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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Under Armour Performance Mouthwear |
 
All too often, dental practitioners see teenagers or adults with their front teeth broken. In most cases, this is the result of a sports-related mishap and totally avoidable. While direct hard- object trauma injuries (such as baseball bat or hockey stick impact) do occur, it is far more common to see tooth fractures as a result as the jaws suddenly coming together too hard, too fast, and with great force. This can occur in any contact sport (and many noncontact activities, as well). Furthermore, as many athletes know from experience, closing the jaw can actually help you to perform better. In both ancient and recent times, leather bite straps enhanced performance in both sport and battle. Bite Tech’s Under Armour Performance Mouthwear is designed to protect against inadvertent sudden closure as well as enhancing performance levels. Training and competition often cause the jaw to clench, compressing the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). This triggers the release of hormones that can produce stress, fatigue and distraction. Under Armour’s Performance Mouthwear appliance prevents the teeth from clenching; it pivots the jaw forward to alleviate pressure on the TMJ, eliminating energy-draining clenching. Independent university studies indicate that mouthguards can increase strength, endurance, and speed reaction time. A custom-designed mouthguard reduces athletic stress, reduces impact, and allows individuals to play better, stronger, and longer. The custom-fitted Under Armour appliances are far more precise than the typical pharmacy or supermarket boil-and-bite over-the-counter products. Under Armour Performance Mouthwear is an innovative provider of high-quality, scientifically designed, lab-fabricated appliances that offer maximum interocclusal and lateral protection for the teeth while enhancing performance ability. For more information, call (877) 248-3832 or visit bitetech.com.
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ErgoVision HD Loupes Oakley Line |
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Magnification through surgical telescopes is a standard feature of 21st-century dentistry. At first, the perceived need for magnification was limited to older practitioners whose eyesight was limited by the normal changes that aging brings to the cornea. Today, however, given the exacting nature of many dental procedures, and the precision required for many procedures, even the educational process at the dental school level is routinely conducted with magnification appliances. Needless to say, the extended daily wear period of magnification devices makes it essential that the glasses and the attached loupes be both functional and comfortable for the practitioner. In recent years, sport frames have become a standard part of the magnification apparatus. It is very important, however, to differentiate between the high- and low-quality frames that are available to the dentist. SurgiTel has introduced the ErgoVision HD Loupes Oakley Line. Oakley is the most recognized high-performance optical frame company in the world, and its patented frame concepts combine with SurgiTel’s patented telescope designs to provide a unique prescription for quality intraoral vision and enhanced visibility. The high-definition Oakley optics guarantee clear and sharp images when compared to the distorted dull images of low-optic-quality sports frames. The Oakley frame creates a 3-point contact relationship with the operator’s facial structures; it grips the entire face, providing additional support and comfort even at the end of a long practice day. Numerous styles are available, including the M frame, the Half Jacket, the Radar, and the Bottled Rocket, all with proven performance and reliability. The ErgoVision HD Loupes Oakley Line offers high performance eyewear, providing with the dentist the best in vision, comfort, and style. For more information, call (800) 959-0153 or visit surgitel.com. |
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Clinpro 5000 1.1% Sodium Fluoride Anti-Cavity Toothpaste |
  Our patients often ask us to recommend a specific toothpaste for their home use. It is reasonable for them to expect that the dentist, hygienist, or assistant be in a qualified position to make a suitable suggestion for this essential part of home care. Toothpastes must be efficient, effective, and easy to use. In addition, there are 2 additional major consumer decision points—the taste and the quantity of foaming during brushing. Should these criteria not meet the patients’ expectations, they will exhibit a resistance to using the product, thereby allowing increased dental and soft-tissue problems over time. Dental professionals have additional toothpaste parameters: abrasiveness, remineralization potential, fluoride content, fluoride-releasing potential, and more recently, whitening capacity. 3M ESPE has introduced its Clinpro 5000 1.1% sodium fluoride anti-cavity toothpaste. It is an innovative, tri-calcium phosphate, low-abrasion dentifrice that provides a gentle cleaning with whitening results. Its 1.1% sodium fluoride delivers more fluoride to the tooth and has been shown to increase surface microhardness. Clinpro 5000 contains 5,000-ppm fluoride ions, providing greater remineralization and greater fluoride uptake. In fact, it has been shown in clinical studies to strengthen teeth. Calcium and fluoride ions cannot typically coexist over an extended period of time without reacting. Clinpro 5000’s manufacturing process involves the development of a protective barrier around the calcium that permits it to remain stable in the presence of fluoride ions. Once this mixture contacts saliva, however, during toothbrushing in the patient’s mouth, the barrier breaks down, making the fluoride, calcium, and phosphate readily available to the tooth. Clinpro 5000 provides safe and effective cleansing for exposed root surfaces, particularly in older patients. For more information, call (800) 634-2249 or visit 3mespe.com. |
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PolaOffice+ In-Office Tooth-Whitening System |
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Most patients prefer rapid bleaching. While at-home bleaches may be as effective as in-office systems, patients love the instant gratification of the in-office procedure. From the practice perspective, this represents approximately one chairside hour, usually assigned to the hygienist or expanded- duty dental assistant. Some bleaching procedures require lights, complicated chemistry, and may be uncomfortable for the patient. Overall, the pa-tient would like to be in and out of the bleaching appointment as soon as possible; the dentist would like the option of using a bleaching light or not; and the patient would require apparent and long-lasting whitening results. SDI (North America) has introduced the PolaOffice+ In-Office Tooth-Whitening System. Its most significant clinical advantage is the 37.5% hydrogen peroxide procedure’s 30-minute chair time and the inclusion of potassium nitrate desensitizer. Decreased chair time means increased patient comfort and satisfaction, less sensitivity, and decreased operational costs for the practice. While PolaOffice+ can be used with or without a bleaching light (it does not require photoactivation), most patients prefer a bleaching light as part of their in-office procedure. The delivery is very simple, and no mixing is required. A dual-barreled syringe mixes the components perfectly as the gel is applied, freshly activated, directly to the teeth with fine tip placement control. PolaOffice+ requires one thin layer, the tip spreading the gel to ensure all surfaces are covered. The sticky gel is designed to adhere to tooth surfaces, maximizing the bleaching effect. Protect exposed lips with petroleum gel and the soft tissues with a gingival barrier. Fan the bleaching light over the teeth to avoid heat buildup in any one location. Gel applications are 8 minutes and should be repeated 3 to 4 times for most patients. Always rinse effectively.For more information, call (800) 228-5166 or visit sdi.com.au. |
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.
