Advanced but user friendly, the Lisa Type B vacuum sterilizer from W&H is intelligently designed to make your decontamination process as easy and effective as possible.

Featuring patented Eco Dry technology, Lisa can effectively sterilize an average load (2kg) from 13 minutes. This cutting-edge Eco Dry technology tailors the drying time to the precise mass of the load, reducing unnecessary wear and energy consumption.

What’s more, Lisa automatically documents traceability for you, providing convenience and peace of mind. It can also integrate with the Lisa Mobile App, which enables real time remote monitoring among other features.

Lisa is efficient but thorough, saving you time and money without compromising performance.

To find out more about the W&H range of decontamination products, visit www.wh.com/en_uk, call 01727 874990 or email office.uk@wh.com

The restoration of anterior teeth with implant-supported restorations is arguably one of the most difficult procedures to execute. This not only relates to the clinical aspect of treatment, but also to patient demands and expectations regarding implant placement in an area of particular aesthetic significance. The ultimate aim is to provide a long-lasting restoration that enhances the aesthetic of a patient’s smile and complements the overall appearance of their face. There are various factors that clinicians should consider in order to ensure a highly satisfactory outcome.

Smile line

It is important to evaluate a patient’s aesthetic aspirations in combination with their smile line. The implant restoration interface is hidden by a low smile line, but this must be confirmed upon assessment of the patient. It is typical for 75-100% of the maxillary incisors and the interproximal gingiva to be displayed in an average smile, but additional gingival tissue is exposed by a high smile line.[i] This can pose a challenge to implant placement in the aesthetic zone, as the restoration and the gingival tissue will be completely visible when the patient smiles. In these cases, maximal effort should be given towards maintaining peri-implant tissue support throughout treatment.

Implant site

To restore an implant to an excellent aesthetic standard, the bony anatomy at the proposed implant site should permit placement of the implant in a restoratively ideal position. The hard and soft tissue in the area of an extracted tooth may need to be reconstructed to achieve optimal function and aesthetics. Bone grafting procedures can be performed to ensure that there is adequate bone quality and quantity for the implant to be placed, but this is not the only element that is key to the success of the implant site. Good surgical execution – especially using atraumatic techniques – can also lead to a more favourable outcome. 

Adjacent teeth

As they provide an immediate comparison to the implant prosthesis, the adjacent teeth should be assessed in relation to morphology and colour to ensure the provision of a natural-looking restoration. Radiographs are essential to determining the root position of the adjacent teeth, which can potentially preclude placement of the implant. There is often very little interproximal bone surrounding tooth roots in close proximity to each other. This poses a greater risk of resorption and reduction of the vertical bone height after tooth extraction or implant placement. In this case, orthodontic therapy can be provided to reposition malposed teeth and create sufficient space that is ideal for implant placement and the support of proximal gingival structures.[ii]^{, [iii]}

Implant position

The aesthetic quality of an implant restoration depends heavily on correct three-dimensional positioning of the implant, taking into account apico-coronal, mesial-distal and facio-lingual dimensions, as well as the angulation of the implant. Ideally, the implant should be placed at a distance of 1.5mm to 2mm from the adjacent teeth, otherwise bone resorption can occur. A lack of sufficient space between the implant and the adjacent teeth can also make it more difficult to create the ideal emergence profile for the final prosthesis. This could lead to oral hygiene and soft tissue complications – including reduced papilla height – which could negatively affect the visual result of treatment and increase implant morbidity.[iv]^{, [v]}

Gingival biotype

The patient’s gingival biotype should be fully considered during treatment planning for an anterior implant. Thick gingival biotypes offer greater flexibility with regard to implant placement and can be easier to manage from an aesthetic perspective, in comparison to thin and highly scalloped gingival biotypes. Patients with thin gingival biotypes are more prone to recession and the issue of the metal implant components becoming visible through the soft tissue, which can compromise the overall aesthetic of treatment.[vi] The choice of implant can make all the difference to mitigating this risk. TBR’s Z1^® implant combines a titanium body with a tooth-coloured zirconia collar in one seamless component, which features excellent osseointegrative properties. The unique design of the Z1^® also encourages the soft tissue to heal around the implant in a manner that closely resembles natural gingival growth to ensure it is indistinguishable from the adjacent teeth once placed.

Aesthetics have become increasingly important in modern implant dentistry. Implant placement in the aesthetic zone – where the visual end result is of great concern to many patients – presents a unique challenge. Both dental and gingival aesthetics must work harmoniously to create a truly beautiful and balanced smile. With a complete understanding of the various biological factors and clinical parameters that influence the success of treatment – and by selecting a top-quality solution – practitioners can place anterior implants in the optimal position to achieve a highly functional and aesthetic restoration.

For more information on the Z1^® implant, visit tbr.dental, email support@denkauk.com or call 0800 707 6212

[i] Christensen, G. J., Guyer, S. E., Lefkowitz, W., Malone, W. F. P. and Sproull, R. C. (1984) Some esthetic factors in a smile. The Journal of Prosthetic Dentistry. 51(1): 24-28. DOI: 10.1016/s0022-3913(84)80097-9.

[ii] Tarnow, D. P., Cho, S. C. and Wallace, S. S. (2000) The Effect of Inter-Implant Distance on the Height of Inter-Implant Bone Crest. Journal of Periodontology. 71(4): 546–549. DOI: 10.1902/jop.2000.71.4.546.

[iii] Tarnow, D. P., Magner, A. W. and Fletcher, P. (1992) The Effect of the Distance From the Contact Point to the Crest of Bone on the Presence or Absence of the Interproximal Dental Papilla. Journal of Periodontology. 63(12): 995–996. DOI: 10.1902/jop.1992.63.12.995.  

[iv] Misch, C. E. (2015). Maxillary Arch Implant Considerations. Dental Implant Prosthetics. 615–649. DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-323-07845-0.00025-7.  

[v] Buser, D., Martin, W. and Belser, U. C. (2004) Optimizing Esthetics for Implant Restorations in the Anterior Maxilla: Anatomic and Surgical Considerations. The International Journal of Oral & Maxillofacial Implants. 19(Suppl): 43-61.

[vi] Jivraj, S. and Chee, W. (2006) Treatment planning of implants in the aesthetic zone. British Dental Journal. 201(2): 77-89. DOI: 10.1038/sj.bdj.4813820.

A key part of avoiding the spread of infections in your care home is the quality of your protective personal equipment (PPE).

The bedrock of PPE is gloves. Initial Medical has gloves for every task where there is a risk of contamination. There are various options of materials (latex, non-latex, nitrile and vinyl), colours and sizes. You can choose powdered or powder free, or even fragranced gloves. Gloves from Initial Medical are authenticated with the appropriate health and safety standards marks.

Choose gloves from Initial Medical for quality, comfort and to maintain the highest standards of safety in your care home.

For further information please visit www.initial.co.uk/medical

Initial Medical is a division of Rentokil Initial plc.

-Ends-

About Initial Medical Waste Experts

Initial Medical is an expert in healthcare waste management, providing a complete collection, disposal and recycling service for hazardous and non-hazardous waste and offensive waste produced by businesses and organisations within the UK.

The safe management of healthcare waste is vital to ensure your activities are not a risk to human health.  Initial Medical’s healthcare waste services ensure that all of your waste is stringently handled in compliance with legislation and in accordance with Safe Management of Healthcare Waste best practice guidelines, providing you with the peace of mind that you are adhering to current legislation.

For further information please visit www.initial.co.uk/medical or Tel: 0870 850 4045

Media enquiries:

For more information, please contact:

erica@ekcommunications.net

01227 265700

3M Oral Care welcomes you to enjoy the next generation of aesthetic orthodontic excellence with Clarity Ultra self-litigating ceramic brackets.

Building off of the successful formula that made Clarity Advanced ceramic brackets a firm favourite with practitioners, Clarity Ultra self-litigating ceramic brackets from 3M bring extra convenience and ease of use.

Designed specifically for easier debonding, Clarity Ultra self-litigating brackets from 3M have a unique stress concentrator which ensures greater consistency and predictability. 

Furthermore, improved rotational control and enhanced versatility means that these brackets can help more patients enjoy an aesthetic form of treatment. Clarity Ultra self-litigating ceramic brackets are also available with APC Flash-Free, which is a more reliable and efficient way to bond.

Find out more today.

For more information, call 0845 602 5094 or visit www.3m.co.uk/Dental

 END

3M and Clarity are trademarks of the 3M Company.

So often in dentistry we think that providing care for our patients is enough. However, one of the best parts of working in a supportive, caring profession is being able to help your local area beyond the call of the profession.

As we head into 2020, it is a good idea to see if there are any causes that you want to support as an individual or as a practice team, especially as doing so can bring many benefits…

Improve education

You may have recently heard that the UK was ranked the lowest out of a selection of countries surveyed for providing oral health promotion in schools.[i] Although the quest to present better information to children as part of their curriculum is gathering momentum, at the moment there is still a fantastic opportunity for dental professionals to get involved with schools in their local communities and share their expertise.

Nurseries are a really good place to start as you can encourage good habits from a young age. Can you think of any fun ways to help teach young children the information they need? Perhaps you can bring in brushing models or hold a quiz? It’s also a good idea to invite parents to these sessions too – many parents may be unaware about the fundamentals of children’s oral health, so this is a good opportunity to improve habits in the whole household.

It should be easy to find a directory of the nurseries and pre-schools in your area on the internet.

Go green!

Environmental awareness is a huge topic at the moment. With such a large focus on global warming, the plastic problem and other growing challenges, it’s a good idea to see what you can do to help out.

It is easier said than done to take a greener route in your practice, so as long as you have gone digital, made a few responsible changes and feel you have done all you can, then you can  look outside of your workplace to find ways to help solve these problems more directly. Litter picking, sponsoring charities to clean the sea, giving money to conservation – all of these measures are a wonderful way to have a good impact on the world around you and your local community. You can also get patients involved too by holding fundraisers and events at your practice – every little helps!

Visibility and awareness

A number of conditions have awareness days throughout the year, so why not use these as an opportunity to help those affected? Whether it’s putting together a team to go for a run to raise money for breast cancer, spreading awareness of HIV through leaflets and posters or even bringing mental health issues to light, the simple act of visibly supporting organisations that help sufferers of these conditions is a wonderful way to help people feel less alone. Raising money for these organisations is easy too – why not hold a bake sale or a raffle? How about a sponsored bike ride or taking part in a marathon? Regardless of your own physical fitness or talents there are always ways to raise funds for a good cause.

It’s also worth considering that a lot of systemic diseases have links to oral health. Make it a goal to educate patients about this in the New Year – you may see that more people are willing to follow oral health advice if they know that excess plaque and periodontal disease may lead to increased chances of Alzheimer’s disease, heart disease or stroke. Who knows how many lives you can improve in this way?

Any step forward is good

Whatever you decide to do, every bit of help is something to be celebrated. But before you start speak to your team and see what your practice is capable of – there’s no need to impact your services by taking on too much.

It only takes a little bit of effort, and by helping the community and those within it, you can be sure that you are starting 2020 on the right foot.

Wishing you a very happy New year!

For more information about the BSDHT, please visit www.bsdht.org.uk call 01788 575050 or email enquiries@bsdht.org.uk

[i] Dentistry.co.uk. UK schools rank low in providing oral health education. Link: https://www.dentistry.co.uk/2019/04/26/uk-schools-rank-low-providing-oral-health-education/ [Last accessed September 19].

“The build and lens quality of the EyeMag Pro is just the best, otherwise I wouldn’t have bought four sets of these loupes in the last 20 years,” says Dr Daniel Cattell. “Carl Zeiss loupes are better than the rest. I just couldn’t treat patients and perform at my best without the level of magnification that the EyeMag Pro affords.

“As always, I’ve had a seamless purchasing experience with Nuview – I know John Woods well and the team are very professional. I ordered the loupes and received them pretty much the next day. The products Nuview offers are second-to-none and the service from the team is outstanding.”

For more information please call Nuview on 01453 872266, email info@nuview-ltd.com, visit www.nuview.co ‘like’ Nuview on Facebook.

Prevention is built on the basics – brushing, regular appointments, smoking cessation and a low-sugar, balanced diet. The last Adult Dental Health Survey indicated a strong correlation between individuals who brushed their teeth properly, attended the dentist regularly and had less visible plaque.[i] Applying all the ground rules for preventive dental care together, works.

Ongoing motivation

For dentists, dental hygienists and dental therapists, the challenge is to keep patients motivated, so that even those who are orally healthy continue the good work and regularly review their preventive behaviours. Effective prevention means an individual knowing the basics, practicing them, yet being willing to constantly revise and improve. This includes an openness to adding different tools and adjuncts to the daily routine, listening to advice and feeling able to discuss anything that’s started bothering them.

All medical practitioners are doing battle with the Internet when it comes to up-to-date, accurate information. Popular misconceptions about dental health include that white teeth mean healthy teeth and that it’s OK to have a fizzy drink with your lunch every day, as long as the can says sugar-free.

So, don’t underestimate your role as an educator and don’t assume your patients are confident on the basics either – even with regards to something as simple as the correct way to brush. Good brushing technique is the absolute foundation of preventive care, yet there isn’t one single, recommended method. In 2014, researchers found an “unacceptably large diversity” in instructions for both adults and children when they analysed toothbrushing methods recommended by a variety of sources, from dental associations to dental texts[ii].

In early 2019, a randomised controlled trial was published that concluded that the Bass Intrasulcular Toothbrushing Technique (BIT) should be recommended, “particularly to patients exhibiting bleeding on probing and periodontal diseases.”[iii] The BIT method involves angling the brush to allow the bristles to be applied around and under the gumline, in order to remove optimal plaque and bacteria that can accumulate in this space. In the results of the trial, the BIT was shown to be more effective at reducing gingival inflammation, when compared to the patient group who had received no toothbrushing instruction at all.

There are other brushing methods available; a gentle yet careful and thorough clean, lasting for two minutes twice a day, will always be recommended over an overzealous scrub that can damage tooth structure and irritate the gums. Technique should always be revised, recapped and retaught, as dental situations can change and even ‘good’ patients slip into bad habits. Tools really do matter, too and at every appointment, what your patient is using should be discussed. Not every toothbrush is equal and finding one that ticks the boxes of quality, efficacy and functionality is essential. A great brush will be one that a patient can comfortably control and it should be ergonomically designed too. Ask your patients to show you how they hold their brush, so you can check that the brush head reaches all surfaces of the tooth and correct their positioning if necessary.

The new must-haves

Interdental cleaning should now be considered a ‘basic’. Cleaning interdentally will elevate even an already great brushing routine. Another recent study, this time from June 2019, reviewed different interdental cleaning aids and found that “interdental brushes provide a significant benefit over brushing as a monotherapy. The use of floss may not achieve similar results if not effectively performed. Regarding gingival and plaque indices, interdental brushes may be superior to dental floss in at least one parameter, with the added benefits of patient comfort and acceptance.”[iv] The same study found that interdental brushes were particularly effective for improving periodontal outcomes.

A good quality interdental brush will be robust enough to hold firmly, even with wet hands, and feel pleasant as it travels through tricky spaces to effectively remove stubborn deposits. The TANDEX FLEXI™ is a great choice for patients new to interdental brushing; they will find it easy to manipulate for a really deep clean and will soon feel the benefits of their elevated daily routine.

Dentists, dental hygienists and dental therapists should go over the basics of prevention at every appointment – checking what their patients are doing and telling them how to adapt (if necessary) and improve. Returning constantly to the foundations, ensuring that these are solid, then discussing how to build on them is an easy way to offer added value to every preventive-maintenance appointment. It’s a practitioner’s job to teach, advise and motivate – showing patients how they can do things even better. If a patient feels that they are learning something new every time and that you are invested in their dental health and fully focussed on their unique oral situation, rather than just giving generic advice, this can be the start of a great relationship.

For more information on Tandex’s range of products,
visit www.tandex.dk or visit the Facebook page

References

[i] Adult Dental Health Survey – England, Wales, Northern Ireland 2009. Theme 5: Preventive Behaviour and Risks to Oral Health. The Health and Social Care Information Centre, 2011. Link: https://files.digital.nhs.uk/publicationimport/pub01xxx/pub01086/adul-dent-heal-surv-summ-them-the5-2009-rep7.pdf (accessed August 2019).

^[ii] Wainwright J, Sheiham A. An analysis of methods of toothbrushing recommended by dental associations, toothpaste and toothbrush companies and in dental texts. British Dental Journal. 2014 Aug; 217 (3): E5.

^[iii] Ausenda F, Jeong N, Arsenault P, Gyurko R, Finkelman M, Dragan IF, Levi Jr PA. The Effect of the Bass Intrasulcular Toothbrushing Technique on the Reduction of Gingival Inflammation: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Journal of Evidence Based Dental Practice. 2019 Jan 28.

^[iv] Ng E, Lim LP. An Overview of Different Interdental Cleaning Aids and Their Effectiveness. Dentistry Journal. 2019 Jun; 7(2): 56.

As a dental hygienist or dental therapist, it’s not always easy to find CPD tailored to your profession or feel like you have a truly understanding support network available.

The British Society of Dental Hygiene and Therapy (BSDHT) makes all the difference.

By joining the BSDHT you can enjoy the following benefits:

• Access to BSDHT Indemnity – a special indemnity policy created specifically for dental hygienists and dental therapists
• Free advertising for your practice on the BSDHT website
• Access to a 24/7 legal helpline
• A support network with thousands of likeminded individuals
• Preferential rates for the flagship event of the BSDHT – the Oral Health Conference
• CPD tailored to you at regional and national events
• Much, much more!

So, what are you waiting for? Joint the BSDHT today.

For more information about the BSDHT, please visit www.bsdht.org.uk

call 01788 575050 or email enquiries@bsdht.org.uk

Setting up a dream practice is no mean feat, but Clark Dental aims to relieve the stress of this process through its dedicated surgery design and equipment supply service.

From initial planning to installation and ongoing maintenance, the friendly team can offer you unparalleled support throughout your project and beyond. They will work closely with you to ensure elements such as access, compliance, lighting, ergonomics, storage and equipment are fully considered.  

With over 44 years’ experience in the industry, you can be confident of Clark Dental’s expert insight and eye for detail to ensure every project is managed effectively. Call today to explore your options with Clark Dental.

For more information, call Clark Dental on 01268 733 146, email info@clarkdental.co.uk or visit www.clarkdental.co.uk

Selling a dental practice isn’t as easy as just putting it on the market. You need to think about the long-term effects the process will have and the next steps going forward.

This can quickly make the selling process frustrating and confusing – so why not get advice from Independent Financial Advisers (IFAs) such as the team at money4dentists?

Our multiple award-winning team of IFAs have a rich understanding of all of the challenges faced by dentists. That’s why we only work exclusively with dentists and can use this industry knowledge to help them do everything from selling their existing practice to finding a new practice that’s just right.

Find out more today.

 For more information please call 0845 345 5060, email info@money4dentists.com or visit www.money4dentists.com