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.
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Opalescence Oh! |
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Tooth whitening remains the single most popular dental treatment procedure for patients, period. It is safe, predictable, and for the bottom line of the practice, lucrative. Since patients are highly motivated by the media, stars, and the omnipresence of over-the-counter (OTC) bleaching products, the dental team’s principal task is to stay informed about the latest techniques and products so as to be able to properly advise patients. It is important to remember that while OTC whitening products may be less expensive, none of them can compare to a destaining procedure provided and monitored by a dental professional. Ultradent Products, the dean of tooth whitening, has introduced Opalescence Oh!, a new bleaching product that has been designed to eliminate the guesswork of how much gel to put in the tray. Each unit-dose bulb contains 0.6 mL of Opalescence gel; each unit dose is measured to whiten one arch, one time. The kit contains 16 bulbs, enough whitening material for 8 days of application to each arch. Recommended patient wear time ranges from 30 minutes to overnight. The product is provided in 4 concentrations of carbamide peroxide: 10%, 15%, 20%, and 35%. The dentist can select the bleaching concentration (and hence the speed) based upon the patient’s level of pretreatment sensitivity and compliance. Opalescence Oh! contains a patented combination of potassium nitrate and fluoride ions that both minimizes dentinal sensitivity and increases enamel strength. In fact, a number of studies reported at the International Association for Dental Research indicate that combining potassium nitrate and fluoride in bleaching gel reduces patients’ susceptibility to caries. The bleaching gel is available in regular, mint, and melon flavors. For enhanced marketing opportunities, custom office personalization printing is available.|
Estelite Flow Quick High Flow |
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Flowable composites are increasingly popular; their ease of use has always been welcome at the clinical level, but as their properties continually improve, their acceptance among the profession is increasing exponentially. Early flowables shrank during polymerization, were radiolucent, and were generally weaker than hybrids. Research and development have eliminated many of these objections. Tokuyama Dental America’s Estelite Flow Quick High Flow is indicated for direct anterior and small, shallow, or tunnel posterior preparations and blocking cavity undercuts prior to indirect restorations. It is also recommended for the repair of existing porcelain and composite restorations, particularly where marginal breakdown has occurred. The nanofilled resin composite material has ideal flowability to facilitate handling, and its silica-zirconia and silica-titania spherical fillers provide excellent gloss and polishability resulting in effective color matching for superior aesthetics. Estelite Flow Quick High Flow’s Radical Amplified Photopolymerization initiator technology permits the practitioner to place quick direct restorations. An extended 90-second working time is strategically coupled with a more rapid polymerization sequence: 10 seconds with a halogen lamp and even faster with a diode. Its low shrinkage coefficient keeps margins intact, reducing gaps and marginal microleakage. Its radiopacity allows it to be clearly seen on radiographs. (Radiolucent flowables are often mistaken for redecay or demineralized tooth structure.) It is available in 4 separate shades, including one opaque which exhibits minimal color shift during and after polymerization. Its large syringe and convenient finger wings permit easier chairside dispensing of the lower viscosity restorative material directly into the cavity. Estelite Flow Quick High Flow is excellent for cavity lining and small repairs as well as smaller restorations. 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 special advisor of First Impressions and Buyers’ Guides for Dentistry Today. He is the author or co-author of 11 textbooks, more than 600 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.
