ABS Blog

Jet Dental is a pop-up dental clinic serving workplaces across the United States. They are collaborating with Humana to make access to oral health care easier.

PANDEMIC IMPACTED ORAL HEALTHCARE

Jet Dental CEO, Jordan Smith, said that 82% of their patients had not been to the dentist in over two years. He believes that the inconvenience and lack of access during the pandemic created the drop in dentist visits.

Since the pandemic, the effects of delayed dental care have become more prevalent. The CDC estimates that companies lose $45 billion per year due to oral care emergencies. Preventative care is the best way to reduce these oral emergencies. In come the mobile pop-up dental clinics.

BENFITS OF MOBILE DENTISTRY

What better way to help patients than to bring dentists to their workplace? This makes it easy and convenient for employees and employers alike, eliminating time off of work for oral healthcare appointments. One of the best things about a Jet Dental pop-up clinic coming to your workplace is no cost. Jet Dental works directly with the dental insurance a company already provides their employees.

When you offer dental care on-site at your place of business, you are showing your employees that you care about their overall health and wellbeing. Providing oral healthcare services in such a convenient way could help prevent your staff from developing gum disease and other, more serious, oral issues.

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VETSmile is a pilot program that provides dental care to veterans who do not qualify for dental benefits through the VA. Since the project launched last summer, it has served more than 2,200 patients.

CONNECTING VETERANS TO DENTISTS

VETSmile connects veterans to federally qualified health centers (FQHC) and dental schools to help improve their oral health management. These dental care partners may provide discounted services to the veterans.

This graphic shows two ways VETSmile supports Veterans in accessing community-based dental care:

HOW VETSMILE BEGAN

The Center for Care and Payment Innovation in the Veteran’s Health administrations started the VETSmile pilot program to help those veterans who don’t qualify for dental care through the VA. This program connects those veterans with community dental care partners. These partners are enthusiastic about providing world-class care for our nation’s heroes.

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Thank you, VETSmile, for ensuring that our soldiers are provided with the great dental care that they deserve. CONGRATS ON ONE YEAR!

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How do you feel about automating the tooth cleaning process through microrobot technology? Well, researchers from the University of Pennsylvania decided that they should try. The School of Dental Medicine and School of Engineering and Applied Science teamed up to create a shapeshifting micro swarm of iron oxide nanoparticles that can effectively clean plaque from teeth.

NEW TECHNOLOGY

This microrobot technology was developed by a multidisciplinary team at the University of Pennsylvania. The building blocks of these microrobots are iron oxide nanoparticles that possess both catalytic and magnetic activity. The researchers showed that they could use a magnetic field to manipulate the nanoparticles’ shape and direct their motion. Using this magnetic activity, the microrobots could form either bristle-like structures or elongated strings that could sweep away dental plaque from broad surfaces and in between teeth.

The catalytic activity of the microrobot nanoparticles would activate hydrogen peroxide to release free radicals to help eliminate plaque and bacteria that cause tooth decay.

This electromagnetic system is “fully programmable” and can use different variations to control the stiffness and length of bristle formations. It can also determine the speed and motion of the microrobots depending on the topography of an individual’s oral cavity. The Penn team will continue optimizing the robots’ motions and determine the best mouth-fitting device to advance the innovation to the clinic.

EFFECTS ON ORAL HEALTH

The team at the University of Pennsylvania describes their microrobot technology as being particularly valuable to those who lack the manual dexterity to effectively clean their own teeth. The researchers found that this system cleaned surfaces of all detectible pathogens.

Professor Michael Koo says, “We’d love to see this helping the geriatric population and people with disabilities. We believe it will disrupt current modalities and majorly advance oral health care.”

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Ah, TikTok. If you haven’t seen a “life hack” video on the platform, you most likely know someone who has. They’re usually not afraid to tell you, “I saw it on TikTok.”

The latest viral trend was posted a few weeks ago by a user named Amanda Jones. In the video, she claims her pilates instructor introduced her to a recipe for “healthy” coke. She goes on to demonstrate how to make the drink. First she pours a bit of balsamic vinegar over ice and then fills the glass the rest of the way with a LaCroix sparkling water.

@mandyvjones @LaCroix Sparkling Water ♬ original sound – Amanda Jones

In the video, Amanda swears that the drink tastes “just like” a coke. However, according to many others who’ve tried the concoction, it doesn’t. That didn’t stop the video from racking up 6.5 million views and hordes of people trying the drink for themselves.

VINEGAR AND SPARKLING WATER

The concept of combining sparkling water with vinegar to make a healthier sweet drink has been around for some time. Shrubs are fruit and vinegar-infused syrups that can be used in other drinks like cocktails, for example. Using a sweeter vinegar like balsamic eliminates the need to add sugars.

NOT SO GOOD FOR TEETH

JADA Foundational Science recently published a study that found acidic, carbonated beverages have greater potential to cause dentinal erosion. Dr. Edmond Hewlett, a spokesperson for the American Dental Association said, “I love balsamic vinegar, but I enjoy it more on my salad than in my drinking glass. It’s much kinder to the teeth than bathing them in a beverage blend of two acids.”

The problem is that balsamic vinegar and sparkling water are both very acidic drinks. So frequently drinking beverages like this appears to damage tooth enamel. I’ll probably just be sticking with water.

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LMT Magazine’s recent issue features a report of their 2022 C&B caseload survey. The article provides a great view of how digital technology has impacted crown and bridge workloads. Here’s a breakdown:

DIGITAL C&B FABRICATION GROWTH

Digitally fabricated C&B restorations continue to grow.

The study shows a 20% increase in the amount of digital work since 2015. This increase is likely due to the industry’s overall interest in digital workflows and zirconia.

Dentists are more accepting of newer technologies so they’re embracing digital impressions. The number doctors sending IO scans has jumped from 18% to 30% just since 2020.

MORE LABS EXCLUSIVELY DIGITAL

Many dental laboratories have eliminated conventional fabrication techniques. Instead, they are relying on intraoral scans to design and mill as a full contour cases. This removes lengthy wax and stack steps while still providing an accurate and cost effective workflow.

METAL-FREE CONTINUES OVERTAKING METAL

In 2005, only 17% of all C&B workloads were metal free. Now, in 2022, a whopping 77% of crown and bridge restorations are created without metals. The significant switch is likely due to high alloy prices, labor-intensive PFM fabrications and superior strength of monolithic materials.

Most labs would agree that metal-free materials reduce remakes. A lot of older dentists, however, prefer metal-based restorations.  As these older dentists retire, the shift to metal-free will continue to accelerate even though full gold crowns may always be around.

DECREASING DEMAND FOR VENEERS

44% of survey respondents say there as been no change in the number of veneer cases they are doing. 38% say that they are doing fewer veneer cases over the last five years. Only 18% of dental labs claim to be doing more veneers.

More dentists seem to be opting for full coverage crowns because of technique sensitivity and somewhat high failure rate of veneers. A lot of the time the esthetics of veneers can be easily accomplished with zirconia and disilicate/silicate.

FULL CONTOUR’S STEADY RISE

The share of full contour cases in the lab has grown from 45% in 2015 to 74% in 2022. The continued growth is driven by full contour zirconia, improvements in translucency and availability of multilayer materials and color systems. It appears that full contour zirconia is “here forever.”

Zirconia seems to be the medium of choice these days due to its strength, esthetics and tissue response. The next big game changer? PRINTABLE zirconia and other ceramic resins.

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ABS has offered the EvoDOCTOR Portal as an add-on module for Evolution dental lab management software for many years. Since that time, the EvoDOCTOR Portal has “evolved” to improve functionality and integrate newer technologies. Automated email notifications and Evolution pop-up capabilities have also been included in newer versions of the EvoDOCTOR Portal and the Evolution dental lab management solution.

We decided to update the EvoDOCTOR Portal video with a more current representation as it’s been nearly five years since the last video. Todays video explains new features and how information can be shared directly with the Evolution database and individuals at your lab.

You can view the video here for more information:

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It’s well known that the food we eat influences the makeup of the bacteria in our mouths. This oral microbiome relies on both good and bad bacteria, and plays a larger role in our overall health. Studies show that oral bacteria can change the gut’s microbiota and how your body absorbs nutrients.

UNPRECIDENTED STUDY

The University of Buffalo conducted a study that looked at the oral health of postmenopausal women and the effect of a sugary, high-glycemic diet on their oral microbiome. This study used data from Women’s Health Initiative and was the first study to examine carbohydrate intake and sub gingival microbiome. This means that they took plaque from under the tongue (instead of saliva). Amy Millen, PhD, says that “…oral bacteria involved in periodontal disease are primarily residing in the subgingival plaque.”

The study showed that there was a positive association between high carbohydrate, glycemic foods and Streptococcus mutans, a contributor to tooth decay and some types of cardiovascular disease. The scientists also observed Leptotrichia spp., which has been linked to gingivitis, to be positively associated with sugar intake.

SOLUTIONS

How can you improve your oral microbiome and overall health? Well, mouthwash after eating may not be the answer. According to MGB Heath, “Oral bacteria are important for gut and metabolic health, so you don’t want to sweep them all away with an antiseptic mounthwash.”

Since the oral microbiome is the “portal to gut health,” it requires both good and bad bacteria for optimal performance. You don’t want to destroy that with a mouthwash that would kill the majority of all of the bacteria in your mouth. Instead, lower your intake of carbohydrates and sugar. Prevotella (a species of oral bacteria) comes from leafy greens and is essential for converting nitrates into nitrites. Those nitrites play a major role in brain health, metabolic health, blood flow and immunity.

LEARN MORE ABOUT EVOLUTION

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CRMs are becoming increasingly popular for businesses to improve relationships with their customers. If you’re using Evolution dental lab management software, you could have your own built-in CRM integrated with A/R and productivity.

Along with tracking prospects, account origins and sales stages, integrating CTI and coupon codes, the Evolution CRM provides you with a one-stop shop when you need to lookup or manage any information related to one of your accounts. That “one-stop shop” is the Customer Service Form.

The Evolution CRM Customer Service form provides your user access to a doctor’s maintenance, A/R setup, case, billing and sales history while allowing you to notify other lab members about about the account’s activities. All of this from ONE SCREEN.

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The Evolution CRM is also available in a MOBILE VERSION. Find out more about the EvoSALES mobile app from ABS. Most of the functionality in Evolution’s desktop CRM can be found in the mobile app for sales teams or customer service reps on the go!

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If you’re a golfer you probably know that consistency is the key, especially when it comes to your short game. Maintaining the same form when swinging your club will give you the best results on your scorecard. Perhaps the most important club to maintain your consistency with would be the putter.

Just ask professional golfer Maverick McNealy. Last week, during his Torrey Pines tournament, he told a story of how he recently used dental mold material to help with his putting. Many outlets are saying that this may be his “secret weapon,” and a “putter-training hack.”

HOW HE DID IT

McNealy’s uncle is his in-town dentist. They began talking during his most recent visit when Mav’s uncle, Rob Randolph, offered up some impression material. McNealy wrapped the material around his putter grip and saved his hand placement on the putter.

GOLF DIGEST ARTICLE

Mav said that the “Callaway guys have it” now and they’re going to scan it to replicate it for a grip trainer, Golf Digest reported.

“My uncle runs a dental office here in town,” said McNealy. “Bob Randolph. So actually his dad, George, was a dentist in the Army in Vietnam, and yeah, so he started his own dental practice and my uncle Bob took it over.

“It’s actually funny. I was wanting a way to like grip my putter consistently like a grip trainer, so I was talking to him about that stuff they use for impressions. We wrapped some of that around my putter grip on like Monday, so I saved my putter grip the way my hands go on the putter on a backup putter on Monday with the dental [mold].”

“So the Callaway guys have it,” McNealy added. “We’re going to scan it and like replicate it, just have it as a grip trainer. It’s great because I’m playing great this week, so I want to remember how my hands go. It’s just a funny cross-section of dentistry and golf.”

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Down a long and lonesome highway, East of Adelaide, listen to his friends moaning hung over from yesterday…

I recently learned of an abandoned pyramid in rural Australia. In which, you can find a basement full of sculptures made from real teeth. The property, along with the pyramid, was purchased by Norma Cosson and her late husband, Dr. David Lye, in the late 1980s.

The property was originally built some years earlier as the town’s information centre. After the couple purchased it, they turned it into somewhat of a tourist attraction and named it, “Casper’s World in Miniature.” According to ABC News of Australia, David and Norma added attractions, writing:

“Over the years they added exhibits, a restaurant, and eventually the [jewelry] and sculptures Dr Lye produced.

Nephew of famed New Zealand born artist and filmmaker Len Lye, Ms Cosson says her husband’s family were lovable oddballs and David was no different.”

DR LYE’S UNIQUE HOBBY

As Dr. Lye’s dental career was nearing its end, he began to realize how much material he had left over. Being the unique character that he was, he enjoyed building sculptures out of the discarded teeth and dentures from his practice. For years, he cleaned most of the teeth he pulled from people who didn’t want to keep them and kept them in a box. He began to utilize these materials for quirky 3D artwork.

After his young grandson was diagnosed with leukaemia, he would send all of his lost teeth to Dr. Lye to build a ‘tooth fairy castle.’ The doting grandfather was determined to turn the worrying situation into something fun for his grandchildren.

STUMBLING ACROSS THE INTRIGUING ART

Dr. Lye’s artwork has sparked the interest of some unsuspecting people online for years. One Twitter user, Rebecca Le Get, PhD, posted about a “confusing postcard” that she found.

Confusing postcard found in the op-shop today. “Casper’s World of Miniature” in #Stawell. Apparently it was full of teeth sculptures? pic.twitter.com/lnNn0BwtCJ

— Rebecca Le Get, PhD (@rebecca_le_get) October 16, 2017

Another Twitter user, David Waldron, posted about seeing “the weirdest thing,” referencing the abandoned “theme park.”

Ok I have just seen the weirdest thing. A world in miniature theme park, now abandoned, built by a dentist to display his hobby of sculptures made from human teeth. These are kept in the basement of an enormous pyramid outside Stawell. pic.twitter.com/hnX7Cv7ptC

— David Waldron (@DavidWa57473731) December 6, 2021

Perhaps my favorite story about Casper’s World in Miniature was written by a blogger named Brad McNaughton.

In 2018, he described his pit stop at the run-down tourist attraction. He, his brother and his friend decided to check out the park on a road trip back to Adelaide from Melbourne, Australia.

Brad does a very good job documenting his experience and you can read all about it here.

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