Voco introduces CleanJoy prophy paste

Voco has introduced a new minimally abrasive prophy paste with fluoride and xylitol called CleanJoy. The product uses fine dual fillers for stain removal without the sandy feeling in traditional pastes. The splatter-controlled paste has grits that are within ADA-recommended relative dentin abrasivity (RDA) values to preserve tooth structure. CleanJoy is also free of parabens, gluten, and nuts. CleanJoy prophy paste. Image courtesy of Voco. The paste comes in single-dose

Is a probiotic the key to better oral health?

Weissella cibaria strain CMU, a probiotic lactic acid bacterium, may improve gingival bleeding and reduce levels of periodontal germs linked to diabetes and other diseases, according to a study published on September 2 in BMC Oral Health. Supplementing with W. cibaria may improve overall oral health, the authors wrote. “W. cibaria treatment could lead to an improvement in the bleeding index and the suppression of propagation of some oral bacteria

Zelira, SprinJene partner to launch cannabinoid-based oral care products

Medical cannabis company Zelira Therapeutics has partnered with dental care company SprinJene on a toothpaste product to be launched by the end of the year. The toothpaste will contain cannabinoids, including cannabidiol (CBD), and will be Zelira’s first toothpaste as well as its first over-the-counter cannabinoid product. The firm said it plans to launch five new products this year.

Thoughts on those patients with cracked teeth walking into your practice

Dentistry is back in the news again — and the reason why is very interesting. In a recent New York Times article, Tammy Chen, DDS, discussed how she saw more tooth fractures come into her practice in a six-week span after she reopened her doors following COVID-19 than she had in the prior six years. Dr. Chen offered several reasons as to why this was happening, including stress brought on by

LightForce Orthodontics closes $14M series B round

LightForce Orthodontics has raised $14 million in series B funding to further develop its 3D-printed customizable bracket system. Image courtesy of LightForce Orthodontics. Tyche Partners led the round with additional investments from Matrix Partners and AM Ventures. LightForce will use the funds to develop and scale its 3D-printing technology that enables dentists to create custom brackets for each patient. The custom system helps reduce the number of adjustment visits, according

Fotona completes purchase from ARC Laser

Fotona has purchased laser systems and a photothermal therapy system from ARC Laser. The purchase includes the Fox III and Fox IV diode laser systems, which can be used to perform periodontal and other procedures. The EmunDo photothermal therapy system is used in conjunction with the lasers, according to the company. Fotona previously distributed ARC’s XLase 1064-nm dental laser in the U.S. Fotona’s XPulse dental diode laser. Image courtesy of

Nobio’s antibacterial composites get FDA nod

Nobio has received an additional 510(k) clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for its Infinix antibacterial composites. After submitting clinical data showing the composites significantly reduce tooth demineralization, a key part of the caries-formation process, the FDA issued another clearance. A University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) study assessed Infinix’s antibacterial activity and found that mineral loss for teeth adjacent to Infinix composites was two-thirds less than

A tribute to Sally McKenzie, a giant in the dental industry

The unexpected death of Sally McKenzie (1951-2020) on September 1 sent shock waves through the dental community. I couldn’t believe it was true. We had just had the best conversation in July. She was excited about doing virtual consulting and training. Pandemic or not, she wouldn’t let a virus stop her from helping dentists. Sally McKenzie. Heart failure in her sleep at her home in Tarpon Springs, FL, silenced the

SmileDirectClub dumps plan to open $37M plant in Texas

SmileDirectClub has scrapped its plans to open a $37 million dental lab manufacturing plant in Kyle, TX, according to a report from KVUE. The plant was expected to bring 850 new jobs to the area, and it would have made the clear aligner company the city’s largest private employer. “The global pandemic has had a significant impact on all businesses, including ours,” said Dan Baker, SmileDirectClub’s global head of supply chain,

Dr. Ryan Molis on the ‘Zoom boom’ of cosmetic dentistry

Our world has changed so much since mid-March when COVID-19 became a part of our daily lives. Two of the biggest changes we, as a society, have seen involve our faces. We are now wearing masks in public in many parts of the U.S., which, from a dental perspective, can conceal our smiles and any potential cosmetic dental problems that your patients might have. There’s also the flip side of

Align debuts stickers for clear aligners

Align Technology has debuted sticker accessories, allowing patients to personalize their Invisalign clear aligners. Its patent-pending Stickables, which are available in an array of colors, shapes, and themes, are designed for exclusive use with the SmartTrack material in Invisalign’s clear aligners. The initial rollout of the stickers, which are made of a water-resistant plastic material, includes the following themes: Fantasy and gaming Shapes and colors Sports and activities Travel and

AAID promotes September as Dental Implant Awareness Month

September is Dental Implant Awareness Month, sponsored by the American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID). This year’s theme — “Healthy Mouth, Healthy You!” — focuses on the health benefits of dental implants. To kick off the month, the AAID said in a statement that the organization has launched a new public awareness campaign including an article and video to bring visibility to the long-term health consequences of missing teeth and