Please activate JavaScript!
Please install Adobe Flash Player, click here for download
ePaper created 2016-03-21, 09:10:07 | version 1.38.0
By Martin Goldstein, DMD, FAGD n It was with eyes wide open that I observed my partner scramble to piece together a makeshift version of his everyday loupe and light com- bination. His mainstay set had succumbed to everyday wear and tear and was making it hard for him to see what he was doing. While he did manage to scrounge up some older parts and make a go of it while newer parts and pieces were ordered, it made me think: Could I reliably operate at this point in my career without my loupes and proper illumination? It didn’t take more than a second to realize that if my loupes went on the fritz, from dropping or bump- ing or whatever other malady could be inflicted upon them, I would be shut down until further notice. Thatis,unlessIhadclev- erly planned for that someday occurrence and made it a point to order a back-up set. No, this is not an extravagance. Think about our other tools. Our compressors that drive our hand- pieces typically have dual heads that would allow for one engine to drive the system if the other failed. Even our high-speed evacuation systems have fail-safe mechanisms. We also have two handpieces at our disposal, knowing that if one line went down, we could still manage. Redundancy in our everyday oper- ations is what allows us to run unin- terrupted in most cases. There are two entities that can, however, bring us to our knees. The first: in today’s digitally based practice, there is the dreaded “can’t fix it in one day” computer system crash. This takes out our ability to man- age our business, not to mention take X-rays and the operator’s ability to clearly see what his dental assign- ments are for the day. Say what? The second: If you’ve been work- ing with the aid of loupes for as many years as I have, you are likely aware that doing responsible dentistry is impossible without having quality magnification at your disposal. No “if’s, and’s or but’s” on that one. I’m sure you get the point here. Unless you have a spare set of loupes (that are not ancient!), you run the risk of total shut down for who knows how long to get a new or repaired set. You may as well have the flu for all the good you will be in your office. While an LED light might be replaced relatively quickly, loupes are custom-fitted items that cannot be easily pulled off the shelf for a quick turnaround without sacrificing visual acuity. exhibitors 16 Hinman Dental Meeting — March 17, 2016 Are you redundant? n Keystone Industries, a U.S.-based company that manufacturers some of the world’s top mouthguard products, has officially launched the latest item in its Pro-Form Mouthguard line — the PF2 mouthguard. Unlike laminated mouthguard products that require a dentist to custom fit it to the patient, the PF2 mouthguard is a do-it-yourself guard that gives the best custom fit possible without taking impressions of the teeth. With the elimination of dentist appointments and impressions, the price of this guard is significantly lower than custom-fit mouthguards while still providing high-impact pro- tection, according to Keystone. The PF2’s unique design allows it to be re-fit by the user multiple times. “Being a leader in this field means we need to set the bar high for new products and innovation,” said Michael Prozzillo, Keystone Indus- tries vice president of sales. “The PF2 will change the way athletes buy mouthguards and also how the den- tist sells them.” The suggested retail of the PF2 mouthguard is $38, and it is available in either black or white. Keystone has stated there will be bulk purchasing available in the near future. Multiple color options will also be available, similar to the Pro-Form line of colors. “You just won’t be able to get ahold of another mouthguard that can be custom fit in under a minute and pro- vide the same beneficial features,” said Derek Keene, vice president of marketing and product develop- ment for Keystone Industries. “We’re excited to watch PF2 take off and pro- vide significant value to our custom- ers and athletes across the country.” To keep up to date on PF2 and Key- stone announcements, please visit www.keystoneindustries.com and fol- A do-it-yourself mouthguard Here in Atlanta For more information on the new PF2 mouthguard by Keystone Industries, go online to www.keystoneindustries. com. 5 The PF2 mouthguard provides a custom fit without any need to take impressions of the teeth. (Photo/Provided by Keystone Industries) Thoughts about how not to interrupt your practice 5 Martin Goldstein, DMD, FAGD Here in Atlanta Learn more about loupes, and get a backup pair while you’re at it, at the SurgiTel booth, Nos. 636 and 1345. low the company on all social media platforms. About Keystone Industries Keystone Industries, a privately held company founded in 1908, has main- tained a reputation for producing high-tech dental products in both the operatory and laboratory realms. The company asserts its dedication is driven by the need to provide custom- ers with the finest quality materials while developing products that meet and surpass customer expectations.