Article by Michael C. DiTolla, DDS, FAGD
Until every dental office is doing one-appointment crowns, temporaries will continue to be part of our day-to-day life. I am always amazed by the patient (typically male) who doesn't appear to have ever flossed in his life, but when we put on a temp and tell him not to floss, flossing becomes an obsession – and, of course, he knocks off his temp. This is why all patients with possible non-retentive preps are sent home with a uni-dose of NoMIX Temporary Cement to use for short-term cementation, in case their
temp comes off. As its name implies, there is no mixing, and the cement is moisture activated. After exposing the cement to water, have the patient hold their teeth together for five minutes while it sets, and you just saved yourself a Saturday trip to the office to re-cement a temp! (Figure 1)
| Product: |
NTI® Superflex Diamond Discs |
| Source: |
Axis Dental
Coppell, Texas
800-355-5063
www.axisdental.com |
If you told me I could only use one instrument to trim and shape provisionals, I would have to go with
one of Axis Dental's flexible, perforated NTI Superflex Diamond Discs in an electric handpiece. At higher
speeds, I can use the double-sided disc to trim the margins on posterior temps, and then shape the
mesial and distal contacts more smoothly than I could with a bur. But the disc really shines with anterior
provisionals, where I can turn down the speed and really dial in the gingival embrasures, so I avoid
blunting any papillae. There also is no better way to develop facial embrasures than with the flexible
disc, which helps provisional bridges look a little more lifelike. (Figure 2)
| Product: |
Opalescence® Trèswhite™ Supreme |
| Source: |
Ultradent Products Inc.
South Jordan, Utah
888-230-1420
www.ultradent.com |
Years ago, we started offering complimentary bleaching trays to patients who had undergone some
kind of esthetic procedure, typically the replacement of some older crowns on the maxillary anterior
teeth. We wanted to be able to deliver the trays the same day, but we often faced backups in our
tray production. A friend of mine introduced me to Opalescence Trèswhite Supreme last year, and
the product has become an easy way for me to deliver same-day bleaching trays. My friend offers
free teeth whitening to new patients, and he says using this product is the only way he can pull that
off. These disposable, preloaded teeth-whitening trays definitely are the easiest way for patients to
bleach their teeth, and they offer a great alternative to store-bought whitening systems. (Figure 3)
| Product: |
QUATTROcare Automatic Handpiece Maintenance System |
| Source: |
KaVo Dental
Charlotte, N.C.
888-275-5286
www.kavousa.com |
I've made no secret of my love for my KaVo ELECTROtorque handpieces. The torque is so high that I can turn the speed
down to a measly 3000 rpm and still have enough power to cut tooth structure, and because the speed is so low, I can
do it without water! I also need that immense torque to properly polish intraoral restorations when I have to make an
adjustment after cementation. To maintain my investment in these handpieces and keep them running smoothly, my
assistant loves her KaVo QUATTROcare. It automatically cleans, lubricates and purges the handpieces with the push of
a button, and then they go straight into sterilization. In case your Italian is weak, the "quattro" in QUATTROcare refers to
the fact that it will service up to four handpieces at a time. (Figure 4)
