Recent CommentsBlueNote Status: Intraoffice Dental Practice Communication System
October 22, 2010
BlueNote Status is a peer-to-peer intraoffice communication software that unifies both small and large dental practices in their own local social network. With a low cost for licensing, a short learning curve, and excellent reputation for customer service, BlueNote Status, Premade Software’s latest evolution in messaging systems, creates seamless workflow for patient arrivals and seating.
Key Features of Blue Note Status include:
- Send and receive typed messages
- DND - do not disturb prevents Status from interrupting other software programs when charting or taking radiographs
- Statuses - locations with active status messages
- Doorbell alerts for the next patient’s arrival
- Phone call alerts to pass calls on hold from one business team member to another
- Send out urgent alerts for emergencies or unanswered requests
- Location Colors to designate workgroups
- No monthly fees
- Works alongside practice management systems
- Especially designed for dental practices
- No server is required
Pricing starts at $288 for an entire practice, making BlueNote Status an easy decision for any office, whether computers have been present in operatories for many years or an office is going digital for the first time.
The software is free to download and use for the first 30 days at www.BlueNoteStatus.com.
Icon: Treatment for Incipient Caries and White Spots
October 19, 2010
A key challenge for dentists is how to treat caries while preserving healthy tooth structure.
Two current treatment options for caries are: Fluoride therapy or wait till “drill and fill”. Both are somewhat inadequate. This is because fluoride therapy is not always effective in the advanced stages and a filling almost always sacrifices significant amounts of healthy tooth structure.
Icon, from DMG America, has a new approach to the treatment of incipient caries – a caries
infiltrant. This breakthrough micro-invasive technology fills and reinforces demineralized enamel without drilling or anesthesia.
Here’s how it works:
“After isolating the tooth with a rubber dam and placing wedges to separate the teeth, the tooth surface is prepared with a 15% HCL gel to open the pore system of the lesion body. Next, the surface is rinsed, dried with ethanol, and further dried with air. The Icon Infiltrant resin, which has a high penetration coefficient, is applied onto the lesion, excess material is removed, and the material is light cured. The manufacturer recommends applying a second layer of the infiltrant, followed by additional light curing.”
In sum according to the company, Icon provides an innovative option for treatment of smooth surface and proximal carious lesions because: “Instead of taking a “wait and see” approach, Icon can arrest the progress of early enamel lesions up to the first third of dentin – in one simple procedure, without unnecessary loss of healthy tooth structure!”
Icon also offers a revolutionary approach to the cosmetic treatment of carious white spot lesions. Lesions infiltrated by Icon take on the appearance of the surrounding healthy enamel. This provides a highly esthetic alternative to micro-abrasion and restorative treatments of cariogenic white spots.
Any thoughts?
RTR Syringe: Pure Synthetic Bone Grafting Material
October 12, 2010
The RTR (Resorbable Tissue Replacement) Syringe from Septodont is a pure synthetic bone grafting material that helps to safely create new bone formation following an extraction.
Key Features and Benefits include:
- Made of ß-tricalcium phosphate granules of synthetic origin.
- Sterile and gradually resorbable bone substitute.
- Resorbs Progressively Releases calcium and phosphate ions that help promote new bone formation.
- Regenerates Natural Bone Growth Osteoconductive micro and macroporous structure foster dense new bone growth.
- Restores Volume Helps renew the integrity of the alveolar ridge within 3-6 months.
Venus White Ultra: Entry-Level Whitening
October 11, 2010
Not all patients are ready for an advanced whitening solution, and yet its important to meet the needs of almost every patient when it comes to cosmetic requests. Enter Venus White Ultra.
Venus White Ultra is an entry-level whitening system from Heraeus Kulzer, LLC. It requires no chair time or multiple visits, and yet because of its fast results it opens the door to more advanced whitening options either in-office or take-home custom trays.
Venus White Ultra is comprised of seven upper and seven lower pre-filled, disposable whitening trays designed for once-a-day treatment for up to seven days. The different sized upper and lower trays allow for the best fit, while the thin trays are designed to mold securely around each tooth for maximum comfort. Each disposable tray is pre-filled with mint-flavored, 11.2% hydrogen peroxide gel.
MembraGel: An Innovative Membrane for Guided Bone Regeneration
October 11, 2010
What are your thoughts on MembraGel, a new-generation membrane, recently introduced by Straumann, for use in guided oral bone regeneration (GBR) procedures.
According to Straumann, MembraGel is a polyethylene glycol (PEG) membrane that is applied as a liquid and sets in situ.
The company says that:
“Commonly used conventional membranes are supplied as prefabricated sheets and have to be cut to fit the defect – often using a template. In some cases, the membrane also needs to be secured by pinning. Furthermore, non-resorbable membranes need to be surgically removed after the healing process has taken place.
Based on hydrogel technology, Straumann MembraGel is applied in liquid form and molds to the defect precisely. Within 20-50 seconds after application, the liquid components solidify, stabilizing the bone graft and providing an effective barrier to tissue infiltration. Preclinical studies have shown that the surgical site is protected over the period required for bone formation2 with no abnormal soft-tissue reaction2. Straumann MembraGel subsequently biodegrades1. The product is thus designed to achieve undisturbed bone regeneration, which is a prerequisite for optimal clinical and esthetic outcome.”
Have you tried MembraGel? Will you be attending any of the education programs for this new product?
1 Wechsler S, Fehr D, Molenberg A, Raeber G, Schense JC, Weber FE. A novel, tissue occlusive poly(ethylene) glycol hydrogel material. J Biomed Mater Res A 2008;85:285-92.
2 Thoma DS, Halg GA, Dard MM, Seibl R, hammerle CH, Jung RE. Evaluation of a new biodegradable membrane to prevent gingival ingrowth into mandibular bone defects in minipigs. Clin Oral Implants Res 2009;20:7–16.
3 Jung RE, Lecloux G, Rompen E, Ramel CF, Buser D, Hammerle CH. A feasibility study evaluating an in situ biodegradable membrane for guided bone regeneration in dogs. Clin Oral Implants Res 2009;20:151-161.
Opalescence Treswhite Supreme: Teeth Whitening Without Sensitivity or Impressions?
October 6, 2010
Ultradent, the manufacturer of Opalescence Treswhite Supreme, is known as the “Teeth Whitening Company” due to its long history with and extensive line of quality teeth-whitening products.
One of the company’s innovations, included with Opalescence Treswhite Supreme product, has been the addition of potassium nitrate and fluoride to the standard carbamide peroxide concentrations (i.e. its the carbamide peroxide that does the bleaching). In several studies, the company has shown that these additions strengthen enamel, decrease sensitivity, and prevents caries while at the same time whitening teeth.
In addition to the special formula, known as PF Formula, the technology behind the Opalescence Treswhite Supreme greatly simplifies the teeth-whitening process by using pre-filled, disposable trays ready to use without the need for impressions, molding or lab time. The thin membrane trays adapt to each individual, adhering directly to and whitening all teeth—both front and back. Trays are worn for just 30-60 minutes per day, and the prescription-strength formula means effective results, faster. To give consumers more options, trays are now perforated, allowing for upper and lower teeth to be
whitened at different times.
Has anyone used the Opalescence Treswhite Supreme? Did you notice any difference in sensitivity and was this as effective as tray bleaching with impressions?