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Alloderm For Dental Implant Applications?
September 19, 2007
Dr. G asks:
I have been using Puros Allograft, from Zimmer Dental, for soft tissue augmentation. I’ve had mixed results and I would like to switch to Alloderm, from Lifecell, but I have not been able to find peer-reviewed articles establishing the efficacy of using Alloderm for dental implant placement. Do you have any experience with Alloderm with implant placement? How does it compare to Puros?
Editor’s Note:
About Puros:
“The Puros family of bone grafting products provides an effective and predictable clinical outcome for patients requiring bony enhancement of the mandible and maxilla in a timely manner. The patented Tutoplast® process gently removes unwanted material such as fats, cells, antigens, and inactivates pathogens, while preserving the valuable minerals and collagen matrix, leading to complete and rapid bone regeneration. Puros allografts are used in clinical situations where a human allograft is appropriate, such as dental bone grafting procedures, sinus grafting or in conjunction with dental implant procedures. ” More at ZimmerDental.com
About Alloderm:
“AlloDerm is an acellular dermal matrix derived from donated human skin tissue supplied by US AATB-compliant tissue banks… Since AlloDerm is regarded as minimally processed and not significantly changed in structure from the natural material, the FDA has classified it as banked human tissue. When AlloDerm is prepared, the human donor tissue undergoes a multi-step proprietary process that removes both the epidermis and the cells that can lead to tissue rejection and graft failure, without damaging the matrix…The processed tissue matrix is preserved with a patented freeze-drying process that prevents damaging ice crystals from forming. ” More at LifeCell.com
Demetron Demi: Faster Time for True Cure?
September 19, 2007
Anon asks:
I have been using the Demetron LED and I have to replace it now. I was looking at the Demetron Demi, which has just come out.
Demetron Demi is supposed to use something called Periodic Level Shifting (PLS) from 1100 to 1300 mW/cm squared. I have no idea what the means or what advantage that confers. Can somebody explain that? Also according to Kerr, the light only requires 5 seconds for a true cure. That is really fast. Right now I cure for 20 seconds in 2-3mm resin increments. The handle also looks smaller than most of the other curing units and it looks like it will be easier to handle. Is anybody using this and would you recommend it?
Enamel Loc Self-Etching Sealant: Is it Reliable?
September 12, 2007
From our hygienists’ perspective, any sealant that will eliminate the steps of acid etching and rinsing would be very desirable. Since we end up placing sealants on kids that are difficult to control, the benefits of such a system would be great, provided that it works.
We are therefore intrigued with the new self-etching sealant system, Enamel Loc, from Premier Dental.
According, to the company, Enamel Loc is:
“The First Self-Etching Light-Cured Pit & Fissure Sealant. “
It’s benefits include:
- Self-etching: eliminates acid-etch, rinse, dry and bond steps; reduces gagging and saves time
- One step: Improves results by reducing the chance of site contamination
- Fluoride release formula, and more… (Find out more at Premier’s website.)
However, we have heard varying accounts of Enamel Loc’s reliability. One local office loves it, but another tried it and returned it because the sealants fell off. What have your results been like?
SpectroShade Micro for Shade Selection: How Accurate?
September 12, 2007
We waste a lot of chair time trying in crowns and bridges and then returning them to the lab to have the shade corrected. This often entails stripping off and replacing the porcelain. We just don’t have it when it comes to taking a shade.
We are therefore excited by the SpectroShade Micro from Clon 3D, which supposedly provides one with the ability to accurately and consistently match shades of natural teeth to a comprehensive library of restorative materials and shade systems.
The system is calibrated to bounce LED-generated light beams off the teeth. The light beams are supposed to be comparable to natural light. The system selects shades for the cervical, body and incisal. This seems really efficient.
More specifically, according to the company:
“The patented SpectroShade system uses a digital camera connected to a LED spectrophotometer to recognize colors as they really are. The measured spectral data analyzed by the SpectroShade™ Micro is not influenced by the lighting in your studio or by any other environmental conditions affecting vision… The described system is so sophisticated that it measures spectrophotometric data and shows perfect color images using only a Black and White CCD. The internal computer analyzes over 2 million reference points every time an image is acquired, as well as driving all the functions of the instrument.”
You can learn more about SpectroShade Micro by visiting Clon 3D
Have any experience with this system? How accurate is it? Let us know.
WireGuard: Protect Your Digital Radiography Investment
September 12, 2007
Dr. Kassab comments:
The long cable of the digital x-ray sensor kinks, coils, bends, and tangles during operation. With time, this causes a short in the transmission of data to the computer and permanent defect of the wire inside the cable. As a result, the expensive sensor needs to be replaced. I know this first hand because I had to replace 3 out of 6 sensors within first 5 years of purchase.
Wojitek Products is proud to introduce the WireGuard, a protective medical grade silicone housing placed on the cable of the x-ray sensor. The WireGuard maintains a linear form of the cable and the wire inside, therefore, It also prevents inconvenient tangling.
visit the website for more information on how you can protect your investment in digital radiography with the WireGuard.
OsseoGuard Resorbable Collagen Membrane
September 6, 2007
Anon. asks:
BIOMET 3i recently out with a new kind of collagen membrane, called OsseoGuard, that supposedly will help immobilize bone grafts. The membrane is supposed to have a very dense collagen fibrillar network that is very strong and when sutured into place, protects the guided bone regeneration process. Supposed to be stronger and last longer than the competition.
I place my own dental implants and do my own bone grafting. Before I try this product, I wanted to find out if anybody is using this and what are your experiences. Thanks for any comments.
More on the OsseoGuard system from 3i:
Benefits of OsseoGuard include:
- Unique Manufacturing Process Creates A Longer Resorption Profile Suited To GBR Procedures,
- Fibrillar Matrix Structure Provides Strength For Tacking Or Suturing If Desired,
- Double Sterile Packaging For Added Patient Safety,
- Excellent Handling Characteristics When Hydrated - Adaptable To Various Defects,
- Pure Bovine Type I Achilles Tendon Collagen Sourced From Closed Herds For Increased Security
EndoVac : An Evolution in Endodontic Irrigation Technology?
September 6, 2007
Dr. R. asks:
I have been seeing advertisements for the EndoVac irrigation and suction system from Discus Dental. This is supposed to operate on the negative pressure principle where the system suctions up fluid, creates sort of a vacuum which is automatically filled with irrigation solution. This system has several advantages. First of all, fluid does not have to be forced into the canal with a syringe using a positive pressure. Secondly, this system suctions out fluid and debris from as far as the actual apical terminus using this tiny little canula. Sounds like a great idea and a system. Is anybody using this? What has been your experience?
More on the EndoVac system from Discus Dental:
“The EndoVac system presents the most important evolution in endodontic irrigation technology. This patent pending system enables safe irrigation to the apical termination with an abundance of fresh and continuous irrigation solutions. Unlike positive pressure systems which use cannulas to deliver irrigants in the canal, the EndoVac system is a true apical negative pressure system that draws fluid apically by way of evacuation. Its cleaning, disinfecting and smear layer removal abilities are unparalleled, leading to Maximum Microbial Control.”
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