Covid-19 has affected virtually everyone in some way over the last year. While the health problems of Covid-19 are very well known by most people, one area often overlooked is the effect of this disease on oral health.
Since the pandemic began, there has been a noticeable increase in facial pain, tooth fractures, and cavities, cites the Journal of Clinical Medicine. Many of the reported dental issues can be traced back to increased levels of stress that manifests through clenching and grinding of dentition.
Burbank Dental Lab has noticed this increased need to help patients protect their teeth and, through our research and development team, are pleased to offer a new option in occlusal guard protection.
Burbank Dental Lab: Innovative Presence
The willingness of Burbank Dental Lab to research systems, materials, and technologies and develop proprietary technologies has resulted in dental manufacturers utilizing our forward-thinking in bringing about improvements in the laboratory-fabricated prosthesis.
Carbon 3D
The research and development team worked with Carbon3D to optimize both their software and hardware systems in conjunction with the remarkable properties of the KeySplint material to fabricate next-level night guards.
Carbon M2 Printer
While there are several brands of 3D printers, the Carbon M2 printers have one of the highest levels of accuracy available (=/-50um).
To achieve the highest level of success in a case, it is imperative that the manufacturing technologies provide the highest output level. The Carbon M2 printer provides excellent customization options, such as those needed to provide custom occlusal guards.
Other benefits of 3D printing include:
- Precision data capture
- Fast turnaround time
- Extremely accurate
- Easy to process workflows
- Decreased errors
KeySplint Night Guard
Next, we coupled the manufacturing process with an exceptional material to provide a truly next-level option for splint therapy and night guards.
One of the determinants for the research and development team at Burbank Dental Lab is to start with a problem and then continue to test new products as they hit the market.
After testing the KeySplint material combined with Carbon 3D printing, we quickly determined that this should be made available to customers of Burbank Dental Lab.
The KeySplint Night Guard has made tremendous improvements over other types of night guards on the market.
The KeySplint Night Guard provides excellent protection against bruxism. As with most devices, the key to their success is directly connected to patient compliance. While the devices are strong, they are also very comfortable to wear. This comfort helps improve compliance, significantly improving the success of these appliances.
Benefits of the KeySplint Night Guard
- Color stability
- Resistant to abrasion, staining, and fractures
- Clear material
- Durable
- Flexible
- FDA 510K Clearance
- Comfortable for the patient
- Easy to maintain
The KeySplint resin material can be used to fabricate guards, splints, and bleaching trays.
Implementing the KeySplint Night Guard
The benefits of KeySplint devices are extensive. Implementing this option in a practice is a simple process.
If using an analog impression, you will convert this to a digital file. Otherwise, an intraoral scanner can be used to digitally capture the information, which is then sent to the lab.
Utilizing the design software, an appliance is digitally designed until the product meets the desired specifications of the case. At this stage, you can share the design with the clinician to discuss any issues you might discover.
3D Printer Output
Once the device has been designed, it is then sent to a 3D printer output such as a Carbon M2 printer.
The steps are as follows:
- Capture digital data
- Information is uploaded to Burbank Dental Lab
- The device is designed (CAD)
- The device is printed on a 3D printer (CAM)
Best Practices
When performing a digital scan to provide the necessary data, some best practices can help optimize the scan to ensure case success.
A successful case relies on the data that is captured. The digital workflow for the fabrication of an appliance is as follows:
- Make sure the area to be scanned is relatively dry.
- Make sure to slowly move the scanner to stay on each area to capture the necessary area.
- Rotate the scanner to capture the patient's gingiva.
Please note that analog impressions can also be taken, and Burbank Dental Lab will convert the impression into digital data so the case can be digitally designed and printed.
There are many reasons to offer occlusal guards in dentistry. This past year under an unprecedented global pandemic, many people found themselves in high-stress situations. The need to protect the patient's natural teeth, restorations, or both has become overwhelmingly necessary. Helping people get out of pain is one of the best services we can provide.
Dentistry will keep moving forward, offering new systems, technologies, and materials to keep pushing the industry to provide better and better options for treatment.
In keeping with one of our core values, Burbank Dental Lab is committed to investigating and researching these new technologies to make sure the clinicians who work with us are receiving the best the industry has to offer.
Call or click the chat button along the right bottom corner for support on your next occlusal guard therapy case.
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