In First Impressions George Freedman, DDS, gives readers a brief summary of products that have recently been introduced to dentistry, based on his clinical experience.
|
GrandioSO |
 Composites are synthetic materials that dentists use to restore function and form to the decayed, diseased, or missing tooth structure. The material properties of a restorative must be as close to natural tooth parameters as possible, and clinical practitioners have specific concerns: strength, surface hardness, elasticity, thermal conductivity, and wear. GrandioSO, from VOCO America, is a light-cured, radiopaque nanohybrid composite indicated for all classes of restorations on permanent and deciduous teeth, core buildups, composite inlays, and splinting. It is a universal nanohybrid restorative with a filler content of 89% weight/weight, which leads to very low polymerization shrinkage and thus very little shrinkage stress. Its elasticity modulus is the same as dentin, offering resistance to deformation. Its thermal loading contraction is very low as well, creating long-lasting and patent margins. Its compressive strength ensures resistance to deformation and fracture during the compression of chewing, and its excellent transverse strength prevents shearing when lateral forces are applied. It is easy to dispense from both syringes and compules and stays where it is placed inside the cavity. While GrandioSO is indicated for both anterior and posterior restorations, its viscosity is high enough to make it packable. Shade matching is simple with the 8 colors provided, and the specifically developed opacity is excellent for masking tooth while blending in with surrounding enamel. Its surface hardness is very close to that of natural human enamel and up to twice as high as other composites. This property provides an excellent long-term dimensional stability for the restoration as well as long-term resistance to abrasion. GrandioSO polishes well, easily achieving the high gloss that is both aesthetic and plaque- resistant.For more information, call (888) 658-2584 or visit the Web site at vocoamerica.com. |
|
Spectra Caries Detection Aid |
|||
Caries detection is the foundation of the dental practice. Patients depend on the practitioner to diagnose and pinpoint the location of dental decay as early as possible. Dentists depend on their diagnostic tools to eliminate the guesswork of early caries detection. The Spectra Caries Detection Aid, from Air Techniques, utilizes fluorescence technology to reliably identify fissure and smooth surface caries, even those that may be too small to be detected visually or radiographically. The Spectra shines a high-energy violet-blue light onto the tooth surface where the illumination stimulates cariogenic bacteria metabolites (porphyrins). When viewed through the onboard optical filtration and shown on the monitor, areas of decay appear red while healthy tooth structures fluoresce green. The image is captured by the software, which can interpolate the data and present the diagnostic suggestions in a color range (blue, red, orange, yellow) or in a nu-merical display (between 0.0 and 5.0). It can detect early caries, decay be-tween the tooth structure and existing amalgam and composite restorations, fractured teeth, and plaque. It can also be used real-time during caries excavation to ensure that all the carious dentin has been removed. The most important impact is that it eliminates the damaging use of dental explorers during the diagnostic process. (It has long been established that explorers transfer bacteria from carious teeth to healthy ones, and when adequate pressure is applied, can break through demineralized or weakened enamel to create the initial pathway for bacteria into deep fissures and dentin.) The collected diagnostic data is compatible with virtually all patient management software and forms an excellent ongoing database to assess both treatment and patient hygiene compliance. The Spectra Caries Detection Aid can be great for your patients, thus a great addition for your practice. |
|
Sofreliner Tough |
||
As patients age, their alveolar bone undergoes continuous remodeling. In time, this makes even the best-fitting full or partial dentures less adapted to the supporting oral structures. Most professional guidelines call for completely new prosthetics at least every 5 years and relining much more often than that to refine the fit for improved function and comfort. Relining materials must be durable, easy to apply to the denture acrylic, and comfortable for the patient. Sofreliner Tough was developed by Tokuyama to provide 12 to 24 months of relief for patients suffering from pressure-pointproblems and mucus atrophy and those requiring improved retentive suction. It is a soft, addition-cured silicone denture reliner delivered through a foolproof automix system. Unlike many other denture lining materials based on acrylic chemistry, Sofreliner Tough is odorless and tasteless and polymerizes in a nonexothermic reaction. It has an excellent bond of the liner to the denture base material and is easy to use. It is easy to dispense from the dual-cartridge through the automixing tip, and it adapts well, producing a superlative final fit with few voids. Its translucent pink hue blends well with the color of most acrylic denture bases and is stable over the long term, resisting staining and discoloration. The entire relining process for each prosthesis can be achieved in a single-application. Gross trimming of flash is best with a scalpel blade, and each kit includes a white stone point for shape adjustment and a brown stone point for finishing. There are 2 consistencies: soft for eliminating denture discomfort immediately and medium for greater reline longevity. Sofreliner Tough makes relining as easy as taking an impression. |
Dr. Freedman is a founder and past president of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, a co-founder of the Canadian Academy for Esthetic Dentistry, and a Diplomate of the American Board of Aesthetic Dentistry. He is a visiting professor at the Universita di Firenze, Florence, Italy. He is the materials editor for Dentistry Today. He is the author or co-author of 11 textbooks, including his most recent textbook Contemporary Esthetic Dentistry (Elsevier), more than 700 dental articles, and numerous webinars and CDs, and is a team member of REALITY. He lectures internationally on dental aesthetics, adhesion, desensitization, composites, impression materials, and porcelain veneers. A graduate of McGill University in Montreal, Dr. Freedman maintains a private practice limited to aesthetic dentistry in Toronto. He can be reached at (905) 513-9191 or epdot@rogers.com.
