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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H40 Bur |
 Tooth preparation is a daily grind for most dentists. The efficiency and the speed of the preparation process contribute greatly to the stress and the tiredness that many practitioners feel at the end of the day or the week. The more efficient the bur is, the less pressure that the dentist has to place on the tooth; thus, there is less fatigue for the dentist and less discomfort for the patient. KOMET USA has introduced the H40 Bur, an instrument that has been specifically designed to exhibit a great cutting rate. It is more aggressive than standard carbide burs due to the angulation and positioning of the cutting dentates; there are 8 blades with an overall 4mm working length. The H40 has a 2piece construction: a stainless steel shank and a tungsten carbide working end. This combination was developed for flexibility to absorb the high pressures that are often observed during the process of cutting crowns. This results in a greatly lowered risk of bur breakage during treatment. A distinctive gold shank designates the H40 Bur. For tooth preparation, a low hand pressure is recommended with a feathering motion on the tooth. When removing porcelain fused to metal crowns, the ceramic should first be removed with an old diamond instrument (preferably a small round or thin taper that provides good operative visibility), and then the H40 Bur can be used on the coping. The recommended operative speed is 160,000 rpm, but the bur will function well at up to 450,000 rpm. This range covers every highspeed handpiece on the market. The H40 Bur cuts fast and cuts well and keeps on cutting.For more information, call (888) 5663887 or visit kometusa.com. |
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Skulpt Composite Instruments |
 As dentists are called upon to provide everincreasing numbers of direct composite restorations, it has become evident that composites take longer to shape and polish after placement than did amalgams. The contouring and smoothing are, of course, essential to the longterm viability of the restoration and are a major component of restorative process. Another problem that is encountered with composite materials is their stickiness to certain instrument surfaces. In addition to slowing the restorative process, the composite that is retracted by the placement or shaping instrument can be very frustrating. Dental Savings Club’s new competitively priced Skulpt line consists of 7 instruments specifically designed by aesthetic dentists for aesthetic dentists. All Skulpt instruments are manufactured in the United States, and the tips are cast entirely from stainless steel 440A, the highest grade of stainless steel available. In turn, the instruments are covered with a titanium nitride nonstick coating that prevents composite from sticking to any part of the tip. This prevents composite pullout and speeds the clinical placement and shaping of the composite in the cavity exactly where the operator places it. The handles are made of a durable resin that has been selected because it can withstand autoclaving repeatedly. The grip pattern on the handle makes the instrument very ergonomic and easy to handle, causing less fatigue to the practitioner and maximizing the maneuverability in all parts of the oral cavity. The Skulpt tip shapes are designed to facilitate composite forming prior to curing; the reasoning is that if the anatomy can be developed prior to light curing, less expensive chair time is required after polymerization to develop the desired anatomy.For more information, call (888) 7681230 or visit the company Web site dentalsavingsclub.com. |
Dr. Freedman is a founder and past president of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, a cofounder 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 coauthor 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) 5139191 or epdot@rogers.com.
