Dental curing lights were invented a long time ago but they still are not perfect. We all know that it is important to keep the curing light tip as close as possible to the resin that is being cured. But we all realize that there are many variables with this technique including the power density, light dispersion, temperature, photo initiators used in the resin, light transmission, location and depth of the restoration, and distance of the light to the resin. When you consider all of this, it is not as simple as you thought. But the question we really need to ask is, what is the right power to cure dental resins including adhesives? There is no single answer; however, the engineers who developed VALO had to balance a number of difficult power factors to achieve the best possible results in each area to give us a curing light that has no power compromises. The collimation and uniformity of a curing light's beam directly affect the amount and quality of the power that reaches the restorative site. Studies have shown that the VALO Cordless beam remains ideally collimated and concentrated to provide the optimal power and prevent hot and cold spots. The VALO weighs in at six ounces, making it easy to hold and maneuver even for my big veneer cases. With this curing light, I am not limited to any particular materials. The custom LED pack offers multiple wavelengths that will consistently cure all materials within the 395 to 480 nm range including camphorquinone and the entire range of proprietary photo initiators. I find that the five degree head angle allows any dental professional to easily keep the light source parallel to the restoration, which prevents power dispersion and loss. I like the three curing modes – Standard, High Power, and Xtra Power (which Ultradent claims is just like a plasma light). They give me great flexibility in my restorative procedures, and very simple intuitive timer controls make switching between modes fast and easy. The VALO is made primarily from a single piece of high grade aluminum that offers excellent heat dissipation and durability. It has a sapphire coating that is scratch resistant while its Teflon seal makes it easy to clean. If you are shopping for a new curing light, be sure to take a good look at this one!
Visitwww.valo-led.com to learn more.
Zoom WhiteSpeed System
from Philips Oral Healthcare.
The new, improved system is clinically proven to whiten teeth up to eight shades is 45 minutes. The new LED light technology emits at the optimal light spectrum and then activates a photo catalyst within the Zoom Chairside Light-Activated Gel to greatly accelerate and enhance whitening results. In a survey, 89% of adults agree that a bright or white smile makes a good first impression. In the same survey, 71% of patients already believe that a white smile is best achieved by seeing a dental professional. We (my team and I) were impressed by the sleek new design of the Zoom WhiteSpeed with an adjustable light intensity with settings of low, medium, and high. You can now customize the intensity for sensitive patients to ensure each patient has a comfortable treatment. So, we are able to control patient sensitivity on the spot! The advanced Philips blue LED technology provides about 50,000 hours of use, which reduces the operating cost and reduces energy consumption. The contemporary counterweight also doubles as a handle to help you move the lamp into place, and the knobs have been enhanced for a better grip during usage. Larger casters also provide easier mobility. The Philips Zoom In-Office Whitening Kit really impressed all of us because it makes treatment easier. So much time is often lost by searching for everything you need for a whitening procedure. This kit is packed in procedural order; you get all the supplies you need for every treatment, from cotton balls to IsoPrep small and universal retractors complete in a single package that includes simplified visual instructions. Each treatment comes with a Patient Post Care and Maintenance Kit that includes the Relief ACP Oral Care Gel. The unique amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) formula helps create healthier, whiter smiles through advanced enamel protection and may be used in trays immediately after treatment. We have changed the face of my office by using Zoom WhiteSpeed on all of the team except me (all of my teeth are covered by porcelain). This gives the team the chance to experience the whitening process firsthand so they can easily ask patients if they would like whiter teeth. And each team member can tell patients about the easy whitening process. In our practice we always try to overdeliver our services, so we give our patients a tube of Fluoridex Daily Defense Sensitivity Relief Toothpaste to use two times per day for two weeks prior to their whitening appointment. In follow-up questioning, we have found that 91% of our patients have had little or NO sensitivity.
Learn more at www.philipsoralhealthcare.com.
Joe Blaes, DDS
NUPRO® revolv® Disposable Contra Prophy Angles
from Dentsply Professional.
It is interesting how a slight change in an angle can mean so much to the people who use something almost every day. Prophy angles have always been set at a right angle. In order to get the polisher on the tooth requires you to put your wrist in an uncomfortable angle. This is quite an innovation from Dentsply! These new Nupro revolv prophy angles are designed to allow the hand and wrist to operate with less effort, which leads to improved clinician comfort. They are ergonomically designed to access all areas of the mouth comfortably. The unique cup is designed to reduce splatter and improve interproximal cleaning, and they are latex free.
Order from your dealer or for more information or to request samples, call (800) 989-8826 or email [email protected].
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