eRadio SA

Are you financially prepared for retirement, or could your savings run out sooner than you think?

In this episode of Your Money Maument on eRadio SA, financial expert Mauritz Oberholzer explores what it really takes to retire comfortably.

From calculating how much money you'll need to understanding the impact of inflation, rising living costs and longer life expectancy, Mauritz shares practical insights to help you assess your retirement readiness.

Whether retirement is just around the corner or still years away, this episode will help you make more informed decisions about your financial future.

Your Money Maument is aired on eRadio SA every Thursday and available as a podcast afterwards.

Moving money across borders isn't always straightforward, especially when dealing with exchange control regulations or blocked funds.

In this episode of eRadio Business Focus, we speak to Andre Claassen from Offshore FX Global about the challenges South Africans face when transferring money internationally.

We unpack exchange control regulations, the difference between discretionary allowances and transactions requiring South African Reserve Bank approval, and the process of accessing restricted funds.

Andre also explains what clients can expect during their first consultation, how long applications typically take, the costs involved, and what to look for when choosing a foreign exchange service provider.

Whether you're an individual or business dealing with international payments, this conversation offers valuable insights into navigating South Africa's foreign exchange regulations.

Contact Andre Claassen

M: +27824581766

E: [email protected]

W: www.offshorefx.co.za

Offshore FX Global (Pty) Ltd is a South African Reserve Bank approved financial services intermediary and a registered financial services provider with the Financial Services Conduct Authority of South Africa. FSP No: 51832

Welcome back to Save Your Money, Save Your Teeth. In the previous episode, Eon Engelbrecht and Dr Clifford Yudelman looked at bioactive fillings, the smart materials that help a tooth protect itself. This episode turns to the tool that does the cutting, and asks whether a laser can really replace the dental drill.

They cover how hard tissue erbium lasers remove enamel and decay, why most practices that advertise laser dentistry only have soft tissue lasers, whether lasers really do away with the drill sound and the injection, how precise lasers are, and whether they can overheat a tooth. They also discuss what lasers cannot do, including removing old amalgam fillings, how well fillings bond to laser-prepared teeth, where lasers truly shine around gums, veneers and implants, why not every dentist owns one and whether laser fillings cost more, and the three questions patients should ask before choosing a laser dentist.

10 Questions and Summary Answers

[3:12] We know lasers can treat gums, but can they really cut tooth enamel without a drill? Dr Yudelman explains that hard tissue lasers, mainly the erbium family, fire short pulses of light that are absorbed by the water in the tooth. The water turns to steam and blows away tiny particles of tooth, like microscopic popcorn, with no spinning burr, no grinding pressure and very little vibration. Lasers are slower than the drill, but for a small cavity in a nervous patient, slower and calmer can be the right choice. They can cut enamel, and they are even better at removing decay.

[4:45] If a practice advertises laser dentistry, does it mean they can do fillings with it as well? Usually not. Most dental lasers in practice are diode soft tissue lasers, which Dr Yudelman has used since 2004 and believes every good modern practice should have, but they cannot cut teeth. Erbium lasers that cut enamel and dentine are far more expensive; a Fotona he saw at the South African Dental Association conference costs around 1.8 million rand, and BIOLASE is the more widely used brand. He shares a story from Perth of a laser practice whose laser sat in the corner unused while its name kept the phone ringing.

[8:00] Does a laser get rid of that high-pitched drill sound, and is it true that you sometimes don't need an injection? Instead of the drill's whine, a hard tissue laser makes a soft popping sound, which matters to people who have avoided the dentist because of the noise. A Cochrane review found that patients treated with lasers reported less pain and needed fewer injections, with decay removed just as well, but the evidence came from small, low-quality trials. Deeper decay still needs an injection, and anyone promising painless dentistry is selling. Dr Yudelman adds that if you hate the drill sound, you can simply ask whether the dentist uses quiet electric handpieces rather than air turbines.

[9:42] Is a laser more precise than a drill? Does it actually save more healthy tooth? It can, because decayed tooth holds more water than healthy tooth, so the laser removes decay efficiently in small, careful steps. But it is not a magic decay detector. Dr Yudelman, who trained on an erbium laser in 2004, says he would still use a decay-detecting solution and a gentle spoon excavator to check whether the tooth is hard or soft. Precision dentistry is about knowing when to stop, whether you use a laser or a drill.

[11:07] Does the laser actually heat up the tooth, and can that damage the nerve? Used properly, with water spray and very short pulses, the temperature stays in a safe range. Used badly, a laser can overheat a tooth, just like a drill run without enough water. Dr Yudelman recalls a dentist in London in the 1980s who prepared crowns with little or no water spray; her room smelled of burning hair, and most of the teeth she crowned lost their nerves. The lesson is the same for both tools: plenty of water.

[12:39] What can't lasers do? Can they remove old metal fillings, for example? There is a lot lasers cannot do. They cannot remove old amalgam fillings, because that releases mercury vapour; safe removal needs a drill, high volume suction, an amalgam separator and lots of water. They are too slow for removing porcelain inlays or crowns or for shaping teeth, so patients expecting a drill-free visit may still end up with the drill. Where they excel is removing old ceramic veneers: Dr Yudelman recently referred a patient to a local BIOLASE dentist whose laser popped off six veneers, before she returned to OptiSmile for injection moulded composite bonding.

[16:34] Do fillings stick as well to a tooth that's been prepared with a laser? Despite conference claims that lasers make etching unnecessary, Dr Yudelman says dentists must go back to the research. A laser leaves the tooth rough, but bonding results vary widely between lasers and adhesives, so a full bonding routine is still needed. At OptiSmile, an AquaCare unit, a small sandblaster shrouded in water, cleans and roughens enamel and dentine with very fine 29 micron aluminium oxide so the etch and bond work even better. The laser is just another tool.

[18:33] Where would you say lasers really shine, around gums and implants? Lasers shine with gums and soft tissue, such as trimming excess gum back to the enamel to correct a gummy smile, which OptiSmile does with its diode laser. Erbium lasers like BIOLASE and Fotona can do more, including some crown lengthening procedures, tongue ties and lip ties, and cleaning inflamed tissue around implants with less bleeding, although OptiSmile's EMS machine with its special implant powder does a similar job. Lasers cannot drill bone for implants; that still needs guided surgery and a slow, water-cooled drill. Where a laser is clearly the best option, OptiSmile refers patients to a colleague who has one.

[22:28] So why doesn't every dentist use one, and does a laser filling actually cost more? Hard tissue lasers cost millions of rand and need serious training; in South Africa, BIOLASE training is close to a year-long programme. They are slower for many procedures, which does not suit practices built on speed and volume. Fees are sometimes the same, but often extra codes are added because someone has to pay for the laser. Dr Yudelman has practised for 43 years without a hard tissue laser, though he would welcome one for anything that helps avoid crowns or root canals.

[23:52] Is it the death of the dental drill, and what should patients ask? No, and it should not be; the drill is still an excellent tool, and lasers add choice without replacing judgement. Patients should ask what type of laser the dentist has, whether it suits their particular tooth, and, if they have a silver filling, whether the laser can actually remove it. Be wary of social media claims that you will not need an injection. The future is not drill-free but the right tool for the right tooth at the right time, and Dr Yudelman believes the next leap will be robotic drills, not robotic lasers.

Outro

Lasers are a valuable addition to dentistry, especially for gums, soft tissue and removing old ceramic veneers, but they do not replace the drill or the dentist's judgement. Before paying more for laser dentistry, patients should find out exactly what kind of laser a practice has and what it can and cannot do for their tooth.

Closing the episode, Dr Yudelman reflected on more than two and a half years and 132 episodes with Eon and E-Radio, and said he is grateful that listeners have managed to save money, and in some cases save their teeth.

Further Resources

Bioactive Fillings, Can a Filling Help Your Tooth Heal? (Episode 131): https://optismile.co.za/blog/bioactive-fillings-can-a-filling-help-your-tooth-heal/

Are Silver Amalgam Fillings Dangerous (Episode 123, safe amalgam removal): https://optismile.co.za/blog/are-silver-amalgam-fillings-dangerous/

Crown Lengthening for a Gummy Smile (Episode 98): https://optismile.co.za/blog/episode-98-crown-lengthening-fixing-the-gummy-smile/

Tongue Ties in Adults, Speech, Gum Health and Sleep (Episode 101): https://optismile.co.za/blog/tongue-ties-in-adults-speech-gum-health-sleep/

Dental Injections Explained (Episode 102): https://optismile.co.za/blog/dental-injections-explained/

Robots and AI in Dentistry (Episode 128): https://optismile.co.za/blog/robots-and-ai-in-dentistry/

The Advantages of Injection Moulded Composite Veneers (Episode 22): https://optismile.co.za/blog/the-advantages-of-injection-moulded-composite-veneers/

An In-Depth Look at Dental Veneers (Episode 20): https://optismile.co.za/blog/an-in-depth-look-at-dental-veneers/

Behind the Scenes, Advanced Technology and Personalised Dentistry (Episode 50): https://optismile.co.za/blog/behind-the-scenes-advanced-technology-and-personalised-dentistry-in-south-africa/

Injection Moulding Technique for Veneers and Bonding: https://optismile.co.za/dental-solutions/injection-moulding-technique/

Dental Veneers in Cape Town: https://optismile.co.za/dental-solutions/dental-veneers/

Teeth Cleaning in Cape Town: https://optismile.co.za/dental-solutions/teeth-cleaning/

Dental Implants in Cape Town: https://optismile.co.za/dental-solutions/dental-implants/

Cochrane Review, Lasers for Caries Removal in Deciduous and Permanent Teeth: https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD010229.pub2/full

Fotona Dental Lasers: https://www.fotona.com/en/

BIOLASE Dental Lasers: https://www.biolase.com/

AquaCare by Velopex: https://velopex.com/aquacare/

EMS Dental: https://www.ems-dental.com/

South African Dental Association: https://www.sada.co.za/

OptiSmile Podcast Series: https://optismile.co.za/podcasts/

OptiSmile YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@OptismileZa-dentist-cape-town

Contact OptiSmile: https://optismile.co.za/contact-dentist-cape-town/

Disclaimer: The content provided in this podcast, "Save Your Money Save Your Teeth" on Medical Mondays, is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to serve as dental or medical advice. The insights and opinions expressed by Dr. Clifford Yudelman and any guests are designed to foster a better understanding of dental health, preventive measures, and general well-being, but should not be interpreted as professional dental or medical recommendations. Dr. Clifford Yudelman does not diagnose, treat, or offer prevention strategies for any health conditions directly through this podcast. This platform is not a substitute for the personalized care and advice provided by a licensed dental or healthcare professional. We strongly encourage our listeners to consult with their own dental care providers to address individual dental health needs and concerns. The information shared here aims to empower listeners with knowledge about dental health but must not be used as a basis for making health-related decisions without professional guidance. Your dental care provider is the best source of advice about your dental and overall health. Please always seek the advice of your dentist or other qualified health professionals regarding any questions or concerns about your dental health.

How much of your monthly income should go towards essentials like housing, groceries, transport and other everyday necessities? Are you spending too much in certain areas without even realising it?

In this episode of Your Money Maument, financial expert Mauritz Oberholzer explores how to allocate your income wisely, balance essential expenses with savings, and make smarter budgeting decisions.

Discover practical ways to manage your money, avoid overspending and ensure your financial priorities are in the right place.

Because making your money work for you starts with knowing where it should go.

Your Money Maument is aired on eRadio SA every Thursday and available as a podcast afterwards.

Can Your Body Corporate Cut Off Your Electricity Over Unpaid Levies? We ask Merilynn Du Plessis of Hahn & Hahn Attorneys. 

Legal Talk is aired every Wednesday morning at 10:00 on eRadio SA and available as a podcast thereafter.

Welcome back to Save Your Money, Save Your Teeth. In the previous episode, Eon Engelbrecht and Dr Clifford Yudelman looked at 4D printing and shape memory aligners. This episode stays with clever materials, but turns to the ones that go inside the tooth itself: bioactive materials that release minerals, fight acid and claim to help a tooth protect itself.

They cover what "bioactive" really means, whether a filling can help a tooth heal, how MTA can protect a nerve and avoid a root canal, why the edges of a filling matter so much, and what is real versus marketing in "self-healing" fillings. They also discuss whether bioactive fillings last longer than ordinary white fillings, who benefits most from these materials, how they look compared with composite or porcelain, how they fit into a save-your-money approach, and the questions patients should ask their dentist, along with how these materials are used at OptiSmile.

10 Questions and Summary Answers

[1:18] What exactly is a bioactive material? Dr Yudelman explains that "bioactive" is a word marketing departments love and use loosely. Strictly speaking, it means a material that interacts with the tooth, releasing calcium, phosphate or fluoride and encouraging the tooth to respond. The top composite bonding materials used day to day at OptiSmile, such as G-ænial Universal Injectable, are not bioactive; they are valued for their strength, handling, wear resistance and the seal they form to enamel and dentine. Genuinely bioactive materials are a much smaller group, used mostly deep down near the nerve, underneath a normal composite. He warns that some biologic dentists place proprietary "natural mineral" materials, and that he has seen these fail badly, cracking and wearing, sometimes leading to root canals or tooth loss.

[5:36] Can a filling material actually help a tooth heal itself or even grow new dentine? Enamel never comes back, but the living tooth underneath can respond. Calcium silicate cements such as MTA, originally derived from Portland cement, can encourage the nerve to lay down a fresh bridge of hard tissue over itself, and even a nerve that bleeds during preparation can settle and heal under MTA. This only works on a healthy nerve; lingering pain to cold of more than 20 seconds or spontaneous pain points to a root canal instead. Modern guidelines also say the dentist does not need to scrape every last bit of soft decay off the nerve, as long as the edges are cleaned thoroughly and the tooth is properly sealed. Dr Yudelman describes the glass ionomer approach he uses, where decay sealed under glass ionomer in a symptom-free tooth was later shown to harden up.

[9:36] Why do the edges of a filling matter so much? Most fillings do not fail because they break; they fail because decay creeps back in at the edges. Glass ionomer releases fluoride when it is hit by acid, like a sprinkler that switches on when there is smoke, and actively fights decay. It is useful in the elderly, in root cavities, in children and where moisture is hard to control, and it is the basis of the ART technique used in countries with little access to care. Dr Yudelman does not generally use glass ionomer for permanent fillings in adults, as fillings he sees placed this way may not decay but wear badly and do not look good.

[11:10] Some materials claim to self-heal tiny gaps. What is real and what is marketing? According to the research, self-healing fillings are not real yet, although the idea is promising for the future. Dr Yudelman explains that a strong, solid, ceramic-like composite that bonds to the tooth cannot at the same time leach chemicals and deposit minerals. For now, patients should not worry about self-sealing fillings.

[11:57] Do bioactive fillings actually last longer than ordinary white fillings? No; this is where the marketing gets ahead of the evidence. Dr Yudelman notes that one well-known material sold as bioactive failed at about ten times the rate of an ordinary composite in a clinical trial. In a glass ionomer sandwich, he keeps the glass ionomer closest to the nerve and makes sure none is exposed at the edges, because it can wash out. Newer resin-modified glass ionomers are light cured and behave much like composites, but they release very little fluoride outside the laboratory.

[13:26] Who benefits most from these materials? Patients at very high risk of decay benefit most: older patients with decay on exposed roots, frail or nursing home patients where a sensitive tooth affects quality of life, and patients with no saliva after radiation treatment. Dr Yudelman likes glass ionomer for children because it bonds well, and wear matters less on baby teeth that will be lost anyway. He prefers glass ionomers to resin sealants, based on research he was exposed to by Professor Laurence Walsh in Australia. These materials have their place, but it is limited.

[15:18] Do they actually look as natural as white fillings or porcelain? Absolutely not. Glass ionomer has a very opaque look, although newer resin-modified versions are more translucent, and MTA is grey, almost black, so it must be well hidden under the filling. MTA is also very expensive, so these materials are placed close to the nerve and covered with composite or a ceramic inlay or onlay, with crowns avoided unless absolutely necessary. Many dentists use them along the gum line, where fillings are hard to keep in place, and Dr Yudelman suggests a future refresher episode on gum line fillings.

[16:49] They cost a little more. How do they fit into the save your money philosophy? Cheap dentistry that fails early is expensive dentistry; if an MTA pulp cap keeps a nerve alive and avoids a root canal and crown, it saves thousands of rands. Cochrane reviews found no proven benefit to placing these materials routinely under every ordinary composite, so patients who see a pulp cap on a quote can ask whether it is truly needed, since no one can check once it is under the filling. At OptiSmile, if a filling turns out deeper than expected and needs an unquoted pulp cap, it is normally done at no charge rather than upcharging after a quote. Where a pulp cap is quoted, the fee of just over a thousand rand reflects the extra time and care to remove decay carefully and avoid a root canal, not just the material.

[20:22] What should patients ask their dentist? Dr Yudelman suggests three questions. First, if the decay is deep, can the nerve be protected rather than removed with a root canal; if the dentist has not heard of MTA, a second opinion is worthwhile, especially if cold sensitivity fades within about ten seconds. Second, am I at high risk of decay, and would a fluoride-releasing material help, for example after radiation treatment or with dry mouth from Sjögren's syndrome. Third, if a bioactive filling is being sold as a premium upgrade or promoted on Instagram or TikTok, be sceptical.

[20:22] How are these materials used at OptiSmile? Most fillings at OptiSmile are ordinary, best-in-class composite that is well bonded to the tooth. If the nerve is exposed, it is capped with MTA. If the cavity is deep or the patient is at high risk, glass ionomer goes under the composite. Dr Yudelman sums it up by saying the smartest dentistry is the quiet dentistry that lasts.

Outro

The takeaway from this episode is that "bioactive" is more marketing term than miracle. Strong, well-bonded composite remains the workhorse filling, while genuinely active materials such as MTA and glass ionomer earn their place deep near the nerve and for high-risk patients, where they can save a nerve, a root canal and a great deal of money.

Dr Yudelman closes by saying that the smartest dentistry is the quiet dentistry that lasts. Next week: laser dentistry.

Further Resources

How to Spot Dental Upselling (Episode 129, production dentistry): https://optismile.co.za/blog/how-to-spot-dental-upselling/

Root Canal Treatment at OptiSmile: https://optismile.co.za/dental-solutions/root-canal-treatment-cape-town/

Restorative Dentistry at OptiSmile: https://optismile.co.za/dental-solutions/restorative-dentistry/

Dental Bonding at OptiSmile: https://optismile.co.za/dental-solutions/dental-bonding/

Injection Moulding Technique at OptiSmile: https://optismile.co.za/dental-solutions/injection-moulding-technique/

Dental Inlays and Onlays at OptiSmile: https://optismile.co.za/dental-solutions/dental-inlays-overlays/

Paediatric Dentist at OptiSmile: https://optismile.co.za/dental-solutions/paediatric-dentist/

GC (makers of G-ænial and Fuji): https://www.gc.dental/

Cochrane: https://www.cochrane.org/

OptiSmile Podcast Series: https://optismile.co.za/podcasts/

OptiSmile YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@OptismileZa-dentist-cape-town

Contact OptiSmile: https://optismile.co.za/contact-dentist-cape-town/

Disclaimer: The content provided in this podcast, "Save Your Money Save Your Teeth" on Medical Mondays, is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to serve as dental or medical advice. The insights and opinions expressed by Dr. Clifford Yudelman and any guests are designed to foster a better understanding of dental health, preventive measures, and general well-being, but should not be interpreted as professional dental or medical recommendations. Dr. Clifford Yudelman does not diagnose, treat, or offer prevention strategies for any health conditions directly through this podcast. This platform is not a substitute for the personalized care and advice provided by a licensed dental or healthcare professional. We strongly encourage our listeners to consult with their own dental care providers to address individual dental health needs and concerns. The information shared here aims to empower listeners with knowledge about dental health but must not be used as a basis for making health-related decisions without professional guidance. Your dental care provider is the best source of advice about your dental and overall health. Please always seek the advice of your dentist or other qualified health professionals regarding any questions or concerns about your dental health.

Are you spending more than you earn? In this episode of Your Money Maument, Mauritz Oberholzer shares practical tips on managing your money, controlling expenses and making smarter financial decisions. Discover how living within your budget can help reduce financial stress and build a more secure financial future.

Your Money Maument is aired on eRadio SA every Thursday and available as a podcast afterwards.

For more information visit https://www.mauritzoberholzer.co.za/

We have a double dose this week - Firstly we speak to Hahn & Hahn's Thabiso Tshukudu about what makes a customary marriage valid and then the firm's Janusz Luterek joins us to talk about a recent court ruling in favour of a restaurant involving a needle in a burger.

Legal Talk is aired every Wednesday morning at 10:00 on eRadio SA and available as a podcast thereafter.

Intro

Welcome back to Save Your Money, Save Your Teeth. In the previous episode, Eon Engelbrecht and Dr Clifford Yudelman looked at how to spot dental upselling and protect yourself from production dentistry. This episode turns to genuinely new technology: clear aligners printed directly from shape memory materials, sometimes called 4D printing, and how to judge them without getting swept up in the hype.

They cover what 4D printing actually means, how a directly printed aligner differs from a conventional vacuum formed one, how shape memory materials apply force, and which companies are making these aligners, including where Invisalign is heading. They also discuss what printed aligners can do that conventional ones cannot, whether printed resin is safe to wear all day, what is changing for children, who these aligners suit, whether they will make treatment and retainers cheaper, and whether patients in South Africa should be asking for them now.

10 Questions and Summary Answers

[1:16] What on earth is 4D printing in dentistry? 3D printing describes the shape of an object, and the fourth dimension is time: how the object is designed to behave after it is made. In dentistry this mostly means aligners printed from a shape memory material that holds its programmed shape. Instead of going slack, the aligner keeps pushing gently on the teeth. Dr Yudelman calls 4D partly a marketing word and says the more accurate phrase is direct printed shape memory aligners.

[2:04] What is the difference between a directly printed aligner and the conventional kind most people have worn? Conventional aligners, including genuine Invisalign, are made by printing a model from a scan and vacuum forming a heated plastic sheet over it, much like cling film stretched over a bowl. The plastic thins unevenly as it stretches, and every stage leaves models that go in the bin. A directly printed aligner skips the model, so the thickness sits exactly where it is intended, with less waste and a more precise fit. Same-day aligners may become possible, though Dr Yudelman says waiting a few weeks matters little over a 6 to 12 month treatment. He links this to the previous episode's warning about pressure to start treatment today.

[5:00] How does a shape memory aligner move teeth differently, and is it true that heat changes its shape? Dr Harris's visit to an Invisalign factory in Poland, where every case produces dozens of models that cannot be recycled, prompted OptiSmile to look at printed aligners. With many conventional aligners, especially generic ones of unknown material, most of the push happens in the first day or two before the plastic relaxes and the force fades. Shape memory materials are designed to give a lighter, more continuous force, closer to a good orthodontic wire. They soften in hot water and return to their programmed shape at body temperature, so they keep pushing. Independent studies have yet to show that one approach works better, much of the research is manufacturer funded, and teeth cannot move faster than bone can safely remodel.

[7:43] Who is actually making these aligners, and is Invisalign heading the same way? Graphy from Korea is credited with pioneering the shape memory resin, and LuxCreo from California had the first FDA cleared direct printed aligner system, selling the printer, software and material as a package. The large Chinese company Angel Aligner, which Dr Yudelman has not used but would try if it were available in South Africa, has reportedly invested in LuxCreo. Invisalign's parent company has bought an Austrian 3D printing company with the stated aim of printing aligners directly. Invisalign tends to move slowly, but environmental pressure over plastic waste is pushing the whole industry in this direction.

[9:56] What can a printed aligner do that a conventional one simply cannot? Because it is printed rather than stretched, an aligner can be thicker where more force is needed and thinner at the gum line for comfort. Bite ramps can be built into the aligner instead of bonded onto the teeth, and a solid replacement tooth can be printed into a gap. Thickening parts of the aligner can reduce or remove the need for attachments. Conventional brands are also advancing: Spark, which OptiSmile uses alongside Invisalign, now builds hooks for elastics into its aligners, and some systems integrate the roots from a 3D x-ray.

[11:31] Is it safe to wear printed resin in your mouth 22 hours a day? Cleared materials have passed toxicity testing, but printing, washing and curing must be done perfectly, and there is very little margin for error. Resins can cause sensitivity or allergic reactions in some people, and Dr Yudelman has heard of several cases where the lab apparently followed every step. Practices printing in-house often rely on a trained dental assistant rather than a technician, which he sees as a grey area. OptiSmile completed a course on printing its own aligners but chose to hold back. Patients should report any irritation, burning or swelling, and practices should introduce the technology carefully.

[14:03] What is changing for children, now that a printed expander is replacing the old metal ones overseas? Invisalign now makes a directly printed palatal expander: a series of removable trays that widen the jaw step by step, replacing a cemented metal device turned with a key each day. It is in use in America, Europe, the UK and Australia but not yet in South Africa, where children still need traditional expanders. Spark Junior, from Ormco, offers a two-phase system for children under 13 that can pause while the child grows, with BiteSync to bring forward a lower jaw that sits too far back. Dr Yudelman says OptiSmile plans to use it, and notes that no locally made aligners offer anything for children. For parents, this means no metal, fewer emergency visits and treatment that works with growth.

[16:58] Who are printed aligners suitable for, and who should stick with conventional aligners or braces? Dr Yudelman expects a long crossover between conventional and printed aligners. LuxCreo's built-in ramps and printed features excite him, though the system is not directly available in South Africa. Much of the current evidence comes from key opinion leaders who receive products for free, so he wants proper university studies and says a slightly sceptical dentist is a good thing. He believes printed aligners will eventually work better than vacuum formed ones, but not yet in South Africa with what is available.

[18:30] Will it make straightening teeth cheaper, and can it help with retainers? Costs may fall in the long term as waste drops and printing becomes simpler, but for now printers are expensive and a bottle of resin costs around 20,000 rand, more than conventional plastic sheets. Dr Yudelman printed retainers for himself from a retainer resin, was unimpressed and never used it for patients, and the 15,000 rand bottle has since expired. OptiSmile uses Zendura A, a high-end sheet material that is vacuum formed and stays clear, smooth and stain resistant, with retainers still looking good after a year. Printed appliances are porous because they are built in layers, and a LuxCreo trial case worked but stained yellow within days. For retainers, he thinks printing still has a way to go.

[21:37] Is this available now, and should patients be asking for it? The technology exists, but South Africa often waits longer for new developments, as it did for television in 1976. Dr Yudelman expects the best options to reach South Africa once they are proven. For now, he would not recommend that patients seek printed aligners out specifically, and he advises asking questions. He sees the episode as a look at where orthodontics is heading, with more episodes to come on new developments in dentistry.

Outro

If there's one thing to take from this episode, it's that new aligner technology is genuinely exciting but should be judged on independent evidence, not marketing. Directly printed shape memory aligners promise a better fit, less waste and built-in features, yet questions remain about resin safety, staining and cost, and many of the options are not yet available in South Africa.

Dr Yudelman recalled South Africa's late arrival of television in 1976, complete with Pop Shop and the test pattern, as a reminder that the best technology does eventually reach South Africa. Until it does, ask your dentist questions and be wary of anyone rushing you to start.

Further Resources

How to Spot Dental Upselling (Episode 129): https://optismile.co.za/blog/how-to-spot-dental-upselling/

Invisalign vs Other Clear Aligners (Episode 27): https://optismile.co.za/blog/invisalign-vs-other-clear-aligners/

Understanding Clear Aligners (Episode 26): https://optismile.co.za/blog/clear-aligners-benefits-duration-success-stories/

Why Teeth Shift as Adults (Episode 64, retainers and shape memory aligners): https://optismile.co.za/blog/why-teeth-shift-as-adults/

Invisalign at OptiSmile: https://optismile.co.za/dental-solutions/invisalign-cape-town/

Clear Aligners at OptiSmile: https://optismile.co.za/dental-solutions/clear-aligners/

Invisalign First for Children: https://optismile.co.za/dental-solutions/invisalign-first/

LuxCreo 4D Aligner: https://luxcreo.com/4d-aligner

Spark Clear Aligners and Spark Junior (Ormco): https://ormco.com/en-us/spark-clear-aligners

Zendura A Retainer Material: https://www.zenduradental.com/pages/zendura-a-properties

OptiSmile Podcast Series: https://optismile.co.za/podcasts/

OptiSmile YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@OptismileZa-dentist-cape-town

Contact OptiSmile: https://optismile.co.za/contact-dentist-cape-town/

Disclaimer: The content provided in this podcast, "Save Your Money Save Your Teeth" on Medical Mondays, is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to serve as dental or medical advice. The insights and opinions expressed by Dr. Clifford Yudelman and any guests are designed to foster a better understanding of dental health, preventive measures, and general well-being, but should not be interpreted as professional dental or medical recommendations. Dr. Clifford Yudelman does not diagnose, treat, or offer prevention strategies for any health conditions directly through this podcast. This platform is not a substitute for the personalized care and advice provided by a licensed dental or healthcare professional. We strongly encourage our listeners to consult with their own dental care providers to address individual dental health needs and concerns. The information shared here aims to empower listeners with knowledge about dental health but must not be used as a basis for making health-related decisions without professional guidance. Your dental care provider is the best source of advice about your dental and overall health. Please always seek the advice of your dentist or other qualified health professionals regarding any questions or concerns about your dental health.

In this episode of Your Money Maument, Mauritz Oberholzer explores the importance of open and honest communication about money between partners. From discussing spending habits and financial responsibilities to setting shared goals and navigating financial challenges, he explains how couples can build trust, avoid misunderstandings and strengthen their relationship by making personal finances a conversation rather than a source of conflict.

Your Money Maument is aired on eRadio SA every Thursday and available as a podcast afterwards.

For more information visit https://www.mauritzoberholzer.co.za/