By Karen Comisi CDA, RDA, FADAA
It is an exciting time to be in the field of restorative dentistry. Instead of just filling holes we now have the opportunity to replace missing tooth structure with bioactive materials which can help repair teeth and reduce sensitivity while also cutting down on chair time and overhead. One such material, ACTIVA BioACTIVE-RESTORATIVE, was a game changer in our practice, and it can be for yours too.
When introducing a new technology to your practice it is important to get buy in from your team members. The staff needs to understand why a product like ACTIVA should be added to the clinical armamentarium. Here are four steps to help make the case for bioactive materials in your practice:
- Start with education. A great way to get the team on board is to attend a continuing education course together. When a team has the opportunity to learn together they are able to ask the necessary questions so each person understands the material and the process for placement. If you can’t attend a course together, an online webinar or “Lunch and Learn” with a company representative is an excellent way to achieve the same goal.
- Review the patient benefits. Bioactive materials are quite different than traditional composite restorations, and there are many benefits for your patients. ACTIVA BioACTIVE has a rubberized-resin component, so patients are less likely to experience chipped and worn-out fillings. ACTIVA also contains calcium, fluoride and phosphate to help stimulate apatite formation,1 creating a seal against microleakage, a major cause of sensitivity and restoration failure
- Discuss the clinical benefits. Activa is an injectable material with a delivery system that allows you to back fill your preparation and avoid air bubbles. The material is quite versatile and can be used for multiple kinds of restorations, simplifying protocols (and reducing inventory).
- Consider the business benefits. The ability to bulk fill this material allows you to create a stronger, more fracture resistant restoration in less time than a traditional layered composite restoration.2 This reduction in chair time will allow your team to schedule more production in your day.
Incorporating new products and technologies into your practice takes time, but I’m sure you will find, as we did, that it is well worth the process.
2 http://www.firstimpressionsmag.com/activa-solves-bulk-fill-issues.html
About Karen L Comisi, RDA, CDA, FAADA
Over the past 33 years, Karen Comisi has held almost every staff position in the dental office, with the exception of dentist and dental hygienist. She has been an orthodontic dental assistant, oral surgeon dental assistant, general dentist assistant, front desk and insurance coordinator, office manager, CFO, Co-Founder of Dental Care with a Difference, PC and currently Co-Founder and CFO of Sleep Focused Solutions, Inc. She is one of the first licensed, registered dental assistants in New York State and is a founding member and Treasurer of the Southern Tier Dental Assistants Society. Karen is a DANB Certified Dental Assistant, a member of the American Dental Assistants Association, the American Association of Dental Office Managers, the Office for Safety & Asepsis Procedures (OSAP), and The American Academy for Oral Systemic Health (AAOSH).