Tell me about the new elementsfree.
The cordless elementsfree system is specifically designed for use with The Continuous Wave of Condensation Technique it includes:
- A downpack device that instantaneously controls the heating of the heat plugger for a single-motion downpack obturation.
- An ergonomic backfill device with a motorized extruder system that precisely controls the flow of heated gutta percha or other material used to backfill a canal.
I no longer need to sacrifice freedom for function?
That's right! The heat shielding is very good on the outside tip area, but more importantly, Dr. Buchanan says, "the elementsfree primary difference from previous cordless heat sources is that it heats to 200°C in 0.5 seconds. All previous units heated over a 2-3 second period, increasing the amount of heat transmitted to the outside surface of the root during the downpack." In fact, most of the features are nearly identical to the alrready familiar Elements Obturation Unit and System-B heat sources, but without the restricting feeling of cords.
"elementsfree has a downpacking heat source that is analagous to the System-B handpiece in every way, except it is unplugged." -- Dr. Steve Buchanan
What else do I need to know?
"There is another variation above and beyond being cordless that makes elementsfree different than most backfilling syringes," Dr. Buchanan points out. "It is motor-driven, giving it good tactile feel compared to the strong muscular action required to manually activate the trigger-pull tactile feedpack when extruding gutta percha." Now other systems that rely on a trigger to dispense gutta percha, which fatigues the hand and takes up too much room in the mouth, are no longer your only cordless option.
Additionally, according the Dr. Buchanan, elementsfree offers a few more benefits for the user. "The elementsfree downpack and backfilling handpieces have a sleek, ergononic design, the front-to-back weight ratio is perfect, the batteries are small and the operating buttons are intuitive."
Dr. Buchanan currently serves as an assistant clinical professor at the University of Southern California School of Dentistry and the University of California at Los Angeles School of Dentistry. He also maintains a private practice limited to endodontics and implant surgery in Santa Barbara. He began pursuing three-dimensional anatomy research early in his career. In 1986, he became the first person in dentistry to use microcomputed tomography technology to show the intricacies of root structure.
In 1989, he established Dental Education Laboratories and subsequently built a state-of-the-art teaching laboratory devoted to hands-on endodontic instruction where he continues to teach. Through Dental Education Laboratories, he has lectured, conducted participation courses around the world, published numerous articles and produced the award-winning video series The Art of Endodontics.
In addition to his activities as an educator and practicing clinician, he holds a number of patents for dental instruments and techniques. Most notably, he was the first to introduce variable-tapered instruments for use in endodontic therapy and pioneereda system-based approach to treating root canals.
In 1978, he received his dental degree and was valedictorian of his class at the University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry, and completed the endodontic graduate program at Temple University in Philadelphia in 1980. He is a Diplomate of the American Board of Endodontics and a Fellow of the International and American Colleges of Dentists.
Dr. Steve Buchanan is a paid consultant of Kerr Endodontics.
