Make no mistake about it…I am not Oprah! But I must admit that at the beginning of every holiday season, I enjoy looking at Oprah’s list of “favorite things”- many of them whimsical, fun, and unique.
I started sharing My List of Dental Favorites with you last year and it was such a hit, that I wanted to update my list, and send it to you! This list includes instruments, materials, and a few extra goodies that have simplified my dental procedures and my life and can even save lives!
Gift yourself something new this holiday season that will make your practice of dentistry and your practice of “you” more enjoyable!
Narcan Nasal Spray
Narcan Nasal Spray. In 2023, more than 107,000 Americans lost their lives from a drug overdose; the majority from opioids, which can cause rapid and fatal respiratory depression. Narcan is an opioid antagonist that removes opioids from their receptors and then binds to these receptors, preventing opioids from reattaching. This “bind and block” technique, restores the individual’s breathing within 2-3 minutes. Narcan is an essential medication in your dental emergency kit. It can be purchased over-the-counter at pharmacies, grocery stores, gas stations, and on-line retailers. When you prescribe an opioid medication to your patients, advise them to purchase Narcan. Remember, an opioid overdose can occur from both prescription and illicit opioids. To learn more about Narcan, visit: NARCAN® Nasal Spray
Troll Foil
This is the thinnest (4.5 microns) articulating foil on the market, comes mounted on its own frame thus eliminating the need for articulating forceps, can mark on wet, dry, or polished surfaces and does not smudge. I absolutely love this product! Directa has a Holiday Gift For you! Free samples of TrollFoil available at TrollDental USA – A Division of DirectaDental Group and 40% off all DirectaDental products! Use promo code foryou40 at checkout! Troll Dental USA
Advantage Arrest
38% Silver Diamine Fluoride is an absolute game-changer. For high caries-risk patients, the application of SDF will arrest the carious lesion and promote re-mineralization of the surface. SDF was listed by the World Health Organization as a top essential medicine. The use of SDF for caries prevention is evidence-based, cost- effective, and safe. To learn more about SDF, visit Advantage Arrest Gel To schedule a free Lunch and Learn, visit Staff Meetings
Ionostar Molar
This is one of my favorite glass ionomer restorative materials! I use glass ionomer in my high-risk caries patients due to the sustained fluoride release that minimizes recurrent caries. This material is hydrophilic and can be placed in areas of moisture (sub-gingival areas), is not sticky, and the esthetics mirror composites. I have been using VOCO’s Ionostar for years and my patients have had these restorations also for years without caries or fractures! To learn more, visit: IonoStar Molar – Glass Ionomer Restorative
Lower Universal Ash Apical Retention Forceps
This by far is my absolute favorite forceps for all mandibular extractions. This beveled beak design allows for a secure purchase of both the crown and root of the tooth. I use a downward pressure while slowly rotating in a mesial to distal direction which allows for the tooth to release vertically without compromising the buccal bone. To learn more, visit: Universal Apical Retention Forceps #1174, Subgingival
Luxator P-Series
These periotomes have made my surgical extractions faster and simpler! They are the size of a pen with a fine tapered blade that compresses the alveolar bone and severs the periodontal ligament. I position the periotome along the long axis of the root in a wiggle motion and advance apically along the root with light pressure. Mobility is established quickly, often eliminating the need for elevators. They take the FORCE out of the extraction! These peritomes come in the following four different blade tips:
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- Straight- for anterior and premolar teeth and applied on the buccal or facial surfaces
- Curved- for interproximal insertion
- Contra-angled- for the distal surface of terminal posterior teeth
- Dual-edged- for root tips.
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To learn more, visit: Luxator P-Series Directa has a Holiday Gift For you! 40% off all DirectaDental products! Use promo code foryou40 at checkout! DirectaUSA
Allday Dry Mouth Spray
Allday Dry Mouth Spray. This is not just a professional favorite but also a personal favorite that I keep chairside AND bedside! It has a great minty flavor, contains mucoadhesives that moisten the oral cavity, and has a neutral pH, that prevents enamel demineralization. It also contains 44% xylitol reducing the prevalence of cariogenic bacteria.
To learn more about Allday Dry Mouth Spray, visit Allday Dry Mouth Spray To schedule a free Lunch and Learn, visit Staff Meetings
UV-C Toothbrush Sterilizer from Polished
This toothbrush sterilizer is one of my favorite new purchases! This was an in-flight purchase on my way home from Germany and I am so glad that I made this “little splurge”! The sterilizer is compact, kills 99.9% of bacteria on a toothbrush in just 3 minutes, is super small, and fits nicely in my office desk drawer. It is easily charged with a USB power cord (included). I love knowing that my toothbrush is clean before use! To learn more visit: UV-C Toothbrush Head Steriliser
Wishing you a Wonderful Holiday Season and
a New Year filled with health and happiness!
Best,
Ronni