from Dr. Joe Blaes
Editor's Note: One of the great things about Proofs is that it is a part of a group of dental magazines that includes Dental Economics and RDH, two of the most recognized publications in the industry. With that in mind, I think it's important to share with you some of the things that are being read by your customers (this is why the wording you'll read in this article is directed toward the dentist). Here are some of the latest "Pearls For Your Practice" from Dr. Joe Blaes, editor of Dental Economics.
Micro Prism Loupes by Surgitel — I have been wearing SurgiTel loupes for magnification for a number of years. This company is dedicated to improving the ergonomics of medical and dental professionals. More than anything else, their customers define who they are as a company. They achieve this by creating innovative products that enhance vision, posture, and comfort. I first met Dr. B. J. Chang, the president of SurgiTel, in the mid-1990s. I quickly realized that he was passionate about eliminating the neck, shoulder, and back pain that dentists have suffered from improper posture while treating patients. Before launching the SurgiTel product line, extensive research and customer feedback revealed that while traditional surgical telescopes helped clinicians to see better, the overall design of these telescopes ultimately caused users to work with harmful neck postures. With this direct customer information, SurgiTel patented multiple designs to exclusively provide medical and dental professionals with surgical loupes built with vision and ergonomics in mind. Most clinicians start with 2.0x or 2.5x SurgiTel loupes, which are easy to use and help them work with better postures. Once they learn how to use low-power loupes, they want high-power loupes to see even better. However, many clinicians find that traditional high-power prism loupes are very heavy, so they're reluctant to use them. SurgiTel recognized the need for lightweight, high-power prism loupes and developed the recently introduced Micro Prism loupes (3.0x and 3.5x). Traditional prism loupes weigh about 70% to 200% more than Micro Prism loupes. Micro Prism loupes are lighter than most standard Galilean loupes. SurgiTel's exclusive loupe partnership with Oakley allows the choice of pairing the SurgiTel HD-magnification loupes with Oakley sport frames for the best vision, comfort, and style. The SurgiTel Oakley Loupe Line offers the most frame choices and magnification powers (2.5x to 8.0x) of any line of loupes. Who says you cannot look your best while seeing your best? Oakley is the standard for performance and style by which other sports frames are measured. Combine these with the SurgiTel Micro or Mini LED. This LED was designed from the ground up to create a compact, portable, high-intensity light system that beautifully integrates with the company's award-winning telescopes.
If you're looking for a company that cares, I recommend that you contact SurgiTel at www.surgitel.com for more information or call (800) 959-0153.
RelyX™ Ultimate Adhesive Resin Cement by 3M ESPE — It may be too soon to tell, but I think this new innovative resin cement from 3M will be the answer to cementing CAD/CAM restorations, glass ceramic restorations, all-ceramic, composite or metal inlays, onlays, and crowns and bridges. You will get the bond strengths to enamel and dentin that will be hard to believe in self-etch and total-etch techniques. The trick is to use RelyX Ultimate with Scotchbond™ Universal Adhesive (SUA). The cement has been formulated to work exclusively with SUA. Now you can get excellent bond strength with fewer working steps. RelyX Ultimate cement, in combination with Scotchbond Universal adhesive, is indicated for final cementation of resin nano ceramic, all-ceramic or composite veneers, all-ceramic, composite, or metal restorations to implant abutments, and posts and screws. This is the resin cement solution that delivers more of what you need — a fast and easy procedure with fewer components. It is important that you understand the benefits of the two components in this cementation process. The benefits of Scotchbond™ Universal Adhesive are a combined total-etch and self-etch bonding capability; integrated primers for glass ceramic, oxide ceramics, and metal; consistent bond strength to both moist- and dry-etched dentin; and virtually no postop sensitivity in total-etch and self-etch modes. The benefits of RelyX Ultimate Adhesive Resin Cement are a dual-cure cement with ultimate bond strength; ease of use (dual-cure activator for SUA is incorporated in the RelyX Ultimate cement, which means no Scotchbond Dual Cure Activator and no light cure of SUA is needed); a toothlike fluorescence; and high wear resistance and matching try-in pastes. This cement is so simple that you only need two components!
Visit www.3mespe.com/relyxultimate for more information.
Cimara Zircon by VOCO — If you've used any of the new zirconia oxide materials, you may wonder what to do if the material chips or fractures, or what is needed to fill the root canal access hole that has been drilled through the zirconia. Do you have to cut off the crown and start over? The answer is probably yes unless you have VOCO's new product — Cimara Zircon. This is an innovative new zircon oxide repair material that uses a light-cured composite. This material is indicated for the high-quality esthetic repair of defects in fixed all-ceramic restorations or ceramic veneer, or fixed restorations on zirconium dioxide frames that use a light-cured composite material. This allows an inexpensive intraoral repair of defects in the ceramic veneer of zirconium dioxide restorations without the intraoral use of an acid for etching the area to be repaired. There is a permanent bond between ceramic and composite. This is a permanent repair in a shade that matches the rest of the teeth. Thus, you can avoid complicated and time-consuming measures such as removal of the restoration, taking an impression, temporary restorations, an additional appointment, and more cost for the patient.
Contact www.vocoamerica.com for more information.
Snap-On Smile by DenMat — This product defines provisionals. Many dentists avoid full-mouth restorative dentistry because temporization can be difficult. Snap-On Smile to the rescue. This appliance can provide not only excellent provisionals but also great esthetics. This exciting new option can help simplify complicated procedures, and provides an easy alternative for dentists and patients. It can act as an interim appliance in extensive reconstructive cases, as well as a longer term restorative appliance. Patients looking for a noninvasive, reversible, affordable approach to restorative and cosmetic dentistry are excellent candidates for Snap-On Smile. It's an easy, quick, and affordable solution for patients who want to feel better, look better, and function better. Patients report an immediate boost to confidence and self esteem. There are no shots, no drilling, and no adhesives. You can even eat while wearing the Snap-On Smile appliance. Most people are impressed with the natural look and feel of Snap-On Smile, and are grateful for the brief time investment – about two weeks – to achieve life-changing results. This appliance is the ideal solution for a variety of applications, including using Snap-On Smile as esthetic provisionals for implant restorations, as cosmetic removable partial dentures, and even as a long-term smile enhancement. Snap-On Smile can last for years, and yet is affordable enough to be temporary. It has also proven to be a terrific incentive for patients who are in need of, but hesitant to commit to, more involved restorative treatment. In fact, research has shown that 40% of patients who started treatment with the Snap-On Smile transitioned into more extensive restorative dentistry.
Visit www.denmat.com for more information.
