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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Bravo Vacuum Sterilizer |
The STATIM is the world’s most popular dental autoclave system. It is easy to use, fast, and efficient. The STATIM features an ultrafast turnaround time that allows the practitioner to re-use autoclaved instruments almost before the previous patient is out the door. However, its volume capacity is low; the number of instruments or trays that can be loaded into a single cycle is rather limited. While the system works perfectly well to rapidly cycle important instruments, it can create a bottleneck in the larger practice. SciCan has introduced the Bravo Vacuum Sterilizer, a fractionated vacuum system autoclave with Dri-Tec technology. Bravo incorporates both pre-vac (to remove air) and post-vac (to help dry) cycles to ensure perfect steam penetration for every load. It allows the dentist to choose the cycle most appropriate for the specific load (whether solid instruments, delicate hollow instruments such as handpieces, or textiles). Dri-Tec technology provides a perfectly dry load every cycle, preventing the wicking of bacteria through sterilization pouches. Bravo’s capacity permits up to 3 wrapped full size cassettes, or up to 15 pouches per load. The Bravo unit runs a comprehensive self-diagnostic upon initiation, and monitors unit parameters constantly during the cycle. Any problems are immediately displayed on the LCD for visual and audible notification. Additionally, an internal printer logs all data. Bravo uses only fresh distilled water for every cycle and has been designed to pull clean distilled water from a container and then push the used water directly to the drain, freeing up assistant time. Bravo performs to international standards and meets most international and national guidelines. Bravo and STATIM, the dream-clean team.
For more information call (800) 572-1211 or visit the Web site at scican.com.
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Optima MX INT |
 For the dentist, high-speed handpiece needs are straightforward: (1) predictability (never to be stuck in the middle of a procedure), (2) torque (to cut through the hardest metals and zirconia), (3) concentricity (no wobble to rattle the pa-tient), (4) low noise (to prevent damage to the ears), and (5) ergonomic comfort (hands not fatigued at day’s end). Bien Air has introduced the Optima MX INT control unit for a uniquely controlled high-speed handpiece that has maximum utility in the dental practice. Its electric micromotor offers excellent performance at both high and low speeds from 100 to 200,000 rpm, requiring only 2 contra-angle handpieces (1:1 and 1:5) for all the intermediate steps. The MX motor is a brushless, sterilizable micromotor with a quick hose connection that is unique in dentistry. The electronic control unit is available with or without endodontic control functions and for use with lighted or nonlighted instruments. The unit has 40 programmable settings: 10 endo and 10 operative settings are preprogrammed, with another 20 customizable practice settings. Instrument operational parameters can be set with just a few clicks. The Optima MX INT has been designed to function and fit all types of dental units. Its innovative mounting system allows the screen to be swiveled for maximum visibility in any position. Endodontic treatment is more predictable; the INT system has been designed to reduce the risk of nickel titanium instrument breakage by means of the autoreverse function. Optima MX INT is precision-made in Switzerland, and is excellent for endo, implant, oral surgery, perio and hygiene procedures in addition to unsurpassed operative cutting through dental tissue and restorative materials. The bur in the Bien Air handpiece never slows down or stops, it simply continues. The unique advantage of electrical torque handpieces is readily evident the first time the Optima MX INT is used. For more information call (800) 433-BIEN (2436) or visit the Web site at bienair.com. |
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Beautifil II |
 There are 2 parts to every composite restorative story: (1) ease of placement, initial aesthetics and polishing, and (2) long-term viability, surface wear, surface microenvironment, and a secure margin. Shofu Dental Cor-poration’s Beautifil II is innovative in its handling and appearance, but more specifically in its long-term effect on the tooth surface. Beautifil II’s filler structure simulates the natural tooth’s internal structure for moderate light translucency and optical characteristics; enamel light transmission and dentinal light diffusion offer predictable esthetics and excellent chameleon-effect shade matching to natural teeth, achievable using a single shade that blends well with surrounding teeth making the restoration virtually undetectable. For more challenging cases, a range of additional shades are available. Shade stability during curing provides WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) confidence. Beautifil II’s various fillers (83.3% by weight) ensure fast and easy polishing and a long lasting surface shine combined with high flexural strength for universal application. Saliva acts on these unique S-PRG fillers to create an antiplaque “material film” layer on the composite surface that minimizes plaque adhesion, inhibiting bacterial colonization. Though brushing removes this layer, subsequent layers are produced by saliva, inhibiting plaque accumulation. Beautifil II contains a stable phase glass-ionomer that releases and recharges fluorides, re-sponding to the concentration of fluor-ide in the mouth, without affecting the strength and stability of the composite resin. This provides a long-term anticariogenic oral environment. Beautifil II’s nanoparticles make for a very user-friendly material that sculpts readily without slumping, is not sticky, and is highly thixotropic. The sustained rechargeability of Beautifil II’s fluoride release not only gives excellent results initially but also keeps on giving benefits throughout its functional lifetime.For more information call (800) 827-4638 or visit the company Web site at shofu.com. |
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Cetacaine Liquid Topical Anesthetic Kit |
 Whether you are using diode lasers or providing routine scaling and prophylaxis, it is extremely important for the professional relationship that the patient does not feel any discomfort in their soft tissues. This can be ac-complished through very gentle treatment, but it is more predictable to employ a proactive topical anesthetic. Various topical agents have been used for scaling and root planing that increase patient comfort without an injection; they can provide full mouth gingival anesthesia with little after-effect by the time the patient leaves the practice. Cetylite Industries has recently introduced Cetacaine Topical Anesthetic Liquid Kit, an anesthetizing agent specifically developed for scaling and root planing and soft tissue diode laser procedures. Cetacaine Liquid offers a noninjected, cost-effective anesthesia that can be applied throughout the entire mouth very quickly and effectively. Cetacaine demonstrates anesthesia onset within 30 to 60 seconds. The patient is more comfortable and the procedure can proceed more quickly and efficiently. Its effect lasts 30 to 60 minutes, long enough for most dental procedures, and yet short enough to leave the patient unanesthetized by the time they leave the practice. Citacaine has 3 active components: Benzocaine 14.0%, Butamben 2.0%, and Tetracaine Hydrochloride 2.0%. Simply apply the Cetacaine anesthetic to the areas to be treated, and by the time that the intraoral application is completed, the patient’s soft tissues are anesthetized. Scaling, root planing and soft tissue laser treatment can be performed without any discomfort, making these procedures faster, better, and easier for both the patient and dentist or hygienist. Cetacaine Liquid can be used as a topical for pre-injection or any other procedure that requires site-specific anesthesia of the mucus membranes. For more information call (800) 257-7740 or visit the Web site at cetylite.com. |
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ANKYLOS C/X Implant System |
  Implant systems have been one of the most significant advances in dental care (for both patients and dentists) in the past half century. They are typically very predictable and relatively easy to place and restore in most clinical situations. Implant abutments are stronger than natural teeth, and in many respects, just as easy to maintain. The major advantage of the ANKYLOS system, introduced more than 20 years ago, is that its tapered connection mechanism permits no micromovement between the implant and the abutment. (Micromovement is believed to pump irritating fluids and bacteria into the peri-implant tissues, resulting in post-placement and post-loading crestal bone loss.) ANKYLOS implants exhibit no micromovement, creating a bacteria-proof connection that permits subcrestal placement and is a welcome addition to the implant armamentarium. The original ANKYLOS implant has a non-indexed prosthetic positioning system where C components can be placed simply and accurately in any desired position. DENTSPLY Tulsa Dental Specialties has introduced the ANKYLOS C/X Implant System that greatly enhances the implants’ clinical flexibility; C/X provides indexed X components for the placement of abutments in one of 6 possible positions. C/X employs the same tapered connection that allows no micromovement between the implant and the abutment, creating the well-established bacteria-proof connection used by the ANKYLOS system for more than 2 decades. ANKYLOS implants are designed for subcrestal placement, presenting op-portunities for greater compatibility with a variety of uses. The subcrestal positioning allows bone growth over the implant that promotes excellent aesthetics, particularly in anterior applications. The C/X Implant System now offers both in-dexed and nonindexed options, with an innovative delivery system that provides a better view of the implant shoulder. For more information call (800) 662-1202 or visit the company Web site at tulsadentalspecialties.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 the materials editor and author of the monthly section “First Impressions” 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, composaites, impression materials, and porcelain veneers. A graduate of McGill University in Montreal, Dr. Freedman maintains a private practice limited to aesthetic dentistry in Toronto, Canada. He can be reached at (905) 513-9191 or epdot@rogers.com.
