In First Impressions George freedman, DDS, gives readers a brief summary of products that have recently been introduced to dentistry, based on his clinical experiences.
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3M ESPE Ketac Nano Light-Curing Glass Ionomer Restorative in the Quick Mix Capsule |
  Glass ionomers have been available to the dental profession for more than 40 years. As the material technology and its ease-of-placement have improved, there has been increasing acceptance of this class of materials for restorative dentistry by practitioners. Clinically, a major objection to glass ionomers was that they required hand mixing or trituration. Hand mixing can introduce inaccuracy into the process and trituration is less convenient for those dentists who no longer place amalgams. 3M ESPE has introduced 3M ESPE Ketac Nano Light-Curing Glass Ionomer Restorative in the Quick Mix Capsule. This material is the first paste-paste resin-modified glass ionomer that includes nanotechnology. The Ketac Nano system consists of a unit-dose static mix capsule that eliminates both hand mixing and mixing equipment. Packaging the material in a quick-mix capsule is a revolutionary approach that saves time, is easier to prepare, and easier to use. The Quick Mix Capsule material exhibits fewer voids and offering a stronger, more homogenous restoration. Simply open the capsule, place into a 3M ESPE capsule applicator, and dispense directly into the preparation. The disposable system provides for better infection control, and guards against cross-contamination. There is less mess than with hand mixing and no measuring, thus no clean up is required. Ketac Nano’s surface characteristics are greatly improved by bonded nano and nanocluster fillers along with fluoroaluminosilicate glass. These provide improved aesthetics and low wear, while still allowing for the benefits of glass ionomer chemistry such as fluoride release. Ketac Nano is extremely hydrophilic, providing excellent ion transport and fluoride release. The surface roughness is very low after polishing and exhibits a high gloss finish. Unlike many ionomers, applying a surface glaze is not required! For more information, call (800) 634-2249 or visit the Web site located at 3mespe.com/ketacnano. |
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Midwest Stylus ACT |
  During clinical preparation, the dentist’s primary concern is cutting uninterruptedly and effectively, through all materials. Ideally, the handpiece continues to work at a continuous speed regardless of the material that it is cutting through (continuous speed under load). The critical factors are torque, power, and speed, which are the choices that the dentist has to consider when selecting a handpiece. The Midwest Stylus ATC from DENTSPLY Midwest has an innovative Speed-Sensing Intelligence (SSI) automatically optimizes power without practitioner monitoring or adjustment. It can be compared to driving an automatic car after years of standard shifting. SSI delivers smooth, consistent power control for excellent cutting efficiency and faster removal of the target material. SSI also optimizes the power, virtually eliminating stalling and frequent calibration. Further, the sensor adjusts the speed when the bur is not under load to minimize the wear on the bearings. The Midwest Stylus ATC is an air-driven handpiece with an advanced suspension system that minimizes bur deflection even at the highest speeds under load for clinical precision and practitioner control. Independent radial supports to the bearings create stiffness at even the highest load. This allows operation at speeds of 330,000 rpm without noticeable bur deflection or chatter, more comfortable for both patient and practitioner. The Midwest Stylus ATC provides more consistent handpiece-to-bur power transfer to maximize cutting efficiency. Clinically, this is most noticeable where very precise control is required for marginal refinement and for conservative restorative procedures. The handpiece head shape offers excellent visibility, access and maneuverability even in the posterior regions of the mouth, and the swivel enables unencumbered rotation and freedom of movement. The Midwest Stylus ATC is significantly lighter than electric handpieces, and its low pitch creates a more relaxed atmosphere for the patient, dentist, and auxiliary. For more information, call (800) 989-8825 or visit the Web site located at stylusatc.com. |
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.
