Taking shades for dentists

Do you often find taking shades in the dental practice difficult?

Well as an answer to some of these issues I have prepared this slide show for dentists, I have lectured all over the world on this subject, so this presentation is a summary of my thoughts on the subject.

It's a bit of an experiment really in using presentations in this way... so I am eager to hear what you think.

Should I do more of these?

Do you like the format?

I have loads of pesentation that can be uploaded in this way, but I need to know your thoughts and then I can modify the pesentations to be better.

If you can't see the presentation below, here is a link to view it on the web. No signups, no forms to fill in, just click and watch!

If you like the presentation please share it on Facebook, Twitter etc... the links to do this are on the embed tab on the presentation below.

ENJOY.....

Mark

Taking shades for dentists

View more presentations from SBO Dental Laboratory.

How to design, plan and manage a complex implant case

Fitting a complex implant case can be very stressful, as you well know! Sometimes even a single unit implant can present untold problems. You lose valuable surgery time if the implants don't fit and damage patient confidence if the aesthetics aren't as desired. An unhappy patient won't tell their friends and this costs! It costs in losing that patient and in costs in the loss of opportunity that arises out of them telling their friends about you.

We've been helping our dentists with their implant cases for more than 20 years, and decided that it is time to share some of that wealth of experience in the form of another eCourse (97 dentists have taken our cosmetic eCourse)...

'A protocol for the reconstruction of large implant cases' FREE eCourse

I (Mark) am the cosmetic dude at the lab, Keith is the implant guru and although I have written the eCourse the knowledge and experience has come from the deep pool of knowledge that Keith holds in his head.

In the 4 part eCourse, which comes in email format and at no cost to you, you will discover:

1. How to plan for, and ensure the patient is happy with, a large reconstruction case
2. How to restore and plan a large case using an Over Denture
3. How to restore and plan a large case using a Fixed Bridge
4. How to ensure accurate bites are recorded and transfered to the laboratory
5. How to ensure the patient is happy with the aesthetics BEFORE the case is finalised

So however you decide to restore your implant case, enrolling on our eCourse will significantly assist you in providing the best results for your patients.

Sign up for your Implant eCourse here

As ever, we long to hear... no, we CRAVE your feedback so we can develop and grow and then share this knowledge again! So, please reply to any/all emails in the eCourse and I'll blog the responses so we can all develop together. Think of this eCourse not as the end, or the answer to all the questions... but as the beginning and the stimulus to ask the right questions in the first place!

Looking forward to taxing yours and Keith's mind with your responses.

Cheers for now,

Mark

P.S. The implant eCourse is FREE and simply requires a name and email address, sign up here

Lead Contamination Found In Outsourced Crowns

Just thought I would share this video with you. You can always check the quality of crowns by looking the standard check points we all use... bite, fit, contacts, shape and shade... If all of these meet your requirements you fit the crown... but what about material quality?

If you outsource overseas, can you REALLY trust the quality? If you send work to us in the UK you are always welcome to pop in unannounced and check the materials used if you really want to... but overseas labs KNOW you can never do this and the evidence would suggest they may be taking advantage of this fact.... just watch the video!

As ever, comments are always welcome.

TTFN,

Mark

How to get the best dental impressions

This article originally went out in email format in our newsletter, but it got such a good response that I thought I would blog it again to a new audience, as ever please feel free to respond... ask question and I'll blog the responses next time...thanks go to Chris O'Connor and his excellent dental blog for getting that ball rolling last time.

There are of course many reasons for problems with impressions, I hope here to cover just a few of the main problems we have, I can however strongly recommend 3M Espe's helpsheet "Taking Better Impressions", downloadable from our webite.

Triple Trays

Many of our dentists use triple tray impressions routinely, we have a strict protocol for handling them in the lab to ensure they do not distort and that the bites locate accurately.

However, we prefer to pour 2 models of every case; one to work on and one as a check model - as can be seen from the image above, triple tray impressions often tear making a second pour impossible.

Triple trays have to be poured in plaster with both arches together, this way a lock can be made to locate the bite. However, if the patient bites through the tray and makes a hole the plaster runs through. The hole can be seen on the image above in the 5 region.

This image shows the resultant model, the yellow area on the 5 is where the opposing die stone has run through. This means that anywhere where there is a hole the models lock, this causes the model to break in this area and ultimately can lead to inaccuracies.

If you take this style of impression be please ensure that:

1. There is an adequate thickness of impression material to prevent distortion
2. The type of tray used has an imperveous membrane between the arches to prevent the models locking
3. The impression material is stuck to the tray

Quadrant Impressions

The problem with quadrant impressions is achieving an accurate bite. even with a good squash record the models have a tendency to rock. If, as a dental team, we are looking for the highest quality we would like to recommend that we find an alternative to quadrant impressions.

Another problem with quadrant impressions is there is half the arch missing...obviously! This means we can only equilabrate the restoration in working side occlusion, we are not able to do balancing side as the teeth which provide the guidance for this are missing. Once again this can lead to a compromise in quality.

The impression in this photo is also so small that we have very little to go on by way of reference. We can see so few teeth that even a working side occlusal balance will be difficult to achieve.

Lack of Impression Detail

The following information is taken from the 3M Espe trouble shooting guide "Taking better impressions", this excellent guide can be downloaded from our website.

Visual Appearance: Muted detail reproduction.
Result: Crowns may be too tight, or loose, and not fit correctly.

CAUSES & SOLUTIONS

For Polyether materials
Substances with pH <4

For all impressions
Impression material stored at elevated temperature.
Store impression material at room temperature.

Impression material stored at too low a temperature (prolongs the setting reactions, changes viscosity and requires exceptionally
high extrusion forces for automix materials).
Keep impression material at a temperature of
18°C/64°F at least one day prior use.

Thick blood/saliva pooled around prep.
Remove blood and saliva prior to making impression.

Use 2-step impression technique.

Inadequate retraction of sulcus around prep.
Use good retraction technique, with proper moisture control.

Exceeding the working time.
Follow manufacturer's working time specifications.
Choose material with longer working time.

Inadequate disinfection effects surface quality (detail reproduction) and
dimensional stability.
Use water based disinfectants according to FDA guidelines.

At SBO we're dedicated to getting the best from every aspect of dentistry... hense this blog... To get the most from your dentistry give us a call on 01707 663293

Regards,

Mark