The Voice of Techno-Clinical Dentistry, SPECTRUM DIALOGUE

I am very glad that Spectrum Dialogue featured two of our favorite techno-clinical solutions here at the lab, in their March 2008 issue. Both systems serve us well, and have their own strengths and weaknesses.

For more info about these products and how we like to use them, please call AOA Dental @ 1-866-625-6992. - Tony L.


1. Nobel Biocare Zirconia Restorations

Nobel Biocare, the originator of CAD/CAM dentistry, expands it's market-leading and versatile treatment portfolio of all ceramic solutions with three new shades of Procera Crown Zirconia.

With Procera Crown Zirconia in four colors, dental laboratories stand to increase their focus on creating superior esthetics, instead of managing a shaded blank inventory. Furthermore, experienced ceramists can often achieve the desired final color with fewer steps by starting with shaded zirconia bases, thus increasing shade efficiency.


2. Cercon Zirconia Crowns and Bridges

Cercon Zirconia is an innovative system for esthetic metal free crowns and bridges and is a registered product of Dentsply. The system is used to fabricate anterior or, posterior single units or, multi-unit bridge restorations out of translucent, biocompatible zirconia, the strongest and toughest dental ceramic.

The reliability of Cercon restorations is backed by more than nine years of proven clinical success. Over 2,000,000 units have been placed world-wide since introduced.

Amalgam Controversy

A ban on mercury, including dental amalgam, that took effect in Norway on Jan. 1 has stirred similar activity in other Scandinavian countries, notably Sweden and Denmark where after April 1, dentists can no longer use mercury in fillings. The action spurred a denouncement from Derek Jones, Professor Emeritus of Biomaterials, Dalhouse University Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Chair of the International Standards Organization's TEchnical and Committee on Dentistry.

The Norwegian ban was in reaction to the detrimental effects mercury has on the environment and the availability of alternatives; Sweden banned mercury for environmental and health issues, stating that today's dental composites are a viable alternative because they are more versatile.

Jones denounced the ban, saying the media has bombarded the public with sensational, confusing, and misleading reports on health issues related to amalgam use.

A December 2007 Dental Products Report survey showed 57.0% of U.S. dentists place amalgam restorations. Of those who don't, 43.0% stopped more than five years ago. Of those who still place amalgam, most say they use it less today than 3 years ago.