Dental Info

A Better Alternative to Bone Grafting Traditionally, when a patient with bone loss is seeking  dental implants , the first factor in question is: “How much jawbone do you have?” Implants embedded in weak or eroded bone have a high rate of failure. Tooth roots reinforce the structure of the jawbone and, when they are missing, the structure of the bone is compromised, usually leading to decay. This bone loss is quite common among wearers of dentures who have gone many years without any kind of fixture to reinforce their bone. A solution for this problem has existed for a long time: in the form of  bone grafting . The technique of bone grafting allows for jawbone quality to be manually rebuilt until it is sufficiently thick and dense enough for implants to placed. The Inconveniences of Bone Grafting Cost/Time Increase : Bone grafting requires one or more surgeries and a healing period of a few months after each procedure. This process must be completed before the implants ca...

“Posts for My Patients” is a free resource that offers dental practices instant content for their social platforms The Dental Trade Alliance, in partnership with Lanmark360, a full-service healthcare agency, have created an engaging social media campaign designed to help patients return to their dental practices. Designed for dental practices to display on a variety of social media platforms, the Posts For My Patients campaign was developed based on the findings of a recent nationwide patient survey. Many dental patients indicated a willingness—and desire—to return for routine care. “We found over half of the respondents had fallen behind on their dental care due to canceled appointments,” says Howard Klein, Lanmark360 President. “Over 50% of respondents say they intend to return to their dentist for a routine cleaning within the next three months.” The social media campaign, which includes short videos and suggested posts, reminds patients that it’s time to come back: “If you’re ...

Medit announces the nomination of its new Chief Executive Officer, GB (Gyu Bum) Ko, amidst the company’s 20 th year as a global provider of 3D scanning solutions. Ko joins Medit to accelerate its growth strategy as a leader in the dental clinics and labs market. Founder Minho Chang focuses on his role as a board member following the appointment. “I am truly excited to join Medit on its path of rapid growth and to shift the paradigm of dentistry. I had a chance to witness the company’s immense potential, its strive for excellence, and the passion of the entire team towards our mission. Medit’s products are enhancing the experience of dental professionals and patients worldwide, and this is what makes working for the company incredibly rewarding. I look forward to supporting Medit’s success journey,” says Ko about his new role as CEO. Ko is a seasoned professional with over two decades of management experience in multinational medtech companies, including Procter & Gamble, Jo...

Industry-Specific, Cloud-Based Software Now Available Nationwide INDIANAPOLIS, IN, June 22, 2020 – Method Procurement has designed one of the industry’s first cloud-based spend management platforms created specifically for dentists. Based in Indianapolis, Method streamlines all phases of the purchasing process so that dental practices can improve operations, reduce overhead expenses and see radically improved financial returns. In a sea of enterprise procurement software solutions, what makes Method unique is that it was built to solve the unique challenges of the dental industry. It includes all the best practices of enterprise procurement solutions but has streamlined them into a dental-specific platform that meets the needs of both the solo practitioner and the multi-practice DSO. “Method is the only procurement solution out there to truly blend dentistry with a deep understanding of procurement best practices,” said Dan Traub, VP of Product at Method Procurement. “Our team has...

Great news being reported by Bloomberg: “Dentists got back to work last month after the coronavirus forced many of them to close temporarily, accounting for the lion’s share of job gains in the U.S. health industry. Dental offices added 245,000 jobs in May as hygienists and other workers returned to cleaning teeth, filling cavities and booking appointments, one of several bright spots in Friday’s  surprising labor report . Economists had been expecting severe job losses across the board, but with various states beginning to ease pandemic social-distancing guidelines, what surfaced instead was a sharp rebound in hiring.” View full article from The Dental Geek® https://www.thedentalgeek.com/2020/06/dentists-got-back-to-work-in-may-leading-health-jobs-gains/

Lanmark360 is surveying practicing US-based dentists to learn more about the impact of COVID-19 on your practice and to gain insights that would be beneficial to all dentists as we emerge from the pandemic. Your input would be well-appreciated, and vital to the community. The survey will take less than 10 minutes and for completion you will receive a $10 Amazon gift card code via email. If you are a dentist, please consider participating and do so soon as the survey will not be open much longer. Click to participate: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ZF5BQDQ   from The Dental Geek® https://www.thedentalgeek.com/2020/04/coronavirus-impact-survey-for-dentists-your-help-is-needed/

Since the onset of coronavirus, the dental industry has been hit hard and dental professionals are wondering how fast the recovery will be and what form it will take. Patients are the key to getting back to business as usual, and this free social media campaign can help! The “ Posts For My Patients ” campaign features five 20-second animated videos that convey timely oral health and overall health and wellness suggestions for patients who cannot see their dentist due to the quarantine. Dentists who visit the “ Posts for My Patients ” website can readily post any or all these free videos to their own social media sites with just a few quick clicks. Each video covers a different topic, including brushing, flossing, social distancing, checking in and eating well, and each is designed to remind patients that their dentist is always there for them and thinking of them, even during the quarantine. To see all five videos and how to share them on your social media platforms, click here...

A Better Alternative to Bone Grafting Traditionally, when a patient with bone loss is seeking dental implants, the first factor in question is: “How much jawbone do you have?” Implants embedded in weak or eroded bone have a high rate of failure. Tooth roots reinforce the structure of the jawbone and, when they are missing, the structure of the bone is compromised, usually leading to decay. This bone loss is quite common among wearers of dentures who have gone many years without any kind of fixture to reinforce their bone. A solution for this problem has existed for a long time: in the form of bone grafting . The technique of bone grafting allows for jawbone quality to be manually rebuilt until it is sufficiently thick and dense enough for implants to placed. The Inconveniences of Bone Grafting Cost/Time Increase : Bone grafting requires one or more surgeries and a healing period of a few months after each procedure. This process must be completed before the implants can be placed....

Here’s what might be causing it and some other information you should know Would it surprise you to find out that up to 20% of people suffer from dry mouth , including pregnant women? Well, it’s true. Everyone knows pregnancy is a time of excitement and total bliss, but it can also be a not-so-fun time of uncomfortable dry mouth symptoms for some expecting mothers. Standard symptoms include a constant sore throat, trouble speaking, tooth decay, and more.  The truth is dry mouth is actually very common during pregnancy and typically occurs during the first trimester (weeks 1-12). Oh—and if you’re wondering why your mouth feels extra dry when you wake up, it’s because symptoms worsen at night. So, what causes pregnancy-related dry mouth? Let’s get right to it: dry mouth happens during pregnancy for several different reasons. Below are some of the most common causes: Increased blood production To accommodate the growing body, women in pregnancy produce more blood than women wh...

Even though more adults than ever now seek orthodontic work for aesthetic reasons, many who could benefit from procedures such as braces nevertheless decline treatments. Orthodontic work benefits overall physical health as well as improves appearance. Why, then, do so many shy away from procedures that could permanently improve their quality of life? Many patients mistakenly believe that all orthodontic work is inherently cosmetic. Therefore, even those who carry quality dental insurance plans figure they must pay out of pocket even if that assumption is erroneous. The way orthodontists choose to speak with patients greatly impacts their overall motivation to pursue the procedures that could benefit them the most. Imp ortant Considerations for Giving Orthodontics the Green Light If a practice accepts insurance, they may wish to clarify for patients the extent of their coverage. For example, dental implants for missing teeth have long fallen under the cosmetic umbrella, but now, cert...

JERICHO, NY, June 5, 2019 — Darby Dental Supply, one of the nation’s largest dental distributors, announced today that it has formed a strategic partnership with CareStack, an innovative technology company that has developed a revolutionary cloud-based software solution for dental practice management. CareStack’s groundbreaking software is the first of its kind, combining patient engagement, business analytics, integrated phone, revenue cycle management, charting, claims and scheduling onto a single platform while eliminating the need for practices to seek out multiple providers and navigate complicated, costly integrations. CareStack’s single-software solution provides a significant cost-savings over the patchwork of options most dentists are currently using. This partnership further advances Darby’s position as a comprehensive solutions provider by adding another valuable resource to its growing range of services and fueling Darby’s commitment to helping its customers operate effic...

Capua, Italy, April 9, 2019 – Pierrel Pharma S.r.l. received recognition from the Edison Awards™ , a prestigious organization known for acknowledging innovation, creativity, and ingenuity in the global economy, for its advanced, early oral cancer screening device: Goccles® . The FDA-approved medical device is used in combination with traditional examination to help identify early signs of oral cancer. The eyewear utilizes a patented optical filter with a standard curing light, exposing the fluorescence of healthy mucosa and potentially suspicious pre-cancerous and cancerous lesions. With Goccles, there is no need to purchase additional consumables for use and its price point is relatively low in comparison to similar devices. Goccles is supported by clinical studies and has received an excellent clinical evaluation from Dental Advisor . Pierrel Pharma’s chief executive officer, Fabio Velotti (Capua, Italy) attributes the Best New Product Silver Award™ win to the company’s dedication ...

We all know people who struggle with going to the dentist. Maybe it’s a close friend or family member. Maybe it’s a patient who you can just see would rather be anywhere else. Well the phenomenon of “ dental anxiety ” goes beyond such anecdotes: studies have shown that anywhere between 9% and 20% of Americans actively avoid going to the dentist because of anxiety about the appointment. As practitioners, it’s our duty to make sure that our patients feel as relaxed and comfortable as they can when they’re in our office, waiting room, or operating table. After all, if someone doesn’t have a positive experience at your office, they’re not going to come back in 6 months and their important dental care will fall by the wayside.  Here are a few things you can advise your patients to consider if they’re dealing with fear or dental anxiety. Strategies to Manage Dental Anxiety Deep breathing is still one of the best ways to manage any kind of anxiety, which generally causes hyperventil...

When expecting a new addition to their families, few women stop to think about how pregnancy may impact their dental health. However, shifting hormone levels paired with the delicacy of fetal development makes caring for a woman’s teeth during pregnancy critical both for their own health and that of her unborn baby. Dentists should encourage patients considering conceiving to visit them pre-pregnancy as well as throughout their gestation period. Periodontal disease may permit dangerous bacteria to enter the mother’s bloodstream, potentially causing harm to her fetus. Dental health professionals can significantly reduce these risks by educating their clientele on proper oral hygiene while they’re expecting. Preconceived Ideas Preferably, women should book an appointment with their dental-care provider for a thorough cleaning and allow their dentist to check for any signs of gingivitis. Patients exhibiting signs of swollen, bloody gums should receive treatment before conceiving. Denta...

You may be a pro at giving patients beautiful smiles, but when it comes to marketing your business I bet you have your doubts. As a dental practice owner you can’t afford to have those, which is why you’ll find these marketing ideas a great way to supercharge your strategy. And before you wave it off, let’s be clear: your practice is your business so it’s important that you give it some tender loving care (aka marketing) to grow it. Create a Brand, Not a Practice One of the most important things that dental practice owners forget is that, not everyone is interested in using your service initially. You have to dress up to impress, and in business that means branding. A brand according to the American Marketing Association is, “ a name, term, design, symbol, or any other feature that identifies one seller’s good or service as distinct from those of other sellers. ” Creating a brand will help distinguish your practice from your competitors. Brand building can start as simply with gett...

Good oral health involves more than having a beautiful smile; it is key if we are to enjoy food, feel confident about interacting with others, and avoid oral pain. Statistics show, however, that many Americans could improve in this department.  Over 90% of Americans  have had at least one cavity, and one in four has untreated tooth decay. Meanwhile, around half of all adults above the age of 30 have gum disease – according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Oral Health report. Dentists  recommend brushing and flossing twice daily , but for those with gum disease and frequent plaque build-up, one gadget that should be present on your bathroom countertop, is a water flosser. How does a Water Flosser Work? Water flossers clean teeth and gums  through a combination of water pressure and pulsations, which remove food and plaque. They work similarly to dental floss, but the pressure means that tiny pieces of food you don’t even notice can be eff...

  The Omnipresent Technology Even in 2018, the mainstream perception of artificial intelligence is perhaps that of a human-like android that performs extraordinary feats of strength and intelligence at levels that far surpass that of any human. As a society, our concept of artificial intelligence is skewed by the litany of science fiction books and films we have come to endear since an early age. In reality, we seldom consider that this ubiquitous technology is no longer the stuff of fantasy—we in fact encounter many aspects of artificial intelligence in our everyday lives and utilize them to simplify otherwise tedious tasks we have to complete. As the capabilities of artificial intelligence continue to evolve, they stand to enhance every professional field—including dentistry. What is Artificial Intelligence? Founded in the 1950s, artificial Intelligence, or AI, is described as any task performed by a machine or program that would have otherwise required a human thought proc...

Dental professionals don’t just care about replacing crowns or the number of dental caries they fill in one day. Above everything else, they care about their patients. That’s why dentists and hygienists from every corner of the world are looking at treatment from a “What can I do to make my patients more comfortable?” perspective. And when I say “comfortable,” I don’t mean they’re adding 1,000 fill down pillows to their waiting rooms. I mean they’re actually investing in expensive technologies, such as dental lasers , that help create ideal environments for the patient who fears local anesthesia or the unfortunate sounds that creep out of exam rooms. Just thinking about both are enough to send someone running in the opposite direction of anyone with a bright smile and precision lenses around his or her neck. Okay, back to the whole idea of defining “comfort.” Some dentists very well could be upping the atmosphere of their practice by providing patients with down pillows—maybe even b...

There’s one beverage dental and medical professionals can agree on as being the most beneficial for both oral health and overall health, and the answer is good ol’ H 2 O. Although most people would say it’s the most boring beverage, it’s also the most popular, with 12.8 billion gallons of bottled water sold in the US alone in 2016—that’s more than 39 gallons consumed per person 1 . Water is quite beneficial to teeth, as it increases the pH of saliva, making it less acidic and more basic, thereby helping to neutralize the detrimental effects of acidic foods on tooth enamel. Additionally, water flushes away food particles and residue that cavity-causing bacteria are looking for, fights dry mouth, is calorie-free, and dilutes the acids produced by bacteria found naturally in the mouth. So we’ve established that water is good for teeth, but what about wine, tea, and milk? Probably not quite as good, right? Well, let’s take a look at some research for each. Wine lovers, rejoice! Studies...

Social media is the space where dental digital marketers nurture relationships with potential patients. It is a powerful medium that can boost a brand’s reputation within a short period of time. However, social media relationships can be fragile. If you are over-aggressive or use too many influencers, it could prove detrimental in the longer run—overexposure kills the consumer’s curiosity. Once your equation with the audience is spoiled, it becomes difficult to regain ground. This is why some businesses prefer to have in-house social media teams, as the company’s own employees would be more familiar with the brand’s traits and the product or service lineup. However, not every dental office can afford to hire a dedicated social media specialist. So, here are four ways to let your own practice staff perform the role of social media brand ambassadors. Instead of social media gurus, identify self-driven employees Social networks continue to play a pivotal role in the world of digital br...