January 24, 2010
Given all the new products and materials hitting the market recently, Ivoclar has decided to hold a webinar featuring Dr. Dennis Fasbinder. He will be discussing various cementation systems, testing protocols and bond strength data – NOT JUST IVOCLAR PRODUCTS!!!
Participants will receive 1 CE credit and a special offer on Ivoclar’s new SpeedCEM. To register, click here.
January 22, 2010
We’ve been in business for 78 years. During that time we’ve heard our share of stories regarding embezzlement of funds by staff members. Some of the numbers have been truly staggering. In this day and age where the use of computers makes this type of crime relatively easy for a tech-savvy person with bad intentions, its imperative that you do everything you can to protect your assets.
In that vein, you may want to check a fellow blogger’s on-line seminar, “What Happened to My Cash Flow – Fraud and Embezzlement in the Healthcare Field”. Teresa is the founder of Odyssey Management and writes The Dental Implant Blog.
She also has a course on using social media to market your practice. My caveat? Its time-consuming, and its not about instant gratification. I’ve had over 10,000 views of this blog since I started writing, and I would characterize it as more of an ego trip than an income generator.
Maybe I should take Teresa’s course…
January 21, 2010
I’ve spent so much time over the past three weeks with our new Origin Pro 5000 milling machine that my wife is starting to get jealous. I keep tell her that my efforts will start to pay off, and I’m actually starting to believe myself.
Case in point – We fabricated this three-unit posterior bridge using Origin’s HS Zirconia (IdentCeram rated @ 1400 MPa). 


I uploaded these pictures to my WordPress Media Library – I think there was quite a bit of degradation of the image in the process, but you should get the idea. FCZ’s are viable not only as single unit restorations, but should be considered for splint applications, as well. Keep in mind – this is solid zirconia. No veneering ceramic was applied. I would not hesitate to characterize this type of restoration as virtually unbreakable.
And, an FCZ is a whole lot more esthetic and more cost-efficient than full cast gold. We can fabricate these restorations on just about any preparation, even feather-edge margins, and given the strength of the zirconia, we only need .5mm of occlusal reduction (of course, you won’t get much anatomical detail at that, but….)
If you would like to learn more, please don’t hestiate to call or email me…
January 20, 2010
If you’ve been reading this blog over the past few months, you know what a fan I am of digital impressions. We work with two practices using this technology – one using the Cadent iTero system and the other using Lava COS. Both systems have proven themselves to be remarkably accurate. If you forced me to choose one, I would probably go with the iTero system because I prefer their models, and I like that I can download the files into our 3Shape software in which I can design practically any type of restoration and output that design in the material of my choice.
Given my predilection, I asked our iTero client to share his thoughts on his experience with digital impressions. These are his words…
“I would like to share a few of my observations of using the Itero Scanner. I was hesitant at first to use the new CAD/CAM technology, but have been looking to new ways to lessen shipping time and lab time plus patient comfort. I attended 2 of the major systems in this technology and found it to be better than I had hoped.
I chose the Itero system due to the ease of scanning. You just place the lens atop the teeth and scan. No worries about focal length. It is quick and easy. I have been utilizing this system for approximately 5 months. We actually do take only 3 minutes for a scan of a single crown. The first few were @ 6 minutes, but it has really cut our preparation time down immensely. I have had nothing but positive feedback from the patients.
The “GEE Whiz” factor is great, but it has been great on patients with hyper gag reflex. I know of 2 cases I could not have done with conventional impression materials. I have found a huge improvement in accuracy and fit. The contacts/occlusion has dramatically improved. I now “touch” one out of 10 crown deliveries and those adjustments are minor.
I don’t know if the technology forces me to be a better clinician but the results are excellent. We have also shortened our turn around by approximately 1 week. I practice in Alaska so the ability to send a case by hitting the “send button” is outstanding. I don’t think I will ever return to the conventional methods as my results are too good.
I recommend you try out these systems and explore the potential. Try them in your hands for ease and ability to hold a focal length. You won’t be disappointed. I would welcome any and all questions you have and discuss the pros and cons of the systems.”
There you have it.
If you have any questions, leave a comment and I will see that you get an answer.
January 17, 2010
Received this email yesterday…
Dear Ivoclar Partner,
We are very excited about the recent CLINICIANS REPORT (CR Newsletter) featuring SpeedCEMas one of the TOP 3 “Self-Adhesive” resin cements. This newsletter provides you with an outstanding opportunity to promote SpeedCEM as a top performer in the fast growing category of self-adhesive cements.
Article Highlights
100% of evaluators rated SpeedCEM as “Excellent or Good”.
SpeedCEM was rated as one of the TOP 3 self-adhesive resin cements in the marketplace (along with Breeze and G-CEM.)
SpeedCEM offers the highest level of radiopacity (330% in the evaluation.) G-CEM had one of the lowest levels of radiopacity in the evaluation.
Among all the advantages of self-adhesive resin cements listed in the review, be sure to highlight the “Self-Cure” properties of SpeedCEM, deeming it a great choice under PFM and Zirconia restorations where the cement must polymerize without being initiated by a curing light.
73% of the evaluators stated “simplicity” was the #1 reason for choosing to use a Self-Adhesive resin cement.
It was clearly pointed out that self-adhesive resin cements should only be used in situations with retentive preparations and where high-level “adhesive” properties areNOT desired.
To take some of the burden from you, be sure to encourage dentists to take advantage of our “FREE SAMPLE” offer by registering at:
www.ivoclarvivadent.com/SpeedCEMSample
Their sample will include a “2+1 OFFER” for their first purchase providing them with a very easy and affordable way to try this amazing new cement.
ADDED BONUS!
Multilink Automix was used as a “benchmark” in the evaluation!
Multilink Automix and Duo-link (Bisco) were used as “benchmarks” to compare the self-adhesive resin cements to adhesive resin cements. Multilink demonstrated bond strengths more than double that of Duo-link.
Multilink® Automix
Universal Adhesive Resin Cement
Recommended for situations where high-level bond strengths are desired and in all situations where adequate retention and resistance form is not possible in the preparation design.
The self-etching Multilink Primer A/B provides high-level “immediate” bond strengths to dentin and enamel, excellent sealing of margins and reduction in post-operative sensitivity.
SpeedCEM®
Self-Adhesive Resin Cement
Recommended for crown & bridge restorations where adequate retention and resistance form exists in the preparation design.
SpeedCEM combines a fast, easy conventional placement technique with several advantages of resin cements such as low solubility, increased strength and optional light-cure polymerization.
And, there you have it….