Align introduces Invisalign Virtual Care AI

Align Technology is introducing Invisalign Virtual Care AI, a remote monitoring software solution with artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted capabilities that aims to streamline workflows for doctors and their staff. The software includes features such as patient enrollment, setup, and review directly on the Invisalign Doctor Site without the need to use separate standalone solutions. Invisalign Virtual Care AI can also assist doctors by monitoring treatment progress based on preapproved clinical settings

$8B U.S. plan includes fortifying dentists’ nutrition literacy

On September 28, the Biden administration unveiled an $8 billion plan to end hunger and reduce diet-related disease in the U.S. by 2030 through several actions, including pledges from the Children’s Oral Health Institute and others to bolster education in nutrition. During the White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health, Biden announced that the plan will be funded through private and public sector philanthropic contributions, in-kind donations, and other

Anesthesia & Pain Management Insider: 1 round of laser therapy may reduce 3rd molar surgery pain

Dear Anesthesia & Pain Management Insider, Administering an extraoral low-level diode laser for one session of irradiation after wisdom tooth surgery may decrease patient pain, according to the results of a clinical trial recently published in BMC Oral Health. Additionally, using a 940 nm low-level diode laser decreased the number of analgesics patients took after surgery. Read more in our Insider Exclusive. If you’re looking for another tool to decrease

Ultradent launches new LED curing light

Dental material and equipment manufacturer Ultradent Products has launched the new broadband LED curing light, Valo X. Milled from a single bar of aerospace-grade aluminum, the light has a larger 12.5-mm lens and a custom LED chip. The light is equipped with standard and extra power modes, diagnostic black-light and white-light modes, and clinicians have the option of using the light either with a cord or cordless. Its one-button activation

TMDs tied to depression, somatization

There is a high prevalence of psychological disorders in patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMDs), according to an article published on September 13 in the Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry. The study focused on depression or somatization, a disorder in which symptoms have no identifiable cause. TMDs affect the muscles involved with chewing, the temporomandibular joint, and other associated structures. These disorders are commonly the main cause of pain in the orofacial

SalaryScan 2022: How does your salary stack up?

The average base annual salary for a HuangshanDental.com member dentist is $307,636, according to results from HuangshanDental.com’s first annual SalaryScan survey of benefits and compensation. But gender, age, and practice type affected earnings. Of the dentists who responded to the SalaryScan survey, 56% were between the ages of 45 and 64, 25% were 65 or older, and the remaining 19% were 44 or younger. As for gender, 76% reported as

Legal Case: Down the hatch!

Dr. H, a pediatric dentist in a rural area, saw a 13-year-old male patient whom she had treated since he was about 5. Over the years, his treatments consisted solely of periodic prophylaxis and a few sealants. At this visit, the patient’s mother recounted that he had been struck on the upper lip with a baseball several months prior. Although the lip had swelled at the time, no dental symptoms

Should CBD be used in pain management?

Managing patient pain while limiting opioid prescriptions poses challenges for oral healthcare providers, but cannabidiol (CBD) oil might serve as an alternative treatment, according to a commentary published on September 26 in the Journal of the American Dental Association. The American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons recommended limitations on postoperative opioid prescription doses in 2017. Rather than prescribing opioids for acute and postoperative pain management, the recommendations encouraged the

Which behavioral management technique is best for pediatric patients?

Treating pediatric patients with dental fear and anxiety can be challenging for clinicians, who must be familiar with multiple techniques to calm and treat patients. Which technique is best? A recent review article that was published on September 22 in the Journal of Dentistry set out to answer that question. Dental fear and anxiety can directly impact behavior during dental treatment, especially in pediatric patients. This can create challenges for

Candid partners with Affinity Dental Management

Clear aligner developer Candid has formed a partnership with dental service organization Affinity Dental Management. Candid’s orthodontics-as-a-service model will now be available at all Affinity locations, according to the companies.

Sonendo secures $63M in financing

Dental technology firm Sonendo has secured $63 million in financing through a private investment initiative. Investors include Pura Vida Investments, First Light Asset Management, Blue Water Life Science Advisors, ArrowMark Partners, Driehaus Capital Management, and JMR Capital, the company said. The deal is expected to close on September 27. Sonendo’s flagship product is the GentleWave System, which cleans and disinfects the entire root canal system, according to the firm.

How do Dental Veneers work?

When we smile, all we want is our teeth to look as beautiful and healthy as possible, but there are times when the natural beauty of our teeth is lost to age, accidents, diseases, or a combination of these, among others. Having a smile that is not what we want can make us feel uncomfortable, having a very negative impact on our confidence and self-esteem. To address this problem, dental