Pearls for Your Practice

Joe Blaes, DDS

AirFloss

The newly upgraded Sonicare AirFloss is a breakthrough technology from the makers of the No. 1 recommended power toothbrush brand by dental professionals in the United States. It helps noncompliant flossers (this includes almost everybody) improve their oral care routine. Using the unique air and MicroBurst technology, Sonicare AirFloss provides an easier way to clean between teeth. It will remove up to five times more plaque between teeth than a manual toothbrush, and will clean the entire mouth in just 30 seconds. I have not lost any teeth, but my mouth is heavily restored with crowns, inlays, onlays, and veneers. The gingival tissues in my mouth are healthy since I have started using my Sonicare Power Brush. My pocket depths are 2.5 to 3 mm. My oral maintenance has changed as I have begun experimenting with other products. I am convinced that floss is no longer routinely necessary; however, I do still start my routine with floss simply to remove anything that may be caught between the contacts of my teeth. Next, I use a Sunstar Go Between to clean the interproximal area. Then I use the AirFloss. I finish with my Sonicare DiamondClean. I plan to keep my teeth the rest of my life. AirFloss has a unique Air and MicroBurst technology that uses quick bursts of air and micro-water. This helps improve gum health in as little as two weeks, and it has been proven to be safe and gentle on teeth and gums. It requires less than one teaspoon of water or mouthwash to clean the mouth. The AirFloss guidance tip ensures targeted cleaning between teeth while the castellated nozzle reduces backfire and splash-back water spray. My wife and I can share the AirFloss because the colored nozzle tips allow for easy identification. Patients and you are protected by a better check-ups guarantee that helps ensure a full refund if you are not 100% satisfied within 90 days of use. In my mind, the choice is clear. Stick with technology. Help your patients keep their teeth for the rest of their lives.

Visit www.philipsoralhealthcare.com or call (800) 422-9448 for more information on AirFloss and all the other great Philips Sonicare products for better oral health.

by Dr. Charles Blair.

With the dental profession's move to PPOs, insurance coding and insurance administration are huge challenges for today's dental practice. But be encouraged that there are outstanding coding resources available for your practice. Coding with Confidence: The "Go To" Dental Insurance Guide (a publication) and the comprehensive coding website, PracticeBooster.com, are excellent. They dramatically cut coding errors and boost legitimate reimbursement. Both of these powerful dental insurance resources are brought to you by Dr. Charles Blair. Dr. Blair is the industry's leading authority on practice profitability, insurance coding strategies, and strategic planning. Both resources were designed to predict, and therefore prevent, common coding errors. Coding with Confidence is a unique reference guidebook that goes beyond the typical "list" found in other coding manuals. It was developed using information compiled from thousands of interviews with doctors and staff while examining their practice data. The manual uses Predictive Error CorrectionTM technology to help predict common mistakes before they are made. If you are a little more technology-savvy, then the comprehensive coding website, Practice Booster, is for you. Practice Booster is the only resource your staff needs to eliminate costly coding errors and recover lost revenue. Practice Booster encompasses the Coding with Confidence manual in an expanded searchable format, the Insurance Solutions Newsletter, Resource Center, as well as telephone support.

Whether it is Coding with Confidence or Practice Booster, these resources are available to provide expert assistance for practices that find it difficult to keep up with the annual changes in dentistry's CDT codes. All dental practices should never operate without a current coding reference manual because it can result in thousands of dollars lost to the practices. Don't delay, and order today!

The process is easy by visiting www.practicebooster.com. Then click on the "Store" tab. We know these resources will assist you in legitimate insurance reimbursement without the stress.

Isovac™ Dental Isolation Adapter

This is Isolite® Systems' most versatile and affordable clinical option for oral control to date. I have been using the Isolite since it was first introduced many years ago. This new product is a result of the same innovative thinking and engineering. Designed for practices and clinics that want the advantages of the best dental isolation system available, the Isovac™ provides an easy-to-use alternative for total control of the oral environment to all treatment rooms, especially for hygiene. The strong, ultra-lightweight unibody control head assembly is constructed of an easy-to-clean autoclavable polymer. The dual vacuum controls will allow for focused, continuous, hands-free vacuum suction in either the upper or lower quadrant, or both quadrants. This delivers better control of moisture, blood, and saliva in the oral cavity. The only item you need in the treatment room is a high volume evacuator (HVE) line. The Isovac™ quickly attaches to the HVE line without any tools or extra parts. The key to Isolite® Systems' oral control products is the full group of morphologically and anatomically correct, patented Isolite mouthpieces that fit a range of patients. This allows for effective isolation for every size patient. Single-use Isolite mouthpieces can be positioned or removed quickly while delivering significant safety advantages for the patient. Constructed from an elastomeric material that is softer than gingival tissue, the Isolite mouthpiece shields the tongue and cheek. This provides an added measure of protection from injury by the handpiece or other dental instruments. The airway is also protected, and prevents inadvertent foreign body aspiration. The clear mouthpiece provides visibility to the airway and the throat for better patient monitoring. In addition, the mouthpiece has a built-in bite block that will make patients more comfortable. They will find that it is easier to stay closed on the block than worry about keeping their mouth open. My patients love the Isolite® System. Isovac™ easily breaks down for cleaning and sterilization. It is conveniently packaged in three device quantities, allowing for one adapter on the dental chair, one in cleaning/processing, and one sterile adapter ready for use.

To learn more about the Isovac™ or Isolite® Systems' complete line of dental isolation products, call (800) 560-6066 or visit www.isolitesystems.com.

To have Dr. Joe Blaes present his lecture, "Pearls For Your Practice®," for your study group or dental society, please call (866) 274-4500.