Marketplace November 2021

Sectional Matrix System Announced

Premier’s (888-773-6872; premierdentalco.com) X5 sectional matrix system is billed as a new way for dental professionals to perform Class 2 composite restorations. Engineered as a complete, five-component system, X5 delivers reliability, convenience and value. Made in the United States, the anatomically shaped matrices ensure proper contouring and tight contacts. The proprietary resin rings are strong, flexible, and reusable for up to five autoclave cycles. Compatible with other wedges and matrices, the Premier X5 sectional matrix system is easy to use compared to Tofflemire-type retainers.

Nasal Hoods and Scavenging Circuits Debut

Air Techniques (800-AIR-TECH; airtechniques.com) has added a new line of nitrous oxide/oxygen nasal hoods and scavenging circuits. The design of the company’s Double Nasal Hoods minimizes ambient nitrous oxide in the operatory. It also utilizes an oval exhalation valve that directs exhaled gases to the built-in scavenger flow channels. The inner hood seals to the patient’s face to ensure proper gas delivery, and the slim profile improves visibility for the dental team while allowing excellent access to the oral cavity. Latex free and fully autoclavable, Air Techniques’ Nitrous Oxide/Oxygen Scavenging Circuits are compatible with most nitrous oxide/oxygen flowmeters, and are said to provide a universal fit with other double scavenging circuits.

Flavor-Free Fluoride Varnish

Ultradent (800-552-5512; ultradent.com) is adding to its Enamelast fluoride varnish family by introducing Flavor-Free Enamelast varnish. This new flavor-free option is designed for patients who wish to leave their appointments without any lingering taste, as well as those with allergy concerns over flavoring ingredients. Enamelast varnish is a xylitol-sweetened, 5% sodium fluoride formula in a resin carrier that provides mechanical occlusion of the dentinal tubules, making this an effective choice for treating dentinal hypersensitivity. Flavor-Free Enamelast varnish’s unique formula is made with a patented adhesion-promoting agent for enhanced retention, which, in turn, promotes efficient fluoride release and uptake.

Educational App for Periodontal Patients

Described as an interactive oral health educational tool, the MyPerioHealth app from OraPharma (866-273-7846; myperiohealth.com) helps patients understand their stage and grade of periodontal disease on a single, digital platform at the point of care. The MyPerioHealth app represents an additional resource for dental professionals when using staging and grading guidelines established by the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP). It is designed to encourage dialogue and support interactive assessment in a patient-friendly, portable manner. By responding to a series of short questions, patients and providers can obtain a wealth of information regarding periodontal health status. The MyPerioHealth app complements manual staging and grading by streamlining data collection and automating calculations, per the AAP guidelines. Intended for use on a tablet or cell phone, the app is available on both iOS and Android platforms.

Radiography Sensor Features Bluetooth Technology

Finnish company Athlos Oy (855-664-1953; ftgimaging.com) has announced a new generation of intraoral radiography sensors. After receiving acceptance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for its DC-Air sensor, the product is now available for U.S. distribution via Freedom Technologies Group. Designed to streamline dental workflows, the DC-Air is a wireless intraoral sensor that offers Bluetooth and direct-conversion technology. Comfortable for patients, the DC-Air provides excellent image quality, with results in real time to help expedite diagnosis.

Whitening System Launched Under New Partnership

Under a partnership agreement, Align Technology (602-742-2000; aligntechnology.com) is debuting a professional whitening system using the Opalescence PF whitening formula from Ultradent. Optimized for use with Align’s Invisalign clear aligners and Vivera retainers, the system will carry the cobranded name of “Invisalign Professional Whitening System — powered by Opalescence.” This approach will allow dental offices to offer whitening services during active tooth movement with Invisalign aligners, as well as during passive retention using Vivera retainers. Expected to be available in 2022, the Invisalign Professional Whitening System enables Invisalign-trained dentists to use Opalescence PF for in-office whitening treatment and for supervised at-home bleaching therapy.

From Decisions in Dentistry. November 2021;7(11)45.