The Dental Technician Magazine January 2023

By Csongor Szekely, Byrnes Dental Laboratory

Ashley Byrne

implant components and abutments

New Platforms Available

Compatible with virtually all conventional systems on the market. The following platforms are available:

C-Series**

D-Series**

BS-Series**

H-Series

I-Series

B-Series**

DT-Series**

Y-Series

EV-Series

S-Series

T-Series

OT-Series**

CX-Series**

MG-Series**

NE-Series**

K-Series

F-Series

E-Series

N-Series

R-Series

**Auxiliary components only

Compatible with Compatible with Compatible with Compatible with Compatible with Compatible with Compatible with Compatible with Compatible with Compatible with Compatible with Compatible with Compatible with Compatible with Compatible with Compatible with Compatible with Compatible with Compatible with Compatible with

Altatecc® / Camlog®

Altatec® / Camlog®

BEGO Implant Systems / Semados®

BIOMET 3i®

BIOMET 3i®

Bredent Medical

Dentium

DENTSPLY Implants®

DENTSPLY Implants®

DENTSPLY Implants®

DENTSPLY Implants®

HiOssen Implant®

Medentis Medical

Megagen

NEOSS®

Nobel Biocare®

Nobel Biocare® / NobelActive®

Nobel Biocare®

Straumann®

Zimmer Dental®

Additional products will be added soon. For more imformation go to www.medentika/uk

Camlog Screw-line - RootLine 2

Conelog®

S/SC/SCX/RS/RSX/RI

Certain®

External Hex

SKY®

SuperLine, Implantium, Implantium II

ANKYLOS® C/X

ASTRA TECH OsseoSpeed® EV

ASTRA TECH OsseoSpeed® TX

XiVE® S

ET System

ICX

AnyRidge®

ProActive®

Brånemark®

NobelActive®

NobelReplace® Conical

NobelReplace® Tapered

Tissue Level

Tapered Screw-Vent®

Products indicated with ® are registered brand names of respective manufacturers.

LIFETIME LIMITED GUARANTEE MEDENTiKA® offers a comprehensive guarantee on all MEDENTiKA abutments, abutment screws and the implant used with MEDENTiKA abutments*

*Immediate restorations are excluded from this guarantee. The guarantee for the implant applies if the manufacturer of the implant inserted with the abutment restricts or refuses to offer its guarantee because the implant was combined with a MEDENTiKA or MedentiCAD abutment. For further information on this, consult our guarantee terms.

touch: medentika-uk.co/team-directory

January 2023

editor@dentaltechnician.org.uk

Advertising Manager: Chris Trowbridge

E: sales@dentaltechnician.org.uk

T: 07399 403602

Designer: Sharon (Bazzie) Larder

E: inthedoghousedesign@gmail.com

Editorial Advisory Board

Andrea Johnson

Ashley Byrne

Sharaz Mir

Sir Paul Beresford

Leonora Ward

Daniel Shaw

PUBLISHED BY THE DENTAL TECHNICIAN MAGAZINE, PO BOX 2279, PULBOROUGH, RH20 9BR. T: 01372 897463

The Dental Technician Magazine is an independent publication and is not associated with any professional body or commercial establishment other than the publishers. Views expressed in this journal are not necessarily those of the editor, publisher or the editorial advisory board. Unsolicited manuscripts and photographs are welcome, though no liability can be accepted for any loss or damage, howsoever caused. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without the express permission of the editor or the publisher.

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Extend your subscription by recommending a colleague There is a major change in CPD coming soon. The Dental Technician Magazine is a must read. Tell your colleagues to subscribe and if they do so we will extend your subscription for 3 months. The only condition is that they have not subscribed to the magazine for more than 12 months. Just ask them to call the Subscriptions Hotline. With four colleagues registered that means your subscription would be extended for a year free of charge. At only £49.95 per year, for UK residents, this must be the cheapest way of keeping up to date. Help your colleagues to keep up to date as well. Ask them to call the subscriptions Hotline on 01202 586 848 now.

From the

Editor

l Welcome to your January edition of The magazine.

Well, well, well, here we are another year on and we go again. What a funny old year 2022 was, three prime ministers and I lose track of how many chancellors we had. Enough politics from me. I can't help but feel a sense of optimism, let's face it, we have had some challenges in the past couple of years and we are still here to tell the tale.

My New Year started off by bumping in to Eugene Kirk whilst on holiday. Having interacted only via the DTGB group previously, it was really nice to meet him in person. Although we didn't 'talk shop' we did share our experiences of answering work calls or emails whilst away. In this connected world we live in, it is really hard not to get drawn into responding to those emails or calls. In fact, its almost impossible unless you simply switch your phone off, but then how will you take your holiday snaps? I guess a good start, is to not be afraid to say you're on holiday and you can pick things up when you're back in the lab/office.

STRUCTURED FEATURES

OK, back to business. Our aim last year was to encourage more of you to write articles, submit technical pieces, or simply share a book review. Some of you have come forward and have produced some fantastic pieces during 2022, for which I am so grateful. Having lots of contributors gives us a much better quality magazine, and seeing as we are the original Dental Technician Magazine, we should be the best.

With your help, we will strive to do even better. With a growing editorial board, our plan is to have a yearly plan for features. This not only gives writers the opportunity to supply or plan written pieces well in advance, it gives readers a heads up on what's coming as well as giving our much needed advertisers and suppliers an idea of what articles and editions they may wish to support. Without our wonderful suppliers and contributors, the magazine wouldn't be possible.

WE NEED YOU!

If you have any feature ideas and timings, we would love to hear from you. We aim to keep some of the features such as "5 Things I Cannot Work Without" and "Life Outside The Lab" appearing in as many of the editions as possible, again we need fellow readers to contribute to these features.

It must feel like it is a constant plea for writers, it really is. We do not ever want the magazine to become sterile or irrelevant. We want real articles, real technical pieces, written by real technicians. You don’t have to be the best writer on the planet, in fact, you may have never written anything in the past. We can help you, so please do get in touch if you would like to contribute. We would love to hear from you.

For now ladies and gentlemen, please enjoy this months magazine. I do hope January and the rest of 2023 is an amazing one for us all.

Matt Everatt I Editor

Matt Everatt F.O.T.A

KNOW MORE ABOUT PRETTAU ® SKIN ® IN OUR UPCOMING LECTURE TOUR

JANUARY 31st – FEBRUARY 2 nd IN INVERNESS, GLASGOW AND LEEDS

NEW! PRETTAU® SKIN®

AESTHETIC SMILE FOR EVERYBODY WITHOUT TOOTH PREPARATION

New technique for creating ultra-thin Prettau ® zirconia veneers (0.2 mm) and to provide patients with a healthy smile with zero to minimal impairment of tooth substance. The new technique is suitable for the aesthetic correction of tooth discolourations, tooth gaps, crooked teeth, cone teeth and abraded teeth.

Through patient-specifi c preparation guides, the dental technician can mark the tooth areas to be prepared by the dentists for veneers application – A useful planning and communication tool between dental technician and dentist, for the fi nal benefi t of the patient.

Prettau® Skin® veneers made of Prettau® 2 Dispersive® zirconia, provided with natural colour gradient (from 13 to 23 and 43 to 33). Case made by: Dr. Francisco García Torres, Mexico and DT Alexander Lichtmannegger, Zirkonzahn Education Center Brunico, South Tyrol, Italy

DENTAL TECHNOLOGY SHOWCASE 2023 A COMPREHENSIVE PROGRAMME

Dental Technology Showcase (DTS) 2023 will focus on all issues relevant to modern lab owners, managers and technicians.

Just like in previous years, expect lectures on digital solutions and how to improve workflows. But there will also be the opportunity to discuss topics like mental health and wellbeing, and how to take care of your colleagues as well as yourself.

DTS 2023 will be held on Friday 12 and Saturday 13 May, NEC Birmingham, co-located with the British Dental Conference & Dentistry Show. For more information, visit the-dts.co.uk or email dts@closerstillmedia.com

A happy and healthy workforce is a productive one! This is why DTS 2023 wants to encourage attendees to find new ways to not become overwhelmed by the challenges of life inside and outside the lab.

That is not all, of course. DTS prides itself on being the place to source new products, and meet with suppliers to get the best deal.

Everyone is welcome - DTS 2023 is also free to attend for dental professionals.

ADDING VALUE TO YOUR SERVICEFOR PRACTICES, THIS COULD BE HOW THEY SAY ‘YES’

When choosing a laboratory, cost will often be a factor in a practices’ decision-making process. Some will simply go for the cheapest option if they’ve done their research, trawled the reviews and have decided that there isn’t much else between you and another lab down the road. But others will look beyond the price point for treatment, and will take into consideration how much value they will be getting.

The majority of consumers are willing to pay more if it means they are getting added value for their money. But this must be genuine. A sleek and beautiful website will make a great first impression, but if you don’t tick other boxes it may leave them thinking that they’re paying for style over substance.

BUILD ON THE BASICS

Added value, the extras that can make a difference, must be built on top of a solid foundation of basics. That means getting all the fundamentals right, like having a polite and knowledgeable team and ensuring that all messages and enquiries are responded to promptly. Keep reviewing your administrative processes and don’t underestimate how frustrating inefficiency is. Ensure your website fulfils its intended functions. Even if yours is a straightforward, ‘this is who we are and this is what we do’ website, all information must be up-to-date and links must work. Ask your customers both loyal and new what you could be doing better. This indicates to them that you are committed to exemplary service and that you want them to keep coming back.

When you are promoting the work you do, mention the equipment and materials that you use to create your products. The practice may choose to pass these details on to the

patients as, if they are marketing themselves as a centre of excellence, people will want to know that they will be enjoying the advantages of cutting-edge technology and high-end products. The dental team is really an extended circle of skilled professionals, clinicians and artists with the patient in the middle. If they are directly benefiting from the choices their dentist has made, they will be happy to pay for the best.

HAPPY PATIENTS MEAN HAPPY PRACTICES

More practices are seeing the advantages of digital, because digital workflows tend to be smoother and shorter, resulting in enhanced comfort and convenience for busy patients. CAD/CAM in particular has enabled simplified treatment and less chair time, also the fabrication of better prostheses. Better, because they look and fit so well and patients don’t have to wait so long to get the smile of their dreams. For anyone hesitating about saying “yes”, or in two minds about where to go, the fact they will see wonderful results faster thanks to digital processes may be what tips the scales in favour of acceptance.

Successful outcomes delivered with added value in mind require reliable materials, so make sure you only source premium, high-performance products. Choose respected brand names that are designed to offer comfort, aesthetics and stability – the functional, optical and mechanical qualities that people expect when they are investing in treatment. Prosthetic components should be designed to deliver in a wide range of clinical scenarios; if you don’t need to buy in additional stock for certain cases, this is another way to keep value high.

PRODUCT CHOICE IS KEY TO VALUE

The materials you use will mean you can offer your supplying dentists fully customised products, so they can promise high-quality, high-value dentistry which is both ethical and unique. They must be great to work with, too! Simeda® prosthetic components for CAD/CAM available from Anthogyr - a Straumann Group brand - are not only ideal if you need any type of single or multiple-unit restorations, or angulated restorative access, but this is a complete prosthetic range that combines innovation, high precision and value. Simeda® can be a solution for any laboratory, making the advantages of CAD/CAM accessible to all. Products are able to be prepared from STL files, but crucially prostheses can be designed from non-digitised models as well as digitised ones. Every customer will also benefit from ongoing technical support and service, with bespoke guidance from experts, also training if required. For added convenience you can order online

A business must always find ways to add value and a dental laboratory is no different. Budgets may be squeezed, but practices getting more for their money will promote satisfaction and happier patients who will be more inclined to want to stay in good health. Add value to your service in a number of ways, including the equipment and prestige materials you use to deliver more beautiful, more precise work more comfortably and faster.

For more information on the industry-leading Anthogyr solutions from the Straumann Group, please visit www.straumann.com

DEN-TECH PARTNER WITH DENTAL TECHNOLOGY SHOWCASE FOR 2023

Dental Technology Showcase (DTS) is back at the NEC Birmingham on 12-13 May 2023

The annual event is the UK’s only dedicated event for dental lab owners and technicians, and a unique opportunity to connect with other dental lab professionals and the wider dental community.

This year, DTS is partnering with DenTech as the show’s official charity. Den-Tech aims to relieve poverty through the provision of affordable dental appliances to those who are most in need and unable to afford it. They also provide training, mentoring and education for dental technicians in developing countries to enable them to supply appropriate quality dental appliances.

As well as having a stand at the show, DenTech are contributing to the Enhanced CPD conference programme in the Den-TechForum, covering topics such as providing dental devices to vulnerable groups, Hidden horrors behind a smile, Inclusion Oral Health and Trauma Informed Dentistry, preventing prosthetic and surgical pitfalls when providing immediate dentures and much more.

Andrea Johnson, Chair of Den-Tech commented “Den-Tech are going to be at the DTS in 2023! We are so very excited to be part of such a fabulous show. Not only will we have our own stand but we have our own Den-Tech lecture programme too. Our lecture programme will be filled with amazing speakers from both within and without the dental industry. Definitely one not to be missed, so please do pop by and see us. We will be on stand C08.”

Here’s what else you’ll find at the UK’s largest gathering for the dental lab professionals:

• 2 days of cutting-edge education

• Over 40 hours of FREE Enhanced CPD

• 50+ world-renowned speakers

• At bench demos

• 80+ exhibitors showcasing innovative new products and services

• Co-located with the British Dental Conference & Dentistry Show

• Network with 10,000 colleagues from the dental community

Make a note in your diary and don’t miss out when the industry gathers at Dental Technology Showcase 2023!

DTS 2023 will be held on Friday 12th and Saturday 13th May at NEC Birmingham and is co-located with the British Dental Conference and Dentistry Show. Dental lab professionals can register for free at the-dts.co.uk

HENRY SCHEIN UK HELPS

LOCAL UNDERSERVED INDIVIDUALS STAY WARM THIS WINTER SEASON

wGillingham – 11 January 2023: Henry Schein Dental and Henry Schein Medical UK are helping individuals in need this winter by donating warm clothes to the Gillingham Street Angels. A small grassroots charity established in 2019, the Gillingham Street Angels helps homeless and vulnerable people of all ages in Medway and the surrounding areas.*

More than one in five people in the UK live in poverty – 14.5 million people, according to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation**. As part of Henry Schein UK’s commitment to giving back to the community, Team Schein Members purchased a variety of winter clothing, including padded coats, tracksuits, unisex thermal socks, beanie hats, neck warmers, and gloves. The garments covered a range of sizes for men, women, and children, and were presented to the Gillingham Street Angels by Team Schein.

“We thank the Henry Schein UK team for their donation of winter clothes which will help keep the homeless and vulnerable people

Team Schein members donate winter clothing to the Gillingham Street Angels

in and around Medway warm this winter,” said Neil Charlick, Chief Executive Officer of the Gillingham Street Angels. “Donations like this enable us to continue to support our communities at this time of real need.”

This initiative by Henry Schein UK aligns with Henry Schein Cares, Henry Schein’s global corporate social responsibility programme. Henry Schein Cares stands on five pillars: empowering Team Schein to reach their potential, advancing health equity and expanding access to care for underserved communities, accelerating environmental sustainability, strengthening, and diversifying our supply chain, and maintaining strong ethical governance. Health care activities supported by Henry Schein Cares focus on four main areas: (1) wellness, treatment, prevention, and education; (2) capacity building; (3) emergency preparedness and disaster response; and (4) health system strengthening.

“Our culture is built on the belief that every person is as important as the next,” said Vikki Goodall, Managing Director, UK & Ireland Dental Distribution. “This culture is integral to our business and at the core of our initiatives, which is why collaborating with organisations like the Gillingham Street Angels is so important to us. We hope our donations can help bring warmth and comfort this season to those individuals who need it most.”

To learn more about how Henry Schein gives back, please visit: www.henryschein.com/us-en/ Corporate/SocialResponsibility. aspx?hsi_domain=www. henryschein.com&hsi_locale=us-en

SOURCES:

*https://www.thestreet-angels.org/about-us **https://www.jrf.org.uk/data/overall-ukpoverty-rates

•

All that glitters is not gold

Paul Hayfield from Henry Schein Dental explains why the Zirlux® range of Zirconia surpasses gold to meet the demands of modern dentistry.

In modern dentistry, patients demand aesthetic, long-lasting restorations. With the advancement of materials and technology, technicians have the tools at their fingertips to deliver on these expectations. Within this market, the Zirlux® Zirconia portfolio stands out for the versatility it offers within a digital workflow.

With an advanced range of digital materials that drives aesthetic, reliable results, 2022 saw an expansion of Zirlux’s already broad range. The extended Zirlux portfolio provides options for almost every case within a digital lab workflow, bringing a great level of flexibility for technicians looking to deliver to the highest standard.

Here, we explore the many benefits of Zirlux, and how it can slot into a workflow that benefits the technician and improves the patient experience.

WHY CHOOSE ZIRCONIA?

For many reasons, technicians are now turning to the benefits of materials like Zirconia over gold. Modern Zirconia is a flexible, multi-purpose material suitable for a wide range of indications and it is less expensive for the patient than gold.

Zirconia such as Zirlux also provides an aesthetic result, without the need for the extensive post-production work that the earliest dental Zirconia required. It is also a material that is extremely well suited to modern workflows.

The ability to digitally design and mill materials like Zirlux zirconia discs puts the control in the hands of technicians. Digital lab equipment and workflows can introduce greater efficiency and predictability into a laboratory, whilst also taking care of many of the timeconsuming, mundane tasks. This then frees

up technicians to employ their skills in those aspects of the workflow where they can really add value, such as finishing.

THE BENEFITS OF ZIRLUX

The extensive Zirlux digital materials portfolio enables dental technicians to use innovative and quality-controlled materials to deliver consistent and predictable aesthetic restorations.

Paul Hayfield is a Senior Laboratory Account Manager at Henry Schein Dental. Previously, he worked as a lab technician for 17 years

Zirlux discs provide natural aesthetics as well as high stability and reliability, enabling monolithic production, and efficient veneering techniques, such as micro-layering, to make them a cost-effective material of choice.

KEY BENEFITS OF ZIRLUX INCLUDE:

• An extensive range – materials to suit almost any case, along with a variety of characterising liquids and finishing materials, mean Zirlux can be used for a wide range of indications.

• Suitability for almost any application –with greater strength than regular lithium disilicate, it provides a reliable option for anterior and posterior restorations as well as crowns.

• Easy colour matching – covering all 16 VITA shades including BL1 and BL2.

• Compatibility – Zirlux can be used with most open 98.5mm CAD/CAM milling machines.

Zirlux also gives technicians the flexibility to choose the materials best suited to the case based on their experience and preference. This is how Zirlux allows technicians to innovate and work intuitively, leading to a greater sense of control over the process, and creative satisfaction.

AN ADVANCED RANGE

Its versatility is clear to see when exploring the Zirlux portfolio, which includes 8 different materials for various applications:

Zirlux 16+

Offering pre-shaded and white discs with excellent translucency and exceptional flexural strength.

Zirlux Anterior Multi

An anterior solution with multi-layered and full gradient shading that matches the natural appearance of incisal edges, dentin, and gingiva.

Zirlux Acetal

Semi-flexible and tooth coloured, it is ideal for partial denture frameworks and other metal-free removable applications.

Zirlux Complete

High strength, highly aesthetic multilayered, perfect for both anterior and posterior restorations.

Zirlux Esthetic TR

Strong and highly aesthetic with transitional strength and translucency throughout the entire Zirconia disc.

Zirlux Wax

Used to produce wax designs for crown and bridge frameworks with excellent marginal accuracy and fits.

A DIGITAL WORKFLOW

Keeping ahead with technological advancements is essential in today’s dental climate, and Zirlux is designed to fit with the times. Highly compatible with open software and a versatile system of choosing the right materials for the case means that workflows can remain fluid, enabling professionals to meet demand. Furthermore, Zirlux has a competitive price point, something that makes a huge difference, helping to reduce costs without compromising on the quality of aesthetics.

The range of digital technologies Henry Schein Dental opens to both lab and practice can drive efficiencies in both areas, making scanning, milling and 3D printing a streamlined process, powered by digital workflows connecting laboratory and dentist.

Customisable and versatile, these advancements go hand in hand with the rise of new materials like Zirlux, allowing technicians and clinicians to deliver the results patients demand, and doing this more efficiently and quickly than ever before.

ZIRKONZAHN’S NEW LECTURE TOUR 2023

Inverness, Glasgow and Leeds, from January 31st to February 2nd

Zirkonzahn will come to the UK soon with a new lecture tour! During the lecture “Ultimate aesthetics – connected solutions, from prepping to rechecking”, DT Jürgen Feierabend (international lecturer, CAD/CAM expert and member of the R&D team at Zirkonzahn Headquarters) will show how Zirkonzahn’s connected workflows will greatly simplify your daily work processes to meet your customers’ expectations.

The lecturer will focus on real patient cases treated with the innovative Prettau® Skin® veneers and will explain innovative working methods and technologies for achieving a high degree of customisation and aesthetics based on the 3D virtual reproduction of the patient’s physiognomy and oral situation.

LECTURE HIGHLIGHTS:

l The new Prettau® Skin® technique, for producing ultra-thin zirconia veneers (0.2 mm) applied with zero to minimal impairment of tooth substance, and the complete workflow with preparation guides

l Working on the 3D virtual reproduction of the patient with smart software functions

l Connected solutions for a seamless process: digital-analogue workflows with intraoral

scanner, 3D printer and innovative tools and technologies for improved time-efficiency, such as the new JawAligner for plasterfree articulation of models and the new Teleskoper Orbit extra-large (Ø 125 mm)

l ...and much more!

PICTURED ABOVE: Prettau® Skin®, the latest innovation in minimal invasive dentistry.

BELOW: Connected solutions for a seamless work process, from the initial situation to the final, individual restoration.

Places are limited and registration is obligatory. For more information and registration, scan the code, visit www.zirkonzahn.com (events section) or contact: Carmen Ausserhofer , T: +39 0474 066 662 or E: carmen.ausserhofer@zirkonzahn.com

SCANNING

NEW! Detection Eye intraoral scanner

DESIGNING AND POSITIONING

NEW! Software Zirkonzahn.Slicer and Zirkonzahn.Modifier

PRINTING

NEW! P4000 Printer and Printer Resin Waterbased Beige CURING

NEW! L300 Post-Curing Lamp

PLASTER-FREE ARTICULATION

NEW! JawAligner PS1 and ZS1

NEW! P4000 SYSTEM FOR 3D PRINTING

COMPLETE, ADD-ON PACKAGE FOR ZIRKONZAHN DIGITAL WORKFLOW

With the new P4000 system for 3D printing, Zirkonzahn provides dentists and dental technicians with a pre-set package specially conceived for the dental workflow and the manufacture of resin dental models. The system, which includes the P4000 Printer, the Zirkonzahn.Slicer software and the L300 Post-Curing Lamp, works ideally in combination with the Printer Resin Waterbased Beige resin by Zirkonzahn.

5things

I Cannot Work Without

My name is Gabriel Sweeney and I am a 25 year old dental technician with 7 years of experience working in labs based in Sheffield. Last year I started my own company called ExpressPARScore that offers seamless and prompt PAR (Peer Assessment Rating) scoring service for orthodontists, dentists and labs.

Here are the five things I can’t work without, as the majority of my workload is digital, my list might be totally different to many of the previous features:

1. 3Shape Ortho Analyser Software

By Gabriel Sweeney ExpressPARScore

https://expressparscore.co.uk

I know what you’re thinking; surely the number one thing he can’t work without is a PAR score ruler! That’s where you’re wrong, the majority of my orders come through as intra-oral scans and without the 3shape software I wouldn’t have a chance (I promise I am not getting paid by 3shape, it’s just a very handy, if not essential bit of technology for me).

2. Super glue

“Super glue before the ruler!?” I can hear you thinking, and you might be right but it’s a close call. I think I would rather PAR score a whole model by eye than attempt to score one that’s smashed into 3 pieces with a ruler. Disclaimer: I would never PAR score by eye, if I did I would be terrible at my job.

3. PAR Score ruler

Finally! All joking aside, the PAR Score ruler is a handy bit of kit essential to the process. I opt for the solid yellow plastic ones, which are almost impossible to get your hands on these days.

4. Evaluating Effective Orthodontic Care book by Stephen Richmond

Despite PAR scoring day in day out, I still find this book extremely useful. I call it the PAR Bible. There are often some difficult cases where certain rules need to be adhered to when scoring cases, it is always good to the book to hand to refer to now and again.

5. Rudy the dog

As I am a new business, I am currently on my own. Working on your own can be lonely business sometimes and I think I would go mad without the hound to chat to

WHEN DIGITAL MEETS ANALOG IN COMPOSITE INJECTION

Having recently attended a course at Skillbond, hosted by Lisa Johnson and sponsored by GC, I was keen to see if we could implement the process easily into Byrne’s Dental workflows. Wherever possible, a Byrne’s Dental Lab workflow is as digital as possibly bar the final artistry, so all diagnostic and try in stages are digitally designed and manufactured. However, composite wrap arounds are one of the areas that we, as a lab, really struggle to digitise.

Lisa’s excellent course showed how we can take any form of teeth, and quickly and easily turn them into stunning, perfectly copied, final restorations, complete with a metal insert frame for much needed support.

Using a digital workflow, we design the diagnostic stages in CAD and when visually approved, we then 3D print a try in. Usually on temporary cylinders, these can also verify the implant cast or printed model, as well as aesthetics and occlusion, cost effectively and easily. Once this try in have been approved,

By Csongor Szekely,

Laboratory

Byrnes Dental

PICTURED RIGHT TOP: 3D printed try in on model. RIGHT BOTTOM LEFT: Try in sprued. BOTTOM RIGHT: Sprues out of box

we can use this file to design the metal work internally and ensure the metal does not protrude through the diagnostic case. We then mill this framework using an outsource company (in this case, to Createch Medical from the Straumann Group). Now we have a metal frame and a diagnostic try, and the challenge is to ensure we duplicate this in a final restoration.

Conventionally, we would hand build the composite onto the bar, however human error can easily creep in, and it is also incredibly time consuming for a technician to copy a wax up perfectly in composite. In this case we used the GC Grade Plus flowable composites and the new injection method we learnt on Lisa’s course.

The 3D printed diagnostic was screwed to the model and the model was sealed in a clear window flask, in this case an Easy Form. Sprues to allow injection were fixed onto five locations. Four on the occlusal surface and one lower down on the lingual. The top was screwed down

to create the sealed flask and then clear silicone was poured into the diagnostic and sprues and allow to set.

We then removed the top part of the flask and carefully pulled out the wax sprues, although they can be boiled out of needed. We then unscrewed the diagnostic from the model and placed the milled metal implant frame on and checked the frame did not contact the silicone. As it was so well designed in CAD, it did not. The metal frame was removed, pre-sandblasted, opaqued, cured as per GC instructions, then screwed back onto the model, and finally, flask top placed in position and screwed down.

Using GC flowable composite dentine, the material was then injected into the mould. Watching through the clear silicone ensures it’s easy to inject and no air bubbles remain. This is then cured in the GC Labolight DUO and then the top section of the flask is removed. The sprues were removed, followed by the incisal sections being carefully hand-cut back, as per the aesthetic demand

of the case. Once this is done, the bridge is cleaned, primer added, the top section of the flask re-attached, and GC Grade plus incisal material was injected. Again, checking for no air bubbles through the glass clear silicone and then cured. The top part of the flask is removed, and the bridge is nearly finished. This is the main advantage of using this technique – it is a huge time saving and it replicates the diagnostic stages perfectly.

This was an FP3 case, so the pink section was built up manually using GC Gradia Plus pinks and then cured. Some minor trimming and some surface staining using GC optiglaze and the bridge was finished in a remarkable amount of time with a perfect copy of the diagnostic.

In this crazy busy lab world where we are all fighting for time, this method using injection and silicones from an easily made 3D printed try in really simplifies the process. Using this method reduced technician hours, yet still allowed us to deliver a top class product and is identical to the diagnostic stages.

TOP ROW (L): Cavity made in clear silicone (R): SLM metal frame. 2ND ROW (L): Injecting composite onto opaqued metal frame (M): Injection of dentine (R): Injection on enamel. 3RD ROW (L): Finished bridge (R): Finished bridge with pink.

WINTER BLUES 10 practical tips to surviving those SAD times

You may or may not be surprised to read, it is thought around 2 Million people in the UK and over 12 million people in Northern Europe suffer with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).

If like me, as much as I love a cold, crisp, winters day and the occasional bit of snow, I often struggle with the long dark nights and the grey drizzly days. I don’t tend to suffer as much as some, I expect it is due to my coping mechanisms and we always put in place, a winter holiday. It really helps me.

SOME OF THE SYMPTOMS OF SAD ARE:

Matt Everatt F.O.T.A

• depression

• sleep problems

• lethargy

• over-eating

• irritability

• feeling down and unsociable

If you suffer with some or all of the symptoms of SAD, here are a few tips that might help alleviate some of those winter blues.

Although I am no expert on SAD, I do hope some of these tips can help. We are all very different and some of these tips will work for some but not for all.

1. Keep moving

I know this time of year tends to see a huge increase in gym memberships and promises to get fit, you don’t have to do anything major like that. Research shows taking a leisurely one-hour walk in the middle of the day could be just enough to help raise your wellbeing and raise your spirits.

2. Get outside

You can do this in conjunction with doing your one-hour walk, do the walk outdoors in natural daylight as much as possible, especially in the middle of the day and on brighter days. The fresh air and the natural daylight is scientifically proven to help SAD sufferers. If you can, try and book a winter holiday with some sunshine. Being outside more, the extra Vitamin D and having something to look forward to really helps boost your mental health.

3. Keep warm

Staying warm can reduce the winter blues by half according to research. Feeling cold can have a negative effect on your mental health, so keep warm. Wrap up in warm clothes drink hot drinks and hot food. With the cost of living crisis, many of us are tempted to turn the heating down or off, according to the money saving expert, Martin Lewis, keeping your house at a steady comfortable temperature is better than letting your house get cold and having to keep trying to warm it, aim to keep your home between 18C and 21C.

4. Eat healthily

A difficult one when the house is often full of treats left over from Christmas. A healthy diet will boost your mood, give you more energy and hopefully help prevent adding on those festive pounds. I find I am always looking in the fridge in the cold winter evenings, try to balance your craving with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables.

5. Light Therapy

Light therapy for 2 hours per day is thought to be beneficial to SAD sufferers. SAD lights can be purchased from so many outlets these days, you can even buy nice ornamental ones to suit your homes. Use light colours in your home furnishings and if possible, sit close to the window when at work.

6. Take up a hobby

Try taking up a sport or activity that you’ve never tried before, or maybe get back to

doing something you haven’t done for a while, take up cooking, baking or start up a bridge club with some friends. The most important thing here, is to have something to look forward to that is in the diary and will happen regularly. It keeps your brain active and thinking in a positive manner.

7. Meet people

Socialising is good for your mental health, try to surround yourself with positive people that help raise your spirits, we all have that friend or family member that makes you smile, arrange to meet them. Make the effort to keep in touch with people too. It is really easy to say no to invitations, particularly on those wet, dark nights when you just want to go to bed. Accept any invitations, go to social events, you don’t have to stay for a long time, once you are there you may find you want to stay until the end..

8. It’s good to talk

Talking treatments like CBT, counselling and psychotherapy can help, particularly if your symptoms are prolonged and you can’t seem to raise your mood. Does your workplace have a Mental Health First Aider, lots of businesses do these days. If your symptoms don’t improve and you aren’t sure who to talk to, always make an appointment to see your GP.

9. Join a support group

There are several support groups that can help, sharing your feelings and experiences with others is great therapy, you know you are not alone and if anything, can make symptoms bearable. There is a charity to help SAD sufferers. SADA is the UK's only registered charity dedicated to SAD. They offer support, get discounts of Light Therapy Units and can help put you in touch with professionals if required. https://www.sada.org.uk/

10. Seek help

If your symptoms don’t improve or you begin to feel worse, see your GP for medical help.

ZIRKONZAHN

Zirkonzahn CAD/CAM systems are designed to generate open data files generally compatible with all open CAD software, milling units or 3D printers. Similarly, materials as well as open scan and design data from other manufacturers can be processed with Zirkonzahn software and milling units. And along with data formats, also Zirkonzahn’s doors in the Italian Alps are always open to curious dental technicians!

IS OPEN!

In its homeland nestled in the Italian Alps, Zirkonzahn develops and produces - under nearly one roof - CAD/CAM systems, dental materials, elaboration instruments and prosthetic components for more than 140 implant systems. What’s more? Zirkonzahn CAD/CAM systems, including the Face Hunter 3D facial scanner, are designed to generate and process open data files. The data are generally compatible with all open CAD software, milling units or 3D printers. Similarly, materials as well as open scan and design data from other manufacturers can be processed with Zirkonzahn software and milling units. Freedom and flexibility are important aspects to consider. Zirkonzahn’s workflow is therefore crafted to alternate seamlessly between analog and digital.

With a workflow permitting seamless transition between digital and analog, Zirkonzahn offers a flexible and complete solution for the fabrication of exceptional

dental restorations. By producing almost everything at its manufacturing sites - never surrendering control to others - the family-owned company perfectly calibrates each workflow component to the next: Zirkonzahn’s first aim is to provide laboratories a symbiotic ecosystem of innovative hardware, software, restorative materials and implant prosthetic components. This ensures a 100% smooth work process for technicians and clinicians - from patient data acquisition, articulation, virtual design and milling to placing the restoration in the patient’s mouth.

Zirkonzahn’s digital workflow has been recently expanded with the new intraoral scanner and a complete, add-on package for 3D printing. The Detection Eye intraoral scanner permits jaw digitisation in less than 60 seconds and scan files can be exported in STL, OBJ and PLY formats. With the new P4000 system for 3D printing, dentists and dental technicians are provided with a pre-set

package for the manufacture of resin dental models and specially conceived for the dental workflow. The system, which includes the P4000 Printer, the Zirkonzahn.Slicer software and the L300 Post-Curing Lamp, is open system but works ideally in combination with the Printer Resin Waterbased Beige, a resin by Zirkonzahn. The pre-configured settings are particularly advantageous: not only do they ensure full compatibility between all components included, but they also prevent the user from spending valuable time testing print parameters or finding the most suitable resins and devices.

For the skeptical or curious readers, it is important to note that also Zirkonzahn’s doors are always open: the South-Tyrolean firm is glad to welcome eager-to-learn dental technicians and dentists to their manufacturing sites, headquarters, dental lab and education centers in the heart of the Alps.

For more information about open CAD/ CAM systems and upcoming events in the Alps and the UK, contact:

E: carmen.ausserhofer@zirkonzahn.com

T: +39 0474 066 662

W: www.zirkonzahn.com.

Orders placed before 11 a.m. will be delivered within 48 hours.

NEW! SET SCREWDRIVER LAB AND SCREWDRIVER HOLDER MAGPRISM

NEW SCREWDRIVERS FOR WORKING ON THE MODEL AND RELATED HOLDER FOR A SAFE STORAGE

- Screwdriver Lab is used to fi x and loosen different screws on the model (not approved for intraoral use)

- Available in different lengths and colour codings depending on the implant system

- Screw marked with the same colour of the screwdriver, for an easy identification of the screwdriver and implant system

- The Screwdriver Holder MagPrism is provided with rubber pads on the underside to prevent slipping on the work surface

VERIFIABLE ECPD

As you need it via the Dental Technician

This months CPD questions are focussing on Mental Health and Wellbeing. Please read the article Winter Blues – 10 Practical Tips to Surviving those SAD Times.

Q1. SAD is an acronym for the disorder known as:

a. Sadness All Day

b Seasonal Activity Deficit

c. Seasonal Affective Disorder

d. Sad Adult Disorder

Q2. How many people in the UK are thought to suffer with SAD?

a. 12 Million

b 2 Million

c. 20 Million

d. 20 Thousand

Q3. Its is thought over XXXX Million people in Northern Europe suffer with SAD:

a. 120 Million

b 12 Million

c. 1.2 Million

d. 12 Thousand

Q4. Some of the Symptoms of SAD are (select all that apply):

a. Excess alcohol consumption

b. Lethargy

c. Feeling optimistic

d. Feeling down and unsociable

Q5. Research has shown that taking a leisurely XXXX in the middle of the day can help raise your spirits.

a. Bath

b. Phone call from an irate customer

c. Cold shower

d. One-hour walk

Q6. Fresh air and natural XXXX is scientifically proven to help SAD sufferers.

a. Country smells

b Honey

c. Daylight

d. Moonlight

Q7. XXXX therapy for 2 hours per day for people who suffer with SAD is thought to be beneficial.

a. Sunbed

b. Light

c. Dark

d. Heat

Q8. Being outside more, particularly in natural daylight is good to give us a good source of Vitamin XXXX:

a. Vitamin C

b Vitamin D

c. Vitamin B12

d. Magnesium

Q9. Keeping warm has a very positive impact on our mental health, aim to keep your house to a nice stable temperature of between xxxx and xxxx:

a. 0-10C

b. 10-15C

c. 18-21C

d. 30-40C

Q10. Talking therapies are very useful treatments for sufferers of SAD; CBT, counselling and XXXX can help, particularly if symptoms are prolonged:

a. Phototherapy

b. Psychotherapy

c. Pneumonia

d. Proctology

OR BY POST TO:

The Dental Technician Magazine, PO Box 2279, Pulborough, RH20 9BR.

You are required to answer at least 50% correctly for a pass. If you score below 50% you will need to re-submit your answers. Answers will be published in the next issue of The Dental Technician magazine. Certificates will be issued within 60 days of receipt of correct submission.

PAYMENT BY CHEQUE TO:

The Dental Technician Magazine Limited. NatWest Sort Code 516135 A/C No 79790852

Lab owners’ perspective: 3 simple tips to keep your team positive and motivated

By Ashley Byrne, Editorial Board member and Director of Byrnes Dental Laboratory

With the doom and gloom of the British media quoting recessions, energy rises, and the cost of living crisis, it can be a challenge to stay positive. However, as the lab owner and leader of your team, it’s vital that you do exactly that.

Your employees are without a doubt your greatest asset and being the lab owner, it is entirely up to you to set the tone and mood of your lab, even more so in these challenging times. Our industry has an enormous number of positive aspects to focus on, but sometimes the media does us little or no favours and those positives can get lost. In this article, I’m sharing three simple tips I use that I feel are key to keeping your team focused, positive, and motivated.

1. SHARE YOUR VISION

What does 2023 hold for your company and your team? What are your targets and how do you feel you can tackle these challenging times ahead? In my team we always do an end of year summary, being reflective whilst also doing all we can to keep the message positive. In the new year, a vision meeting is key and that’s my chance to ‘paint the picture’ of where my lab is going. A clear explanation of that vision is needed, complimented with a road map of how you are intending to achieve that vision. Simply saying “we are going to grow sales this year by 10%” is worthless if no one has a clue of how you or they can do that. “By using social media and a targeted email and promotion campaign” at least gives your team some idea as to how the sales will be generated. Vision meetings show a positive outlook and are filled with solutions, not problems. Your team know costs are up, energy is up, and a recession looms, so focusing on how you intend to battle this as a lab owner has vastly more value.

2. EMPOWER YOUR TEAM

Trusting and empowering your people is one of the most proven and solid ways to build a motivated team. As technicians, we can sometimes be controlling. At the end of the day, if the work isn’t right, it’s the lab owner that gets it in the neck but that isn’t a good reason to not entrust your team. I knew a lab owner many years ago, who insisted they did the final tweak, almost like a final quality stamp. That person shredded through employees who felt demotivated because they were not trusted to finish jobs.

As a lab owner, you can advise on changes to work but it’s really important to let your team have the final sign off. Giving your team the opportunity to finish as they intended will help to them to grow in confidence. This empowerment in your team pays dividends and allows your team to not only develop but feel more than just an employee but a key part of the team.

3. NO BLAME CULTURE

A no blame culture is takes work and commitment, especially when someone makes a major mistake, but it’s probably the most valuable tool you can use as a leader. A no blame culture is simply accepting people make mistakes and using those mistakes as learning opportunities to improve. Dropping a full arch for a client whose high profile patient is due in tomorrow is a mistake no one wants to make, but it happens. Imagine you are the employee that has just smashed (by pure accident) a £5k bridge? You would be mortified but the fear of telling the boss and getting a shouting at would make most of us feel physically sick. Being understanding and open to the fact that humans make mistakes is remarkably cathartic, and reduces stress for both lab owners and employees. If I call a client and they scream at me, then maybe look back at my article “When is it right to fire a client?”, because mistakes simply happen.

At our lab we avoid blame and when mistakes happen, we do all we can to learn from them. No shouting, no put downs, and certainly not in front of others. If my team make a mistake, they never feel like they need to cover it up or hide it as there is no fear of reprisal. The openness ensures mistakes are picked up fast and often fixed, rather than hidden or bodged over, as well my team feel trusted and not living in fear of a mistake.

It’s never easy being the lab owner but small changes to culture, vision, and trust can really lift both the team and yourself as a lab owner, and help the lab as a whole in these challenging times.

Some of the next nineteen years, I am led to believe, I spent as a dental mechanic, the rest as a technician. Quite when the changeover occurred I neither know nor care. All I do know is that it never felt any different. In truth, I was never really either. What I was was a bloke who used to go to a dental laboratory and prat about with various stages in the construction and maintenance of false teeth. That is not the same thing.

Eventually I was allowed to graduate from odd-jobbing to doing something in furtherance of the lining of my employer’s coffers. It was the manky repair. Barely sixteen, fresh-faced still, hauled up through garden parties and Sunday school and shielded from the horrors of the real world to the extent where I wasn’t allowed to listen to the News on the wireless until I was fourteen, I was hardly prepared for this greatest of ignominies.

“Go in the Office,” I was told, “and see to that repair.”

In I went, smiling, unsuspecting; life was good. I had a job, money coming in - a whole four guineas a week (Bloody ridiculous. How are we supposed to afford to pay the buggers that much? Etc….). Things couldn’t have been better.

The patient, a grimy octogenarian, ponging of Woodbines and mild ale, reached, without a word, into his mouth to produce an object the likes of which I had never beheld. Slurps and suction noises accompanied the removal of the obscenity, the whole operation putting me in mind of

Repairs

Regulations and

By Andy Sanson

Andy’s first piece for 2023. Here we take a satirical look at life in the Dental Lab of Yesteryear, many of us will have a wry smile on our faces as we recognise the images Andy conjures up in this fun, light hearted piece.

the birth of a pony. A pair of scissors would have been useful to separate denture from mouth by dint of severing the string-like strands of phlegm and mucus that held the constituents together.

If there wasn’t a loud pop upon separation, then there should have been. Green as I was, I had already held out my hand, into which the old man slapped the prosthesis.

“Can you fix it?” he asked.

Fix it? I’d have to neutralise it first. Boiled in a pan of water, with a few onions and a little salt, it might form the basis of a nutritious soup to warm the cockles on a winter’s eve.

It wasn’t just reeking old vagrants that were the source of such ignominy; respectable businessmen, poodle-walking ladies of the Manor, members of the clergy - all came and all were served. I could never fathom why a chap who wouldn’t be seen dead without a tie, or his shoes shined, could allow his mouth to harbour the foulest, smelliest lump of unholy gunge in Christendom. Aside from the unpleasantness for those close to him or her it must taste vile; half an inch of grease from an abandoned garage floor scraped up and held in the gob all day. Yeukk!

Certainly in the modern day lab things are very different. Although I hung up my penpoint and toothpick many years ago I still retain contacts from my old life. I speak as a technician through familiarity and a certain amount of fondness and sympathy for those still ensnared by the mighty daughter of Shelob that calls itself Dental Technology

when I say before we ever get to touch the thing it’s been sprayed, disinfected, sterilised, sandblasted, dynamited, so that, by the time it arrives on the bench, every little HIV or Hepatitis B has been blasted to Kingdom Come - theoretically.

Yet there still lingers, like the shell of a jaundiced armadillo, twenty years of tartar, rock-solid and impenetrable. Acrylic so impregnated with stale greyness that it falls apart in the hands having been held there solely by the filth now removed.

But do we shy from it? Do our stomachs churn at the thought? No, for we have become immune, like the addict desperate for more of his drug without which he cannot achieve the same high and can never be truly at ease.

A recently manufactured, spotlessly clean full upper denture arrives, fractured midline. But what is this? Wherefore the sludge? Wherefore the crusted bile, the aeons worth of built-up saliva, clinging like stone-cladding to a late-Victorian mid-terrace dwelling?

For a split second we are at a loss and cannot proceed - a fish out of water. We are seized by a panic and suffer withdrawal symptoms - Technician’s Cold Turkey.

Gasping for breath, with clammy fingers we tear at the air, desperate for a flash of brown or green until, at last, into our lap is dropped blessed relief in the shape of an egg-bound part lower fracture swimming in slime and stinking to High Heaven of something unutterably abominable.

Not one of these people would dream of

picking their nose and presenting you with the contents or scratching their backside before proffering a hand of greeting so why should it be any different where dentures are concerned? One for a team of boffins in some research laboratory somewhere I suppose. Somewhere a little more secure and clandestine than Porton Down.

I remain a champion of the little oval dish and tweezers, hydrochloric acid and being there long enough to have minions beneath you who are ‘for’ such things.

All of this happened back in the Ordovician Period, when pennies were the size of ice hockey pucks, you could take three steps in a pair of jeans before the flares moved, and the BBC’s alternative to Pirate Radio was Jimmy Young’s Recipe. The Apprentice Dental Mechanic occupied a place in the social hierarchy somewhere beneath Myra Hindley and the Rolling Stones. An attitude prevailed amongst employers that suggested because they grudgingly threw a couple of pounds a week at us (Apprentices) in a small brown envelope, it somehow granted them authority over how we conducted our lives both in and out of work. Sadly, we believed it too. Consensus was that we knew nothing, did less and were a nuisance sent to punish some heinous, but forgotten, past transgression. Although the points below were never actually written out or said as such, we were left in no doubt that it was considered that we neither knew nor cared about any of it so it was somehow telepathically conveyed to us by knowing looks and inference. A short, yet accurate, list, then, of how one was made to feel for merely having the audacity to inflict oneself on The Lab every day:-

Tea and coffee are liquids intended to refresh and rejuvenate and not some sort of diabolical endurance test. Use freshly boiled water (in the case of coffee, allowed to cool slightly before infusing), fresh cups or mugs (not ‘cleaned’ with a dirty rag or, as practiced by an autumnal character masquerading as a cleaner in a lab of my acquaintance, the same one used to do the toilet rims), and milk bereft of lumps and alien cultures.

Handles are for turning. They are not devices designed to give you more grip and purchase to enable you to slam things even harder.

Mops are not blessed with magical powers that automatically cleanse the water in the bucket.

A broom that looks as though it’s just been inducted into the US Marine Corps is not a lot of use. Buy a new one (this in the face of my former boss’s - possibly urban legendassertion that ‘Good brush, that. We’ve had it thirty years and it’s only ever had twelve new heads and ten new handles’)

The shed is a Tardis.

Lunchtimes are for fetching fish and chips, or, in later years, a Chinese takeaway, for ‘proper staff’.

It is not a sackable offence to throw away less than 85% of all plaster and acrylic mixed up.

Do not expect to be paid for overtime - the fact that you have to work late must be your fault for not pulling your weight during the day.

A dental laboratory does not instantly transmogrify into a pyrotechnics one the instant The Boss goes off to his Round Table meeting. Experiments such as filling Bunsen tubing with various polymers (especially ‘weighted’ material) and blowing them through Bunsen flames or placing the business end of a Bunsen burner into a bowl of soapy water and igniting the bubble thus formed are to be neither encouraged nor recommended.

It is perfectly acceptable and, in some cases even desirable, to replace a light bulb within twelve months of its failing.

Plaster spilt on the plaster room floor, although it should not have been spilt in the first place, once it has been, may be swept up and disposed of. It is not necessary to leave it to get wet, go off and become some sort of impromptu and economical rhino flooring substitute for said room.

Nowhere in your Indentures does it state that it is a condition of your employment that at some stage during the five years of your Apprenticeship you are obliged toahem -‘go out’ with The Boss’s daughter.

Get some normal handlebars on that motorbike. You look like a Hells Angel.

Managerial responses when pressed on issues regarding Apprenticeship:

• Indentures stating that all aspects of the trade should be taught within the five year term; ‘Oh, that’s just put in to justify their fees. Now, go and get those repair models’

• Upon objecting to being instructed to repair the roof, weed the garden, move the shed, change the oil in The Boss’s Merc, collect the plums off the tree oh and it’s okay to go next door to get the ones you can’t reach never mind about the dog it’s alright really and if the bloke asks what you’re doing there you’re nothing to do with us, ok? etc; ‘It says you’ve got to learn everything, doesn’t it?’

• Over mention made of Day Release to college to obtain City & Guilds; ‘ You don’t want to bother with any of that rubbish’

The offences below will result in mandatory instant dismissal:

• Having a better car than The Boss

• Living in a better house than The Boss

• Going on better holidays than The Boss

• Having holidays

• Putting Radio 1 on in the afternoon

• Sharpening the edge of The Boss’s favourite teaspoon

• Fashioning a huge nose out of acrylic and placing The Boss’s spare spectacles on it overnight

• Fashioning other body parts out of acrylic and leaving them in the Office as a joke, intending to remove them before patients arrive to have their dentures repaired, but forgetting

• Liking the Rolling Stones

• Listening to the Rolling Stones

• Looking like a Rolling Stone

• Having heard of Frank Zappa

• Voting Labour

• Taking the micky out of fishing, golf or caravanning

• Having parents who know about employees’ rights

• Having an IQ greater than 50

• Not being as daft as they’d like you to be

Finally: Don’t do as I do. Do as I say.

Expanding the possibilities

Lucitone Digital Print Denture (LDPD) is the only validated system to provide a range of materials and workflows to enable you to move from analog to digital production for every denture, delivering capacity, throughput, and simplicity.

• Coming Soon: Lucitone Digital IPN™ 3D Premium Tooth resin offering superior wear resistance and esthetics built from Dentsply Sirona’s long history of denture teeth expertise.

• All dentures in the LDPD System start with Lucitone Digital Print™ 3D Denture Base, a foundation of high-impact material.

• LDPD workflow provides an average of 76% labor time saved compared to traditional denture processes.

• Validated for Carbon® M-Series, Asiga MAX™ UV, and Asiga PRO 4K™ printers.

To learn more, contact your Dentsply Sirona representative or visit dentsplysirona.com/lucitonedigitalprint

KEMDENT A STAPLE FOR BUSY DENTAL PROFESSIONALS

w The Alminax Bite Registration material from Kemdent helps to produce reliable and dimensionally stable wax bite registrations.

Available in three different optionsAlminax Sheets, Alminax Rite Bite and Alminax Full Arch - this material has been a steadfast favourite of dental practices for years. Lorna, a dental nurse from Dental Care, shares her practice’s experience of using the Alminax Wax Full Arch:

“Our practice has been using the Alminax Full Arch bite registration material for 13 years.

“To be honest, we’ve always used this product and have not felt the need to source an alternative.

“We’ve always been happy with the quality of this product, and prefer the bite wafers over the reinforced aluminium bite wafers.

“Kemdent’s customer service has always been very good and I’ve found the staff at Kemdent to be polite and helpful.”

KEMDENT EASY TO HANDLE FOR OPTIMAL RESULTS

w The Anutex modelling wax, from Kemdent, offers accuracy and convenience when it matters most. Kevin, a dental technician from Acme Dental Labs Ltd, shares his experience of the Anutex modelling wax:

“Kemdent Anutex wax is our laboratory’s go-to for all our wax work, due to its excellent working properties when both warming the wax (with minimal shrinkage) to carving and shaping the wax.

“The finished product is always smooth and glossy, with a good natural colour. Kemdent’s customer service was excellent and friendly as always.”

Consider Kemdent when seeking reliable and high-quality solutions for your laboratory and your clients. Get in touch today to find out more.

MEDENTIKA ® INVEST IN VERSATILITY

w Versatility grants you the choice to work in a way that suits you and your clients.

With Medentika®, a Straumann Group brand, you can produce robust and reliable solutions using the Multi Platform Systems (MPS). These abutments and components are compatible with all major implant systems, providing an uncompromised performance while being an economical option for your dental laboratory.

With expert German craftsmanship, the Medentika® components and abutments have been manufactured with the highest interface precision. They also come with a lifetime guarantee, demonstrating the Straumann Group’s assurance of quality.

Choose Medentika® and work in a way that benefits your business and your clients. Find out more today by visiting the website.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT THE WEBSITE TODAY: https://www.straumann.com/medentika/en/professionals.html

CREATECH MEDICAL SIMPLE SOLUTION FOR COMPLEX CASES

w Createch Medical, part of the Straumann Group, provides a streamlined milling service. The process includes the measurement, design and milling of frameworks for implant supported prostheses.

Createch Medical offers a wide range of solutions that are compatible with more than 600 implant systems. And they offer planning services, including solutions for complex cases, with unbeatable customisation.

Whether you’re in need of frameworks for wrap around cases, removable prostheses, customised abutments, or anatomical bridges, Createch Medical produce a wide range of solutions for all manner of challenging cases.

So, for high-quality, unique CAD/ CAM dental frameworks with control and precision, consider referring to the Createch Medical milling service.

REGISTER FOR YOUR ACCOUNT WITH CREATECH MEDICAL AT http://www.createchmedical.com/en/file-sending/login-registro/ FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE CREATECH MEDICAL DIRECT-TO-LAB MILLING SERVICE FROM THE STRAUMANN GROUP, VISIT https://www.straumann.com/gb/en/dental-professionals/products-and-solutions/implant-borne-prosthetics/products/createchmedical.html

PRETTAU® SKIN® ULTRA-THIN VENEERS MADE OF PRETTAU® ZIRCONIA

w Non-prep veneers are the newest solution that will change the way we think about dentistry. Using a new technique, it is now possible to realise ultra-thin zirconia veneers (Prettau® Skin®) with a thickness of only 0.2 mm. In this way,

patients can get a healthy smile with zero to minimal impairment of tooth substance. The new technique is suitable for the aesthetic correction of tooth discolourations, tooth gaps, crooked teeth, cone teeth and abraded teeth.

The entire Prettau® line by Zirkonzahn can be used to manufacture Prettau® Skin®, however, Prettau® Dispersive® zirconia is particularly suitable, as it is already provided with a natural colour gradient from dentine to enamel during the manufacturing process.

By means of a patient-specific preparation guide, the dental technician can mark the tooth areas that the dentist has to prepare for veneers application. This mock-up is a useful tool to optimise planning and communication between dental technicians and dentists, for the final benefit of the patient.

Learn more about Prettau® Skin® at Zirkonzahn’s lecture tour in Inverness, Glasgow and Leeds, from January 31st to February 2nd!

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT:

www.zirkonzahn.com (events section)

OR CONTACT:

Carmen Ausserhofer

T: +39 0474 06 6662

E: carmen.ausserhofer@zirkonzahn.com