Michael DiTolla, DDS, FAGD
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Just about all of the dentistry that I do these days is crown and bridge. I am always looking for products that make the job faster, easier, better, or hopefully all three of these! Here is a closer look at three products that I use almost daily.
I am happy to report that yet another one of my favorite products has gone cordless. To me, cordless is about more than convenience. Many times it will determine whether a dentist uses the technology or lets it collect dust, especially when it comes to using it in multiple operatories. The NV Microlaser is manufactured by Zap and sold by Discus Dental. It is miraculously small when compared to my old diode laser, which is the size of a shoebox. The NV Microlaser weighs only two ounces and measures just 0.6 inches in the section where you hold it. Even better, the NV Microlaser has done away with the need for a fiber management system with the introduction of disposable cutting fibers that snap onto the laser body. With presets for all common laser procedures and a look and feel that would make Steve Jobs jealous, the NV Microlaser seems to be the prototype for all diodes to come.
If you have been to a course by Dr. Bill Strupp, you are probably quite familiar with this sonic scaler from KaVo. Dr. Strupp uses Durelon to cement his temps for a number of important reasons.The two main ones are that temps will never fall off, and since there is no leakage at the margin, the tissue always looks pristine two weeks later. That said, when you go to remove the temp, it comes off easily but the Durelon is stuck to the tooth. If you try to clean it with a hand instrument, it takes the better part of 30 minutes to clean the prep. With the SONICflex, you are finished in about 15 seconds. I now use the SONICflex to clean all my preps prior to cementation. With some of the new diamond tips that are available for sonic scalers, I can refine the margins of my crown preps and make them satin smooth with the SONICflex as well.
I am not sure when the last big innovation in articulating paper was, but I know we have come a long way since the days when our choice was between typewriter ribbon and paper that was as thick as cardboard. TrollFoil has not reinvented the articulating wheel, but a few minor changes have been made that make the product my favorite articulating paper. First, it comes mounted in a plastic frame. One less instrument on the bracket table is fine with me. The double-sided foil is only eight microns thick. It has no problem marking wet or dry surfaces or highly polished surfaces such as cast gold or BruxZir.
Dr. Michael DiTolla is the Director of Clinical Research and Education at Glidewell Laboratories in Newport Beach, Calif. He lectures nationwide on both restorative and cosmetic dentistry. Dr. DiTolla has several free clinical programs available online or on DVD at www.glidewelldental.com.
