Hygiene pearls for your practice

By Joe Blaes, DDS

by Philips

Help your young patients make the most of each brushing. All of my children and grandchildren are out of this category, but I have many patients in my practice who have made great strides in their home care with the Sonicare For Kids. Brushing techniques take time to develop and at 500 brush strokes per second, this brush helps compensate as they learn to brush.

This is effective yet gentle sonic cleaning. The brush also has two kid-friendly power settings and extra soft bristles. Philips Sonicare For Kids comes with a "no questions asked" guarantee. They'll have noticeable results, fewer cavities, and better checkups after just 28 days or you'll get your money back.

When it comes to brushing time, longer is better. With the KidPacer musical feature, children were shown to brush significantly longer than with a manual toothbrush. This is compliance you can count on. Every second counts so the KidTimer gradually increases brushing time as they learn, reaching the full two minutes in as little as 90 days.

Each Sonicare For Kids provides two brush head sizes, giving a perfect option for every mouth. Eight faceplate stickers make the brush fun and customizable. The brush has an ergonomic, easy-to-grip handle for small hands to maneuver more independently and comfortably. The patented sonic technology drives fluid between teeth and along the gum line where plaque builds up.

Call (800) 422-9448 or go to www.philipsoralhealthcare.com for more information on this great innovation for the children in your practice.

Enamelast (5% Sodium Fluoride Varnish)

At last, a fluoride varnish that does not mask your patients' smiles. As a dentist or hygienist, you want your patients to leave the dental office with teeth that feel clean and smooth -- not masked behind a gritty fluoride varnish. More than 80% of dental professionals who responded to a recent survey feel that the product's texture on the teeth is an important aspect to consider when choosing a fluoride varnish. So, I had Karen, my trusted hygienist, help me check out this particular product. When it arrived, she was finished with her patients, so she asked me to be her patient. Now I have to tell you that I hate being a patient, and I hate trying out materials that have a taste, but I finally sat in the chair. Then we both remembered that thanks to Dr. Bill Dickerson, I have crowns and veneers on all of my teeth. So, we recruited my secretary, Genna.

Genna has had a fluoride varnish before and she raved about the Enamelast! That made me a believer. No one likes the feeling of gritty teeth. With Enamelast, you can give your patients a highly effective fluoride treatment that keeps their teeth feeling smooth. The more natural the fluoride varnish feels, the longer the patient will leave it on their teeth, allowing the varnish to deliver the maximum amount of fluoride ion to every tooth. In addition, it is nearly invisible against the teeth, which means your patients will not be embarrassed to smile.

For a fluoride varnish to provide the best results, it must adhere to the teeth for the entire recommended time. Enamelast features a patented adhesion-promoting agent that enhances retention, which makes it easier for your patients to receive the full benefits of the varnish.

This product is available in two delivery options. Each blister pack includes a prefilled well and an applicator brush. Simply dip the brush in the well and paint the varnish on the teeth. The syringe delivery opens the door to multiple delivery options. Express the varnish through the SoftEZ™ tip directly onto the teeth for fast application. Or if you prefer, you can express the varnish into a well before painting it on the teeth. Each unique and easy-to-use syringe provides enough varnish for two to four patients.

Enamelast is also great for patients undergoing orthodontic treatment -- especially for patients who currently have an orthodontic sealant on their teeth. When Enamelast is applied to a tooth treated with a sealant, it recharges the sealant for even longer sustained fluoride release.

To order, call (800) 552-5512 or visit www.Ultradent.com.

from Hu-Friedy EMS

EMS may not be a familiar name for you in the hygiene products industry, but I am aware of the Swiss company because of their very large presence at the International Dental Show in Cologne, Germany. I have often wondered why we did not see more of them in the United States. But with the launch of the AIR-FLOW Master Piezon, you can bet that they will be a household name soon.

This device combines three application systems -- piezoelectric scaling, supragingival air polishing, and subgingival air polishing and biofilm removal -- in one sophisticated, easy-to-use unit.

My policy whenever I receive a hygiene product for evaluation is to give it to Karen, my trusted hygienist. Karen has been using the EMS system for the last few weeks and tells me she is amazed by the innovation they have brought to the area of sub- and supragingival air polishing and scaling in just one unit. Karen tells me that the unit has no buttons or knobs. She uses the awesome "Swipe Technology" to change the setting EMS may not be a familiar name for you in the hygiene products industry, but I am aware of the Swiss company because of their very large presence at the International Dental Show in Cologne, Germany. I have often wondered why we did not see more of them in the United States. But with the launch of the AIR-FLOW Master Piezon, you can bet that they will be a household name soon.

This device combines three application systems -- piezoelectric scaling, supragingival air polishing, and subgingival air polishing and biofilm removal -- in one sophisticated, easy-to-use unit.

My policy whenever I receive a hygiene product for evaluation is to give it to Karen, my trusted hygienist. Karen has been using the EMS system for the last few weeks and tells me she is amazed by the innovation they have brought to the area of sub- and supragingival air polishing and scaling in just one unit. Karen tells me that the unit has no buttons or knobs. She uses the awesome "Swipe Technology" to change the settings for both clinical applications, making infection control superior and easy. The water unit is easy to fill and it heats the water on the sub- and supra-air polishing, making this a wonderful experience for the patients. Wow, a warm water air polishing experience -- I can hardly wait for my next appointment with Karen!

Karen feels that Piezon ultrasonic scaler is totally awesome (there is that word again) since it delivers a virtually painless treatment for the patient and is very gentle on the gingival tissues. The encased tip holder makes changing tips the easiest ever. You never have to physically touch the tip. The linear oscillating action of the tip while aligned with the tooth structure achieves incredibly smooth tooth surfaces. The treatment site visibility is perfect with the LED light in the handpiece.

The AIR-FLOW Master Piezon is also an effective tool to combat and prevent periodontitis or periimplantitis. The AIR-FLOW totally blasts plaque and stains, both supragingival and subgingival, right before your eyes, and yet it is so gentle to the tissues. Both handpieces are magnetically secured to the sides of the unit, making them easy to remove and store.

In February, Hu-Friedy announced a strategic alliance with EMS to deliver advanced prophylaxis technology with Piezon® and AIR-FLOW® technologies. That means that you can buy it in the USA and Canada from a highly respected company that has been in the hygiene business for years. This is a must-see product from Hu-Friedy EMS! Visit www.hu-friedy.com/HFEMS for more information or to schedule a demo.

The water unit is easy to fill and it heats the water on the sub- and supra-air polishing, making this a wonderful experience for the patients. Wow, a warm water air polishing experience -- I can hardly wait for my next appointment with Karen!

Karen feels that Piezon ultrasonic scaler is totally awesome (there is that word again) since it delivers a virtually painless treatment for the patient and is very gentle on the gingival tissues. The encased tip holder makes changing tips the easiest ever. You never have to physically touch the tip. The linear oscillating action of the tip while aligned with the tooth structure achieves incredibly smooth tooth surfaces. The treatment site visibility is perfect with the LED light in the handpiece.

The AIR-FLOW Master Piezon is also an effective tool to combat and prevent periodontitis or periimplantitis. The AIR-FLOW totally blasts plaque and stains, both supragingival and subgingival, right before your eyes, and yet it is so gentle to the tissues. Both handpieces are magnetically secured to the sides of the unit, making them easy to remove and store.

In February, Hu-Friedy announced a strategic alliance with EMS to deliver advanced prophylaxis technology with Piezon® and AIR-FLOW® technologies. That means that you can buy it in the USA and Canada from a highly respected company that has been in the hygiene business for years. This is a must-see product from Hu-Friedy EMS!

Visit www.hu-friedy.com/HFEMS for more information or to schedule a demo.