Dental Logic
Tech Tips Page
You can easily remove heavy metals from fixer by imersing a carbon and aluminum rod (connected to each other with a wire) into your old fixer in a plastic bucket. The pure silver plates out on the carbon rod. After about a week you can dump (drain) the "nontoxic" fluid left over . This system generates its own electricity. I've used this technique for years and get about 10 oz of silver per yr.
From....The Dentists Handbook, Andent Press 1000 North Ave. Waukegan IL 60085 USA $23.
From the Internet Dental Forum
As the cold weather approaches keep in mind that the setting of impression materials is affected by changes in the temperature. Do not store materials near external walls. Fluctuations of temperature within the material can significantly affect the properties of the impression. Water for alginate should not come from the tap. Water should be at room temperature and can most easily be kept in a jug on the counter.
Dry Tips by Microcopy
A number of you have tried and are using the flat absorbent paper products to block the
flow from the parotid gland. Although similar in appearance, Dry Tips actually are
composed of three separate layers: (1) a nylon mesh fabric that gently adheres to the
mucous membrane, (2) the core, a polyacrylate/cellulose super absorbent that retains
moisture, and (3) a transparent polyethylene film moisture barrier on the outside toward
the oral cavity. I have tried a few samples of the triangular paper products over the
years, but always went back to the rubber dam or cotton rolls. But Dry Tips are different.
Imagine working without concern of moisture contamination or the irritation of changing
cotton rolls or absorbent pads in the middle of a difficult procedure. Dry Tips have many
features including: (a) tremendous saliva absorption capacity; (b) even after becoming
fully saturated, they can be handled without losing the absorbed moisture; (c) complete
coverage of the parotid orifice and the entire buccal mucosa; (d) actually sticks to the
mucous membrane and stays in place, yet it removes easily with no loose fibers or other
residues left in the mouth; (e) protects the buccal musosa and facilitates work far back
in the oral cavity (makes those crown preps on the second molar much easier); (f) its
flexible, accommodates to cheek movements, and it comes in two sizes. Dry Tips absorb and
retain 30 times their own weight in moisture! This is a must-have item; they make sealants
a snap. Order from Microcopy at (800) 235-1863. Try them once and you will be hooked like
I am.
Dr. Blaes practices in the St. Louis area
and has developed every type of dental
practice from solo to a 10-man group.
He is known for his expertise in dental
techniques and his innovative systems designs.
He lectures, writes and conducts "in house
seminars. He may be reached at (314) 843-3300
Water Causes Damage
Water Solenoid prevents DISASTERS!
After fire, water is the single most destructive force in the dental office. (No it is
not dental assistants.) It has happened to us or someone we know. Some unforeseen event
causes a pipe to brake. In the home or office, freezing is the most common problem. Mental
picture; January, deep snows, tall drifts, obstructed roads, below freezing temperatures
and a power outage. The office is 10 miles away and locked. No heat there, so the pipes
freeze. No problem yet. Frozen pipes do not leak. Finally it warms up just enough for you
to dig out and travel the 55 minute, 10 mile trip to the office. It is hard to get that
door open when the shovel is at home. Well, do not rush. 1500 gallons have melted past the
ruptured pipes. What difference will a few more gallons make?
Hard to believe?
You know better. The solution is too simple and inexpensive. Call a plumber in the
autumn. Install a water valve, after the meter, with a solenoid activated motor. Place the
switch near the employee exit. $200 in parts and labor will let you sleep well at night.
You will have more time to play with the kids in the snow without worry.
Additional thought: Should you have a vain driven, high volume suction system be aware.
The suction is created by a small drip of water, usually from the main water supply. (We
were too cheap to buy the recircleating system when we bought the vacuum pump. What the
hell if we spent 3 times the price in water bills!) The seal burns out without water.
Additionally the motor (motors)were not intended to run a continuos weekend. Place the
electric supply to the water valve's motor side of the solenoid. The suction will not
start without a water supply. I speak first hand when I tell you that an employee left the
suction running with the water off for a weekend. By the way, those 2 hp. motors cost
about $2000. They are made especially different to cost more. Dentist are rich. Right??
Removing Cement
Lay some Superfloss, the fuzzy stuff, under the contact. Brush some bond on it, so when it's withdrawn it helps seal the margin. Wiggle it a bit when seating, so it doesn't get trapped. When withdrawn, it leaves a nice clean margin area. I don't seem to have problem with it depriving the margin of cement, when it is loaded with bond first.
Richard Ehrlich
Bolton, Ont.
In addition to flossing the contacts you might find that rubbing the contacts of the adjacent teeth with a lubricant (KY works very well, is thick enough to not run all over -and onto the prep- and rinses away easily) will facilitate cement removal. I also rub it on the contact points on the crown and carefully around (not on) the margin. It makes the crown a little slippery so you have to be careful. We haven't lost one yet so give it a try!
Dez Merrow, E.D.A.
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