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Tuesday, November 30, 2010

2011 top producing Dentist competition

I want your business.  The top producing account  in 2011 receives a 3-night/2-day fishing trip for two in the Florida Keys. To start sending your cases to Two Ocean Dental Lab and win visit our website www.twooceandental.com or call us at (307)200-4136. We look forward to becoming the lab for your fixed restoration needs.

Saturday, November 20, 2010

Rising Gold prices create a demand for alternative materials

As those of you in the dental field already know gold is a fantastic material. Malleability, bio compatibility and hygienic properties of gold make this metal ideal for many dental restorations. Those of you in the dental industry also realize how expensive precious metals have become. Many people say that prices in the precious metals market will continue to skyrocket. So what options are dentists and labs considering as alternatives to porcelain fused to gold and full gold restorations?
  • Titanium has been considered at times, but struggles to enter the mainstream market. Titanium is bio compatible, after all that is the material of choice for implants. Where titanium has struggled to catch on is in the manufacturing. Dental Laboratories wishing to offer titanium core crowns need to invest in additional equipment without knowing if the demand will offset the investment.
  • Zirconium oxide frameworks have been used for many years now as a core for metal free restorations. Some labs even offer posterior full contour crowns of zirconium.  Most labs are able to offer this type of restoration now as market demand has increased over the years. Many different alternatives exist within the manufacturers of zirconium oxide based materials. Care must be used when choosing this type of restoration for your patient as the material is not appropriate for every case.
  • Lithium Di-silicate is a more recent addition to the metal free restoration market. Because many labs already had systems in place for all porcelain crowns this material is a simple addition to a dental laboratories catalog. Ivoclar's E-max system is a popular name in the lithium di-silicate market. These materials can be pressed as a monolithic crown, which provides a strong restoration when there is adequate thicknesses. Aesthetically these restorations look very nice.
  • Pressed porcelain crowns are highly aesthetic, and work well for some cosmetic cases. These crowns are not as strong as zirconium oxide, or lithium di silicate restorations so care must be used when deciding on this material. 

These are just a handful of options available to practitioners looking for gold alternatives. Contact your lab and discuss material selection. New products are constantly entering the market, and every manufacturer claims to have the best thing available. Truthfully the best option for one patient may be the wrong option for the next. Research new materials and follow the prep guidelines and patient indications. Gold is great, but as prices go up start considering your alternatives.

Thursday, November 18, 2010

Welcome

This is the first official blog for Two Ocean Dental Lab, Llc. Thank you so much for visiting us. We look forward to an increased presence on the web, and we are open to suggestions on information you would like to see relating to the Dental Laboratory. We are a small lab with focus on quality and consistency. As this blog progresses we will share cases, and information about new products and techniques. Our industry is constantly changing and we are eager to both learn from others and share our knowledge so we can provide the best service to our customers. Two Ocean Dental Lab offers a comprehensive line of fixed restorations some of which are explained on our web-site here http://www.twooceandental.com/products.html so please visit. I wish the best to all of our followers.