Over the past four decades, millions of all-ceramic restorations, both veneers and crowns, have been cemented (or bonded) in place in order to satisfy the ever-growing demand for aesthetic smiles. Dentists have invested many hours of continuing education to enhance their diagnostic and clinical capabilities, while researchers and dental companies have made sustained efforts to … Read more
The Periodontal-Restorative Interface: Biologic and Aesthetic Considerations When designing the optimal aesthetic outcome for a patient during the smile rejuvenation process, the restorative dentist must seek to create a symmetrical and harmonious relationship between the lips, gingival architecture, and the positions of the natural teeth. This diagnostic methodology is facially generated treatment planning, where the … Read more
The primary goal in endodontics is to save teeth and preserve long-term function. If a patient presents with a diseased or inflamed pulp, it must be removed from the root canal system in a manner that preserves tooth structure and restores occlusal function.1 Over the last ten years minimally invasive endodontics (MIE) is a concept … Read more
It has long been established in endodontics that mechanical instrumentation of the canal system is insufficient for proper disinfection. Instead, a combined chemo-mechanical approach is needed whereby mechanical and chemical interactions occur with the pulp and dentin of a tooth.1-3 Infected dentin is removed and shaped with files while irrigating solutions chemically interact with the … Read more
We have all been there before, at some point in our career when we realize we are missing the right tool for the job. Whether it’s working on a house project, cooking a meal or, as dentists, operating on teeth. Lasers have been around for many years in medicine and dentistry however, we are now … Read more
Thorough disinfection has always been problematic in all areas of healthcare, especially in the oral environment. In endodontics, laser energy has been used in the past in an attempt to aid in the disinfection and/or irrigation of root canal systems with less than desirable results. Some of the various techniques used in the past included … Read more
Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) are the most common non tooth-related reasons for chronic orofacial pain, affecting 5-12% of the population with 75% of the population presenting at least one sign and 35% presenting at least one symptom of TMD. Women are twice as likely to experience pain symptoms due to hormonal, biological and psychosocial factors. A … Read more
One of the most gratifying, yet often overlooked procedures, in dentistry today, is the treatment of excessive gingival display (EGD), or the “gummy smile”. A multi-disciplinary approach to treatment includes: the general dentist; the periodontist; and perhaps the treating orthodontist. This approach enables the patient to receive the most comprehensive treatment, with the best final … Read more
Introduction Er,Cr:YSGG laser has been chosen to perform the apicoectomy1,9,13 as an alternative for the use of a scalpel and rotary instruments due to the laser’s precision, lack of vibration16,17 and lack of microfracture occurrence on hard tissues, such as bone and root. Additionally, laser apicoectomy had the benefit of less post-operative discomfort1, capability to … Read more
The Academy of Laser Dentistry (ALD), the only independent and unbiased non-profit association dedicated to improving patient care with the proper use of laser technology, recently announced the launch of its “DSO Laser Training Program” (DLTP). According to ALD executive director Gail Siminovsky, CAE, “The growth of DSOs and group practices are changing the face … Read more
A new treatment option at a dental practice in the east is helping ease fears of going to the dentist. Vinson Family Dental in Winterville is using Solea lasers to better accommodate its patients. Dr. Brian Vinson is the owner of Vinson Family Dental and says, “We use it primarily to do fillings without anesthesia, … Read more
We all remember graduating dental school and thinking to ourselves: “What’s next?” The future is full of possibilities; we must make decisions which will ultimately affect the rest of our careers and lives. Some of us knew right away that general practice was not for them, whereas specialties like surgery, periodontics or endodontics presented opportunities … Read more
Keywords Refractory endodontic disease, endodontic, radial apical cleansing, Er,Cr:YSGG, diode, laser, biofilm bacteria. Introduction One of the defining attributes of an astute endodontist is the ability to successfully treat refractory endodontic disease. Refractory disease is defined as disease that is recalcitrant, unresponsive, stubborn, unmanageable or resistant to treatment or cure. While the pathogenesis of refractory … Read more
Is This Vision Important for Dentistry? Introduction Breastfeeding has an important role in the development of the orofacial structures in babies. For this reason, we need to review our knowledge and the importance of the mouth in the success of breastfeeding and in the growth of the infants and, on the other hand, the role … Read more
Introduction In the last decade, as a result of patients’ desires to get the HOLLYWOOD SMILE, full-ceramic restorations have become more popular due to their superior aesthetic appearance and are frequently used in the restorative and prosthetic fields. The development of new materials and improvements in manufacturing technologies have led clinicians to utilize ceramic restorations … Read more
Introduction According to the Seventh European Workshop, 15-30% of all implants placed will develop peri-implantitis. Three million people have implants and this number is growing by 500,000 a year. Thus, peri-implantitis cases will grow up to 450,000 with an additional 75,000 which are expected to occur annually. 1 Clinicians will need to find appropriate treatment … Read more
Imagine a tool that could reduce pain, improve wound healing, relieve muscle tension and regenerate nerves without the use of pharmaceuticals and achieved without any side effects. Although it may sound like magic, it is actually a therapeutic technology that has been used clinically for decades: Photobiomodulation (PBM). Historically, other terms have been used to … Read more
For some years now, dentistry has shaped people’s lifestyles. The well-being, the self-esteem and the image that we project have become very important. Television, increasingly present in our homes, is helping to boost our confidence through series and beauty programs. Although dentistry is only one part of the transformations performed, the fact remains that the … Read more
We’re introducing a new segment of Best Practices: Clinical Brief. In the first installment, Marina Polonsky, DDS, MSc, discusses laser-assisted crown lengthening. Read more from her clinical article in our April issue below. Watch last week’s video: Tax Saving Tools Marina also wrote a clinical article for our Cosmetic Dentistry issue of Oral Health – … Read more
World’s Leading Laser Professionals Convene for Straight Talk, Learning and Networking Wausau, WI – Laser 2014, the 34th Annual International Conference of the American Society for Laser Medicine & Surgery, Inc. (ASLMS) is slated to take place April 2-6, 2014 in Phoenix, Arizona. The conference will be a forum at which a multidisciplinary array of … Read more