Monthly Archives: November 2016

dental equipment

The Benefits of Dental Air Polisher

Dental air polisher was introduced in the late 1970s as an alternative to a rubber cup filled with pumice. Using a slurry of water, abrasive powder, and pressurized air, the air polisher effectively removes extrinsic stain, plaque biofilm, and prepares occlusal surfaces of teeth for sealant placement. Originally, air polishers were only intended for use on supragingival surfaces since the abrasive powder could potentially harm the softer tissues, such as the cementum, dentin, and gingival epithelium.

Low-abrasive polishing powders: First, let’s examine some benefits of low-abrasive powders. Glycine, an amino acid powder, and erythritol, a natural sweetener powder, are unlike sodium bicarbonate, calcium carbonate, or aluminum trihydroxide powders traditionally used with air polishing devices for supragingival use. In terms of micron size, these supragingival powders are between 40 and 76 microns in size. By comparison, glycine has a micron size of 20-25, and erythritol powder has a micron size of 14.

On the Mohs hardness scale (which measures the hardness of various minerals) these supragingival powders are between 2.5 and 4. Glycine and erythritol powders rank 2 on the Mohs hardness scale. These differences in micron size and hardness translate into a broader use for air polishing, which enables safe use for the removal of biofilm above and below the gum line. In the U.S., glycine powder is currently available, and erythritol powder is undergoing FDA approval.

A controlled stream of air, water and sodium bicarbonate, which passes through a mixing nozzle to allow polishing of the enamel of the tooth. Sodium bicarbonate is a mild polishing agent. The air polisher is suitable for the removel and dissolution of biofilms. It is also used to clean discolorations. Air polisher is a safe and effective form of treatment.

The air polishing for the dental professional include less operator fatigue, less time involved than the traditional polishing technique, and improved access to difficult-to-reach areas. Benefits to the patient include less time in the portable folding chair, less “scraping,” excellent stain removal, reduced dentin hypersensitivity, and improved periodontal status.

Training regarding indications, contraindications, advantages and disadvantages is imperative for use of the air polisher. When used by a properly trained clinician, the clinical benefits as well as patient safety increase. But today, as an educator, I consider dental hygiene curriculum and wonder why not much has changed in regard to training students to use air polishers. The air polishers themselves have evolved, the list of uses has increased, and yet, in many schools, our students are lucky if they learn how to use one.

dental equipment

A New Magnetostrictive Dental Ultrasonic Scaler

We all know that ultrasonic scaling is effective and easy on the patient and the clinician. However, there are times when patients are sensitive to the vibrations of the ultrasonic scaler—or are sensitive in general, or when we as clinicians have difficulty seeing in the back of the mouth. While many wonderful products are available on the market, this article is designed to increase your knowledge about a particular ultrasonic scaler.

You know those patients who are sensitive to the vibrations of the ultrasonic scaler? This one’s for them. It’s also for you—it illuminates the entire mouth, including hard-to-see areas, to reduce strain on your eyes.

There is a new option for ultrasonic scaling that improves visibility when working in all areas of the oral cavity. This is due to the powerful light of the TurboVue illuminated magnetostrictive ultrasonic scaler that illuminates all areas of the mouth, even those hard-to-reach or hard-to-see areas. It assists the operator’s eyes by enhancing visibility whether loupes or a lamp are used. In addition to increasing visibility, it can reduce eye strain. The TurboVue features a light source built into the dental handpiece, allowing a substantial amount of light to discharge through the 30K, light-transmitting ultrasonic inserts.

“The efficiency of the unit, along with having the light source, reduces the strain on the hygienist, while making it easy to remove accretions and reach deep pockets,” said Tree Mainella, vice president of marketing, Parkell Inc.

“The TurboVue lighted handpiece scaler has made a significant impact on the way clinical hygiene is being done,” said Mainella. “It is imperative for the clinician to have the ability to see in the far recesses of the oral cavity, as much of the time, some areas like the distal-lingual of [the] maxillary second molar are neglected simply because the clinician cannot see.”

The product may be purchased alone or in a combination package that includes the TurboVue illuminated ultrasonic scaler, the Burnett Power-Tip V light-transmitting insert, and the Periosonic Multi-fluid Irrigator. The Periosonic Multi-fluid Irrigator Model W allows the clinician to perform oral lavage with a choice of two irrigating solutions.

The TurboVue also features autotuning technology, an expanded low-power range that improves comfort during debridement, and a power-boosting Turbo feature for an increase in scaling power when needed. The external water filter prevents clogs and dripping. The expanded low-power range makes the instrument ideal for more sensitive patients.

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What Should You Know about Endodontic Treatment

Endodontics is a specialized type of dentistry that deals with abnormal tooth pulp; the causes/origins, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of diseases and injuries to the pulp; and other conditions affecting the tissue surrounding the pulp and canal (channel inside the tooth root).

Depending on your situation, your dentist or endodontist may perform any one or combination of procedures to treat your condition. The cost for endodontic therapy typically averages $600 to $900. The cost for a therapeutic pulpotomy (excluding final restoration) is approximately $150, and the cost for apicoectomy/periradicular surgery ranges from $550 to $700.

Endodontic procedures are used in the diagnosis and treatment of oral pain involving the pulp and periradicular area (just outside or around the root of the tooth origin). Pulp therapy, such as pulpotomy, is a common endodontic procedure in which dental pulp tester is removed from the pulp chamber. The nonsurgical treatment of root canals, especially in difficult cases such as teeth with blocked, narrow or unusually positioned canals, also is a major part of endodontic therapy.

Endodontic treatment may also be required for surgical removal of diseased or abnormal (pathologic) tissues, repair procedures associated with the surgical removal of pathologic tissues, repair of cracked teeth or the replacement (replantation) of teeth knocked out (avulsed) by injury.

Surgical removal of tooth structure, such as an apicoectomy, or root-end resection (the removal of the root tip and the surrounding infected tissue of an abscessed tooth), hemisection (the process of cutting a tooth with two roots in half) and bicuspidization (procedure to change tricuspid valve into a functioning bicuspid valve).

Endodontic implants, which extend through the root canal into the periapical bone structure (tip or apex of the root of a tooth), whereas other types of tooth implants are anchored directly in the gums or jawbones.

If a root canal procedure is not performed, an abscess (infected pus pocket) can form at the tip of the tooth root that can be painful. Even if there is no pain, the bone holding the tooth in the jaw can be damaged.
When is Endodontic motor Treatment Appropriate?

Endodontic treatment is necessary when the dental pulp becomes inflamed or infected as a result of deep tooth decay, repeated dental procedures on the tooth or a crack, chip or other injury to the tooth. Most teeth can be saved by endodontic treatment.

dental equipment

What is Involved with Endodontic Treatment

Endodontics is a specialized type of dentistry that deals with abnormal tooth pulp; the causes/origins, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of diseases and injuries to the pulp; and other conditions affecting the tissue surrounding the pulp and canal (channel inside the tooth root).

Tooth pulp, the soft tissue that contains nerves, blood vessels and connective tissues, runs through the hard tissue inside the tooth (dentin) and extends from the crown (top) of the tooth down to the tip of the root in the jaw bone.

Endodontic procedures are used in the diagnosis and treatment of oral pain involving the pulp and periradicular area (just outside or around the root of the tooth origin). Pulp therapy, such as pulpotomy, is a common endodontic procedure in which dental pulp is removed from the pulp chamber. The nonsurgical treatment of root canals, especially in difficult cases such as teeth with blocked, narrow or unusually positioned canals, also is a major part of endodontic therapy(endodontic motor).

A general dentist can perform root canal treatment, but it is most often provided by an endodontist, who specializes in pulp problems.

The endodontist removes the inflamed/infected pulp, cleans and shapes the inside of the canal and fills and seals the space. Afterwards, the endodontist usually will refer you back to your dentist for placement of a crown or other restoration on the tooth to protect it. The restored tooth will have a natural appearance and continue to function like other healthy teeth. With proper oral care, it may last a lifetime.

The cost of endodontic treatment varies depending on the complexity of the condition and which tooth is affected. Most dental insurance plans provide some coverage for endodontic treatment.

Endodontic treatment and restoration generally are less costly than the alternative: tooth extraction and replacement with an implant and dental crown.

Endodontic treatment is necessary when the dental pulp(pulp tester) becomes inflamed or infected as a result of deep tooth decay, repeated dental procedures on the tooth or a crack, chip or other injury to the tooth. Most teeth can be saved by endodontic treatment.

Endodontic treatment may also be required for surgical removal of diseased or abnormal (pathologic) tissues, repair procedures associated with the surgical removal of pathologic tissues, repair of cracked teeth or the replacement (replantation) of teeth knocked out (avulsed) by injury.

dental health

The Cost of Endodontic Treatment

Endodontics is a specialized type of dentistry that deals with abnormal tooth pulp; the causes/origins, diagnosis, prevention and treatment of diseases and injuries to the pulp; and other conditions affecting the tissues surrounding the pulp and canal (channel inside the tooth root). Tooth pulp, the soft tissue that contains nerves, blood vessels and connective tissues, runs through the hard tissue inside the tooth (dentin) and extends from the crown (top) of the tooth down to the tip of the root in the jaw bone.

Depending on your situation, your dentist or endodontist may perform any one or combination of procedures to treat your condition. The cost for endodontic therapy typically averages $600 to $900. The cost for a therapeutic pulpotomy (excluding final restoration) is approximately $150, and the cost for apicoectomy/periradicular surgery ranges from $550 to $700.
Signs and Symptoms of Endodontic(endodontic motor) Problems.

You may need endodontic treatment if you experience the following:

Significant tooth discomfort or pain
Prolonged tooth sensitivity to hot and cold
Gum tenderness to the touch and when chewing
Swelling
Tooth discoloration
Drainage and tenderness in the lymph nodes, jaw bone and gingival tissues

If a root canal procedure is not performed, an abscess (infected pus pocket) can form at the tip of the tooth root that can be painful. Even if there is no pain, the bone holding the tooth in the jaw can be damaged.
When is Endodontic Treatment Appropriate?

Endodontic treatment is necessary when the dental pulp(pulp tester) becomes inflamed or infected as a result of deep tooth decay, repeated dental procedures on the tooth or a crack, chip or other injury to the tooth. Most teeth can be saved by endodontic treatment.

The endodontist removes the inflamed/infected pulp, cleans and shapes the inside of the canal and fills and seals the space. Afterwards, the endodontist usually will refer you back to your dentist for placement of a crown or other restoration on the tooth to protect it. The restored tooth will have a natural appearance and continue to function like other healthy teeth. With proper oral care, it may last a lifetime.

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Q. Why can’t smokers undergo certain cosmetic dentistry procedures?

A. Smoking is a leading cause of tooth loss. Smokers also have an increased risk for periodontal disease (gum disease), leukoplakia, loss of bone structure, inflammation of the salivary gland, and development of lung, throat, or oral cancer. Smokers therefore face an additional set of considerations when exploring cosmetic dentistry treatment.

One restriction for smokers involves dental implants. Smoking increases the risk that a dental implant will fail to integrate with bone tissue (osseointegration). Smoking also affects gum health, and unhealthy gums can lead to dental implant failure. If you smoke, you need to quit before having an implant.

Another restriction involves teeth whitening. If you whiten your teeth but continue to smoke, the whitening effect will not last as long, because smoking stains the teeth.

Q. May I choose to be sedated during cosmetic dentistry procedures?

A. Yes. The level of sedation necessary for cosmetic dentistry procedures depends on several factors, including:

Your health and medical history.
The procedure being performed.
Your dentist’s familiarity with sedation modalities.

Most people do not require a high level of sedation during cosmetic dental procedures.

Q. Are dental implants suitable for children?

A. Dentists indicate that implants cannot be considered until bone growth has completed. This typically occurs during adolescence, but may vary from one child to the next. Implants placed prior to bone growth completion may shift out of place and cause severe problems. If a child loses a tooth before bone growth has completed, an orthodontic device called a “space maintainer” may be used to prevent an abnormal growth of surrounding teeth. Once bone growth has completed, the space maintainer can be removed and the missing tooth restored using an implant or bridge.

Q. Are veneers my only option if I want a smile makeover?

A. No. Your cosmetic dentist will determine the cosmetic dentistry procedures that would be the best for you. The dentist’s suggestions will be based on your desires and a thorough examination to determine the condition of your teeth and what problems, if any, may require dental treatment. Therefore, your smile makeover could involve teeth whitening, crowns, composite bonding, gingival sculpting, inlays and onlays or any other combination of cosmetic dental procedures that your dentist determines is right for your cosmetic treatment plan.

Q. Does led teeth whitening work for everyone?

A. No. In cases involving severe discoloration, teeth whitening may not result in a bright, white smile. Individuals with severe tooth discoloration should consider other options, such as porcelain veneers or composite bonding.

For more information, please visit: https://www.alandental.com/category-55-b0-Portable-X-ray-Machine.html

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What Should You Pay Attention on the Procedure of Cosmetic Dentistry

Although dentures are not considered a cosmetic dentistry procedure, they provide a cosmetic benefit for people who have lost all or some of their teeth. People who are missing only certain teeth, or rows of teeth, may be better served by a dental bridge or dental implants. It is best to have your situation evaluated by a dental professional in order to establish candidacy for any of these procedures.

The level of sedation necessary for cosmetic dentistry procedures depends on several factors, including:

Your health and medical history.
The procedure being performed.
Your dentist’s familiarity with sedation modalities.

Most people do not require a high level of sedation during cosmetic dental procedures.

Smoking is a leading cause of tooth loss. Smokers also have an increased risk for periodontal disease (gum disease), leukoplakia, loss of bone structure, inflammation of the salivary gland, and development of lung, throat, or oral cancer. Smokers therefore face an additional set of considerations when exploring cosmetic dentistry treatment.

One restriction for smokers involves dental implants. Smoking increases the risk that a dental implant will fail to integrate with bone tissue (osseointegration). Smoking also affects gum health, and unhealthy gums can lead to dental implant failure. If you smoke, you need to quit before having an implant.

Another restriction involves led teeth whitening. If you whiten your teeth but continue to smoke, the whitening effect will not last as long, because smoking stains the teeth.

some children and adolescents may have severely discolored teeth as a result of taking certain medications. Or, the front teeth may have been fractured due to an accident or sports injury and require composite bonding or veneers. In other instances, there still may be slight gaps or spaces between the teeth even after orthodontics, so perhaps composite bonding would enhance the look of the smile.

If your child or teenager is concerned about the appearance of his or her smile, make an appointment to see your dentist. He or she will suggest the most appropriate course of action based on your child’s age, oral condition and desires, as well as possibly refer you to a cosmetic dentist for consultation.

dental equipment

The Best Dental Equipment Closely Relates to Supplier

As a health care professional, an dentist must choose trustworthy and reliable dental equipment suppliers to practice successfully. Dental instruments in must be of the highest quality to ensure that patients get the best treatment.

Quality is the first priority: Not surprisingly, dentists invest in the best quality dental instruments as it determines the quality of patient care.Dentists choose the best chairs, autoclave sterilizers, hand instruments, amalgamators, drills, dental suction unit and other tools they need.

Prior to the purchase, a lot of research goes into finding the right supplier to compare costs, support and service and select the ones that suit their needs. These days, much of this research can be accomplished via the internet. Although it is easy to get brochures describing the various instruments, Dentists prefer to check the dental instruments personally before they decide to purchase them.

With expensive digital and electronic dental instruments, live demonstrations are always called for, before making the decision to buy or lease them. Some dentists prefer to go in for financing to fund high-value purchases.

Choosing the best dental instruments starts with finding a good supplier. Besides state-of-the-art equipment, reputable dental equipment suppliers support their dental instrumentswith a strong warranty and prompt customer service through trained, certified staff. Some suppliers offer the facility of billing after a brief trial period where the dentist can use the instruments and decide whether they match his needs. Another important aspect of supplier-selection is zero equipment down-time.

A good business relationship with the supplier is paramount as it will have a significant impact on this dentist’s practice and reputation. Most suppliers have trained sales staff that can advise the dentist about the advantages of various instruments, especially in the high-value range. Depending on the dentist’s practice a variety of standard and specialist tools may be required.

The supplier takes the trouble to understand the dentist’s practice and its specific needs before recommending dental instruments. This not creates loyal customers for the supplier’s business, but also saves the dentist the trouble of choosing the wrong equipment.

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How Can You Know Dental Handpiece not Work Properly

The dental handpiece is the most used piece of equipment in any dental practice today. This piece of equipment is used in almost every dental procedure, so recognizing the signs that your handpiece isn’t working properly is critical to the productivity of your practice and the comfort of your patients.

The air driven handpiece is still the mainstay within the industry, but electric handpieces are being used more and more as technology advances. The newest technology takes components from both air driven and electric handpieces.

Understanding how to properly clean and maintain these handpieces, as well as their components, will help the clinician achieve optimal results. You should clean your
dental handpiece with a soft bristle brush & warm water before autoclaving to remove any organic material that might corrode your handpiece. It is not advised to use detergents or soaps, as they can destroy the optics, get into the bearings & weaken the lubrication, which can reduce the life of your dental handpiece.

Reduction in Speed: Over time, especially if the handpiece is used a lot, the rotation speed decreases. This is caused by a number of things, but the most common is a faulty turbine. This sign is important, because the loss of speed in your handpiece will prevent you from performing timely and successful treatments.

Vibrations: If your handpiece starts to vibrate, then this can be an indication the bearings are wearing out or loose. Additionally, this problem can be caused by lack of lubrication. If this is the case, you will need to have the handpiece repaired by a handpiece repair specialist.

Disturbed rhythm: If your handpiece makes clunking noises and rotates irregularly, this could be a motor or turbine problem. This is often caused by old age or a lack of regular servicing, and you will need to get your brushless micro motor or turbine replaced. This will ensure consistently smooth revolutions that don’t pose such a risk to the teeth and gums of your patients.

Makes Noise: If your handpiece starts makings a loud chunking noise, this is an indication that the handpiece was probably dropped and the head was dented. Once this happens, the impeller within the turbine is compromised due to the drop. When the impeller within the turbine isn’t rotating smoothly the turbine will fail causing the bur to slip.

If you notice any of these signs with your dental handpieces, it is important to quickly find a reputable handpiece repair company to help protect your investment, minimize your handpiece downtime and keep your handpieces running at optimal performance.

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The Most Critical Step in Root Canal Therapy

In the past, access cavities were standardized mainly dependent on the tooth type. However, with the advent of modern endodontic motor techniques using a dental operation microscope & loupes providing magnification & better illumination, the ‘ideal’ access cavity preparation has evolved from being based on individual tooth type to the preparation based on the shape of the pulp chamber morphology of the tooth being treated.

Access is the first & arguably the most important phase of non-surgical root canal treatment. However, it can be the most challenging and frustrating aspect of endodontic treatment. Therefore, for successful treatment, good access cavity design and preparation is imperative for quality endodontic treatment, prevention of iatrogenic problems & prevention of endodontic failure.

As novices to root canal therapy ourselves, one of the worst nightmares during access cavity preparation is perforation. Furthermore, there are several aspects of access cavity preparation that could go wrong without the correct knowledge & guidance that plagued us during our graduation days. Now, however, being armed with the correct knowledge & guidance, we can recognise the cause & prevent these procedural errors during treatment by following a set of few simple laws & guidelines that govern & dictate the access cavity preparation.

Access into the pulp chamber and the root canal system is the most critical step in root canal therapy. Unlike other aspects of Dentistry, root canal therapy is carried out with limited visual guidance. This, coupled with complex anatomy of the root canal system & various pathological conditions, makes the preparation of an ideal access a crucial step to gain success in treatment. Therefore, the objective of a well designed access cavity is to create a smooth, straight line path to the root canal system, while retaining as much tooth structure as possible.

Therefore, the purpose of this article is to highlight the common iatrogenic errors by General Dental Practitioners due to the lack of knowledge & awareness of certain internal anatomic features for a given tooth.

For more information, please visit: https://www.alandental.com/category-82-b0-Dental-Pulp-Tester.html