Professional Courtesy: An Early IDS Roundup by Dr. Thomas Giacobbi

Displays at the 2019 show in Cologne, Germany, prominently feature technological advances

by Thomas Giacobbi, DDS, FAGD, editorial director, Dentaltown magazine

This month I bring some notable products from my first day at IDS. (Print deadlines didn’t permit me to wait for the end of the show.)

If you’re not familiar with the International Dental Show in Cologne, Germany, it’s simply the largest dental meeting on the planet and it only happens every two years. Initial estimates anticipate a crowd of more than 160,000 attendees from 60 countries visiting more than 2,300 exhibitors, spread out over more than 1.8 million square feet. You will want to pack your walking shoes if you should ever plan to attend the show.

My initial impression from the show is a focus on technology of all types, from the continued expansion of the 3D printer category to the addition of updated intraoral impression devices and some wonderful new materials thrown in for good measure. If there’s something you see or hear about that’s not available in the United States, the reasons are often twofold:

1. Some companies choose to launch a new product in a smaller market to gauge response and collect valuable feedback.

2. The FDA approval process is tedious and expensive, which is further complicated if a company wants to make a change to the product submitted—they start all over again. So it pays to have your ducks in a row before starting the process.

Please share your thoughts on these products using the message board for this column on Dentaltown.com. (You can also find photos of other items posted to my Twitter account: @ddsTom.) If you’d like to learn more about IDS, visit ids-cologne.de—and mark your calendar for March?9–13, 2021.

This curious item is called The Oral BioFilter System, and it is produced by Protechno in Spain. It provides lip retraction and suction to remove the spray splatter from handpieces and ultrasonics. While it does not replace your primary suction, it offers better visibility and, presumably, a more hygienic environment for the clinician. Information: protechno.com

This new product from Curaprox is an oral rinse called Perio Plus. The 0.09?percent chlorhexidine rinse has the added power of hyaluronic acid and a proprietary ingredient called Citrox. It is a clear rinse with a pleasant taste and a tiny hint of orange from the Citrox. Information: curaprox.com

Ivoclar Vivadent is joining the 3D printing party with the introduction of the PrograPrint PR5. This line also includes the PrograPrint Clean and PrograPrint Cure for the necessary postprocessing of a 3D printed part. Other notable features are a cartridge system that keeps the liquid fresh in its original container until needed for a job. The cartridges also make it easy to switch between the current printing liquids available: wax, model and splint. All components and print liquids have been developed and manufactured by Ivoclar Vivadent. Information: ivoclarvivadent.com

3Shape has just introduced the Trios 4, a major upgrade to the current wireless Trios 3. In addition to improved battery life, the new scanner has two different options to help dentists identify decay during a scan. The first is a brand-new “Smart Tip” that can transilluminate the tooth and capture an image at the same time, and the other is the fluorescent technology scan mode that will highlight reactive bacteria associated with decay. Information: 3shape.com/en/trios-4

Here’s a sneak peek at the newly launched X1 CBCT from 3Shape. Notable features include a 3D scan of the face that can be linked to the X-ray. It is currently installed in a number of beta offices throughout Europe, with an anticipated U.S. launch sometime in 2020 or 2021.

Some diode laser owners are passionate about the concept of photobiomodulation, which is commonly referred to as low-level laser therapy. In short, this light energy can stimulate tissues above and below the skin. Some of the common indications include pain relief, healing, oral mucositis and TMJ disorders. The laser pictured here has an attachment that simultaneously addresses maxilla and mandible, as well as a small handheld attachment for other indications. Information: milta.fr/dentisterie-miltadent