The Lasermet RemovablePartial Denture—The Future ofPartial Dentures is Here! Frank DeMello, DDS

Complements for Your PartialDenture Patients David Fishman, DDS

Vol. 5, No. 2 Dental Practice Building Strategies

A Montage Media Publication

Louis Malcmacher, DDS Louis Malcmacher, DDS

12000 Aviation BoulevardHawthorne, CA 90250Phone: 800-221-4831Fax: 310-915-7171www.tridentlab.com

The Lasermet RemovablePartial Denture—The Future ofPartial Dentures is Here! Frank DeMello, DDS

Complements for Your PartialDenture Patients David Fishman, DDS

Upgrade Dentures,Upgrade ProfitsUpgrade Dentures,Upgrade Profits

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The entire team at Trident Dental Laboratories hopes

that 2007 will be a healthy and prosperous one for all

of our customers and their patients. In continuing with

our tradition to provide quality restorative materials, this

issue of Perspectives presents the clinical applications and

practice management benefits of the Lasermet RPD laser-de-

signed partial denture.

Building on the clinical success of our Valplast partial den-

tures, the Lasermet RPD offers an economical method in

which to fabricate partial dentures. The laser design and fin-

ishing technique provide a more refined, smoother surface

with a smaller, lighter framework, while providing greater

overall strength. These characteristics will increase patient

satisfaction, case acceptance as well as revenue for

your practice.

We look forward to receiving your next Lasermet partial den-

ture case. If you have any questions about Lasermet or any

of our many product or service offerings, please contact us

at 800-221-4831. As always, you can expect high quality,

depend on exceptional service, and receive value on every

case you send to Trident Dental Laboratories.

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P R A C T I C E M A N A G E M E N T

The ability of the dental profession to meet theneeds of older adults will continue to be a chal-lenge as evidenced by the aging of the world’s

population (Table). In the US alone, the number ofadults who are age 65 years and older is expected tonearly double over the next 25 years. Projections alsodemonstrate that by the year 2050, there will be asmany Americans who are 85 years of age or older asthose who are 65 to 69 years of age.1

As dentistry has witnessed marked improvementsin technologies, methods, and products, patientexpectations have increased exponentially. This is ashift that has not gone unnoticed by dental practicesthat seek to provide superior service for their patients,while setting themselves apart in today’s changing andmore demanding dental marketplace.

Since it is the clinician’s responsibility to educatetheir patients on the technological advancements inrestorative therapy, clinicians must be up-to-date onthe options available in order to more readily guidetheir patients in treatment decisions. Uniting with adental laboratory that offers cutting edge productsenables today’s dental practices to provide a host ofrestorative alternatives for their patients as well asopportunities for their practice growth.

Revolutionary Laser Design DenturesDespite dramatic improvements in tooth retention, asubstantial proportion of older adults have lost theirnatural teeth; many of these are removable full or partialdenture wearers. This population, which approximates49 million or 1 in 5 adults, presents an opportunity forclinicians to expand their service offerings as well astheir profit margin. These offerings should include anexpansion of current removable prosthetic options.

Building on the success of the Valplast flexiblepartial denture, which provides an esthetic, versatileoption for partially edentulous patients, Trident DentalLaboratories now offers Lasermet RPD—the most

advanced, cost-effective method to fabricate high-quality partial dentures. The new proprietary laserdesign and finishing technique of the Lasermet RPDafford a precise fit with minimal chairside adjust-ments. In addition, the smaller and lighter frame withsmooth, more refined surfaces enhances patient com-fort, thus improving patient acceptance.

Upgrade Dentures and ProfitsThe addition of new services is also essential for prac-tice productivity and growth. Dentures can play alarge part in this growth. Literally tens of thousandsof dollars are accessible to most practices using aproven educational program to draw denture wearers

Lasermet RPD: A Profitable Upgrade � Strength

� Smaller, lighter, more delicate frame

� More refined, smooth surfaces

� Precision fit, eliminating major chairside adjustments

� Improved patient acceptance = greater satisfaction = patient referrals

Upgrade Dentures, Upgrade ProfitsLouis Malcmacher, DDS*

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to the office and/or to encourage them to evaluate newdenture materials on a trial basis. Patients should beasked the following questions to determine how theymay benefit from new denture materials.2

� Have you avoided certain foods due to difficulty in chewing?

� Have your teeth and/or dentures caused you to avoidsocial interaction?

� Do your dentures provide a comfortable fit or doyou often need adhesive?

� Do your dentures cause you to feel self-conscious?

An affirmative answer to any of the above offers anopportunity to present the patient with new servicesand get him/her excited about the prospect of “mak-ing over” his/her appearance.

In addition, attracting potential patients requiresdevelopment of informative materials to stimulate patientinterest in denture services. These may consist of:� A sample denture-recall letter that can be placed on

office letterhead inviting patients to schedule anappointment for an assessment

� Patient education brochuresthat provide facts aboutdentures as well as fre-quently asked questionsand answers

� And in-office models thatdemonstrate product benefits.

ConclusionSuccessful practices must max-imize every opportunity forgrowth by providing neededhigh-quality services and byconsistently targeting potential

patients. Dental professionals should take full advan-tage of growth opportunities that are close at hand,which may be often overlooked. These includeadvancements in removable prosthetics such as theLasermet RPD.

References1. Slavkin H. Maturity and oral health: Live longer and better. J Am Dent

Assoc 2000;131(6):805-808.

2. Jones JA, Orner MB, Spiro A, Kressin NR. Tooth loss and dentures:Patients’ perspectives. Int Dental J 2003;53(5 Suppl):327-334.

*International lecturer and author; private practice, Bay Village, Ohio

World Europe North Asia Latin Sub-Saharan America America Africa

Perc

enta

ge o

f pop

ulat

ion

aged

≥ 6

5 ye

ars

2000 2030

Table. Percentage of global populations _> 65 years by year and continent.

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R E M O V A B L E P A R T I A L D E N T U R E S

T rident Dental Laboratories understands the need for

products that are not only innovative, but also offer

better ways to increase revenue as well as patient

satisfaction. The Lasermet RPD accomplishes these objec-

tives as evidenced by the favorable response we’ve received

from many of our clients. Perspectives speaks with Frank

DeMello, DDS, on his experiences with the Lasermet RPD

in his practice in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Perspectives: Describe some of the clinical indications for

the Lasermet RPD partial denture.

DeMello: The clinical indications for the Lasermet RPD are

similar to that of any typical partial denture (ie, replace-

ment of absent teeth, assistance in mastication, providing

support for lips and cheeks, and esthetics). There are many

advantages to the Lasermet, however. In addition to the

laser design and finishing, the smaller, lightweight frame-

work offers the utmost strength and comfort.

Perspectives: What would be the ideal patient type for this

removable partial denture?

DeMello: The Lasermet RPD could be adopted for all par-

tially edentulous patients, especially in those cases in which

rapid fabrication, delivery, and cost effectiveness are pri-

mary factors in material selection.

Perspectives: What are some of the benefits of the Lasermet

for the patient? In particular, why is it a viable treatment

option for partially edentulous patients?

DeMello: The smooth, more refined surface of the denture

provides a more comfortable fit, allowing patients to adapt

easily to wearing this partial denture. As I mentioned, the

smaller, lighter frame is also strong—an important charac-

teristic when presenting this option to patients. Patients can

The Lasermet Removable Partial

The Future of PartialThe smaller,lightweightframeworkoffers theutmost strengthand comfort.

Indicated forboth maxillary

and mandibulararches, Lasermetframes will main-

tain their lusterfor superior

esthetics.

The smooth,more refinedsurface of theLasermet RPDprovides a comfortable,precise fit.

A patient who is an ideal

candidate for a mandibular

Lasermet partial.

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then be assured that the denture will not easily break. These

features improve case acceptance and improve patient satis-

faction, especially for those patients who may already be

apprehensive about wearing dentures.

Perspectives: How can the Lasermet RPD benefit the practice?

DeMello: The Lasermet technology combines two impor-

tant aspects for the dental practice—economics and

function. Since our facility is nonprofit and publicly sub-

sidized, economics plays a large part in treatment recom-

mendations, not only for the patient but for the practice

as well. If it were not for this prosthetic option, many of

our patients would remain partially edentulous.

In addition to cost-effective fabrication, the precision

fit of the Lasermet also saves valuable chairtime since major

adjustments are not necessary. With the escalating cost of

healthcare services and materials, the Lasermet provides a

real practical treatment option.

Perspectives: Describe some of the feedback you have

received on the Lasermet from your patients.

DeMello: The response has been very positive. Our patients

are ecstatic that we can restore their self-esteem and confi-

dence, as well as their oral health at a fee that suits any

financial status.

The Lasermet RPD enables our clinicians to offer a cost-

effective, high-quality removable prosthetic solution for

many of our patients who may otherwise have few treat-

ment alternatives for their edentulous or partially edentu-

lous condition.

Dental practice, Indian Health Board of Minneapolis,Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Denture—

Dentures is Here!Establishing the Basics for aLasermet RPD

STEP 1

A polyvinyl-siloxane impres-

sion material isused to produce

a master andcounter model.

STEP 2

Fabrication ofthe Lasermetframeworkwith a wax bite registra-tion to estab-lish the verticaldimension.

STEP 3

The teeth arethen set in wax

for try-in toensure accuracyof occlusion andrequested shade

matching.

Postplacement of the LasermetRPD confirmspatient accept-ance and satisfaction.

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