I recently watched a round table discussion on zirconia cementing. After an hour of discussing all the different tricks and techniques of zirconia cementation, the host asked the panel of experts what they were using in their practices/ dental schools. I was surprised that with all the new bonding/cementation products out there they were all still using RMGI (resin modified glass ionomer) cements for their day to day zirconia cementation. They all agreed that you just can’t beat the simplicity and the good feeling of having the fluoride release that you get with these materials.
Here at the Dental Advisor, we recently received Meron Plus QM (VOCO) resin modified glass ionomer cement. According to the manufacturer this material is a paste to paste cement that comes in a automix syringe. Is is used for cementation of metal-based and high strength all-ceramic based inlays, onlays, crowns and bridges, and metal, ceramic and glass fiber-reinforced posts and orthodontic bands. Features include:
Tack cure option allows for easy clean up
High bond strength for long lasting restorations
Low water solubility and film thickness
Self-adhesive properties remove the need for primer or conditioner
Meron Plus QM package
Nice sized syringe as shown in hand
Viscosity/consistency and shade of material
What were the Initial Insights of the Dental Advisor team and our editorial board? – Nice viscosity/film thickness for an RMGI cement – How will the evaluators feel about the single shade? – Nice to have the tack cure option for speedy cleanup – Moisture tolerance and no need for primers or conditioners is a big bonus
What do our Clinical Evaluators think about this product once it’s used in their offices? Look for our clinical evaluation in an upcoming issue!
We all have those patients… the ones with the oversized tongue, hyper-producing salivary glands, and tiny openings that need a crown on #18. They are usually the nicest people in your practice too, so you feel bad that you dread to see them on the schedule for the crown seat appointment, but you and your assistant are still recovering from the battle you fought during the prep. There is no way you can keep the prep dry for an adhesive cement, so you want something user friendly and moisture tolerant… enter Bifix SE Cement.
Here at the Dental Advisor, we recently received Bifix SE Cement (VOCO). According to the manufacturer, this dual-cured, universal, self-adhesive resin cement is versatile, has minimal steps, low solubility, and is moisture tolerant. Additionally:
Easy to use. Gel-phase cleanup, no refrigeration, no hand mixing or trituration required
High bond strength and mechanical strength without an adhesive
Optional light cure mode
Compatibility with common materials such as Ceramic and Zirconia, CAD/CAM materials, PFMs and metal restorations
Efficient self-cure mode sets up completely without any light
Low 10 μ film thickness cuts down on adjustment time
Radiopaque for excellent identification under x-ray
Endo-tips for easy root canal access in every pack
Bifix SE syringe
Consistency/viscosity of Bifix SE
Available in 3 shades
What were the Initial Insights of the Dental Advisor team and our editorial board? – Easy cementing without bonding, primer or etchant is always a bonus. – The syringes are kind of small but the universal tips are nice. – Slightly higher viscosity than other dual-cured, universal, self-adhesive resin cements we have evaluated. – Nice, easy shade selection: Translucent (T), White Opaque (WO) and Universal (U). – The low solubility is a big plus to hopefully show good long term stability, we can’t wait to evaluate it to find out!
What do our Clinical Evaluators and their patients think about this product once it’s used in their offices? Look for our clinical evaluation in an upcoming issue!
Panavia cements have come a long way. When I was a dental assistant, more years ago than I hate to admit, I remember Panavia was our go to for the tough stuff. When a patient came in with a crown that fell off after only being on a short time, or they had a short prep and the temp had to be re-cemented every other day, the Doctor would send me to the fridge to get out the Panavia. It was also extremely complicated. I remember always propping up my laminated instruction card and laying out everything step by step (and yet still getting lost in the steps). Now Panavia SA Cement Universal, a dual-cure, self-etch, self-adhesive resin cement that provides fluoride release has made cementing much more streamlined, no matter what you want to cement. Bonus!!! You don’t even have to run to the fridge anymore, as it can be stored at room temperature!
Here at the Dental Advisor, we recently received Panavia SA Cement Universal (Kuraray). According to the manufacturer this material adheres to virtually every material including glass ceramics without the need for a separate primer. Using a unique silane coupling agent built into the paste – LCSi monomer – the cement delivers a strong, durable chemical bond to porcelain, lithium disilicate, composite resin, crowns/bridges, inlays/onlays, posts, and even adhesion bridges. All of these can be cemented with a single-step bonding formula.
Suitable for prosthetic restorations, even LiDiSi cementation
Easy, gingival-friendly excess removal
No need for separate primers
Storage at room temperature
Panavia SA Cement Universal syringe
Panavia SA Cement Universal and an A2 Zirconia crown
Nice viscosity, not too thick or too runny
Panavia SA Cement Universal in shade A2 being applied to a shade A2 zirconia crown
The viscosity of the material and shade being shown here
What were the Initial Insights of the Dental Advisor team and our editorial board? – Cutting out the need for primers is a big bonus. – Our editorial board liked the fact that you can cement to virtually any material with a single step process. – The material has a nice consistency/viscosity. – Upwards of 4 minutes for self-cure may be a bit long in the eyes of the evaluators.
What do our Clinical Evaluators and their patients think about this product once it’s used in their offices? Look for our clinical evaluation in an upcoming issue!
Have you ever read the cleaning instructions for your dental chair? Many of them say to clean the chair with soap and water and do not use anything harsh. Obviously, we need to disinfect our chairs between patient use so we do end up using those harsh chemicals on them. Surface disinfectants with high alcohol content can be very drying on the upholstery as well. This can leave them looking dull and wearing down sooner than we would like… enter Protecall Upholstery Cleaner Wipes.
Safely protect, clean, and restore leather, vinyl, plastic, and rubber upholstery surfaces like x-ray aprons and dental unit chairs
Recommended for periodic use after disinfecting upholstery surface with surface disinfectant
Protectall Upholstery Cleaner Wipes
Wipes Canister
Soft cloth-like wipes
Wipes are a nice size. We still needed to use a couple.
We tried it on half of an old chair in storage… can you guess which side?
It was the left side!
What were the Initial Insights of the Dental Advisor team and our editorial board? – We took these wipes into our basement and put them to the test on an old chair (image above). We cleaned the entire chair with surface disinfectant and then did half of the chair with the Protectall Wipes. We returned the next day for photos. Yes… for the photo’s sake it was lightly re-wiped and slightly moist (the lighting down there is not ideal for photography) but we were actually surprised to see a VERY noticeable difference after the first wipe! – We wonder if it leaves any kind of residue on the chairs? Are white capris safe? We want to evaluate them to see for ourselves! – Great idea to protect a critical office investment.
What do our Clinical Evaluators and their patients think about this product once it’s used in their offices? Look for a possible clinical evaluation in an upcoming issue!
Fluoride has come a long way. I was in the generation of the fluoride trays with the foam. I remember it dribbling down my chin while I anxiously watched the hygienist for that glorious moment of reprieve when she would take the variety of contraptions out of my mouth. When I started practicing we were in the age of fluoride varnish; however, you had to try and dry the teeth to get it on, it was still thick and it left a very noticeable coating on your teeth. Now fluoride varnishes have evolved to the point where kids ALMOST don’t even complain about it! Almost.
Here at the Dental advisor, we recently received Profluorid Varnish (VOCO). This is the evolution of their previous version with: enhanced flow-ability, better translucency and fluoride releasing properties. According to the manufacturer this product:
Comes in an easy, non-messy SingleDose delivery system
Tooth-shaded color without yellow discoloration of teeth
In five flavors without the unpleasant aftertaste of some other brands
Adheres well to moist surface and sets quickly in seconds after contact with saliva
High immediate fluoride release to relieve hypersensitivity
Enhanced flow characteristics allow Profluorid Varnish to reach areas traditional varnishes may miss
Contains Xylitol
Does not contain: tree nuts, peanuts, corn, shellfish, eggs, milk protein, soy, gluten, triclosan, petrolium, red dye/artificial coloring, saccharin or aspartame
Profluorid Varnish
Profluorid individually wrapped packages with instructions printed right on them
Opening package
Profluorid consistency
Our awesome new research assistant volunteering for a fluoride treatment… thanks Delaney!
What were the Initial Insights of the Dental Advisor team and our editorial board? – Great flavors including Melon, Cherry, Bubblegum, Caramel (my favorite), and Mint. – Bonus being able to place on moist surfaces. – Packaging seems a bit excessive. – Nice and thin allowing for a better flow
What do our Clinical Evaluators and their patients think about this product once it’s used in their offices? Look for our clinical evaluation in an upcoming issue!
In my public health clinic, I did some extremely large composite restorations. You know those ones… they really need a crown but your only options are to attempt the world’s largest composite to hold onto it as long as possible or extraction. With this comes the challenge of finishing and polishing such a large restoration. It was not uncommon for my assistants to wander off as I was polishing because they knew my 4 or 5 part polishing regimen was going to take me a while to get the smoothness to the patient’s tongue as well as the shine I was looking for. Coffee break time may be cut short now with this new polishing system!
Here at the Dental Advisorwe recently received Composite Singles(Meisinger USA). According to the manufacturer these single-use polishers produce a brilliant luster on all composite materials with a unique new shape, the “squid” shape (see below). These polishers are a two-step system with a pre-polish and high shine.
Composite Singles Intro. Kit with pre-polish and high-shine
Four shapes of composite singles
Pre-polisher on composite
Easy marginal ridge access
I easily removed scratches with pre-polisher
Unique “squid” shape in high shine polisher
What were the Initial Insights of the Dental Advisor team and our editorial board? – Wonderful high shine! – The pre-polisher will clear out any and all scratches in your composite, but you can wipe out your anatomy if you over-polish. – The new squid shape is very unique and I found it nice around cusps especially… I can’t wait to see what the evaluators thought it was best used for!
What do our Clinical Evaluators and their patients think about this product once it’s used in their offices? Look for our clinical evaluation in an upcoming issue!
