Isolite's Unique Isolation Capabilities Ideal for CAD/CAM Use
Compendium features peer-reviewed articles and continuing education opportunities on restorative techniques, clinical insights, and dental innovations, offering essential knowledge for dental professionals.
July 1, 2012
Volume 33, Issue 7, Jul/Aug 2012
Page(s): pp 544
For dentists using CAD/CAM technology, having an open, dry, illuminated field in which to work is essential. The Isolite system is a perfect tool for providing such an ideal environment, says Thomas R. Hirsch, DDS, Director of Clinical Relations and co-founder of Isolite Systems. In his words, Isolite keeps the oral cavity “wide open and well lit.”
Hirsch, who was initially reticent to adopting CAD/CAM into his own practice, only began using the digital technology several years after inventing the Isolite in 2002. The unique instrument, he says, aids dentists in their CAD/CAM operations by enabling quick, easy isolation. “It provides continuous illumination, evacuation, and retraction in a single device.”
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At first, Hirsch believed that the Isolite could only function as a tool for traditional dental procedures, like placing a restoration. But soon, practicing dentists were approaching him at dental shows and sharing how thrilled they were by how much the Isolite improved their CAD/CAM procedures.
After years of goading from his customers and peers in the dental community, Hirsch finally decided to incorporate CAD/CAM technology into his practice. Immediately, it gave him options he had never had in the past. “I can do most of my milling and create most of my restorations in my office, which means I can place restorations in one visit,” he raves. “I was never able to do that before CAD/CAM.”
Hirsch also believes that his ability to place restorations in one visit makes his patients more compliant, because they are much more likely to get a procedure done if they only have to come to the dental office once. “Being able to do most of my milling in-house has also allowed me to lower my laboratory fees by about 80%,” he adds.
Since incorporating CAD/CAM into his practice, Hirsch has found that the Isolite and CAD/CAM technology are an excellent fit for each other. For example, some CAD/CAM systems will not take images if any movement in the frame is detected. The Isolite solves this problem by ensuring that the tongue and cheek are securely retracted and do not obstruct the view of the teeth. Having a dry, open field also allows clinicians to capture digital images of upper and lower quadrants in one fell swoop, which can dramatically cut procedure time. Additionally, using Isolite dental isolation relieves the clinician of the time-consuming, and sometimes arduous, task of having to place a rubber dam.
The Isolite can be connected and operational in only a few minutes. The super-soft, single-use mouthpieces used with Isolite make for a more comfortable experience for the patient, and provide significant safety advantages as well. Isolite mouthpieces are latex-free, and are available in six sizes to fit the spectrum of patients from pediatric to large adult. Only a minimal amount of training is needed for clinicians to operate the Isolite device and incorporate it into their practices. “Most dental professionals can watch a demonstration and be able to place the Isolite in less than a half-hour,” says Hirsch. “Clinicians have told me that they installed their first Isolite and found the entire process so easy that they ordered more the very same day for the other operatories in their office.”
In addition to its use for CAD/CAM procedures, Isolite dental isolation technology is helpful to clinicians in numerous other ways. Added Hirsch, “It is incredibly rewarding to know that Isolite is being embraced in so many areas of dentistry—pediatric dentistry, periodontics, implantology, hygiene, laser dentistry, sedation—all of which are benefiting from the use of Isolite dental isolation. I think it is why our technology has won so much industry recognition, including being named one of the 50 Greatest Game Changers in Dentistry by Dentaltown® magazine.”
Isolite Systems
111 Castilian Dr
Santa Barbara, CA 93117
800-560-6066
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