The Chicago Midwinter Meeting is one of the biggest events on the dental calendar - and easily the biggest dental show in the US.
It’s run by the Chicago Dental Society and attended by over 15,000 dentists and over 6,000 exhibitors, with tons of new releases and the biggest players in digital dentistry.
Interestingly, Lab Day which is run by a company called LMT takes place concurrently, and is super close by, so many companies have stalls at both LMT’s Lab Day and the Chicago Midwinter Meeting.
You might know that I just got back from AEEDC, which is another dental trade show in the Middle East attended by over 66,000 people. Yet, many companies actually choose the Chicago Midwinter Meeting to showcase new releases.
Speaking of which, there’s quite a lot to cover!
I’ve sorted all the most interesting new releases alphabetically for you, stay tuned for our Lab Day 2024 recap!
Arcreal ArcScan - New Intraoral Scanner!
At IDS 2023, I found a new company set to release a brand new intraoral scanner, and felt like they were definitely someone to look out for.
Well, after securing an investment of close to 5 million USD, South Korean company Arcreal has released their new intraoral scanner!
The ArcScan weighs in at about 200g, so it’s super light, and has dimensions of 38 mm x 39 mm x 262 mm.
It features an antifogging, autoclavable tip, and can scan full arches in under a minute.
Super impressive stuff from an independent company. I will definitely be testing this out.
BLZ Dental
Intraoral scanners (IOS) seem to be popping up, left, right, and center nowadays, with Chinese company BLZ Dental introducing a new IOS to the market.
BLZ Dental showcased its latest flagship intraoral scanner, INO200, which boasts a lightweight device weighing only 270g, faster scans of 30 seconds for a full arch scan, and smaller scanner tips at 17x20mm.
Let us know if you’re interested in iDD reviewing this IOS!
The Chinese company also showcased other products like their brand-new lab scanner LS100, and milling machine MO150.
Borea
I always like checking out the Borea Dental booth and trying out their shade-checking tools. They have a tool called the Rayplicker Cobra, which allows you to select the correct shade for your patient digitally. Check it out in the video below.
Denti AI
Dent.AI is another interesting AI company. It’s an AI-driven tool for accurate diagnostics of X-rays.
It essentially uses imaging analysis to enhance diagnostic precision and works as a kind of second opinion to give you a better analysis of X-rays.
As is the case with most patient communication tools, better communication often results in more treatment acceptance and better patient satisfaction because they know what to expect.
A cool feature that this company does differently from other AI-driven tools/services is Denti.AI Voice. It allows clinicians to complete periodontal charting assistant-free, optimizing the clinical workflow and streamlining chairside treatment.
Dentsply Sirona
After announcing a strategic partnership a couple of years ago, Dentsply Sirona were showcasing their TRIOS/3Shape integration, as it’s officially live.
Currently, it basically means that in the 3Shape software, you can select DS Core to send any scans to. This allows you to automatically open them in InLab, not on DS Cor, and design crowns to be sent to your mills.
So, it's not exactly a direct integration to the mills as you still need InLab, but that could very well change in the future.
One really interesting thing they showed is A-dec dental chairs with Primescans and CEREC connected. There’s a desktop off to the side of the dental chair, which gets wired in, and then there’s a Primescan integrated right into the dental chair - pretty cool stuff. It can be unplugged and moved around as needed.
DEXIS
3Shape’s Rune Fisker was definitely correct with his prediction for generative AI for everyone, as yet another company contributing to the AI trend in digital dentistry was DEXIS.
DEXIS is a company that specializes in dental imaging solutions, from products such as imaging software, intraoral X-ray systems, intraoral scanners, extraoral imaging devices, and the DEXIS Titanium sensor.
Their latest innovation, DEXassist solution, is built into the DEXIS software and utilizes AI, enabling users to identify up to six pathologies on 2D X-ray images:
Caries
Periapical radiolucency
Root canal filling deficiency
Margin discrepancies
Bone loss
Calculus
The DEXassist solution integrates AI features from DTX Studio Clinic into DEXIS 10 Imaging Suite Software. Because of its built-in nature, this AI feature can arrange all your different patient data into one solution. With just one click, you can streamline your clinical workflow. So, your PAs, scans, cone beams, etc. can automatically be aligned and segmented.
DMG
DMG was at the event with their 3D dental printer solution, the DentaMile Desk MC system. They already sell a rebranded RapidShape 3D printer, but it looks like they’re offering a new solution that’s a bit cheaper.
exocad
Interestingly, exocad was one of the few companies that did not have a booth at AEEDC, but they were out in full force at Chicago Midwinter showcasing their DentalCAD 3.2 Elefsina software.
They have a new margin repair tool coming out, which will help dental technicians fix scan mesh if it’s not great.
Fussen
Fussen was at the event with all their intraoral scanners. I got a good look at the S6500 and S7000, which is a massive improvement over the S6000 and one I’ll watch for a review.
Fussen S6500
Fussen S7000
iTero Lumina
Probably the biggest new release I saw at Chicago Midwinter was the iTero Lumina. Since the official launch in mid-February, this has been one of the hottest topics in digital dentistry.
The official launch did not mention the price, which I found out was $45,000 - $50,000 USD - making it one of the most expensive scanners on the market.
I’ve written a more in-depth blog about the iTero Lumina, which breaks down the full scanning experience - you can read it here.
Keystone Industries
Keystone Industries (not to be confused with Keystone Dental Group) has really stepped up the 3D printing resin game with their KeyPrint line.
Their resins, including KeyGuard, KeyDenture Try-In, KeySplint Hard, and KeySplint Soft, are crafted in the USA and are known for their precision and quality. They're compatible with a wide range of 3D printers as an open resin, making them a popular choice thanks to their versatility.
Notably, their KeyGuard resin and KeySplint Soft were their two major biocompatible resins on display.
The difference between the two is that the KeyGuard resin is used for 3D-printed custom-fit sports mouthguards with superior durability. In contrast, the Keysplint Soft is used for more flexible functionality like splints, night guards, and bleaching trays.
LuxCreo
With the market-wide adoption of 3D printing, LuxCreo is another company to look out for.
The company offers a range of fully integrated solutions like cloud-connected 3D printers, AI-enabled printing software, and advanced materials. But one area of digital dentistry they seem to have doubled down on is 3D printing aligners, and for good reason.
Orthodontics in digital dentistry is an untapped market that not many companies seem to cover. The LuxCreo 4D Aligner is a great example of a leading product within this market and the significant advancements in the field of orthodontics.
It's recognized as the world's first FDA Class II 510(k) cleared directly 3D printed clear aligner workflow. It features an innovative approach to aligner technology, including shape memory and allowing for various aligner thicknesses.
3D printing has already offered a more customized approach to aligner production, and LuxCreo has found a way to make it even more custom.
They’ve even been able to provide a more efficient solution for dental correction by being one of the first aligners that can be produced and inserted in just hours from a patient scan.
Ori Intraoral Scanner
I found a new, pretty interesting intraoral scanner called the Ori Scan 2.0. Instead of buying an intraoral scanner outright - which is obviously very expensive - you can join a membership that gets you access to their scanner for around $549 a month.
The scanner itself seems pretty simple, and the software needs some work, but it’s extremely lightweight at around 144 grams.
Because you join a membership, the company gives you a free upgrade every three years if they bring a new scanner out in that time, which is pretty likely.
Honestly, it’s a really interesting proposition. As we see the market shift to more affordable price points, price isn’t such an overwhelming barrier as it used to be. But if a dentist can’t afford some of these huge lump sums, joining a subscription service could greatly increase digital dentistry uptake - especially in Emerging Market countries.
Planmeca
Planmeca was at the Chicago Midwinter Meeting with all their products, including the PlanMill 60 S.
The PlanMill 60 S is actually just a white-labeled version of the Imes iCore 150i.
I got a chance to look over their existing scanners, but it doesn’t look like any new intraoral scanners are planned for Planmeca yet.
The one thing they did have at the show was updated software. A new CAM for the scanners and an ortho module.
I am really curious what Planmeca are planning for their IOS as there has not been much improvement for years at least on the hardware front.
RAY
On top of showcasing the RAYFACE - which is one of my favorite 3D face scanners - RAY was at the event pushing their new milling machine - The RayMill C.
The RayMill C is a compact milling machine that seems to be wanting to compete with CEREC and is super quiet, with an average noise level of 61 dB.
It looks pretty interesting, I’m excited to get more hands-on experience with it.
RAY has put together a pretty impressive portfolio of products, ranging from the CBCT scanner, intraoral scanner, intraoral sensor, software solutions, 3D printer, and of course, the RAYFace facial scanner.
Shining 3D
Shining 3D was one of the few companies that showcased new releases at AEEDC instead of Chicago Midwinter.
I got another chance to look at their AccuFab CEL, which builds on the success of the AccuFab L4D printer, which was already a decent low-cost option.
Here’s some cool printing stats:
- Ortho models - 12 minutes
- Surgical guide - 20 min
- Crown and bridge - 25min
- Denture - 70 min
Their new printer features a ceramic build platform rather than a metal one, making them the first company to do so. The idea is to prevent metal residues from coming off the plate and into the resin vat, which apparently leaves black spots, especially when 3D printing crown and bridge resins that have a high ceramic filler content.
Much like Sprintray and Ackuretta, Shining 3D’s printer now offers different platforms for things like printing models vs crowns and bridges. There’s also a one-click lock mechanism for the build plate, which makes it easier to put on and take off.
SprintRay
I attended the SprintRay VISION Summit + their booth and got all the details on their new releases such as the NanoCure curing unit and their new materials as well.
The NanoCure is this incredibly small curing unit that can cure up to four 3D-printed dental models in around two minutes using dual-wavelength LEDs and advanced thermal management.
Interestingly, the company says that their resin formulations + the nanocure remove the need for nitrogen when curing.
The NanoCure also features an onboard heater and cloud-connected preheating, so you don’t have to worry about waiting for it to warm up so you can start curing.
The company also released a bunch of new resins - namely their new denture resins and splint resin.
Finally they also released their new Optic Polish trays (similar to Asiga Ultragloss).
TruAbutment
Like at AEEDC, TruAbutment showcased a new solution All-on-T Plus, a Custom Solution for Edentulous Patients.
They also released a new solution that they think will one day replace photogrammetry - using just your iPhone/iPad and T-markers.
These looked like little PIC Dental photogrammetry scan bodies, and TruAbutment said this will be the next evolution of full arch restorative cases.
Although the company told me this is a prototype and not yet released, it will be incredible if the company can pull it off.
Pearl
Pearl is a really interesting AI company that is definitely making a name for itself in the world of dentistry.
If you haven’t heard of them, they offer a few software products for dental clinics, including Second Opinion, which can instantly detect potential conditions in dental radiographs. They've done this by training the AI on many different annotated X-rays from dentists and radiologists.
They also have a software called Practice Intelligence, which analyzes your clinic's business data and then uses it to spot trends and suggest ways to improve your revenue.
VHF
VHF didn’t have anything new to display, just the mills that they released at IDS in March 2023.
VHF has released three new amazing mills - E3, E4, and E5 - we have a full overview video coming soon.
- E3 - is an aligner cutter. Uses a single bur. Cuts out aligners within 60 seconds off a model with a thermoform aligner on it. Proprietary software by VHF to automatically detect the margins. The aligner came out 95% good, which impressed me. Very clean edges.
- E4 - new chairside mill by VHF. Wet and dry. Doesn't need a compressor. Only 28 kg. It's the same quality milling we expect from VHF. Less than 20k USD. Crazy affordable and cheaper to ship due to the lower weight.
- E5 - new puck mill. Dry mill only. Larger. It is for labs but also dentists who want to buy both E4 and E5 because the E5 will enable milling larger prosthetics like dentures (which you cannot do with a block).
Whipmix
Whipmix was at Chicago Midwinter Meeting with all of their resins for splints, I also got a closer look at the VeriWhirl and the VeriLux.
The VeriWhirl is their wash unit, it looks average, but it is affordable as far as washing units go. Its oscillating multi-speed stirrer can clean units in about 3 minutes.
It follows a two-bath, step-wash system which helps you clean more efficiently because the alcohol is used for both a fresh bath and then re-used as a dirty bath.
The VeriLux is their affordable Curing Unit. It’s quite small, so good for small to midsize dental clinics or labs, and is apparently a lot more affordable than other units. It can polymerize without the need for nitrogen or preheating.
Zest Dental Solutions
Zest Dental Solutions was also present at the Meeting. Zest Dental is mainly known for its LOCATOR products, their latest dental locator product, LOCATOR FIXED, having been out since late 2022.
Despite the product being out for over a year now, it was still a cool solution to see combatting edentulism.
Like all their products, which include abutments and attachment systems for dental implants, Zest Dental enables clinicians to use their locator system not only for implant overdentures but also for fixed prosthodontics.
That is a wrap of all the exciting things we say at Chicago Midwinter 2024 🙂