Dr. Joe Blaes
AirFloss by Philips SonicareThis is simply an easier way to clean between teeth. As hygienists and dentists, we have always recommended to our patients the strong one-two punch of fighting gum disease by brushing and flossing between their teeth where food particles can get caught. Many of our patients do not use floss on a regular basis. This means they are not reaching the bacteria that can build up between teeth that cause plaque, bad breath, inflammation, and infection. Since we are aware of the connection between periodontal inflammation and heart disease and stroke, we must find an alternative to flossing. Philips Sonicare has introduced a new, effortless alternative — Sonicare AirFloss. The revolutionary microburst technology delivers a quick burst of air and water to effectively yet gently clean between the teeth. Sonicare AirFloss is proven to remove up to 99% more plaque between teeth than brushing with a manual toothbrush alone. To use the charged unit, add water or mouthwash to the reservoir, place the tip in the interproximal area between the teeth, and apply gentle pressure. As the tip rests between the teeth, press the activation button. The innovative technology delivers a powerful burst of air and water that effectively yet gently cleans deep between the teeth. Then move the AirFloss to the next interproximal area and repeat the process. It takes only about a minute to clean between all of the teeth without the hassle of floss. In fact, 86% of patients who flossed inconsistently found it easier to use than floss. Sonicare AirFloss is tough on plaque, yet it is proven safe and gentle on gingival tissue, teeth, and enamel. Visit www.Sonicare.com for more information and to learn about other Sonicare products.
Cavitron® Plus™ and Cavitron® JET Plus™ by DENTSPLY ProfessionalThe Cavitron brand has become synonymous with ultrasonic scaling because DENTSPLY has been dedicated to advancing preventive care in the dental practice and the role of the hygienist in delivering patient care. We should all be concerned with the connection of periodontal disease to heart health, stroke, and diabetes. It is more important than ever to give our patients the best care possible. The Cavitron® Plus™ ultrasonic scaler and Cavitron® JET Plus™ combination ultrasonic scaler and air polishing unit give you the confidence that you are delivering the highest quality care to patients. These are the most comfortable, responsive, and clinically effective ultrasonic scalers and combination units that I have seen. But I don’t use these units, so what do I know? So, I gave the Cavitron® JET Plus™ to my hygienist, Karen Reiner, RDH, to evaluate. She came back with glowing reports when using both the scaling and air polishing functions of the Cavitron® JET Plus™. Karen was impressed with the size and portability of the units, and loved the wireless foot control. She mentioned many benefits, including the automatic tuning of the handpieces to deliver consistent tip stroke. This enables quick insert changes and saves time over manual tuning. Technology common to both of these units automatically adjusts system power to maintain tip stroke regardless of clinical load and conditions. It’s like “cruise control” with a new expanded range to deliver perfectly tuned performance every time. She showed me the easy-to-use system display, the handpiece-controlled water flow, and told me that the handpiece was autoclavable. Karen feels that this Cavitron is well designed and will make her job faster, better, and easier to provide the best care for patients. Order from your dealer or visit the company’s website at www.professional.dentsply.com/cavitron for more information.
ImplaMate™ Implant Scaling Instruments by NordentMy hygienist gets very frustrated trying to scale implants with plastic implant scalers. She is always looking for a safe and effective way to clean implants. This is because regular scaler tips made of metals that are dissimilar to titanium (such as stainless steel) can scratch the implant and possibly cause rejection. While walking through the California Dental Association meeting this spring, I stopped at the Nordent booth to talk with my friend, Tim Irwin. He was excited about his new ImplaMate™ implant scaling instruments, and asked if I would be interested in evaluating them. I said that I would be happy to have my hygienist evaluate them. Karen Reiner, RDH, works in another practice that does a lot of implants so she was able to give the ImplaMate™ instruments a good workout. She was very impressed, and said that I could not return them. Karen liked the solid titanium tips that remove the risk of dissimilar metal reactions with the implants. The purple tips and red color rings make it easy to identify the ImplaMate™ instrument. Nordent makes these instruments with large-diameter, lightweight stainless steel design DuraLite handles that provide maximum comfort and control. Many of my instruments have Duralite® Color Rings™ handles, so I can tell you they are great. You can sterilize the ImplaMates by any method; no special handling is required. The instruments are specially heat treated and finished, so they are safe for implant surfaces. This is the solution to your implant scaling needs. ImplaMate™ scalers are available in a range of familiar patterns that are easy to adapt with no learning curve. With Nordent’s guarantee, there is no risk because the company offers your money back if you are not satisfied. Order from your favorite dealer or go to www.nordent.com for more information.
Enamel Pro® Varnish by Premier DentalFluoride therapy is a key preventative treatment that makes teeth more resistant to tooth decay. Fluoride varnish has several advantages. It is easy to apply, does not require special equipment, and does not require a professional cleaning prior to application. Enamel Pro® Varnish with amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP) formula is the first advanced fluoride varnish to contain the added ingredients of calcium and phosphate. It is designed to create substantive forms of CaF2 and ACP. The ACP formulation has been shown to provide greater availability of calcium and phosphate ions, which are beneficial to enhancing fluoride uptake. Enamel Pro® Varnish provides four times more fluoride uptake into sound enamel than fluoride varnish with tri-calcium phosphate (TCP). All fluoride varnishes will travel across tooth surfaces and into hard-to-reach areas; however, Enamel Pro® Varnish has demonstrated two times more fluoride uptake in surrounding lesioned enamel. So even though it contains the same 5% sodium fluoride as other varnishes, with ACP technology, you get significantly more available fluoride release and increased uptake into the enamel. Enamel Pro® Varnish desensitizes dentin, and is proven to diminish hydraulic conductance by 73%. ACP and fluoride provide semipermanent occlusion with fluorapatite. The research article on this process is available in the Journal of Clinical Dentistry (J Clin Dent, 2011;22:51-54). Enamel Pro® Varnish comes in two great flavors, Bubblegum and Strawberries ’n Cream. It is packaged in easy-to-use, single-unit doses with an applicator brush and is gluten-free. Give your patients the benefit of using Enamel Pro® Varnish, the fluoride varnish formulated to deliver ACP. Order from your dealer or visit www.premusa.com for more information.
The Clinical PRO-HEALTHTM SYSTEM by Crest® + Oral-B®The body of clinical research is making the connection between oral health and overall body health stronger and stronger. I am a founding member of the American Academy for Oral Systemic Health (AAOSH). I recently attended our inaugural meeting in Chicago. A group of more than 300 listened as physicians, allied health professionals, and dentists quoted articles and studies proving the relationship of oral inflammation to heart disease, stroke, and diabetes. Now is the time for dentistry to become focused on helping patients improve their oral health so they live longer and healthier. To me, this puts the importance of the Clinical Pro-Health™ System in focus. Patients must learn that bleeding in the mouth is not normal! Recommend this system for patients who have moderate gingivitis, and you will observe a reduction in bleeding sites and inflamed gingival tissues. The system includes use of the Oral-B® Professional Care SmartSeries 5000 Electric Toothbrush with SmartGuide™ and its oscillating-rotating technology that loosens and sweeps away plaque. An extra three-minute mode on the SmartGuide™ will encourage longer brushing for patients with gingivitis. Now comes the hard part. Patients must learn to use the advanced Oral-B® Glide® Pro-Health Clinical Protection Floss in conjunction with the toothbrush. The use of Crest® Pro-Health Clinical Gum Protection Toothpaste has been clinically proven to help reverse gingivitis in four weeks, and it protects against tooth sensitivity. Crest® Pro-Health Multi-Protection Rinse provides 12-hour protection against plaque and gingivitis. The rinse kills bacteria without the burn of alcohol. For more information on Crest® products and to order, visit www.dentalcare.com/en-us/home.aspx.
