First Impressions: June 2011

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In First Impressions George Freedman, DDS, gives readers a brief summary of products that have recently been introduced to dentistry, based on his clinical experience.

Xeno IV
DENTSPLY Caulk

Bonding agents must be effective, easy to use, predictable, and soft- and hard-tissue compatible. The practitioner, fortunately, has a tremendous variety of adhesives available and can thus select the product that is best suited to the practice. The self-etching, single-component, seventh-generation adhesives are generally the least technique-sensitive, most effective in ap­plication, and virtually postoperative sensitivity-free. However, most are entirely reliant on light-curing for polymerization. The recently introduced Xeno IV from DENTSPLY Caulk is based on the well-established PENTA resin technology that has powered this company’s Prime & Bond adhesive family since the mid-1990s. It also has a self-cure activator that contains a butylated hydroxytoluene stabilizer, a self-cure catalyst, and mono­mers to prevent dilution of the adhesive. This self-cure catalyst utilizes the adhesive acidity with atmospheric oxygen and peroxide in cements to cure the in-ter­face between the adhesive and the cement/com­pos­ite yielding performance comparable to light-cured systems. The activator should be stored in the refrigerator until just prior to use. Xeno IV’s high-resin concentration allows it to bond efficiently to both enamel and dentin, effectively eliminating the risk of postoperative sensitivity, while its balanced pH reduces the possibility of gingival irritation. Xeno IV is a single-component self-etching adhesive that re­quires no mixing or multiple step application; etching, priming, and bonding are ac­complished in one step. This eliminates technique sensitivity and the risk of over-wetting or overdrying of the preparation as water and acetone facilitate penetration deep into the dentin and enamel. Once Xeno IV is light-cured, its initiators (camphorquinone, LTPO, and DMABN) provide excellent marginal integrity and fluoride release to further protect the restored tooth. Xeno IV is available in bottles and unit doses.
For more information, call (800) 532-2855 or visit Web site at caulk.com.


HEINE HR Binocular Loupes with LED LoupeLight
HEINE USA and HEINE Instruments Canada

The use of magnification loupes allows younger dentists to see greater detail and to focus on the minute features that make the difference between good dentistry and great dentistry. The use of magnification loupes and illumination allows older dentists to see and operate as they did when they were younger. Loupes must be comfortable for the entire day while light batteries must weigh little so that they do not fatigue the user. These eyepieces must magnify, illuminate, protect, and adjust. The new HEINE HR Binocular Loupes with LED LoupeLight from HEINE USA and HEINE Instruments Canada offer an exceptional image; the Heine coating technology reduces light reflection to 0.3%, providing a significantly brighter image. State-of-the-art achromatic lens optics create a new standard for in color, clarity, and sharpness. At the recommended working distance of 340 mm (13.5 in) a very large field of view (90 mm or 3.5 in) is available. The depth of field is an astonishing 110 mm (4.5 in). The binocular loupes are independently adjustable (left and right) to select the exact interpupillary distance. HR loupes are dust and water-resistant to improve clinical vision and to ensure ease of cleaning. The tough polycarbonate protective lenses are hygienic and comfortable. The advanced Heine LED MicroLight provides white, homogenous light that is excellent for surgical and dental applications. The fast charge (full capacity in 2 hours) lithium-ion power pack has triple the capacity of comparable NiCad systems, exhibits no memory effect, and can be used for up to 17 hours. The portable power pack is lightweight (165 g together with LED MicroLight) and has a charge status display. Individual adjustment of the MicroLight allows for 100% coaxiality for 40,000 lux of shadow-free light that provides a homogenous illumination of the whole field of view.
For more information, call (800) 367-4872 or visit the company Web site at heine.com.


Dr. Freedman is a founder and past president of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, a co-founder of the Canadian Academy for Esthetic Dentistry, and a Diplomate of the American Board of Aesthetic Dentistry. He is a visiting professor at the Universita di Firenze, Florence, Italy. He is the special advisor of First Impressions and Buyers’ Guides for Dentistry Today. He is the author or co-author of 11 textbooks, more than 600 dental articles, and numerous webinars and CDs, and is a team member of REALITY. He lectures internationally on dental aesthetics, adhesion, desensitization, composites, impression materials, and porcelain veneers. A graduate of McGill University in Montreal, Dr. Freedman maintains a private practice limited to aesthetic dentistry in Toronto. He can be reached at (905) 513-9191 or epdot@rogers.com.