Shade matching is one of the most challenging aspects of esthetic dentistry. A restoration can look like an ideal match under operatory lighting, only to appear noticeably different once the patient steps into daylight or another real-world environment. If you’ve ever delivered a case that looked perfect in the chair but missed the mark outside the office, you’ve likely run into metamerism.

Metamerism occurs when two objects appear to match in color under one light source but no longer match under different lighting conditions. In dentistry, this usually involves a natural tooth and a restorative material reflecting light in different ways. Even when a shade looks correct at placement, differences in how materials interact with light can become obvious once that lighting changes.

This happens because different materials have different spectral reflectance curves. Daylight, fluorescent lighting, LEDs, and incandescent bulbs all emit different wavelengths of light. Also, they often have a different color rendition index (CRI). Because natural enamel and restorative materials respond to those wavelengths differently, a match under one light source doesn’t always hold up under another.

Material selection also contributes to metamerism. Differences in pigments, translucency, filler composition, and fluorescence all influence how a restoration reflects light. Natural teeth have complex optical properties, and while modern materials have come a long way, replicating those properties consistently across lighting conditions is still a challenge.

While the effect of metamerism can’t be eliminated entirely, it can be managed. Evaluating shade under multiple lighting conditions helps reveal potential mismatches early. Lighting tools designed specifically for shade evaluation can help. For example, AdDent’s Rite-Lite Pro uses diffused LED technology with high CRI  technology that allows clinicians to evaluate shade under multiple lighting environments, helping reduce the effects of metamerism during shade selection and restoration evaluation. More information is available at https://addent.com/rite-lite-pro/

Understanding metamerism helps clinicians make more confident shade decisions and set realistic expectations with patients. By thinking beyond the chair and considering how restorations will appear in everyday lighting, dentists can achieve more predictable esthetic outcomes and higher patient satisfaction.

Heated composite dentistry is no longer a niche technique. It is becoming a growing standard driven by purpose-built technology that makes warming safe, consistent, and easy to integrate into restorative workflows. As composite formulations evolve and clinicians prioritize efficiency and precision, the tools supporting composite warming have advanced alongside them.

From Improvised Heat to Precision Control

Early composite warming relied on improvised methods such as operatory lights or hot water baths, which were inconsistent and difficult to control. Modern technology now provides precise, repeatable temperature management, allowing clinicians to warm materials to optimal ranges without compromising material integrity.

Today’s composite warmers maintain stable temperatures, so materials reach an optimum state just before placement. This delivers improved adaptation, less voids reduced microleakage increase depth of cure.

Advances in Delivery Systems

Innovation now extends beyond warming units to delivery systems that maintain composite temperature through placement. This minimizes heat loss and helps ensure clinicians experience the benefits of warming at the moment the composite enters the prepared tooth cavity.

Supporting Technologies from AdDent

Companies like AdDent have played a role in advancing composite warming technology for over two decades with solutions designed specifically for restorative dentistry. Tools such as the Calset Composite Warmer and Compex HD Heated Composite Dispenser help clinicians apply warming techniques consistently and efficiently. For those interested in the clinical science behind this approach, AdDent provides a detailed overview of the benefits of warming composites here.

Looking Ahead

As dental materials continue to advance, the technology supporting them remains essential. Heated composite systems with increased filler loading and designed to be heated, show how targeted innovation can improve handling, efficiency, and confidence in restorative outcomes, making warming a natural extension of modern restorative dentistry.

Your mouth and your heart may seem worlds apart, but research shows they’re more connected than you might think. Growing evidence links oral health — especially gum disease — with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD).

The Mouth–Heart Connection

People with periodontal disease are up to three times more likely to experience heart attack or stroke compared to those with healthy gums (Harvard Health). Though the exact cause is still being studied, inflammation and bacteria appear to play key roles.

When oral bacteria from inflamed gums enter the bloodstream, they can trigger systemic inflammation, damage blood vessel linings, and contribute to plaque buildup — all of which may increase heart risk.

Shared Risk Factors

Poor oral health and cardiovascular disease share many of the same culprits:

• • Smoking
  • Diabetes
  • Poor diet and obesity
  • Chronic inflammation

This overlap highlights the importance of coordinated care between dental and medical professionals (Santa Fe Group).

Why Prevention Matters

While researchers haven’t proven a direct cause-and-effect link, studies suggest maintaining good oral hygiene supports better overall health. The American Heart Association notes that brushing twice a day, flossing, and regular dental visits may help lower inflammation throughout the body — a key factor in heart disease. (AHA: Oral Health and Heart Disease)

What You Can Do

• • Encourage patients to maintain consistent oral hygiene habits.
  • Treat periodontal disease early to reduce bacterial load and inflammation.
  • Collaborate with physicians when patients show overlapping risk factors.

The Takeaway

A healthy mouth may do more than protect a smile — it could help protect the heart. By promoting oral health as part of total-body wellness, dental professionals play an essential role in supporting long-term cardiovascular health.

Early diagnosis is key to prevention — and the Microlux DW makes it possible to detect cracks, calculus interproximal decay, plaque and biofilm before they progress, supporting better outcomes for oral and systemic health.

Dr. John Flucke’s Blog – Ramblings from Dentistry’s Technology Evangelist

The Bio/Screen by AdDent is a practical tool for everyday oral-cancer screening

Early detection saves lives. That’s the simple, clinically important idea behind AdDent’s Bio/Screen — a handheld fluorescence-aided oral-exam light designed to help dentists spot suspicious mucosal changes quickly during routine visits. 

What the Bio/Screen is and how it works

The Bio/Screen is a cordless, rechargeable, handheld oral-exam light that uses violet LED biofluorescence to increase contrast between healthy and abnormal oral tissue without requiring the operatory lights to be turned off. The device houses five high-output violet LEDs, includes an eyepiece with an optical viewing filter to improve contrast, and runs on an internal lithium-ion battery (rechargeable). It’s sold as a kit with disposable lens covers, patient eyewear, and a charger. 

Practically, this means clinicians can perform a quick, non-invasive adjunctive screen (usually a 1–2 minute check) at chairside as part of a routine exam: conventional visual/tactile exam first, then a fluorescence check to highlight areas that merit closer inspection or referral.  Suspicious areas appear dark and that contrast in appearance makes them easier to spot.

Why fluorescence helps (and what it doesn’t replace)

Fluorescence visualization devices like Bio/Screen do not diagnose cancer on their own — they highlight differences in tissue autofluorescence that can indicate inflammation, dysplasia, or neoplasia. That optical contrast can help clinicians detect subtle lesions they might otherwise miss during a regular exam, or give greater confidence when reassuring patients that tissue looks normal.

In short: Bio/Screen is an adjunct — a screening aid that helps triage patients for further diagnostic workup (biopsy, specialist referral), not a substitute for clinical judgment or histopathology. The workflow most clinicians adopt is: routine oral mucosal exam → fluorescence check → document/findings → act (monitor, image, biopsy/referral).

Clinical relevance — why dentists should care

Oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers remain a meaningful part of daily practice concerns. Early detection dramatically improves outcomes: when oral cancers are found at a localized stage, 5-year survival is substantially higher than for later stages. The American Cancer Society reports lifetime risk differences by sex and underscores the ongoing burden of these cancers in the U.S. (for example, lifetime risk is about 1 in 59 for men and 1 in 139 for women). 

Epidemiologic data also show oral cavity and pharynx cancers have an incidence on the order of ~11–12 new cases per 100,000 persons per year in recent U.S. surveillance datasets — a signal that these malignancies are not rare and warrant routine vigilance in primary dental care. 

Because early detection is so impactful, a practice that incorporates a quick fluorescence screen can both improve patient care and document a higher standard of preventive services. That’s clinically meaningful — and sometimes financially sensible if it builds patient confidence and appropriate referrals.

Workflow & practice integration

Make the fluorescence check a standard part of periodic oral exams (for new patients and recall patients), especially for higher-risk groups (tobacco or heavy alcohol users, older adults, and patients with persistent lesions).  Another contributing factor is HPV-16 and due to that virus younger people can be affected as well.

Train hygienists and assistants to perform the Bio/Screen check so screening is efficient (the device is designed to be simple to operate and doesn’t require overhead lights to be turned off). 

Document findings (photos if possible, location, size, and follow-up plan). If fluorescence highlights a suspicious area, proceed to image/monitor at short interval or refer for biopsy.

Practical specs & procurement

Bio/Screen is lightweight and handheld and is sold as a kit with accessories; many dental suppliers and AdDent’s store list it as an off-the-shelf purchase option. The kit contents include the unit, charger, disposable lens covers, and patient eyewear. 

Bottom line for busy clinicians

Oral cancer screening should be fast and routine — fluorescence tools like Bio/Screen give an inexpensive, simple adjunct to help catch suspicious lesions earlier. addent.com

Given the real burden of oral and oropharyngeal cancers (noted incidence and meaningful survival gains with early detection), adding a 1–2 minute fluorescence check to the periodic exam is a low-cost, high-value preventive step. American Cancer Society+1

Dr. John Flucke’s Blog – Ramblings from Dentistry’s Technology Evangelist

For years I’ve been a fan of AdDent and for most of those years, I’ve been saying it’s because the company makes “better mousetraps”… and that is so true.  One of their products that needs to be in every doctor’s tool belt is the MicroLux DW.  This nifty little device serves two functions.  It can be used as an incredible transilluminator and it can be used as a fluorescence device.

Let’s discuss fluorescence first.  The high powered LED in this mode emits a light of 405nm.  That makes it in the part of the spectrum that looks purple.  When exposed to this color of light, biofilm and caries forming bacteria glow red.  This provides several diagnostic indicators for dentistry.  The most talked about is to find small areas of caries.  Fluorescence allows the clinician to see areas of enamel breakdown before the lesion has cavitated enough to allow for an explorer stick.  Those areas can either be restored very easily, normally without anesthetic, or treated with remineralization therapy.  Of course which treatment to provide requires a doctor’s skill and expertise.

The second way to use the fluorescence mode is during hygiene care.  The MicroLux DW can help hygienists to see where biofilm and plaque hide and can help show patients areas of concern.  We are seeing more and more literature published that demonstrate the oral/systemic connection and proper plaque removal during home care is an important step in helping reduce systemic bacterial counts of oral pathogens.  Being able to SHOW the patients the areas they miss at home can help give them better overall health.

It can also be a great way to monitor the health of implants.  Since identifying problems around implants can sometimes be difficult, being able to visually examine them using fluorescence can be a tremendous help in evaluating them and detecting the very beginning stages of periimplantitis.

The tip or “light guide” of the MicroLux DW is 3mm in diameter, which allows it to be placed into narrow interproximal areas.  AdDent also makes attachments for the device that have a tip of 1mm in diameter.  These super small tips come in lengths of 3, 5, and 7mm.  This allows the light to go into even smaller and tighter spaces.  I highly recommend this tip for implant evaluation as it allows the operator to see incredibly well into the small areas of soft tissue surrounding implants.  Most clinicians are also working under magnification and viewing these areas under magnification improves diagnostic ability even more.  All tips can be autoclaved to avoid cross contamination and the device itself can be wrapped.

The purple wavelength is also handy for identifying small composites or sealants.  Bonded materials appear different under this wavelength.  Occasionally during an initial new patient exam it can be difficult to tell if an area is natural tooth structure or some type of bonded material.  This wavelength makes identifying them simple!

Now I’ll go into the second function of the MicroLux DW.  The device also has a very bright white LED that, when paired with the same 3mm diameter tip, can be used for transillumination.  Placing the tip into the interproximal area can provide an amazing amount of detail and can easily help the doctor find caries in those areas.  As all clinicians know, bitewing radiographs don’t always reveal everything going on in the interproximal areas.  Using the MicroLux DW with the white LED in those areas can help provide needed information.  It can help confirm a questionable area, but it can also help the doctor decide with greater confidence that an area should be monitored and not restored.  It can also be a great help when monitoring remineralization therapy in interproximal areas.  I normally explain to patients that the device helps me make decisions and it doesn’t require any radiation.  Patients appreciate that we are doing all we can to keep x-ray exposure low.

The MicroLux DW is also a terrific way to check the interproximal areas of anteriors as well.  Keeping with the ALARA principle when it comes to radiographs, PA’s to check those areas aren’t taken routinely and the white light of the MicroLux DW lets me evaluate those areas any time I need to, without the need for x-ray exposure.

The last great thing I want to tell you about this device is that it is affordable.  Overhead in a dental practice is high and often the things that we need to provide great care come with a significant price tag.  There aren’t many devices a dentist can reach for routinely that can be purchased for under $500… but the MicroLux DW is one of them.  That price tag makes it easy to put several in your office.  I routinely reach for this device and it is *highly recommended*! 

With more than 30 U.S. and international patents (and more pending), Dr. Friedman’s work continues to shape the future of dental technology. His guiding principle is simple yet powerful: combine engineering excellence with clinical insight to create tools that truly make a difference in the operatory.

Learn more about Dr. Friedman’s journey in this episode of our Advancing Dentistry podcast.

Dr. John Flucke’s Blog – Ramblings from Dentistry’s Technology Evangelist

Warming your composite has tons of advantages.  I’ve been placing warmed composites for over 20 years now and those benefits have proven themselves time and time again.  There has been lots of research done over the years that proven heated composite   If you’d like to read some of those studies, you can follow this link to AdDent that will provide them.  They are the reason that AdDent developed an entire line of composite warming systems.  

AdDent’s latest product that warms composite is called the Compex HD.  It is composite dispensing gun that actually warms the composite in the barrel.  It’s powered by a rechargeable battery which allows the user to warm up to 100 compules before needing a recharge.  As we start the bonding process we hit the power button and by the time the enamel and dentin are ready for the composite, the device has heated it to 155° F.  The composite flows like soft serve ice cream, which makes it simple to place and sculpt.  Plus you get all the material advantages that heating provides to the material for better long tem outcomes.

Patients count on us to be providing the best restorations we can, but do your patients know that?  Using warm composite doesn’t only provide benefits to the doctor, it provides benefits to the patient as well.  I frequently explain things to patients while I’m actually doing the treatment and one of the things I like to mention is how the ‘gun’ I’m using actually heats the filling material.  I explain that it not only makes my job easier, but that it helps the filling set better and that helps the filling last longer.

If you’ve never tried using warm composite, I *highly* recommend it.  As I said above, I’ve been using the technique for over 20 years now and I would never go back to using room temperature composite again.  Warming makes the material easier to use, place, and adapt.  Multiple studies have also shown that there is more conversion in the reaction and less material shrinkage.  The good folks at AdDent have an entire page of their website that provides links to the studies that show the benefits.  If you’d like to read those studies and discover the benefits of warming composite for yourself, this link will take you to that study page.  I’m sure that after you review some of that literature, you’ll want to give this technique a try.  If you decide to use warmed composite, take a good look at the Compex HD.  It’s a great and easy way to get your composite all warmed up and ready to go!

Biofilm—the sticky community of bacteria that forms on tooth surfaces—is a major contributor to decay, periodontal disease, and restoration failure. While patient hygiene is vital, dentists can help prevent biofilm-related problems during restorative procedures through heated composite placement and proper isolation.

Why Biofilm Control Matters in Restorations

Biofilm around or beneath a restoration can lead to leakage, secondary caries, and early failure. Even tiny voids or irregularities can harbor bacteria, making a well-sealed, smooth restoration essential for both longevity and oral health.

Benefits of Heated Composites

• • • Improved Adaptation: Warming composite resin lowers viscosity, allowing it to flow into microscopic irregularities and minimize voids.
    • Better Marginal Seal: Enhanced adaptation creates a tighter seal, reducing bacterial infiltration at restoration margins.
    • Efficient Placement: Heated composites pack and sculpt more easily, potentially reducing chair time and contamination risk before curing.

Why Isolation Is Essential

• • • Prevents Contamination: Saliva contains microorganisms that quickly colonize surfaces. Rubber dams or isolation systems keep the preparation dry and clean.
    • Protects Bond Strength: Moisture during bonding can weaken adhesion, creating entry points for bacteria.
    • Improves Safety & Comfort: Isolation also shields the patient’s airway and soft tissues.

A Biofilm-Fighting Combination

Using heated composites with proper isolation maximizes material performance and infection control. The composite flows into every crevice, while isolation prevents bacterial contamination—resulting in restorations that are:

• Smooth and well-adapted
• Tightly sealed
• Durable and resistant to secondary decay

The bottom line, Biofilm prevention starts in the operatory. Combining heated composite placement with meticulous isolation not only protects the restoration but also safeguards the patient’s long-term oral health.

Be sure to check out AdDent’s three-part eBook series “How can biofilm affect my diagnosis and treatments?” Click on each eBook below to read.

Dr. John Flucke’s Blog – Ramblings from Dentistry’s Technology Evangelist

Oral cancer screening is important.  Current statistics state the somewhere around 50% of oral cancers are found late.  Some of that is due to many patients not getting regular dental exams, but it also relates to how difficult these areas can be to see.  Many early lesions aren’t easy to spot and that makes the dental professionals job more difficult.  That’s especially true when using a standard white light for exams.

That’s where AdDents Bio/Screen device comes into play.  The device uses five powerful violet LEDs to illuminate the tissues of the mouth.  Biofluorescence of normal tissue under this light means that any tissues that appear dark or black under the violet light indicate some type of damage to that tissue.  This difference in appearance makes it easier to spot any areas that might need followup.  I tell my patients that the Bio/Screen is not a diagnostic device… it is a screening device.  Something dark doesn’t necessarily mean it is cancer, but it means the tissue has been injured somehow and that we should do a followup exam to make sure the area is no longer there.

The device is cordless and uses a rechargeable battery so it is easy to move and use in any treatment area.  It has an eyepiece and an optical viewing filter that helps increase contrast between healthy tissue and tissues that have been injured somewhat.

Most doctors are routinely providing oral cancer screenings at hygiene appointments, but do your patients *know* you are providing this service?  To help doctors get the word out about why they are performing exams using the Bio/Screen, the good people at AdDent have created a ‘tent card’ that can be printed and  put in the reception area or even given to patients.  You can find that file here.

Click here to learn more about Bio/Screen. 

When we think of plaque, what we’re really talking about is a biofilm—a living, structured community of bacteria that adheres to tooth surfaces, restorations, and soft tissues. Protected by a slimy extracellular layer, biofilms are notoriously resistant to antimicrobials and immune responses. Left unchecked, they drive everything from caries and periodontal disease to restorative failures and implant complications.

Because biofilms are difficult to eradicate once fully established, early detection and disruption are essential.

The Challenge of Detecting Biofilms

Traditional diagnostic methods—visual inspection, explorers, and radiographs—often fall short. Caries beneath the surface or interproximal lesions can easily go undetected until significant damage has occurred. Biofilms thrive in these hidden niches, making them a silent threat to long-term oral health.

Enter Microlux DW

AdDent’s Microlux DW diagnostic light is a powerful tool in the fight against biofilm-related disease. Using dual wavelengths—white light transillumination and blue light fluorescence—the device helps clinicians identify early lesions, cracks, and abnormal conditions before they progress.

• White Light Transillumination: Reveals caries, cracks, and interproximal lesions by passing light through enamel and dentin.
• Blue Light Fluorescence: Makes bacterial activity more visible by highlighting the fluorescence signals associated with demineralization and biofilm activity.

This dual approach provides a non-invasive, radiation-free adjunct to radiographs, giving clinicians and patients earlier insight into areas where biofilms are taking hold.

How Microlux DW Supports Better Biofilm Management

• Early Diagnosis: Catch biofilm-driven lesions at the earliest stages, when intervention is most effective.
• Patient Education: Visual evidence of fluorescence helps patients understand the need for preventive or restorative care.
• Minimized Restorative Failures: By detecting marginal caries sooner, clinicians can prevent re-treatment cycles caused by hidden biofilms.
• Everyday Use: Compact, easy, and safe, the Microlux DW fits seamlessly into daily exams for all ages.

The Takeaway

Biofilms are central to some of the most persistent challenges in dentistry. While complete elimination isn’t possible, early detection and intervention are the keys to reducing their impact. With tools like the Microlux DW, clinicians can stay one step ahead—identifying biofilm activity earlier, treating it more effectively, and ultimately improving both oral and overall health.

To learn more about Microlux DW, please click here.

Veneers are a key tool in aesthetic dentistry, helping improve smile esthetics through minimally invasive techniques. With advancements in material science, dental professionals can now achieve excellent outcomes while preserving natural tooth structure.

Cementation

The Vac-Tak Composite Instrument, a specialized veneer placement tool crafted to streamline the handling and cementation process of delicate porcelain or composite veneers. This precision and economical instrument. It provides for cementation under gentle pressure to eliminate gaps and allow full seating.

Ideal Candidates

Best suited for:

• Intact enamel
• Mild aesthetic issues
• Stable occlusion with low parafunction risk

Patients with deep stains or significant misalignment may require alternative approaches.

Conclusion

The Vac-Tak is a veneer placement instrument that makes it easy to handle and cement delicate porcelain or composite veneers. There are two size of suction tips – large, for maxillary teeth and small for mandibular teeth. See www.addent.com/vac-tak for more information.

A 2013 Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry study showed a 99% 12-year survival rate for veneers bonded to enamel—underscoring the value of conservative prep.

What is Microleakage, and Why is it a Concern?

Microleakage refers to the phenomenon where a gap forms between the dental restoration material (such as a composite filling) and the tooth structure. This tiny gap allows bacteria, fluids, and food particles to seep in, leading to:

• • Secondary decay: The bacteria entering these gaps can lead to new cavities around the restoration.
  • Sensitivity: Leaking restorations can cause discomfort or pain, especially when eating hot, cold, or sweet foods.
  • Restoration failure: Over time, the seal between the restoration and tooth weakens, causing the filling or veneer to become loose or even fall out.

Microleakage is a persistent issue in dental restorations, but using heated composites is proving to be a game-changer in significantly reducing this problem.

What Are Heated Composites?

Heated composites are a relatively new development in restorative dentistry, designed to improve the flow and adaptation of composite materials when applied to teeth. Composite resins are often used for fillings, veneers, and bonding procedures due to their excellent aesthetic qualities and versatility. However, the performance of composite resins can be affected by their viscosity, which is how thick or runny they are when applied.

When composite resins are heated before placement, they become more fluid, allowing them to flow into the microscopic contours and crevices of the tooth preparation. This improved flow results in better adaptation of the material to the tooth surface, leading to a tighter seal and less chance of gaps or voids that can cause microleakage.

How Heated Composites Help Reduce Microleakage

The key to understanding why heated composites reduce microleakage lies in their ability to better fill and adapt to the prepared tooth surface. Here’s how:

1. Enhanced Flow and Adaptation: Heated composite flows better, filling small fissures and bonding more tightly to the tooth—reducing microleakage.
2. Better Polymerization and Shrinkage Control: Warming allows more even curing, reducing polymerization shrinkage and stress, resulting in a stronger, longer-lasting bond.
3. Improved Marginal Integrity: Heated composite adapts better at restoration margins, creating tighter seals and lowering the risk of separation.
4. Fewer Voids or Air Bubbles: Heat improves flow into the prep, reducing air bubbles and gaps where bacteria could accumulate.

AdDent’s Role in Heated Composite Solutions

AdDent has been making composite heaters for over 20 years.  At AdDent we offer products like the Calset Composite Warmer and the Compex HD Heated Composite Dispenser, which are designed to optimize heated composite applications, helping reduce microleakage and improve the longevity of restorations.

The Bottom Line: A Significant Step Forward in Restorative Dentistry

The use of heated composites is a significant advancement in the fight against microleakage in dental restorations. By enhancing the flow, adaptability, and marginal integrity of composite resins, heated composites offer a more effective and durable solution for patients and dentists alike. As this technique becomes more widely adopted, it promises to improve the longevity, comfort, and aesthetics of dental fillings, veneers, and other restorative treatments.

Explore over 60 benefits of warming dental composite by visiting this link.

Dr. John Flucke’s Blog – Ramblings from Dentistry’s Technology Evangelist

One of the most difficult things to do in dentistry is to shade match a single shade in the cosmetic zone.  However, matching two teeth isn’t really that much easier.  The proper shade match is critical and it’s never easy.  If you’ve been practicing dentistry for any amount of time and run into this problem, you know exactly what I’m talking about.

Anterior crowns are especially difficult.  Our aesthetic materials have made this a bit easier in the last 10-15 years, but even with all of the advancements, it is still a challenge.  Simply put, the design of human tooth consists of enamel over dentin.  Enamel is translucent and dentin is not.  That means that light striking the tooth is reflected in ways that are hard to mimic with manmade materials.  Things such as hue, value, and chroma all come into play… and they can present some challenges. 

Part of the challenge is the light the shade match is done under.  A smile isn’t just seen in sunlight, it’s also seen in a variety of manmade wavelengths and those are probably the biggest reason for the difficulty in shade matching.  A crown can be perfect under the lights of a dental office, but when seen under the lights in a home, an office environment, or restaurant, that shade can be affected by the ambient light.  Many doctors will match the shade and view the patient under a variety of lighting environments to try and maximize the aesthetics.  Personally I’ve taken shades in the operatory, in the reception area, and the parking lot on difficult shade cases.

How can a doctor view the smile under a variety of shade environments and decrease the chances of a crown not matching?  One of the easiest ways I’ve found to do this is with the Rite-Lite PRO™ from AdDent.

There is a measure of how accurately a light source reveals the colors of an object compared to natural sunlight.  That measure is referred to as CRI (Color Rendering Index) and can be incredibly helpful in these types of situations.

The Rite-Lite PRO is a shade matching device that uses a variety of high CRI LEDs at different specific wavelengths that allow the tooth to be visualized correctly.  A variety of different wavelengths can help increase the accuracy of the shade match.  The LEDs provide 3 modes of shade taking.

1. Color-corrected light at a color temperature of 5500° Kelvin.  This is considered ‘true north’ light.
2. Incandescent-room light at 3200° Kelvin that is found in many indoor environments.
3. Ambient list at 3900° Kelvin.  This is a combination of room light and daylight.

There is also a black light setting for matching restorations to natural dentition fluorescence.

As you can see from the image at the top of this post, the Rite-Lite PRO looks like a large magnifying glass.  The LEDs are setup in a ring with a large viewing port in the middle of the ring.  This lets the doctor or shade taker see the teeth evenly illuminated with each specific wavelength.  You can also purchase a polarizing filter to remove any surface reflection.  Pressing a button on the handle cycles the LEDs through the different wavelengths.

The ring illuminator is attached to a handle that contains a rechargeable Li-ion battery that provides constant power output which means the light is always at its correct brightness and intensity.  This allows the shade taker to know everything is the same… every time.

If you’ve ever struggled to get the shade match you and your patient expect, I highly recommend this device.  It makes shade taking *much* easier.  As I’ve said before, the smart people at AdDent make some of the best “better mousetrap” devices I’ve seen.  This is one of them! 

As the dental industry continues to embrace innovation, the chairside exam is undergoing a dramatic transformation. What was once limited to visual inspections, tactile probing, and 2D imaging is now being redefined by smart diagnostic technologies that deliver more accuracy, efficiency, and patient trust. These advancements are not just enhancing how dentists detect oral conditions—they’re changing the very nature of preventive and restorative care.

The Shift Toward Smart Diagnostics

Smart diagnostics refer to a new generation of dental tools that integrate enhanced imaging and analysis to aid in the early detection of oral disease. These technologies empower clinicians to make faster, evidence-based decisions while also educating patients with clear visuals and explanations. Some of the most promising advancements in this space include:

• • Transillumination technology for detecting caries, cracks, and other defects without radiation
  • Biofluorescence visualization for identifying abnormal tissues in oral cancer screening
  • Shade matching tools for improved esthetics in restorative dentistry

AdDent’s Role in the Diagnostic Evolution

At AdDent, we’ve been at the forefront of developing innovative diagnostic tools that elevate the standard of chairside exams.

2. Bio/Screen Oral Cancer Examination Light

The Bio/Screen oral cancer screening tool enables dentists to quickly and reliably detect lesions and tissue abnormalities during routine exams. Using five powerful violet LEDs, the Bio/Screen highlights biofluorescence in the oral cavity without turning off the room lights, making screenings easy and efficient. An eyepiece and optical viewing filter further enhance contrast, helping clinicians distinguish healthy tissue from potential areas of concern with greater confidence.

Final Thoughts

The future of dentistry is smart, precise, and patient-centered. By adopting diagnostic tools that align with this vision, dental professionals can stay ahead of the curve – delivering more accurate diagnoses, enhancing patient education, improving clinical outcomes and increasing patient referrals.

At AdDent, we’re proud to support dentists on this journey with tools that lead the way in smart diagnostics. To explore more of our innovative solutions, visit www.addent.com. Interested in purchasing one of these innovative products? Visit our store.

Dr. John Flucke’s Blog – Ramblings from Dentistry’s Technology Evangelist

Two of the diagnostic technologies that I’ve been excited about for years are transillumination and caries fluorescence.  Both of these allow the doctor to find decay at its earliest stages.  The great thing about finding things when they’re tiny is that is gives the doctor a lot of options.

We all know that some patients suffer problems that quickly break down, while others progress slowly.  Ask any doctor and they will tell you that some patients seem to suffer decay much more easily than others.  Many times these patients can have meticulous home  and still see frequent problems.  The flip side is that some patients don’t do nearly as much home care and seem to rarely if ever suffer problems… and if they do, they progress slowly.

For patients who suffer from frequent and fast breakdown, early intervention is usually needed.  That means finding problems when they are small allows the doctor to remove small amounts of tooth structure and leave more, healthy structure in place.

Finding problems when they are small can also allow a doctor to try remineralization therapy to perhaps reverse tiny lesions in patients who break down slowly.  This can potentially eliminate the need to perform a restoration at all.

Usually by the time an area of caries in the interproximal area is detectable on a bitewing, the lesion is hard to reverse and difficult to monitor adequately.  This is when transillumination is a great thing to have.  Often areas in the interproximal area can be seen with transillumination before they are visible on a bitewing.

It’s the same with with areas on the occlusal or smooth surfaces where an explorer is normally used.  Frequently when a lesion is detectable with an explorer, it has cavitated and undermined enough enamel that a restoration is needed.

These clinical problems can be handled with the MicroLux DW from AdDent.  The smart people at AdDent created the MicroLux unit several years ago.  However, they’ve recently upgraded the device with the new name of MicroLux DW and the DW stands for dual wavelength.  It has both a visible white light mode for transillumination as well as a violet (405nm) light that performs biofluorescence.  This allows the device to perform two important functions to increase diagnostic accuracy and to find areas of concern when they are tiny.

The device comes with a small autoclavable tip that is attached.  The tip is 3mm in diameter and allows the doctor to get it wherever needed in the mouth.  The tip allows for easy illumination of interproximal lesions with minimal light pollution to the doctors eyes, since the small tip directs the light easily below the height of contour of the area being examined.

The transillumination mode can be used for:

•  Visualizing teeth for cracks, fractures, calculus, and caries
•  Visualize existing composites for marginal defects and microleakage
•  Checking inlays and onlays for micro-cracks or crazes before cementation
•  Evaluation of enamel discoloration, including white spot lesions
•  Visualization of the root canal and root fractures

The fluorescence can be used for:

• Visualize Biofilm
• Visualize caries Bacteria
•  Evaluation of White Spot Lesions and Demineralization
• Visualize Plaque for perio and implant maintenance
• Differentiate between tooth fluorescent vs non-fluorescent restorative materials

The unit has a rechargeable battery with a voltage regulator that maintains a uniform brightness no matter how low the battery is.  This helps ensure a consistent light source for accurate clinical determinations.

We have a unit in the office and reach for it frequently.  If you’d like more info, follow this link.

When our patients think about oral health, they often focus on preventing cavities, maintaining fresh breath, or achieving a brighter smile. But did you know that the health of your patient’s mouth can also influence the well-being of their gut? This fascinating connection, often referred to as the oral-gut axis, underscores the importance of maintaining a balanced microbiome in both areas.

The Link Between Oral and Gut Microbiomes

Your mouth serves as the gateway to your body, and what happens here can set the stage for downstream effects on your digestive system. The oral cavity hosts a diverse community of bacteria, some of which are beneficial, while others can be harmful if not kept in check. These bacteria can travel to the gut via saliva and swallowed food, influencing the composition and balance of the gut microbiome.

Probiotics and the Oral-Gut Axis

Probiotics, commonly known as “good bacteria,” can be beneficial for both oral and gut health. They help maintain microbial balance and reduce the overgrowth of pathogenic bacteria. Incorporating probiotic-rich foods like yogurt, kefir, and fermented vegetables, along with maintaining good oral hygiene, can promote a healthier microbiome across the oral-gut axis.

Practical Tips for Patients to Improve the Oral-Gut Connection

• Practice Good Oral Hygiene: Brush twice daily, floss regularly, and visit your dentist for check-ups to minimize harmful bacteria in your mouth.
• Adopt a Balanced Diet: Include foods rich in fiber, prebiotics, and probiotics to support microbial diversity in your gut.
• Stay Hydrated: Drinking water helps wash away food particles and bacteria, reducing their ability to disrupt your microbiomes.
• Avoid Smoking and Excessive Alcohol: These habits can harm both your oral and gut microbiomes.

The Future of Research

Emerging studies continue to shed light on the oral-gut axis, revealing how this intricate connection influences overall health. Understanding the interplay between oral and gut bacteria opens up new avenues for prevention and treatment strategies, emphasizing the importance of holistic health practices.

For a deeper dive into the relationship between probiotics and the oral-gut axis, check out this insightful article from RDH Magazine. It’s a must-read for anyone looking to explore how probiotics can benefit both oral and gut health.

In modern restorative dentistry, the pursuit of stronger, more durable, and esthetically pleasing restorations has led to continuous advancements in materials and techniques. One such advancement is the use of heated dental composite, which significantly impacts polymerization shrinkage and depth of cure—two critical factors influencing the longevity of restorations.

By pre-warming composite before application, dentists can enhance the material’s performance, ensuring better adaptation, improved polymerization, and stronger restorations that last longer.

Understanding Polymerization Shrinkage and Its Challenges

Composite resins undergo polymerization when exposed to light curing, transforming from a soft paste into a hard, durable structure. However, during this process, the material contracts, leading to polymerization shrinkage. If not managed properly, shrinkage can cause:

• Marginal gaps and microleakage, increasing the risk of recurrent caries.
• Internal stress on the restoration, which can lead to fractures or post-operative sensitivity.
• Weakened adhesion, reducing the restoration’s durability over time.

By heating composite before placement, clinicians can significantly reduce polymerization shrinkage, ensuring a tighter seal between the material and tooth structure.

The Role of Heat in Enhancing Polymerization and Cure Depth

Heated composite has a lower viscosity, which improves its adaptation to cavity walls and minimizes gaps. But another key advantage is its effect on the degree of conversion—the percentage of monomers that successfully polymerize into a solid state.

A higher degree of conversion means:

• Stronger, more wear-resistant restorations that maintain integrity over time.
• Better depth of cure, allowing light to penetrate deeper into the composite for uniform hardening.
• Reduced risk of incomplete polymerization, which can lead to breakdown and failure of the restoration.

Studies show that heated composite exhibits greater polymerization efficiency, ensuring that even deep restorations receive a reliable and uniform cure.

How to Incorporate Heated Composite into Clinical Practice

Several tools are available to help clinicians integrate heated composite into their workflow efficiently. Two notable devices include:

Calset Composite Warmer – A multi-purpose device that warms composite materials to an optimal temperature, improving their handling, reducing shrinkage, and enhancing the final restoration’s strength.

With innovative solutions like the Calset Composite Warmer and Compex HD Heated Composite Dispenser, integrating heated composite into daily practice has never been easier. As research continues to validate the advantages of this approach, pre-warming composite is becoming an essential step in modern restorative dentistry.

To explore more benefits of warming composite, check out our list of over 10 benefits + 3M blog here. For over 60 research references click here.

Dr. John Flucke’s Blog – Ramblings from Dentistry’s Technology Evangelist

As regular readers know, I’m a huge fan of heated composite.  The benefits are numerous as far as clinical results and long term outcomes.  Over 60 studies have shown the benefits of heating composite prior to placement.  However, those benefits are a bonus for me compared to how easy warm composite is to place.  I love placing warm composite!  There really isn’t a single change to your restorative protocol that can have a bigger impact on the clinical results.  Normally to achieve great results, the effort is worth it, but effort is required.  This is one of those amazing things that can give you better results and actually make your efforts easier.

Along those lines, I’m also a huge fan of AdDent.  The company makes several impactful, high-quality products *and* they are one of the leading companies when it comes to products that can heat your composite to achieve great results.  I recently published a post about their Calset composite warming system… and it works great.  Today’s post is about another one of their ‘better mousetraps’ to help with that.

The Compex HD is a composite dispensing gun that heats composite and allows you deliver it directly into the prep.  There is a small heating element in the barrel of the Compex HD that warms the compule before delivery and then allows you to smoothly and easily dispense it with the pull of the trigger.  The barrel is incredibly well insulated so there is not concern about the barrel making contact with soft tissues.

It warms the material to 155°F (68°C) in 40 seconds.  My normal protocol is finish the preparation and then we turn the Compex HD on.  While we’re isolating the field, the composite is warming.  By the time we’ve isolated and have the prep ready for delivery, the device is ready to go.  At that point the material is delivered in the same manner as always.  That means no real change to your clinical protocol other than to push the ‘on’ button on the device.  No matter what technique you use or material you choose, the Compex HD can be integrated easily.

The device is cordless and the rechargeable battery can heat 100 compules before needing to be charged.  It’s incredibly light weight and can be moved from operatory to operatory easily.  Of course, I feel that once you’ve used it, you’ll find you need one in every restorative operatory in your office.  I should also state that the device fits well in the doctor’s hand.  Whether you’re like me and have fairly large fans or you’re a female doctor with smaller hands, the Compex HD is easy to hold and use.

The device also has a small tab on the barrel that ejects the compule when pushed so changing and reloading is fast and efficient.  Once the barrel is fully warmed, the next compule heats fast so there is no concern about using Compex HD in quadrant cases where multiple compules would be used.  Of course pairing the device with AdDent’s Calset device means that your composites are always warm and placement is even easier.

Compex HD is a winner and I feel if you try it, you’ll feel the same way.  The benefits are amazing.