Article by Michael C. DiTolla, DDS, FAGD
| Product: |
Rebilda® Post System |
| Source: |
VOCO America Inc.
Briarcliff Manor, N.Y.
888-658-2584
www.vocoamerica.com |
Considering that placing posts and cores isn't an everyday procedure
for most dentists, it's surprising how many e-mails I get asking which
post-and-core system I prefer. I continue to try different systems on an
ongoing basis, but it's a niche filled with me-too products for the most
part. I recently ordered the Rebilda Post System from VOCO America
and was pleasantly surprised from the moment I opened the box and
found the directions on the lid – the rest of the industry could learn a
thing or two from VOCO about directions! Beyond that, the fiber posts
are highly translucent, while being more radiopaque than the posts I was
using before, and the drill sizes are well-matched to the post sizes. The
kit also includes VOCO's bonding agent and dual-cure build-up material
to ensure the chemistry will work to provide maximum retention. (Figure 1)
It would be impossible to practice modern adhesive dentistry without finishing strips, yet I haven't seen many
products to get excited about in the last few years. Enter GripStrip diamond-coated strips. Someone really
smart over at Centrix realized how much easier it would be for dental professionals to control the use of metal
finishing strips if there was a better way to hold onto them, and the perforated tabs at either end of these
finishing and polishing strips solve that problem. There is an uncoated zone in the middle of each strip where
there is no abrasive, allowing you to pull it through tight interproximal areas. Each strip also has a 40-micron
grit side for finishing and a 15-micron grit side for polishing. It's pretty much the perfect interproximal strip.
Here's hoping they come out with a serrated version for breaking through inadvertently fused contacts. (Figure 2)
Has it really been two decades since Luxatemp was introduced? Much like when your oldest child turns
21, this is one of those times when you ask, "Where did the time go?" Maybe it's because Luxatemp
has been my only chairside temporary material for 20 years, except when using BioTemps® provisionals.
In the past, I hated not being able to reline BioTemps with Luxatemp, due to its quick-setting reaction.
It was the only time I would have to break out the stinky methyl methacrylate. The new Luxatemp Ultra
has an elastic phase, so you can pump the BioTemps up and down on the preps to ensure they don't get
stuck in an undercut. Now, after being my longtime chairside temporary material of choice, Luxatemp's
newest formulation has become my BioTemps reline material of choice as well. (Figure 3)
| Product: |
Picasso® Lite |
| Source: |
AMD LASERS® LLC
Indianapolis, Ind.
866-999-2635
www.amdlasers.com |
I use my diode laser on nearly half of my patients, typically for small amounts of gingival recontouring or
pre-impression troughing. There really isn't any other instrument that can do what the diode does as quickly
and as bloodlessly. When I ask most dentists why they don't have a diode laser in their operatory, it's always
the same answer: "I'm waiting for the price to come down." Good news: That day has come. The affordable
laser is here. You can now have a full-featured Picasso Lite diode laser in your practice, without losing any
sleep over what you paid for it. Whether you use it to clean up tissue prior to taking an impression or seating
a crown, perform a gingivectomy next to Class V decay, or make the clinical crown length of tooth #8 match
tooth #9, you'll wonder how you ever lived without your Picasso Lite. (Figure 4)
