We’re all looking for ways to save, to cut costs and reduce waste.

So, imagine a powerful autoclave solution that will save your practice space, time AND resources! That’s saving three ways, with no compromise to safety or performance.

Introducing the STATIM® B G4⁺, a compact vacuum autoclave that will match bigger machines in every single way.  

Save SPACE

Whatever the size of your practice, space is always a precious commodity. Small but perfectly formed, the STATIM® B G4⁺ with its impressive 6-litre capacity will be more than enough to meet your needs while taking up very little room. Operating instructions are displayed on screen and, with an enhanced documentation mode, including instrument tracking, cycle logging, data storage and traceable load release, there is no need for bulky paper records or manuals, either.

Save TIME

In just 27 minutes, wrapped loads will be reliably processed. Time to go home? The STATIM® B G4⁺ can be programmed to keep on working after you’ve left. You can also set the chamber to warm before you open in the morning and run test cycles too – this is a flexible solution for every busy practice.

As well as shorter cycles, you can open the drawer easily – with one hand – in order to reprocess 2 cassettes, or up to 12 pouches.

This is an autoclave with improved automation. This means that it has been designed to be intuitive and minimise human input and intervention, leaving you free to get on with other tasks. If you never thought sterilisation could be an art form, the STATIM® B G4⁺ proves that this is not the case! Infection control workflows can become more efficient – faster and seamless, yet entirely consistent with the high standards of safety that you always strive to maintain.

There are also automatic software updates, plus maintenance reminders, tips and tricks – all integrated into the one unit.

You can fill this autoclave according to personal preference – manually, or automatically. The STATIM® B G4⁺ has a built-in reservoir, that will hold enough water for 3 cycles, but simply configure it how you wish, for optimal daily use. With a water quality sensor, also an auto-drainage option to reduce build-up of damaging biofilm, this STATIM® B G4⁺ has the technology to minimise damage and keep it in good working order, without you having to check if it needs emptying, for example.

Save RESOURCES

We all want to do more to protect the environment and need think about how we’re using resources as well as the amount of waste we’re producing. The STATIM® B G4⁺ operates on a small footprint, and its enhanced digital capabilities also mean you’ll use less electricity but still maintain the highest levels of hygiene. With less paper waste as well as being more energy efficient, this is a solution that can help you keep a better eye on your bills, too.

Available from SciCan, part of the COLTENE group

The SciCan STATIM® B G4⁺ vacuum autoclave is the latest launch from COLTENE’s infection control range.

COLTENE is the worldwide dental specialist that that manufactures tools and consumables for a range of treatment areas, from infection control to endo and all restorative applications. Alongside SciCan, other award-winning brands in the group include MicroMega, Affinis, BioSonic and HyFlex.

COLTENE wants to upgrade YOUR dentistry – we believe that there is always a way to do things faster, more successfully, comfortably and cheaper too, for better practice. We will help you simplify, cut costs without cutting corners and give all your patients a gold-standard service.

Our team has the knowledge and experience to identify what every dental team needs, to deliver quality care.

It is our mission to save you time and money. We love to harness the power of innovation and offer products with smart features that are both high-tech and user friendly too.

If you want to know more about the SciCan STATIM® B G4⁺ or how else we can improve your workflows, visit the website or give one of our friendly experts a call today.

For details on the STATIM® B G4+, visit https://www.scican.com/eu/products/autoclaves/statim-b/

For more on COLTENE, visit www.coltene.com,
email info.uk@coltene.com or call 0800 254 5115.

Author: Nicolas Coomber COLTENE  National Account & Marketing Manager

As a clinician, you are well aware of how important it is for your patients to clean interdentally. Many patients struggle to maintain this but the Waterpik^® Water Flosser can revolutionise their oral hygiene routines, especially when they see the results for themselves. Practising dental hygienist, Caitlin Miller, shares their experience:

“I’ve recently started to recommend the Waterpik^® Water Flosser to many patients! A lot of the time I’ll strongly urge any patients with implants, bridges, fixed retainers, or multiple crowns to use the Water Flosser. However, that’s not an exhaustive list of scenarios as I feel most patients would benefit from a high level of interdental cleaning.

“When I first recommend the Waterpik^® Water Flosser patients seem keen to start using it, especially when I show them how it works with the demo unit and explain the benefits of the product. Some of my patients already use a Water Flosser regularly and their feedback has been nothing but positive – for some it’s the only interdental cleaning method that they’ll use! Generally, patients have said that they feel a difference, they can reach areas of the mouth that they couldn’t previously, and they’re surprised by how much debris comes out into the sink.

“On average, I recommend the Waterpik^® Water Flosser three times a day and I work five days a week.”

For more information on Waterpik^® products please visit www.waterpik.co.uk. Waterpik^® products are available from Amazon, Costco UK, Argos, Boots, Superdrug and Tesco online and in stores across the UK and Ireland.

Join the 3,000+ dental teams who have already benefitted from a professional Waterpik^® Lunch & Learn. Book your free session for 1 hour of verifiable CPD and a free Waterpik^® Water Flosser – available either face to face or as a webinar – at www.waterpik.co.uk/professional/lunch-learn/

Improper sterilization of instruments puts patients at risk and can leave you liable for damages. Dental handpieces – when improperly decontaminated and sterilized – can be a vehicle for cross-contamination, with the potential to transmit blood-borne infections, spores, bacteria and prions.[i]

The Lisa sterilizer is an easy-to-use Type B vacuum sterilizer that will ensure your instruments are sterilized thoroughly and efficiently. It features a fast cycle for handpieces, ensuring they are ready and safe to use when you need them. Lisa also includes integrated traceability for peace of mind that your records are as spotless as your instruments.

To find out more visit www.wh.com/en_uk, call 01727 874990 or email office.uk@wh.com

[i] Abichandani S., Nadiger R. Cross-contamination in dentistry: a comprehensive overview. Chronicles of Young Scientists. 2013; 4(1): 51. http://www.cysonline.org/text.asp?2013/4/1/51/108807 Accessed November 23, 2018.

Last year, Dr Ali El’Kabengi decided to purchase his own practice and set up Toothi – a squat practice in London.

Having worked in various practices in the past, I had often found them to look cluttered and inconsistent in their interior design. I had a vision for my own practice to look clean, free of clutter and really demonstrate a minimalist aesthetic.

This ended up being especially beneficial as my new practice is quite a small space at less than 600sq². I chose a light, bright and pale colour scheme to maximise the space and make it feel as open as possible, while still having personality and individuality, and ensuring a calming atmosphere. I wanted to create an environment that people recognised as different from other practices they had visited, which also made them feel comfortable. It is particularly important to make a positive impression when opening a new squat practice as you need to steadily build business from the outset.

With regards to the building itself, we took over a former retail premises. We stripped everything out from the floors to the ceilings so we could start from scratch. This involved installing electrics, water pipes, cabling, partition walls and an external plant room, all before any dental equipment could be considered. While this was a very exciting time, it came with plenty of challenges. When doing all this building work for the first time, there were many variables and I didn’t always know what to expect. It was a very fluid process – we had a plan but had to be very flexible and adapt to situations as they happened. Several ideas did have to be amended as we went along, sometimes at the last minute.

Throughout this process I worked with Matt Rowlingson from Clark Dental. He was extremely helpful and never made me feel that I was bothering him with any questions I had or changes I wished to make to the original plan. It was reassuring to have this support when taking on such a big project as I was able to call him any time any day and he always got back to me if he couldn’t speak there and then. This was also one of the main reasons why I chose to work with Clark Dental in the first place. Following a recommendation from a friend and meeting Matt in person, I could tell that Clark Dental was a family-run business from the personal touch it offered. Being able to work with the same person from start to finish was also greatly appreciated. I contacted other companies for comparison but didn’t feel that the same level of support was available.

With regards to the furnishings and dental equipment, I was initially planning to purchase basic options and then upgrade later once the business was better established. However, things changed when I began browsing!

The dental chair is one of the biggest decisions to make because it is so integral to the patient experience. I visited different showrooms and considered a couple of brands when Matt suggested I have a look at the Clark Dental showroom too. It was here that I fell in love with the Adec 500 treatment centre; it was just so different to others and so advanced in its capabilities. I liked the continental style that prevents twisting of the hands to pick up the handpieces and ensures optimal user comfort, which will be very helpful as we get busier. It adds to the patient experience as well – not only is it comfortable for them, but it also continues the calming yet luxurious aesthetics of the practice. It really gives a ‘wow factor’ and was absolutely worth the investment. For the second surgery I bought an Adec Performer treatment centre but modified it with a double electric motor to ensure we could provide the best treatment. The goal was to present a unique experience for patients and I believe these treatment centres help us do just this.

Clark Dental’s Apex cabinetry then was chosen for the surgeries in a white glossy finish to match the colour scheme and general look of the surgeries. I was able to customise the worktop widths in order to achieve the super slick aesthetic I was aiming for, which was really appreciated and ensured my total satisfaction. Elsewhere in the practice, I chose the Durr suction system, W&H handpieces and a Cattani Compressor based on brand reputation and recommendations from Clark Dental on what would work best for me. Installation of all equipment was seamless and we received good training from Clark Dental. So far, everything is doing its job and I’ve been very happy.  

Though we haven’t been open long, we are steadily growing. The goal for the coming months is to invest in marketing and further expand our patient base. We want to be known for making our patients feel cared for in an environment that offers something different. I am very proud that we were a finalist in the Best New Practice category at the Private Dentistry Awards 2021 – we were only able to enter and get this far thanks to the support we have received.

For anyone thinking about opening their own squat practice, it’s essential to have a financial contingency plan for the first six months – you just don’t know how it will go. I also can’t stress enough the importance of working with good companies that offer a complete service. It’s not just about finding the best equipment; they should be helping you to ensure efficiencies, adapting to your evolving needs and providing the support you require at the time. In fact, I believe that service must be at the forefront because even a small mistake or delay can cost you thousands. I would hand on heart recommend Clark Dental to others for their service, which has been truly second-to-none.  

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

Straumann supports several training courses within UK dental implantology, working with prestigious organisations to maintain the highest standards of education.

The team continue to collaborate with the British Academy of Implant and Restorative Dentistry (BAIRD), supporting the Evidence Based & Clinical Implant Course, presented by Dr Hassan Maghaireh. The programme offers intensive, modular training and covers basic implant sciences, treatment planning, surgical and restorative skills, evidence-based implant dentistry, implant maintenance and managing complications.

Delegates have the opportunity to follow an allocated patient throughout the entire implant journey as part of training, plus they are guaranteed to place at least two implants themselves.

For further course details, or information on the many other learning opportunities available through Straumann, please visit the website today.

For more details please visit www.skill.straumann.com/en-GB/Home

The BACD Annual Conference is a great opportunity for dentists and their teams to engage with the wider cosmetic dental community, to get up to date with the latest news and reignite their passion for clinical excellence.

2021 delegate, Dr Pradeep Varanjka from Prenton Dental Practice, said:

“I have learned so much from the sessions and I can implement what I have learnt straight away in my clinical practice. I don’t miss any opportunity to attend the BACD courses. Thank you BACD for what you do. I feel very encouraged and excited about dentistry.”

Don’t miss the BACD Annual Conference 2022 – save the dates today!

Save the dates for the BACD Eighteenth Annual Conference – ICC Wales

Friday 10^th – 12^th November 2022

www.bacd.com

To restore teeth and achieve a result that is clinically successful and aesthetically pleasing, crown lengthening may be required. As surgical skills go, it is an incredibly useful one for the general dentist to have, with a range of indications and contra-indications for treatment, that are wider than restorative needs. It can be used as a means to access subgingival caries or access a perforation in the coronal third of the root, as well as to correct a gummy smile, for example.[i]

During the procedure the soft or hard tissue, or both, will be manipulated and adjusted to increase the amount of supragingival tooth structure. Achieving a good outcome will require up-to-date skills and knowledge and the dentist must have taken various considerations into account before proceeding, such as periodontal health. Results can then be predictable, periodontal health can be maintained and aesthetics greatly improved. Also, if the patient is having a new restoration fitted, there will be enough structure left to support it for a long time, as long as they practise good daily hygiene and attend regular reviews.

Tooth wear, a growing problem

An amount of tooth wear, broadly defined as non-carious surface loss, is normal and expected. But people are living longer and, as the impact of wear accumulates with age, there will be more patients presenting with wear that is affecting their quality of life. Tooth wear can lead to a range of situations which can – in isolation, or combination ­­­­­– affect the dentition and smile aesthetics. Common complaints associated with wear include inefficient mastication, pain in the jaw and sensitivity; on the aesthetics side, it can give a dull, pitted or discoloured appearance to the teeth.[ii] Even if tooth wear has not led to functional problems, a patient may have come to the practice because they are unhappy with their smile. The importance of an attractive looking, as well as healthy smile, must never be underestimated. It plays a major part in an individual’s psychological and emotional wellbeing, and willingness to engage with others, no matter how old they are. Tooth wear isn’t just an age-related issue though, as there is a growing number of younger patients including children showing unexpected patterns of wear, surface loss that is primarily due to acid erosion.[iii] Treatment will be focused on protecting the remaining dentition and prevention of further wear, but restorative care may be required.

Worn, shortened teeth can be difficult to restore and, in some cases, surgical crown lengthening can help make the process easier and support a successful outcome. If wear has led to a fracture, for example, by carefully lengthening the crown the dentist will not only be able to achieve a good fit for the new restoration but capture enough structure to enable it to attach firmly and remain stable. A proper fit will also mean it can be kept beautifully clean, as long as the patient has been shown how to perform elevated oral hygiene and is motivated to do so, between appointments.

A procedure for everyday practice

The management and treatment of tooth wear is therefore an example of where crown lengthening can be applied in everyday practice, and a key reason why being able to deliver this procedure will have huge benefits to you, and your patients. To utilise it correctly, a dentist must have knowledge of concepts like biological width, as well as the technique(s) for successfully crown lengthening. Treatment planning and case evaluation must be comprehensive, and the pre-surgical evaluation will consider things like periodontal health also gingival biotype, root anatomy, crown-to-root ratio and the presence of caries. Radiographic assessment and bone sounding will also be required to ensure that the bone is of sufficient height, width and density to facilitate the change in gingival volume.   

Crown lengthening can be part of a gold standard treatment plan for tooth wear, delivering a predictable result. The Surgical Crown Lengthening Hands-on course with BPI Dental Training & Education is a terrific option for any clinicians looking to substantially develop their knowledge and skills in this area. The training covers all the concepts around tooth wear as well as the surgical procedures themselves. Crown lengthening is not only incredibly useful as a skill in itself, but it involves surgical techniques that can be applied to other parts of dentistry.

Crown lengthening has a range of indications, including to increase clinical crown height to restore teeth impacted by wear. Dentists will see more patients who want a solution for the functional and aesthetic impacts of wear, not only due to increased retention of teeth in old age, but also the increase of accelerated wear among younger patient populations. Surgical crown lengthening can facilitate the easier restoration of worn teeth. It can facilitate preparation, support success, predictability, and treatment stability to ultimately deliver a beautiful, functional smile.

For more details or to book your place on the next Surgical Crown Lengthening course with Dr Boota Singh Ubhi, please visit https://bpieducation.co.uk/dental-courses/surgical-crown-lengthening/

[i] American Academy of Periodontology. AAP Connect. Crown Lengthening. Glossary of Periodontal Terms. https://members.perio.org/libraries/glossary?ssopc=1 (accessed March 2022).

[ii] Mehta SB, Banerji S, Millar BJ, Suarez-Feito JM. Current concepts on the management of tooth wear: part 1. Assessment, treatment planning and strategies for the prevention and the passive management of tooth wear. British Dental Journal. 2012 Jan 14; 212 (1): 17-27.

[iii] Harley, K. Tooth wear in the child and the youth. Br Dent J 186, 492–496 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.bdj.4800150