Communication is the Cornerstone of Great Results

Dentists and Technicians work together to restore a patients smile, and maintain oral health. Since we must work together to create ideal results it is important that we communicate. Two Ocean Dental Lab has a variety of communication tools at our disposal, and you can have access to these as well with an internet connection.
Telephones are great, and discussing a case face to face is even better. Often these means of communication are not convenient during a busy day in your office. Thankfully today we have many alternatives that are very convenient, and often times allow for case planning to be much easier. I will list a few of my favorites, and I would love to hear what everyone else has found beneficial in the office.

Instant Messaging- Platforms for instant messaging vary, I use google talk, but the idea is the same across the board. If I am missing information on the prescription I send out an instant message, and at the convenience of the office they can reply. This system works out well because when I call on the phone it is sometimes inconvenient, and I am tying up office staff while they are assisting patients. With an instant message I know that a response will be made as soon as a staff member has time to address the question.

E-mail- E-mail is similar in convenience to instant messaging, with the added benefit of attaching photos. Sometimes I will receive photos from an office for patients, and it is very convenient. E-mail is also a great way for me to notify clients of special deals, and news. Sometimes people have time to sit down and read an e-mail, and they do it at their leisure. Once again when a phone rings someone answers it, and it is not always a good time to talk.

Skype- Combining instant messaging, texting to cell phones, calls to land lines, file sharing and video calls Skype is the swiss army knife of communication. Skype is a fantastic way to meet "face to face" without anyone having to leave their office. With Skype you can IM someone to call when they are available, then have a video conference to look things over. More offices and labs should have Skype.

Of course there are plenty of other tools for communication out there, and I want to know more about which ones you like. These are just a few of my favorites, and every day someone is revolutionizing the way we do our work. Please feel free to comment on your favorite.

Emax anteriors

This is a before picture of a patient wanting cosmetic improvement for his smile. After the initial consultation the patient and Dentist agreed to place E.max lithium disilicate crowns on teeth 6 through 11 in a shade of A-1. When the patient returned for his appointment the teeth were prepped and temporized and an impression, bite registration and photos were sent here to Two Ocean Dental Lab for the fabrication of lithium disilicate crowns.
After pouring up all the model work and reviewing the photos fabrication of the crowns began. First all the crowns were waxed to full contour, and then cutbacks were made and the units were pressed. Upon pressing all of the crowns several layers of porcelain were added to bring all the teeth back to full contour and add depth and vitality.
Below there is a photo of the completed case. As you can see the lithium disilicate provides a cosmetic and strong restoration. If you are planning a cosmetic case please feel free to contact us by e-mail or call (307)200-4136 and we will help answer your case planning questions.

Happy Holidays Everyone A First Year In Summary

Well one last blog for this year. Our lab will be closed next week for Christmas, so you may not hear from us until after January 1st, 2011. This Blog goes out to all of our clients who have helped us make our first year a great one. We look forward to serving you in the years to come. Next year around this time we will be announcing the winner of our Top Dentist competition. We realize you have a choice in labs, and the competition is just one more way to thank you for choosing Two Ocean Dental Lab.

As for those of you who have are not familiar with our labs services, thank you for reading our blog. I will enlighten you on our competition. We are hosting a competition among all of our Dentist for a Florida Keys fishing vacation. Our top producing Dentist will receive a three night two day fishing trip for two in the Key's. So starting January 1st start sending us your cases, and you will be eligible.
Blogging and Twitter are new for us here at Two Ocean Dental Lab, so we would love your input. Do you have questions related to fixed prosthodontics? Would you like to know more about new products? We would love to hear from you, as our readers you drive our content.
Have a safe and Happy Holiday Season, and we look forward to hearing from everyone in the years to come. Thank you again for your support.

Dental Continuing Education

Different states vary greatly in the continuing education requirements for Dentists. Responsible practitioners are constantly working towards improving their skills and learning how to provide better patient care. Evolving fields such as Dentistry and other sciences have a constant stream of new technologies available. At Two Ocean Dental Lab we have come up with a way to encourage Dental Practitioners to move to the forefront of their field.  Our Dental Laboratory offers educational incentives to our clients in order to attract the best Dentists, and help them stay at the pinnacle of success. We believe that by improving along with our clients we will gain job satisfaction and ultimately better results for our end customer, the patient.
There are ways for Dentists to encourage their peers to become involved in continuing education also. Get involved with your State Dental Association and help them review the current requirements in your state. Many states are progressive in their thinking, and require their Dental providers be up to date on the latest technology and techniques. What are the Dental CE requirements in your state? Individual Dentists may stay ahead of their colleagues, but why not encourage them to improve?
State Dental Associations are in place to help keep care providers at the leading edge of Dental Science. Get involved with your association and make sure this is a priority.

Basic PFM Crown Build Up

PFM Crown

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Fit, function and aesthetics are all mandatory for a good restoration. You cannot leave one of those building blocks out of a crown. When it becomes necessary to reduce a tooth for a crown preparation many Dentist are very conservative. Remember that inadequate reduction can compromise your labs ability to provide an ideal restoration. Conserving tooth structure is a good thing as long as it does not interfere with providing a patient with a crown that fits great, functions perfectly and is aesthetic. Communication with your lab allows you to consistently review their work as well as your own, providing your patient with the best possible care.

Why Lithium Disilicate?

Two words "monolithic restoration" make up the main selling point of lithium disilicate restorations. Our lab uses Ivoclars e.max system, although there are other options out there for this new option for fixed restorations. Flexural strength for IPS e.max press is 400mpa, and for e.max CAD it is 360mpa.

Many of you are saying "So,  zirconia is up around 1000mpa depending on the type."

Well here is where the monolithic restoration makes a difference. Zirconia copings are very strong, it is true. Porcelain layered on the zirconia is only around 120mpa though depending on the type. What is a monolithic restoration? It is a full contour crown made of the same material throughout the restoration. A full contour pressed restoration is 400mpa from inside to outside, there are no layers where flexural strength changes drastically from 1000mpa to 120mpa.

Now that we know the difference many of you have had great luck with your zirconia restorations, and when manufactured and seated correctly they are a fantastic restoration. Now you have another tool in your tool belt, and should consider e.max when evaluating a patient. Here are some additional advantages to e.max:

• Precious metals have been on the rise, lithium disilicate is metal free.
• All porcelain crowns are very aesthetic.
• Appropriate for patients with metal allergies.
• Can be cemented or bonded.

When considering a patient for e.max please remember to take a stump shade, and of course follow the preparation and use guidelines from Ivoclar. As always if you have any questions our lab is happy to assist just e-mail us or call (307)200-4136.