First Impressions: October 2012

Ultramat 2
SDI (North America)

For many years, the dental profession used amalgamators to mix the silver and mercury components of the then-popular restorative material. The amalgamator was faster, more effective, and more predictable than hand mixing and quickly became standard practice. As amalgam has decreased in favor, amalgamators have been relegated to the back room or squeezed out of the practice all together. Today’s glass and resin ionomers are often delivered in triturable packaging. Fortunately, amalgamators can be used as triturators as well, but the newer technology is far superior to what was utilized decades ago. The Ultramat 2 from SDI (North America) provides consistent and accurate trituration with a microprocessor-crystal controlled timer that can be set from zero to 16 seconds. The mixing frequency of 4,600 oscillations per minute is an ideal high-energy output speed. While many practitioners will use the Ultramat 2 for aesthetic restorative materials, it can also be used for all en-capsulated dental products. Being the quietest unit currently available on the market, the Ultramat 2 also protects the dentists’ and auxiliaries’ ears. Its low-vibration cycle is more comfortable in the tight confines of the typical dental operatory. The Ultramat 2’s touch control system is intuitive and easy to operate. The surface cover prevents the accidental splatter of dental materials from the capsules, can be cleaned with routine dental disinfectants, and automatically halts trituration when the lid is lifted. The Ultramat 2’s 5-year warranty is a market leader and testifies to the reliable manufacturing and dependability of the unit. The triturator’s small footprint assures that it does not interfere greatly with the space availability on the counter or dental unit.
For more information, call (800) 228-5166 or visit the company Web site at sdi.com.au.

Access Edge
Centrix

Gingival retraction is a bother. Retraction cord is a possible solution but does not work equally well in all practitioners’ hands, particularly when the prepared tooth was previously endodontically treated and has not been anesthetized. Missing the margins in the final impression can be fatal to the successful delivery of a crown. A further complication of hemostatic retraction agents is that some contain sulfur products, which in turn inhibit the polymerization of polyvinyl impression materials. Access Edge from Centrix is a clay-based gingival retraction paste that is packaged in convenient unit-dose syringe tips. Primarily, it eliminates the need for cord packing. The procedure is simple; inject the material subgingivally or pack it around the tooth and leave undisturbed for 2 minutes. As the paste dries, it absorbs blood and sulcular fluids, resulting in a gentle and effective gingival retraction. The secrets of the material are kaolin moisture-absorbing clay and aluminum chloride. They control bleeding, prevent seepage, and ensure a dry sulcus environment during impression taking. Access Edge is dispensed directly from the unit-dose syringe tip into the sulcus, no mixing is required, and a Centrix GingiCap may be used to compress the paste into the sulcus (the patient’s biting force places pressure on the foam GingiCap) but is not required. Access Edge dries in approximately 2 minutes, retracting the soft tissues and exposing the restorative margins. After application, the retraction clay must be thoroughly rinsed out of the sulcus and the mouth, and the sulcus air-dried prior to impression taking. Access Edge offers a cord-free retraction technique that is comfortable for the patient and predictable for the practitioner.
For more information, call (800) 235-5862 or visit the company Web site at centrixdental.com.