False teeth feature on ‘Fast Forward’

Press, 10 September 1987, Page 11

False teeth feature on ‘Fast Forward’

Denture wearers who feel insecure aboat their falsies may enjoy the opening item on “Fast Forward” tonight (8 p.m. on One}. The producer, Larry Podmore, describes it as a two-pronged story dealing with new dental implant methods and materials. First there is a look at the use of ceramics in individual tooth replacement and second comes the breakthrough which spells an end to slipping and sliding dental plates. “Titanium is now being used to make an implant which goes directly into the gums and on to

which false teeth are clipped so they can’t fall out,” says Podmore. From high-tech dentistry, the Christchurchbased show moves to innovations in light aviation. “We feature a fancy, ultra-light aircraft from across the Tasman,” says Podmore “and then look at the Bantam, a New Zealand development in the ultra-light field. The latter Is a new agricultural ultra-light used in aerial spraying and has created a lot of interest throughout the world.” The Soft Strip, described by Podmore as a “computer programme

bar code,” which does away with the floppy disc program system, comes under scrutiny next. “The Soft Strip has a number of advantages,” says Podmore. “It allows two different computers to talk to each other and can be sent through the maiL” Finally the programme looks at the Telelift — the high-tech solution to transporting books around Wellington’s new National Library. “Telelift is an electric box which runs on a track system and can be programmed to cart books to any part of the library,” says Podmore.