Joseph Blaes, DDS
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illuminé™ by Dentsply Preventive Care. Just when you thought that there could not possibly be another way to bleach teeth, another innovative approach comes to prove us wrong. illuminé™ is a breakthrough in-office whitener that can actually change teeth by up to nine shades - without heat, light, or isolation. This whitener comes in a unique mixer/dispenser that has connected a syringe of 30 percent hydrogen peroxide with a syringe of a powder. To mix, you simply open the valve between the two syringes and push the liquid into the powder, moving it back and forth a couple of times. You then immediately express the mixed material into the custom bleaching trays and wait until it turns to a semisolid state before seating the trays in the patient`s mouth. This will ensure that the material stays in the reservoirs of the bleaching trays and does not express out onto the patient`s soft tissue. The material actually adheres to the teeth and will not displace like gels. After you have checked for excess material touching the tissue, the patient continues to wear the tray and can now relax or catch up on some reading in the reception area or in a consultation room. The treatment room is freed up for an additional patient, and the staff is free as well. The average shade change in a 30-minute treatment is four to six shades. You can safely treat for up to 60 minutes. Research has shown that the whitening process continues, so you can expect another one- to three-shade change in two weeks. illuminé™ can be used as a quick start for a take-home treatment, as a much easier (for staff and patient) stand-alone in office treatment, and as an in-office postwhitening touchup treatment. In most states, this could be a totally staff-driven procedure. This is the whitening breakthrough that you have been looking for. Order from your dealer or visit Dentsply`s Web site at http://prevent.dentsply.com.
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Butler Gum® Proxabrush® Snap-Ons by The John O. Butler Company. When I began my career in dentistry, conventional wisdom stated that when you aged, you lost your teeth. Bacteria, now the known culprit for plaque formation leading to gum disease, was not even a suspect. And when periodontal disease struck, there was only one solution: dentures. Since then, significant changes have taken place in our understanding and treatment of periodontal disease. It has even been discovered that oral infections can contribute to serious conditions like heart disease and stroke. The John O. Butler Company is sponsoring "Brush Up On Wellness," a symposium on current research connecting oral health to systemic health. I urge you to request information on the changing paradigms of oral health practices. You may have heard or read about Dr. Michael Roizen`s book RealAge: Are You As Young As You Can Be? In his book, he says that healthy teeth and gums can reduce your "real age" by 6.4 years. Yes, you heard right. Just by brushing and flossing, you can live longer! For over 75 years, Butler has brought us the products that have made this process easier. I have recommended the Proxabrush® to my patients for years as an adjunct to the toothbrush and floss. The Proxabrush® is ideal for people who need some extra help cleaning spaces between the teeth or around bridges. My wife has a couple of three-unit bridges and has tried all the devices available to clean around them. She finds that the Proxabrush® is the best. So, when Butler completely redesigned the Proxabrush® Snap-Ons, I gave them to her to try. She really likes the cushion-grip handle and the new refill dispenser. The refills are preloaded so that they never need to be handled. Just snap the refill into the handle, and it`s ready to use. Easy on and easy off - so very effective in cleaning those hard-to-reach areas. My patients enjoy the ease of use. To order or for more details, call (800) JBUTLER o
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Fragment Forceps by Benco Dental. These unique Fragment Forceps make the removal of broken endodontic files, broken instruments, tooth fragments, silver points, and secured posts effortless, allowing you to save valuable time in the treatment room. The finely serrated, cylindrically shaped tips are so tiny that they make this instrument excellent for placement and retrieval during standard micro procedures. In my practice, the Fragment Forceps have often eliminated the need for surgery. This is an instrument that you need in your drawer. To order, call Benco Dental at (800) GO BENCO.
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The Feuer Abutment Holder by The H & H Company. Of all the instruments that dentists have sent me to try, this is by far the best, because it fills an unmet need. If you do implants, you know how difficult handling the small parts can be. The Feuer Abutment Holder was designed by Dr. Marshall Feuer, a Michigan periodontist, to eliminate these difficulties. The handle and angle of the grip are all perfect and make this a must-have instrument. Call (800) 491-9989 to order.
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Dr. Blaes has a general practice in the St. Louis area. He is known for his expertise in dental materials and techniques and his innovative systems designs. He writes and lectures on "How To Increase Productivity and Profitability." Dr. Blaes is a member of the American Academy of Dental Practice Administration. He may be reached at (573) 686-2388.
