Modelling wax is a key material in any dental lab. Kemdent offers a leading range of high-quality modelling waxes to meet the needs of every dental lab. Each is different in colour and softening temperatures, able to meet the requirements of various cases.

If you’re looking to make more eco-conscious choices in your practice, Kemdent offers Anutex Eco, the most recent addition to the range of modelling waxes. Anutex Eco uses new manufacturing techniques to produce excellent quality modelling wax using 30% less energy than before.

Anutex Eco does not irritate oral tissues, produces no unpleasant odour or flavour, and is very easy to work with – not adhering to fingers, softening without becoming crumbly, and trimming easily and cleanly.

To find out more, please contact the team at Kemdent.

For more information about the leading solutions available from Kemdent, please visit

www.kemdent.co.uk or call 01793 770 256

Sophistication meets sustainability with the Lara XL steriliser from W&H, the energy saving solution with unique optional upgradeability.

With a spacious 28-litre chamber, the Lara XL can reprocess up to 7kg of wrapped instruments or 9kg of containers in one cycle. Plus, the 6-tray rack allows for flexibility around your workflows.

The efficient Eco Dry + technology creates the opportunity to sterilise a standard 2kg load in just 25 minutes with the Fast Cycle upgrade. Not only does this keep your practice operating efficiently, it also optimises energy use and increases the lifespan of your instruments.

Upgrade to keep patients and the dental team safe, with the flexibility for advanced and thorough traceability from EliTrace. The advanced documentation system allows sterilisation information to be catalogued down to the individual instrument.

For more information about faster type B cycles for many more instruments, contact the W&H team today.

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

After an invasive dental procedure, proper wound care is crucial to promote healing and prevent infection

Good oral care is key to the success of any dental treatment. But when it comes to invasive dental procedures, such as periodontal surgery or dental implant placement, meticulous postoperative care is vital.

As you know, wound healing is a dynamic process consisting of continuous, overlapping and programmed phases. In adults, optimal wound healing involves the following: (1) rapid haemostasis; (2) appropriate inflammation; (3) mesenchymal cell differentiation, proliferation, and migration to the wound site; (4) suitable angiogenesis; (5) re-growth of epithelial tissue over the wound surface; and (6) proper synthesis, cross-linking and alignment of collagen to provide strength to the healing tissue.[i]

Postoperative complications of surgical tooth extractions, for example, can include swelling, pain, trismus, prolonged bleeding, dry socket, infection and sensory alterations of the inferior alveolar nerve or lingual nerve.[ii]

One of the primary goals of post-op wound care – and one of the trickiest – is to maintain oral cleanliness without causing trauma to the surgical site. Gentle plaque removal using toothbrushes with soft bristles or antimicrobial rinses can aid in preventing biofilm accumulation and postoperative complications.[iii]Additionally, careful irrigation with chlorhexidine (CHX) or saline solutions may reduce bacterial load and improve wound healing.[iv]

Mouth rinses or gels containing chlorhexidine gluconate are commonly recommended due to their antimicrobial properties.ⁱⁱ CHX boasts a broad-spectrum antimicrobial effect, meaning it can target a wide range of bacteria, fungi and viruses found in the mouth. It helps to reduce the overall bacterial load in the oral cavity, preventing the growth of harmful bacteria that can cause post-op complications, as well as those pathogens that can cause dental decay, gum disease and bad breath.

Alternatives such as essential oil or herbal-based rinses (including myrrh) can also be considered based on the individual patient’s needs.[v]Diet and lifestyle modifications can have a significant impact on post-op recovery.

Patients should be advised to avoid consuming hard, sticky, or crunchy foods that could compromise wound healing or dislodge sutures.

A balanced diet rich in vitamins and minerals can support tissue repair and immune function. Omega-3 fatty acids can help in the battle against gum inflammation. They can be found in fish, such as sardines, herring, salmon and mackerel and are also present in nuts and seeds, vegetable oils, soya and green leafy vegetables. Healthy greens, such as spinach and kale, also contain many vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that are essential for immune function. For example, vitamin C aids collagen maturation which helps maintain the integrity of the connective tissue in the gingiva.[vi]

Smoking cessation is crucial, as tobacco use significantly impairs oral wound healing and is associated with an increased risk of infection.[vii] Nicotine is a vasoconstrictor that reduces nutritional blood flow to the skin, resulting in tissue ischemia and impaired healing of injured tissue.[viii] In addition to the effects of nicotine, carbon monoxide in cigarette smoke causes tissue hypoxia.

Patients are, of course, provided with thorough oral hygiene instructions tailored to their specific procedure by their dental professional. In general, gentle brushing, with toothpaste containing fluoride, should be resumed after the first 24 hours, being careful not to traumatise the surgical site. Flossing may be adjusted or temporarily avoided, depending on the extent of the procedure and the dentist’s recommendation. And prescribed medications, such as analgesics and antibiotics, should be used in compliance with the dental professional’s instructions.

Perio Plus+ from Curaprox is an alcohol-free range of oral rinses which offers patients help on the way to post-op recovery together with powerful protection against a wide range of microorganisms. Perio Plus+ Forte is an extra intensive rinse, boasting CHX at 0.2%, for use before and after invasive dental procedures while Perio Plus+ Regenerate, is a rinse for supporting tissue regeneration with a 0.09% concentration of CHX, bolstered with hyaluronic acid. Both formulations also contain CITROX^®, a natural bioflavonoid extracted from bitter oranges.

Proper oral care after invasive dental procedures is essential for promoting successful healing and preventing postoperative complications. A comprehensive approach, including wound care, medication management, diet modifications and oral hygiene instructions, is crucial for ensuring optimal recovery. Dental professionals should consider these steps while tailoring postoperative care plans to individual patient needs, thereby supporting their long-term oral health and well-being.

For more details, please visit www.perioplus.com/uk

[i] Guo S, Dipietro LA. Factors affecting wound healing. J Dent Res. 2010 Mar;89(3):219-29. doi: 10.1177/0022034509359125. Epub 2010 Feb 5. PMID: 20139336; PMCID: PMC2903966.

[ii] Sayed N, Bakathir A, Pasha M, Al-Sudairy S. Complications of Third Molar Extraction: A retrospective study from a tertiary healthcare centre in Oman. Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J. 2019 Aug;19(3):e230-e235. doi: 10.18295/squmj.2019.19.03.009. Epub 2019 Nov 5. PMID: 31728221; PMCID: PMC6839670.

[iii] Poppolo Deus F, Ouanounou A. Chlorhexidine in Dentistry: Pharmacology, Uses, and Adverse Effects. Int Dent J. 2022 Jun;72(3):269-277. doi: 10.1016/j.identj.2022.01.005. Epub 2022 Mar 12. PMID: 35287956; PMCID: PMC9275362 [Accessed September 2023]

[iv] James P, Worthington HV, Parnell C, Harding M, Lamont T, Cheung A, Whelton H, Riley P. Chlorhexidine mouthrinse as an adjunctive treatment for gingival health. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2017 Mar 31;3(3):CD008676. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD008676.pub2. PMID: 28362061; PMCID: PMC6464488. [Accessed September 2023]

[v] Eid RAA. Efficacy of Commiphora myrrh mouthwash on early wound healing after tooth extraction: A randomized controlled trial. Saudi Dent J. 2021 Jan;33(1):44-54. doi: 10.1016/j.sdentj.2019.11.011. Epub 2019 Dec 16. PMID: 33473242; PMCID: PMC7801243.

[vi] Oral Health Foundation https://www.dentalhealth.org/diet-boosts-oral-health

[vii] Silverstein P, Smoking and wound healing, 15 July 1992, American Journal of Medicine, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/0002-9343(92)90623-J https://www.amjmed.com/article/0002-9343(92)90623-J/pdf [Accessed September 2023]

[viii] Guo S, Dipietro LA. Factors affecting wound healing. J Dent Res. 2010 Mar;89(3):219-29. doi: 10.1177/0022034509359125. Epub 2010 Feb 5. PMID: 20139336; PMCID: PMC2903966. [Accessed September 2023]

With increasing patient demand for natural-looking restorations, Filtek Universal Restorative from 3M Oral Care offers dental professionals a nanocomposite which comes in eight specially designed shades, plus an Extra White option, that blend to natural dentition. All shades cover 100 per cent of the 19 VITA classical and bleach shades.*

Filtek Universal Restorative from 3M Oral Care also allows dentists to improve the overall quality of the restoration with its versatile Pink Opaquer specifically designed to mask metal and dark tooth structure. 

Suitable to be used in the majority of cases, Filtek Universal Restorative from 3M Oral Care boasts excellent polish retention and has lower shrinkage stress than other composites.* While designed to be used at room temperature, the product can be warmed in capsules, for up to one hour, and retain the same physical performance.

To find out more about this award-winning** restorative, please contact the team at 3M Oral Care.

For more information, call 08705 360 036 or visit www.go.3M.com/ocsdpr

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

** Dental Advisor 2023: https://www.dentaladvisor.com/evaluations/3m-filtek-universal-restorative/

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About 3M
At 3M, we apply science in collaborative ways to improve lives daily. With $34.2 billion in sales, our 92,000 employees connect with customers all around the world.

The UK is home to one of the largest 3M subsidiaries outside the USA, employing around 1,900 people across 12 locations, including four manufacturing sites.

Products manufactured in the UK include coated abrasives, personal safety equipment and adhesive tapes.

As a strategic partner of the British Science Association and a sponsor of WeAreTheCity Rising Star Awards in Science and Engineering, 3M is a passionate advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths).

Learn more about 3M’s creative solutions to the world’s problems at 3M.co.uk or follow @3MUK on Twitter or 3m.uk on Instagram.

If you’re curious about fixed appliances, you can easily gain the skills you need to provide these treatments with the IAS Academy.

The Fixed Braces course is designed for beginners, and will cover both the theory and hands-on training needed by professionals for them to start providing fixed brace options. From learning how to perform interproximal reduction to selecting the best archwires for the appliance, this course is a comprehensive look at the treatment journey and covers every aspect of fixed braces to ensure confidence.

There are plenty of dates available, so why not get in touch today?

For more information on upcoming IAS Academy training courses, please visit

www.iasortho.com or call 01932 336470 (Press 1)

From single-tooth replacements to full arch rehabilitations, the Straumann Smile in a Box digital treatment planning and manufacturing service gives dental professionals the flexibility to cater to individual patient needs and provide personalised treatment plans

Straumann’s Smile in a Box offers a comprehensive solution for various clinical scenarios, enabling dental clinicians to deliver a wide range of dental restorations. Whether your patient is requiring a single crown, bridge or dentures, this all-in-one service includes everything needed to deliver high quality, predictable, and aesthetic dental restorations using the Straumann implant system. With it you can outsource parts of the digital workflow as and when you require – you simply select the services you need and Straumann will deliver everything you need in a single box.

One of the primary advantages of Straumann Smile in a Box is this simplified workflow. As everything is supplied in one package, it eliminates the need to source components from multiple suppliers. This simplification saves both time and effort, allowing you to focus on what you do best, providing optimal patient care.

Cost-effective choice

Investing in the Straumann Smile in a Box system is a cost-effective choice too. By purchasing the complete kit, dentists can potentially save money compared to individually sourcing components. Additionally, the reduced chair time, simplified workflow, and predictable outcomes contribute to increased patient satisfaction and potentially generate positive reviews and referrals, leading to business growth.

Straumann is known for its commitment to delivering aesthetically pleasing dental restorations. The Smile in a Box system incorporates this commitment by offering high-quality materials and components that ensure excellent aesthetics. The system allows dental clinicians to achieve natural-looking and harmonious results, making patients feel confident and satisfied with their new smiles.

How does it work?

So, how does this all work in practice? Following a consultation with a patient requiring dental implant treatment, you submit the case to the Smile in a Box team. This requires you to upload a patient’s CBCT scan, along with STL files of the patient’s upper and lower jaws and bite registration. You can then opt for treatment to be completed by the team at Smile in a Box, or not. It’s up to you. The treatment plan will be developed based on your case data. This will be reviewed and approved by you via a webinar session. You can therefore maintain control over the case, and access the high standard Straumann digital treatment planning workflow, without needing to bring the software in-house.

Once the treatment plan is finalised, the Smile in a Box team is able to produce a customised surgical guide and restorative design. This is all based on the treatment plan you have signed off. Having approved these aspects, the Smile in a Box team will carry out precise, high quality centralised CAD/CAM production of these items. Of course, you can choose to carry out these steps in-house, again, it’s up to you.

Once the components have been made, they are carefully packed into a box. They are then shipped to you 10 days after your final approval. This means that, when the day of the dental implant treatment arrives, you’ll have everything you need.

Boxing clever

The Straumann implant system is renowned worldwide for its high-quality, precision and proven long-term success rates. By utilising the Smile in a Box solution, dentists tap into this expertise and can achieve predictable outcomes, ensuring the satisfaction and well-being of their patients. The precise fit and compatibility of components from the same system reduce the risk of complications and yield reliable results.

Indeed, incorporating Smile in a Box into your workflow can enhance your dental practice efficiency by streamlining the treatment process. You will be able to effectively plan, prepare, and execute the procedure without delays. This efficiency translates into better time management and improved productivity for you, your dental team and your patients.

Straumann Smile in a Box has numerous advantages that benefit both dentists and patients. Its simplified workflow, predictable outcomes, enhanced efficiency, cost-effective nature, comprehensive solution and excellent aesthetics make it a desirable choice for dental professionals. By utilising this innovative, one-box system, dentists can potentially expand their treatment offering, provide high quality restorations, enhance patient satisfaction, and achieve long-term success in implant dentistry.

For more information on the Straumann Smile in a Box, visit www.straumann.com/digital/en/discover/smile-in-a-box.html.

When offering a patient dental implant treatment, it is important to first assess their anatomy using a cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) system. Dental radiographs have long been used as a tool in diagnosis and treatment planning, however, patients might have questions about this particular type of scan, and what they can expect in comparison to other types of imaging they may have experienced or heard of. It is important that patients are well informed about the processes needed for diagnosis and treatment planning, and that clinicians are able to answer the questions they may have. Dentists might also consider ways in which CBCT images may be used to enhance communication.

What is a CBCT scan?

Initially, medical computed tomography (CT) was used to produce 3D diagnostic images in dentistry, however, CT machines are large and deliver high doses of radiation, making them unsuitable for use in many dental settings.[i] CBCT machines, on the other hand, are more compact and use a lower dose of radiation making them the preferred option for dental applications. CBCT systems are able to produce volumetric images of both the hard and soft tissue. They were first used in the dental setting to evaluate impacted teeth, apical lesions, and mandibular and maxillary diseases.[ii] Technology has developed dramatically since the advent of this imaging type, and the systems now rotate around the patient’s head to obtain a complete set of images in a single scan which takes a matter of seconds.[iii]

It is also important to recognise the limitations when considering imaging systems. CBCT units still deliver a higher dose of radiation than some other types of imaging such as intraoral and panoramic radiographs. Because of this, CBCT scans should only be used in scenarios where the benefits outweigh the risks.[iv] Their use should always be justified, and patients must understand this before they can provide informed consent.

What makes CBCT more appropriate that other imaging types?

In some scenarios, such as assessing the suitability for dental implants for example, CBCT is commonly the most appropriate imaging option. They can offer a highly accurate 3D view of the patient’s anatomy, using a relatively low dosage of radiation, often making them appropriate for use when reviewing treatment outcomes and peri-implant and bone health in the long-term. They are able to deliver improved image quality and accuracy compared to other imaging types, offer clinicians comprehensive information about their patient’s oral health, and deliver a quick and comfortable option.

CBCT imaging is a great way to obtain accurate measurements, identify any issues in the gingival tissue, detect lesions which indicate disease, locate origin of pain, and evaluate key anatomical features such as sinuses, nasal cavity, and nerve canal in preparation for surgery.[v] By assessing all of these key areas, clinicians are able to assess a patient’s suitability for treatments such as dental implants and allow them to select the correct size and length of implant to achieve optimal stability and osseointegration. They also provide a highly accurate depiction of the patient’s existing bite, allowing the dental team to plan the alignment of the final restoration to avoid malocclusion.

Enhanced patient experiences

When receiving a CBCT scan, it’s important that patients know what to expect, to help them prepare and optimise results. While the scan will usually only last a few seconds, patients who are anxious about small spaces may find the experience a little uncomfortable. Because of this, clinicians should offer personal advice to each individual. Patients must stay still for the scan, avoiding talking, swallowing, and moving the head if possible. This is because movement during the scan can cause blurred images, which can render them unusable in diagnosis and treatment planning. Therefore, it’s important that patients remain still to avoid the need for re-takes.

CBCT scans also offer patients the benefits of improved communication. Because the resulting images are of such high-quality and accuracy, clinicians can use them as a visual tool to describe the patient’s situation, including any areas of concern, and the planned treatment. This is a highly effective way of improving a patient’s understanding of their own oral health and helping them to provide informed consent.

The five-time winner of the Cellerant Best of Class Technology award, the CS 9600 CBCT system from Carestream Dental is the innovative 5-in-1 scanner that drives precision in each exam. Featuring AI powered positioning, obtaining accurate and repeatable CBCT images is easier than ever. With 14 fields of view and the optional Scan Ceph module the CS 9600 CBCT system is suitable for a wide range of clinical scenarios.

CBCT imaging is a crucial tool for diagnosis and treatment planning across a number of clinical scenarios. By offering patients the accurate and detailed information they need to understand this type of imaging, and the treatment they need, they are able to provide informed consent and gain a better understanding of their own oral health.

For more information on Carestream Dental visit www.carestreamdental.co.uk

For the latest news and updates, follow us on Facebook and Instagram @carestreamdental.uk

Nimisha Nariapara

Bio

Nimisha is the Trade Marketing Manager at Carestream Dental covering the UK, Middle East, Nordics, South Africa, Russia and CIS regions. She has worked at Carestream Dental for the past 7 years, where she has developed her marketing skills and industry knowledge to bring the core values and philosophy of the company to the market. 

[i] Bromberg N, Brizuela M. Dental Cone Beam Computed Tomography. [Updated 2023 Apr 19]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK592390/

[ii] Bromberg N, Brizuela M. Dental Cone Beam Computed Tomography. [Updated 2023 Apr 19]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK592390/

[iii] Bromberg N, Brizuela M. Dental Cone Beam Computed Tomography. [Updated 2023 Apr 19]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK592390/

[iv] Bromberg N, Brizuela M. Dental Cone Beam Computed Tomography. [Updated 2023 Apr 19]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2023 Jan-. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK592390/

[v] Atlanta Center for Advanced Periodontics. Dental CBCT Scan: What Is It & Why You Need One. Accessed Sept 23:  https://advancedperioatl.com/cbct-scan-dentist-vs-x-rays/

COLTENE’s award-winning[i] BRILLIANT Everglow™ composite provides exceptional aesthetics, ensuring natural-looking restorations that blend seamlessly with the surrounding teeth. Its wide range of shades allows dental clinicians to achieve accurate colour matching, resulting in highly satisfied patients. 

The composite is highly versatile, making it suitable for both anterior and posterior restorations. It exhibits excellent handling characteristics, making it easy for dental professionals to sculpt and shape the material precisely. Its non-sticky consistency simplifies the placement process, reducing the chances of mistakes.

Another significant advantage of BRILLIANT Everglow™ is its superior wear resistance and durability. Restorations made with BRILLIANT Everglow™ are long-lasting, ensuring patients can enjoy their new smiles for years to come.

Discover how BRILLIANT EverGlow™ can benefit your patients by visiting the COLTENE website today!

For more information, info.uk@coltene.com and 0800 254 5115

COLTENE loyalty scheme https://rewards.coltene.com

[i] Editor’s Choice Dental Advisor and Dental Product Shopper Best Product

To show their appreciation of the support they received from key customers in the past few years, RPA Dental recently took clinicians to Bologna, Italy. Guests had an exclusive opportunity to visit the Cefla manufacturing facility – the world-leading name behind several of RPA Dental’s innovative dental chairs and imaging technologies.

Kunal Patel, Owner and Clinical Director of Love Teeth Dental in Surrey, alongside his wife, co-owner and practice manager, Lucy Patel, was among the group invited. He says:

“It was a fantastic, well-thought-out trip. One of the most enjoyable parts of the trip was touring the Cefla factory – Umberto [Mara] was great at showing us around. It made us appreciate the quality and precision of the equipment we buy and the large scale at which it is manufactured. 

“It means a lot to Lucy and I to be appreciated in this way as it shows RPA Dental cares for us and our business. Of course, we met through a business transaction but five years later it now feels more like a friendship with Pete, Jo, Jamie and the team.

“We opened five squat clinics in two years requiring 25+ chairs, several X-ray units and five CBCT machines, which required a huge investment from me. I felt safe knowing RPA Dental and Cefla were the correct choice in supporting me through this journey.” 

For more detail about the Cefla solutions available through RPA Dental in the UK,

please visit www.dental-equipment.co.uk, call 08000 933 975 or email

info@rpadental.net

For patients needing implant treatment but presenting with reduced interdental spaces and bone availability, Helix GM Narrow from Neodent^®, a Straumann Group brand, offers a stable, long-term implant foundation.

The Ø 2.9mm Helix GM Narrow provides an immediate, small diameter solution, which is suitable regardless of whether guided or non-guided techniques are used.

Produced from the most commercially pure and mechanically strong titanium grade 4,

the implant uses an optimised, stable and strong screw-retained morse taper connection. Designed to offer clinicians greater levels of treatment flexibility, it can be used for both single and multi-unit restorations.

To discover how Neodent^® could bolster your dental implant treatment work visit the website today.

For more information on Neodent^® visit

https://www.neodent-uk.co/portal