This classic Dental Hacks episode features a long-form interview with Dr. Rella Christensen of TRAC Research (formerly CRA). The discussion covers the history of independent product evaluation, the challenges of maintaining objectivity in dental research, and significant findings regarding restorative materials and caries management. The original interview had really poor sound quality but a little help from an Adobe AI filter really cleared it up. This interview was worth another listen, I think!

Key Interview Highlights

1. The Origins and Ethics of TRAC Research

• History: The organization began in 1976 (founded by Gordon Christensen) with the goal of collecting subjective data from clinicians to create objective "Consumer Reports" style rankings for dentistry.

• Unbiased Stance: Dr. Christensen emphasized that TRAC is a non-profit foundation that accepts no funding from manufacturers. If a company refuses to provide a product for testing (often fearing a negative review), TRAC purchases it on the open market to ensure the data is captured.

• The "File Drawer" Effect: They discussed how negative research is rarely published in journals due to corporate influence in dental schools and editorial boards. TRAC aims to publish the truth, even when it is negative.

2. Restorative Materials: The Zirconia Revolution

• 10-Year Study Results: Dr. Christensen detailed a 10-year study comparing various ceramic systems.

  • The Failure: Zirconia substructures (like Lava) survived well, but the veneering ceramics (porcelain layered on top) had massive failure rates (chipping and cracking).

  • The Winner: The study pointed toward monolithic zirconia (specifically BruxZir) and lithium disilicate (e.max) as the most durable options.

• Translucency Warning: She noted that as manufacturers push for more translucent (anterior) zirconia, they often lower the flexural strength (from ~1200 MPa to ~600 MPa). She cautioned that the long-term fracture toughness of these newer, "prettier" zirconias was still unknown at the time

3. The "Bombshell": Enamel Remineralization & Caries

• The Study: TRAC performed an in-depth clinical study on 330 orthodontic patients (high risk for white spot lesions). They tested various protocols including MI Paste, Fluoride Varnish, Ozone, and Xylitol against a control group.

• The Result: None of the products performed statistically better than the control group (who did nothing special), with the exception of PreviDent 5000, which was only marginally better.

• The Conclusion: Dr. Christensen concluded that you cannot arrest caries or remineralize enamel if the patient's diet is not addressed. She stated that dental caries is "the only infectious disease we attempt to treat while allowing the cause [sugar] to continue."

Join the Very Dental Facebook Group using one of these passwords: Timmerman, Bioclear, Hornbrook, Gary, McWethy, Papa Randy, or Lipscomb!

The Very Dental Podcast network is and will remain free to download. If you'd like to support the shows you love at Very Dental then show a little love to the people that support us!

I'm a big fan of the Bioclear Method! I think you should give it a try and I've got a great offer to help you get on board! Use the exclusive Very Dental Podcast code VERYDENTAL8TON for 15% OFF your total Bioclear purchase, including Core Anterior and Posterior Four day courses, Black Triangle Certification, and all Bioclear products.

Crazy Dental has everything you need from cotton rolls to equipment and everything in between and the best prices you'll find anywhere! If you head over to verydentalpodcast.com/crazy and use coupon code "VERYSHIP" you'll get free shipping on your order! Go save yourself some money and support the show all at the same time!

The Wonderist Agency is basically a one stop shop for marketing your practice and your brand. From logo redesign to a full service marketing plan, the folks at Wonderist have you covered! Go check them out at verydentalpodcast.com/wonderist!

Enova Illumination makes the very best in loupes and headlights, including their new ergonomic angled prism loupes! They also distribute loupe mounted cameras and even the amazing line of Zumax microscopes! If you want to help out the podcast while upping your magnification and headlight game, you need to head over to verydentalpodcast.com/enova to see their whole line of products!

CAD-Ray offers the best service on a wide variety of digital scanners, printers, mills and even their very own browser based design software, Clinux! CAD-Ray has been a huge supporter of the Very Dental Podcast Network and I can tell you that you'll get no better service on everything digital dentistry than the folks from CAD-Ray. Go check them out at verydentalpodcast.com/CADRay!