Tag Archive for: dental materials

Nitrile gloves are comfortable, puncture resistant and come in a variety of colors.

Did you know that the facts behind the usage of Nitrile gloves could be so utterly fascinating?

You likely spend most of your days in the dental office wearing gloves. Taking them on and off is second nature and an almost-undetectable habit. As a daily extension of your hand, it’s critical that these gloves offer the utmost in comfort and style.
There are three standard glove options to choose from, which we’ve previously covered in our blog post Exam Gloves: Nitrile Vs. Latex Vs. Vinyl

All are excellent choices and luckily, we carry loads of all styles! Let’s deep dive into the benefits of each, starting with Nitrile.

What is Nitrile? It’s a synthetic rubber blend produced artificially that is typically allergen-free. Remember, your comfort is just as important as your patient’s well-being. While rare, some professionals experience a reaction to materials like latex. If that sounds familiar, nitrile can serve as a great alternative.

Why use Nitrile? Lots of reasons, including the aforementioned, but we’ve whittled it down to five.

Nitrile gloves are:

  1. Insulated against germs or other mouth bacteria due to their coating
  2. Made of a highly flexible and hypoallergenic material which adapts to the contours of your hand for unrestricted movement
  3. Incredibly puncture resistant which is essential when using pointed objects near saliva, blood and other secretions
  4. Easy to put on and take off – remove the gloves quickly with no friction or static
  5. Now found in a variety of colors. Dress to impress and showcase your personality. On our website, you can choose from pink, black, lilac, orange or white nitrile gloves, as well as the standard blue.

So there you have it! You can be stylish and comfortable, sp boost your dental practice with a stock of Nitrile gloves. Head to our online shop for a plethora of choices that will have you and your patients smiling before, during, and after the procedure.

The case for latex gloves and reasons to still consider using them in your dental practice.

There are three standard glove options to choose from, which we’ve previously covered in our blog post Exam Gloves: Nitrile Vs. Latex Vs. Vinyl

Latex gloves, poor things have garnered a bad reputation since their widespread usage began in the early 1980’s. Prior to the emergence of HIV, medical staff weren’t actually required to use gloves of any kind. While most practitioners opted to protect their hands (and the patient’s mouth) during surgery, it wasn’t common for a dentist to wear anything while performing routine check ups.

Plus, non-sterile exam gloves weren’t readily available.

How things have changed.

Imagine cleaning someone’s teeth without gloves. Unheard of!

Natural rubber latex gloves came on the scene with the introduction of hepatitis and HIV and remained the preferred material for gloves. They were cheap, comfortable and provided unparalleled barrier protection. Over time, both dentists and patients started developing allergies to the material. Latex started to fall to the wayside.
But there was one issue.

Latex gloves still offered the best in barrier protection and comfort.

So developers began to experiment. Gloves in the early days were made quickly and contained up to 2,000 micrograms of residual extractable protein per glove. This level of protein triggered aversions among latex-sensitive doctors and patients. Knowing this, a low protein style of latex glove came on the market with levels of 100 micrograms or less. Allergic reactions and sensitivities dropped significantly.

With this new development, many practitioners were able to turn to latex again. Aside from protection and comfort, latex gloves have a unique resealing capability. Tiny punctures are less likely to tear the glove, making it more durable and longer lasting.

As always, it is a personal preference. If a latex-allergy is not a concern but comfort, fit and durability are, check out our shop for your preferred glove option.

As a dental professional, you may spend a lot of time working closely with your patients to help them improve their oral health through restorative and cosmetic procedures, such as crowns, bridges, and implants. While helping each patient improve the condition and overall appearance of their teeth, it’s not uncommon for them to need to wear something temporary until the permanent fixture is ready. When creating temporary crowns, bridges, veneers, inlays, and more, selecting the right shade to match the rest of the teeth is essential. If you’re not choosing a shade that gets as close to the patient’s natural teeth as possible, the material will stick out like a sore thumb and may cause patients to feel self-conscious about the appearance of their teeth.

 

You Can Choose Between Five Different Shades for Each Patient

When working with a patient, you’ll have five different shades to choose from, one of which will be the closest match with the natural color of their teeth. These shades include:

 

Shade A1

The A1 shade is a typical white shade designed to match those with whiter teeth. In addition, it’s the ideal shade for those with recently bleached and whitened teeth because of its brightness.

 

Shade A2

A2 shade has a bit more discoloration to it. Although the color is still white, it has a slight touch of yellow, standard in aging adults and those who consume products that may slightly stain the teeth, such as coffee and cigarettes.

 

Shade A3

The A3 shade has a slightly reddish-brown appearance. While this may seem dark, it’s the average color for most adults who haven’t undergone whitening procedures to lift stains from the surface of the teeth.

 

Shade B1

Although it’s lighter than A3, B1 is a darker shade of white that people with slight staining of the teeth tend to have. It has a much darker color when compared to A1, one of the top-rated shades for those who want the brightest, whitest smile possible.

 

Shade Bleach

The Bleach shade is one of the whitest options and is best for patients who’ve used whitening products or have had whitening treatments done in the office.

 

The Temporary Materials Are Easy to Use and Dry Quickly

The availability of temporary crown and bridge material shades that match closely with each patient’s natural teeth will leave them more satisfied with the appearance of their temporary fixture. However, there is even more to love about these products. You’ll have 40 seconds of working time, and the material sets within four minutes, regardless of the shade you’re using on the patient. As a result, you can work quicker and more efficiently to create temporary fixtures that your patients will use until their permanent piece is ready.

Selecting materials in the correct colors for your patients when preparing temporary crowns and other dental products is a necessity. At PlastCare USA, we provide a broad range of temporary crown and bridge material shades to ensure that you can offer the closest match possible. The superior ingredients used to prepare these components are easy to work with, dry quickly, and provide the durability patients need when waiting for their permanent crowns and bridges.