Work together, work better
Featured Products Promotional FeaturesPosted by: Dental Design 17th November 2021
Accurate bite registrations are important for all dental work, but especially so for more complex restorative treatment, such as multi-unit prostheses and full arch rehabilitation. Patient satisfaction depends on the outcome of the final restoration, whose success depends on several factors. Lack of communication between the dentist and technician can be frustrating for both, and may lead to confusion, time being wasted chasing for further information, and the patient waiting longer for their results. A distorted bite registration will lead to extra time and money being spent, by the dentist or technician (or both), readjusting or even remaking the restoration. Ensuring that the right impression material is used is therefore paramount.
For dentists and technicians, at the heart of everything is a patient’s happiness with their end results. Continue to take the right steps in reducing the potential for error throughout the workflow, and ensure not only the success of your restorative outcomes, but increased patient satisfaction too.
Let’s talk about communication
The General Dental Council states that members of the dental profession must “communicate clearly and effectively with other team members and colleagues in the interest of patients”.[i] Whether the case is simple or complex, the dental technician requires as much information regarding the patient’s treatment as possible.
A questionnaire [ii] investigated communicative methods and production techniques used between the practice and the lab regarding the fabrication of fixed prostheses. 24% of respondents indicated that more than half of laboratory prescriptions provided an inadequate amount of information, with 13% having to chase the dentist for further information. Some additional comments from technicians indicated that further communication was time consuming, and dentists were often difficult to contact during normal surgery hours.
Written prescriptions and telephone contact are the main methods of communication between the dentist and technician,[iii] but these methods have shown to be insufficient at times. Modern technology provides dentists and technicians with ways to communicate swiftly and efficiently. High-quality photography offers a better understanding of the patient’s requirements, which is invaluable to technicians who are fabricating their restorations or prostheses. Video calls and Whatsapp groups are also effective means of keeping up to date throughout the process. Virtual calls allow the technician to be present during patient appointments, which will not only ensure they have all the relevant information, but will also help them engage with the treatment process early on.
Written communication can be effective and convenient, but supplementing this with conversation is a guaranteed way to not only communicate successfully, but also strengthen the relationship between the practice and the lab.
Material matters
The outcome of restorative or prosthodontic treatment can be dependent on the impression material. Dentists consider several things when choosing a material, which range from its wettability and flexibility to detail reproduction and patient tolerance. Polyether and polyvinylsiloxane materials are popular choices, due to their reputed advantages when taking bite registrations. Polyethers are said to provide long-term dimensional stability, and have a long shelf-life. They have disadvantages, though, such as rigidity once in the mouth, and an unpleasant taste and odour, which can be disagreeable for patients.
Polyvinylsiloxane materials are said to provide less-rigid impressions and, unlike polyether, offer a neutral taste and smell. One disadvantage of polyvinylsiloxane is the reduced polymerisation following latex contamination. Due to the polymerisation of the material, dimensional inaccuracy and lack of surface definition can occur, leading to imprecise restorative fabrications.[iv]
Wax is another material that dentists may use, but again, selecting the one that will deliver the desired results can prove a headache. Creating an accurate wax bite registration, for example, requires a wax material that deforms evenly when bitten down on, and does not distort. The Alminax Bite Registration material range from Kemdent provides a wax material that absorbs heat and softens quickly. When removed from the mouth, the material remains stable and does not distort, so the outcome of the restoration is not compromised due to inaccuracy.
Small but mighty
Bite registrations are a small part of an often-complex process, but they play an integral role. With the use of efficient materials and effective communication methods, dentists and technicians can rest assured that patients will feel their best with fast, functional and precise restorations.
For more information about Kemdent Alminax Bite Registration material range, please visit https://www.kemdent.co.uk/ or call 01793 770 256.
[i] General Dental Council. Standards for the Dental Team. Available online. https://standards.gdc-uk.org/Assets/pdf/Standards%20for%20the%20Dental%20Team.pdf. Accessed 3 Sep. 21.
[ii] British Dental Journal. Communication methods and production techniques in fixed prosthesis fabrication: a UK based survey. Available online. https://www.nature.com/articles/sj.bdj.2014.643#ref-CR6. Accessed 3 Sep. 21.
[iii] British Dental Journal. Communication methods and production techniques in fixed prothesis fabrication: a UK based survey. Available online. https://www.nature.com/articles/sj.bdj.2014.643#ref-CR6. Accessed 3 Sep. 21.
[iv] International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology. Effect of Different Types of Gloves on Polymerization of PVS Impression Material. Available online. https://ijisrt.com/assets/upload/files/IJISRT19OCT1688.pdf.pdf. Accessed 3 Sep. 21.
