The Technician’s Best Friend for Chairside Implant Cases
Inside Dental Technology delivers updates on digital workflows, materials, lab techniques, and innovation in dental technology through expert articles and videos.
September 1, 2020
Volume 11, Issue 8, September 2020
Page(s): p. 28
Jeff Stronk
I confess: I absolutely hate that most implant companies have not come together to make a uniform connection for fixation screws. Some manufacturers even have different ones within their own systems. There is nothing worse for a technician or a clinician than not having the right tool at the time it is needed; patients lose confidence almost immediately if a procedure cannot get done at the time of an appointment. How many of you have gotten the call that a screw was stripped because the wrong wrench was used from a different system? To prevent that, you need to have a ton of drivers, and buying a huge variety of wrenches is just not feasible.
At the time the Preat Implant Buddy was introduced to the market, I had been carrying around an arsenal of wrenches, and fishing around for the correct wrench was frustrating. The Preat Implant Buddy is a systematic, color-coded system that makes finding the right wrench easy. The cost is about the same as five OEM wrenches, but it can be used on about 99% of all implant cases. Its magnetic base keeps the wrenches organized and secure. One feature I really like is how the driver tips are tapered to create a stronger connection with the screw. The connection seems to be far more secure than with some OEM drivers.
I take the Implant Buddy with me on all of my all-on-X surgical cases. Most surgeons do not have prosthetic drivers, and sometimes restorations need to be removed. The Implant Buddy is invaluable in those times to address a system not likely placed by that dentist. In this clinical setting, the thumb knob works great with the shorter drivers.
After initial placement of the abutment or restoration, the Implant Buddy has an adjustable setting feature on its Omega torque wrench to achieve the proper amount of torque (ncm). Upon the seating of the restoration, the Omega torque wrench can be easily and fully disassembled, then autoclaved. The Preat Implant Buddy covers almost any need a technician or clinician may have for implant drivers. It gives me peace of mind knowing that 99% of my bases are covered when going chairside. My plan is to give one to each of the specialists I work with as a holiday gift; that way they too can rest easy knowing they have the right tools for the job.
Key Takeaways
› Preat Implant Buddy is a systematic, color-coded system for quick, easy identification
› Can be used on about 99% of all implant cases
› Offers an adjustable setting feature on its Omega torque wrench to achieve the proper amount of torque
› Driver tips are tapered to create a stronger connection with the screw
Disclaimer: The statements and opinions contained in the preceding material are not of the editors, publisher, or the Editorial Board of Inside Dental Technology.
About the Author
Jeff Stronk
Co-owner
Treasure Dental Studio
Salt Lake City, UT
Company Information
Preat Corporation
preat.com
800-232-7732
