TIPS
FROM
OUH
READERS
same type tray and impression materials described in technique I. (Technique II, although more time consuming initially because of the impression splint fabrication procedure, has the additional benefit of providing a means of accuracy verification of the master cast.) (The impression splint is recovered from the impression and used as a verification jig to compare its intraoral accuracy of adaptation to the abutments with that with the brass analogues on the master cast (Fig. 7). SUMMARY Two techniques have been described whereby an impression can be made when malaligned osseointegrated
Minimizing
cross-contamination
implant abutments preclude the use of conventional transfer copings. REFERENCE I. Branemerk P-I, Zarb G, Albrektsson T. Tissue-integrated Chicego:Quintessence Pub1 Co Inc, 1985;251-7.
prostheses.
Reprintrequests to: DR. JOHN W. MCCARTNEY USA AREA DENTAL LABORATORY WALTER REED ARMY MEDICAL CENTER WASHINGTON, DC 20307-5200
from dental
pumice
Richard R. Seals, Jr., DDS, MEd, MS,* and Jeffrey J. Funk, BSb University of Texas Health Science Center, Dental School, San Antonio, Tex.
Supportedby anAmericanCancer Society Clinical Oncology Career Development award. aAssistant Professor, Department of Prosthodontics. bCertif?ed Dental Technician, Maxillofacial Prosthetic cian, Department of Prosthodontics. 10/4/31358
Techni-
The dental professionis increasingly concernedwith the problem of effective infection control procedures in the dental office and the dental laboratory. Of particular contern in prosthodontic procedures is the potential health hazard causedby cross-contaminationfrom polishing dentures that have been in patients’
mouths, to dentists,
office
Fig. 1. Practical and economicalprecautionary measurescan be implemented with common equipment and materials. (A) Plastic bond wrap; (B) medical-gradegloves; (C) sterilized rag wheels; (0) individual portions of pumice; (E) face mask; (F) glasses.
THE
JOURNAL
OF
PROSTHETIC
DENTISTRY
425
TIPS
Fig. 2. Disinfectant
conveniently located, above lathe.
staff, and patients. It is widely recognized that used dental pumice is a major reservoir for contaminant microorganisms. However, since many recommended infection control methods are costly, inconvenient, and time consuming, they are not consistently applied. Simple changes and additions to routine procedures, such as lining pumice pans and polishing hoods with plastic wrap, using individually packaged pumice and rag wheels, mixing the pumice with a nonirritating disinfectant, wearing gloves, masks, and safety glasses, and discarding the plastic wrap, pumice, and gloves after each patient can greatly reduce the hazard of cross-contamination (Fig. 1).
426
FROM
OUR
READERS
Fig. 3. Dispensing new pumice and disinfectant plastic-wrapped pumice pan.
into
The mixing of pumice and disinfectant for each patient can be simplified by placing a plastic container filled with the disinfectant above the polishing hood (Fig. 2). Reusable, plastic saline bags with a rubber hose attached to the spout are ideal containers for dispensing the disinfectant into the wrapped pumice pan (Fig. 3). Reprint requeststo; DR. RICHARD R. SEALS, JR. DENTAL SCHOOL UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HEALTH 7703 FLOYD CURL DR. SAN ANTONIO, TX 78284-7912
SCIENCE
CENTER
MARCH
1992
VOLUME
67
NUMBER
3
FROM
OUH
READERS
same type tray and impression materials described in technique I. (Technique II, although more time consuming initially because of the impression splint fabrication procedure, has the additional benefit of providing a means of accuracy verification of the master cast.) (The impression splint is recovered from the impression and used as a verification jig to compare its intraoral accuracy of adaptation to the abutments with that with the brass analogues on the master cast (Fig. 7). SUMMARY Two techniques have been described whereby an impression can be made when malaligned osseointegrated
Minimizing
cross-contamination
implant abutments preclude the use of conventional transfer copings. REFERENCE I. Branemerk P-I, Zarb G, Albrektsson T. Tissue-integrated Chicego:Quintessence Pub1 Co Inc, 1985;251-7.
prostheses.
Reprintrequests to: DR. JOHN W. MCCARTNEY USA AREA DENTAL LABORATORY WALTER REED ARMY MEDICAL CENTER WASHINGTON, DC 20307-5200
from dental
pumice
Richard R. Seals, Jr., DDS, MEd, MS,* and Jeffrey J. Funk, BSb University of Texas Health Science Center, Dental School, San Antonio, Tex.
Supportedby anAmericanCancer Society Clinical Oncology Career Development award. aAssistant Professor, Department of Prosthodontics. bCertif?ed Dental Technician, Maxillofacial Prosthetic cian, Department of Prosthodontics. 10/4/31358
Techni-
The dental professionis increasingly concernedwith the problem of effective infection control procedures in the dental office and the dental laboratory. Of particular contern in prosthodontic procedures is the potential health hazard causedby cross-contaminationfrom polishing dentures that have been in patients’
mouths, to dentists,
office
Fig. 1. Practical and economicalprecautionary measurescan be implemented with common equipment and materials. (A) Plastic bond wrap; (B) medical-gradegloves; (C) sterilized rag wheels; (0) individual portions of pumice; (E) face mask; (F) glasses.
THE
JOURNAL
OF
PROSTHETIC
DENTISTRY
425
TIPS
Fig. 2. Disinfectant
conveniently located, above lathe.
staff, and patients. It is widely recognized that used dental pumice is a major reservoir for contaminant microorganisms. However, since many recommended infection control methods are costly, inconvenient, and time consuming, they are not consistently applied. Simple changes and additions to routine procedures, such as lining pumice pans and polishing hoods with plastic wrap, using individually packaged pumice and rag wheels, mixing the pumice with a nonirritating disinfectant, wearing gloves, masks, and safety glasses, and discarding the plastic wrap, pumice, and gloves after each patient can greatly reduce the hazard of cross-contamination (Fig. 1).
426
FROM
OUR
READERS
Fig. 3. Dispensing new pumice and disinfectant plastic-wrapped pumice pan.
into
The mixing of pumice and disinfectant for each patient can be simplified by placing a plastic container filled with the disinfectant above the polishing hood (Fig. 2). Reusable, plastic saline bags with a rubber hose attached to the spout are ideal containers for dispensing the disinfectant into the wrapped pumice pan (Fig. 3). Reprint requeststo; DR. RICHARD R. SEALS, JR. DENTAL SCHOOL UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS HEALTH 7703 FLOYD CURL DR. SAN ANTONIO, TX 78284-7912
SCIENCE
CENTER
MARCH
1992
VOLUME
67
NUMBER
3
