Pearls For Your Practice

Joe Blaes, DDS

Some life-changing products

AirFloss

by Philips Sonicare

is simply an easier way to clean between teeth. As dentists and hygienists, we have always recommended to our patients the strong one-two punch of brushing and flossing to keep gingival tissues healthy and to prevent or control periodontal disease. We know the importance of removing food particles between teeth, but many of our patients do not use floss on a regular basis. This means that they are not reaching the bacteria that can build up between teeth that cause plaque, bad breath, inflammation, and infection. Since we are now aware of the connection between periodontal inflammation and diabetes, heart disease, and stroke, we must find an alternative to flossing. Philips Sonicare has introduced a new, effortless alternative - Sonicare AirFloss. The revolutionary microburst technology delivers a quick burst of air and water to effectively, yet gently, clean between teeth. Sonicare AirFloss is proven to remove up to 99% more plaque between teeth than brushing with a manual toothbrush alone. To use the charged unit, add water or mouthwash to the reservoir, place the tip in the interproximal area between the teeth, and apply gentle pressure. As the tip rests between the outside (buccal/facial) surfaces of teeth, press the activation button. Then move the AirFloss to the next interproximal area and repeat the process. It takes only about a minute to clean between teeth without the hassle of floss. In fact, 86% of patients who flossed inconsistently found it easier to use than floss. Sonicare AirFloss is tough on plaque, yet has proven safe and gentle on gingival tissue, teeth, and enamel.

Visitwww.Sonicare.com for more information and to learn about other Sonicare products.

Filtek™ Bulk Fill Flowable Restorative

from 3M™ESPE™.

In my practice, it is important to constantly question my procedures to find new ways to conserve time. If I can find a way to conserve six minutes a procedure, at the end of the day I save an hour. I can be more productive in that hour or I can use the time to talk to patients. In my mind, the whole purpose of a bulk fill material is to make placing a composite restoration more efficient and effective. Filtek Bulk Fill has a viscosity that allows me to easily fill the cavity preparation. I can reach those difficult-to-fill areas without manipulating the material with instruments that can cause contamination. The 4-mm depth of cure means that one increment of flowable material should do the job. I have not found a cavity that needed more than that with the restorations I've placed in my practice. The material has great wear resistance and low stress and shrinkage. Low stress is important in eliminating sensitivity, and low shrinkage means good marginal adaptation. The other great quality of this flowable is high compressive and diametral tensile strength. Filtek Bulk Fill comes in four shades - Universal, A1, A2, and A3. The capsules and syringe are designed in a bright orange color for easy and quick identification in the operatory. This adds to the convenience of the bulk fill procedure. My assistants and I like the capsules best. After the bulk fill material has been placed and cured, the final step is to place a 2-mm layer (minimum capping layer of an esthetic composite such as Filtek™ Supreme Ultra Universal Restorative) and cure.

Order from your dealer or visit www.3mespe.com/filtekbulkfill. For more information, you can also contact 3M ESPE Customer Care at (800) 634-2249.

ZONEfree Temporary Dental Cement

from DUX Dental

To have Dr. Joe Blaes present his lecture, "," for your study group or dental society, please call (866) 274-4500.

Many dentists prefer to cement their temporary materials with a zinc oxide noneugenol cement. I have found in my practice that patients have greater expectations for their dentistry, especially when it comes to esthetic concerns. Until now, temporary cements tended to discolor my beautiful temporaries. But now DUX has introduced a new product called ZONEfree, the only zinc oxide noneugenol cosmetic cement that is translucent. Its unique formulation combines the esthetic benefits of reflective nanofillers and translucency to create a natural look that blends with the color of the patient's teeth, crowns, or other surfaces around it. ZONEfree has the reliable hallmarks of a zinc oxide noneugenol cement. It is easy to apply, easy to clean up and remove, and provides excellent retention strength. When ZONEfree is dispensed and applied, the cement has a pearly white appearance to give it enough color to allow the dentist or assistant to place it precisely and see excess cement during cleanup and removal. Yet, when ZONEfree is spread thin, the cement blends with the adjacent surfaces to create a chameleon effect that results in a natural esthetic look. My patients now show their temporaries to friends and family. It has a working time of 1.5 minutes and the cement self-cures in two minutes with no need for a curing light. It comes in a 4-gm automix syringe that provides accurate placement and minimal waste.

Order from your dealer or visitwww.duxdental.com for more information.

EncourageMentors

A New book by JoAn Majors

In dentistry, as in life, we often hear more about the negative than the positive. In JoAn Majors' book, EncourageMentors, she shares insights of how to "focus on the fix, not the flaw," as well as other attitude steps to move forward in a more positive manner. Today, when we could use a little more encouragement, I found the book to be a guide on living a more encouraged life, while mentoring and being mentored can become a life-altering opportunity and experience. Here is a short excerpt: "We live in an era of American history shaped by a sense of discouragement so enormous that it is holding us hostage and paralyzing our forward progress. The core values that have made us a great nation - our ingenuity, hard work, perseverance, and concern for one another as fellow citizens - are threatened by a toxic combination of greed, fraud, incompetence, and exploitation. The result for all strata of our society is a condition of imbalance, mistrust, uncertainty, and cynicism." EncourageMentors might strike you as lightweight, but these 16 attitude steps to living a more encouraged life are not for the faint of heart. It's an easy read but a tough commitment to choose to make a difference!

So accept the challenge and visitwww.joanmajors.com to order your book and free yourself from discouragement forever. Your life will never be the same again!