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Definition from Wepopedia [1]
IP Address: An identifier for a computer or device on a TCP/IP network. Networks using the TCP/IP protocol route messages based on the IP address of the destination. The format of an IP address is a 32-bit numeric address written as four numbers separated by periods. Each number can be zero to 255. For example, 1.160.10.240 could be an IP address. Within an isolated network, you can assign IP addresses at random as long as each one is unique. However, connecting a private network to the Internet requires using registered IP addresses (called Internet addresses) to avoid duplicates.
 

[1] http://www.webopedia.com/

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Look here 2006 International CES: Innovations Honorees [1] if you are interested in what the industry judges picked as the best innovations in consumer electronics for 2006.

[1] http://www.cesweb.org/attendees/awards/innovations/rd_2006honorees.asp?category=75

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Another cool non dental product at CES were Massage chairs like this model  from SANYO > Massage Chairs [1]
Massage chairs may not seem like a dental technology but in fact they can be used in the dental office. One of the trends in dentistry has been the development of the “Spa Office” A massage chair is a natural spa feature. It can simply be placed in the reception room to give patient’s a bit of luxury before an appointment and to help nervous patients relax. Or it could be used in a clinical area to relax patients during neuromusculatr tensing sessions.

[1] http://www.sanyo.com/appliances/massage%5Fchairs/index.cfm?productID=1103

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CT stands for Computed Tomography which is a shorted version of CAT, Computed Axial Tomography.  A CT scan is a diagnostic imaging method in which a computer is used to generate a three-dimensional image of the internal of an object using a series of two-dimensional X-ray image slices taken around a single axis of rotation.
Cone Beam refers to the type of X-Ray projection and is important because it allows users to image a small well defined volume such as the lower face and mouth at low radiation dosage.
That’s the definition, but what does it mean in the real world of dental diagnostics? One of the most important concepts to understand with Cone Beam CT is that the user is imaging a volume (like a model), not just a single plane (like a photo). However in actual use it is even better. That is because the user can not only view the model from any angle but the user can view inside the model as if the jaws and teeth were sliced with a band saw to expose a cross section. These band saw slices can be made at any angle, at any depth and can be viewed as a series of slices as if the user was slowly passing right through the body.
The image of a perforating mandibular lesion shown above is courtesy of Dale Miles. Find out more from Dale HERE [1].

[1] http://learndigital.com/

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One of the big concerns dentists have about using computers in the treatment rooms is the space. We usually end up wedging a full size tower into the side or back cabinet. However there are several options, like putting the computer in the monitor or even the keyboard. However one of the smallest options on display at CES were the microcomputers from Norhtec. here [1]
As you can see in the photo these computers are tiny, but have all the functionality and connections of a typical desktop computer. They can easily fit just about anywhere. They are also surprisingly inexpensive. One of the reasons they are so small is that they have no fans. That makes them quiet as well. However it also limits the computing speed. Because of the limitations these machines may not yet be ideal for dental offices. Never the less they show that in the future we will have computers designed to fit into our cabinets and not the other way around.

[1] http://www.norhtec.com/

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The Future of Dentin Bonding             There is a good possibility that the approach to bonding composite resin to dentinal surfaces will change dramatically; and it is likely that this change will occur in the not too distant future. Ironically, the approach to adhesion will revert to that taken at the very beginning (over four […]

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Check it out here The Babble [1]
As dentists we have both a legal and an ethical responsibility to protect our patient’s confidential information. If you are telling a patient what you found when you examined them, asking about a medical condition or making financial arrangements no one else in the office should hear what you are saying. Especially not another patient in an adjacent room or sitting in the reception area. Now there is a high tech device that creates a zone of privacy to protect you and your patient.

Babble is perfect for people who work in open offices and for people who work with confidential information in industries such as finance, law, medical records, human resources, homeland security and businesses regulated by HIPAA. Providing voice privacy without walls, Babble protects your spoken words from the people around you. Just add Babble to any office, open workspace or cubicle to camouflage your voice for total confidentiality…..The easy-to-use Babble features a compact footprint approximately the size of a tape dispenser. ….At the push of a button, you’ve got voice privacy on demand, rather than emitting a continuous stream of white noise. Babble is only on when you need it and can be turned off when you don’t.

[1] http://www.sonaretechnologies.com/babble.html

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Some of the high end Canon Digital cameras at CES

 
This photo was taken in low light with my cell phone, a treo 650 with an obviously shaky hand. In some ways the image is pretty poor. On the other hand when you stop to think of the technology involved to take this image it is amazing!

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There were lots and lots of companies at CES showing mounts for LCD monitors as well as larger plasma and LCD television mounts. (There was a flat panel TV over 100 inches across…awesome). The two companies I have used mostly in dental offices are Ergotron [1] and ICW [2]. Following are some other options.

Innovative [3]
Visionmount [4]
Premier [5]
Barkan [6]
Chief [7]
Orbital [8]
Promounts [9]

[1] http://www.ergotron.com/
[2] http://icwdental.com/
[3] http://www.lcdarms.com/
[4] http://https://www.sanus.com/cgi-bin/web_store.cgi?page=products/wallmount/visionmount.html&cart_id=1639188_11429
[5] http://www.premiermounts.com/
[6] http://www.barkan-eng.com/
[7] http://www.chiefmfg.com/
[8] http://orbitalholdings.com/index.html
[9] http://www.promounts.com/

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When we come into the office each morning there is a ritual we follow to get ready for the day. We turn off the alarm, unlock the front door, turn on the lights (12 different switches), adjust the draperies, turn on the compressor and vacumn, turn on each dental unit, turn on the X-Ray units, boot the computers (8 of them), turn on the sound system, turn on the TV showing Smile Channel, and of course start the coffee.
Then when we close up we do it all again the other way around.
It is now possible to do all of these tasks with a single touch of a control panel.
There were many companies showing home controls at CES. These controls are growing rapidly as a new standard Zwave makes it possible to use wireless controls in a wide variety of uses. Although the CES vendors were showing home use the same technology could easily be adapted to a small office.
Why use wireless controls? The most obvious advantage is that it saves time. The second advantage is that it is always consistent. You will never have to worry about things left on over the weekend. I believe that in a typical office these controls will easily save 30 minutes a day. 15 to open and 15 to close. At $15 an hour and working 192 days a year the savings will be $1,440 a year.
And besides the savings it is really cool!

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