We recently received ZirClean (Bisco) restoration cleaner. This material is designed for use in zirconia, ceramic, and metal restorations after intraoral try-in. It removes phosphate contamination from saliva, non-abrasively.
ZirClean is a gel consistency and comes in a syringe dispenser for easy expression directly into the restoration.
Initial Insights
What were some of the initial thoughts of the Dental Advisor Initial Insights Team?
Anyone placing zirconia restorations should have a plan for removing phosphate contamination and this material makes it easy.
Just express into the restoration, let sit for 20 seconds and rinse to improve bond strengths. Again, this material makes it easy.
The syringe is very convenient, but there is inherent waste in anything that utilizes replaceable tips.
Keep an eye out for more about this product in an upcoming issue of Dental Advisor!
We recently received Face Shields from Ultra Light Optics™. These shields feature a visor with a fully adjustable head strap that has the ability to flip up. What else makes these unique? A headlight can be attached to the shield itself and additionally, the shield can be extended with optional extenders of 1″ or 1.75″ to accommodate long loupes and/or headlights worn under the shield.
Dr. Ona shown above wearing 3.5x EF loupes without need for extenders.
Initial Insights
What were some of the thoughts of the Dental Advisor Initial Insights Team?
Everything is customizable on this shield!
My hygienist does not wear loupes and I think this would be perfect for her so she can just have a headlight.
The flip-up option makes it easier to talk to hard-of hearing patients.
No issues getting my longer loupes under these.
Look out for more information on this shield in an upcoming issue of Dental Advisor!
The Palmero® Foaming Hand Sanitizer is a latex-compatible hand sanitizer with 62% ethyl alcohol (ethanol) as the antiseptic ingredient. The bottle dispenses a portion of foam which dries when rubbed on the hands, reportedly killing 99.99% of bacteria. On the pump is a simple turn-to-unlock mechanism to control when sanitizer can be dispensed.
Dispensing Palmero Foaming Hand Sanitizer
Initial Insights
As someone with constantly dry hands, I appreciated that it didn’t sting my skin.
It dried really quickly and left no sticky residue.
The smell was very strong at first but it dissipated pretty quickly.
Keep an eye out for this product in an upcoming issue of DENTAL ADVISOR!
The iVisor™ Loupe Visor by Pac-Dent is an adjustable visor and shield kit that is designed to fit over glasses, loupes, and a light. The visor is compatible with a mini shield that rests above the large air vents, and a light-cure filter can be adhered to the shield at eye-level. Available in 6 colors and 3 sizes (small, medium [standard size], and large). Shields are reusable and can be easily replaced when they get scratched.
Initial Insights
What were some of the thoughts of the Dental Advisor Initial Insights Team?
Extremely comfortable, I wear it all day with no discomfort!
Adjustable strap allows it to be tightened so it won’t slip if you bend over to see at a tough angle.
The mini-shield above makes you feel extra-protected but still leaves the air vents open so it is more breathable.
Accommodates loupes and lights very well, but the larger loupes, especially the flip-up ones with the light attached to the flip-up, may not fit as easily under these.
Keep an eye out for this product in an upcoming issue of DENTAL ADVISOR!
The 3M™ Versaflo™ PAPR is a powered air purifying respirator (PAPR) that offers an alternative to N95 respirators. The air pump is worn around the waist and attaches to a hood via a flexible tube. Air flows from the pump into the hood, inflating it and defogging the clear shield at its front. It is designed to keep the user’s face cool and allow for a wide view of their work area. There are two options for hoods/headpieces, with or without a shroud, and two sizes, small/medium or large in the non-shrouded headpiece.
Non-shrouded headpiece
Shrouded hood
Initial Insights
Compared to other PAPRs I’ve worn, this was much lighter. I didn’t feel a strain on my neck.
It’s a much more comfortable alternative to the N95. If I had to choose an N95 or this, I’d choose this in a heartbeat.
Position the battery pack to the side if you have a stool with a backrest.
I’m not sure yet of the practicality in a busy hygiene schedule.
Keep an eye out for this product in a future issue of DENTAL ADVISOR!
The Attest™ Mini Auto-Reader by 3M™ is an automated, 24-minute biological indicator reader with a new small footprint and just 4 wells. It is designed to test sterilization processes at 270°F and 275°F. A color-changing indicator on the cap of the appropriate biological indicator (BI) vials shows whether the sterilization device exposed its contents to steam. To test whether the sterilization was biologically successful, the vial is activated by “cracking” it with the handheld device and then placing it into the automated reader. In 24 minutes, it returns with a reading that indicates if the sterilization was successful; a “-” indicates a success, and a “+” indicates a failure.
Attest Mini Auto-Reader
Loading the BI into the sterilization unit
“Cracking” the BI
“Cracking” the BI
BI loaded into the Attest Mini with 24 minutes remaining
Negative result on the Attest Mini (Success!)
Initial Insights
The reader is very sleek; it looks like it’d fit in anywhere.
The process is straight forward and easy.
It’s especially important right now to know our autoclave is functioning, so having to wait only 24 minutes is much better than 48 hours or more.
I really liked the countdown timer; I don’t have to set any alarms or watch the clock.
Keep an eye out for this product in an upcoming issue of DENTAL ADVISOR!
