Procedural
-
October 20, 2023
History and Innovation…
In the realm of sports, one name has consistently stood out as the epitome of superior intra-oral protection—Pro-Form Laminate Sports Guards. These exceptional mouthguards have a rich history dating back to their inception in 1967, born from the innovative mind of a dentist with a vision for safeguarding the smiles of professional hockey and football players. The Pro-Form Laminate was developed with the unwavering commitment to provide athletes with not just protection but also unparalleled comfort.
What sets Pro-Form apart is its unique two-layered construction. This groundbreaking design was a game-changer in the industry, as it offered a level of retention, protection, and comfort that far surpassed other available materials. This innovation quickly ele
-
August 17, 2023
Dentists use aspirating syringes and non-aspirating syringes to administer local anesthetics to their patients in preparation for pain-free dental treatment. Although many clinicians use non-aspirating syringes, there are benefits to using an aspirating syringe or self-aspirating syringe when administering local.
What is an aspirating/self-aspirating syringe?
To best understand the function of an aspirating syringe, first let’s review what it means to aspirate, medically speaking. Aspiration is the removal of fluids or cells such as blood, pus, ascites, or even cerebrospinal fluid, from the body. Syringes, although widely known for injecting medicine into the body, they now have the capability to aspirate.
The key difference is that an aspirating syringe has a harpoon at the end of the piston rod or plunger, that penetrates t
-
April 27, 2023
Dentists use dental dams as a barrier to isolate specific teeth or oral tissues during certain dental procedures.
The dental dam acts as a barrier to prevent saliva, blood, and other bodily fluids from interfering with the dentist's view and access to the tooth or oral tissue being worked on.
-
April 13, 2023
As dental professionals, it is not new news that enamel falls prey to constant demineralization. In the Enamel 101 of dentistry, we learned the fact that hydroxyapatite can be attacked by acids and break down if there is not a remineralization balance. The ideal balance is to stop acid attacks period.
-
April 04, 2023
Dental impression materials have evolved significantly over the years. In this article, we will discuss the different types of impression materials commonly used in dentistry, including polyvinyl siloxane, polyether, agar hydrocolloid, and alginate hydrocolloid, along with a brief history of their development.
Dental impression materials are an essential component of restorative dentistry. They are used to create an accurate replica of a patient's teeth and oral structures for the fabrication of dental restorations or prostheses.
The 3 Types
There are three types of impression materials: preliminary, final, and bite registration.
Preliminary impressions are used to create a rough model of the teeth and oral structures for diagnosis and treatment planning.
-
April 03, 2023
Impression trays are an important part of dentistry.
These specialized tools are used to create a precise impression or mold of a patient’s teeth and surrounding oral structures, that is then used to create an accurate 3-dimentional model of the patient’s mouth. The models made from the impression can then be used for different dental appliances or treatments, such as orthodontics, prosthodontics, mouth guards, snoring appliances, dentures, whitening trays, crowns, bridges, and more.
During a dental visit, if an impression is required, the impression tray is filled evenly with the impression material of choice, alginate is one of the most common materials used for impressions in dentistry. The filled tray is then seated over the arch of the teeth capturing a negative imprint of the teeth, gums.
The material sets quickly once it is inside the mou
-
March 01, 2023There are two main elements to the reprocessing of a dental bur. First, what does the manufacturer of the bur state to do with the bur? Is it single use or can it be reprocessed? Second, if it can be reprocessed what are the steps from end-to-end use that meet IPAC standards of practice.
-
February 02, 2023
Chlorhexidine Mouthwash: Enhancing Oral Health
Mouthwash, a vital oral hygiene tool, comes in various types, offering temporary benefits or actively addressing dental concerns. Therapeutic mouthwashes containing chlorhexidine gluconate stand out for their ability to combat plaque, gingivitis, and tooth decay.
Understanding Chlorhexidine Gluconate
Chlorhexidine gluconate, a potent cationic antiseptic, serves as a cornerstone in dental care. With a bisbiguanide base activity and a broad-spectrum antibiotic, it’s method disrupts microbial cell membranes, leading to cell death, and effectively targets a wide spectrum of oral pathogens.
-
January 25, 2023
Alginate is an impression material that is commonly used in dentistry. Alginate impression material is used to create an accurate negative model of the teeth and gums. Alginate impressions are typically taken of the maxillary and mandibular teeth.
Alginate is a natural polysaccharide derived from brown algae that is commonly used in dentistry for creating dental impressions. It is also used to make dental prosthetics, such as dentures and crowns. Alginate impression can be used for the fabrication of a primary cast in prosthodontics, study models in orthodontic, and duplication of casts.
Alginate is typically used in the form of a hydrogel in biomedicine, including wound healing, drug delivery and tissue engineering applications. Hydrogels are three-dimensionally cross-linked networks composed of hydrophilic polymers with high water content.
-
August 12, 2022Although digital imaging is at the forefront of dentistry, not every office has a digital scanner or a second or third scanner to fully eliminate manual impression taking. In every office there seems to always be the one or two impression guru’s that constantly capture a fabulous impression. You too can be an impression guru with the review of some simple elements and skills that can deliver a more predictable ‘good impression’ organized with proper planning.