This is the last column in a series describing my favorite dental products. The first product was Profound topical anesthetic from Steven’s Pharmacy [(800) 352-3784]. The second product was Kavo Electrotorque Handpieces. The third was the Reverse Preparation Kit LS-7551 from Axis Dental [(888) 654-2947] and other dental dealers. The fourth product I can’t practice without is Ultrapak knitted retraction cord from Ultradent Products Inc. [(800) 552-5512]. Another product I can’t practice without is the serrated strip from Axis Dental [(888) 654-2947]. I also love Comprecaps from Coltene/Whaledent, which are available from all dental dealers.
The seventh product is my loupes. After using several brands and styles during the last 10 years, I have found a design that meets all my needs: the HiRes™ loupes from Orascoptic [(800) 369-3698]. These loupes have a superior field of depth and width compared to any loupes I used previously. For example, I can see the entire arch antero-posteriorly, and from molar to molar laterally. Rather than having just two or three teeth in focus, the entire arch is in focus. This makes it easier to do quadrant or full-arch dentistry. The standard high-index lenses further enhance resolution, and reduce the overall weight. They also offer the ability to choose the preferred working distance that’s best for your individual position. The result is maximum comfort, superior visual acuity, and optimum performance. HiRes loupes are offered in two optical shapes. Round-shaped loupes provide the standard circular view of the oral cavity. A new elliptical shape offers the same optics, the same four-inch field width, more viewing area above the loupes, and an even lighter weight.
The next product that I love is LuxaCore Dual from ZenithDMG. This material is available in a self-cure and a dual-cure core build-up material. Both easily are expressed from a smartmix syringe. LuxaCore was the only product of its category in the USA to receive the Reality Five Star Award in 2003. It was found to be especially convincing in its high depth of cure and its choice of shades. Because of its high compression strength, this material cuts identical to dentin. Since it is a dual-cure material, you can bulk fill any preparations without having to layer the material. This makes the material a huge timesaver. The curved intraoral tips allow you to reach any area of the mouth.
By using the dual-cure formulation, I am able to create specific shapes with the build-up material as I place it without the use of a form. For example, I can place a small amount of material exactly where I want it, move the syringe away and cure it for five seconds, and then place another layer of material on top of the cured material. This allows me to shape the buildup as I place the material.
The next product I love is the CeraGlaze ceramic polishers set from Axis Dental. These polishers are available in extraoral sizes for the electric lab handpiece, and in traditional cups and points for intraoral use. This is a three-step system for finishing and polishing that can be used after recontouring ceramics or adjusting occlusion with either a diamond or carbide bur. I prefer to use the extraoral version of this kit (LS-904) as often as possible because it is easy to get to all the necessary angles for polishing before the restorations have been cemented.
The first step is the gray wheel or the prepolish wheel. This is used to remove most of the scratch marks created from the diamond, which is used to adjust the porcelain. Plan to spend a lot of time with this wheel. It is primarily responsible for the final smoothness of the surface. Step 2 involves the yellow polishing wheels and cups. These wheels do not remove nearly as many scratches as the gray wheels. Essentially, they will polish whatever surface exists after the gray wheels. Some smaller scratches can be removed, but be sure to do the majority of the work with the gray wheels. The third step is the blue high-shine wheels and cups. These blue wheels will put a “wet shine” on the porcelain. In fact, they will leave as smooth a shine as if the crown actually was glazed.
The final product that I can’t practice without is my LEDemetron II cordless curing light. It is extremely light and portable because of its cordless nature. This makes it easy to transfer between dentist and assistant. The built-in LED radiometer gives you instant assurance of the intensity level of your light. The LEDemetron also has removable battery packs that can be charged separately, ensuring that there is no downtime with your light. Because of its high output, it has the same or greater intensity as the Optilux 501 for 10-second cures.
I hope you have found this list as helpful to your practice as it has been to mine. If you have questions about these products, please contact me at [email protected].
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. He also teaches hands-on courses on digital photography and digital image-editing for the entire team. Dr. DiTolla has several clinical programs available on DVD through Glidewell. For more information on this article, or for more information on receiving a free copy of one of Dr. DiTolla’s clinical DVDs, e-mail him at [email protected].
