Product Evaluation

TrollDental

TrollFoil 4.5  

Premounted on a frame for convenience, this ultra-thin articulating foil leaves distinctive markings to help fine tune adjustments and achieve accurate occlusion 

Sometimes, the little things can make a big difference—in life and in dentistry. While some clinicians may not give much thought to which articulating paper, silk, or foil to use during a restorative procedure, those who are business savvy realize that small dollar items like articulating products can add up to big savings, especially when considering that every minute of reduced chair time increases a practice’s productivity.

For example, Dr. Kenneth Hsu frequently finds that articulating paper is difficult to separate from its booklet, awkward to place and remove with a dental instrument, and smears or leaves indistinct markings, especially when influenced by saliva. All these occlusal obstacles increase procedure time, which is why Dr. Hsu was inspired to try TrollFoil 4.5, a new product from TrollDental. At 4.5 microns thick, it is the thinnest articulating product on the market and offers several user-friendly features that help him achieve high quality, accurate occlusion on the first try.

Mounted on its own frame for instrument-free placement and removal, TrollFoil 4.5 is “easy to handle and individually ready to use” and “doesn’t get smeared by saliva and makes articulating and finding occlusion easier,” according to Dr. Hsu. As a result, he said he “wasn’t as frustrated at the end of procedures, especially after posterior fillings” that involve checking occlusion, making adjustments, and then wiping off the markings.

Overall, Dr. Hsu and the other dentists who evaluated TrollFoil 4.5 for DPS agreed that it is an excellent articulating solution that allows them to create precise markings and fine-tune occlusal adjusments, reducing clinician frustration and chair time while improving patient satisfaction and, ultimately, the bottom line.

Convenience & Thinness of Film

Packaged for ready-to-use convenience, TrollFoil 4.5 dispenses one foil at a time out of the box and is pre-mounted on a rigid frame, with no cutting required. When using other articulating products, Dr. Rachna Surana was concerned about the “possibility of contamination” and the “added time to cut and set up in holder” but discovered that TrollFoil 4.5 “reduces chairside assistant time and [eliminates the] need to add an articulating paper holder in the instrument set up.” Dr. Lawrence Leibowitz and Dr. Hsu both praised the individual dispensing of TrollFoil 4.5, and Dr. Ira Newman enjoyed the “ease of removing it from the package.”

Dr. Gina Muir said that the thinness of the foil was what she liked most about TrollFoil 4.5. While she thought “the foils were a tad too long,” Dr. Carmen Nelson appreciated the thin design and commented, “There are other brands on the market with similar design, but none have the thinnest of the foil.”

Distinctive Markings on All Surfaces

TrollFoil 4.5 is designed to mark a blue color on wet, dry, and highly polished surfaces to allow dentists to perform precise adjustments and fine-tune small areas. “It left wonderfully clear marks and is simple to use,” noted Dr. Frederick Burger, and Dr. Ronni Brown agreed that the “marks are distinct and easy to read.” One doctor called TrollFoil 4.5 “very thin so only a small spot of contact [was] marked,” which prevented him from having to “remove unnecessary tooth structure.” For Dr. Trupti Nadkarni, TrollFoil 4.5 is “very accurate and works well on wet and dry surfaces, as well as polished porcelain surfaces,” and Dr. Jennifer Chiang called it “well made with excellent marking abilities for quick bite checks on the fly.”

Previously experiencing “marks that would easily rub off before being able to make adjustments,” Dr. Nelson said, “The ink on the ribbon [of TrollFoil 4.5] seemed to stay on between adjustments and was very easy to remove when done.” Even when used on patients with very wet mouths, she said the “marks did not come off while adjusting.”

"For years I used [a competing product], but I find this product much easier to use and just as precise.”
- Ira Newman, DDS

New York NY

Time Savings

Because of the built-in frame, TrollFoil 4.5 does not require forceps for placement, and there is no need to cut the foil to size, saving time compared to other articulating products. Dr. Brown listed several favorite features, including “individual mounts, it’s easy to hold, and does not require articulating forceps so there’s one less instrument required on my tray.” She added, “My assistant likes the uni-dose aspect of the paper and no longer having to rip articulating paper out of a packet. I enjoy not having to use articulating forceps.”

A few dentists commented that they wished the frame/holder was sturdier and that the handle was slightly easier to grasp. Although it’s currently available in a blue color, several dentists would like to see other color options. Dr. Newman reported that the foil’s “ease of use saves time, and using less instruments saves assistant time, too.” Overall Satisfaction When asked to suggest improvements to TrollFoil 4.5, Dr. Craig Barrington called it “simply a great product,” and Dr. Burger said, “It’s really good as is. I may need to find a new use for my articulating paper forceps.” Noting that he would purchase TrollFoil 4.5 in the future, Dr. Newman explained, “For years I used [a competing product], but I find this product much easier to use and just as precise.”

Takeaways

• At 4.5 microns, TrollFoil 4.5 is the thinnest articulating product on the market
• PRemounted on a rigid frame to elminate the need for forceps and cutting foil
• Leaves precise markings on wet, dry , and highly polished surfaces
• Saves time for dentist and dental assistant
• Conveniently dispenses one foil at a time out of the box