Dent-Line of Canada Inc. Toll Free 1-800-896-6544 (for Canada only) 416-858-9865 or Fax No. 416-858-9899
Dent-Line of Canada Inc. Toll Free 1-800-896-6544 (for Canada only) 416-858-9865 or Fax No. 416-858-9899
A BULLETIN DEALING WITH ISSUES FOR DENTAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS
Inside This Issue
1. Opti-Cast Denture Pour Technique
2. Healthcare Handwashing Study
3. Today’s Product – Thixo Rock
4. Who’s Visiting the Dentist?
5. Trade News – Dent-Line Moves to a New Location
6. Black Tea Benefits
Opti-Cast Denture System
Bredent introduces Opti-Cast, a system that is a quick and effective way of producing a premium dental restoration. The procedure requires microwavable gel and a pourable acrylic. The time savings are a real advantage and the dentures come out clean which leaves finishing to a minimum. The procedure begins after waxing the denture to finish. The model is soaked and placed on the metal base plate of the flask. Then the plastic flask is snapped over the base plate and the pour holes are plugged with the silicone plugs ensuring proper positioning of the sprues. The Bre-Gel is melted in the microwave at 600 to 800 watts for 3 minutes, then stirred to achieve uniform heating and melted for 2 more minutes. When the gel is cooled down to 40 to 45 °C, pour carefully into the channel and fill up the flask. The flask is cooled down in cold water for 45 minutes to set the gel. The metal base plate is separated from the flask and the model is carefully deflasked using compressed air to gently separate it from the gel. Drill holes into the gel with the tubeto provide access to the mould for the acrylic. Remove the wax and teeth from the model and soak it for 10 minutes. Before the teeth are placed back into the gel mould they require grinding on the neck and base to increase retention, using the bredent set-up grinding tool (34001010). The model is coated with Iso-Plast (540010190) to isolate the surface. The model is returned to the mould and the flask is closed in the correct position. Opti-cast monomer and polymer are measured and mixed then slowly poured into the open channels or sprues. Entrapped air escapes when the flask is swayed back and forth. A delay in polymerization can be achieved with cold water by introducing it into the mould before placing the plugs. This way the resin can continue to flow during the polymerization phase. The flask is placed into a pressure pot for 30 minutes at 40 to 50 °C. After curing the denture is deflasked from the gel and the sprue channels are cut off. The denture is then mounted for balancing the occlusion. Trimming and polishing will be easy since there is no plaster embedded between the teeth. Also, the fluidity of the resin allows it to adapt to the model much better in the retentive zones than conventional resins. The entire technique from flasking to deflasking should take approximately 2 hours. The Opti – Cast Assortment contains 500 grams each Dentaplast powder and liquid, 30 ml. of Iso-plast separator assorted measuring cups for liquid and resin and a mixing cup, silicone and sealing plugs and Opti-Cast flask and punching tube (36001264)
Source: Peter T. Pontsa RDT. For further information, pricing and availability call Dent-Line of Canada at 1-800-859-7589.
A healthcare worker study found that hand sanitizers increase hand washing rates. Hand washing has been widely and repeatedly identified as the single most effective means of controlling and preventing infections. A study published in the March 2001 issue of American Journal of Nursing finds that health care workers are more likely to sanitize their hands when alcohol-based hand sanitizing gel is available as an alternative to soap and water. Hand washing or hand antisepsis rates increased by nearly 44% when health care workers studied had access to the hand sanitizer. Overall, the hand sanitizer was used approximately 60% of the time. The three-phase observational study was conducted over a five month period at the University of California / San Diego Medical Center. Phase 1 established a baseline compliance level by observing how often health care workers washed their hands prior to patient contact; the baseline was 39.6%. Two to six weeks after installing an alcohol-based hand sanitizing gel, compliance rates rose to 52.6%, a 32.8% increase. Phase III was conducted 10 to 14 weeks after installing the hand sanitizer. Hand antisepsis compliance rates increased to 57%, an 8.4% increase over Phase II and a 43% increase above the baseline level. Source: Kimberly – Clark Skin Wellness Institute.
New from Bredent – this super hard die stone features extreme hardness, extended processing time and low setting expansion. These are specified requirements of DIN EN ISO 26873 for class four gypsums. It exhibits high stability on the spatula and fine flow capacity on the vibrator. Splinter and chip free sawing and grinding with precise reproduction can be obtained due to minimal expansion values < 0.08%. Careful in-process controls ensure the high consistency of the batches of stone.
For information and pricing call Dent-Line at 1-800-859-7589.
Dr. Richard Manski of the University of Maryland Dental School compared data from 1977, 1987 and 1996 surveys about dental habits and found the following, Americans go to the dentist’s office less often than they did two decades ago, except for two groups; people over 65 and preschoolers. Dr. Manski attributes the rise in dental visits among older people to two factors: people are living longer and more of them are keeping their teeth. Among people who are 65 to 74 years old, the percentage with no teeth decreased from 46% in 1977 to 29% in 1996. However, researchers are less certain about why children under seven are visiting the dentist more often, especially since their rate of caries has dropped steadily. The increase may reflect a greater concern for baby teeth and a decrease in tolerance of untreated decay or an increase in the number of dentists who are willing to treat children. Women went to the dentist more often than men did throughout the time period studied.
Source: Danbury News Times, Sat., August, 4 2001.
Dent-Line has moved to its new facilities located at 1170, 4th Line, RR #1 Loretto,Ontario, L0G 1L0. The new phone number is 519-942-9315, the fax, 519-942-8150. The 1-800-859-7589 for within Canada remains the same.
Black Tea is good for the teeth, says US scientist. Scientists have long probed the potential health benefits of green tea, a favorite beverage in the Far East, but now a team of researchers from the University of Illinois College of Dentistry has highlighted the benefits that drinking black tea can have on your teeth. Source: Infodent May 23, 2001