Yes I use the plungers from Vacalon. Makes things just a bit easier on divesting. Also I believe with the Vacalon refractory material plunger there is less of a thermal impact on the ring vs. the Alox plunger.
I kind of figure that Ivoclar has a better understanding on what works best with their products.
What drives us as techs to work a product outside of the instructions? Do we think that we can save time if we figure a way to do things differently than what the manufacture has developed? I know I have been guilty of this many many times over the years and on the most technique sensitive of products this often leads to failures. Having my team understand that its imperative to follow specific protocol based on manufactures recommendations most definitely has made me sleep better at night.
As we start to do our in house tests on PFT, I have reminded my staff that there is a very critical protocol to this product. Being very technique sensitive I have made it very very clear that we will do everything by the book with ZERO exceptions.
OK I got a bit off topic here...
I have used disposable plungers in the past but always come back to using the alox ones. Disposable are faster to de-vest and they don't require the lube which is good. However, I always thought if it was better than Ivoclar would have developed a disposable first as it would be another recurring product that would be necessary. Seems like with all the EMAX being pressed these days they would definitely be selling a bunch.