Meeting review: ADA 2016 annual meeting in Denver

At ADA 2016, held Oct. 20 to 24, there was an abundance of new offerings and tried-and-true must-have basic supplies.

Midmark offered its unique combination of products that combined create a solid core for any practice: chairs (including the Elevance, with heat and massage settings), imaging solutions, air and vacuum systems and sterilizers.

At the Banyan booth, the social-media marketing services company had a scenic mountain backdrop photo set up. Attendees could share a photo on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and learn how the company can help grow a practice with easy-to-use social media strategies.

At its first ADA annual meeting, Salvin was on hand with “everything for your implants practice but the implants.” A glance at the booth revealed that the company really means “everything.” That includes its new Xymphony contour adapting restorable membrane that maintains barrier functionality for up to 33 weeks and can be hydrated with either saline or blood.

BIOLASE was displaying its Waterlase iPlus, an all-tissue laser that now includes protocols for moderating periodontitis and peri-implantitis in a general dentist setting.

Another new offering could be found from St. Renatus: Kofanaze nasal spray just recently earned FDA approval as the first product that delivers dental anesthesia through a nasal spray without using a needle.

Zeiss was offering some of the industry’s most advanced options in dental microscopes and was offering free copies of Microscopic Dentistry: A Practical Guide.

In the iTero/Align Technologies booth, attendees could complete a full-mouth intraoral scan using iTero’s newly updated Element scanner and compete in the “iTero Iron Records Challenge.” The three fastest scan times each day won prizes. And just for tying, you could walk away with a free iTero Smiles selfie stick. Now available with iTero scanners is the new Invisalign Outcome Simulator 4.0.

In the Fotona booth, attendees could enter to win a daily giveaway of a GoPro Hero or a Peyton Manning jersey. And being awarded as a grand prize was a football signed by Peyton manning. Free selfie sticks were also available.

Education at ADA

ADA 2016 also brought together thousands of dental professionals from across the nation and world for continuing education courses, seminars, networking opportunities and dental exhibitor events. But ask most attendees and you would quickly realize “education” is the real draw, overarching all of the other reasons for being here.

Evidence outside of the classrooms was everywhere at ADA 2016, including in the exhibit hall, which featured the Technology Expo and Technology Theater, the Design Studio, the Specialty Pavilion, the Live-Patient CAD/CAM Stage and the Wellness Studio.

Among the offering today in the Technology Theater: “Social Media and Online Reputation for the Modern Dental Practice,” “Digital Diagnosis and Treatment Planning Using 3D Technology” and “What every Dental Practice Website Needs in 2016 and Beyond.”