Every dental professional knows that oral cancer screening is an essential part of a thorough dental checkup. The highly publicized statistics about oral cancer frequency, mortality rate, and cure rate are common knowledge in the field. A recent Web Exclusive article titled “Part 1: The importance of oral cancer screenings” appeared on www.DentalProductsReport.com this month. Written by Eileen Morrissey, a dental hygienist, the text supports the importance of oral cancer screenings and provides a good example of how a dentist can adopt new oral cancer screening technology.

Morrissey provides this advice: “If you are rusty and would benefit from a coaching tutorial, visit the following website. www.nidcr.nih.gov, or call 301-402-7364. A short [PowerPoint] can be downloaded in said format, or as a PDF handout, with images that you can study for a memory refresher.”

The articles is a good read, and it’s open for discussion through comments.

In addition to the DPR article, NEJM recently published an article entitled “Human Papillomavirus and Survival of Patients with Oropharyngeal Cancer.” According to this article, approximately 90% of HPV-positive cancers contain HPV type 16, and another 5% have HPV type 18.”

In addition, “The majority of patients enrolled in therapeutic trials for squamous-cell carcinoma of the head and neck have oropharyngeal squamous-cell carcinoma, which in a sub-group of these patients is caused by infection with human papillomavirus (HPV). This subgroup is defined by the presence of high-risk types of HPV in tumor cells, predominantly HPV type 16.”

A corresponding editorial, entitled “Prognostic Implications of HPV in Oropharyngeal Cancer,” also shares important information. “The two classes of oropharyngeal squamous appear to have distinct causes. HPV-positive cases suggesting that HPV-positive cancer and HPV-negative cancer may each have a distinct pathogenesis.”

Related Information:

http://www.dentaleconomics.com/index/display/article-display/149212/articles/dental-economics/volume-92/issue-7/features/oral-and-pharyngeal-cancer.html

http://www.dentalproductsreport.com/articles/show/dpr1009_360_oralcancer

http://oralcancerfoundation.org

http://www.velscope.com/velscope.php

http://www.vizilite.com/

http://www.trimira.net/identafi

http://www.dentalcompare.com/matrix.asp?catid=488

• 30K people are diagnosed with oral cancer each year
• One person dies each hour from oral cancer
• Oral cancer is the 6^th  cause for cancer-related deaths in the US
• 52% survival rate; 80% when caught early; only 35% caught early
• 5-year survival rate is 50%
• 8K deaths annually
• Not only high risk people get oral cancer
• Only 15% of patients report having had an oral cancer screen at checkups

 
Detection methods allow dentists to find oral cancer in the early stages when treatment can give a patient an 80% chance of survival. Traditionally, dentists used a manual oral cancer exam, but new technology offers options that can detect the cancerous cells before they are visible on the surface of soft tissue.

 
However, in regards to new oral cancer detection technology, the Oral Cancer Foundation website states, "New diagnostic aids, including lights, dyes, and other techniques are beginning to appear on the marketplace. While making the discovery process more effective, it is still possible to do a comprehensive examination through a proper visual and tactile process alone. For that matter, in the foundation’s opinion the use of these devices without conducting a thorough visual and tactile examination will not yield adequate results. These are adjuncts to the visual and tactile exam, NOT replacements for it."

The following information is not intended to promote one type of oral cancer detection over another, but rather to inform dentists about the differences between new detection technology.

 
Manual Oral Cancer Exam

As you know, many of the abnormalities you see on soft tissue are not cancerous. Just "keeping an eye on" these areas to see if they heal is not proactive enough to truly help the patient. If the lesion is cancerous, as the cancer grows, the potential for cure decreases. You should ask the patient if the lesion has been present for longer than 14 days. An atypical herpetic or apthous lesion may look like an oral cancer lesion, but these problems subside in 10 to 14 days. If the lesion has been present for more than 14 days, a brush biopsy should be performed. A "good oral cancer examination" is described on the Oral Cancer Foundation’s website.

VELscope (click to go to website)

VELscope® is an FDA-approved, patented device created by the BC Cancer Agency and MD Anderson with funding from NIH. It uses luminescence, not a white light, to find abnormal cells. No pre-rinse is necessary. In two minutes or less, you can determine whether a person has oral mucosal abnormalities. Simply view soft tissue through the hand piece and look for dark areas among the normal green areas produced by cell luminescence. A step-by-step examination guide is available on the VELscope website as a downloadable pdf.

ViziLite (click to go to website)

ViziLite Plus® is an FDA-approved, patented device that involves a rinse, a disposable light stick, and a marking system. In the exam, your patient rinses with a solution, then you use the handheld light to find dark spots on the soft tissues of your patient’s mouth. The TBlue630 marking system allows you to mark suspicious areas, making them easy to see under normal light so that you can photograph the location for the patient’s records and insurance claim. A visual guide and a copy of the patient waiver and consent form are available for review on the ViziLite website.

I am often asked about using the Florida Probe (My favorite high tech diagnostic!) with various practice management systems. See below for an update on Florida Probe links. By the way the way I do not try and import the Florida Probe data to Dentrix. I use a to bridge from Dentrix to Florida Probe as I feel the Florida Probe charts are nicer than the Dentrix perio chart.

There are approximately 37 different Practice Management Software that offer links to the Florida Probe System.

We are in the process of completing a Link to many others. If you do no see your software company listed contact us by Email for additional information or feel free to contact your Practice management software company directly. If a link does not exist we will be happy to contact them on your behalf and start the linking process.

There is no charge by Florida Probe for this service and we hope to have a link (aka “bridge”) to all dental software products on the market.

Welcome to Florida Probe Corporation.

TeraRecon’s PreXion 3D is a revolutionary X-ray system that provides high-resolution solutions in dental imaging. Powered by TeraRecon’s proprietary image reconstruction and volumetric image rendering technology, PreXion 3D provides sharper images with more information than the traditional dental X-ray unit. It’s the ideal in-office imager for the specialist performing implants.

With TeraRecon’s clear and 1:1 scale images, accurate measurements assure that the optimum implant is placed. Patient treatment is improved with the powerful computed tomography technology and its precise measurement tools. Accurate dental implant planning and placing, orthodontic investigation, and improved general dental imaging are some of the many true benefits PreXion 3D delivers.

In just 19 seconds, TeraRecon’s PreXion 3D acquires 512 initial X-ray views which are ‘reconstructed’ into a 3D dataset of the patient’s anatomy. Conversion to DICOM 3 is built-in and compatible with all major 3rd party software and systems (NobelGuide, Simplant, ILS, I-Dent, Dolphin, and others).

Revolutionary 3D CBCT | PreXion 3D | TERARECON, INC..

CrystalTalk™ (kris’t?l-tôk). n. Noise-canceling technology manufactured by Motorola; “a bundling of microphone noise reduction and noise adaptive speaker enhancements meant to improve the clarity and intelligibility of speech while you are in a noisy environment.” – Motorola.com

Motopure H12 = H680 + CrystalTalk – Gearlog#more.

Walker continued to state that people deprive themselves of sleep almost daily, which causes significant problems. In the past, scientists thought that people with psychiatric issues were more prone to sleep disorders, but now they are beginning to believe that this dichotomy may work in reverse.

Sleep apnea can be obstructive (OSA), central (CSA), or mixed. With OSA, soft tissues collapse to stop airflow, and the sleeping patient stops breathing, periodically, for ten or more seconds at a time. Symptoms include snoring, daytime drowsiness, memory problems, and – you guessed it – irritability. Sleep apnea patients are at increased risk for heart attacks, strokes, high blood pressure, or diabetes. Obviously, any condition or situation that causes obstructed airflow is potentially deadly.

Some may think, What does dentistry have to do with sleeping disorders? Dentists, however, can help patients with obstructive sleep apnea or snoring problems. Consider these options for your sleepy-headed (OSA) patients:

Ø      The CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) is a bit cumbersome. It supplies air up the nose to force soft tissues to stay open while a patient sleeps.

Ø      The TAP (Thornton Adjustable Positioner) is an oral splint that holds soft tissues and the tongue out of the way to create unobstructed airflow.

Ø      The MAD (mandibular advancement device) pushes the lower jaw forward to make more room for airflow. It has been linked to pain in the jaw, though. One study shows no orthodontic side effects.

Ø      The Quietsleep website offers photos and descriptions of more than 30 sleep apnea/snoring cessation devices, so it’s a great place to start your research.

The CPAP site offers a sleep apnea questionnaire that can be beneficial in your diagnosis. The site also features "Introduction to the Sleep Lab Video" to help patients know what to expect in a diagnostic sleep study. Learn more about sleep apnea here.

As of September 2007, and updated version, PreViser 3.0, which is compatible with Windows and Mac, can be downloaded on the Internet. The PreViser website provides many reports, peer-reviews, samples, and information, including targeted revenue projections and pricing. Patient brochures are available for purchase, as well, with or without your practice name and contact info.

What’s the dental buzz about PreViser?

Dentist and blogger Lorne Levine wrote in his October 14^th blog that recapped the ADA show: "The PreViser system is one of the easiest and most comprehensive systems for evaluating a patient’s risk for periodontal disease, and they have made some exciting new changes to their software."

DentalCompare.com doesn’t have much to tell us because PreViser has no real competition. Read this 2005 article at DentalCompare.com for general info about PreViser.

Technorati’s two cents.

The Universal Shade Arm is perfect for Clear Match but it is also a very good tool to simply take consistent shade photos even with out the Clear Match software.

Precision consistency and predictability in taking a tooth shade it just a click away with the new Universal Shade ARM.
This device provides a consistent camera to shade tab relationship. The precise distance, angle, position and lighting are achieved every time!

Dental Learning Centers | Universal Shade ARM.

This will compete with the CaDent product which I recently mentioned. The Brontes has a different system to capture the digital impression and can take a full arch. This is one of the most exciting developments since digital x-ray and will in my mind have an even greater impact on the profession.

Stay tuned. 

Over 50 million dental impressions are performed in the U.S. each year for the production of almost all dental prosthetics and appliances, including crowns, bridges, implants, braces, aligners and retainers. The average dentist takes several impressions each day in spite of the costly, time consuming, inconsistent, and unpleasant process.

Digital tools for production have been available to the dental industry for many years, but all of these tools start with the same problematic physical input – the dental impression. Brontes will enable a long overdue digital revolution by taking 3D digital data directly from the patient’s mouth and removing the barriers to digital production.

BRONTES TECHNOLOGIES.

• Eliminate the uncomfortable patient experience of traditional impressions
• Enhance your reputation as a high-quality practice
• Utilize advanced digital technology to maximize your potential
• Achieve superior fitting prosthetics with little or no adjustments
• Enjoy increased patient satisfaction
• Reduce consumable expenses
• Realize improved clinical results

Digital Imaging for Dentists – What is Cadent iTero?.

See you there.

Finally, a Digital Impression System That Fits Your Practice … and Your Budget.
Designed to replace the uncomfortable and imprecise method of conventional impression taking, the Cadent iTero™ digital impression system is an exciting new technology that is light years ahead of cumbersome and expensive digital impression systems available today.

Digital Imaging for Dentists – What is Cadent iTero?.

Detects up to 3 times more calculus
The DetecTar™ mini is the only electronic dental diagnostic aid available today that can assist clinicians in accurately detecting calculus in a minimally invasive and pain-free manner.
This easy to use, cordless device detects up to 3 times more calculus than traditional methods. By quickly and accurately
detecting sub-gingival calculus, it helps clinicians reduce the possibility of over-scaling, thereby decreasing root sensitivity and helping ensure proper reattachment of gingival tissue.

Periodontal treatment for gum disease gingivitis, dental calculus and caries search with periodontal probe Detectar.

The Dental R.A.T. is a premium periodontal charting input device; it works with your current dental software. The simple foot-operated mouse enables the most effective, consistent hands-free periodontal charting solution available.

Dental R.A.T..

One benefit of the florida probe is more consistent and accurate probing. The excerpt below describes the constant 15g pressure. That means that if the probing is done by Shrek, the Princess or even the Donkey the numbers will be consistent.

The Handpiece delivers a standard 15 grams of pressure to provide the ideal pressure for accuracy and patient comfort. The probe records each measurement to 0.2mm accuracy and makes comparisons to previous data “on the fly” to spot change quicker and more accurately.

Welcome to Florida Probe Corporation.

Check Out the new Shade Vision Web Site, very cool.

X-Rite: Products.

CT stands for Computed Tomography which is a short version of CAT, Computed Axial Tomography.  A CT scan is a diagnostic imaging method in which a computer is used to generate a three-dimensional image of the internal of an object using a series of two-dimensional X-ray image slices taken around a single axis of rotation.

Cone Beam refers to the type of X-Ray projection and is important because it allows users to image a small well defined volume such as the lower face and mouth. Dr. Dale Miles, one of the leading US experts in Cone Beam CT analysis notes, “These devices allow oral radiologists to acquire images of only the head and neck region of the patient, at greatly reduced absorbed x-ray doses compared to conventional medical CT, with full 3D volume rendering capability.”

This two day course is a high energy power packed program. However, attendance is limited. The sessions will be customized to the attendees so you get the most from your time and investment. You will

Save Money

• One simple hardware device will save you $5,000.
• Save up to $25,000 on a camera system.
• Learn how to save $6,000 a year by using e-calls.
• And much more.

Plus, You will have fun while you learn! More Information

Hands On

• Take digital photos
• Image a smile
• Enhance an x-ray
• Create a computer presentation

Learn How to Plan, Develop & Manage the High Tech Dental Practice

You will Learn

• How to Implement New Technologies
• The Steps to Developing a Technology Action Plan
• Where to Put Computers in the Treatment Room
• How to Choose Advanced Systems
• Where, What and How Much when Buying Computer Hardware

More Here

Dates and Tuition Here