Quote: from Swpmn on 7:29 pm on Oct. 8, 2003  Did you observe any “sparking” or “flashback” if you inadvertedly irradiated the gold crown?

No flash or spark but I was being extra careful

What is the advantage of Fuji 9?  Is it primarily adhesion, fluoride release and use of a no-Hg restorative?   Is Fuji 9 triturated and injected into the defect or do you hand mix and pack?  Then you allow the material to set and contour with bur?

Al, this stuff is great. Tirturated and then injected. About 3 minute total set. Can be finished w/ bur under water spray but usually after about 2 minutes set time you can ‘carve ‘ it w/ your explorer to remove any extra.  I love the fluoride release  and adhesion. I’m not an anti amalgam guy , I just am real pleased w/ this in areas where hygiene is less than ideal (as you could see above). I am also doing more and more of Graeme’s co-cure sandwich technique w/ the Fugi IX in the box and then overlayed Fugi LC and composite. Starting to see these come back at 1 year in high caries rate individuals and there is no new decay in these areas (thanks Graeme!) I also like GC Ketac Silver as a temp material for fractured cusps. More times than not it stays until the patient comes back for the crown prep and you have fluoride release in the mean time.

Regarding your mention of the free-running, variable-pulsed digital Nd:YAG.  Are you finding in cases such as this you would be able to recontour the gingiva and obtain hemostasis without the use of local anesthetic?
Al
Yes, by widening the pulse width I see to get better hemostasis than I did with the diode.

Now if you have any tips for keeping saliva bubbles out of the pictures….

What bubble?

😉

Mark, we’ve also found it in Xylifresh gum (most often at health food stores) and at one time  Extra Bubble Gum and Cinammon flavor had xylitol. We have trended to the recaldent just because its so much easier to find in this area. We also recommend the oral B 3DExcel toothbrush (adult) or some of the spin brushes for kids.

Here’s the actual form we give patients to put on their refrigerator-

CARIES (DECAY) REDUCTION PROTOCOL

In past years, dentists have concentrated their treatment on restoring decayed teeth.  This treatment usually consisted of repairing teeth with silver or white materials.  Preventive care consisted of the toothbrush, floss, professional cleaning, and fluoride.

Recent advancement has allowed researchers to determine that decay is actually an infection caused by the bacteria Strep. Mutans.  This bacteria uses carbohydrates (sugars) to produce acid.  The acid in turn works on the tooth surface to leach out the minerals, causing the tooth to soften and produce a cavity (hole) in the tooth.

Since we now know that decay is caused by an infection common sense tells us our focus should turn to eliminating the infection rather than filling holes.  Using the following in addition to professional cleaning, fluoride, and routine home care can do this.

1. Bacteriologic Testing – Similar to what your physician does when he tests you for strep throat. A sample of bacteria is taken from the tongue and incubated and then analyzed for the amount of decay causing bacteria.

2. Sealants – The bacteria that cause the dental decay infection colonized (chose to live in) the deep grooves on  posterior teeth.  By “sealing” off these areas we take away one area that the bacteria can live and produce its acid.

3 .Restoration of previously decayed teeth.  Again eliminating a living area for the bacteria.

4 .Prescription Mouth Rinse – Peridex or Perioguard mouth rinse may be prescribed to be used to help reduce the   amount of bacteria present.

5. Home Fluoride Rinse – to be used before bedtime to help remineralize teeth and make them more resistant to decay. (Act Fluoride Rinse)

6. Gum – Xylifresh or Recaldent gum contains a chemical that affects the decay causing bacteria to be unable to produce as much acid.

One final factor is very important in preventing decay and that is eating patterns.  As one eats, the decay causing bacteria are supplied with a source of energy to produce acid that stays in the mouth for approximately twenty minutes and begins to leach minerals out of teeth.  Your saliva then comes along and dilutes the acid and begins to remineralize the teeth.  Now if food and drink are being supplied to the bacteria continually (not just at mealtime) the saliva never gets a chance to remineralize the teeth and the decay process accelerates.  This leads us to recommend limiting eating to mealtime so that teeth are not continually bathed in acid.

Based on our findings we recommend the following for _______________________________________.

1. Brushing ___________ times per day.

2. Flossing ___________ times per day.

3. Sealants on tooth#______________.

4. Restoration of tooth#____________.

5. Act Fluoride rinse morning and nighttime (Nothing by mouth for 30 min after)

6. Iodine rinse in office at 3 month interval.

7. Bacteriological Testing at __________ month intervals to assure reduction of decay causing bacteria.

8. Gum – Chewing Recaldent Gum ________times per day. (Trident Kids with Recaldent and or Xylitol containing gum).

Midwest Center for Laser Dentistry, P.L.L.C.
Ronald W. Schalter, D.D.S.
808 N. Maple Grove Avenue, Hudson, MI  49247
517-448-7130
<a href="http://www.laserdentist4u.com

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You’re free to use this unless you’re in Hillsdale, Lenawee County Michigan, or Fulton County Ohio otherwise you have to make up your own version 😉