FREE Webinar: Optimizing the Dentist/Technician Relationship Using Digital Impressions

The art of taking dental impressions will never be the same. Hear real-world and practical experiences from a general dentist and lab owner perspective of how the Lava™ C.O.S. has positively impacted their processes and business relationship.

If you missed the live version of this informative webinar featuring Dr. James Grant and Don Albensi, CDT, now is your chance to view the archived session.

www.lavacoswebinar.com

How to Avoid a Common Scanning Problem

If you encounter fields that are not powdered as well as they could be, the problem may be your sprayer. It’s easy to fix this problem if you follow a few simple rules:


Sprayer Handling and Maintenance

• Change the tip after each patient.

• Clean and make sure the tip is dry before each use (especially in humid climates).

• Remove the bottle after each use; remove and cap it each night.

• Don’t lay the sprayer down on its side; use one of the holsters.

Holster

• If the flow of powder slows or stops, check the powder in the bottle. If the level is low or the powder is clumped, get a fresh bottle.

• If the sprayer tip is clogged, clean it with a wire brush.

• The hole in the center of the manifold (below) can become clogged, so check it periodically and clean if necessary. Use a wire brush or compressed air.

Manifold

• Reminder: It is permissible to blow compressed air into the center hole of the manifold, but DO NOT blow compressed air into the metal tip of the sprayer when it is connected to the device or into the hole where the tip slides into the sprayer. That can force powder back into the sprayer’s tubing.

• Make sure the battery is installed correctly. (If you’re unsure how to install it, see your Sprayer User Guide.)

And remember to use proper powering techniques:

• Powder the field lightly. Don’t squeeze the trigger too hard; think “light dusting,” not “blizzard.”

• Always keep the sprayer upright when spraying. When powdering the upper arch, twist the tip, not the sprayer.

• If the powder gets wiped off between scans, re-powder.

• Air dry the field. More than once, if necessary.

Finally:

Refer to your Sprayer User Guide for details on cleaning and maintenance.

Q: Where are my Lava™ Design Software 4.0 files?

A: Don’t worry, they’re still there.

Recently 3M ESPE released its new Lava™ Scan ST Design System Software 5.0. How that affects you and your lab depends on whether your lab upgraded to the new software.

Section of Lava Package Column from Case Manager

If your lab upgraded to Lava Design Software 5.0, the “lava4” part of the Lava Package name will be replaced with “lava5.” You will still be able to access already downloaded 4.0 files, but all future files will be designated as Lava Design Software 5.0 files.

If your lab has not upgraded to Lava Design Software 5.0, you will still be able to see and access your Lava Design Software 4.0 design files, of course, but you will not be able to access Lava Design Software 5.0 cases.

New Lava™ Lab Software 2.6 for Chairside Oral Scanner

Lava™ Lab Software 2.6 for Chairside Oral Scanner is now available for Lava™-certified labs. The improvements include:

--Visual indication of the location of the articulator hinge
--New shortcuts to make positioning the model quicker and easier
--Reset Zoom tool to make the size of the articulator and model fit the view
--Request Assistance menu choices to email trailer, request make-it-work help
--More flexibility when searching for cases


For more details, see What's New in Lava™ Lab Software 2.6 for Chairside Oral Scanner.

You can also refer to the User Manual for Lava™ Lab Software 2.6 for Chairside Oral Scanner, which is available as a PDF file on the new software, or contact Customer Support.

View Cases Online

Case Manager is a simple but useful tool that gives you the capability to display data for your cases that were scanned with the Lava™ C.O.S.

Dashboard - Display and sort cases

The Case Manager Dashboard is your window into the case data. Use it to display cases by month and to view case details, including prescriptions, which can be saved and printed. You can sort cases by any of the Dashboard’s six columns of data:

• Date prescription signed
• Doctor name
• Patient name
• Patient Date of Birth
• Number of Restorations
• Case/Prescription number

When you hover the cursor over certain columns, Case Manager displays more useful information, for example, the case’s restoration type and tooth number.

View the prescription for a case

We think you’ll find Case Manager to be both valuable and easy to use. If you have not yet received your user Case Manager name and password – or if you have any questions about Case Manager – please don’t hesitate to call Lava C.O.S. Customer Support at 1-800-634-2249.

Doctor Training: How to Scan a Full Arch

This training video explains the proper protocol for scanning an entire arch, which can be a relatively easy process if you follow some basic rules.

Each sextant of both mandibular and maxillary arches is described and illustrated by a 3D animation of the wand's scanning path.

Labs: Where is the Margin on Lava C.O.S. models?

Lava C.O.S. models have a 300 micron reinforcement band (shown in blue). The margin (in yellow) is at the top of the band. Any material that covers the band violates the margin and puts a successful restoration at risk.