The Best Dental Products Require Ultra-Innovation
With DPS Best Products that span virtually every major category in dentistry, Ultradent is on a never-ending mission to improve the lives of dentists and their patients
What do a retraction cord, polisher, etchant, impression material, laser, cement, prophy angle, handpiece, and isolation device have in common? Nothing—except the fact that Ultradent owns a DPS Best Product badge in every one of these categories.
While most manufacturers follow the unwritten rule of doing one thing and doing it well, Ultradent is a welcome exception through its constant creation of products that span nearly every major category in dentistry. While the company admits that its greatest contributions have been innovations in tissue management, restorative materials, curing lights, and teeth whitening, DPS evaluators have deemed a dozen Ultradent products worthy of a DPS Best Product badge. Here's a closer look at 4 of them.
Umbrella
Winning the award for the most creative product name, the Umbrella lips, tongue, and cheek retractor was designed to offer two key benefits: patient comfort and quick, easy placement. Just like an umbrella, this unique device features a spring-like design that allows patients to easily hold their mouths open in a natural position during a procedure. The tongue rests under an innovative tongue guard, keeping it comfortably retracted and away from the working area.
“The tongue is perhaps the most difficult part of the anatomy to control,” noted Dr. Andrew Mogelof, who added that the clear and flexible retraction device has been particularly helpful when placing cervical and lower restorations. “The Umbrella retractor resists lifting of the tongue, keeping it retracted while preventing the saliva level from rising.” Ideal for achieving isolation during Class II restorations, sealant applications, and bonding ortho brackets, the Umbrella retractor provides relief to gaggers with no pulling or stretching of the lips. In fact, Dr. Mogelof said that over 90% of his patients reported a comfortable treatment experience when the device was employed.
Ultra-Etch
Why should new products get all the credit? A leading etchant for over 30 years, Ultra-Etch finally got its time in the spotlight after DPS evaluators deemed it a Best Product in 2021. Designed to facilitate precise placement without running—even on a vertical surface—the 35% phosphoric acid solution is viscous yet penetrates the smallest fissures and occlusal surfaces.
This long history of success matters, especially to Kevin Anderson, DMD. “Ultra-Etch has many great clinical qualities, is of reasonable cost, and has one of the best track records of phosphoric acid etchants out there,” he said, adding that Ultra-Etch’s self-limiting depth of etch and deep blue color are confidence builders.
Jiffy One Single-Use Polishers
It’s not every day that a patient is so enamored with the esthetics of their dental work that they send you a thank-you card—yet that’s exactly what happened to Dr. Salomon Maya after he finished off a restoration with a Jiffy One Single-Use Polisher. In addition to reducing the risk of cross-contamination (and Dr. Maya’s stress levels), these single-use composite polishers—available in cups, discs, and points—create a natural shine in just 1 or 2 steps. Clinicians can use a medium-grit polisher for a 1-step polish, and a fine-grit polisher to add additional luster if needed.
“I no longer need to worry about how the final restoration looks because Jiffy One always gives me a consistent, smooth polish,” added Dr. Maya.
Thermo Clone VPS Impression Material
There is no shortage of impression materials from which to choose, but not all of them feature a built-in Thermal Accelerated Set. Exclusive to Thermo Clone, this phenomenon means that as the temperature of the material increases, setting time decreases—reducing the risk of distortion and remakes. Pleasantly surprised by how well it performed on tough cases, Bennie Clark, DMD, said, "Patients loved the taste and short duration that it was in their mouths.”
Calling Thermo Clone the best impression material he’s used in 2 decades, Dr. Abraham Jaskiel appreciates the material’s fast working and setting times, adding, “For supergingival margins, this material can be better than digital impressions."
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
888.230.1420 | www.ultradent.com
