Dent-Line - Summer 1999 Dent-Liner

The Dent-Liner
Volume 3 Issue 2 Summer 1999

A BULLETIN DEALING WITH ISSUES FOR DENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS

Inside This Issue

1. The Vario Soft 3 Mini is Profiled

2. Dentist's Research Misrepresented

3. Sleepy Nun in Court, Misses Bus Stop

4. Health Canada Licenses Bredent Attachments

VKS 3 Mini Profiled

Mini Vario-Attachment 3

Computer Developed
Slender design with three different degrees of friction, for individual patient's needs.
Provides firm retention, even where only minimal space is available.
Available in an Assortment Kit, call us for details at 1-800-250-5111 or e-mail us at info@dent-line.com.

I n this case study we will profile the Vario Soft 3 Mini attachment. This plastic to metal extracoronal attachment is a bi-lock that is resilient and still provides firm retention. One advantage is the small slender size for situations where space is at a premium. The plastic male pattern allows casting in the alloy of choice (bredent recommends HVover 250). Easy removal, insertion, and retention sleeve replacement can be accomplished in 30 seconds chair side. After following the initial steps of diagnostic models, bite registration, set up, and case discussions with the Registered Dental Technologist, we are ready for the next step. This case consisted of crowned bicuspids with the VKS 3 Mini and a lower removable cast partial. The impressions were taken of both arches, then poured, mounted, dies separated and prepared for the crown and bridge dept. Once the PFM crowns were waxed a stress breaking lingual arm and guide post are milled in using a bredent zero degree wax cutter. Working speeds recommended are 2500 to 5000 RPM. The plastic males are placed using the same path of insertion that also combines the milled lingual arm assembly. The crowns were designed for porcelain coverage. After casting and trimming the crowns, the milled lingual is refined with the bredent profile milling bur. At this time the porcelain can be applied and glazed. Then the bredent polishing milling bur will be utilised . This newly developed cutting edge smoothens and polishes in a single working step, which omits polishing pastes; consequently unequaled precision is achieved. The VKS 3 Mini male however should not be adjusted unless there may be small nodules to be removed after the casting procedure. Then it should only be high shined with a linen buff, to ensure accuracy of fit with the female retention sleeve. There is another option if the porcelain is applied after all the final refining and polishing is completed. An application of bredent Oxyd-Stop on all metal surfaces that will not receive porcelain is required. This material prevents oxides from forming during the porcelain build -up phase. Oxyd-Stop often makes refinishing unnecessary. A light high shine may be all that is needed. A removable cast partial was designed and fabricated to the standards of practice. The PFM crowns were cemented in place and verified with the partial to preserve the precision and fit of both restorations. A recall program was set up with the patient for determining when relines are necessary and periodic replacement of the retention sleeves. Source; Peter T. Pontsa RDT. For more information on the V S 3 Mini or any other bredent products mentioned please call Dent-Line at 1-800-250-5111 or e-mail us at info@dent-line.com.

Dentist's Report Biased
A n American dentist has stirred up the legal wrangling between Oralife Group Inc.and dissident shareholders by claiming that the company misrepresented his research when it floated a $ 27- million initial offering in March 1996, that extolled its cavity-fighting Chlorzoin drug. "There was no meaningful and no observed reduction in tooth decay " using Chlorzoin during a study in Rio de Janeiro in the mid-1990s, Walter Bretz an associate professor at the University of Pittsburgh school of Dental Medicine, said in an affidavit with the Ontario Court's General Division. "The final results of the Rio study did not support; the claim of the Oralife prospectus. "Quite the contrary" said Dr. Bretz, who conducted the study. In the prospectus, Toronto based Oralife said that Chlorzoin has "caused a meaningful reduction in the early phases of tooth decay in children in a controlled clinical trial in Rio de Janeiro." Dr. Betz and his colleagues have already published a preliminary report detailing their inability to link Chlorzoin, a varnish painted on teeth to eliminate a bacteria that causes decay, with fewer cavities. In an article in Oral Health magazine in September, 1995, six months before the initial public offer of shares, Dr. Bretz said his Rio study found only that dental lesions were "clinically arrested" and "non-progressing after three months." These results "do not support the notion that tooth decay was reduced -- quite the contrary," he said in his affidavit. Dr. Bretz also published results of the Rio study in the journal of the Canadian Dental Association in January 1996. He also presented his results at an oral biology conference in California in March 1996. In both cases, he indicated there were no significant differences in reducing cavities between patients treated with Chlorzoin and those in a control group who were not. In fact the results were available to Oralife prior to the IPO. Moreover Dr. Bretz claims he was never shown a draft of the final prospectus and did not encourage any party in the misrepresentation of the Rio study in the IPO. Dr. Bretz affidavit was made in response to a variety of misstatements and he wanted to correct the record, protect his name, and reputation and also support a $75-million lawsuit against Oralife. The lawsuit was launched by Toronto dentist Tom Balanyk and two shareholders alleging breach of securities legislation. Oralife has previously denied any allegations and in its heyday, Oralife touted Chlorzoin as a wonder remedy for cavities with a potential market of $9-billion. Source; Globe technology.com April 6, 1999.

Sleepy Nun in Court, Misses Bus Stop
A nun who fell asleep on a London bus and overshot her stop has been taken to court by the city's bus operators for dodging a fare worth £1.57. Nigerian Sister Virtus of the Roman Catholic Sisters of the Daughter of Divine Love came to a rude awakening after she traveled one stop beyond the fare zone covered by her pass on the number 105 bus and was confronted by a ticket inspector. The magistrate threw out London Buses' one pound compensation claim estimated to have cost the company hundreds of pounds in legal fees and instead gave the nun a six month conditional discharge. "we lose millions of pounds a year because people don't pay their fares. Falling asleep is not an excuse we can accept, " the bus company said. Source; Reuters July 2, 1999.

Health Canada Licenses Attachments

New Medical Device Regulations were initiated by Health Canada under the Therapeutic Products Program. As of February 1st ,1999 a license is required for every device sold in Canada. Bredent with the assistance of Dent-Line's president Peter T. Pontsa, R.D.T., made applications for a Medical Device License on the complete line of the Vario Snap plastic to metal attachments. Bredent's application was accepted and License Number 2622 was issued in accordance with Section 36 of the Medical Devices Regulation.

Dent-Line of Canada is also pleased to announce that the Bredent products are not date sensitive and that we are Year 2000 compliant.

The Dent-liner; Vol. 3, No. 2
Publisher: Peter T. Pontsa RDT
Editor: A. Van Breemen BA
E-Mail: info@dent-line.com