From robotic systems that fully automate instrument sterilization to AI-powered custom metal brackets, the winners of the 2026 AAO Ortho Innovator Award are tackling the specialty's biggest operational challenges. Take a closer look at the five breakthrough technologies recognized this year for advancing clinical care and practice efficiency.
When it comes to keeping your orthodontic practice staff and patients free from infection, investing in high quality instruments and up-to-date sterilization technology go hand in hand.
Following a major showcase at the 2026 AAO Annual Session, Align Technology is shifting its strategy from isolated products to a fully connected digital platform. By pulling manual chairside steps upstream into the digital planning phase and expanding clinical flexibility, the company is focused on reducing practice friction and improving treatment predictability.
This week: You’re doing all this work to make sure your orthodontic instruments are properly sterilized, but how do you know it’s really working?
Read MoreIn this week’s episode: Jackie Dorst takes a deeper dive into handpiece sterilization and discusses the importance of MIFUs—or manufacturer’s instructions for use. She also talks about the recent FDA warning about counterfeit N95 masks.
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The RH-Pro9 features a smaller footprint with the same high-level of sterilization expected from a sterilizer using FDA-cleared high-velocity hot air technology.
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The solid silicone Cool Cassette 2 sterilization trays from Practicon include a seven instrument version and contain no metal.
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The Organization for Safety, Asepsis and Prevention is offering a range of free resources to help clinicians and infection control coordinators promote a safe and professional environment, encourage patient dialogue, attract new patients, and enhance the overall image of their practice.
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An efficient practice play
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PeelVue PRO Sterilization Pouches have been validated for both steam and ethylene oxide sterilization of dental instruments.
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Edward Lin, DDS, MS, talks about his orthodontic instrument management system, and how it, along with the 15 other practical and actionable tips featured in Hu-Friedy’s Practice Efficiency Playbook, can be a win for practice productivity.
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The new RapidHeat Pro11 High-Capacity Tabletop Sterilizer reportedly has seven times the capacity of CPAC Equipment’s COX RapidHeat sterilizer.
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