What is a Palate Expander? Palate (palatal) expanders are orthodontic appliances that create more space in a child’s mouth by widening the palate (roof of the mouth) over time. The goal of palatal expansion is to widen narrow palates in children and correctly align the upper teeth and jaw. This treatment can only be completed before the…
With the focus on Covid related business impacts and the delayed implementation, that some of the FDA’s Unique Device Identifier(UDI) program’s labeling requirements have become effective in the latter part of 2020 has not received as much attention as it otherwise may have. One question that has recently arisen relates to the application of UDI…
Q&A with Mary Borg-Bartlett and Gary D. Morgan, CDT, ASQ CQA of SafeLink Consulting, Inc. Safety of workers and patients is not an easy task in these difficult times. Dental labs must consider not only the regulatory side of protecting workers but also the practical side of how to manufacture under constraints being placed on…
Eliminating hazards from COVID-19 remains a top priority for OSHA. As workplaces reopen, OSHA will continue to ensure safe and healthy conditions for America’s working men and women and has released the following: https://www.osha.gov/memos/2020-05-19/updatedinterim-enforcement-response-plan-coronavirus-disease-2019-covid-19. In geographic areas where community spread of COVID-19 has significantly decreased, OSHA will return to the inspection planning policy that OSHA…
The excitement surrounding Digital Denture Technology is escalating throughout our industry. This technology is evolving at a rapid rate. But without prosthodontic principles and a deep knowledge of the science behind the digital design aspect, case success will be compromised. For years the removable side of the business has been pushed to the background and…
Due diligence is key when selecting an intraoral scanner (IOS). Value the importance of comprehensive, evidence-based evaluations to determine the most appropriate intraoral scanner for your clinical needs and practice style. Read the research, evaluate the technology, speak with colleagues and experience the different systems for yourself. Below are some of the essential considerations as…
The coronavirus is a poignant example of why all states should adopt dental laboratory registration and disclosure so that all dental laboratories are accountable to provide written disclosure to the dentist of material content and point of origin of all dental restorations provided to the dentist. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) says it is…
A Little Communication Goes A Long Way By: Steve Killian, CDT We all know how busy the dentist and staff are in a successful practice. As a matter of course, those practices work with successful and reputable dental laboratories. The trend follows because of the need for expert technical assistance from the most experienced dental…
How Well Do You Know Your Dental Technician? By: Ian Bland, CDT When it comes to implant restorations, predictable end results should be inevitable with pre-planning and the utilization of today’s diagnostic software tools. With current technology, provisional and definitive restorations can be accurately fabricated prior to the surgical procedure. However, it…