November 23, 2009
Spent the weekend in Foster City, CA (just outside of San Francisco) at the IDEA educational facility attending Otto Prandtner’s course on Achieving Esthetics with Implants -
IDEA is the manifestation of Dr. Bob Lamb’s concept for a “pure” continuing education experience. There is no corporate sponsorship of the courses, and no company representatives are allowed on campus. The training facility is first-rate, combining a small, intimate presentation room featuring top-notch A/V equipment with a state-of-the-art laboratory setting complete with Kavo benches and Global microscopes. And, did I mention the virtual four-star on-site “restaurant” which caters every meal for the participants during the course including evening hors-douvres and a nice selection of wines with dinner? The staff does a great job of anticipating every one’s needs and assisting with any special requests. You really feel like a pampered guest.
Which is good because if you’re thinking about attending a course, be prepared to live – and work – on campus…
Our day began with the shuttle picking us up at the hotel promptly at 7:25am. A short drive to the IDEA facility, and we were sitting down to a wonderful breakfast followed by the morning lecture.
Let me say that Otto Prandtner is one of the best technicians I have ever seen. Some of his case presentations were truly magnificent, and demonstrated not only world-class artistic ability, but also a complete understanding of the all the processes involved in achieving the results including tissue management, surgical techniques and every facet of the laboratory techniques. He is also an incredibly nice guy, which make him a refreshing voice when juxtaposed against some of the egomaniacs who currently dominate the lecture circuit.
That being said – the morning lecture lasted for 4 hours – without a break. Lunch followed, and then we were in the laboratory until we broke for dinner around 7:45pm.
That’s a long day.
And, Saturday wasn’t much different.
Tomorrow, I will post a more detailed review of the informational aspect of the course. In the meantime, please know that I would highly recommend an IDEA course for anyone interested in learning from the best of the best. For more info, click here.
November 19, 2009
Leaving this morning to attend IDEA’s presentation of Otto Prandtner’s course, “Replicating Nature with Implants”. I’ve been provided with a model featuring a nicely prepared die for #8, and what looks like a Branemark RP implant replica in the position of #9. It appears from the course description, we will be completing the case using a zirconia abutment and two zirconia-based crowns. I will provide nightly summaries of the course material from the road, and hope to have some pictures for you next week…
I also wanted to report that we have hired a Removables Manager, Mr. Bill Tidwell, who will be responsible for the management and quality control of all removable prosthetics. Mr. Dan Murphy will stay on in his role of Denture Department Supervisor, and be reporting directly to Bill as we work to improve the quality of our workmanship and service.
We’re going to give Bill a little while to implement his vision for the department, and then we will be holding an evening welcome reception giving interested clients a chance to meet him. In the meantime, should you have any questions or comments concerning our Removables Department, please don’t hesitate to call Bill. I think you will find him knowledgeable, personable and ready to help you in anyway…
November 18, 2009
As noted before, we are one of the few labs in the country who is designated to mark margins for other laboratories on Lava COS cases.
I have just spent the past 3 hours marking margins for 7 cases, several of which could not be marked accurately due to deficiencies in the scans. Most notable is the lack of tissue/fluid control. Beware – Blood, saliva and remnants of retraction cord show up as scanned data!
Ridiculous.
So, as much as I love the idea of digital impressions, if you can’t be bothered with tissue management, don’t waste your money or my time. You’re not going to get any better result from a digital impression than you will from conventional methods…
November 17, 2009
For those of you still on the fence regarding digital impressions, and using the idea that the camera wand may be a hindrance, please read the following email I received from our client in Alaska who’s been using the Cadent i-Tero system for about 4 months (with zero remakes, I might add) -
“Jeff, just a quick note on the case for xxxxxxx… she was an extreme gagger!!! There was a question on the impression from Cadent. It just dropped!! No touch and excellent occlusion. I know we couldnt have taken a standard impression on her. Excellent job!”
Sounding like a broken record is one of my specialties, so let me repeat –
Please look at buying a digital impression system!
You will virtually eliminate retakes and remakes.
Your dentistry will improve.
Your insertion appointments will become predictably pleasant affairs.
Your patients will love it, and do your marketing for you.
Maybe that’s the trick. Instead of thinking of the purchase decision solely in terms of a cost analysis pitting conventional impressions against a digital system, give some thought to discounting a portion of the price of the system as a marketing expense and maybe the dollars will make more sense for your practice.
Both Cadent and 3M have specials going on through the end of the year. If you need contact information, please don’t hesitate to call me…
November 16, 2009
Sorry for being absent the last few days. Took a short fishing trip to the Keys. Playing catch up today – will get back in the swing of things tomorrow…
