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There’s no doubt that any dentist who has been to a den- tal meeting recently knows a lot about new technology. Now, thanks to a new exhibit at the National Museum of Dentistry, members of the general public will get to see much of this new technology as well. The new exhibit showcases some of the most technologi- cally advanced dental treatment systems available for dental offices — from digital X-ray sys- tems that expose patients to less radiation to foot-operated com- puters that improve the quality of procedures, reduce patients’ time in the office and improve oral health. “The ‘Tomorrow’s Dental Office … Today’ exhibit gives us an opportunity to feature some of the latest advances in dental care, showing how far the tech- niques of modern dentistry have come and their positive impact on the public,” said National Museum of Dentistry Executive Director Jonathan Landers, in a press release announcing the new exhibit. The exhibit is made possible through the support of Benco Dental, a privately owned, full- service distributor of dental sup- plies, dental equipment, dental consulting and equipment ser- vices. “We were honored to be selected to put together the ‘Tomorrow’s Dental Office … Today’ exhibit for the Nation- al Museum of Dentistry,” said Benco Dental President Charles Cohen. “It’s an exciting venture, bringing dental technology to the general public.” The “Tomorrow’s Dental Office … Today” exhibit includes the following: • Dental operatory equipment from A-dec that was developed to optimize patient ease and comfort in the treatment room while enabling dentists to per- form more efficient dentistry. • The A-dec 500 dental chair, featuring a slim headrest and backrest to give the dentist more legroom under the chair. For the patient, the anatomically formed backrest and seat cush- ion reduce pressure points. • The A-dec 5580 treatment console and storage unit, made of water-resistant materials to allow for the efficient storage and delivery of supplies while providing a flat-panel monitor, pivoting work surface and assis- tant’s instrumentation. • The PaX-Duo3D Cone Beam CT unit from Vatech, featuring switching technology for digital panoramic radiographs or CT scans. The unit has dedicated sensors for each system and an imbedded camera for proper patient positioning. • The LAVA Chairside Oral Scanner from 3M ESPE, a digital impression system that allows the dentist to both capture and view continuous 3-D images, as well as create precise digi- tal impressions. The benefits of digital impressions include increased patient comfort and decreased seating times. • The SP Newtron LED ad- vanced piezoelectric device from Acteon, which uses ultrasonic vibrations and an array of tips for tooth cleaning, root canal procedures, periodontal surger- ies and cavity preparation. The LED lights provide illumination for procedures in the back of the mouth. • The SoproLIFE (light in- duced fluorescence evaluator), an intraoral camera and cavity detection device in one. Switch- ing to blue LEDs allows the den- tist to see variations in the health of a tooth’s dentin, which can aid in decay detection and decay removal during treatment. • The MiniLED Autofocus 2 dental material curing light from Acteon that automates the cur- ing process through a complex telemetry system. • The Cleankeys keyboard, featuring a flat surface, which can be wiped down and easily disinfected. • The Snapshot X-ray sensor from Instrumentarium Dental, providing the latest in digital intraoral radiology technology. It captures X-rays via a digital sen- sor rather than on film, providing patients with less radiation and dentists with enhanced diagnos- tic tools. • The SIROLaser Advance from Sirona, providing preset therapy programs for laser appli- cations in the fields of periodon- tics, endodontics, surgery and pain relief. • The SWERV3 Magnetostric- tive Ultrasonic Scaler from Hu- Friedy, delivering a full range of power for efficiently removing calculus on the teeth while still providing patient comfort. • The SmartLite PS by DENTS- PLY, used by the dental team to cure a variety of dental products ranging from cements and adhe- sives to composites. • The NOMAD Pro handheld X-ray unit by Aribex, the first for intraoral use. The unit’s light weight and rechargeability allow for its use on humanitarian mis- sions in remote areas and for dental forensic identification following mass disasters. The internal shielding and external backscatter shield protect the operator, making it extremely safe to use • The Dental R.A.T., a foot- operated computer mouse and keyboard for hands-free comput- er use. Developed by a frustrated hygienist to allow for single- person periodontal charting, the unit has become even handier as more patient information is recorded and stored digitally. At the museum, visitors can also see for themselves how den- tistry has changed dramatically over time. Galleries include some of the hand-forged iron tools of the early American dentist on horseback, to the 19th-century office of G.V. Black, known as the “Father of Dentistry,” to the cutting-edge dental equipment available today. In short, the museum shows how dental care has evolved and oral health has improved through the ages. DT By Fred Michmershuizen, Online Editor Museum showcases the latest technology for dental practices News DENTAL TRIBUNE | July 20104A AD The ‘Tomorrow’s Dental Office … Today’ exhibit is on display at the National Museum of Dentistry in Baltimore. (Photo/National Museum of Dentistry)