Achieving excellence
Featured Products Promotional FeaturesPosted by: Dental Design 23rd March 2022
Providing exceptional restorative results for your patients is the aim of every dental professional. There is always room for improvement, however, so you should continue to find ways to better optimise your treatment outcomes. But how can you do this?
There is no simple trick to it, and there are many areas that can be adapted to enhance treatment results. You may wish to begin by reviewing treatment plans, as well as the products that you use throughout the process. Whether the treatment is simple or complex in nature, your approach to treatment and the products/materials you use are all integral to the success of the restoration and the patient’s satisfaction.
A good place to start
An adequate treatment plan can be the difference between favourable and unfavourable outcomes. However, with so many variables affecting the treatment process, such as patient health, financial restraints or your level of experience, devising a sufficient treatment plan can be a challenge. Nonetheless, the longevity and success of the restoration depends upon this crucial first step.
How can you improve your treatment planning? Dental professionals who have years’ worth of experience will most likely be more proficient in judging the case, recognising any potential risks and communicating them with the patient. Fortunately, with so many training and mentorship pathways available, you can utilise the knowledge and experience of others to enrich your own development, ensuring quality outcomes as you learn.
The more you learn, the better you can make decisions that suit the patient’s requirements. It’s not always about the final result – you’ll want to ensure that the treatment pathway chosen is suitable and well-understood by the patient. Once you are able to plan sufficiently, you can minimise any potential risks and increase the likelihood of successful outcomes.
Be mindful of your materials
The materials you use play an important role in treatment success. There are plenty of materials you can choose from, all of which have their different advantages and disadvantages. Amalgam, for example, offers a strong resistance to damage yet due to its mercury content, it is being slowly phased out of use.
Resin-based composites do not require as much tooth preparation as traditional restoration techniques, and can offer aesthetically-pleasing results. However, they are not as durable as other materials and have a longer treatment time. Glass ionomers have good biocompatibility and can release fluoride after their placement. They often have a low fracture toughness, though, and can be vulnerable to acid erosion. Depending upon the case, certain materials may yield more favourable results than others. For example, for posterior restorations, you should look for a material that is stronger, as it’ll encounter more force than an anterior restoration. Also, it’s important that you invest in brands that you trust, whose products have been tried and tested.
Equipping your practice
Successful, safe and comfortable restorative procedures depend upon the quality of the equipment that you use. Plus, your own comfort should be taken into consideration when it comes to investing in certain instruments. Dentistry requires professionals to be in uncomfortable positions for extended periods of time. As a result, you could develop a musculoskeletal disorder which may have a dire impact on how you’re able to deliver treatment. Disorders of this kind are prevalent amongst dental professionals and may even have long-term consequences.[i]
For example, hand and wrist problems can be caused by repetitive movements, extended use of vibratory instruments and awkward positioning for long periods of time. As a result of these injuries, you may suffer from a loss of co-ordination, decreased grip strength and cramping.[ii] Not only will this impact how you deliver treatment, but will also affect your overall quality of life. In addition, research[iii] has shown that occupational noise can affect a dental professional’s working performance, which can be caused by noise generated from equipment, human activities and computers.
Thus, it’s imperative that you equip your practice with high-quality, well-made instruments that have a lighter and quieter design to limit any risk of injury. This is especially important for equipment that you use on a day-to-day basis, such as handpieces.
Unparalleled performance
Sourcing the right equipment can be a challenge, but with their range of cutting-edge solutions and systems, you know you can rely on W&H.
They are proud to deliver the exceptional Synea Vision range of handpieces – they are noticeably lightweight and, with ceramic ball bearings and smart gearing technology, you can enjoy their comfortable and quiet operation. Plus, with multiple head sizes and a long service life, you can perform outstanding treatments effortlessly.
By improving your methods for treatment planning, being aware of the materials you use and ensuring your equipment performs well, you can optimise your restorative treatment outcomes and give your patients desirable and long-lasting outcomes.
To find out more visit www.wh.com/en_uk, call 01727 874990 or email
[i] Lietz, J., Kozak, A. and Nienhaus, A. (2018). Prevalence and occupational risk factors of musculoskeletal diseases and pain among dental professionals in Western countries: A systematic literature review and meta-analysis. PLOS ONE. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6298693/. Accessed 22 Dec. 2021.
[ii] Gupta, G., Bhat, M., Gupta, A., Mohammed, T. and Bansal, N. (2014). Ergonomics in Dentistry. International Journal of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4144062/. Accessed 22 Dec. 2021.
[iii] Ma, K., Wong, H. and Mak, C. (2017). Dental Environmental Noise Evaluation and Health Risk Model Construction to Dental Professionals. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5615621/. Accessed 22 Dec. 2021.
