Renee Knight is a freelance writer and editor who's been covering the dental industry for 15 years. 

Renee Knight

	About a year ago, Edwin Kee, MCDT, TE, began testing the new Multimat Cube Press furnace from Dentsply Sirona. The associate professor at the LSU School of Dentistry has tested materials for the company in the past, so when they asked him to do the same for this new furnace, he didn’t hesitate to say yes.

	The furnace wasn’t ready for prime time yet, so 

 wanted feedback from Kee on what they could improve before the release, which is set for April. The company also will launch a second furnace, the Multimat Cube, at the same time. While Kee hasn’t used that one, he said the only difference between the two is the Press version enables technicians to both press glass ceramic and fire porcelains at the same time, making it a dual-purpose furnace that saves technicians money. The Multimat Cube, while also a high-quality oven, only offers firing.

	“I was very pleased with the Multimat Cube Press,” Kee says of his experience with the system. “The oven works really nicely and it’s a simple plug and play. You don’t have to figure out how to use the software since its digital touchscreen interface is user friendly and easy to use.”

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	Precise firing from a system that’s easy to use

	One of the main benefits the Multimat Cube Press offers is its precise firing temperature, Kee says. When pressing a crown, it provides more precise pressings and better-fitting restorations.

“The pressings are fantastic,” Kee says. “You can press really thin materials down to one-tenth of a millimeter with this oven. The temperature for pressing stays where it needs to be, so everything comes out beautifully. If pressing Celtra, there is no reaction layer at all. For example, I pressed a flower with extremely thin pedals and the pressed pedals came out identical to the original flowers pedals!”

	It’s also easy to use right out of the box, Kee says. When the oven first arrived, he didn’t have to spend a lot of time reading the directions or trying to figure out how to use the unit. There are no bells and whistles like on some other systems, which just adds the potential for more things to break. Using the oven was pretty straight forward, Kee says, so he was able to incorporate it into his workflow right away.

	One of the biggest advantages of purchasing one of these ovens, Kee says, is the support Dentsply Sirona offers. Furnaces have many of the same features, and often the biggest differentiating factor is the company behind the oven and the support they provide. Kee has worked with Dentsply Sirona for a few years now and says the support always has been top-notch. If he calls tech support with a question, he gets an answer right away, or they’ll refer him to one of their advocates. If he needs a new part, they send it in a timely manner. Dentsply Sirona is a company he knows he can rely on.

	“A lot of companies will sell you a product that doesn’t have any support behind it,” Kee says. “Once they make the sale, they wash their hands clean of it and walk away. That’s very upsetting because to get something to work properly you need to have someone there to help you and to tell you why something isn’t working and how to fix it. Dentsply Sirona offers top-notch support.”

More from the author: Making 3D printing more convenient

	While Kee was very pleased with the results he received from the system and the support the company offered, he did have one suggestion to make the furnace even better: change the base temperature for pressing. Originally, the furnace pressing program started at 400 degrees Celsius. With the new software update, that pressing program temperature will now be 700 degrees Celsius.

	“At 700 degrees Celsius, the oven can open and close at the same time. This allows me to not have to stand by the oven, start a pressing program, and wait for the oven to heat up,” Kee says. “Setting a furnace to 400 degrees Celsius works for most purposes when firing porcelain, but for pressing, you need it to be 700 degrees Celsius when you open the chamber. At that temperature, you can open the oven and press the ring right away. The temperature change cuts down a few more minutes of our overall pressing time.”

	Kee says he will continue to use the Multimat Cube Press and would encourage other technicians to invest in this system or the Multimat Cube as well. Kee says Dentsply Sirona is committed to making furnaces that are easy to use, and the support they offer helps to ensure technicians are successful with the product they choose from the beginning.
	
	 

Articles

One technician’s take on the benefits these furnaces from Dentsply Sirona offer dental labs. 

How to achieve precise firing with the Multimat Cube and Multimat Cube Press

	Dr. Michael Miyasaki has depended on a variety of Tokuyama Dental America products in his Sacramento-based practice for more than a decade, including the company’s Estelite composites and denture reline material. He’s been happy with the quality products Tokuyama offers and is excited about the recent innovations he’s seeing from the company, including the EsteCem

 II dual-cure adhesive resin cement system.

	He’s used the radiopaque cement for about six months now, and he says he likes the fact that the material is universal and easy to clean up. It also simplifies the process, saving him time as well as money.

	“It’s universal, meaning we can use it with all the different ways we etch, which varies depending on the clinical situation,” Dr. Miyasaki says. “I also recently started using Tokuyama’s Universal Bond and combining the two really simplified cementation. We use all different types of restorative material from IPS e.max lithium disilicate to indirect resin to zirconia to PFM. Having one system that takes care of all of our cementation needs is attractive.”

More from the author: Taking composite materials to the next level

	The simplicity that comes with fewer steps is one of the biggest benefits 

offers, Dr. Miyasaki says. Systems that require more steps not only add time to the procedure, but they also leave more room for error. Patients get tired and there’s a greater chance of contaminating the working area. EsteCem II saves time chairside and helps lead to more predictable outcomes.

	The universal resin cement also simplifies the inventory Dr. Miyasaki has to keep on hand. Instead of storing multiple primers, he can now combine Tokuyama’s Universal Bond with EsteCem II to get the results he’s after. EsteCem II also can be used as a post core cement, and that means there’s one less cement he has to worry about stocking up on. This all saves him a few hundred dollars in inventory costs per month, he says.

	EsteCem II also simplifies the cleanup process, which is one of the biggest challenges clinicians face with cements.

	“A lot of clinicians have a cement they like, but cleanup is just really, really hard,” Dr. Miyasaki says. “EsteCem II offers a good bond strength and easy cleanup, so we don’t have to compromise. It just comes right off.”

Because both the procedure and cleanup are faster than with other cements, patients spend less time in the chair, Dr. Miyasaki says. He estimates about a 50 percent time savings.

	“When it comes down to the patient experience, it’s just faster, which means less time they have to hold their mouth open and greater comfort,” he says. “And the easy cleanup is also a patient benefit. If you can just floss between the teeth to clean the cement versus picking it out or drilling it out, that changes the perception of the visit for the patient.”

Related article: Saving valuable time in your dental office with OMNICHROMA

	The system also offers a variety of shades, Dr. Miyasaki says, giving him excellent color choices that make his patients happy.

	Why you should try EsteCem II in your practice

	Dr. Miyasaki has trusted Tokuyama for years, and the company’s latest cement offering doesn’t disappoint. When used with Tokuyama Universal Bond, EsteCem II provides a quicker solution that cuts chair time while also reducing inventory and costs.

	“There are a lot of systems out there that require a lot of steps,” Dr. Miyasaki says. “With EsteCem II, it’s just easier and because it’s easier there are fewer mistakes or omissions that can be made. It’s very predictable and very simple. EsteCem II has worked out to be everything we need in an adhesive cement.”

One dentist’s experience with this dual-cure adhesive resin cement system. 

Saving time and money chairside with EsteCem II

	Dr. Michael Kelly has used lasers in his dental practice for years, but he found most worked well with soft tissue but not hard tissue. The systems he tried designed for both purposes were inefficient and just not what he was looking for. 

	That all changed when he brought the Solea

 laser from Convergent Dental into his practice nearly five years ago. It works great for both hard and soft tissue cases, and it has brought countless benefits to his patients and his practice.

	“This is hands down the best piece of technology I’ve ever put in my office,” says Dr. Kelly, who practices at Aesthetic Dentistry of Scottsdale. “It touches every aspect of my practice and has improved every aspect from the patient experience to my bottom line and everything in between.”

Related reading: How to conduct noninvasive crown lengthening with Solea

	Dr. Kelly describes Solea as a “transformative technology that drastically changes the patient experience during hard tissue procedures.” He rarely has to give patients shots, which eases patients’ fears and makes their time in the chair more comfortable. They experience less bleeding and heal faster, and they don’t have to deal with the side effects that come with those dreaded shots.

	“I’ve always prided myself on giving comfortable injections, but a comfortable injection is still an injection with side effects and discomfort,” Dr. Kelly says. “With Solea, about 98 percent of the time patients get out of the chair and say, ‘That was amazing. I didn’t feel anything.’ We don’t have a numb patient when we’re trying to check occlusion, and we don’t have to worry about a 4-year-old chewing on his lip because he’s numb.”

Dr. Kelly says he uses his Solea every day on each restorative patient. He refers fewer cases out and is able to complete more dentistry each day because he’s taking blood and anesthesia out of the equation for most of what he does. Solea also makes it possible to work in multiple quadrants. So if a patient needs six fillings in different areas, he can do those in one visit instead of two visits or more.

	“I have at least one hour a day that I didn’t have in my schedule before,” Dr. Kelly says. “I used to walk in the room, calm the patient down, give the shot, walk out of the room and come back 10 minutes later. With Solea, I explain what I’m doing, pick up the laser and go to work. It’s not unusual for me to finish the procedure before I would have even picked up the drill to start.”

	Solea also has helped Dr. Kelly earn patient loyalty. He recently treated an older patient who was nervous about getting work done without a shot, mostly because that was all he’d ever known. After the procedure was complete, the patient shook his head and asked “Where has that been all my life?” He was amazed that he didn’t feel a thing while Dr. Kelly worked on four of his teeth and that he wasn’t leaving the practice with a numb face.

	“The last thing he said to me was ‘Now I can never go to another dentist that doesn’t have this,’” Dr. Kelly says.

	The unique wavelength is what makes this laser so special, Dr. Kelly says. It’s the only laser he’s ever used that truly targets both hard and soft tissue. Another feature Dr. Kelly appreciates is the variable speed foot pedal. He’s able to control the laser’s output via the foot pedal; other systems require users to change a setting on the screen. The ability to use his foot instead makes the process faster, smoother and easier.

	The laser is computer-controlled and can be easily updated with software releases that are part of the company’s warranty maintenance program. Solea is Wi-Fi- and cellular-enabled, so all updates are easily available via a software download.

	While incorporating laser dentistry into your practice calls for a shift in mindset, Dr. Kelly says it’s one of the best things you can do for your patients and your bottom line.

	“If you want to build your practice, Solea is a great tool,” he says. “It does something we can’t do otherwise. It changes the patient experience and leads to loyalty. It enables you to keep more dentistry in-house. It makes complex cases easy and makes the easy cases even easier, while also allowing you to work in multiple areas of the mouth. Using less anesthesia leads to less anxiety for the patient, which is the biggest factor. There’s no reason not to incorporate this into your practice.”
	 

One dentist shares his experience with this all-tissue dental laser from Convergent Dental. 

How to improve the patient experience with Solea

	Dr. Aaron Welk has used cordless handpieces in his office for 16 years, which is the same amount of time he’s been an endodontist. He recognized the benefits these handpieces bring early on and has used a variety of models over his career - the most recent being the Tri Auto ZX2 from J. MORITA.

	Dr. Welk incorporated this handpiece into his practice in April and said he “couldn’t wait to get his hands on it.” He appreciates a variety of the handpiece’s features, including the OTR technology that helps reduce the possibility of files separating or breaking.

	“If too much resistance is applied while the file is engaging the tooth or the root canal, it will automatically reverse,” Dr. Welk says. “That helps minimize the risk of files wedging in complex canal anatomy and excessive torque. The handpiece also has a smooth operation. Because it’s electric, the handpiece is very quiet, which is nice for both the operator and the patient.”

Related reading: 5 ways to simplify pulp capping procedures

 comes with a variety of advanced features, including a built-in apex locator. Dr. Welk is able to use the apex locator as a standalone or while the file is inside the tooth, allowing him to determine the working length while he’s actually using the handpiece. There’s also an auto feature that allows for auto start when the file is placed in the canal and auto stop when the file is approaching the end of the root canal.

	Another feature, known as the Optimum Glide Path (OGP), makes it possible to use the apex locator to determine the pathway, Dr. Welk says. It has a forward and reverse rotation that mimics watch winding and balanced force motions, allowing him to navigate the canal path as if he were using the hand file.

	“This is useful when combined with the apex locator to determine the initial working length in a predictable and efficient manner,” Dr. Welk says.

	The handpiece is also well balanced and easy to use, he says. Some handpiece models allow you to detach the contra angle and change the position when needed. The Tri Auto ZX2 actually rotates and glides, enabling clinicians to adjust the contra angle while it’s still on the handpiece. This is especially useful when slight adjustments are needed while working inside the tooth.

 is cordless. It’s easy to transport between operatories, which is useful for dentists with multiple offices. It also can hold a charge for a week or more, even when used for multiple cases a day.

	All of these features combine to make a product that improves efficiencies and saves time chairside, Dr. Welk says.

“This handpiece allows me to efficiently clean and shape the 

in a very smooth and easy manner. It reduces operator fatigue, which is one of the main benefits of a rotary handpiece,” he says.

	Not only will patients benefit from getting a quality shaped root canal, but the process won’t be as stressful. An additional feature is the ability to adjust the handpiece’s operation (beeping) volume.

	“Most patients know what an electric toothbrush looks like and that’s exactly what this handpiece looks like,” Dr. Welk says. “It’s non-threatening, and that’s a huge benefit.”

	Why GPs should invest in the Tri Auto ZX2

	Even for clinicians who don’t have a lot of experience with endodontic procedures, this handpiece is easy to use, Dr. Welk says. It features pre-programming for different stages of root canal treatment as well as five different operation modes for canal shaping and root canal measurement.

	“You can follow the guide in the operator’s manual and as you get more comfortable with each mode, you can decide if you want to customize to better suit your approach to root canal treatment,” Dr. Welk says. “I’ve always been an advocate of these handpieces and the Tri Auto ZX2 is a great technology to have in your armamentarium, whether you’re an endodontist or a general dentist doing endodontic procedures.”

How this cordless handpiece simplifies procedures for both general dentists and endodontists

How to improve endo procedures with the Tri Auto ZX2

	For nearly 20 years, dentists have turned to the TPH Spectra

 brand of composites from Dentsply Sirona to provide their patients with esthetic, long-lasting restorations. The newest member of the TPH family, TPH Spectra

 ST universal composite, is certainly no exception. The material features filler technology that Dentsply Sirona’s Senior Manager of Clinical Affairs Dr. Khaleel Mohammed says takes the composite to another level.

	This technology, known as SphereTEC™ filler technology, was first introduced to the European market in 2015 and came to the U.S. through 

 last October. SphereTEC, which is the company’s proprietary method of manufacturing microscaled spherical superstructures from submicron glass, offers the improved handling, sculptability, durability and simplified shade selection dentists want as well as the natural-looking restorations patients expect.

	“Patients are highly demanding. They want a long-lasting, esthetic result,” Dr. Mohammed says. “Whether it’s an anterior or a posterior restoration, patients don’t want to have to come back in to have it restored for a long time. They want the tooth to give them natural esthetics and to function properly.”

Trending article: Choosing the right composite for your patients

	Unlike many other composites on the market, the 

 combined with an optimized resin matrix takes TPH Spectra ST’s handling to the next level, Dr. Mohammed says. The spherical pre-polymerized particles give a ball-bearing effect that allows for easy extrusion and adaptability to the cavity walls. Thanks to the pre-polymerized SphereTEC fillers, the amount of unpolymerized resin within the TPH Spectra ST composite is reduced, which also decreases the material’s stickiness to instruments. The composite is easy to sculpt and doesn’t slump. All of these exceptional handling properties alleviate the most common composite pain points dentists face.
	TPH Spectra ST also maximizes the composite’s filler loading capability, Dr. Mohammed says, making the composite more mechanically strong. This comes from the interlocking of the resin into the pores of the SphereTEC filler particles.

“You don’t want patients to come back in a few months or a year with a fractured restoration,” Dr. Mohammed says. “This composite’s higher polishability leads to its higher durability, and it has that polishability thanks to the SphereTEC technology. SphereTEC filler is not solid glass filler but pre-polymerized composite filler composed from submicron barium glass. When a TPH Spectra ST surface is finished and polished, the SphereTEC fillers abrade only partly, corresponding to their microstructure. The result leads to fewer defects, a faster finish and an excellent polish.”

	With only five shades that cover the entire 

, TPH Spectra ST makes shade selection faster and easier.

	“Shade selection can be time-consuming, but getting a great match is key to patient satisfaction with the result,” he says. “The TPH Spectra ST CLOUD shade concept is designed to make shade selection and shade match simple. TPH Spectra ST has five CLOUD shades to cover the full 16 shade VITA range.”

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	Beyond that, TPH Spectra ST has an enhanced chameleon blending ability that simplifies shade matching. The material is also less susceptible to staining than other composites. This gives patients beautiful restorations that won’t discolor over time, Dr. Mohammed says.

	“Normally, a composite might change or stain because of coffee intake or other foods and drinks, but this composite is highly resistant to stains,” he says.

	Why you should try TPH Spectra ST in your practice

	TPH Spectra ST addresses some of the main concerns dentists have with composites: handling, esthetics, durability and shade selection.

	“That’s exactly what we offer with TPH Spectra ST,” Dr. Mohammed says. “The SphereTEC’s new and novel filler technology takes the material to another level, enabling dentists to offer patients the best possible results they expect.”

How TPH Spectra ST from Dentsply Sirona is enabling dentists to offer patients the best possible results

Taking composite materials to the next level

	Dr. Sheri B. Doniger first began using BISCO REVEAL HD Bulk right after the Chicago Midwinter Meeting earlier this year, which is when the light-cured bulk fill composite was launched. While it has a variety of benefits, she was first attracted to the material’s depth of cure, which is 5 to 6 mm when it’s placed into a restoration.

	The material’s HD Filler Technology makes this possible. The filler resin system’s refractive index offers optimal light transmission, which means light can be effectively refracted and distributed through the material, allowing for this predictable depth of cure. 

 is designed for simpler, faster posterior restorations, and Dr. Doniger says the ease of application it offers and the way it flows into cavity preps are the material’s two best features.

Trending article: Tips and tricks for creating long-lasting restorations

	“The material handles great; it’s not too soft or runny,” Dr. Doniger says. “Additionally, the final restoration is easy to finish and polish. With the ability to use an esthetic bulk fill, it does save time.”

REVEAL HD Bulk is pretty versatile, Dr. Doniger says. While it’s a bulk filling composite, it also works well with the layering technique. If the shade is too light or transparent, the company’s 

 can be added to make the restoration more opaque.

	“If you choose to use REVEAL HD as a base and layer a different composite on the top to alter the shade, that works as well,” she says. “As a clinician, it is great to have choices with our materials.”

	Using REVEAL HD Bulk also saves practices money. The depth of cure allows for a strong restoration from the top-down, and that means the composite can be placed in a single layer without the need for additional layers or a base/liner - and that translates into both time and cost savings.

 for the ease of bulk fill application and the results of a strong final restoration,” Dr. Doniger says. “It saves time and money, which are both a win-win in the dental office.”

	Patients are busy people who want to spend as little time in a dental office as possible. REVEAL HD Bulk helps with that while also giving patients strong, beautiful restorations that last.

Read more: The benefits of TheraCem from BISCO

	“Patients prefer less time in the chair,” Dr. Doniger says. “If I am using a one-component bulk filling material, they will have less chair time.”

	Even though she’s only used this bulk fill material since February, Dr. Doniger is confident it will always give her the results she’s after. It’s easy to handle and polish and enables her to offer patients durable, esthetic restorations in a shorter amount of time.

	“There are some indications where bulk fill is the best solution,” Dr. Doniger says. “It definitely saves time. When this restoration is placed, I have confidence it will flow into the whole preparation without leaving voids.”

Why one clinician prefers using this light-cured bulk fill composite from BISCO.

Achieving faster posterior restorations with REVEAL HD Bulk

	After 20 years in the Pittsburgh area, Dr. Frank Altier decided it was time to start practicing dentistry somewhere a little warmer. He moved to Arizona and opened a new office in late December 2017, and over the last few months, he’s focused on creating a practice with a small-town feel. 

	“The town of Gilbert has about a quarter million people, whereas the town I was in before had about 15,000,” Dr. Altier says. “I try to incorporate the values and personalization that is sometimes lost in a big city. I’m keeping the office small, which gives me an opportunity to get to know my patients personally. It’s about offering personalized care, not the numbers.”

	It took Dr. Altier about five months to build out and staff his startup. This wasn’t the first time he had opened a scratch practice, so he knew what to expect, making it a pretty smooth process. The most critical step was hiring the right people, he says. He knew he needed a team of hardworking, talented individuals who he would enjoy working with every day and who were excited to help his practice grow.

Read more: Why you should switch to digital sensors

	When opening a startup, it’s important to invest in the right software. About six months before making the move to Arizona, Dr. Altier began using the 

. This easy-to-use software saves him time and money, which is critical to a new practice’s success.

	Dr. Altier wanted to go strictly cloud-based with his system, and to him, DentiMax’s offering came with the best features. Everything is integrated through DentiMax, including emails, texts and printouts for postal mail. Patients are constantly connected to his practice. They can easily confirm appointments via text, and the software keeps track of how many patients respond to text messages from the practice and how many don’t. There’s no need to pay for a patient communication system - and that saves his practice about $300 a month.

	“It’s basically set up like a web page, so it’s like you’re using a browser. It’s very easy to find where you need to go,” he says. “Everything I need to see is on one or two pages.”

	And because it’s cloud-based, he can access the software from anywhere and doesn’t have to worry about the power going out or his server crashing. Everything is backed up and available for him to access whenever he needs it.

	What to consider when investing in software

	For other dentists looking for new practice management software, Dr. Altier suggests investing in a solution that integrates with all the different communication channels dentists work with each day. Dental software also should handle a practice’s imaging needs as well as integrate with hardware such as digital sensors and intraoral cameras.

Trending article: Thinking about expanding your practice? Switch to the cloud

 offers all these features and is easy for team members to master, saving practices time and money on training.

	“If you’re not using dental software, you’re way behind the times,” Dr. Altier says. “It would be very difficult to grow a practice without using digital practice management software."

Why one dentist prefers using this cloud-based practice management software.

How DentiMax saves dentists time and money

	Dr. Ron Kaminer has always heated composites in his practice, which is why he was so interested in trying the Phasor™ composite warming system when he first heard about it. He liked the idea of heating his composites in a delivery gun. This unique concept eliminates the need to put the composite compules in a separate device before they go into the mouth, making the process more efficient.

	Dr. Kaminer began using the system about five months ago, and he says he’s been happy with the results so far.

	While heating composite is a new concept for many dentists, it offers a variety of benefits, Dr. Kaminer says. Heating composite reduces its viscosity, making it more flowable and easy to work with. It also reduces voids and microleakage while improving the depth of cure. The composite more easily adapts into the preparations, making the material easy to manipulate, condense and sculpt. Heating composite also provides a better conversion of monomers without losing any of its strength properties.

Related reading: Solve my problem: Improving depth of cure and sculptability

	“Anything that’s flowing is going to save you time,” Dr. Kaminer says. “You can build multi-cavity preps quicker because the material extrudes quickly out of the gun. More importantly, it gives you a smoother workflow. You’re not going from one device to another. I just put the material in the gun, press the button and hold the gun. Once it beeps in 15 seconds, I’m right in the mouth at the same time.”

, dentists typically had to put a syringe or compule into a warmer, let it sit there for a while and then place the composite. Using this method, the composite can only warm to one temperature and will start losing some of the heat before it’s placed in the patient’s mouth, which can change the material’s flowability.

	This isn’t an issue for Phasor. The device has three temperature settings, so dentists can change the character of the material based on what they prefer working with.

	“The Phasor takes every composite material on the market and makes it a pseudo-flowable composite,” Dr. Kaminer says. “Regardless of what properties the manufacturers have in their materials, whether it’s meant to be compressed better or carved better, this makes it flow better as it comes back to what the manufacturer intended it to be, which takes about 30 seconds.”

	The patent-pending device uses near infrared technology to rapidly warm highly filled composite compules to 150°F in a few seconds, bringing the benefits of a 

, highly filled and flowable composite into one material. Since the process maximizes the composite’s physical properties, it could last longer and wear less, which is a benefit to patients.  

	“Using the Phasor, you can deliver a heated composite directly into the mouth without any lag time or using any other devices,” Dr. Kaminer says. “If you’re going to try heating composites in your practice, this makes the most sense. It’s a simple gun. You’re not changing anything about what you normally do. You load the composite into the gun and inject it. The only difference is the button that allows you to heat the material. There’s no learning curve at all.”

One doctor shares his experience with this new composite warming system from Vista Dental Products.

Using Phasor to create flowable composites

	Katie Fisher, an expanded function dental auxiliary, was first introduced to Sani-Soak Ultra from Enzyme Industries at a dental meeting. She took a few samples back to Dr. Mark L. Grosko’s endodontics practice in Newark, Ohio, and together the team experienced first-hand how the dual-purpose, anti-corrosive, enzymatic cleaner can save a dental practice time and money.

 is an environmentally friendly product that can be used in the ultrasonic bath to clean instruments and as a wet evacuation line cleaner. Fisher has used Sani-Soak Ultra for about six months and has noticed that it’s much easier to unclog suction lines and that instruments come out of the bath looking and feeling cleaner - and that helps to extend their life and reduce the amount of time it takes to maintain them.

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	What Katie Fisher, EFDA, says about Sani-Soak Ultra

	When I first started using the samples I received at the trade show, I really liked the way Sani-Soak Ultra smelled, and the instruments came out a lot brighter. They just felt cleaner and didn’t have any film on them. After we finished using the product we already had in the practice, I told Dr. Grosko we should buy Sani-Soak Ultra because I really liked what I saw with the samples. He agreed and we’ve been using it ever since.

I haven’t noticed any rusting or corrosion on the instruments since we started using Sani-Soak Ultra, as was often the case with other similar products we had been using. The instruments just didn’t come out as shiny. The old products would cause a tarnish after going through the autoclave and the instruments would look dull. With Sani-Soak Ultra, our instruments keep their shine, and I really like that. Other cleaners also don’t remove all the debris like Sani-Soak does.

	Sani-Soak Ultra also helps keep our suction lines clean. We do a lot of surgeries, so blood gets stuck in the lines, which can be difficult to flush out. This cleaner unblocks or unclogs the lines, and that’s a real plus.

	It’s also easy to use. I fill up the ultrasonic bath and soak the instruments. We have a 3-gallon ultrasonic, so I just put two pumps in and I’m done. At the end of the day or after a surgery, I’ll drain what’s in the ultrasonic bath into a bucket and clean my lines that way. So, it’s a multifunctional product, which is another benefit. 

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	With Sani-Soak Ultra, we spend less time cleaning instruments and performing maintenance. If all the debris doesn’t come off the instruments, for example, you have to scrub them until it does. That takes time. You also don’t have to leave them in the ultrasonic bath water as long as you would with other products. The enzymes break up the debris, so you don’t have to wait as long for the instruments to finish cleaning. This gives you a much faster cycling of the instruments through the sterilization process. The same is true with the lines. If your lines aren’t clean after you run the liquid through them, you have to use another bucket. After a surgery, there will be a lot of blood stuck in the tube, and you typically have to rinse and rinse to get it all out. With Sani-Soak Ultra, if you let it soak in the ultrasonic bath, take it out and just rinse once, it’s cleared.

	Sani-Soak Ultra saves practices time and money, making it easier to clear suction lines and to keep instruments shiny. I would recommend this product to any practice looking to reduce the amount of time they spend cleaning and maintaining instruments.

How this dual-purpose enzymatic cleaner can save practices time and money. 

Benefits of Sani-Soak Ultra from Enzyme Industries

	After using a disposable instrument, it can be pretty tempting to put that instrument through the sterilization process and use it a second time - especially if it seems to be made well and looks like it’s strong enough to handle it. This is something many (if not most) dentists have done at least once to save a little money. Unfortunately, this can result in a variety of problems that do your practice - and your patients - more harm than good.

	Reusing disposable instruments puts your patients at risk. Not only is there the potential for cross-contamination, but if single-use products are put to work more than once, they’re simply not going to be as effective as they should be, no matter how strong or well-made they look. This hurts the quality of the care you provide and could negatively impact a patient’s experience in your practice.

	“I have this discussion with dentists frequently and I ask them what if that was your daughter in your chair? Would you use a new set of instruments? They don’t like to answer that question,” says John Ferone, Henry Schein’s executive director, global endodontic category management. “Then I ask why should the standard of care be any different whether it’s your daughter or any other patient? That seems to resonate. It’s a reality check.”

	This isn’t an issue that’s unique to the dental industry, says Christine Santagate, director, northeast regional operations at Regulatory and Quality Solutions (R&Q). It happens in the medical field in general, with many healthcare professionals seeing reusing disposable items as a cost-saving measure. But it’s important to understand that these products are single-use for a reason. Devices have to be tested to prove they can be used in more than one procedure and provide the same results each time. If they can’t, then they’re only indicated for one-time use.

	If you want to provide your patients with the best care possible, one way is to become familiar with the FDA’s single-use guidance, understand why it’s in place and then actually follow the agency’s recommendations. Single-use products can offer your practice many benefits, but only if they’re used properly.  

	Guidance from the FDA on single-use or disposable devices goes across the board for all medical devices that can be packaged sterile or non-sterile, depending on their end use, Santagate says. For single-use items, the guidance states products should only be used on one patient during a single procedure and then properly disposed.

“The FDA recommends that providers follow the labeling for individual products, including whether the device is single-use or multi-use. If device reprocessing instructions are not provided, it should be considered single-use,” according to the FDA. “The provision of reprocessing instructions would require a new premarket clearance (510(k), which is a type of premarket review) as reprocessing changes the intended use of the product.”

	Even though the guidance is clear, many providers still opt to not follow it, mainly because they think reusing certain instruments saves them money. When a violation is reported, the manufacturer is notified and then required to contact the dentist to clarify the instructions for single-use, Santagate explains.

	“Dental staff can contact the FDA and alert them about misuse. Anybody can do that,” she says. “The FDA might not be coming in and checking on you, but they are auditing manufacturers and making sure they have appropriate labeling and instructions. It’s important to remember these products aren’t made to be reused. These devices haven’t been tested to go into the autoclave or disinfectant, and putting them through the sterilization process might compromise them.”

	Why you should only use single-use products once

	There are quite a few single-use dental products on the market, including endodontic files, air and water syringe tips, saliva ejectors, mirrors, explorers and a variety of infection control products. While these items provide conveniences, the main reason they only can be used once is patient safety, Santagate says.

	“It’s for disease prevention in general,” she explains. “While there are steam sterilizers and disinfection tools in dental offices, sometimes you lose track and instruments aren’t sterilized properly. With a single-use product, you have a guarantee it hasn’t been in anybody’s mouth. That’s the main issue.”

	Studies have shown that if instruments aren’t properly cleaned ahead of the autoclave cycle, some abnormal proteins responsible for disease can potentially live through the sterilization cycle, Ferone says, putting your patients and your team members at risk.

	Another problem? When you use disposable instruments more than once, they’re simply not as effective as they should be, Santagate says. They’re not made out of materials that are designed to last, so after that first use, they’re no longer as strong as they need to be to perform their job. This means procedures will take longer and your team members will have to work harder to get the results they’re after.

	Single-use instruments become dull if they’re used multiple times, impacting cutting efficiency, Ferone says. Reused endodontic files are more prone to separation or breakage than they are during their first use - and that leads to big headaches for both you and your patients. How? If a file separates while it’s rotating in the root canal system, you have to notify the patient, who typically needs to go to a specialist to have the case retreated and the file removed. These patients won’t exactly be happy with the experience they had at your practice, and they might even decide not to come back.

	Why dentists use disposable products more than once

	The answer to this is simple: cost. Dentists want to get as much as they can out of every product they invest in, so if they think they can use a disposable product two or even three times and get the same result, then they don’t see any reason not to do it. The problem is that they’re not getting the same result and they’re also putting their patients and team members at risk.

	Endodontic files represent a good example of dentists reusing instruments for cost savings. The newer NiTi (Nickel-Titanium) files cost significantly more than their stainless-steel predecessors, Ferone says, and dentists think if they can get multiple uses out of them, it will help offset that extra cost. But the amount of money saved by using instruments two or three times (which is what many dentists do, Ferone says) doesn’t really amount to much, and it certainly isn’t worth exposing patients to cross-contamination or using a product that’s been compromised.

	“Endo is a profitable procedure. From the hourly standpoint, it’s probably one of the most profitable,” Ferone says. “To save an estimated $10 to $15 a case when you’re billing $700 to $1,000 for a procedure that takes 45 to 60 minutes is penny wise and pound foolish.”

	Disposable devices are new every time, Santagate says. There’s no question about their ability to perform the job they were created for because they don’t have any wear and tear. The product is at its maximum strength and there’s no worries about cross-contamination. Team members easily and efficiently perform their jobs, which isn’t the case if they’re working with a worn-out instrument.  

	There’s also no need to track the devices, Ferone says. When you reuse instruments, you have to develop a good way to track them to make sure they’re not used too many times, whether it’s via color-coded labels or another method.

	With endodontic files, you don’t have to worry as much about separation if you use the instruments once and then throw them away. And the fact that you don’t need to reprocess the instrument saves time, enabling you and your team to quickly move from procedure to procedure.

	The bottom line is, if used properly, disposable products help to save the practice time and money while reducing the risk of cross-contamination.

	Remember, single-use products are single-use for a reason; they’re simply not meant for multiple procedures. Use products the way the manufacturer intended, and you’ll keep your patients safe while also making your team members as efficient as possible.  

	“These products are designed to be single-use. You might think the tip is still sharp and what a waste to throw the instrument away, but it’s not designed to be used that way,” Santagate says. “And remember, mouths are gross. Single-use products reduce the risk of cross-contamination and help prevent disease from spreading.”

Why dental professionals shouldn't use these products more than once.