How to raise a cavity-free child

Joseph Blaes, DDS

Pearl 1 - Look, Mom ... No Cavities! How To Raise a Cavity-Free Child by Gregory F. George, DDS. Right on the heels of the 60 Minutes II program is a terrific guide to preventing the cavities that caused the problems in the first place. This is an excellent guide for today`s concerned parent, packed with vital facts, techniques, and tips. Parents can discover everything they need to know and have a handy guide to answer future questions. Dr. George is a pediatric dentist in Buffalo, N.Y., who has dedicated his career to teaching patients to be cavity-free. Look Mom ... No Cavities! is also available on an excellent videotape produced by Greg and on an audiocassette tape, both of which are perfect companions to the book. To order, call PDC Press at (888) 292-1991 or call your local Patterson dealer. Check out the Web site www.lookmom.com. Don`t miss this one! If you are treating children in your practice, you cannot be without this book!

Pearl 2 - Gluma® From Heraeus Kulzer. You all know about using Gluma® Desensitizer to stop sensitivity with a chairside procedure. In my seminars, I ask about sensitivity in bonding procedures. Twenty percent of the audience says they have sensitivity about 10 to 20 percent of the time. If you are experiencing these types of problems, then perhaps it is time to start using Gluma® to prevent this sensitivity. This simple, one-step procedure can be done in seconds, stopping the pain of localized sensitivity often associated with restorative procedures. It is easy to apply and is universally compatible with all materials. It will not interfere with the performance of resins, glass ionomers, or other materials. Gluma® actually will increase the efficacy of whatever dentin bonding system you are using. Use it before you fill, seat crowns, inlays, veneers, or bridges. Order from your dealer or call Heraeus at (800) 343-5336 for more information.

Pearl 3 - Fuji II® LC From GC America. Fuji II® LC comes in premeasured capsules that are simple to activate and mix, giving you a consistent mix every time. It is a resin-reinforced glass ionomer restorative material that does not require a separate bonding agent. It will bond chemically to tooth structure in a wet field. It light cures in 20 seconds for immediate finishing. Fuji II® LC has a significant long-term fluoride release for protection against secondary caries. If you are looking for simplicity, esthetics, and economy, this is the product for you. Order from your dealer or call GC America at (800) 323-7063 for more information.

Pearl 4 - PermaCem From Zenith. Here comes the first automix permanent cement. This product is called a compomer-based cement. These resin-reinforced glass ionomer permanent cements can be used for the final cementation of all metal crowns and inlays, porcelain-fused-to-metal crowns and bridges, and crowns with aluminous cores. PermaCem is self-curing, radiopaque, and releases fluoride. It handles well, like most other cements of this type, and cleans up easily. The fascinating part about PermaCem is the automix delivery system. You quickly get a consistent, homogenous mix that is easy to put wherever you want it. No messy tubes, no variances in amounts of material, no hand mixing, no pads ... this is too easy! Just pick up the dispensing gun, pull the trigger, and instantly you have a perfectly mixed cement in your crown ready to seat with no waiting. The cement will set to a rubbery stage in less than two minutes. This is the time to clean off the excess. If you leave your patient or wait too long, the cement sets quite hard, and you will have a difficult time removing the excess. So follow the directions carefully, and you really will like this cement. I feel that you will waste less material than hand mixing, because you only use as much as you need. Please remember, this cement contains glass ionomer that expands; do not use with ceramic restorations. PermaCem is dispensed from the same Type-25 applicator gun that is used for Luxacore and Tempocem. I think this is a great product that will make your cementation appointment faster, easier, and better. Order from your dealer or call Zenith at (800) 662-6383.

Pearl 5 - The Dental Button by Advantage Dental Products. I absolutely could not practice dentistry without this incredible, little crown matrix button. The button is a small, round piece of thermoplastic that softens when heated. I soften the button in hot water from the instant hot-water faucet that I installed in my operatory (like the one for coffee in hotel rooms). Then you form the soft material around the tooth or teeth to be prepped and extend to teeth on either side for stops. Blow air to harden and remove. Presto! In less than 30 seconds, you have a perfect, hard-plastic mold, with incredible detail, for making temporary crowns and bridges. The plastic still has some flexibility, which makes it easy to handle. It is more accurate, easier, and less expensive than alginate, putty, wax, or anything else you use to fabricate a matrix. Make a custom-made temporary in a fraction of the time it takes you now. Call Advantage Dental Products at (800) 388-6319 and order some today!