Imprint™ 3 VPS impression materials from 3M ESPE - The next generation of the very successful Imprint impression materials is here with an easy-to-understand system of wash and tray materials. These materials have all the characteristics you would expect from 3M ESPE. Any state-of-the-art impression material needs to precisely capture the preparation margins. Imprint 3 VPS is strongly hydrophilic, and the wash materials have excellent flowability but have retained their resistance to drip. One of the problems all impression materials have is the risk of distortion when the impression is removed from the mouth. The material must be able to recover from the stretching and compressing necessary for removal. 3M ESPE has paid particular attention to this problem. Imprint 3 VPS has an excellent ability to recover from stretching during removal and has high tensile strength for toughness to resist tearing. The combination of these characteristics gives this material a great memory, providing the best chance of accurate, well-fitting restorations from the dental lab. These materials come in fast set (QuickStep) or regular set. Each category has heavy body tray materials and two choices of wash materials - light body and regular body. Because hand-mixed putty is a popular choice of tray material, the regular set has a choice of putty for the tray material. Until now, putty materials mixed by hand exhibited problems with voids and inhibition associated with latex gloves. 3M ESPE to the rescue! New chemistry and an innovative approach have enabled the use of high-viscosity pastes in the Pentamix unit without having to forfeit any of the customary putty characteristics. Because this putty tray material is warm when it comes out of the Pentamix, the set time of the wash material is accelerated by 30 seconds. Imprint impression materials have been my favorites for many years, and the improvements in Imprint 3 VPS are impressive. Order from your dealer or call (800) 634-2249 or visit www.3mespe.com for more information.
Glu/Sense™ from Centrix - How many times have you had a patient complain or grimace about the taste of your desensitizing agent? These materials are so runny that patients can taste them, and it seems like an ongoing problem. Centrix has introduced Glu/Sense, the first no-drip HEMA/gluteraldehyde dentin desensitizer for use under restorations or any time dentin is exposed. It is easier and faster to use, and provides more control and accuracy. Centrix has developed an innovative new delivery system featuring a syringe with foam-tipped needle for faster, easier direct placement. Glu/Sense is the only gluteraldehyde desensitizer in a gel formula that will not spill or drip onto sensitive tissue. It will not interfere with bonding agents, requires only one coat, promotes adhesion, and minimizes microleakage. The new product is universally compatible and works with all materials and dentin bonding systems. When used under restorations, Glu/Sense reduces the chance of postoperative pain; it may also be used to treat hypersensitive dentin even when no final restoration is to be placed. Order from your dealer or call Centrix at (800) 235-5862 or visit www.centrixdental.com for more information.
ZIR-CUT™ from AXIS Dental - A patient called the office to say that his new crown had broken. It was one of the first zirconium core and porcelain crowns that I had placed. We saw the patient the same day and I was surprised to see that the distal lingual cusp of porcelain had fractured off of the core. There was only one thing to do - remove the crown and make a new one. After using three Great Whites and six or seven diamonds, I finally was able to cut through the zirconium core. AXIS Dental has produced a new generation of diamonds that will allow us to cut through porcelain-fused-to-zirconia crowns to create endodontic access. These great new diamonds will quickly, easily, and completely remove the crown or bridge with no vibration. ZIR-CUT diamonds cut better than a super-coarse and feel smoother than a fine grit. Get the Z807-018 for creating endodontic access through zirconia copings and the Z856-018 for removing zirconia core crowns. These are must-have diamonds for every dental office. These will really make your life easier! Order from your dealer or call (800) 355-5063 or visit www.axisdental.com for more information.
SmartLite® iQ™2 L.E.D. Curing Light from DENTSPLY Caulk - Here is a company that listens to its customers. DENTSPLY Caulk has taken the most comfortable curing light and made it better. The iQ2 has the same featherweight balance and functional angles that made the original iQ light comfortable to use anywhere in the mouth. By listening to customer feedback, they have incorporated easier-to-find activation buttons and an improved light-to-base engagement. Fan-free and vent-free construction make it easy to disinfect or wrap for infection control. SmartLite iQ2 will keep going and going (like the Energizer Bunny) on a single charge. Get a week’s worth of curing - up to 700 10-second cycles. A state-of-the-art heat sink protects your patient’s tooth from excessive intrapulpal temperature. iQ2’s high output at an optimal spectral wavelength gives you outstanding depth of cure. If you are in the market for a new curing light, see this one before you buy. The features are outstanding, and it is backed by a two-year warranty that includes the Lithium Ion battery. Order through your dealer or call Caulk at (800) LD-CAULK (532-2855) or visit www.dentsply.com for more information.
Rite-lite™ L.E.D. Shade Matching Kit from AdDent, Inc. - I have been frustrated all my dental life by my inability to pick the right shade. There are many factors that affect the process, particularly when you are doing one tooth and trying to match the other existing teeth - not the least of which is that many of us are color blind. Over the years, I have tried so many things to try to simplify shade taking. Some helped, but many were a waste of time and money. Recently I came across the Rite-lite. I have spent time working with it and studying what more I could do to improve the process. For an object to appear its true color, the light source must contain the color wavelength of light that the object naturally reflects. White light is comprised of all colors, which is why north sky daylight (true white light) is the best source of the color rendering. The Rite-lite shade-matching unit has a color temperature of 5,500˚K, which comes closest to a true white light. Additionally, the colors of walls, ceiling, and floor all play a roll in providing the neutral environment necessary for successful shade taking. AdDent has also done its research by providing a neutralizing color tab that is placed behind the teeth. This tab prevents the darker “back of the mouth” color that can influence shade selection. The color of our clothing and the patient’s clothing also affect the shade you select. I used to spend a lot of time in the shade-taking process, but our eyes only allow us a very short time to get it done. After about 20 seconds, our eyes no longer perceive the colors accurately. It must be done quickly, so we need all the help we can get. The reason we miss so many shades is that we treat the process too casually! The Rite-lite will get you started in the right direction with the proper type of lighting to make the process faster and easier. Order from your dealer or call (203) 778-0200 or visit www.addent.com for more information.
