SimPlant Master Site

We are announcing that ROE is now a Master SimPlant Site. For you this means that you can not only request scan appliances, surgical guides amd treatment planning session, but also ROE can complete data conversion. We are your turn-key service for SimPlant, BlueSkyBio, iDent, and NobelGuide surgical guides.

Photography Update

During a recent seminar we met Dr. Todd Schoenbaum, Assistant Clinical Professor, UCLA, who works closely with Dr. Ed McClaren. He presented some very interesting updates to dental photography.

Nikon d300s
w/ Adjustable Flash

First, current camera body recommendations are the  Nikon D300S, D7000, and D90 as well as Canon’s 7D, 60D, and the T3i. These cameras offer an ‘ideal balance between resolution, noise and depth of field, and both companies offer excellent flash systems for dental macro photography”.

Second, it is suggested that “advanced users... attach polarizing film over the flash units to reduce glare, adjust specular reflection, and provide a deeper and clearer image of the anterior dentition.”

We posted an article written by both doctors on the smile page of our website. The article offers several more suggestions including specific settings for full face and close-up shots.

Due to the signing of the Federal Health Reform Bill, in 2013 a 2.3% an excise tax will be assessed on the sale of all medical devices in the United States, this includes dental equipment and dental prosthetics. Unlike most taxes, this tax is assessed regardless of a company’s profitability, leading to a burden on the balance sheet. This tax will increase costs to all medical and dental providers. The government offers the argument that the marketplace will be expanded by 32 million people through mandated healthcare. This is of little consequence to the dental industry that is primarily on the outside looking in on ‘healthcare’, while still subject to the excise tax.

New Zirconia Wear Study

Zirconia is one of the most studied materials in dentistry, especially since the development of the monolithic option. Manufacturers insist that wear to opposing dentition is similar to enamel, provided that restorations are highly-polished. Furthermore, many dentists contend that individual crowned teeth in balanced occlusion should not spontaneously supererupt because of wear to the opposing teeth. Rella Christiansan’s TRAC Research group has released preliminary results of a 7-year full-contour zirconia wear study which supports both of these claims.  The study seeks to measure the amount of wear zirconia and other monolithic restorations exhibit invivo. After one year, the “very promising” results show that zirconia “mimics” natural dentition.

Emax Update

A recent major upgrade to our Sirona InLab design software has enhanced our emax restorations. One of the new features includes the ability to design multiple units simultaneously, which provides increased control. This update also allows us to communicate with E4d customers and Cerec dentists who are using version 4.0. Digital impressions allow us to deliver lower cost restorations much quicker.

Adding to a Pontic - Troubleshooting

Have you ever returned a case to the laboratory with these instructions “The bridge looks and fits great  and fits the model, but please add porcelain under the pontic”? This phenomenon may be due to the pontic site deforming during the impression taking process. Anesthesia and packing cord often causes inflammation in the pontic site which can lead to an inaccurate representation of the tissue site in the final impression. When developing pontic sites with provisional restorations, it is suggested that an additional impression of the pontic site be captured immediately following provisional removal, but prior to packing cord for the final impression. Please indicate this is a “pontic impression”.

AlginZ Ultra - A Step above Alginate

A few newsletters ago we mentioned an affordable and stable alternative to alginate called Alginot. Another cost-effective impression material that warrants consideration is AlginX Ultra,  from Dentsply. According to surveyed dentists, AlginX is extremely stable, produces more detail and allows multiple pour-ups. The impressions are dimensionally stable for up to 14 days, comes in  spearmint flavor, and offers quick working time. These benefits make this product a real thumbs up.

Comfort H/S Update - New Improved!

Have you ever heard the old saying, “You can have it done right, inexpensive or fast, pick two”. As consumers, this applies to many of the products we purchase, though it is rare to realize all three attributes in one product. Due to recent improvements in our Comfort Splints, we think we have the exception. The appliances are fabricated in just two laboratory days, cost only $59, and are better than ever. The clarity, thickness and bite improvements we made in recent weeks will be evident in each case you receive.

THE Twin Clasp Technique

Waxed Up Crown

Cast Clasp Replica

Having to send a patient’s partial denture to the laboratory while a crown is being fabricated to fit within the existing partial has always been a major inconvenience and disappointment to patients. Many years ago we introduced the Twin Clasp Technique to eliminate this frustrating problem. Over time this technique has proven to be quite successful. The next time a patient complains about giving up their partial denture, we encourage you to give it a try. Here is the technique:

1. Prior to tooth preparation be sure to observe the seating of the partial. Success of this technique is dependent upon a positive and accurate seat of the partial after the tooth is prepared.

2. Prepare the tooth and retract the tissue.

3. Inject heavy-bodied polyether or one-step polyvinyl around only the prepared tooth, making sure the entire margin is captured.

4. Fully seat the partial into its proper position ensuring the clasp around the prepared tooth is imbedded into the impression material. Do not allow the clasp to be totally covered - wipe off any material to expose the exterior of the clasp. The object is to register the tooth surface of the clasp, rest and minor connector. Covering the entire clasp will render this technique ineffective.

5. Allow the material to set under the clasp without occlusal contact.

6. Remove the partial and clasp impression from the mouth. The small impression will most likely be removed with the partial. Separate the impression from the partial without altering it in anyway.

7. Perform your normal C&B impression procedure without the partial in place.

8. Capture a study model impression with the partial in place.

9. Send us the clasp impression (in an old ROE crown box or baggy so it will not be lost), regular C&B impression, bite, opposing model, study model, and work authorization indicating the Twin Clasp Technique has been used.

10. At the laboratory we use the twin clasp impression to wax and cast a clasp assembly that mimics the existing partial. The new crown is fabricated to fit within the duplicate clasp.

An alternative approach, albeit inconvenient to the patient, is to send the partial to us so we may record the clasp location for you. This process requires two laboratory days.