DT Middle East & Africa Edition No. 1, 2024

DT Middle East & Africa Edition No. 1, 2024

A glimpse into the advanced dental care at Dr. Sulaiman Al-Habib Medical Group / INDUSTRY / Predictable aesthetic success with a digital workow / INDUSTRY / Preserving smiles: Insights into Ultradent's commitment to innovation / Beyond software: Nataliia Romanova on Remedico's impactful journey in healthcare / Get insights into MEDIT's innovations at AEEDC 2024! / AI-powered dentistry: Revolutionizing patient care with Align Technology’s innovative solutions / News

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PUBLISHED IN DUBAI

ENDO TRIBUNE

Broken ﬁle management with
Er:YAG laser and SWEEPS
technology

www.dental-tribune.me

LAB TRIBUNE

New study investigates 3D-printing
use in dental practice

Insertion A

IMPLANT TRIBUNE

Peri-implantitis: Can it be treated
without surgery?

Insertion B

Insertion C

Vol. 14, No. 1

ORTHO TRIBUNE

A non-surgical orthodontic
approach using clear aligners in
a Class III adult patient

Insertion D

HYGIENE TRIBUNE

We're all in this together: Driving
beahvioural change for prevention
and management...

Insertion E

A glimpse into the advanced
dental care at Dr. Sulaiman
Al-Habib Medical Group
Interview with Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Sarhan, Executive Director
of the Dental Department at Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Medical Group

By Dental Tribune MEA
This exclusive interview is featuring Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Sarhan,
the Executive Director of the Dental
Department at Dr. Sulaiman

Al-Habib Medical Group (HMG). The
conversation delves into Dr. Al-Sarhan's role, the innovative technologies shaping dental care, the group's
commitment to patient satisfaction,
and their pioneering eﬀorts in in-

corporating artiﬁcial intelligence.
Gain a ﬁrsthand perspective on the
future vision of the dental depart► Page 2

Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Sarhan, Executive Director of the Dental Department at
Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Medical Group. (Photo: Dr Al-Sarhan)

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20.06.2023 07:52:33

[2] => DTMEA_No.1. Vol.14_DT.indd

NEWS

Dental Tribune Middle East & Africa Edition | 01/2024

◄ Page 1

ment, highlighting the group's dedication to staying at the forefront of
technology adoption and providing
cutting-edge dental services.

Dr. Abdulrahman, can you describe your role as the Executive
Director of the Dental Department at Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib
Medical Group and the key responsibilities that come with it?

I am Dr. Abraham Hassan, the
Executive Director of the Dental Department at Dr. Sulaiman Al-Habib
Hospital. Currently, we operate
more than 250 dental chairs with
192 dentists working on them. We
oversee a company with numerous
departments and managerial levels,
all reporting to me on a daily basis.
My role involves managing the daily
operations and overseeing the
company on a daily, weekly, monthly,
quarterly, and annual basis.

Dr. Sulaiman Al-Habib Medical Group has a signiﬁcant presence with various clinics. Can you
give the readers an overview of the
dental clinics under your management and the range of dental services they offer?

In our dental clinics, we boast
over 250 dental chairs equipped
with the latest technology, including
dental chairs, CBCT imaging units
support three diﬀerent types of 3D
dental imaging, as well as panoramic, extraoral bitewing, and
cephalometric
imaging.
Our

“Patient satisfaction is our compass, and technology is
our guide. The future of dentistry lies in accessibility,
quality, and efﬁciency.”— Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Sarhan

branches also feature digital dentistry or CAD/CAM technology. We
organize our clinics by specialty, ensuring each specialty has its own
privileges and equipment, allowing
them to work eﬃciently within their
scope.

The HMG is well known for its
smartphone app to enhance
healthcare services. How has
technology, including the app,
been integrated into the dental department, and what beneﬁts does
it bring to both practitioners and
patients?

At Dr. Sulaiman Al-Habib Medical Group, we have a subsidiary
company dedicated to cloud solutions and digital transformation.
The mobile app plays a crucial role
in enhancing patient experience, allowing for live consultations, appointment conﬁrmations, online

payments, and online check-ins,
providing convenience for both
practitioners and patients.

The HMG is a leader in remote
medical consulting services. How
is this service utilized within the
dental department, and what advantages does it offer to patients
seeking dental consultations?

During the COVID-19 pandemic,
the dental profession faced challenges, prompting us to adapt by increasing our use of remote consultations. We successfully implemented online, telephone, and
video consultations, ensuring patient safety. This approach continues to provide patients with access
to dental consultations in a safe and
convenient manner.

How has the dental department leveraged technology to en-

hance patient engagement and
satisfaction?

We have implemented various
technologies to enhance patient engagement and satisfaction. For example, we have designed dedicated
play areas with interactive elements
for pediatric patients. Additionally,
our dental pediatric clinic features
ceiling screens above dental chairs
with infotainment solutions, creating a unique and satisfying dental
journey for our young patients.

Could you share any innovative practices or technologies implemented in the dental clinics
that set Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib
Medical Group apart in the ﬁeld of
dentistry?

Certainly! We have invested in
several innovative practices and
technologies, including the dental
lab module. This digitalized module
serves as a centralized dental lab
platform, enhancing practical skills,
creating measurable KPIs for lab
staﬀ, improving lab-dentist communications, and providing lab
photos and cases for marketing and
publication purposes.

The HMG is one of the pioneering groups to start using AI to
aid patients in recognizing symptoms and choosing the right doctor. How is AI applied in the dental
department, and what beneﬁts
does it bring to diagnostic and
treatment processes?
We plan to integrate Artiﬁcial
Intelligence (AI) into our dental
X-ray system to analyze data more
eﬃciently, facilitating the early detection of oral health issues. This initiative is designed to enhance the
diagnostic and treatment processes
for the beneﬁt of our patients.

Looking ahead, what is the future vision for the dental department at Dr. Sulaiman Al-Habib
Medical Group, especially in
terms of technology adoption and
providing cutting-edge dental
care to patients?

IMPRINT
INTERNATIONAL
HEADQUARTERS
PUBLISHER AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER:
Torsten OEMUS
CHIEF CONTENT OFFICER:
Claudia Duschek

Dental Tribune International GmbH
Holbeinstr. 29, 04229 Leipzig, Germany
Tel.: +49 341 4847 4302
Fax: +49 341 4847 4173
General requests: info@dental-tribune.com
Sales requests:
mediasales@dental-tribune.com
www.dental-tribune.com
Material from Dental Tribune International GmbH that
has been reprinted or translated and reprinted in this
issue is copyrighted by Dental Tribune International
GmbH. Such material must be published with the per-

mission of Dental Tribune International GmbH. Dental
Tribune is a trademark of Dental Tribune International
GmbH.
All rights reserved. © 2024 Dental Tribune International GmbH. Reproduction in any manner in any language, in whole or in part, without the prior written
permission of Dental Tribune International GmbH is
expressly prohibited.
Dental Tribune International GmbH makes every effort to report clinical information and manufacturers’
product news accurately but cannot assume respon-

sibility for the validity of product claims or for typographical errors. The publisher also does not assume
responsibility for product names, claims or statements
made by advertisers. Opinions expressed by authors
are their own and may not reﬂect those of Dental Tribune International GmbH

Our vision is to consistently
meet patient expectations throughout their treatment journey. We aim
to incorporate the latest technology
to enhance accessibility, quality,
convenience, and eﬃciency. This includes reaching out to patients for
appointments, oﬀering a shift towards providing high-quality and
innovative services.

When it comes to dental education, could you elaborate on
some of the programmes your
dental professionals go through to
stay up-to-date with the latest advances in dentistry?

At Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Medical Group, we take pride in our educational endeavors, including the
esteemed Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib
Academy. This premier hospital education institution oﬀers a range of
programs accredited by the Saudi
Commission for Dental Specialists.
The Academy encompasses fellowship programs and various diplomas in dentistry, including the
sought-after dental implant diploma. Furthermore, we are introducing new initiatives, namely dental lab technician and dental assistant diplomas.
Our dedicated training and development department diligently
organizes workshops, training sessions, and lectures, ensuring that
our dental professionals stay
abreast of the latest updates and
advancements in the ﬁeld of dentistry.

Any other information you
would like to share with our
Dental Tribune MEA readers?

I would like to express my gratitude to Dental Tribune for this interview opportunity. I hope to have
added value to it. To all dental professionals, I wish you the best and
encourage you to increase your
knowledge through training sessions, lectures, and by exploring the
valuable articles oﬀered by Dental
Tribune to enhance your expertise
in the ﬁeld of Dentistry.

MEA PUBLISHER:
Dr. Dobrina MOLLOVA
SALES:
Tzvetan DEYANOV
Petar MOLLOV
DENTAL TRIBUNE MEA
Onyx Tower 2, Oﬃce P204, Dubai, UAE
Mob.: +971 55 112 8581
www.dental-tribune.com
General requests:
dtmea@dental-tribune.me

[3] => DTMEA_No.1. Vol.14_DT.indd

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INDUSTRY

Dental Tribune Middle East & Africa Edition | 01/2024

The goals of Dr. Eom Tae-Gwan,
CEO of Osstem Implant
By Osstem Implant
I have been working at Osstem
Implant for 22 years. From November 2001 to 2016, I served as the
head of its R&D Center. Since 2017,
I have been the CEO of Osstem Implant. My role in the ﬁeld of oral
healthcare service is to realize the
founding philosophy of Osstem
Implant, which is to “help dentists
provide better medical service to
contribute to the improvement of
human health.”
As the world’s No. 3 implant
company, Osstem Implant contributes to improving people’s oral
health by helping about 110,000
dentists worldwide provide better
medical service. Taking a step further, we contribute to promoting
health of a greater number of people by developing higher-quality
products and securing many more
dentists
In more speciﬁc terms of vision,
the company aims to grow into the
world’s top implant company by
2026 by establishing subsidiaries in
46 countries and achieving
USD 1.78 billion (AED 6.53 billion) in
annual sales. After that, it aims to
increase the proportion of its overseas sales to 85% and achieve
USD 7.74 billion (AED 28.42 illion) in
annual sales by 2036.
As such, my role is to solidify
the ground for making Osstem Implant the world’s No. 1 implant
company and, furthermore, the
world’s No. 1 dental service company.

Dr. Eom Tae-Gwan, visionary leader and CEO of Osstem Implant, exempliﬁes a commitment to excellence in the ﬁeld of dental implants. (Photos: Osstem Implant)

“Customer feedback serves
as the driving force for elevating
our R&D capabilities”
With the goal of growing as the
top global implant provider, the
company is currently concentrating

more resources on R&D. The percentage of R&D investment in our
revenue rose from 7% in the early
days of my tenure to 11% now,
while the number of researchers increased from around 300 people to
over 600 people during these
years.
After being inaugurated as the
CEO of the company, I made eﬀorts
to spread the ‘feedback system’ of
the research institute to the entire
organization of the company. I did
so in order to ensure that any negative eﬀects of any policies lead to
an understanding of the reasons
for such eﬀects through a veriﬁcation stage. I ensure the veriﬁcation
of policies whenever they are
planned and established, and receive feedback from customers
when our products are sold. Feedback requires continuous contact.
We can improve the capabilities
and job quality of employees
through constant feedback. The
secret to technological development is endless repetition.
As soon as I joined Osstem Implant, I was appointed as the head
of the R&D Center in Busan. In the
initial phase, I focused on establishing a system for the R&D center.
In ﬁve years, I succeeded in developing a new type of implant by applying stress mechanical engineering, which is my ﬁeld of major. This
was highly evaluated as ‘quality
product’ in stress distribution effect, but not popular among den-

tists. It is because it involved a complicated procedure although the
long-term stability after procedure
was good. In other words, it was a
technically sensitive implant for
dentists.
As I realized that surgical procedures should be conveniently
conducted in order to raise the success rate of medical instruments, I
have devoted myself to the development of products with enhanced
convenience since then. I optimized the shape of the screw, and
the thickness and angle of the implant to enable dentists to easily
plant the implant in ulitis, resulting
in a big success.
Since each individual has a different oral structure, it is common
that 3-5 surgical procedures out of
10 procedures are satisfactory
when implants are used without
optimizing the shape of the screw
and thickness and angle of the implant. In this case, dentists highly
welcomed such implants that are
optimized for individual cases as
their satisfaction ratio rose to
80~90%. Thanks to this, Osstem
Implant could dominate the domestic market that had been dominated by imported products in a
short period of time.
Digital Dentistry as Envisioned by Osstem Implant
Although there may be slight
diﬀerences by time, it is crucial that
oral health service providers pay

more attention to digitalization
and build their digital capabilities. I
could perceive long ago that digital
dentistry was the major movement
of the age in the dental industry.
Given that it is our core business
and the degree of its technological
diﬃculty is high, we have long been
heavily investing in digital dentistry
as I foresaw the necessity of developing our unique technologies.
Currently, we have launched
equipment, such as milling machines and printers, and we are expected to introduce software products, such as computer-aided design (CAD), soon. Once digital dentistry is fully equipped, dentists will
be able to treat patients more easily with a higher success rate. When
they can simulate the position, direction and angle of placing implants based on the 3D image data
of patients secured through computerized tomography (CT) and
scanner, I believe that dentists can
then minimize the side eﬀects of
surgery, while narrowing the skill
gap between dentists. Thus, when
digital dentistry becomes completely available, the ability gap between global dentists, as well as
those in Korea, will be reduced, and
this outcome corresponds to the
management philosophy of the
company that aspires to realize the
healthy life of mankind.

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INDUSTRY

Dental Tribune Middle East & Africa Edition | 01/2024

Family of BRILLIANT ﬁlling
materials grows
Flexible choice of shade and consistency

By COLTENE
The entire BRILLIANT composite
family is characterized in terms of
aesthetics by its Duo Shade System
with its natural fading eﬀect. The sophisticated shade system of BRILLIANT EverGlow also ensures a high
degree of ﬂexibility in the dental
practice. Depending on the indication and individual "artistic" requirements, dentists can choose the
right combination for them from a
total of seven universal, two translucent and ﬁve opaque shades: from
the eﬃciency version with just three
shades to the extended range of
seven for optimum shade matching
and the set of 14 for highly esthetic
eﬀects with diﬀerent translucency
levels. With BRILLIANT Bulk Fill Flow,
the BRILLIANT composite family has

now gained another member making treatment even more ﬂexible and uncomplicated in the future.
With BRILLIANT Bulk Fill Flow,
COLTENE is once again expanding
its system of high-performance
composites
A new product in the BRILLIANT
family is coming soon - BRILLIANT
Bilk Fill Flow.
Not too long ago, restorative
therapy in the posterior region resembled bricklaying: more extensive restorations were laboriously
applied layer by layer and individually light-cured. Nowadays, bulk ﬁll
materials enable reliable curing
down to the base of the cavity in
one go. The use of such composite
variants also saves valuable time
and unnecessary work. Meanwhile,

bulk ﬁll materials allow reliable curing down to the cavity ﬂoor in one
go. The use of such composite variants also saves valuable time and
unnecessary work steps. COLTENE is
now launching a new bulk ﬁll variant
with optimum ﬂow properties in the
BRILLIANT composite family.
Eﬃcient restorations in the
posterior teeth area
With BRILLIANT Bulk Fill Flow,
the international dental specialist

COLTENE supplements its system of
high-performance composites with
another smooth variant: the ﬂowable bulk ﬁll composite is easy to
work with and cures completely
within a very short time. With a
depth of up to 4 mm, the adaptive
material polymerizes completely
and reliably in just 20 seconds. Due
to its high abrasion resistance, neither a liner nor an additional top
layer is required to ensure optimum
stability and longevity. The surface

wettability and ﬂowability in turn
enable the best possible adhesion
to the bonded cavity walls. Accordingly, BRILLIANT Bulk Fill Flow ensures quick and easy restorations
overall, especially in the diﬃcult-to-access posterior region,
where stability is particularly important due to the high masticatory
load.

Hands-on excellence from W&H
lights in the line-up, including the
new Synea Power Edition.
Anyone who does not yet have a
ticket for the AEEDC should be
quick. As every year, the trade fair
program is extensive, the exhibitors
diverse and the product innovations
exciting. W&H can be found in hall
8, booth 805 & 807. "We are looking
forward to numerous visitors, personal exchange, and being able to
present our innovative product
solutions," says Amine Souﬁ, W&H
Cluster Manager.

The Synea Power Edition is the ideal solution for highly demanding applications.
(Photo: W&H Dentalwerk)

By W&H Dentalwerk
The AEEDC Conference goes
into the next round: from February
6th to 8th, medical professionals
from all over the world will meet

again in Dubai. This year, W&H
places a spotlight on knowledge
transfer, bringing together renowned speakers to give hands-on
courses for trade fair visitors. W&H
also has numerous product high-

Hands-on for more product
knowledge
At the upcoming AEEDC Conference, Dr Anton Gerasimov and Dr
Rawad Samarani will do courses on
3D ridge augmentation. Both are
specialists in oral surgery with years
of experience in their ﬁeld.
Dr Rawad Samarani was appointed director of the “Advanced
Implant Surgery Diploma” in 2019.
His expertise extends to lecturing and conducting courses on topics such as guided bone regeneration, full-arch implant rehabilitation,
and immediate implantation in the
aesthetic zone. Professor Anton
Gerasimov is a distinguished specialist implantologist with over 19

years of combined experience in
Russia and the UAE. He is a member
of the Board of Directors of the International Board of Oral Implantology in Florida, USA. With such a
wealth of knowledge, Dr Gerasimov
and Dr Samarani are committed to
advancing the ﬁeld of oral implantology and sharing their expertise
with medical professionals at the
AEEDC.
The new Synea Power Edition
In line with numerous product
highlights, W&H is also presenting
the new Synea Power Edition in
Dubai. The W&H high-speed contraangle handpieces are specially designed for the processing and
removal of high-strength ceramic
materials such as zirconia. Oﬀering a
particularly robust design, additional
torque, and stable removal rate, the
new Synea Power Edition is the ideal
solution for highly demanding applications such as crown and bridge removal.

Visit W&H at the AEECD in Dubai,
hall 8, booth No. 805 & 807.

Dr Rawad Samarani
SAMARANI CLINIC & INSTITUTE

Dr Anton Gerasimov
HARMONY MEDICAL CENTER

For more information contact
W&H Dentalwerk
Web: www.wh.com
E-mail: office@wh.com

[7] => DTMEA_No.1. Vol.14_DT.indd

#whdentalwerk
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your dealer
or wh.com

Xceed Limits

New W&H sterilizer Lara XL
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[8] => DTMEA_No.1. Vol.14_DT.indd

INDUSTRY

Dental Tribune Middle East & Africa Edition | 01/2024

Ultradent unveils new
universal shade composite

(Image: Ultradent Products)

By Ultradent Products
Ultradent Products, Inc., a leading developer and manufacturer of
high-tech dental materials, is announcing the launch of Transcend

universal composite, a new composite material providing unmatched esthetics and handling
properties. Transcend composite is
designed to simplify the restorative
process by allowing dentists to

complete most restorations with
just one shade of composite.
Thanks to Ultradent's Resin
Particle Match technology, Transcend composite oﬀers high levels
of translucency, allowing for ideal

pigmentation and opaciﬁcation to
match the surrounding dentition.
The Universal Body shade also has
optimal opacity to help block the
underlying tooth color, eliminating
the need for a blocker shade.
"Transcend composite enables
dentists to achieve excellent esthetic results with ease," says Ultradent Sr. VP of Research & Development, Neil Jessop. "Its unique formulation oﬀers the perfect balance
of ﬂexibility, strength, and gloss retention to ensure the long-lasting
results patients are seeking."
Transcend composite is a nanohybrid formula that combines high
strength and easy sculptability,
making it ideal for both posterior
and anterior composite restorations. The handling properties of
Transcend composite have been
ﬁnely tuned to be ﬁrm but malleable, allowing it to stay in place without drooping or slumping during
manipulation. The material is highly

wear-resistant, but also less abrasive to opposing dentition than
other composites on the market.
In addition to the Universal
Body shade, Transcend composite
features four dentin shades and
two enamel shades for cases when
a layering technique is appropriate.
These layering shades were handpicked to include only the most
popular shades from Ultradent's
esthetic composite lines to ensure
dentists have the shades needed to
accomplish restorative work done
on a regular basis.

Synea Fusion in the spotlight
By W&H Dentalwerk
Eﬃcient, successful, popular –
the Synea Fusion contra-angle
handpieces are the best-selling
contra-angle handpieces in the
world from W&H and, in their class,
combine outstanding quality and a
long service life with low acquisition costs. The recently launched
‘Spot on’ campaign is now literally
shining the spotlight on the popular medical devices.
The high performance, optimal
ergonomics, and cost-eﬃciency of
the Synea Fusion series guarantee
the quality that convinces dentists
around the world. More than 100
years of experience in medical
technology and just as much knowhow and W&H expertise have gone
into the development of these
medical devices, which have quickly
established themselves as reliable
and indispensable tools for any
dental treatment.
Innovation based on tradition
Ever since the company was
founded in 1890, W&H has demonstrated a spirit of innovation and
has been a pioneer in the dental industry. W&H is now represented
with its products in 110 countries
worldwide and, is one of the market

leaders in the industry, employing
around 1,200 people. During a history spanning more than 130 years,
the company has produced
ground-breaking innovations such
as Europe's ﬁrst mechanical straight
and contra-angle handpieces and
push-button chucking systems, as
well as scratch-resistant surfaces
and shadow-free LED+ lighting
technology. The Synea Fusion
range ﬁts seamlessly into this path
of success and is now W&H's
best-selling range of contra-angle
handpieces.
High quality and optimal
cost-eﬃciency
Synea Fusion boasts an excellent price-performance ratio with
extensive functionalities and a high
level of user-friendliness. Quiet ceramic ball bearings, a hygienic
monobloc design and the optimised grip proﬁle are standard, as
is the LED+ on the turbine handpieces, thus ensuring better contrast sensitivity and perfectly neutral light. Small head sizes guarantee optimal access and the best visibility of the treatment area, while
the Quattro Spray provides the
necessary cooling. The transmission instruments are thermo
washer disinfectable and can be
sterilized, allowing for easy and

convenient integration into any hygiene and maintenance process.
‘Spot on’ for the most popular contra-angle handpieces and
turbine handpieces in the world
from W&H
W&H is now shining the spotlight on its bestseller in a new campaign: ‘Spot on’ is the new motto in

four diﬀerent themes, which attract
attention with bright colours and
convincing arguments. With the
unexpected shadowing, the campaign also features the cheeky humour which is just as much a part of
W&H’s identity as the values of reliability, expertise, openness, and
sustainability.

The most successful contra-angle in the world from W&H. (Image: W&H)

For more information contact
W&H Dentalwerk
Web: www.wh.com
E-mail: office@wh.com

[9] => DTMEA_No.1. Vol.14_DT.indd

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[10] => DTMEA_No.1. Vol.14_DT.indd

DIGITAL DENTISTRY

Dental Tribune Middle East & Africa Edition | 01/2024

Predictable aesthetic success
with a digital workow
By Dr Tyler Wynne, USA
Introduction
Dentists today are living during
exciting times when advancements
in materials, techniques and diagnostics allow us to predictably improve the quality of our patients’
lives and their overall health. Digital treatment planning and workﬂows enable clinicians to accurately
attain healthy form and function of
the stomatognathic system even in
the most complex of cases. Patients
often seek aesthetic dental care to
improve their appearance and
function and often present with
numerous complications and factors that require a comprehensive
focus to attain a successful aesthetic result. If all factors present
are not treated, a clinician can make
improvements, but the case will not
be ultimately successful. Identifying all of these factors and involving the patient in these treatment
goals is essential.1–3 Besides providing aesthetic solutions for our patients, we should aim to preserve
and improve our patients’ systemic
health with the treatment options,
techniques and materials utilised.
A healthy dentition and periodontium, stable temporomandibular
joint health, and good airway
health should all be taken into account.
The patient in this case presented with obvious aesthetic and

functional deﬁcits associated with
the eﬀects of severe wear, periodontal disease and tooth loss.
This case report demonstrates that,
through meticulous treatment
planning using digital smile design
and a digital workﬂow for both the
surgical and restorative treatment
phases, the quality of life and systemic health of our patients can be
dramatically improved.
Diagnosis and treatment
planning
Upon examination, biological,
functional and aesthetic deﬁcits
were present (Figs. 1–10). Several
periodontal defects were located in
the maxillary and mandibular anterior sextants and bilateral posterior
quadrants. Severe wear due to attrition with compensatory overeruption of the mandibular anterior
alveolar crest had contributed to
occlusal plane discrepancies. Irregularities in the curve of Wilson and
curve of Spee had resulted in occlusal disharmony and no anterior
guidance. Excessive overbite and
overjet and vertical maxillary anterior excess were noted. Other aesthetic deﬁciencies included a lip
line that did not match the smile
line and irregular and asymmetrical
gingival zeniths, incisal embrasures
and incisal edge positions. The
patient’s prole view showed a
retruded chin and deﬁcient lower
facial third height. Increasing the

Fig. 1: Full-face view of the patient. Fig. 2: Frontal view of the patient’s smile. Fig. 3: Full-face retracted view of the patient,
demonstrating functional and aesthetic challenges. Fig. 4: Right lateral prole view.

lower facial third height would
allow for improved chin prominence and a more youthful appearance. This “triangle of youth”, present in people with ideal vertical facial thirds, as described by Gelb, is
an inverted triangle from the facial
view in which three straight lines
connect the most lateral aspects of
the right and left cheek bones to
the mental protuberance of the

chin.4 An aged face is often due to
a loss of ideal lower facial third
height and a retruded chin, in which
from the facial view a triangle can
be outlined with a straight line connecting the left and right angles of
the mandible to the inferior aspect
of the nasal bone.4 The treatment
objectives were to restore ideal
function and aesthetics by correcting these various deﬁciencies.

When numerous functional
and aesthetic challenges are present, one of the ﬁrst steps in establishing an aesthetic reconstruction
is to deﬁne the proper plane of occlusion.5 According to Dawson,
“the form of the occlusal plane is
directly related to speciﬁc functional requirements, alignment of
teeth in relationship to the arc of
closure for best resistance to loading and ease of access for positioning of the food on the occlusal surface”.6 Without a proper plane of
occlusion, the remaining features
that establish proper form and
function are adversely aﬀected.
Tooth dimensions and embrasures
will not be balanced and oriented
properly, and an aesthetic outcome
will be compromised.7 To restore
proper form and function and correct the identiﬁed deﬁciencies, our
treatment plan involved fullarch
implant- retained prostheses following a predictable and streamlined digital workﬂow.
Clinical protocol
Using the NavaGation Synergy
Guided Workﬂow (Absolute Dental
Services), the restorative and surgi-

Fig. 5: Frontal view showing multiple aesthetic and functional decits. Fig. 6: Right lateral view showing multiple aesthetic and functional decits. Fig. 7: Left lateral view
showing multiple aesthetic and functional decits. Fig. 8: Frontal view of the teeth in maximum intercuspation. Fig. 9: Right lateral view of the teeth in maximum intercuspation. Fig. 10: Left lateral view of the teeth in maximum intercuspation.

Fig. 11: Frontal view of centric relation bite registration. Fig. 12: Maxillary surgical treatment planning using coDiagnostiX. Fig. 13: Mandibular surgical treatment planning using coDiagnostiX.

► Page 11

[11] => DTMEA_No.1. Vol.14_DT.indd

DIGITAL DENTISTRY

Dental Tribune Middle East & Africa Edition | 01/2024
◄ Page 10

Fig. 14: Maxillary surgical treatment
planning with the maxillary prosthesis using coDiagnostiX. Fig. 15: Mandibular surgical treatment planning
with the mandibular prosthesis using
coDiagnostiX.

21
16

22
17

Fig. 16: Maxillary and mandibular key ﬁxation foundation guides made from Flexcera with indexed transitional Flexcera Smile
prostheses prior to pick-up. Fig. 17: Complete maxillary and mandibular Flexcera Smile transitional prostheses, one day after
surgery. Fig. 18: Occlusal view of the maxillary Flexcera Smile prosthesis. Fig. 19: Occlusal view of the mandibular Flexcera
Smile prosthesis. Fig. 20: Full-face retracted view of the centric relation bite registration with Blu-Mousse for the ﬁnal impression using the acrylic transitional duplicates.

Fig. 21: Frontal view of the try-in Flexcera Smile ﬁnal prostheses duplicates to assess function and aesthetics. Fig. 22: Occlusal view of the complete maxillary
try-in Flexcera Smile duplicate of the ﬁnal prosthesis. Fig. 23: Occlusal view of the
complete mandibular try-in Flexcera Smile duplicate of the ﬁnal prosthesis.
Fig. 24: Full-face view of the try-in Flexcera Smile nal prostheses duplicates, conﬁrming improved aesthetics and function. Fig. 25: Full-face retracted view of the
try-in Flexcera Smile ﬁnal prostheses duplicates, conﬁrming improved aesthetics
and function.

37
32

Fig. 26: ArgenZ HT+ Multilayer ﬁnal prostheses with characterised gingiva.
Fig. 27: Frontal view of the patient’s smile, showing improved aesthetics and function. Fig. 28: Right lateral view of the patient’s smile. Fig. 29: Left lateral view of
the patient’s smile. Fig. 30: Frontal view of the patient’s improved vertical dimension, function and aesthetics. Fig. 31: Right lateral view of the teeth in maximum
intercuspation. Fig. 32: Left lateral view of the teeth in maximum intercuspation.
Fig. 33: Frontal view of the completed case. Fig. 34: Right lateral view of the completed case. Fig. 35: Left lateral view of the completed case. Fig. 36: Maxillary
occlusal view of the completed case. Fig. 37: Mandibular occlusal view of the
completed case.

► Page 12

[12] => DTMEA_No.1. Vol.14_DT.indd

DIGITAL DENTISTRY

Dental Tribune Middle East & Africa Edition | 01/2024

◄ Page 11
function, phonetics and occlusion
were assessed (Figs. 21–25). Adjustments to the gingival embrasures
were made to idealise the gingival
scalloping and guide papillae ll-in,
and a ﬁnal bite registration was obtained using Blu-Mousse. The ﬁnal
prostheses were fabricated from
full-contour solid zirconia (ArgenZ
HT+ Multilayer, 1,250 MPa; Argen)
and were custom stained and
glazed to transition naturally with
the
gingival
characterisation
(Figs. 26–40). The multi-unit prosthetic screws were torqued to the
manufacturer’s recommendations
and the access holes sealed with
PTFE tape and Filtek Supreme Ultra.
A full-coverage maxillary at plane
occlusal night guard was fabricated
to be worn indeﬁnitely to reduce
and manage occlusal para functional forces on the prostheses and
implants.

39a

39b

Fig. 38: Full-face retracted view of the completed case. Figs. 39a & b: Before (a)
and after proﬁle views (b) showing improved lower facial third proportion and
autorotation of the mandible.

cal planning phase began with collaboration between the guided
surgery specialist (Matt Vrhovac
from Absolute Dental Services),
surgeon (Dr Teresa Biggerstaﬀ )
and restorative dentist (me). To correct the patient’s aesthetic and
functional deﬁciencies, the planning began by obtaining an accurate CBCT scan taken at the patient’s current vertical dimension of
occlusion in centric relation position (Fig. 11). Several digital photographs were taken, including fullface smile photographs to identify
the lip position and high smile line,
prole photographs and retracted
views (Canon Rebel T5i with
a 100 mm L macro lens with both a
Canon EL-100 ash system and

a Canon MR-14EX II macro ash).
Digital photographs are essential
for the digital treatment planning
workﬂow, as they are needed to assess aesthetics, tooth position and
smile design and to guide the treatment planning process.
A digital wax-up was designed
using 3Shape software to idealise
the occlusal plane and correct the
aesthetic and functional deﬁciencies. PreVu cosmetic simulation and
smile design software (PreVu
Dental) was used to superimpose
the digital wax-up on to the patient’s digital photographs, enabling the guided surgery specialist, surgeon and restorative dentist
to evaluate the smile plan for implant placement based upon the

Fig. 40: Full-face view of the patient’s new smile.

ﬁnal prostheses. During the treatment planning meeting, the surgeon and guided surgery specialist
planned for implant position,
model matching and bone reduction using Absolute Dental Services’ in-house surgical planning
software and coDiagnostiX software (Dental Wings; Figs. 12–15).
The plan was to place eight maxillary implants and ﬁve mandibular
implants for full-arch implantretained zirconia prostheses.
To streamline an accurate and
precise surgical protocol, the NavaGation Synergy Guided Workﬂow
was utilised. A unilateral key ﬁxation foundation guide was placed
and the position veriﬁed with a
3D-printed PMMA (Flexcera, Desktop Health) tooth stabilisation
guide aligner. After extraction of
the failed dentition, a 3D-printed
Flexcera scalloped maxillary bone
reduction guide was used to idealise the maxillary alveolar ridge contours, and a mandibular bone reduction guide was used to reduce
the overerupted mandibular anterior osseous segment. Buccal ﬁxation pins were used to secure the
foundation and bone reduction
guides accurately and securely to
the maxillary and mandibular bone.
Implant placement guides were
subsequently utilised to guide precise implant placement. Eight
Straumann Bone Level Tapered
Roxolid SLActive Regular CrossFit
implants were placed in the maxillary arch (4.8 × 8.0 mm implants in
sites #16 and 26, 4.1 × 12.0 mm implant in site #14 and 4.1 × 14.0 mm
implants in sites #13, 11, 21, 23 and
24). Five Straumann Bone Level
Tapered Roxolid SLActive Regular
CrossFit implants were placed in
the mandibular arch (4.8 × 12.0 mm
implants in sites #36 and 46,
4.1 × 14.0 mm implants in sites #33
and 43, and 4.1 × 12.0 mm implant
in site #31).
Once the implants had been
placed, the implant placement
guide was removed and Regular
CrossFit screwretained 17° multiunit abutments were placed using a
3D-printed Flexcera multi-unit
abutment aligner guide. The transitional prostheses made from Flexcera Smile were then picked up

with a dual-polymerising polymer
(Triad, Dentsply Sirona), after placing the temporary titanium cylinders, each blocked out with silicone
blockout tubes, on to the multi-unit
abutments (Figs. 16 & 17). PTFE
tape and ﬂowable Filtek Supreme
Ultra (3M ESPE) composite were
used to seal each access hole prior
to assessing the occlusion (Figs. 18
& 19). At this time, Flexcera Smile
duplicates of the transitional prostheses were picked up with the
same protocol to use when the
time came for the ﬁnal impressions,
capturing the desired vertical dimension, tooth position and healed
soft tissue. Bilateral masseter Botox
injections were administered to
manage excessive occlusal forces
during the osseointegration phase.
Forty-eight hours after surgery,
the occlusion was assessed and
minor adjustments were made to
the Flexcera Smile transitional
protheses. After ﬁve months of osseointegration, Flexcera Smile ﬁnal
impression duplicates of the transitional prostheses were seated and
hand tightened to the multi-unit
abutments, and a minor adjustment to the midline was marked on
the impression duplicate for communication with the laboratory.
A light-bodied polyvinylsiloxane
(VPS) impression material was used
to capture the intaglio space between the tissue and the impression duplicate of both prostheses.
During the osseointegration phase,
soft-tissue shrinkage is a normal
sequela of the healing process;
therefore, the light-bodied VPS
helps to ensure seamless intaglio
adaptation of the ﬁnal prostheses
to the soft tissue. A centric relation
bite registration was taken using
Blu-Mousse VPS bite registration
material (Parkell; Fig. 20).
This
NavaGation
Synergy
guided surgery and prosthetic protocol eliminates the need for
guesswork, veriﬁcation jigs, occlusal rims and wax set-ups. The ﬁnal
impression duplicates of the transitional prostheses served as both
ﬁnal impression trays and correct
vertical dimension and tooth position guides. At the subsequent visit,
prototypes made from Flexcera
Smile were tried in and aesthetics,

Conclusion
Digital treatment planning for
improved aesthetics and function
can be both rewarding for the clinicians and fulﬁlling for the patient.7
Predictable surgical and prosthetic
results are possible with a streamlined digitally guided workﬂow that
eliminates guesswork. The collaboration of the surgeon, restorative
dentist and guided surgery specialist in treatment planning enables
visualisation of the desired outcome prior to surgery. Numerous
aesthetic and functional deﬁciencies were addressed and resolved
in this patient’s case resulting in
much improved dental health,
function and appearance. The patient and all involved with the case
were pleased with the outcome.
Editorial note: This article originally appeared in Oral Health Magazine, and
an edited version is provided here with
permission from Newcom Media.
Please scan this QR code
for the list of references.

Dr Tyler Wynne
received his DDS
in 2014 from the
University of North Carolina at Chapel
Hill Adams School of Dentistry in the
US, where he is an adjunct faculty
member. He practises general dentistry
in Clemmons in North Carolina, is an
editorial team member of REALITY
Ratings & Reviews and is a scholar of
the Dawson Academy. Dr Wynne is a
fellow of the International Academy for
Dental-Facial Esthetics and Academy of
General Dentistry and a member of the
American Society for Dental Aesthetics.

[13] => DTMEA_No.1. Vol.14_DT.indd

THE CLEAR WAY

SMILE

[14] => DTMEA_No.1. Vol.14_DT.indd

INDUSTRY

Dental Tribune Middle East & Africa Edition | 01/2024

Explaining beneﬁts of pedo crowns
By HuFriedyGroup
Applied to permanent molars,
sealants can reduce the risk of cavities by 80%. But, what about deciduous teeth and the caries that can
sometimes show up? When it does,
it’s common for parents to be upset
and worried. And that anxiety can
easily pass along to the child.
So, how can you help both parents and their children have a positive dental experience, even when
the dentist ﬁnds a cavity?
The key is to approach those
conversations as an opportunity for
learning.
Let parents know that they’re
not alone – tooth decay is the most
common chronic disease in children, and more than 40% of children will have dental caries by the
time they reach kindergarten. Parents may not know that decay
spreads quickly between deciduous
teeth because that enamel is thinner
than on permanent teeth.
Follow up with the good news.
They have an excellent option for
treatment when signiﬁcant tooth
loss has occurred as a result of rampant or very advanced caries: pedo
crowns.
The dentist may get some pushback: “Why put a crown on a tooth
that’s going to fall out anyway?” You
know the reasons why, but young
patients and their parents probably

don’t, or they haven’t thought about
them. So the dentist may ask you to
help explain the beneﬁts of these
crowns.
So, here’s how to highlight the
beneﬁts of pedo crowns.
Why Pedo Crowns are better
than extraction
This is where hygienists can be
the voice of education and comfort
for pediatric patients and their parents.
Baby teeth are worth saving
(and not just for the tooth fairy)
Crowns are also a great alternative to extracting teeth. Removing
deciduous teeth too early creates
space for neighboring teeth to
move in, making it nearly impossible for permanent teeth to come
through the way they should.
Another unwanted result from
extraction is that the resulting gap
makes it hard for the child to chew.
Parents work hard enough to get
their kids to eat fruits and vegetables, most of which are crunchy in
texture. If chewing is painful or uncomfortable, that hard work becomes even more diﬃcult.
Pedo Crowns are diﬀerent
from adult crowns
When adults think of crowns,
they think of their own crowns (or
those of another adult they know)

and assume it will be the same experience for their children.
But children typically struggle to
sit still for long stretches and very
quickly become scared. Their tolerance for even the slightest discomfort is low. So, crowns made speciﬁcally for children were designed to
alleviate these issues as much as
possible.
HuFriedyGroup Pedo Crowns
were speciﬁcally created for pediatric situations, making procedures
faster and more eﬃcient. They’re
also made from stainless steel that
is pre-trimmed, crimped and contoured, which minimizes the need
for adjustments during placement.

brush and a rice-sized bit of toothpaste.
BOIT brushing involves three
circular passes starting in the upper-right side of the mouth:
• “Bumpy” – Brush the biting
surface.
• “Outside” – Brush the parts of
teeth you see when the child smiles.
• “Inside” – Brush the tooth surfaces near the tongue.
• “Tongue” – Finish with a quick
brushing of the tongue.
Also, take this opportunity to remind parents that sugary drinks,
sticky candy, juice and over-sweetened yogurt can damage young
teeth.

Help parents prevent more
cavities
While talking with the child and
caregivers about pediatric crowns,
don’t miss out on the opportunity to
promote good oral health care
practices. We all know good dental
hygiene starts at home. But, knowing and doing are two diﬀerent
things (raise your hand if you’re surprised when a patient is regularly
ﬂossing).
Many parents want to develop
healthy oral care in their children,
but they’re not sure how to do it
right.
A great recommendation from
hygienist Debbi Viger is to demonstrate the “BOIT” system using a soft

Relief for anxious kids
No matter how much you try to
make children feel comfortable at
the dental oﬃce, many of them will
still have a lot of anxiety.
Nitrous oxide/oxygen sedation
can calm anxiety and make a child’s
experience much less stressful.
While both reusable and disposable
nasal masks are available, the pandemic-induced trend toward disposable does go a long way in preventing infection.
Accutron
ClearView
Nasal
Masks are designed to match a
child’s ﬂow of breathing, and the
soft inner mask creates a better seal.
Because the mask is clear, there’s no
guessing whether a child is breath-

ing through their nose – you can see
for yourself.
What kids really like about the
ClearView Nasal Masks is how many
colors and scents (like bubblegum
and strawberry) are available. By letting young patients make some
choices, they will feel more in control and comfortable during procedures and cleanings.
All company and product names are
trademarks of Hu-Friedy Mfg. Co. LLC,
its aﬃliates or related companies, unless
otherwise noted.

Charalampos Amanatidis
Senior Product Manager Sutures
EMEA

Hu-Friedy Mfg. Co., LLC.
European Headquarters
Astropark - Lyoner Str. 9
60528 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
Tel.: +49 (0)69 24753640
Fax: +49 (0)69 25577015
Free Call: 0080048374339

Piezoceramic stack actuator speeds
up root canal treatment
By Dental Tribune
International
DRESDEN/ROSTOCK,
Germany: A common challenge faced
during root canal treatment is the
frequent jamming of the rotating
ﬁle, necessitating regular cleaning.
Addressing this issue, researchers
from the Fraunhofer Institute for
Ceramic Technologies and Systems
(IKTS) in Dresden and the Department of Dentistry at the Rostock
University Medical Center have developed a piezoceramic stack actuator that allows for quicker and
more eﬃcient patient procedures.
In Germany, approximately
seven million root canal treatments
are performed annually. Despite
dental ﬁles being made from a superelastic nickel-titanium alloy,
there is a high risk of these ﬁles
breaking under stress, necessitat-

ing their frequent removal and
thorough cleaning.
The newly developed device
overlays the ﬁle’s rotation with axial
vibration in the ultrasonic frequency range. The aim is to reduce
the risk of ﬁle breakage and improve the eﬃciency of root canal
treatments.
Advantages of the piezoceramic stack actuator
Dr Holger Neubert, head of the
Department of Smart Materials and
Systems at Fraunhofer IKTS, said in
a press release: “By overlaying the
rotation with axial vibration, the ﬁle
gets clogged less quickly, meaning
that it doesn’t need to be cleaned
so often. Dentists are then able to
concentrate much more on their
complex work in the root canal. The
risk of the ﬁle breaking is also reduced.”

He added: “The core idea of
combining the two motions of the
dental ﬁle came from the specialists at the Department of Dentistry
at the Rostock University Medical
Center. We used piezoceramic
stack actuators as the drive element because they are most able to
meet the special requirements for
vibration amplitude and frequency,
size as well as supply voltage.”
Piezoceramic-based actuators
bring numerous beneﬁts. Their
compact size and rapid, precise operation make them highly eﬃcient
and oﬀer ease of control and minimal heat loss. These actuators are
composed of multiple layered segments that collectively enhance
displacement, allowing for a design
that is suﬃciently small to navigate
the tightest spaces in a patient’s
mouth. Additionally, the research
team constructed the stack actuator from lead-free materials, adher-

ing to the future requirements of
the European directive on the restriction of hazardous substances
in electrical and electronic equipment.
Dentists at Rostock University
Medical Center conducted trials of
the new technology on artiﬁcial
teeth and obtained positive results.
Additional medical engineering applications
The newly developed technology holds promise for a range of
medical applications beyond dentistry, including applications in diagnostic imaging and cancer treatment. Researchers are exploring its
use in low-frequency ultrasonic
transducers, which oﬀer high penetration depth for tomography. Advances in piezoceramic transducers
have led to their miniaturisation, allowing as many as 2,000 units to be

incorporated into a standard-sized
tomography system. This facilitates
the high-resolution 3D imaging
crucial for medical diagnostics.
In addition, high-frequency ultrasound transducers are becoming increasingly valuable in ﬁelds
like dermatology for their ability to
provide precise images at shallow
depths. Further potential lies in
high-performance ultrasonic transducers designed to target and destroy speciﬁc tissue areas with focused sonic waves, a technique
particularly relevant in cancer therapy.
“Piezoceramic components can
be used in a wide array of applications and, thanks to their compactness and performance, are ideal for
medical engineering. We are able
to develop custom solutions to suit
the needs of individual clients,”
emphasised Dr Neubert.

[15] => DTMEA_No.1. Vol.14_DT.indd

STAINLESS STEEL
MOLAR CROWNS
Experience the perfect fit for all
patients. No matter what patient
walks through your door,
HuFriedyGroup now has you
covered more than ever before.
Our line of Stainless Steel Crowns
has expanded to include
Permanent Molar Crowns!
All of our Stainless Steel Crowns
deliver all the features and benefits
of our Pedo Crowns that you love,
but now in the form of Permanent
Crowns as well.

Pre-trimmed, crimped and contoured
surfaces for less time spent chairside

Accurate occlusal
anatomy mimicking
the natural tooth
Ideal wall height
meaning less
trimming and
crimping (if at all!)

Optimal occlusal
thickness with
superior resilience
to abrasion and
perforation
More narrow mesial-distal
maxillary first primary molar
width for quicker adjacent
crown placement

Visit Us at AEEDC!
Booth 6F06
Visit us online at HuFriedyGroup.eu
Free Call: 00800 48 37 43 39 | Free Fax: 00800 48 37 43 40
E-Mail: info@hu-friedy.eu | Website: HuFriedyGroup.eu
HuFriedyGroupEurope
Hu-Friedy Mfg. Co., LLC. • European Headquarters • Lyoner Str. 9 • 60528 Frankfurt am Main, Germany • HuFriedyGroup.eu
All company and product names are trademarks of Hu-Friedy Mfg. Co. LLC., its affiliates or related companies, unless otherwise noted.
©2023 Hu-Friedy Mfg. Co., LLC. All rights reserved. XXXXX/1223

DUBAI WORLD TRADE CENTRE, UAE
06 – 08 FEBRUARY, 2024

[16] => DTMEA_No.1. Vol.14_DT.indd

NEW

your vision
powerfully, s eamlessly, immediately

with the iTero Element Plus Series
intraoral scanners

[17] => DTMEA_No.1. Vol.14_DT.indd

20+ years of expertise
to amplify your experience and capabilities.

A powerhouse of capabilities:*

State-of-the-art experience:

• Integrated 3D intraoral1 camera—
get more out of one scan
• 20% less waiting time for scan to process2
• Improved viewing angles—engineered for
more treatment plan acceptance
• Enhanced brightness & visualisation

• Our smoothest scanning experience so you
can scan every patient at every appointment
• Ergonomically designed to conform to you
and how you work
• 20+ years of engineering expertise poured
into a triumph of design—built to

The power of the Plus made portable:3
• Medical grade, compact, portable scanner
• Wand and computing unit sold and supported
by Align Technology
• Zero footprint with VESA mounting
• Dedicated cabin size trolley case

See the iTero Element Plus Series
scanners in action.
Request a demo at iTero.com

*Unless otherwise specified, all comparisons are relative to previous generation iTero Element scanners
1
Available on iTero Element 5D Plus and Lite software configuration
2
On average, with the iTero Plus series as compared to the iTero Element 2 and iTero Element 5D, and based on
scan processing time comparison of 40 Invisalign scans and 40 restorative scans with 3 prep teeth processed
by the iTero Element 2/iTero Element 5D computing units and the iTero Element Plus series computing unit.
3
This product will not be available for sale until March 2021.

scanning. Based on the results of 10 peer-reviewed papers 2018-2020. Data on file at Align Technology, as of April 6, 2020
Invisalign, iTero, iTero Element, the iTero logo, among others, are trademarks and/or service marks of Align Technology, Inc. or one of its
MKT-0005633 Rev A

[18] => DTMEA_No.1. Vol.14_DT.indd

INTERVIEW

Dental Tribune Middle East & Africa Edition | 01/2024

Preserving smiles: Insights into
Ultradent's commitment to innovation
An interview with Dr. Jaleena Fischer Jessop, Chief Clinical Ofﬁcer at Ultradent Products

By Dental Tribune MEA

maintain or subtract from the conservative approach. Striking a balance is crucial. While I do not want
to convey that I have never performed lab processed procedures
like crowns or veneers, I tend to
defer such interventions to a later
stage in the patient’s life whenever
possible. I love exploring alternative
options to see if patients can achieve
their desired outcomes without
more invasive measures, and often I
ﬁnd that we can, and they are
thrilled to know its an option.
Many individuals express dissatisfaction with their teeth, but often,
simple interventions like teeth whitening and minimal corrections can
not only save them money, but also
contribute to their overall health.
This mindset is integral to everything we do in development here at
Ultradent. It would be tempting to
pursue shortcuts if we didn't prioritize this perspective, but we understand that no materials we create
can surpass the innate qualities we
are born with.
Amidst
trends
advocating
enamel removal and bonding alternative materials, we excel in our
bonding materials, but we emphasize that this should be the secondary path, not the primary one. The
primary path, where possible,
should always be preventive procedures such as cleanings, ﬂuoride
treatments etc.

In this interview, Dr. Jaleena
Jessop, Chief Clinical Oﬃcer at
Ultradent Products, discusses her
extensive 22-year experience as a
practicing clinician, her role at Ultradent, and her passion for preserving
tooth structure and improving oral
health. Throughout the interview
Dr. Jaleena Jessop emphasizes the
importance of education, minimal
invasive dentistry, and Ultradent’s
commitment to innovation and excellence. The interview touches on
the development of a skilled team,
product focus, and the vision of
Ultradent to contribute globally to
oral health.

Welcome, Dr. Jessop. Let us
start with a short introduction;
our readers would love to get to
know you better.

I have been a practicing clinician
for 22 years, and am also a proud
mother of two beautiful daughters,
both now in their twenties – time
truly does ﬂy. My marriage spans
31 years, and interestingly, I met my
husband here at Ultradent. He is
over our Research and Development department.
My entire life has been immersed in the realm of dentistry in
various capacities. From the inception of our family business, I've been
consistently involved, though not
always in view. I ﬁnd my comfort
zone behind the scenes rather than
in front of the camera, a trait I inherited from my mother’s side. Despite
this, stepping into the public eye is
something I am still adapting to.
Interestingly, my passion for
dentistry has been a constant
throughout my life. I began assisting my father in his practice at the
age of 12, and being around it for so
long has allowed me to truly enjoy
and cherish the honour of taking
care of people.

As Chief Clinical Ofﬁcer at
Ultradent, can you share your vision for leveraging your 22 years
of clinical practice to contribute to
the global improvement of oral
health?

Being the Chief Clinical Oﬃcer is
just a title, but it provides me the

Dr Jaleena Fischer Jessop, Chief Clinical Oﬃcer at Ultradent Products.
(Photo: Ultradent Products)

voice to inﬂuence our education
and research initiatives in a direction I ﬁnd valuable. I ﬁrmly believe
that the cornerstone of progress lies
in education, whether formal or informal. Currently, our focus is on extending our inﬂuence within the
dental community, advocating for
our vision of preserving tooth structure, and prioritizing the well-being
of patients. In a world where people
are living longer, which is truly fantastic, our goal is to conserve more
of what nature has given them,
rather than solely what the dentist
can provide.

You've highlighted the importance of minimal invasive dentistry as a key aspect of your practice. Alongside aesthetics, how
have you integrated these principles into Ultradent's strategy for
developing cutting-edge products?

I would say it is because it aligns
with my practice philosophy. When
we are involved in product development, our focus is consistently more
additive than subtractive, in terms
of the patient’s anatomy. Whenever
our engineers or chemists propose
a new product, one of our initial
considerations is whether it will

Your talent for recognizing
outstanding clinicians has contributed to building Ultradent's
Clinical
Affairs team. Can you
share some insights into how this
team dynamic enhances Ultradent's commitment to innovation
and excellence?

Trying to build this team was a
simple idea. The challenging part, as
usual, was choosing the right people. We aimed to have team members who are conﬁdent, and who
have a voice. Doctors who share our
vision, but aren’t always exactly like
mine, so as to avoid sticking to just
one path. However, we do try to
strike the balance to bringing in
varying perspectives that are still in
harmony with our overall vision. It's
important that they don't have too
much ego, which can be tricky.

“We focus on research and creating innovative,
quality products, while maintaining our integrity and
ethics to improve oral health.”

When we earn a doctorate degree,
sometimes ego tags along. We must
be ready to face failures whenever
we try new things or make changes.
Failures are part of the process, and
we need to learn and move on.
Culture plays into our team
building decisions too. All the doctors we've hired globally to help us
innovate and expand our vision are
not only skilled professionals, but
also kind individuals. They've become our friends. It's wonderful to
know they're representing us worldwide, perhaps even better than we
could. Working with each of them
has been an honour.

Could you shed light on the
initiatives and speciﬁc products
you plan to champion in your role
to meet the varied oral health
needs in different regions around
the world?

While I can't share everything
we're working on, I can say that
we’ve been working on many of our
projects for years. Sometimes it
might seem like we're holding back,
but it's because we want to make
sure our products meet our high
standards before we release them.
For example, we developed an allin-one adhesive to make oral
healthcare simpler and more aﬀordable. But we won't release it until it
meets our values and competes well
with our other products. I'm proud
that our company isn't just about
making money; it's about making a
positive impact. We focus on research and creating innovative,
quality products, while maintaining
our integrity and ethics to improve
oral health.

How do you intend to remain
at the forefront of the dental materials and equipment ﬁeld, given
the dynamic and highly competitive nature of the market? Could
you shed light on your approach to
ongoing innovation and delivering solutions to clinicians worldwide?

Innovation is always happening.
Think about medicine, not just dentistry – everyone is looking for new
ideas. It's like a long time ago when
people thought they'd run out of
things to invent. But you never know
where the next great idea will come
from.
We've worked on innovations
for 10 or even 20 years, behind the
scenes. Sometimes, we wait for
technology to catch up before releasing a product, like our Valo X
curing light. It took time for LEDs to
be what we needed. Innovation is
always happening, and I'm not worried that we won't be innovative
► Page 19

[19] => DTMEA_No.1. Vol.14_DT.indd

INTERVIEW

Dental Tribune Middle East & Africa Edition | 01/2024
◄ Page 18

enough. Just know we don't follow
every trend; some just aren't us.
In our constant conversations
about making things better, our
goal is to do good dentistry and
focus on preventing issues rather
than ﬁxing them. Every doctor ﬁnds
gaps in their practice - things they
need.
If we talk about a speciﬁc product, for me it’s our J-Temp, a temporary dental resin that's not expensive and that covers various needs
without wasting money on multiple
products. Nothing can be more
frustrating for a doctor than throwing something away because it has
expired. Often having to stock multiple products can cause this issue.
Developing products that can cover
more procedures helps with this
issue.
J-Temp helps in emergencies
when you don't have time for proper
dentistry. It's about buying time, not
being rushed so you can perform a
quality treatment. It's the same with
other products, like our sectional
matrix system Halo. The Halo system produces anatomically shaped
contours that helps dentists spend
less time shaping and ﬁnishing restorations, allowing them to see
more patients. Or like Transcend™,
our new universal composite that
allows for a beautiful shade match
with just one universal body shade.
It saves time, allowing dentists to
see more patients. Our goal is to
make life better for dentists and patients. No patient wants to spend
more time in the chair and no doctor
wants to extend chair time longer
than absolutely necessary. This is
some of what we're working on improving.

While we acknowledge the
need for discretion regarding upcoming launches, are you able to
offer any insights, hints, or share
potential products or ideas that
we can anticipate in the upcoming
year?

The most recent buzzword
“artiﬁcial intelligence” (AI) has
become popular across all industries. What are your thoughts on
AI in dentistry? From an
Ultradent perspective but also
personal?

I think AI is amazing, especially
how it can work alongside dentists.
However, I wouldn't want it to make
all the decisions. There's a personal
touch and emotion in dentistry that
AI can't fully grasp. It's a great tool
for things like treatment planning
and reading X-rays, which can make
us better clinicians. The ﬁnal deci-

sion however still rests with the dentist. It's a valuable tool, but shouldn’t
be the one making the diagnosis –
that's still the clinician's job.
I also think about chatbots and
other new technologies. A diﬀerent
world is coming, but we need to be
careful about the information we
trust. Not all sources are reliable. For
example, if you don't limit your
sources and check their credibility,
the quality of your work suﬀers. I
want to ensure we always keep this
in mind. I'm cautious about jumping
on new trends without doing the research and thinking them through.

Sometimes, shiny new toys can be
exciting, but we need to be careful
and thoughtful. That being said, I'm
cautiously optimistic about the future.

Thank you for your invaluable
insights. Any closing remarks for
our readers?

I feel honoured to be part of the
community of dentists worldwide.
Dentists are unique individuals caring for people, working closely,
dealing with anxieties, and addressing serious needs. It requires a lot of
patience and care. I genuinely be-

lieve dentists are incredibly innovative. Every case and every patient is
diﬀerent, pushing them to constantly come up with new ideas.
So, my message to them is to
keep innovating. If there's any way
we at Ultradent can assist you, let us
know. Dentistry should be a team
eﬀort. It's not just us here at Ultradent, but dentists worldwide contributing to the vision of improving
global health. Reach out if there's
anything we can do to make that vision a reality in your area too.

PROPHYLAXIS

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IN PROPHYLAXIS THE NEW COMBI touch

R
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→ ultra-gentle prophylaxis
→ ergonomic handling
→ made in Italy
→ 40 years experience

At the IDS 2025, we're planning
to make improvements to things we
already have. We also have some
behind-the-scenes projects that
align with our focus on preservation. We recognize that dental issues, especially with gums (perio
problems), are becoming more
common as people live longer. So,
that's where a lot of our attention is
right now.

As a global company, how important is the Middle East region
to Ultradent?

It would be wrong to say we're
working on improving global oral
health care and forget about the
Middle East. So, whether it's Africa,
the Middle East, or Asia, we're trying
to reach these places. As a small
company in Utah, it's challenging to
cover the whole world, but we're
growing and striving. Education is
key, and we're also working on reducing our costs so we can ship our
products more aﬀordably worldwide. We understand that incomes
vary depending on the country, and
our goal is to ﬁnd ways to make our
products accessible to clinicians in
diﬀerent places around the globe.
This is an ongoing discussion for us
– how to make sure our products
can reach those who need them.

→ www.mectron.com

ad_ct_DT_Capp_Mea_AEEDC_210x285_en_231215_print.indd 1

15.12.23 10:38

[20] => DTMEA_No.1. Vol.14_DT.indd

INTERVIEW

Dental Tribune Middle East & Africa Edition | 01/2024

Beyond software:
Nataliia Romanova on Remedico's
impactful journey in healthcare
Interview with Nataliia Romanova, Chief Executive Ofﬁcer at Remedico

By Dental Tribune MEA

but making them return. That's
where Remedico steps in. We've developed features like quick online
forms, automated reminders, and a
seamless communication hub, all
part of our Retention Booster AI and
PatientFlow solutions.
Our focus? Meeting patient expectations for convenience and
personal connection. With technology like personalized follow-ups
and eﬃcient clinic operations, we
enhance the patient experience.
Ultimately, Remedico isn't just
software. It's about deepening the
bond between healthcare providers
and patients, making every interaction meaningful. We're helping clinics not only run smoothly but also
build a loyal patient community."
This version further condenses
the message while keeping the
focus on the key aspects of patient
retention and the impact of Remedico's solutions.

Remedico, led by CEO Nataliia
Romanova, is transforming dental
care with innovative solutions. Utilizing a background in marketing,
Remedico focuses on Patient Relationship Management, integrating
technology for eﬃcient clinic operations. Nataliia also explores the impact of gamiﬁcation on patient engagement and outlines Remedico’s
commitment to education. She concludes by oﬀering a sneak peak into
Remedico’s upcoming milestone,
including a groundbreaking development in generative AI, set to be
unveiled at AEEDC in February 2024.

Can you share more about
Remedico's journey and how your
background in marketing inﬂuenced the company's vision and
direction?

Not being a dentist (smiling) actually works to my advantage. With
over 15 years in marketing and operations, I bring a unique perspective to dentistry, always looking to
innovate and learn. I'm all about
streamlining business processes,
and now, I'm applying that knowhow to dental clinics, mixing best
practices from various industries.
Digging into EMR and PRM systems showed me many clinics need
better software. That's where
Remedico steps in, with solutions
that are both user-friendly and eﬃcient.
But the real deal? Learning from
customers. Clinics need to tune in to
their patients to build solid relationships. We practice what we preach
at Remedico, constantly gathering
feedback to enhance our services,
and teaching clinics the value of listening.
Launching Remedico.app in
2022, our mission was to make dental clinics more eﬃcient, boost patient retention, and ramp up engagement. My marketing background, combined with our team of

Could you elaborate on the
Dentaverse initiative? How does it
ﬁt into Remedico's broader vision
of creating data-driven healthcare?

Nataliia Romanova, CEO at Remedico. (Photos: Remedico)

dental experts, shapes our software
into a tool that's both practical and
cutting-edge for modern dental
challenges.

Remedico focuses on Patient
Relationship Management. How
do you see technology, speciﬁcally

Patient Retention Boost AI and
PatientFlow, impacting the relationship between healthcare providers and patients?

Great question! Our research
showed that patient retention is a
major challenge for dental clinics.
It's not just attracting new clients,

Dentaverse, part of Remedico's
innovative approach, harnesses virtual reality (VR) to transform dental
care. It's not just an educational
tool; it's a platform that fosters a
unique experience and strengthens
the relationship between doctors
and patients. By integrating with our
web app, Dentaverse enables dentists to create personalized VR sessions for each patient, incorporating
their speciﬁc medical history and
proposed treatment plans.
This immersive experience demystiﬁes complex dental procedures, making them more accessible and engaging for patients. They
can visualize and understand their
treatment options in a modern, interactive way, empowering them to
make informed decisions. But more
than that, Dentaverse creates a
memorable, shared experience that

“Education and engagement – those are the big two
at Remedico. Education is key.”

deepens the doctor-patient connection, enhancing trust and communication.
In line with Remedico's vision,
Dentaverse is more than technology; it's a step towards transforming the healthcare experience, making it more personal, interactive,
and relationship-focused.

In what ways does Remedico's
approach align with the evolving
landscape of digital nomad clinic
owners and doctors? How does it
cater to their speciﬁc needs?

Remedico's approach is perfectly aligned with the dynamic lifestyle of today's digital nomad clinic
owners and doctors. The world has
undergone signiﬁcant changes in
recent years, becoming increasingly
global and borderless, thanks to
technological advancements. This
shift has even impacted professions
like dentistry, which, a decade ago,
we couldn't imagine being so adaptable to travel.
Nowadays, I encounter doctors
who manage practices in multiple
countries, traveling between locations weekly, or those who adopt a
hybrid approach: conducting consultations and collecting patient
data remotely, only meeting patients in person for the initial procedure.
For these modern, mobile dentists, cloud-based EMR systems like
Remedico are indispensable. They
provide the ﬂexibility to access patient data from anywhere, at any
time. This capability is crucial for
maintaining continuity of care and
managing their practices eﬃciently,
regardless of their physical location.
Remedico empowers these nomadic healthcare professionals to
deliver top-quality care while embracing their dynamic lifestyles.

The concept of introducing
gamiﬁcation into patient experiences, even for adults, is innovative. How do you see this enhancing patient engagement and aiding in data management for
healthcare providers?

At Remedico, we embrace the
idea that there's a child within every
adult, and that making activities engaging can signiﬁcantly improve
their eﬀectiveness. That's why we've
incorporated gamiﬁcation into vari-

► Page 21

[21] => DTMEA_No.1. Vol.14_DT.indd

INTERVIEW
Dental Tribune Middle East & Africa Edition | 01/2024
◄ Page 20

“Our goal? Push the industry forward while making sure we're
100% there for patient care.”

ous features, like the 'Patient Quiz' and
'Dentaverse'. Our intention is to make
interactions more enjoyable and captivating for patients, which in turn enhances their engagement with their
healthcare journey.
Moreover, we're planning to extend
this gamiﬁcation approach to healthcare providers as well, especially in
areas like data entry and routine tasks.
By incorporating digital achievements
and interactive elements, we aim to
motivate doctors to complete necessary documentation and procedures
more diligently and eﬃciently. This not
only improves data accuracy and management but also enhances overall
clinic operations and patient care.

As the CEO, how do you see Remedico contributing to the broader
goal of improving patient care and
overall healthcare experiences?

Education and engagement – those
are the big two at Remedico. Education
is key. Patients need to really get what's
going on with their health, what the
docs are planning, and why they suggest certain treatments. Knowing all
this isn't just about dealing with the
now; it's about being health-smart for
the long run, especially when it comes
to dental health.

Then there's Engagement. It's all
about clinics getting closer to their patients – having real conversations, gathering feedback, and building lasting relationships. When patients are well-informed and feel connected, they stick
around, trust their clinic more, and even
become their advocates. That kind of
loyalty? It's gold for any clinic, boosting
their business and reputation.

Looking ahead, what are the upcoming milestones or developments
that we can expect from Remedico,
and how do you anticipate these will
impact the healthcare industry?

We're super excited at Remedico
about diving into generative AI. It's a
game-changer for dental clinics, and
our team's cooking up something special. We're revealing it at AEEDC in February 2024, so keep an eye on our socials for the big news.
Generative AI is amazing but tricky.
It boosts productivity, sure, but we've
got to nail the accuracy, especially in
healthcare where it's all about patient
safety. We're taking this seriously at Remedico, using tech like OpenAI's with
care and a huge focus on health. Our
goal? Push the industry forward while
making sure we're 100% there for patient care

[22] => DTMEA_No.1. Vol.14_DT.indd

INTERVIEW

22

Dental Tribune Middle East & Africa Edition | 01/2024

Get insights into MEDIT's innovations
at AEEDC 2024!
MEDIT's impact on intraoral scanning: A paradigm shift

By MEDIT
MEDIT consistently joins global
exhibitions to present its innovative
technology, starting with the AEEDC
2024, a prominent dental exhibition
in the UAE. Attendees can have the
opportunity to obtain insights
through hands-on experiences, fostering a meaningful and memorable
connection that enhances the depth
of acquired knowledge. To explore
the latest breakthroughs in digital
dentistry and connect with inﬂuential dental leaders, registration for
the "Digitalized Dental Night” is
warmly encouraged.
Reviewing the conversational
details shared by Michael Lee, Chief
Technology Oﬃcer at MEDIT, can
provide an advantageous insight for
a more comprehensive understanding of MEDIT. This discussion unveils
why choosing a MEDIT intraoral
scanner is optimal, revealing how
MEDIT stands out in the market, distributing scanners globally and
earning signiﬁcant recognition.

What unique features distinguish MEDIT’s software and
hardware from other intraoral
scanners?

I am conﬁdent to say that MEDIT
provides an accessible intraoral
scanner that anyone can easily start
with. It is somehow common for
users to purchase a software program separately even after purchasing a scanner. However, users do not
need to worry about the additional
costs as MEDIT software program
does not charge extra costs.
Furthermore, considering the
phrase 'the devil is in the details,'
MEDIT acknowledges the profound
impact that small details can have
on user experience. Through the application of MEDIT’s distinctive A.I.

technologies, users can eﬀortlessly
navigate through scanned data with
just a few clicks, a process that
would otherwise involve multiple
steps with other companies. You can
experience work-ﬂow eﬀectiveness
through MEDIT’s applications, such
as a CAD app.

MEDIT serves users in approximately 140 countries globally. How do you view the market
changes and industry transformations since the widespread adoption of intraoral scanners?

MEDIT disrupted the market
with the aﬀordable i500 intraoral
scanner in 2018. By lowering costs,
providing free software updates,
and introducing new applications at
no extra charge, MEDIT expanded
access to digital dentistry, particularly in less developed countries.
This sparked healthy competition,
driving technological advancements, and enhancing services for
end- users.
MEDIT have led a few important
trends in the digital dentistry with
our intraoral scanners, software and
services. First, there was signiﬁcant
drop in price including elimination
of subscription fee. Second, Cloud
connectivity, and a platform became important. Last, various workﬂows and easy software became key
buying factor. Ever since MEDIT pioneered those changes, the digital
dentistry market has been growing
rapidly.

MEDIT has signiﬁcantly improved dentists' workﬂow, positively impacting patients as well.
What goals and plans does MEDIT
have in 2024?
MEDIT is in the progress to the
continuous development of customer-centric functions and tech-

Michael Lee, CTO at MEDIT (Photos: MEDIT)

nologies, with the goal of signiﬁcantly enhancing scanning quality
and streamlining the data handling
process.
In 2024, you can expect highly
convenient software tools for prosthetic treatments and other procedures. MEDIT is committed to enhancing intraoral scanners, making
them more intuitive, versatile, and
streamlined for increased clinic productivity. We are investing heavily in
various apps and platform integration with partners. For instance, in
collaboration with leading 3D printing companies, we simplify the
workﬂow to bring the beneﬁts of
3D-printed ﬁnal prostheses directly
to patients in clinics.

AEEDC 2024
Place: MEDIT Booth Nr. 2G 10, Hall 2 at Dubai World Trade Centre
Date: February 6 - 8, 2024
Digitalized Dental Night (MEDIT X SprintRay) – Gala Event
Place: Kempinski Central Avenue, Dubai Mall
Date: February 7, 2024, 19:00 - 01:00
Scan the QR Code to register:

Additionally, MEDIT anticipates
a specialized management tool for
Dental Service Organizations (DSO)
through the MEDIT Link Enterprise
program, fortifying your DSO business with seamless device and operations management. For a comprehensive overview of our plans for
the new year and the latest updates
on apps and software, please refer
to your MEDIT Link account.

If you had to express MEDIT
in just one word, what would it be,
and why?

It may be a cliché, but ‘Innovation’ would be the right word to
show the identity of MEDIT. The
name MEDIT was from Medical and

Attendees discovering Innovative Technology at MEDIT booth during AEEDC 2023.

Information Technology. MEDIT has
entered digital dentistry market
later than major competitors. By
successfully introducing IT innovation into rather conservative medical industry, we evolved from a fast
follower to a market leader.
MEDIT's worldwide inﬂuence
and dedication to innovation have
played a pivotal role in shaping signiﬁcant trends in digital dentistry.
'Innovation' can be a deﬁning word
for MEDIT, signifying its evolution
from a fast follower to a market
leader in digital dentistry. With the
anticipation of substantial progress
in the future, MEDIT is excitedly
looking forward to welcoming attendees during AEEDC!

To know more about MEDIT: https://www.medit.com
Request for demo: https://info.medit.com/contact-us

[23] => DTMEA_No.1. Vol.14_DT.indd

[24] => DTMEA_No.1. Vol.14_DT.indd

INTERVIEW

Dental Tribune Middle East & Africa Edition | 01/2024

AI-powered dentistry: Revolutionizing
patient care with Align Technology’s
innovative solutions
Interview with Markus Sebastian

By Align Technology

individual results before commencing any
treatment, ensuring a clearer understanding
and a more engaging and transparent treatment journey.

In an exclusive interview, Markus Sebastian,
Senior Vice President of EEMA at Align Technology
discusses the company’s strategic participation at
the 36th International Dental ConfEx in Dubai.
Highlighting Align Technology’s role as a leader in
digital dental innovations, Sebastian provides insights into the company’s latest technological advancements and its commitment to shaping the
future of digital dentistry. This discussion oﬀers a
glimpse into Align Technology’s dedication to innovation and professional development in the
dental industry.

How does Align Technology plan to
stay at the forefront of industry advancements and continue to provide innovative
solutions for dental professionals in the
region?

For over 26 years, our commitment has
revolved around nurturing a culture of learning and progress within the dental community. Our recent participation in the industry
event reaﬃrms our dedication to pushing
the boundaries of innovation and eﬃciency.
We advocate for the transformative power of
seamlessly integrated digital workﬂows and
tools, aiming to redeﬁne the possibilities in
modern dentistry.
Looking ahead, a primary focus for us is
to continue evolving the technologies within
the Align Digital Platform and to raise awareness about how these advancements can
help doctors treat diverse patients including
growing patients and teens. Our ongoing efforts involve combining orthodontic and restorative dentistry, aiming for superior treatment planning and elevating the overall
quality of patient care.

You recently attended ConfEx in Dubai; tell
us about Align Technology’s participation at the
event. What are the latest technological innovations that you showcased at the event?

Align Technology's participation at the recent
36th International Dental ConfEx event in Dubai
was our most extensive to date. As an event sponsor, we had the opportunity to host a total of nine
diﬀerent seminars, lectures, and roundtable discussions on-site, which provided over 300 practitioners with practical knowledge as well as a guide
to help digitize practices, aiding in the development of restorative dentistry and practice eﬃciency through the adoption of digital workﬂows.
Apart from these informative sessions, we also
had a booth showcasing our newest digital solutions like the Invisalign System and the iTero intraoral scanners. It was great to be a part of such a
large dental conference in the Middle East, with
professionals coming from various places in the
region to attend. Personally, I enjoyed meeting
many of the doctors who are our customers, and
I'm looking forward to the next opportunity where
we can connect again.

In what ways has Align Technology
contributed to promoting advanced training and education among dental professionals in the region, and how do you perceive the role of education in fostering the
adoption of digital dentistry solutions?

How do you envision the future of digital
dentistry with the integration of digital technology like intra-oral scanners?

I ﬁrmly believe that intra-oral scanners will play
a signiﬁcant role in transforming dental practices
by improving precision, eﬃciency, and the overall
patient journey. With ongoing advancements in
this technology, we're poised for a future where
workﬂows for dental professionals become more
seamless and integrated.
Take, for example, the iTero intraoral scanner.
It empowers practitioners to capture incredibly accurate digital impressions, which not only enhances the precision of treatment planning but
also signiﬁcantly improves patient comfort. This
integration of technology in dentistry fosters better communication between dental professionals
and their labs, streamlining processes and accelerating the turnaround time for restorations and
aligners.
The widespread adoption of intra-oral scanners has the potential to transform how dental
professionals approach diagnostics, treatment
planning, and patient interaction. Using these digital tools that seamlessly integrate into the Align
Digital Platform, our digital end-to-end practice
workﬂow suite, allows for the entire patient journey to be enhanced, with a much more engaging
patient experience. This advancement signals a
more technologically progressive era in digital
dentistry, providing a much-improved experience

Markus Sebastian, Senior Vice President of EEMA at Align Technology. (Photo: Align Technology)

for patients undergoing treatments that historically might have been uncomfortable.
Digital workﬂows can aid in engaging the
patient and providing an elevated experience from their initial consultation, right
through their planning and treatment phase,
to helping them maintain their new smile for
life.

In your view, what role does artiﬁcial
intelligence play in the future of digital
dentistry? How is Align Technology using
AI for the development of your solutions?

Artiﬁcial intelligence (AI) is important to
the further development of digital dentistry
that helps doctors, through solutions that
leverage data from past cases to help predict
treatment outcomes, improve patient engagement, clinic eﬃciency, and enhance pa-

tient satisfaction. It's important to note that
the expertise and judgment of clinicians will
always remain essential in dental treatments.
At Align Technology, we've embraced
the potential of AI through products such as
Invisalign Outcome Simulator Pro. This tool
simpliﬁes consultations by allowing orthodontists to forecast and display potential
treatment results in real time. Using in-face
visualization and 3D dentition view, orthodontists can show patients a personalized
preview of how their smile might transform.
This happens right in the treatment chair,
making the process more accessible and immediate.
In essence, integrating AI into our ﬁeld
enables more reliable predictions based on
historical data, ultimately leading to superior
patient care. Patients can now visualize their

Continued education is vital in driving
the adoption of digital dentistry solutionsDental professionals can gain a comprehensive understanding of the beneﬁts, functionalities, and practical applications of digital
technologies in dentistry only through continued education.
At Align Technology, we collaborate with
Invisalign speakers to conduct workshops
and seminars across the region, fostering a
culture of ongoing learning and professional
growth within our community. During events
such as ConfEx, we oﬀer a mix of on-site and
oﬀ-site learning opportunities covering various tracks, including digital workﬂows, restorative dentistry using intraoral scanners,
and managing complex malocclusions using
clear aligners.
Our collaborations with esteemed institutions across Kuwait, Oman, the Kingdom
of Saudi Arabia, and the UAE play a pivotal
role in our commitment to education. Tailored roadshow events enable us to engage
with dental professionals, understanding the
unique aspects of each market. This deepens
their understanding of the beneﬁts and
practical applications of digital dentistry
solutions, thereby encouraging their adoption and integration into dental practices. Ultimately, we aim to support dental professionals in implementing these innovations to
improve patient care.

[25] => DTMEA_No.1. Vol.14_DT.indd

NEWS

25

Dental Tribune Middle East & Africa Edition | 01/2024

Smile Agents spreads its wings:
Bringing joyful smiles to the UAE
By Smile Agents
In the vibrant landscape of dental innovation in the United Arab
Emirates, Smile Agents emerges as
a distinctive distributor, exclusively
dedicated to pediatric dentistry
products. Teaming up with renowned companies like Denovo
and NuSmile, Smile Agents is committed to delivering high-quality
oral care solutions for children in
the UAE.
Smile Agents sets itself apart in
the dental supplies realm by focusing solely on pediatric dentistry.
Recognizing the signiﬁcance of a
beautiful smile in boosting conﬁdence and self-esteem, Smile
Agents strategically aligns with
globally acclaimed companies, ensuring innovative solutions tailored
to the unique needs of young patients.
Leading the charge is Dr. Hassan Halawany, the CEO of Smile
Agents, whose impressive educational background from the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, one
of the top 10 dental schools in the
United States, sets the stage for the
company's success. Dr. Halawany's
unwavering passion for transforming pediatric oral health, coupled
with his three master's degrees,
two clinical certiﬁcates, and a doctoral degree, positions him as a luminary in the ﬁeld.
Having achieved remarkable
success in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain
over the past decade, Smile Agents
is now embarking on a new chapter
by expanding its operations to the
vibrant UAE market. This strategic

move underscores the company's
commitment to furthering its mission of promoting healthy and
happy smiles among children in the
region.
In preparation for this venture,
Smile Agents has forged robust
collaborations with prominent UAE
universities, including MBRU, Sharjah, and Ajman. These partnerships
go beyond mere formalities, reﬂecting a deep commitment to understanding the speciﬁc needs of
young patients in the region. By immersing itself in the UAE's dental
landscape, Smile Agents ensures
that its products are not only available but also tailored to meet the
unique requirements of the local
population.
Beyond university partnerships, Smile Agents is actively engaging with local pediatric dentists
through workshops, demonstrations, and hands-on experiences.
This commitment to collaboration
and knowledge sharing aims to
empower every dentist with the
tools and conﬁdence needed to
bring joy and comfort to every
dental visit. The expansion into the
UAE promises exciting advancements in pediatric dentistry, with a
focus on extensive hands-on training and providing excellent customer service.

For more information, kindly contact
the Smile Agents team:
E-mail: info@smileagents.com
Mob: +971509350666

Dr. Hassan Halawany, the CEO of Smile Agents.

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[26] => DTMEA_No.1. Vol.14_DT.indd

NEWS

Dental Tribune Middle East & Africa Edition | 01/2024

Certain beverages can inhibit tooth
discoloration during chlorhexidine
treatment
By Dental Tribune
International
HALLE, Germany: Antiseptic
mouthrinses containing chlorhexidine commonly cause tooth discoloration after eating or drinking
during treatment. A study by the
Fraunhofer Institute for Microstructure of Materials and Systems
IMWS in Halle explored the extent
to which certain beverages can
prevent this discoloration in patients undergoing chlorhexidine
treatment. The study’s ﬁndings
suggest a simple solution for dental professionals to recommend to
their patients during the treatment
period: adding milk when drinking
tea or coﬀee.

Dr Sandra Sarembe, the research scientist at Fraunhofer
IMWS who led the study, explained
the biochemical processes behind
tooth discoloration in a press release: “The changes in colour can
occur because the positively
charged chlorhexidine sticks to the
negatively charged surfaces in the
mouth—i.e., saliva, gingiva and
enamel—and remains there for a
long period of time. In contrast to
proteins—an element of dental
plaque, which the substance prevents from forming—dye molecules bind very easily to chlorhexidine. And the stronger or more
permanent the binding, the more
likely it is to cause discoloration.”
She added: “The active ingredient

chlorhexidine itself does not have
any colouring properties.”
The researchers examined a
total of 11 beverages with varying
pH values—since the pH value inﬂuences the binding of dye molecules to chlorhexidine—and colour
properties. These beverages included diet lemonade, ginger tea,
coﬀee and black tea, and trials were
conducted both with and without
milk. Water served as the reference
point.
The study is the ﬁrst of its kind
to examine the extent to which various liquids can cause discoloration
during chlorhexidine treatment in
such detail. The researchers developed a model to closely mimic the
oral environment, utilising dental

In a recent study, researchers found that adding one simple ingredient to one’s
morning tea or coﬀee can make a diﬀerence to tooth discoloration associated with
chlorhexidine treatment. (Image: Freepik)

Daily mechanical tooth cleaning was replicated in a toothbrushing simulator. (Image: Fraunhofer IMWS)

(a) After drinking pure black tea during chlorhexidine treatment, signiﬁcantly stronger staining can be seen under the scanning electron microscope in comparison with (b) drinking the beverage diluted with milk. (Image: Fraunhofer IMWS/Haleon)

crowns exposed cyclically to artiﬁcial saliva, 0.2% chlorhexidine
mouthwash and the diﬀerent beverages. This cycle was repeated 28
times to simulate a typical 14-day
chlorhexidine usage period. Additionally, daily mechanical tooth
cleaning with water and toothpaste
was replicated using a toothbrushing simulator.
Discoloration of teeth becomes less durable with added
milk
The study’s ﬁndings revealed
that the consumption of beverages
high in dye molecules during chlorhexidine treatment leads to the formation of persistent surface layers
on teeth. “As expected, black tea
and red wine caused the most noticeable discoloration; coﬀee or
beer ranked somewhere in the
middle. The deposits were much
easier to remove by brushing with
toothpaste compared to water

alone, but this did not alter the
overall ranking in terms of the severity of the discoloration,” said Dr
Sarembe.
“It was interesting to observe
that, by diluting black tea and coffee with milk, the structure of the
resulting layer of discoloration
changes and becomes signiﬁcantly
less durable,” she continued. Therefore, an essential recommendation
for dental professionals is to advise
patients to add milk to their coﬀee
and tea when undergoing chlorhexidine treatment.
The study was commissioned
by the consumer healthcare company Haleon, and the results have
not been published.

[27] => DTMEA_No.1. Vol.14_DT.indd

[28] => DTMEA_No.1. Vol.14_DT.indd

NEWS

28

Dental Tribune Middle East & Africa Edition | 01/2024

Study emphasises role of dental
professionals in screening patients
for chronic disease
By Franziska Beier, Dental
Tribune International
The connection between oral
health and chronic disease has
been increasingly supported by
substantial evidence, revealing
shared risk factors and inﬂammatory processes. In light of these
ﬁndings, researchers from the
Royal Liverpool University Dental
Hospital and the University of
Plymouth have conducted a study
that involved the introduction of
health screenings during regular
dental check-ups in general dental
practices. They found that dental
professionals could make a positive
diﬀerence to public health by being
trained to spot some of the key
markers of chronic disease.
According to the study authors,
reports show that in the UK alone
up to 11% of the adult population is
aﬀected by impaired glucose regulation and nearly half of dental patients aged 45 years and older are
at risk of developing diabetes
within the next decade. These numbers indicate the potential beneﬁts
and positive impact of implementing diabetes screening in dental
settings, particularly for early intervention in Type 2 diabetes.
The study aimed at evaluating
the service of health screening in
dental settings, including patient
willingness to accept such a service
and recommendations for improvement. The data was gathered
from two dental practices located
in North West England and the
Welsh border region, one a predominantly National Health Service (NHS) practice and the other
oﬀering a mix of NHS and private
dental services. The data collection
spanned from August 2020 to November 2021 at the ﬁrst practice
and from February 2021 to January
2023 at the second. At the NHS
practice, 4.1% of the 11,200 patients
accepted the oﬀer for screening
and 6.5% of the 871 patients at the
mixed practice.
The screenings included assessments of blood pressure, cholesterol, blood glucose, body mass
index (BMI) and waist-to-height
ratio—crucial for detecting early
signs of cardiovascular diseases
and Type 2 diabetes in healthy
adults. The selection of these speciﬁc screening tests was based on
their relevance to oral health and
shared risk factors for oral health
complications, such as diet and
chronic inﬂammation.
The ﬁndings showed that 78.4%
of the patients screened had blood
pressure readings above the normal range, 55.8% had BMI values
that fell outside the healthy range
and 16.7% had cholesterol levels

A recent study has found that dental professionals could contribute a great deal to the early detection of chronic disease such as cardiovascular disease or diabetes.
(Image: YuriArcursPeopleimages/Freepik)

that deviated from the healthy
range. Elevated blood glucose levels were observed in just over 3% of
the patients.
“We already place signiﬁcant
emphasis on training students to
provide holistic care for their patients. We also promote the concept of oral health being an integral part of general health and
well-being. While there are resource challenges to consider in
NHS dentistry, this study shows
there are enormous opportunities
for dental teams to support their
patients and work more closely
with our medical and healthcare
colleagues to beneﬁt public
health,” commented co-author Dr
Robert Witton, professor of community dentistry at the Peninsula
Dental School of the University of
Plymouth, in a press release.
The authors emphasised that
clear protocols and careful interpretation of screening results are
required to avoid patient confusion
and frustration. Findings should always be interpreted in relation to
the context of the dental setting;
for example, patients delaying their
meal until after having seen the
dentist could account for the high
proportion of patients with lower
blood glucose levels. Additionally,
high blood pressure could just be a
sign of dental anxiety.
Closer collaboration between dental and medical care
Health screening in dental settings may signiﬁcantly reduce mor-

“This study shows there are enormous opportunities for dental teams to
support their patients.”—Prof. Robert
Witton, University of Plymouth

bidity, mortality and healthcare
costs by preventing the acute onset
of advanced chronic diseases. Dental practices, therefore, present a
valuable opportunity for early
screening, oﬀering personalised
interventions and, where necessary, serving as a referral point for
early diagnosis.
Lead author Dr Janine Doughty,
from the Royal Liverpool University
Dental Hospital, said: “A health
check at the dentist could provide
reassurance for many patients, and
a wake-up call for others to become healthier. We have someone
already sitting in the chair who visits the dentist every six to
12 months yet who may not have
seen a GP for years. It is simple to
give them a few minutes of health
checks at the same time.”
In order to put the study ﬁndings to use, greater alliances be-

tween dental and general medical
care will be needed, the study authors recommended. Strengthening partnerships between dentistry
and other NHS platforms could
support the NHS Long Term Workforce Plan’s goal of fostering collaborative eﬀorts for the early detection of conditions linked to cardiovascular disease. By involving
the entire dental health team in
health screening, dental professionals can expand their practice
scope and align with NHS England’s
objective to fully utilise dental
health teams’ potential.
Dental professionals can
make a substantial diﬀerence
Health screenings conducted in
dental settings provide a new opportunity to identify a signiﬁcant
number of patients who have risk
factors for chronic disease, con-

cluded the authors. They added:
“Dental professionals can be successfully trained to deliver the
screening interventions and are
aptly placed for delivering brief
lifestyle advice and signposting patients to general medical care or
other appropriate clinical services.”
The study, titled “Opportunistic
health screening for cardiovascular
and diabetes risk factors in primary
care dental practices: Experiences
from a service evaluation and a call
to action”, was published online on
10 November 2023 in the British
Dental Journal.

[29] => DTMEA_No.1. Vol.14_DT.indd

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[30] => DTMEA_No.1. Vol.14_DT.indd

NEWS

Dental Tribune Middle East & Africa Edition | 01/2024

Ajman University embarks on
transformative journey as
a non-proﬁt institution
By Dental Tribune Middle East
Ajman University is set for a monumental
shift following the issuance of Emiri Decree

No. (14) of 2023 by H.H. Sheikh Humaid bin
Rashid Al Nuaimi, Member of the Supreme
Council and Ruler of Ajman. This transformative decree signiﬁes the transition of Ajman

University from a for-proﬁt entity to a nonproﬁt institution, reﬂecting a strategic move
aimed at elevating the institution’s academic
and research pursuits, ensuring ﬁnancial inde-

SCAN FOR
REGISTRATION
INFORMATION

THE LEADING DENTAL
EXHIBITION AND CONFERENCE
IN ASIA PACIFIC

EARLY BIRD
REGISTRATION
NOW OPEN!

19-21
APRIL 2024
Marina Bay Sands,
Singapore

FIRST WAVE OF SPEAKERS ANNOUNCED

David Alleman

Davey Alleman

Roberto Sorrentino

Andrea Bazzucchi

Taisuke Tsukiboshi

DENTAL HYGIENIST AND THERAPIST FORUM
The 5th edition of the Dental Hygienist and Therapist Forum will bring two
full days of insighful lectures focusing on the learning needs of the dental
hygienist and therapist from across the Asia Pacific.
The Forum will cover a variety of topics from geriatric and digital dentistry
to oral lesions and more. More speakers coming soon!
Kelvin Chua

Presented by:

IDEM Singapore
IDEM Singapore
idem.sg

Held in

Supported by

Endorsed by

Organised by

Gabriel Lee

pendence, and expanding educational
opportunities globally.
According to the Decree, Ajman
University is granted legal personality
and capacity to fulﬁll its objectives with
ﬁnancial and administrative independence. It will be owned by the Government of Ajman, freeing it from the applicability of the government's ﬁnancial, administrative, and human resources systems.
Outlined within the Decree are the
University’s objectives, encompassing
the support of development, promotion of scientiﬁc research, and achievement of academic excellence on local,
regional, and international fronts. Additionally, the Decree emphasizes the
promotion of higher education access,
cultivation of qualiﬁed professionals,
and the fostering of a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship.
H.H. Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid
Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman,
Chairman of the Executive Council, and
Chairman of the University’s Board of
Trustees, commended the visionary
decision of H.H Sheikh Humaid bin
Rashid Al Nuaimi. The transformation
into a non-proﬁt institution is anticipated to open new avenues for academic excellence, aligning Ajman University with prestigious international
counterparts in terms of ﬁnancial and
academic independence.
This strategic shift aligns with
Ajman University’s steadfast commitment to delivering top-tier education,
advancing knowledge, and promoting
outstanding research. The University's
newfound ﬁnancial independence will
enable reinvestment in academic excellence, research initiatives, student
support services, and facility enhancements, directly beneﬁting the entire
university community.
H.H. Sheikh Ammar emphasized
the reinforcement of Ajman University’s dedication to the intellectual
growth and personal development of
its students. The transition aims to continually elevate academic excellence,
quality, and education outcomes
across diverse academic programs and
disciplines.
This Decree nulliﬁes Emiri Decree
No. (6) of 2021 and any conﬂicting provisions in other legislation. The University will adhere to existing rules and
regulations until new ones are issued.
Eﬀective immediately upon its issuance, this Decree will be published in
the Oﬃcial Gazette.
This transformative Decree underscores Ajman University’s commitment
to becoming a leading institution globally, granting it greater autonomy in
shaping educational and research policies, making ﬁnancial decisions, and
achieving strategic goals.

[31] => DTMEA_No.1. Vol.14_DT.indd

[32] => DTMEA_No.1. Vol.14_DT.indd

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[cover] => DT Middle East & Africa Edition No. 1, 2024

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Table of contents

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