September 2025 Pearls for Your Practice

Luxator Periotomes by Directa

There’s a special kind of overconfidence that comes with starting a DIY home project—the kind that makes you think, “Yeah, I can totally do this,” even though you have absolutely no business attempting it. I had this happen a few weeks ago when I decided to install a ceiling fan. The instructions called for a drill, wire cutters, a wrench, and some sort of basic handiness. Did I have any of those? No. Did I press on with a pair of pliers and a butter knife? You bet I did. Long story short, after a few choice words, a breaker flip, and one slightly melted screwdriver, I realized something: having the right tools actually matters.

The same is true in dentistry, particularly when it comes to extractions. No one likes an extraction that goes sideways—the tooth won’t budge, the patient’s anxious, and suddenly you’re in a battle of wills with a second molar. That’s where the Directa Luxator Periotomes come in, and trust me, they’re as essential as a proper wrench when installing that ceiling fan.

Unlike traditional elevators, which rely more on brute force, Luxator Periotomes are designed for a gentle, controlled approach. They feature ultrathin, sharp blades that glide along the periodontal ligament, reducing trauma to the surrounding bone. This means less force, less post-op discomfort, and a much smoother extraction process.

There are a few reasons why you want Directa Luxator Periotomes on your oral surgery tray. Firstly, precision over power. Instead of feeling like you’re wrestling a tooth out of the socket, Luxators allow for a finesse-based approach, making difficult extractions like carious roots significantly easier. Secondly, bone preservation. Less trauma means better ridge preservation, which is huge if you’re planning an implant down the line. Thirdly, I like having a variety of options. Luxators come in multiple blade designs (straight, curved, and dual-angled) to accommodate different clinical situations. So, whether you’re tackling a tricky premolar or a stubborn wisdom tooth, there’s a Luxator for the job. Finally, Directa Luxators are ergonomic and efficient. The lightweight, well-balanced handle means better control and less hand fatigue, because no one wants their wrist cramping up midextraction.

Just like my failed ceiling fan installation, extractions can go off the rails if you don’t have the right tools. And when they do, you’ll wish you had something designed specifically for the job. The Directa Luxator Periotomes give you the precision, control, and efficiency needed to handle even the most stubborn extractions with confidence. Take it from me … whether you’re pulling teeth or installing ceiling fans, get the right tools the first time. Does anyone know an electrician they can refer me to?

Double into the left center field power alley for Directa!

Loop LED Curing Light by Garrison Dental

My wife is an elite-level packer. She has packing cubes, a system, and a level of precision that would make a Tetris grandmaster jealous. She literally watches TikToks that are about how to pack most efficiently. Meanwhile, I tend to throw everything in a suitcase at the last minute, zip it up with sheer force, and hope I didn’t forget anything important. That’s basically how a lot of us treat curing lights. We know we need them, but we don’t always think about them critically. We grab whatever is available, hope it does the job, and move on. But just like there’s a big difference between a neatly packed carry-on and one that explodes open at TSA, there’s a huge difference between a curing light that just gets by and one that actually makes your life easier.

Enter the Loop LED Curing Light by Garrison Dental. Garrison is already known for making solid products, especially their matrices, and their take on the curing light is no exception. The Loop is lightweight, ergonomic, and, most importantly, powerful. It delivers a consistent, broad-spectrum output, so whether you’re curing a bulk-fill composite or fine-tuning an anterior restoration, you know you’re getting reliable polymerization. The name Loop is inspired by the algorithmic feedback loop integrated into Garrison’s Adaptive Power Delivery circuit. This feedback loop serves as the heart and brains of Loop, dynamically adjusting the curing light output in real time. No more second-guessing if you need to go another round because the light didn’t quite do the job.

One of the best things about the Loop is its unique shape. Instead of the standard curing light design that feels like it’s trying to tip forward out of your hand, the Loop has a balanced, streamlined form that makes it easy to maneuver. It’s cordless, has a fast recharge time, and doesn’t feel like you’re waving around a brick at the end of a procedure.

Battery life is another win. We’ve all been there … midprocedure the light starts dying, and now you’re either scrambling for a backup or awkwardly moving the patient while you find a charging cord. With the Loop, that’s not an issue. It’s designed for long-lasting use, and when it does need to recharge, it’s quick and seamless.

The real kicker? The light’s output. This thing is bright, and it cures fast. That means less chair time, more efficiency, and fewer chances of a patient getting restless while you hover over them for another curing cycle. For anyone who has ever been frustrated with a clunky, unreliable curing light, the Loop is a breath of fresh air. It’s sleek, powerful, and designed with real workflow needs in mind. If you’re still using a curing light that feels like an afterthought, it might be time to upgrade.

Roped into the gap for a stand-up triple for Garrison Dental!

Optragate 2 by Ivoclar

There are few moments in life when you realize just how much you’ve been struggling unnecessarily. When we moved into our new office, we upgraded to Herman Miller Aeron chairs for all the desks around the office. It seems dumb, but it was life-changing. Suddenly, all those years of back pain and stiff shoulders from cheap office chairs felt like a bad decision I had been making over and over again. Why didn’t we do this sooner? That’s exactly how it feels the first time you use Optragate 2 by Ivoclar. You didn’t know you needed it, but once you try it, you’re never going back.

We all know rubber dams are the gold standard for isolation. No one is disputing that. But let’s be honest … nobody actually likes placing them, and patients certainly don’t enjoy wearing them. You can practically feel the eye rolls when you say, “OK, we’re going to put a rubber dam on for this procedure.” The clamps can pinch, the feeling of being completely blocked off can be uncomfortable, and sometimes it’s just not worth the hassle for certain procedures.

That’s where Optragate 2 comes in. This little workhorse is a soft, latex-free lip and cheek retractor that provides full access to the working area without putting your patient in a state of discomfort. The flexible material gently expands the lips and cheeks, giving you an unobstructed view while still allowing the patient to close slightly if needed. That means better isolation, better visibility, and a way less stressful experience for both the clinician and patient. Beyond comfort, it’s an absolute game-changer when working with adhesive procedures, scanning, or anything that requires a dry field. The improved design of Optragate 2 offers even better elasticity, making placement and removal easier while ensuring it stays secure throughout the procedure. The single-use design keeps things clean, and it’s available in different sizes to accommodate both adult and pediatric patients.

If you’ve ever wrestled with a patient’s lips while trying to get a perfect scan or found yourself playing the all-too-familiar game of “can you hold this suction right here for me” with your assistant, then Optragate 2 is your new best friend. It makes procedures smoother, improves workflow, and lets you focus on what matters instead of fighting soft tissue every step of the way. Much like those Herman Miller chairs, once you start using Optragate 2, you’ll wonder how you ever worked without it.

Line drive single over the short stop for Ivoclar! 

Editor's note: This article appeared in the September 2025 print edition of Dental Economics magazine. Dentists in North America are eligible for a complimentary print subscription. Sign up here.