Monitor Your Dental Health with Prophix, and It Might Just Keep the Dentist Away

Way back when, I worked at NYU’s College of Dentistry, where one of my many duties was filming oral surgeries. It was a bloody business. And while I used to have my lunch while watching some poor sod have his gums opened up, I sure didn’t want to be on the other end of that scalpel. It was a good reminder to take care of your teeth because getting dental implants is no laughing matter.

ONVI is a company pioneering groundbreaking dental health products and services, which empower people to improve their oral health habits. ONVI founder Dr. Craig S. Kohler, D.D.S., M.B.A., M.A.G.D. is among the few dentists in the country that for 20 years has been using live video, recording his dental procedures through microscopes, to deliver premium care for his patients. He’s committed to providing customers with innovative tools and information to help them to better understand their oral health and, in turn, adopt better oral health habits.

“As I used intraoral cameras and monitors to treat my patients, I saw how it helped them to better understand the status of their oral health, and in turn, adopt better cleaning habits,” said Dr. Kohler. “With today’s advancements in technology, it is finally possible to bring this never-before-seen dental solution into the home with Prophix.”

Dr. Kohler sees Prophix, the world’s first video toothbrush, as a powerful tool for customers to take control of their dental health. While it’s still necessary to visit the dentist regularly, using a Prophix may mean few unscheduled visits or dreadful surgeries. Kohler believes that Prophix would be valuable to dental health care providers as well.

When I saw the Prophix at CE Week, I at once admired its good looks. My second thought was, that having a device like this might have eliminated the need for me to kindly tell the oral surgeon to move his head out of the shot, while he was performing an implant procedure. Fun times, but I digress. Anyway, the 3D printed prototype was beautiful to behold and I could only think that it was an SLS print. Unfortunately, it was enclosed in a display case and I wasn’t able to get a good shot of it. ONVI’s PR person has sent me some nice product shots showcasing the 3D printed prototype, as seen below:

So, what’s so special about Prophix? Prophix pairs wirelessly to an iOS app using Bluetooth and Wi-Fi, allowing people to better see and understand their current oral health status while they brush. That’s right, there’s an app for seeing the inside of your mouth. With Prophix, people are able to watch a live video feed that reveals the spots they miss as they brush. Consumers can also take and save pictures of areas of concern or interest, track their progress and see trends in their usage over time. Prophix also provides motivating tips to improve overall oral health care habits.

In addition, Prophix is sold with four interchangeable attachments to help consumers get the most out of their at-home cleaning routine:

• A rotating toothbrush
• A prophy cup, similar to what a dental hygienist uses for contour cleaning around the tooth and under the gum line
• A rubber tip to massage your gums, increase blood flow, and remove plaque and tartar, contributing to better gum health
• A mirror to see those hard-to-reach places

Prophix is scheduled to ship in the first quarter of 2017, and is now available for pre-order at a discounted price of $299 (retail price of $399). For shipping updates or to pre-order, visit www.GetProphix.com. So, if you’re proactive with your dental health you may never need to see the dental horror show called oral surgery. Instead, you can snap some pics of your sparkling clean teeth and share it with your friends on Instagram.