October 30, 2009
Very excited to announce we have received our new 3Shape D700 scanner, and the implementation process went very smoothly. Yesterday was our first full day in production, and I believe this technology is going to allow us to simultaneously increase the quality of certain products and make them a better value, to boot.
The D700 allows us to scan the preparation, adjacent teeth and opposing model (not a bite registration), and put all that information together to give us a very precise set of data points which can then be used to model an incredibly sophisticated full contour rendition of the final restoration. The new anatomical libraries residing on the system are a quantum leap from what was available to us on our old system.
Once the final full contour image is rendered, we can then use that data to perform an automated cut-back resulting in two, distinct output files – an anatomical coping insuring adequate support for the veneering ceramic; and an Overpress pattern which is luted to the coping (after casting and opaquing) and subsequently pressed in a strong, leuctite-reinforced ceramic. (If you don’t believe me, Google Gordon Christensen and Pulse Interface).
The quality of the final product is better due to the monolithic nature of the pressed ceramic veneer – up to 50% stronger than conventionally layered porcelain-fused-to-metal restorations.
The extra value comes when you take advantage of the fact that it actually increases our productivity when you prepare the tooth properly for a 360-degree porcelain butt margin. In this instance, we can take the coping (printed on our 3D Systems ProJet printer) directly from the printer to investing and casting without any intervening labor required to refine the margin or anatomical nature of the coping. We only need to marginate the Overpress pattern, which is then pressed – Can you get a better butt margin than those fabricated using pressed ceramics? (No!)
Pulse Interface 3-Unit Posterior Bridge
All this means its actually less time-consuming for us to produce a restoration with a porcelain butt margin than one without.
So, we won’t charge for it.
But, our clients can.
Pretty neat concept – you get to pay less for something for which you can charge more.
You’re welcome…
If you want more information, please call me directly @ 800.678.7354
October 28, 2009
Looking for a great alternative to cast gold? Try our new Crystal Full Zirconia Crown (FZC). We scan your models and die, and design the full contour restoration on our new 3Shape D700 which has improved anatomical libraries enabling us to easily match the surrounding dentition or provide ideal morphology – your choice!
With flexural strength in excess of 1200 mPa, Crystal zirconia provides a level of fracture resistance twice that of e.Max, and can be prescribed using a very conservative preparation (.75-1.0 mm) and any margin design. The restorations are base shaded prior to sintering, and final esthetics is achieved through staining and glazing. Any chairside adjustments should be accomplished using a diamond bur and copious amounts of water, and the adjusted areas should polished using conventional ceramic polishing points and diamond polishing paste.
I’ve had many questions like, “Isn’t a all-zirconia restoration awfully opaque?”
Well, judge for yourself. This is a case we sent out last week -
You can see some subtle shading at the cervical margin, and in the central disectional groove area – a fairly decent result. I’m willing to bet your patients will think an FZC is whole lot more esthetic than even your best gold crown…
Right now, you can try a Crystal FZC for $135/unit. However, I have it on good authority (voices in my head?) that you should check out our November Web Special at the beginning of next month for even better savings…
October 27, 2009
Just received a PDF from one of our milling centers detailing the working instructions for designing and fabricating a Lava Digital Veneering System (DVS) restoration. I wrote a post about 3M’s efforts regarding DVS last week, and none of what I read in this PDF changes my mind as to its viability in our lab.
Again, the problem centers around the rather “prior generation” performance of Lava’s CAD software compared to others like 3Shape. In addition, the price point is such that I can’t figure out why I should fabricate a DVS rather than a press-to-zirconia solution like Vita’s PM9 or Noritake’s CZR Press. DVS may – and I mean “may” – require less labor than a pressable restoration, but the material/milling costs seemingly far exceed the potential labor savings.
And, that was before I read “For the correction firing of the margin use correction powder.”
Uh-oh.
Sounds an awful like the directions for e.Max CAD.
See, I read the words “For the correction firing of the margin use correction powder,”, but I hear a little voice in my head saying “Beware – This type of restoration doesn’t really fit too well, so you’ll have to “fix” the margins before you send it out.”
And, did I mention that 3M’s instructions include the sandblasting of the Lava coping with Rocatec Soft? This stuff isn’t cheap, and the cost of it should be factored into the final cost of the restoration. Maybe I’m all wet, but I just get where this restoration fits into the marketplace…
October 26, 2009
Dentists and laboratories alike should be watching with interest as a legal case about to go to court may set a precedent that drastically affects how we do business together.
In this month’s edition of Lab Management Today, there is a letter from Mr. Lee Culp, owner of Mosaic Studios in Sarasota, FL in which he describes being sued for malpractice. None of the case specifics are detailed, but it appears the gist of the legal question has to do with Mr. Culp’s position in the industry as a “well-informed expert on dental technology” who “should not have performed the work the doctor asked me to do”.
One of the more troubling aspects of the case is Mr. Culp’s realization that even though he considered himself heavily insured for most contingencies, he nor his insurance company ever thought about the possibility of malpractice insurance.
The fallout of this case, should it be decided in the plaintiff’s favor is mind-boggling. Am I as a dental technician to be placed in the position of second-guessing my clients to the point of refusing work that I deem “inapproriate”? And, how about the artistic element of the service we provide – will it be open to interpretation? Can you imagine having an eight-unit veneer case being “judged” by a jury of your peers, realizing that the jury would most likely consist of layman with no particular experience in dental esthetics?
I will post more as I hear it, or you can visit LMTmag.com by clicking here.
October 23, 2009
I know I’m late to this particular party, but…
One of our accounts recently insisted – gently, mind you – that we obtain The Ladder to assist us in communicating elements of shades such as translucency, characterizations, chroma, value and special variations. Personally, I think with the advent of digital photography and the ease with which images can be transferred to us from your operatory, the Ladder device is a little outdated.
However, I realize not everyone is going to take the time photograph every patient – in that case, the Ladder is a winner. For more information, click here.
