more than 8,500 dental practices operating on the Planet DDS platform throughout 2024 and 2025 consecutively. The report debuted yesterday evening at the Dental Capital Forum, a private, invitation-only gathering at the Union Club of New York City, before being released publicly today.

The Deep Dive is the most extensive group practice same-store dental performance dataset ever analyzed and published, covering $6.79 billion in gross production across 497 DSOs, 3,294 same-store year-over-year comparisons, and more than 2,500 Cloud 9 orthodontic practices. It goes significantly further than the industry outlook published at Orbit in March, surfacing the specific operational patterns and gaps that separate the industry's fastest-growing practices from the rest of the field.

Six DSO Benchmarking Findings That Challenge Industry Assumptions

New patient acquisition is the single strongest growth predictor. Practices with 75 or more new patients per month grow at 9.0%, nearly double the rate of mid-volume practices. Growth rates accelerate meaningfully around 35 new patients per month, below which practices are essentially treading water.
Operational consistency compounds. The most volatile 10% of practices are shrinking by 3.4% while the most consistent practices are growing by 6.1%—a 9.5 percentage point gap. Consistent practices also produce 28% more revenue per day, signaling that schedule stability directly drives both top-line and operational performance.
Efficiency beats size. Small, efficient practices outperform large, inefficient ones every time. Nearly 1,050 practices average 44 chairs but generate only $56K in annual revenue per chair—underutilized capacity representing the largest addressable opportunity in the dataset. More chairs without maximizing existing ones is a capital mistake.
The 26–50 office danger zone is real. DSOs in this size range grow at just 2.8%—less than one-third the rate of their smaller peers. Only 55% of their offices are growing, the lowest of any tier. The message is clear: either stay lean and nimble, or build the infrastructure to push through to enterprise scale.
Case completion, not acceptance, is the bottleneck. The industry's average case completion rate is 47%. Practices with a moderate 10–30 point gap between acceptance and completion grow the fastest because they have strong scheduling discipline. Practices with a 50+ point gap have 77.2% acceptance but only 19.7% completion.
Revenue cycle efficiency is the silent EBITDA lever. Revenue cycle efficiency is the silent EBITDA lever. Growing practices are not necessarily collecting practices. Unlike the five growth drivers above, fixing this does not require new patients, new providers, or new locations. It requires collecting what is already owed. For a DSO generating $10M in gross production, closing the average operational billing gap adds approximately $890K in annual EBITDA — without touching the top line.

"The industry is splitting. One-third of practices grew by more than 10% last year. Nearly 14% declined by more than 10%. The middle is getting squeezed. The practices that are winning figured out the fundamentals. That is what is making the difference,” said Eric Giesecke, CEO of Planet DDS.

Unveiled at the Dental Capital Forum

The Deep Dive was presented for the first time on May 12, 2026, at the inaugural Dental Capital Forum, a private, invitation-only gathering held at the Union Club of New York City. The forum was co-hosted by Planet DDS, Aquiline Capital Partners, Dykema, and West Monroe, and is intended to become an annual gathering.

The forum brought together DSO CEOs operating more than 8,000 dental locations across North America alongside institutional investors and private equity professionals overseeing more than $1 trillion in assets under management. The Planet DDS data presentation, drawn from the same proprietary dataset behind this report, closed the formal program.

Access the Report

The 2026 Dental Industry Outlook: Deep Dive is available now at planetdds.com. It includes 16 sections covering same-store growth, the DSO size paradox, production benchmarks by specialty, appointment operations, the revenue cycle waterfall, AR aging benchmarks, and a complete set of warning, target, and elite zone metrics for DSO operators to benchmark their own performance.

The original 2026 Dental Industry Outlook, released in March at Orbit, provided a top-line view of industry performance. The Deep Dive goes further, with findings on production volatility, the Friday production opportunity, specialist portfolio strategy, case acceptance as a credit quality signal, and a $300–400M annual recovery opportunity sitting inside the existing platform.

To download the Deep Dive report, visit planetdds.com.

About Planet DDS

Dental software is broken. We aim to fix it. As a partner in growth for DSOs and dental groups outgrowing legacy systems and fragmented tools, Planet DDS delivers a cloud-based AI platform designed to scale alongside growing organizations. Powered by DentalOS™ with AI, Planet DDS is built on connection—connecting people, partners, and technology across an open ecosystem that includes Denticon Practice Management, Cloud 9 Ortho Practice Management, and Apteryx Cloud Imaging. Trusted by leading DSOs and emerging dental groups nationwide, Planet DDS supports more 100+ location DSOs than any other cloud-based dental practice management provider, enabling 14,500 practices and 175,000 users to move beyond outdated legacy software with seamless integrations, optimized workflows, and scalable technology built for growth.

Technology Evangelist Podcast Episode 40 - Dr. Howard Farran

2026-05-11T06:00:00.000-05:00

Embracing data in Dentistry: A Conversation with Dr. Howard Farran

A little known fact in the industry. Dr. Howard Farran and I went to dental school together and graduated in the same class. As a matter of fact, in the class composite photo Farran and Flucke sit side by side in the image, the consequence of alphabetical order. Even back then, Howard was a huge fan of data. That's kind of amazing because computers were by no means common yet and the concept of digital data analysis didn't really exist back then.

Howard grew up in Wichita, Kansas and his family owned a Sonic Drive-In franchise. He was smart enough to take the marketing and data analytics that his dad used in the fast good business and apply those same principles to finding the perfect place demographically to start a dental practice.

When he saw how well those principles applied to healthcare, he quickly adopted an outlier mindset to everything he did. The result was an incredible journey of success. I've outlined a few of the highlights of the episode below, but his delivery and enthusiasm makes it even better. That means, this one is a "must see" for the podcast. I'm including links at the bottom of this post to every platform on which we're currently available.

Here are some of the highlights:

Discover insights on the future of AI in dentistry from Dr. Howard Farran. Learn how AI can enhance patient relationships and streamline tasks for dental professionals.

In the ever-evolving landscape of dentistry, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) has sparked both excitement and concern among professionals. In this episode, I had the pleasure of speaking with Dr. Howard Farran, a well-respected figure in the dental community and the mastermind behind Dental Town. We delved into how AI is reshaping the dental field and what it means for both practitioners and patients.

## Understanding Data Helps Bring Successd

Dr. Farran discussed how he decided to choose Phoenix as the location to start a new practice. Even though he did this in a world that was analog, those same principles still apply today and are even easier to understand with the help of digital statistics, reports, and analysis.

## Never Fear Hard Work

Dr. Farran talked about how he "hit the street" to generate new patients and how he was willing to work long hours know that the investment in hard work in the present would pay off in the future.

## Understanding AI's Role in Dentistry

AI has become a buzzword in various industries, and dentistry is no exception. During our conversation, Dr. Farran highlighted the dual perspectives surrounding AI: while some view it as a threat, others see it as a tool for enhancement. The crux of the discussion revolves around how AI can alleviate mundane tasks for dental professionals, allowing them to focus on what truly matters—building relationships with their patients.

### The Mundane vs. The Meaningful

AI's potential to take over repetitive tasks, such as insurance verifications, is a significant advantage. Dr. Farran emphasized that by offloading these duties, dental staff can devote more time to interacting with patients—something that is crucial in a relationship-driven business. This shift not only improves patient care but also enhances job satisfaction among dental teams.

### The Evolution of Radiology and AI

One of the most compelling points Dr. Farran made was regarding the impact of AI on radiology. Contrary to fears that AI would replace radiologists, it has, in fact, led to an increase in demand for these professionals. With AI handling the technical aspect of reading radiographs, radiologists are now able to spend more time engaging with patients and healthcare providers, answering questions, and providing valuable insights. This has resulted in a more efficient and effective healthcare system.

## The Human Element in Dentistry

While technology plays a pivotal role in enhancing efficiency, Dr. Farran reminded us that the essence of dentistry lies in the human connection. He shared an insightful analogy about the "invisible" aspects of patient trust—how patients need to feel secure and cared for, which cannot be accomplished by technology alone. The interpersonal skills of dentists are paramount, and AI cannot replace the warmth and understanding that come from human interaction.

### Real-World Applications of AI in Dental Practices

As AI continues to develop, it's essential for dental professionals to embrace its capabilities. Dr. Farran shared practical examples of how AI can streamline operations in dental practices, making them more efficient. For instance, AI can assist in appointment scheduling, patient follow-ups, and even preliminary diagnostics, freeing up time for dentists to focus on treatment and patient care.

## Conclusion: A Bright Future with AI

The conversation with Dr. Howard Farran illuminated the potential of AI to transform dentistry positively. Rather than viewing AI as a competitor, dental professionals should see it as a partner that can enhance their practice and improve patient outcomes. By embracing this technology, we can ensure that the focus remains on the patient experience, fostering trust and long-lasting relationships.

### Key Takeaways:

- AI can relieve dental professionals from mundane tasks, enhancing patient interaction.

- The integration of AI in radiology has increased the demand for radiologists.

- The human element in dentistry is irreplaceable, emphasizing the importance of interpersonal skills.

- Embracing AI can lead to more efficient dental practices and better patient care.

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Pearl Brings Dental AI Natively into Dentrix Ascend

2026-05-06T06:00:00.000-05:00

I've been a big fan and user of Pearl for several years. Dental AI for radiographic interpretation truly makes me better at what I do. Having a system that looks at things with the perspective of an objective third party is a tremendous help is making sure I see everything. Pearl isn't making any decisions, it's providing me a gentle nudge to look more closely at something. The most important thing is to have "a human in the loop". I use my judgement, but Pearl provides more data to help me do my job better. As my good friend Dr. Marty Jablow says, "Don't check your brain at the door." He's right about that. Pearl helps me, but the doctor is the ultimate decision maker. Today's post is big news. Read on for all the details...

Integration delivers Pearl’s best-in-class diagnostic AI directly inside Henry Schein One’s cloud-based dental technology platform, eliminating workflow friction and workarounds

Pearl, the global leader in dental AI solutions, today announced a native integration with Dentrix Ascend, the cloud-based dental technology platform from Henry Schein One. Pearl surfaces real-time pathology findings as x-rays are captured, without clinicians ever leaving the Dentrix Ascend platform.

Dental AI at the point of care has long been held back by fragmented workflows. Switching between platforms, importing images manually, and reconciling findings across systems adds friction that slows clinical teams and dilutes the value of AI. Native integration entirely eliminates that friction.

“The best AI in dentistry should take work off the clinician - not add to it,” said Ophir Tanz, Founder and CEO of Pearl. “This integration puts Pearl directly into the workflows practices already rely on, working in real time to reduce friction, eliminate guesswork, and free dentists to focus on patient care.”

For clinical teams, the experience is seamless. As radiographs are captured in Dentrix Ascend, Pearl identifies and displays findings including decay, bone loss, root absences, calculus, and other pathologies within the Dentrix Ascend interface. No separate login. No parallel window. No manual export. The integration puts AI at the point of care, surfacing findings that support clinician judgment.

“This integration reflects a shift toward an open dental technology ecosystem where clinicians can choose the tools that serve them best, and where workflows ensure streamlined dental AI access at the point of care,” noted Erica Zerante, VP of Partnerships at Pearl.

Pearl has deployed AI across radiographic analysis, clinical documentation, and revenue cycle workflows, giving practices integrated AI infrastructure that connects diagnosis to downstream operations. The Dentrix Ascend integration extends that infrastructure to one of dentistry’s most popular cloud dental technology platforms, making high-performance AI accessible to a significant new segment of the market.

The integration will be available for all Dentrix Ascend users in the coming weeks. Practices can learn more and activate Pearl’s integration through their Dentrix Ascend account or by visiting hellopearl.com/demo.

About Pearl

Pearl is a dental AI company committed to enhancing how patient care is delivered. Founded in 2019 by a team with decades of experience developing successful, enterprise-grade computer vision solutions, Pearl introduced the first-ever FDA-cleared AI capable of reading and instantly identifying diseases in dental x-rays. With regulatory clearance in 120 countries, Pearl's AI assists dentists in making precise clinical decisions and effectively communicating with patients, thereby transforming the dental care experience worldwide. As dentistry’s global AI leader, Pearl is committed to the ongoing innovation of robust, accessible AI tools that improve patient health outcomes and build greater trust in dental medicine. To request a demo, please visit hellopearl.com/demo

I'm Excited to Announce that Moisyn is Back!!!

2026-05-04T06:00:00.000-05:00

Some good news for doctors and patients. The dry mouth moisturizer Moisyn is back on the market!

I've been a big fan of Moisyn since it was first available and was disappointed when it was no longer on the market. Many of my patients loved it and were equally disappointed when they could no longer purchase it. The great new is that you can now order it again through PerioSciences.

Statistics show that 40-50% of adults suffer with some degree of dry mount, which is referred to as xerostomia. This can happen for a variety of reasons. Salivary flow tends to decrease as we age, but there are many other reasons. Some prescription medications can cause reduction in salivary flow and it can also be caused by people who suffer with certain autoimmune diseases as well. It can also be a problem for patients going through chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy in the treatment of cancer.

As a dentist I can tell you from personal experience that patients with xerostomia can be an incredible challenge to keep healthy. Patients with very low saliva levels breakdown quickly and severely. The result isn't just cavities, but rapidly advancing *large* cavities. This can happen even if a patient is incredibly focused on keeping their teeth clean. It can be frustrating to both the patient and the doctor to see continuous problems even with a patient doing everything they can to take the best care of themselves possible.

Xerostomia isn't just annoying (although it is), but it can also be painful and lead to many problems. Saliva performs several important functions for the mouth. One of its most basic and important functions is to keep the mouth and teeth moist. Dry teeth tend to decay faster. Teeth covered with saliva are slick with means food can't stick to them. It also means that acids created by bacteria are diluted and washed away. There are billions of bacteria constantly present in the mouth and many of those bacteria secrete acid. Those acids are what dissolve teeth and create cavities. Good salivary flow washes food particles and those acids off the teeth and help keep them from breaking down.

It also helps wash away bacteria as well. Dry teeth harbor bacteria more readily. That can lead to excessive dental plaque formation which means not only cavities, but also problems with gum health. Often xerostomia can mean lots of decay along with rapidly advancing periodontal disease.

Saliva also contains critical minerals that can help reverse microscopic areas of decay at the very beginning stages. This is referred to as remineralization and it helps keep things healthy.

For people suffering with dry mouth one of the best things to help are rinses that can serve as "saliva substitutes". Of course anything that goes in the mouth has a texture and a taste. A weird texture or a weird taste can affect how often the product is used and that's one of the big reasons I am such a fan of Moisyn.

I learned about it from a friend who was working with the original manufacturer. Normally when I am treating a patient with dry mouth I'll recommend several saliva substitute products. As I mentioned above, finding the right one for every individual can be difficult, hence the list of suggested products. What I quickly discovered was that patients who tried Moisyn really liked it. In fact I can't remember anyone ever saying that they preferred something else and that probably says more about the product than anything else. Patients *like* Moisyn!

Moisyn is based on glycopolymers and its key ingredient is Chitosan, which is a polysaccharide derived from shellfish. It also contains Arginine which is an essential amino acid that helps keep the pH of the mouth neutral and it also enhances moisture retention. It's available as an oral rinse or a spray mist. The great thing about the mist is that it is packaged in 2 ounce spray bottles that can be easily carried in a pocket or purse which means you can always have it handy.

Last week I was at a meeting with the team at VistaApex Solutions and they told me they had purchased the rights to manufacture Moisyn through their company PerioSciences. Needless to say, I was thrilled and I wanted to get the word out to others who love it as well.

This is a product that I really like and *highly recommend*. If you are a doctor OR a patient that is looking for a product that help with dry mouth, I truly feel you should check this out. It's available through the PerioSciences website as well as Amazon and other online retailers.

Blinq Announces Changes - New Logo, New Color, New Everything

2026-04-30T06:00:00.000-05:00

I've used Blinq for a couple of years now and I thought I'd tell you all about it as I like it a lot. I was doing a press event for Philips Sonicare a couple of years ago during the Chicago MidWinter Meeting and after the event there was quite a bit of networking going on. Of course, in our digital world sharing contacts is hugely important.

I still carry business cards (gasp), and most people do, but it's funny. You collect all of these business cards at a meeting and then... what do you do with them? There are lots of ways to get them into a digital form. There are apps that allow you to digitally scan them and drop them into your contacts, but you've got to go through the process of taking a photo of them and dropping them in.

One of the folks at Philips showed me an app called Blinq and I was intrigued. The basic idea is that you download the app and enter your contact info... ONCE. When you open Blinq, it puts a QR code on your screen that links to a download of your info. The person you want to connect with simply scans the QR code and it drops your info into that person's contacts automatically. You can even use it on an Apple Watch.

It will also scan business cards and a whole lot more. Basically, if you want to connect to someone there is a Blinq way to do it. As an individual and not someone who is meeting people constantly, I use only a fraction of what Blinq can do.

Here's a quote from the company:

People have asked us a hundred different ways: isn't it just a digital business card? It's the question we hear the most, and it's the one that gets Blinq the most wrong. The card is where the relationship starts. What we're building is everything that grows from it.

So, needless to say, I'm using just a tiny part of Blinq, but if you are an organization or someone who's job revolves around making contacts, it does so much more.

As a user, today I got an email from the company that announced they are changing their logo and rebranding because the company has grown and changed so much. You can read that announcement here. If you are looking for an easy and seamless way to share and collect your contacts, I definitely think you should look at this. Simply put, it has made connecting with others at meetings something easier for me than ever before. If you are someone who is on the other end of the spectrum from me, you could probably benefit greatly from it.

2026-04-29T08:00:00.000-05:00

Big news today from LightForce Orthodontics. The company is a pioneer in the 3D printed bracket market and continues to make serious advancement in the orthodontic industry. All the new info is below...

The 65% of orthodontic patients worldwide who choose metal can now receive LightBracket MetalTM braces, generated for their individual tooth anatomy

LightForce Orthodontics, the company behind the world’s first fully individualized 3D-printed bracket, today announced LightBracket MetalTM — the first-of-its-kind patient-specific 3D-printed metal bracket. The launch marks a significant expansion of access to individualized fixed treatment and establishes a new category of care: generative braces.

Generative braces are a new category of orthodontic care in which every appliance is generated from the individual treatment plan. The plan is the input, and the bracket is the output. If the plan changes, the bracket changes with it. Rather than relying on standardized appliances, each bracket is generated and manufactured for a specific patient and a specific tooth. The result is a patient-specific bracket system that directly reflects the doctor’s treatment plan.

“For more than a century, orthodontics relied on a stock bracket for patients who were never stock. LightBracket Metal changes the order of things. We’re giving doctors the most exact instrument they've ever had for the work they were born to do," said Alfred Griffin, founder and CEO of LightForce Orthodontics.

Orthodontic treatment has evolved through distinct generations, from standardized stock brackets requiring manual adjustments and longer treatment times, to clear aligners that introduced digital planning but remain limited in clinical scope. LightForce pioneered generative braces and validated the model with its ceramic bracket system, which has demonstrated up to 60% fewer appointments and 43% shorter treatment times over conventional braces. LightBracket Metal now brings those benefits to the majority of the $4.7 billion market, with 65% of patients worldwide who choose metal, including teens.

LightBracket Metal is created using a proprietary 3D metal printing process. Each bracket is generated from the orthodontist’s digital treatment plan and individualized across six dimensions: bracket base, slot height, slot prescription, bracket position, tie wings, and hooks. The base conforms to the morphology of the individual tooth. Three slot sizes are available (.018”, .020”, .022”) with bidimensional combinations. A lower-profile design with a breakthrough patient-specific tie-wing and hook delivers improved comfort and reduced debond rates. Algorithmically generated indirect bonding trays enable staff-delegated bonding.

“In my practice, I care deeply about providing individualized care for my patients. With LightBracket Metal, I am now able to provide that level of care with a patient-specific metal bracket system that is generated from my digital treatment plan,” said Dr. Jacquee Schieck at Schieck Orthodontics.

"For decades, every patient got the same bracket. That ends now. We are accelerating toward a future where the very idea of a universal, one-size-fits-all bracket is unthinkable,” said James Lawton, president of LightForce Orthodontics.

LightBracket Metal is now rolling out to orthodontic practices. Providers can contact LightForce here to request a demonstration and gain early access. Patients interested in LightForce treatment can consult their orthodontist to see if LightForce solutions are available in their area.

See LightBracket Metal Live

LightForce will debut LightBracket Metal at the AAO Annual Session 2026, May 1 through 3, at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Florida. Live demonstrations and hands-on access will be given at booth 1261. LightForce leadership and clinical team members will be available for conversations and media interviews throughout the event. To schedule a demonstration, contact LightForce here.

Join the Webinar

Join LightForce for an exclusive first look at LightBracket Metal on May 7, 2026 at 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time. The webinar will include a product unveiling from LightForce CEO Dr. Alfred Griffin, an innovation deep dive with Head of Clinical Affairs, Dr. Chris Bonebreak Jackson, a case review with Dr. Alex Waldman, and an interactive panel discussion with contributing doctors. To reserve a spot, sign up here.

To learn more about LightForce’s offerings, visit https://lf.co/.

About LightForce Orthodontics

LightForce pioneered generative braces in 2019 with a radical idea: if every patient is unique, every bracket should be too. Today, the company's platform generates a completely individualized set of appliances for each patient — available in ceramic and metal. Backed by $200 million from Kleiner Perkins, Ally Bridge Group, the American Association of Orthodontists, and others. Named to Forbes' America's Best Startup Employers. Home to the world's largest facility for directly 3D-printed functional medical devices by volume, manufactured in the United States.

SuperMouth Taps into Viral Flavor Trend with Limited-Edition Dubai Chocolate Toothpaste and Mouthwash

2026-04-28T06:00:00.000-05:00

Dentist-Founded Brand Turns Daily Chore into a Treat with Nano-Hydroxyapatite-Powered Oral Care

SuperMouth, the dentist-founded brand known for its advanced oral care solutions for all ages, is bringing indulgence to the bathroom sink with its new, limited-edition Dubai Chocolate Toothpaste and Mouthwash. The collection merges premium dental innovation with rich taste and novelty, turning a daily chore into an exciting treat.

Inspired by the global rise of Dubai chocolate as a cultural phenomenon and a growing appetite for unexpected flavors, SuperMouth’s latest launch taps directly into what consumers are craving. While this flavor profile continues to trend across food and beverage, SuperMouth is delivering it in an entirely new and functional format.

Delivering a subtly sweet, chocolate-forward flavor, the new toothpaste and mouthwash offer a moment reminiscent of dessert while simultaneously supporting oral microbiomes with clinically backed benefits. Both products, available with or without fluoride, are formulated with nano-hydroxyapatite (nHA), an ingredient that helps remineralize enamel, reduce sensitivity, and neutralize acids. SuperMouth’s unique nHA complex is further enhanced with vitamins D3 and K2, which play a critical role in calcium absorption and utilization to support stronger teeth below and beyond the surface.

Unlike conventional oral care solutions, SuperMouth’s toothpaste and mouthwash are free from alcohol, antiseptics, and potent essential oils that disrupt the balance of oral microbiomes. Instead, both products are enriched with prebiotics and xylitol to help coat teeth for long-lasting freshness and protection. Notably, SuperMouth’s limited-edition Dubai Chocolate collection is made completely nut-free, allowing those with allergies to safely indulge in the hottest flavor trend.

“Our goal was to capture the magic of Dubai chocolate and create oral care products that are genuinely beneficial,” said Dr. Kami Hoss, founder of SuperMouth and orthodontist of over 30 years. “By bridging the gap between indulgence and advanced dental science, we’re proving that taking care of your oral microbiome shouldn’t feel like a chore. Merging science with sensorial appeal makes healthy habits effortless to keep.”

In addition to its clinically-proven formulation, SuperMouth prioritizes radical transparency and ingredient safety. All products are free from harsh irritants, titanium dioxide, artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, and forever-chemicals — while also being safe if swallowed, a critical differentiator in an industry where many products still carry safety warnings. Designed with the intention of making oral care accessible and enjoyable, SuperMouth’s offerings are especially appealing to families and ingredient-conscious shoppers looking for cleaner alternatives.

SuperMouth’s Dubai Chocolate Toothpaste ($16.99) and Mouthwash ($18.99) can be purchased individually or as a bundle ($32.99) at SuperMouth.com. For more information about SuperMouth and the Dubai Chocolate collection, please visit www.SuperMouth.com.

About SuperMouth®

SuperMouth is a dentist-founded oral care brand offering over 200 best-in-class products and holding nearly 300 patents, reflecting its commitment to innovation and excellence. With products designed for every age and stage of life, SuperMouth continues to push the boundaries of oral care, creating solutions that combine safety, effectiveness, and fun. Learn more at www.SuperMouth.com.

vVARDIS Announces Investment from Apollo —Achieves Unicorn Status

2026-04-27T06:00:00.000-05:00

Investment will support global commercial expansion of the Curodont™ technology platform, the first and only non-invasive peptide-containing formulations designed to treat tooth decay drill-free throughout the depth of the lesion.

vVARDIS Holding AG (“vVARDIS”), a high-growth dental medtech company pioneering non-invasive cavity treatment, today announced a strategic minority investment from Apollo-managed funds (“Apollo Funds”).

The investment will support vVARDIS’ next phase of global growth and commercial expansion, including the continued rollout of its Curodont™ suite of products. The investment establishes vVARDIS as one of Europe’s few privately owned, billion-dollar-plus, healthcare companies. vVARDIS’ founders and co-CEOs, Drs. Haley and Goly Abivardi, will retain a substantial majority shareholding in the company.

vVARDIS is redefining the treatment of cavities through its Curodont™ technology, the first and only commercially available non-invasive peptide-containing formulations clinically proven to treat tooth decay.

Curodont™ supports enamel repair by facilitating the formation of crystalline mineral structure throughout the affected area, giving dental professionals an easy-to-use, restorative option to treat early-stage cavities as an alternative to traditional drilling.

Since the launch of Curodont™ Repair Fluoride Plus in the U.S. over two years ago, it has been used to treat approximately 3 million teeth, is now present in nearly 20 percent of general dental practices nationwide1 and is one of the fastest-growing dental products in the U.S.2.

“vVARDIS has built a differentiated business, with Drs. Haley and Goly Abivardi pioneering a new category in dental care backed by peer-reviewed clinical studies,” said Jeremy Honeth, Partner and Andrea Vanni, Managing Director at Apollo. “Apollo Funds’ investment supports the company’s continued expansion in key markets across the US and Europe, bringing this restorative therapy to more practices and patients worldwide.”

“Curodont™ fills a longstanding gap in dentistry: when prevention fails, dentists now have a quick, easy-to-use non-invasive treatment free of drilling and needles. The rapid adoption of Curodont™ reflects the urgency of that unmet need,” said Haley Abivardi, DMD, co-CEO and co-founder of vVARDIS. “Apollo Funds’ investment strengthens our commercial foundation in the US and Europe and enables us to scale this environmentally sustainable technology across markets.”

Goly Abivardi, DMD, co-CEO and co-founder of vVARDIS, said, “Our mission is to bring a medical, science driven approach to dentistry. Using peptide-containing formulations, our non-invasive technology is an innovative treatment designed to treat tooth decay without drilling and without polymer materials. Apollo Funds’ investment reinforces our leadership in generative dentistry and advances the future of oral science.”

Tooth decay is the world’s most prevalent non-communicable disease, affecting nearly 90 percent of US adults. Oral health is closely linked to overall health, and untreated cavities can contribute to serious chronic conditions, including a 26 percent increased risk of all-cause mortality.3. Recently published WHO guidelines reinforce vVARDIS’ mission of early intervention and non-invasive care, as the company targets an addressable market of over $30 billion in the US.

The financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

About vVARDIS AG

vVARDIS is a disruptive Swiss healthcare company in the dental med-tech sector headquartered in Zug, Switzerland that offers groundbreaking, non-invasive solutions for dental professionals with the Curodont™ brand of products. Founded by Drs. Haley and Goly Abivardi, DMDs, sisters, internationally renowned dentists, innovators and self-made serial entrepreneurs, vVARDIS is the result of more than 25 years of research, paired with the commitment of its founders to make an impact on people's lives, especially the underserved.

vVARDIS' mission is to expand access to novel approaches that create new standards of care in dentistry with the purpose of improving oral health – the foundation for overall health. Backed by 25 years of research and more than 10 years of use in clinical practices globally, vVARDIS’ products and science are supported by more than 250 scientific publications, including meta-analysis, peer-reviewed and long-term peer-reviewed real-world evidence clinical studies, with a documented success rate above 90%. Curodont™ products are already presented in the lectures of renowned universities as a standard of care for the treatment of early decay. vVARDIS was awarded the 2026 Innovative Company of the Year and is a member of the World Economic Forum Innovator Communities. For more information, visit vVARDIS at www.vVARDIS.com and www.linkedin.com/company/vvardis .

About Apollo

Apollo is a high-growth, global alternative asset manager. In our asset management business, we seek to provide our clients excess return at every point along the risk-reward spectrum from investment grade credit to private equity. For more than three decades, our investing expertise across our fully integrated platform has served the financial return needs of our clients and provided businesses with innovative capital solutions for growth. Through Athene, our retirement services business, we specialize in helping clients achieve financial security by providing a suite of retirement savings products and acting as a solutions provider to institutions. Our patient, creative, and knowledgeable approach to investing aligns our clients, businesses we invest in, our employees, and the communities we impact, to expand opportunity and achieve positive outcomes. As of December 31, 2025, Apollo had approximately $938 billion of assets under management. To learn more, please visit www.apollo.com.

References:

1 Data on file

2 vVARDIS’ ranked first in growth rate in the 2024 vs 2023 and YTD June 2025 periods among dental manufacturers with more than $1M sales in both the all merchandise & small equipment categories and preventive in the U.S. (Source: SDM Northcoast, LLC).

3 Liu J et al. Int J Epidemiol. 2022;51:1291-1303

Photo credit: Jos Schmid, Photographer

ChatGPT Announces a New Version for Clinicians

2026-04-23T06:00:00.000-05:00

Making ChatGPT better for clinicians

Open AI just introduced ChatGPT for clinicians. This is a free version for healthcare providers. The tool will be free for doctors, pharmacists, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants in the US. Below is a post from the OpenAI blog about the new system. If you'd like to read the full version of this announcement directly from the company, follow this link.

We’re introducing ChatGPT for Clinicians, a version of ChatGPT designed to support clinical tasks like documentation and medical research so clinicians can focus on delivering high-quality patient care. We’re making it free for any verified physician, NP, PA, or pharmacist, starting in the U.S.
The U.S. healthcare system today is under extraordinary strain. Clinicians are being asked to care for more patients while managing growing administrative demands and a rapidly expanding body of medical research. Many are already turning to AI tools like ChatGPT for support. According to a 2026 survey by the American Medical Association⁠(opens in a new window), physician use of AI is now at an all-time high, with 72% of physicians reporting they now use AI in clinical practice, up from 48% last year. Today, millions of clinicians worldwide use ChatGPT to support their clinical care every week, for applications like care consult, writing and documentation, and medical research. Clinician usage of ChatGPT has more than doubled over the past year.
As demand for AI in clinical settings grows, so does the responsibility to continuously improve our model’s performance and safety on clinical use cases and offer solutions that can safely and effectively support healthcare workflows. Earlier this year, we introduced ChatGPT for Healthcare,⁠ which allows organizations to deploy ChatGPT to clinicians, administrators, and researchers with the compliance and controls they need at scale. Clinicians across leading U.S. health systems are now using it to move faster through administrative work like medical research and documentation, and get time back for patient care.
Enabling free access to ChatGPT for Clinicians is the next step, in support of our mission to ensure AGI benefits all of humanity. Learn more on our website⁠(opens in a new window) or get started⁠(opens in a new window).
ChatGPT for Clinicians builds on our foundation of continual model evaluation and improvement in health in partnership with clinicians. With its release, we are also introducing HealthBench Professional⁠(opens in a new window), an open benchmark for real clinician chat tasks across three use cases: care consult, writing and documentation, and medical research, building on HealthBench’s⁠ broader evaluation of health conversations.

Personify Group Expands Commercialization Capabilities: Names Growth Strategist Mason Kesner to Advisory Board

2026-04-22T06:00:00.000-05:00

Seasoned B2B/B2C Commercialization Expert Will Help Dental Innovators Scale Across Professional and Consumer Markets

Personify Group, a strategic branding, communications, and growth advisory firm serving the dental industry, announced today that Mason Kesner, a B2B/B2C commercialization consultant and growth strategist, has joined the company’s advisory board.

Kesner brings 15 years of experience scaling CPG brands such as P&G and Unilever across professional, retail, and e-commerce channels, as well as founding and exiting an independent premium consumer brand agency at eight figures. His appointment comes at a time when the dental industry is undergoing a significant structural shift, as clinical care, consumer-driven oral health, and digital delivery models continue to converge.

A new generation of dental companies is emerging with oral health innovations designed to succeed across both professional channels and direct-to-consumer markets, requiring more integrated commercialization strategies than traditional dental models have supported.

“Mason’s unique skill set aligns perfectly with where the dental industry is heading,” said Michael Ventriello, Co-Founder and Chief Communications Officer of Personify Group. “We’re seeing more companies that need to build clinical trust and consumer demand at the same time. That requires a different kind of strategy, and Mason knows how to execute it.”

Currently leading growth and strategy initiatives within an agency investment platform, Kesner is now advising Personify Group on product commercialization strategy, helping align brand development with scalable revenue models. His expertise spans go-to-market execution, growth architecture, and building integrated revenue engines.

“What drew me to Personify Group is their ability to translate complex innovation into market traction,” said Mason Kesner. “The brands that succeed in this next phase of dentistry will be the ones that connect clinical credibility with consumer relevance and execute across both.”

Through his advisory role, Kesner will support Personify Group’s clients in developing integrated commercialization strategies that align brand-building with measurable revenue growth across both professional and consumer audiences.

“Mason understands how to take a strong brand foundation and turn it into real market momentum,” said Mark Ross, Co-Founder and Chief Branding Officer of Personify Group. “His perspective helps ensure our work resonates and performs simultaneously across professional and consumer markets”

About Personify Group

Personify Group is a strategic branding, communications, and growth advisory firm focused on the dental and oral health industry. The company works with emerging innovators and established dental organizations to develop brand narratives, industry visibility, and market adoption strategies that connect scientific innovation with real-world clinical practice and consumer adoption.

AMD Lasers Announces New Picasso Pro Diode Laser and LEAP Endodontic Protocol

2026-04-21T06:00:00.032-05:00

Regular readers may remember that, for a general dentist, I've always loved endodontics. I've had the unique benefit of working with a couple of amazing endodontists who sat with me and gave me a hands-on "mini residency" in how to get the best results possible. If I would have been forced to only do one procedure my entire career, I would have become an endodontist. Because of my intense interest in the subject, I follow the advancements in endodontics with great interest. I've also been fortunate enough to have been able to teach endodontics to other GP's many times in my career. I find it really rewarding to be able to help other doctors, who face the same GP challenges that I do, about ways to make the procedure easier and get better clinical outcomes.

About five years ago, I was visiting AMD Lasers at their headquarters outside Salt Lake City. During that visit, Dr. Densen Cao, the CEO of the company, told me they had begun research on simplifying endodontics. The idea was interesting as it involved using a diode laser to disinfect the canals. For years AMD has manufactured and sold the Picasso line of diode lasers and the company had discovered that there was potentially a way to greatly reduce bacterial counts in root canals through the use of laser disinfection. The idea was in the early stages of research and development, but Dr. Cao thought it held great promise. All good science takes time and AMD did an incredible amount of testing and research in this area. Now, five years later, the company has announced a new laser and their new endodontic protocol, with the science to back it up.

The new laser is the Picasso Pro and the new endo procedure is LEAP (Laser Enhanced Ablation Procedure). The company has research demonstrating >99.9% reduction of E. faecalis and I think this would be a great protocol to pair with the new Endocator from Vista-Apex Solutions.

The recent press release from AMD contains all the critical info...

Innovative integrated diode laser protocol achieves >99.99% bacterial reduction while simplifying endodontic workflow and reducing treatment time

AMD Lasers, Inc., a subsidiary of the CAO Group, Inc. and a global leader in dental technology and manufacturing, today announced the launch of LEAP® (Laser Endodontic Ablation Procedure), a next-generation laser-assisted root canal disinfection system designed to deliver predictable, reliable, and affordable complete bacterial elimination while simplifying clinical workflow. The technology will be formally introduced at the 2026 American Association of Endodontists (AAE) Annual Meeting beginning April 15, 2026.

LEAP integrates the Picasso Pro™ diode laser, proprietary LEAP disinfection solution, and specially engineered LEAP fiber tips to create a complete laser-driven canal disinfection protocol. All LEAP elements and the overall protocol have been FDA approved. Independent laboratory research demonstrates greater than 99.99% bacterial reduction against Enterococcus faecalis, one of the most persistent pathogens in endodontic infections.

Addressing a Two-Century Challenge in Endodontics

Canal disinfection is the most critical step in root canal treatment. Reliable and complete root canal disinfection has been sought by researchers and clinicians since modern endodontic therapy was first introduced more than 200 years ago. Conventional protocols rely primarily on chemical irrigation, most commonly using sodium hypochlorite. Some also combine ultrasonic or laser agitation techniques. While widely used, sodium hypochlorite presents challenges including tissue toxicity risk, procedural complexity, and extended contact times required for improved antimicrobial effectiveness.

Following more than a decade of research and development, AMD scientists have developed a method that converts diode laser energy into controlled thermal ablation within the root canal system, eliminating residual bacteria through ablation while preserving surrounding cementum and periodontal ligament structures.

The LEAP tip, beginning at 200 μm in diameter, enables clinicians to reach the apical third of the canal with minimal canal enlargement, helping preserve natural tooth structure.

Integrated Laser Disinfection Platform

The LEAP system combines four key technologies: the Picasso Pro 810 nm diode laser, dedicated LEAP treatment protocol software, proprietary LEAP irrigation and disinfection solution, and disposable LEAP endodontic fiber tips. This integrated approach enables deep canal penetration, controlled thermal disinfection, and predictable bacterial reduction under low-energy laser parameters.

Independent laboratory testing has demonstrated >99.99% reduction of E. faecalis bacteria. Early clinical evaluation has also reported strong patient comfort outcomes, including 80% of patients reporting no pain with 24 hours of treatment and 100% reporting no pain after seven days.

Faster Workflow for Endodontic Procedures

The LEAP protocol simplifies traditional endodontic procedures and may also significantly reduce treatment time. Key workflow advantages include minimal file sequence and reduced dentin removal, reduced irrigation steps, and shorter solution exposure time. The LEAP protocol also eliminates the need for sodium hypochlorite in root canal treatment.

Together, these efficiencies may reduce endodontic procedure time by up to 50% while minimizing the potential for multi-visit treatments, improving chairside productivity and- enhancing the patient experience.

Picasso Pro: A Multi-Purpose Clinical Platform

The Picasso Pro diode laser platform provides clinicians with a versatile tool for multiple dental procedures, including soft tissue surgery and management, laser assisted pain alleviation (LAPA™) for painless injection, photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy, endodontic applications including LEAP, and future laser induced reversible adhesive (LIRA™).

Key platform features of this 810 nm diode laser include its dedicated LEAP protocol mode, iPad-based interface with automatic software updates, and compact design for easy integration into dental operatories.

Clinical and Economic Advantages

LEAP was developed to deliver advanced endodontic technology at a practical price point. The MSRP for the Picasso Pro laser system will be under $10,000, and LEAP consumables carry less than a $30 per-procedure cost. Treatment time is reduced from an average of 90 minutes to 50 minutes, improving the patient experience while allowing clinicians to treat more patients per day. By combining advanced disinfection performance with accessible technology costs, LEAP allows practices to enhance patient care while improving operational efficiency.

Executive Commentary

“LEAP represents the first fully integrated diode laser protocol specifically designed for root canal disinfection and is a part of our continuous innovation in dentistry,” said Densen Cao, PhD, CEO of CAO Group, AMD’s parent company.

“By achieving greater than 99.99% bacterial reduction while eliminating sodium hypochlorite and significantly reducing procedure time, LEAP provides clinicians with a repeatable, reliable, and affordable canal disinfection technology. We believe this innovation represents a revolutionary advancement in dental root canal treatment.”

For more information about LEAP and Picasso Pro, please visit www.amdlasers.com or booth #1809 at the 2026 American Association of Endodontists Annual Meeting. AMD will provide comprehensive demos and lectures at AAE booth. Clinicians can also preview the Picasso Pro system and LEAP products at www.amdlasers.com.

About AMD Lasers

AMD Lasers, Inc. (AMD), a subsidiary of the CAO Group, Inc., is a global innovator and manufacturer in advanced dental technologies. AMD has created many innovations contributing to dentistry including LED curing light, diode lasers, PVP teeth whitening thickener and viscoelastic gelatin strips, direct x-ray photon detection sensor, laser curing light, complete canal disinfection, and many others. The Picasso diode laser product line has become one of the most widely adopted dental laser platforms worldwide. The company innovates and manufactures clinically proven products to make dentistry easier, faster, and better for practitioners and patients.

Calcium Phosphate Ion Clusters (CPIC): Biomimetic Remineralization and the Next Step in Preventive Dentistry - ProMin from PacDent

2026-04-20T06:00:00.001-05:00

A long post today. I've been working on this one for a while and I think it's finally ready. I was originally thinking of this as an article, but I decided to post it rather than go that route. Dentistry has always been about being as minimally invasive as possible, and with that in mind, take a look below. This is something I'm pretty excited about from a remineralization standpoint.

Dentistry is in the middle of a quiet revolution. For decades, the profession has been steadily moving away from a purely mechanical model of treatment and toward something more biologically driven. Adhesive dentistry changed the way we think about tooth preparation. Digital dentistry transformed diagnostics and workflow. Now biomimetic technologies are beginning to reshape how we manage early disease.

One of the most exciting developments in this space is Calcium Phosphate Ion Cluster technology—commonly referred to as CPIC. This approach takes a different path from traditional remineralization strategies. Instead of simply coating the surface of enamel or slowly releasing minerals, CPIC technology delivers calcium and phosphate in an ultra‑bioavailable form that can penetrate microscopic defects in tooth structure and rebuild mineral from within.

For clinicians who are passionate about minimally invasive dentistry, that idea should immediately grab attention.

To understand why CPIC matters, it helps to revisit the basic chemistry of teeth. Enamel is composed almost entirely of hydroxyapatite crystals arranged in highly organized rods. Despite being incredibly strong, enamel is not immune to chemical attack. Acids produced by bacteria—or introduced through diet—begin dissolving hydroxyapatite, pulling calcium and phosphate ions out of the tooth. The result is demineralization and the formation of microscopic porosities within the enamel structure.

If the oral environment shifts back toward neutrality and minerals are available, the tooth can repair itself. Saliva plays a major role in this process, providing calcium and phosphate ions that help rebuild hydroxyapatite. The challenge is that natural remineralization is often incomplete. In many patients the balance tips toward continued mineral loss, eventually leading to cavitation.

Traditional preventive strategies have focused on strengthening enamel or increasing mineral availability. Fluoride remains the gold standard because it promotes the formation of fluorapatite, a crystal that is more resistant to acid dissolution than hydroxyapatite. Fluoride has saved countless teeth over the decades, but even fluoride has limitations when it comes to rebuilding deeper subsurface lesions.

And that is where CPIC technology enters the picture.

Calcium Phosphate Ion Clusters represent a biomimetic approach to remineralization. Instead of delivering minerals as particles or compounds that dissolve slowly, CPIC technology organizes calcium and phosphate ions into extremely small, stable clusters. These clusters remain highly soluble and mobile, allowing them to diffuse into the microscopic channels created during enamel demineralization.

Once these clusters penetrate the lesion, they rapidly transform into hydroxyapatite crystals. In essence, the mineral rebuild begins inside the lesion rather than simply forming a protective coating on the surface.

From a clinical perspective, that capability is extremely important.

Early carious lesions often exist beneath an apparently intact enamel surface. These so‑called white spot lesions represent subsurface mineral loss. Traditional remineralization agents sometimes struggle to deliver sufficient mineral ions to these deeper areas. Because CPIC clusters are so small and chemically reactive, they can move through the porous enamel matrix and deposit minerals exactly where they are needed.

This creates the possibility of repairing early lesions before they ever require a handpiece.

Another area where CPIC technology shines is dentinal hypersensitivity. All of us who treat patients regularly know how common—and how frustrating—sensitivity can be. When dentinal tubules become exposed, fluid movement inside the tubules stimulates nerve endings, producing sharp pain when the patient encounters cold, sweet, or tactile stimuli.

Many desensitizing products attempt to block these tubules using various compounds or precipitates. CPIC technology takes a slightly different approach. By delivering calcium and phosphate ions directly into the tubule openings, CPIC formulations encourage hydroxyapatite formation within the tubules themselves. Over time this mineral deposition helps seal the tubules in a way that closely mimics the tooth’s natural structure.

The result is reduced sensitivity combined with strengthening of the surrounding dentin.

The synergy between calcium, phosphate, and fluoride also makes CPIC particularly attractive in preventive dentistry. When fluoride is present during the remineralization process, the newly formed mineral can incorporate fluoride ions and create fluorapatite. Because fluorapatite is more resistant to acid dissolution than standard hydroxyapatite, this combination provides a powerful defensive mechanism against future demineralization.

In other words, the technology does not simply repair the tooth—it helps make the repaired structure more resilient.

One of the most interesting clinical applications of CPIC technology today comes from PacDent in the form of ProMin F. This formulation combines Calcium Phosphate Ion Cluster technology with fluoride in a desensitizing and remineralizing paste designed for professional use.

What makes ProMin F particularly intriguing is the way it fits into modern digital dentistry workflows.

Today’s dental practices increasingly rely on intraoral scanners and 3D printing to create custom appliances. Nightguards, surgical guides, orthodontic models, and occlusal splints are routinely fabricated through digital workflows. PacDent’s ProMin F takes advantage of this same technology by allowing clinicians to deliver the remineralizing paste through custom 3D printed trays.

This approach creates a highly targeted mineral delivery system.

Using an intraoral scan, the clinician can design and fabricate a tray that precisely adapts to the patient’s dentition. The tray holds the ProMin F material directly against the enamel surfaces, ensuring intimate contact between the CPIC formulation and the tooth structure. Because the tray is custom fabricated, the material stays exactly where it is intended rather than being diluted by saliva or displaced by soft tissues.

For remineralization therapies, contact and consistency matter. The tray allows patients to wear the appliance for short daily intervals, providing repeated exposure to calcium, phosphate, and fluoride ions. Each application contributes to the gradual rebuilding of minerals within enamel defects and dentinal tubules.

From a patient management perspective, this is a really attractive solution. The treatment is non‑invasive, comfortable, and easy to integrate into daily routines.

Clinically, there are several scenarios where this approach can be especially valuable.

Orthodontic patients are one obvious example. White spot lesions around brackets remain a persistent challenge in orthodontic care. Delivering CPIC therapy through a custom tray provides a way to encourage remineralization of these lesions once appliances are removed.

Another useful application is post‑whitening sensitivity. Tooth whitening procedures can temporarily increase dentinal permeability and sensitivity. Using a CPIC‑based desensitizing paste in a custom tray allows clinicians to rapidly occlude dentinal tubules and restore mineral balance after bleaching.

High‑risk caries patients may also benefit significantly from this approach. Patients with reduced salivary flow, high bacterial loads, or dietary challenges often struggle to maintain adequate remineralization. Targeted CPIC therapy delivered through a tray provides an additional layer of mineral support that complements traditional preventive measures.

Perhaps the most compelling aspect of CPIC technology is how well it aligns with the philosophy of modern dentistry. Today’s clinicians are increasingly focused on preservation. The goal is not simply to repair damage but to prevent disease progression whenever possible. Technologies that mimic natural biological processes fit perfectly into this mindset.

Instead of removing weakened enamel and placing a restorative material, clinicians can support the tooth’s own repair mechanisms.

The integration of CPIC chemistry with digital tray fabrication is also a reminder of how rapidly dentistry is evolving. Digital workflows provide precision and customization. Biomimetic chemistry provides the biological repair mechanism. Together they create treatment strategies that would have been difficult to imagine just a decade ago.

Looking ahead, the potential applications of CPIC technology may extend well beyond topical pastes. Researchers are exploring ways to incorporate biomimetic mineralization strategies into restorative materials, coatings, and preventive treatments. As our understanding of enamel chemistry continues to grow, technologies that replicate natural mineral formation are likely to become increasingly important in everyday clinical dentistry.

For clinicians who enjoy staying on the leading edge of dental technology, CPIC represents a fascinating intersection of chemistry, biology, and digital workflow.

It is not just another preventive product. It is a glimpse into the future of how dentistry may repair and preserve tooth structure in a truly biomimetic way.

eHealth Deepens Support for Consumers  with End-of-Life Financial Planning Solutions

2026-04-16T08:00:00.002-05:00

New Final Expense Life Insurance Plans help people and their families  better plan for funeral and burial or cremation expenses

A new eHealth survey found 65% of Americans underestimate the cost of a funeral with viewing and cremation; 35% underestimate the cost of a funeral with cremation

eHealth, Inc. (Nasdaq: EHTH), a leading private online health insurance marketplace, today announced it now offers Final Expense life insurance plans, helping Americans and their families plan for funeral and burial or cremation expenses.

The new plans are part of eHealth’s strategy to better meet the coverage and wellness needs of individuals and families, offering an expanded portfolio of plans, services and support to help consumers live healthier, more financially secure lives.

“Honoring loved ones upon passing is an important part of life for many families, yet this is an often-overlooked part of end-of-life planning,” said Derrick Duke, CEO of eHealth. “The cost of a traditional funeral and burial averages over $8,000, so these new plans can help people prepare for this part of life while helping protect their loved ones from the financial burden associated with a funeral and burial or cremation.”

A new eHealth survey of more than 1,000 Americans aged 65 and older found many people are unprepared to cover the cost of funeral and burial expenses. Key findings:

65% underestimate the average cost of a funeral with viewing and cremation, while 35% underestimate the average cost of a funeral with cremation.
47% worry about burdening loved ones with the cost of a funeral and burial or cremation.
62% plan to be cremated, while 23% prefer to be buried; 15% don’t know or have no preference.

Among survey respondents living on an income of less than $50,000 per year:

56% worry about burdening their loved ones with the cost of a funeral and burial or cremation.
33% have no insurance or money set aside to help cover these end-of-life expenses.

eHealth's Final Expense plans are offered through Mutual of Omaha and available by phone, allowing licensed insurance agents to discuss coverage options as part of a broader, personalized financial protection discussion. The policies can provide tax-free funds* for various purposes, including funeral and burial or cremation expenses, outstanding medical bills, travel costs, legal fees, or other related needs.

Two types of Final Expense plans are available:

Level Benefit Plans, offered to people ages 45 to 85, with coverage amounts ranging from $2,000 to $50,000.
Graded Benefit Plans, offered to people ages 45 to 80, with coverage amounts ranging from $2,000 to $20,000.

Applicants are not required to undergo a medical exam to qualify for coverage. Instead, eligibility is determined through responses to a limited set of health questions covering a lookback period of approximately two to four years. The plans are designed to be affordable and provide beneficiaries with quick access to guaranteed funds, helping reduce financial stress during a difficult time.

The average cost of a funeral with a viewing and burial exceeds $8,000, while the average cost of a funeral with a viewing and cremation is more than $6,000.

“These new plans allow us to provide people with affordable, easy-to-qualify coverage that helps protect their loved ones from the financial burden associated with end-of-life expenses,” continued Derrick Duke. “It aligns with our commitment to expanding access to products that support financial peace of mind in retirement.”

Specific plan availability may vary by state; some plans may not be available in Arkansas, Montana, New York, and North Carolina. Coverage and premiums may vary based on qualifying factors.  

*Consult a tax professional for personal tax advice.

About eHealth 

We’re Matchmakers. For over 25 years, eHealth has helped millions of Americans find the healthcare coverage that fits their needs at a price they can afford. As a leading independent licensed insurance agency and advisor, eHealth offers access to over 180 health insurers, including national and regional companies.

For more information, visit ehealth.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and X. Open positions can be found on our career page. 

American Dental Association and American Board of Dental Examiners Advance Dental Licensure Examinations Through New Agreement

2026-04-15T06:00:00.001-05:00

ADEX to incorporate the Dental Licensure Objective Structured Clinical Examination (DLOSCE) into the ADEX Dental Examination no later than Aug. 1, 2026

The American Dental Association (ADA) and the American Board of Dental Examiners (ADEX) have finalized an agreement to license the ADA's Dental Licensure Objective Structured Clinical Examination (DLOSCE) for incorporation into the ADEX Dental Examination, marking a significant step forward in modernizing dental licensure and advancing patient safety.

The agreement benefits public health, dental licensure candidates, the dental profession, and licensing boards to help ensure dentists enter the profession with proven competence and uphold the highest standards for patient safety.

The integration of the ADA's DLOSCE simplifies licensure pathways and supports licensure portability, benefiting candidates seeking to practice in 48 states and other jurisdictions — including Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, Jamaica, and the U.S. Virgin Islands — that currently accept or require the ADEX Dental Examination.

"This agreement represents an important milestone for the dental profession," said Dr. Richard Rosato, D.M.D., president of the ADA. "By aligning pathways to licensure and advancing candidate assessment, we are strengthening licensure portability, supporting a more mobile and responsive workforce, and ensuring that patient safety remains paramount. The ADA has long championed solutions that modernize licensure while protecting the public, and this collaboration reflects our commitment to shaping a strong, sustainable future for dentistry in service to public health."

The ADEX Dental Examination with its DLOSCE component represents a modernized, evidence-based approach to evaluating clinical competence and readiness for practice. The ADEX Dental Examination will continue to assess candidates' clinical hand skills alongside their treatment-planning and decision-making abilities. Through inclusion of the DLOSCE, the ADEX Dental Examination will benefit from the DLOSCE's extensive use of images and 3D models that allow candidates to demonstrate their clinical judgment in scenarios that closely mirror real-world practice.

"ADEX has long served state dental boards to support licensure processes that reflect both public protection and clinical competence," said Dr. Mark Armstrong, Chair of ADEX. "This agreement continues that work by strengthening alignment across assessment components while preserving the clinical hand-skills evaluation that remains central to licensure in most U.S. jurisdictions."

The agreement follows extensive collaboration among the ADA, ADEX, the Joint Commission on National Dental Examinations (JCNDE), and the ADA Council on Dental Education and Licensure (CDEL) that began in 2025. In March 2026, the ADA Board of Trustees and ADEX Board of Directors voted to approve the general terms that led to this joint agreement.

Central to discussions was a shared commitment to ensuring that dental licensure assessments continue to evolve in step with advancements in clinical education, technology, and patient care. Both organizations emphasized the importance of strengthening public protection while also enhancing the portability of dental licensure for candidates navigating an increasingly mobile profession.

ADEX will sunset its DSE OSCE no later than Aug. 1, 2026. Upon sunset of the DSE OSCE, all ADEX Dental Examination administrations will include the DLOSCE.

The DLOSCE will no longer be offered or administered as a standalone examination to new DLOSCE candidates, except in conjunction with the ADEX Dental Examination, after Aug. 1, 2026. All standalone administrations of the DLOSCE will cease after Oct. 9, 2026.

About the American Dental Association

The not-for-profit ADA is the nation's largest dental association, representing more than 152,000 dentist members. The premier source of oral health information, the ADA has advocated for the public's health and promoted the art and science of dentistry since 1859. The ADA's state-of-the-art research facilities develop and test dental products and materials that have advanced the practice of dentistry and made the patient experience more positive. The ADA Seal of Acceptance has long been a valuable and respected guide to consumer dental care products. The Journal of the American Dental Association (JADA), published monthly, is the ADA's flagship publication and the best-read scientific journal in dentistry. For more information about the ADA, visit ADA.org. For more information on oral health, including prevention, care and treatment of dental disease, visit the ADA's consumer website MouthHealthy.org.

About the American Board of Dental Examiners

The American Board of Dental Examiners (ADEX) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to supporting dental boards in their mission to protect the public through the licensure of qualified oral health professionals. Established in 1969, ADEX administers independent competency examinations developed and approved by representatives of state dental boards. ADEX examinations are accepted or required by law in 51 U.S. jurisdictions and serve as the initial licensure pathway for 98% of dental and 85% of dental hygiene candidates nationwide. Through ongoing collaboration with dental boards and educators, ADEX continues to advance innovative, evidence-based assessment methods that uphold the highest standards of fairness, clinical competence, and public protection. Learn more at adextesting.org.

SuperMouth Launches One of the First Electric Toothbrush Systems Designed Exclusively for Orthodontic Care

2026-04-02T06:00:00.007-05:00

If you happen to know someone who's going through orthodontic treatment that uses traditional wires, here's something to definitely think about. SuperMouth has just released a new powered tooth brush made specifically for orthodontics.

Orthodontic brackets and wires are difficult to clean around, even if the patient is diligent about it. I love the idea of a brush specifically designed to help with that problem. In my career I've seen many patients that needed fillings done because cavities formed around the edges of the brackets. They normally are small areas, but I've never enjoyed putting fillings on teeth right after a patient finishes ortho treatment. I'm all for anything that can help prevent that.

I've tried the SuperMouth Ultim8 brush, which I got my hands on last year. I really liked it. The company is shipping me this new model to try. I think you can assume I'll be happy with it, however if I have any concerns, I'll let the company know and post something here, so that all of you know too.

Here's all the info on the new Ultim8 Ortho Edition...

Orthodontist-Engineered Electric Toothbrush Features Up to 60x Better Cleaning Around Braces; Patented Bristles, and UV Sanitization to Revolutionize Oral Hygiene

SuperMouth, the dentist-founded brand known for its advanced oral care solutions for all ages, is proud to unveil its latest innovation: the Ultim8 SmartBrush System Ortho-Edition. As one of the first orthodontist-engineered electric toothbrushes designed to support users through every stage of orthodontic treatment, it delivers superior cleaning, advanced hygiene, and unmatched comfort.

Equipped with patented SuperBristles® Ortho, the Ultim8 Ortho SmartBrush cleans up to 60 times more effectively around braces than a manual brush. Developed after scanning thousands of teeth with braces, these specialized bristles adapt to the natural contours by wrapping around braces or other orthodontic appliances, like aligner attachments, for a meticulous clean, while the super-soft PBT filaments provide three times more bristles than standard brushes. To ensure peak hygiene, the system’s Ultim8 SmartHub™ features a built-in UV sanitizer that effectively eliminates 99.9% of germs in just five minutes and dries the bristles between uses.

The system was developed through decades of clinical experience by Dr. Kami Hoss, founder of SuperMouth and orthodontist of over 30 years. Dr. Hoss identified three common issues with traditional toothbrushes––that they are ineffective, unsafe, and unhygienic––and set out to revolutionize at-home oral care through accessible, high-performance technology.

“We’re thrilled to introduce the Ultim8 SmartBrush System Ortho-Edition, a comprehensive electric toothbrush specially engineered for braces,” said Dr. Kami Hoss, founder of SuperMouth. “Following years of patient care, we identified the unique hygiene challenges of orthodontic patients and where ordinary brushes fall short. This system was created to fill those gaps. With bristles that clean up to 60 times more effectively and features that ensure a deeper clean, our goal is to support patients through every stage of their smile journey.”

The latest addition to SuperMouth’s collection of electric toothbrushes, the Ultim8 SmartBrush System Ortho-Edition includes standout features such as:

Four Sonic Modes: Select from four modes designed to effectively clean: Ortho, Super, Sensitive, and Smart. The new Ortho mode is specifically designed for patients in braces or aligners, and the new Smart mode intelligently adapts to real-time brushing pressure for optimized, effortless results.
Pressure Sensor Protection: Prevents over-brushing by providing real-time visual feedback through lights that indicate if pressure is too heavy, too little, or just right.
Replaceable Brush Heads: Developed by leading orthodontists, the system includes three replaceable ortho-specific brush heads.
Ultim8 SmartHub™: This all-in-one station stores, charges, sanitizes, and dries the brush between uses. It features a five-minute UV sanitizer, a built-in dryer, and a dual function cap that serves as both a protective cover and a practical rinse cup.
Travel SmartCase™: A new standard for portable care, the SmartCase features a powerful UV sanitizer to eliminate germs and bacteria on the go, a long-lasting rechargeable battery, and custom spaces for travel-sized toothpaste and floss.
Versatile Charging: Offers multiple power options, including SmartMag wireless charging, an adaptive charger in the base, and the Travel SmartCase.
Waterproof Design: Fully waterproof to allow for convenient brushing in the shower.
SmartTimer™: Automates shut-off after two minutes and provides 30-second quadrant reminders to ensure even, dentist-recommended brushing time.

Currently available for purchase at SuperMouth.com, with Amazon availability coming soon, the Ultim8 SmartBrush System Ortho-Edition comes in two customizable versions: $199.99 for the SmartBrush, SmartHub, and Travel SmartCase, and $169.99 for the SmartBrush and SmartHub. Each system is also available in three beautiful colors: Sapphire Blue, Pearly White, and Rose Gold.

For more information about SuperMouth and the Ultim8 SmartBrush System Ortho-Edition, please visit www.SuperMouth.com.

About SuperMouth®

Bringing Artificial Intelligence to Help with Oral Cancer Detection

2026-04-01T06:00:00.001-05:00

Sometimes less is more and in this case, it applies to this post...

Today is a short post because most of the info will come from the link at the bottom. Researchers at Harvard are working on ways to bring AI into the realm of detecting oral cancer.

Oral cancer is a horrible disease. It is often fatal, mainly because it isn't detected in the early stages. Cancers detected in Stage 1 or Stage 2 often have much better outcomes. However, oral cancer is often not detected until Stage 3 or Stage 4 which makes them much more difficult treat and extremely difficult to recover from. Globally it is responsible for around 325,000 deaths per year.

Dentistry has been trying for decades to create a way to make them easier to detect. That's why I was excited to read about a study from Harvard that deals with using the emerging tech of AI to make detection easier and faster.

Follow this link for more info.

DMG Introduces New Clinical Protocols for Icon Resin Infiltration

2026-03-31T06:00:00.002-05:00

Minimally invasive dentistry is a hot topic. Doctors know that nothing works better in the environment of the oral cavity than the original structures that nature put there. Discovering and implementing ways to remove as little natural tooth structure as possible saves more tooth structure for later. I wish I could remember who told me this (unfortunately I can't) but years ago someone called this concept "tooth bank dentistry" which implied it is "banking' more natural enamel and dentin for the future". I love that analogy and use it frequently when talking about minimally invasive procedures to both doctors and patients.

One of the ways to perform minimally invasive procedures is with a concept called "resin infiltration". This is a process where a tooth is etched and then thin, flowable resin is applied to the area. This thin resin penetrates the microscopic porosities in the lesion and is then photo-polymerized with a curing light. The resin reinforces the area while also sealing it from breakdown.

One of the best products for resin infiltration is Icon from DMG. It's especially helpful in conservatively treating 'white spot lesions' on anterior teeth. I've worked with the material and have been really impressed with the results. I've also worked with the team at DMG on several projects over the last few years and I can tell you from personal interactions, they are a great group of people. I love it when good products come from great people. It always makes my work a little easier.

I have to offer kudos to the folks at DMG for the hard work they've done on Icon. The kudos are especially appropriate today as DMG has announced a new "decision tree" that doctors can download and use to make Icon usage easier.

There are a few quotes below from Dr. David Rice, who is a terrific guy. If you'd like to learn more from Dr. Rice, here is a link to an interview I did with him for The Technology Evangelist Podcast.

All the info & details from DMG are below...

Protocols improve diagnosis, treatment planning, and esthetic outcomes

Dental professionals across North America now have access to updated clinical protocols for micro-invasive Icon® resin infiltration. These new protocols from DMG incorporate enhanced diagnostic techniques, optimized infiltration timing, and structured treatment guidance designed to improve predictability and outcomes for patients with early enamel lesions and opacities.

The updated approach is the result of DMG’s commitment to clinical research and integrates transillumination-based diagnosis, extended infiltration times, and new pre-treatment strategies, alongside a newly-developed clinical decision tree that helps guide dental professionals through case selection and treatment pathways. Resin infiltration represents a cornerstone of modern minimally invasive dentistry, enabling clinicians to intervene early and preserve healthy tooth structure while addressing patients’ esthetic concerns.

With the addition of improved diagnostics, refined protocols, and structured clinical guidance, the updated Icon approach aims to help dental professionals achieve more predictable, conservative, and esthetic treatment outcomes.

Enhanced Diagnostic Protocol: Transillumination

One of the most significant updates to the clinical workflow is the incorporation of transillumination as a diagnostic and monitoring tool that improves case selection and reduces the risk of misdiagnosis or unnecessary invasive treatment. It is also helpful during treatment to assess lesion dehydration and infiltration progress.

This diagnostic enhancement allows practitioners to better differentiate:

White spot enamel lesions and opacities
Early carious lesions
Developmental defects such as fluorosis

Optimized Infiltration Protocols

The updated protocol also emphasizes longer infiltration times, allowing deeper penetration of the low-viscosity resin into porous enamel. “Over the years, I’ve found that success with Icon resin infiltration isn’t just about the material—it’s about refining the protocol,” said Dr. David Rice, a recognized dental industry key opinion leader and founder of igniteDDS. “By incorporating transillumination for better diagnosis and allowing more time for resin penetration, we’re seeing more predictable outcomes and significantly improved esthetic results. It’s a meaningful step forward in how we manage white spot lesions without drilling.” Longer infiltration periods can improve diffusion of the resin into hypomineralized enamel structures, increasing the masking effect and enhancing lesion stabilization.

Expanded Pre-Treatment Strategies

The new protocols also incorporate pre-treatment methods designed to produce predictable, esthetic outcomes, including:

Microabrasion to remove resistant enamel layers and improve access to the lesion body
Pre-whitening or bleaching protocols in certain cases to reduce contrast between affected and healthy enamel prior to infiltration

Introducing the Icon Clinical Decision Tree

To support clinicians in implementing these updated protocols, a new Icon Clinical Decision Tree has been introduced.

The decision tree provides a structured pathway to help dental professionals:

Evaluate lesion etiology and severity
Determine whether infiltration is appropriate
Identify when additional pre-treatment steps may be necessary
Select the correct treatment protocol based on lesion characteristics

The tool simplifies clinical decision-making and promotes predictable treatment planning for white spot lesions, fluorosis, and early caries lesions.

Clinicians can access the decision tree here:

https://drilling-no-thanks.info/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/DMGA_Icon_Decision-Tree_2026.pdf

About Icon Resin Infiltration

Icon is a micro-invasive treatment designed to halt early enamel caries and improve the appearance of white spot lesions without drilling. By infiltrating a low-viscosity resin into the lesion body, the technique arrests lesion progression and restores the natural optical properties of enamel.

About DMG

DMG manufactures and distributes a full range of market-leading dental materials and equipment that are internationally recognized for their quality and innovation. Known for its breakthrough dental technology – including flagship products like Luxatemp® and LuxaCore® Z Dual, the revolutionary Icon® caries infiltrant, LuxaCrown® long-term crown and bridge material, and new additions such as Ecosite restorative composites, and DentaMile® 3D printing solution, complete with software, hardware and resins – DMG is committed to helping provide holistic solutions and streamlined workflows for dental and lab professionals to meet their needs through innovation, collaboration, and dedication.

For more information about DMG products, or to find a sales representative, please visit online at www.dmg-america.com, or call 800-662-6383.

Together, we’re looking ahead: A smile ahead together

A Totally Digital Workflow and the DWX-43W Helps

2026-03-30T06:00:00.001-05:00

The world has changed dramatically due to the influx of technology. Dentistry has seen a huge swing toward digital in the last 10 years. One of my personal pet peeves was the introduction of the concept "digital workflows" into marketing. What bothered me is that it seemed to imply there was a true digital workflow and not the *concept* of digital workflows.

Digital radiography made tremendous changes in how offices functioned. That *is* a digital workflow, but it didn't mean everything around it was digital as well. I felt the term brought a dust cloud of misunderstanding to doctors trying to evaluate things to incorporate into their practices.

However, now I'm much happier because I can tell you with confidence that digital workflows truly exist. It's now routinely possible to really have 1s and 0s be the only thing between you and delivery of care. The DWX-43W mill form DGSHAPE is a good example of this. This is the second DGSHAPE mill that's been in my practice. We started out with the DWX-42W in 2022 and upgraded to the new model about 14 months ago.

The unit is open architecture which is a huge benefit. When I began milling in 2022 we had been taking digital intraoral scans with our iTero scanners for about fifteen years. We were familiar with our scanners, knew how to use them, and were getting tremendous results with them. Because of the open architecture we could immediately use the scanner data to feed the mill. Our results were impressive.

The process is now scan digital, design digital, and mill digital. The only physical part of the process is the patient and the finished crown. That is a truly digital workflow!

The amazing thing to me is that this is only getting better. I think in the next 5-10 years dentistry is going to see a tremendous amount of what we do migrate into the in-office sphere. The results are precise and predictable and the delivery time will be cut dramatically. There is always going to be a need for dental labs. There are somethings that will require human brains to create them. However labs are currently more digital than most dental offices. That means that even if you don't ever want to do things in-house, you'll still get better results and help your lab by doing as much digitally as you can. This is the future that I've been dreaming of for over two decades and it's finally starting to arrive.

Research Report from Dandy Examines the Impact of Remakes on Restorative Dentistry

2026-03-26T06:00:00.001-05:00

Dandy is really going on all in on making digital dentistry easier and as massively predictable as it can be. I am continually impressed with their efforts to move dentistry forward. One of the questions I get frequently from other doctors is "won't this digital dentistry stuff cause the end of the lab industry?" My answer is always a resounding NO. The reason I feel that way deals a lot with labs like Dandy. This lab is doing pretty amazing things and making themselves a necessary partner for dentists. Here's some interesting news from them.

Survey Reveals 58% of Dentists Have Lost a Patient Due to Poor-Fitting Prosthetics

Every dentist knows the frustration of receiving a poor-fitting crown or implant from the lab. But a new research report from Dandy, the fully digital dental lab, has now revealed that poor fit has a direct impact on patient retention, especially for fast-growing practices.

Dandy’s report investigates the extent of prosthetic fit issues for dentists across the U.S. and their impact on dentist practice performance. According to the survey of 137 dentists:

94% have had to order a remake
One in four (23%) have had to re-make a prosthetic three or more times
The problem is even more pronounced for dentists whose practices are growing quickly, with 22% of them sending more than half (50-75%) of their prosthetics back to the lab

The survey found that sub-par prosthetics are directly impacting dentists’ productivity.

Over half (51%) report spending more than an hour a week dealing with remakes.
More than three-quarters (79%) report having spent more than 30 minutes chairside addressing an issue caused by an ill-fitting prosthetic for a single patient and 28% have spent more than one hour.

But it’s not just the dentists’ time that’s lost. Lab work issues have a direct impact on patient experience. A majority of dentists (58%) say they have, or suspect they have, lost a patient to another provider due to a restoration that didn’t fit properly. Dentists whose practices have grown significantly over the past year are even more likely to feel the impact: 74% of them have, or suspect they have, lost a patient for this reason.

Broader Financial Pressure for Dentists

More broadly, Dandy found that 97% of dentists faced growing costs over the past 12 months, predominantly related to dental supplies (reported by 80% of dentists), followed by personnel (64%) and administrative expenses (56%). Many have seen this reflected in their take-home pay: while 67% said their practice has grown over the past year, a much smaller percentage (52%) said their personal income has grown, indicating that costs are increasing faster than revenue and dentists are paying the price personally.

Solving the Remake Problem

Dentists attributed remakes to a variety of factors: chiefly in the clinic-to-lab workflow. The most common cause was inaccurate impressions or scans (34%), followed by lab fabrication issues (31%). Just 12% of dentists cited patient-related issues such as anatomical challenges.

Respondents were optimistic that technology could help. Nearly half (42%) said they’d reduced their remake rate by using intraoral scanners, while 53% said they expected AI to improve the fit of lab-produced prosthetics.

“Amid rising costs, efficiency is crucial for dentists today; but that shouldn’t mean compromising on quality,” said Cong Yu, Head of Engineering at Dandy. “Technology is improving every step of the restoration process, from scan to lab to installation, making it economically possible to deliver high-quality restorations the first time around, every time. For example, our AI Scan Review analyzes scans in real-time, flagging crown preparation issues while the patient is still in the chair, and AI-powered quality control in the lab ensures each device is perfected to a high level of accuracy. By eliminating remakes, we’re helping dentists to deliver a better patient experience and save time so they can grow more profitably.”

Read the Report

The full report: “Solving the Squeeze: Eliminating the Toll of Dental Prosthetic Remakes”.

Survey methodology

Dandy conducted an online survey of 137 dentists across the U.S. in Q3 2025.

About Dandy

Dandy is building the modern operating system for dentistry, powering the world’s most advanced dental labs. Dandy partners with dental practices to transform their business with state-of-the-art intraoral scanners, always-on expert guidance, and precision manufacturing accelerated by AI, 3D printing, and other state-of-the-art technologies seamlessly orchestrated by Dandy's proprietary software. Dandy empowers dentists with technology, innovation, and world-class support to achieve more for their practice, their people, and their patients. With unparalleled quality, efficiency, and experience, Dandy makes the business of dentistry pain-free. To learn more, visit meetdandy.com or our LinkedIn page, www.linkedin.com/company/dandyofficial/.

Warming Composite: Trend, Trick, or True Clinical Advantage?

2026-03-25T06:00:00.001-05:00

Every so often, something starts popping up in conversations, lectures, and online groups that makes you stop and think, “Am I missing something here?” Lately, that something is warming composite. You’ve probably heard it: “It flows better.” “It adapts like a flowable but keeps its strength.” “Once you try it, you’ll never go back."

That’s a pretty strong set of claims for something as simple as… heating up your composite. So let’s take a step back and look at what’s really going on. Quick disclaimer: I've been using warmed composite for over two decades and I'm a believer.

What Happens When You Warm Composite?

At its core, composite is a highly filled resin system. That filler content is what gives us strength, wear resistance, and esthetics—but it also makes composite more viscous and, at times, harder to manipulate. When you warm composite (typically into the 120–155°F / 50–68°C range), a few things happen:

1. Viscosity Drops

This is the big one. Warmer composite flows more easily. It adapts better to: Internal line angles, Margins, Irregularities in prep design. In practical terms, that means less “fighting the material” and more controlled placement.

2. Improved Adaptation

Better flow = better adaptation. That can translate into: Fewer voids, Better marginal integrity, Potentially reduced microleakage. Now, is this a magic bullet for poor technique? No. But does it make good technique easier to execute? Absolutely.

3. Increased Degree of Conversion (Potentially)

There’s a body of evidence suggesting that preheating composite can: Increase monomer mobility and improve polymer chain formation. The result? A potentially higher degree of conversion.

That could mean:

Better physical properties
Improved wear resistance
More stable restorations over time
The Real-World Benefits

Let’s bring this out of the lab and into the operatory.

✔️ Easier Handling

If you’ve ever tried to sculpt a high-fill composite in a tight box prep, you know the struggle. Warming composite makes it: Smoother and more responsive. This makes the material less “sticky” in an annoying way and that's a good thing.

✔️ Better Margins (When Done Right)

That improved adaptation can help you get: Cleaner margins, fewer gaps, and less need to “chase” the material with an instrument.

✔️ Fewer Layers (In Some Cases)

Some clinicians find that warmed composite behaves closer to a flowable—without sacrificing strength. That opens the door to: simplified layering, faster placement, and best of all more efficient procedures. But this is where I think the conversation needs some balance.

Because while warming composite has real advantages, it’s not without limitations—and it’s definitely not a cure-all. Here are a few things to consider: ⚠️ Working time decreases because warm composite doesn’t stay warm forever. Once it’s out of the heater it starts cooling immediately and that means viscosity begins to increase again. So you’ve got a shorter window to work with that ideal consistency.

This is one of the reasons I like the Compex HD from AdDent and the Phasor from Vista-Apex Solutions. These devices are both "warming guns" that actually let you dispense warm composite directly into the prep. The material stays warmer longer and allows you more of the placement benefits.

However, ⚠️ Polymerization Shrinkage Still Exists

So let’s not forget: Warming composite may improve flow and conversion—but it doesn’t eliminate shrinkage. It's still important to know the shrinkage factor of your material and place it accordingly. That means you still need proper layering techniques, thoughtful curing protocols, and good bonding fundamentals. When it comes to adhesive dentistry, there are no shortcuts there.

⚠️ Equipment and Workflow Matter! To do this consistently, you’ll need:

A composite warmer - this can be a base like Calset or the guns mentioned above
A system for cycling compules efficiently
And more importantly—you need a workflow that supports it.

Otherwise, it becomes one more “cool idea” that slows you down instead of helping you.

The Bigger Question: Is It Worth It? Here’s my take. Warming composite isn’t a gimmick. There’s real science behind the concepts of: Improved flow, better adaptation, potentially enhanced material properties. But the impact is incremental, not revolutionary. This isn’t going to suddenly make average dentistry exceptional. What it will do is: Make good clinicians more efficient, make excellent clinicians more precise, and sometimes, that’s exactly the kind of edge we’re looking for.

The Future of Whitening? A Powder That Just Might Brighten and Repair Teeth

2026-03-23T06:00:00.001-05:00

Every few years, something comes along in dentistry that makes you stop and say, “Okay… this could be a big deal.” This might be one of those moments. The effects won't be seen for years, but it's still intriguing to look at something and think "maybe one day".

Researchers have developed a new type of tooth-whitening powder that doesn’t just whiten teeth—it may actually help repair enamel at the same time. That’s a pretty bold claim in a space where, historically, whitening and enamel preservation haven’t exactly gone hand in hand.

For bit of history, because I love backstories, let me tell you how tooth whitening was discovered. In the 1960s, two doctors (who did not know each other) both faced the same problem. One of the doctors was a periodontist and the other was an orthodontist. Both faced finding a better way to help decrease gingival inflammation. They started to use nightguard trays with filled with hydrogen peroxide to help eliminate the microbes that were causing the problem. Over time what they both discovered, independently of one another, was that their patients had significantly less bleeding... but they also had significantly whiter teeth.

That's why if you review the early literature on the subject you'll see this process referred to as NGVB, which refers to "night guard vital bleaching".

Now let’s break down this new concept, because there’s some really fascinating benefits—and I feel some potential—behind it. Whitening is just the tip of this iceberg...

The Problem with Traditional Whitening

We all know the (ahem) drill...

Most whitening systems—whether in-office or take-home—rely on peroxide chemistry. Hydrogen peroxide or carbamide peroxide breaks down into reactive oxygen species (ROS), which attack and fragment the pigmented molecules that cause stains.

It works. No question. And it works incredibly well. So well in fact that tooth whitening is now a multibillion dollar segment of the market. The sales are not just from dental offices, but from consumer products available over the counter.

But there’s always been some potential tradeoffs. Those same ROS that remove stains can also:

Potentially increase surface roughness
Potentially contribute to sensitivity
Potentially make teeth more prone to future staining

In other words, we’ve been accepting a bit of potential collateral problems in exchange for a brighter smile. And for years, the industry has been trying to minimize that downside. Studies since the late 1980s and early 1990s have proven that the chemistry used is safe and effective. Adding things like ACP, fluoride, and KNO3 have helped deal with those potential problems. However, science always looks for better alternatives.

Enter: Vibration-Activated Whitening

Now here’s where things get interesting. Instead of relying on constant chemical activity, this new concept uses a vibration-activated powder—meaning it only “turns on” when you brush with a powered toothbrush.

The material itself is a ceramic compound made from calcium, strontium, and barium titanate.

When exposed to those vibrations, it produces a small electrical field through the piezoelectric effect. That electrical activity triggers the formation of reactive oxygen species—but only during the time brushing occurs and the material is activated. So instead of bathing the tooth in continuous chemical activity, you get targeted, on-demand whitening reactions. That’s a big conceptual shift.

Here’s what makes this especially intriguing to me. In lab studies, teeth stained with coffee and tea showed:

Visible whitening after about 4 hours of brushing
Up to 50% more whitening after 12 hours compared to controls

These *very* preliminary studies show efficacy. However this system also requires time. I haven't seen the definition of "visible" that they used to determine whitening. I'm guessing that there was some scientific value measurement, but I'm not sure.

Also, if you do that math on 4 hours of brushing, that is 240 minutes. If you break that down into 2 sessions of 2 minutes each, that is 60 days to achieve the effect. Are people willing to wait that long? Especially if, at the end of that time you have "visible" whitening? The 50% improvement is pretty impressive, but once again, 50% compared to what? And then factor in that 50% occurred after 12 hours of brushing. That is 180 days to get the effect. That's a pretty long time in a world where you can get delivery of almost anything overnight.

Current tray based chemistries provide significant change in as little as 2 weeks. In office solutions can provide a similar effect in 2-3 hours. So the time doesn't seem overly appealing, however, there's something else to factor in here. What is different is what happened in the next finding.

Simultaneous Enamel Repair

While the powder is generating whitening activity, it’s also releasing calcium and strontium ions. And those ions don’t just sit there.

They actively:

Deposit into enamel and dentin
Promote remineralization
Help rebuild damaged tooth structure

So instead of potentially weakening the tooth or causing sensitivity during whitening, this system may potentially be reinforcing it. Let me say that again, because it’s worth emphasizing: This is a whitening system that may improve tooth structure while it whitens. I feel this may actually be the real benefit. If the chemistry can cause remineralization, that's terrific. The whitening is an added benefit.

Bonus: Microbiome Effects

And it doesn’t stop there. In animal studies, this same material:

Reduced harmful bacteria like Porphyromonas gingivalis
Lowered inflammation
Helped rebalance the oral microbiome

So now we’re not just talking about whitening and remineralization—we’re potentially looking at a system that supports overall oral health. I like to say "everything works in the lab", which is an overstatement but we all know it doesn't matter what results are achieved in an controlled environment. No, the real answers are what happens in the mouth in real life. However, this system has the potential to provide:

Whitening
Repair
Microbial balance

Why This Matters Clinically

Even if whitening is considered a "side effect" of its use, if this works in real world applications we have a great potential for mineral repair and microbiome balance. Remineralization therapy is gaining interest in the profession. Obviously, nothing is better for tooth structure than nature's own structures. Reinforcing those structures or repairing them through remineralization would be a first choice for many situations. This would be especially beneficial if it were used before any breakdown occurs. It's always harder to stop caries after it starts, but being able to have the tooth undergo repair twice a day every day, could potentially keep things from starting in the first place.

Imagine a daily-use product that has the potential to:

Removes stains
Strengthens enamel
Supports microbiome health

But Let’s Pump the Brakes (Just a Bit)

Now, before we all start asking when will this be available… This is still early-early-stage research. Most of the data so far comes from: laboratory testing on extracted teeth and animal studies (rats).

We are nowhere near the point of:

Long-term human clinical trials
Real-world compliance data
Information on formulation in commercial products

So while the concept is incredibly promising, it’s not ready for chairside adoption and it may be a long, long time before that ever happens. IF it happens.

My Take

This is one of those innovations that checks a lot of boxes for me as a tech loving dental practitioner:

It uses smart physics (piezoelectricity)
It improves on an existing products (potentially)
It adds real biological benefit (remineralization + microbiome support)

And maybe most importantly—it aligns with where dentistry is heading which is less damage, more biology and potentially better outcomes. If this technology holds up in clinical trials, it could represent a genuine evolution in how we think about toothpastes—not just brighter teeth, but healthier ones. Even if we continue our use of hydrogen peroxide and carbamide peroxide for whitening, this system would be worth use just for the remin and microbiome effects. Of course, that all hinges on IF it is safe and effective.

From what I've read on this, the excitement seems to be about the whitening. I don't see it that way. I suppose that for people who aren't as involved in dentistry as I am, whitening grabs the attention. For me it's more about the remineralization and microbiome effects. I can see whitening the teeth the traditional way and then using a substance like this to keep the teeth beautiful while also getting the other benefits. Whitening toothpastes are a huge part of the consumer market, but whitening that provides these other benefits is what really piques my interest.