The loss of a tooth can be a stressful event for any individual. Upon learning that a tooth in the esthetic zone has been lost, or is going to be extracted, a patient’s immediate statement is almost always: “I don’t want to lose a tooth!” followed by the question: If that’s going to happen, how do … Read more
Aesthetic dentists today have the unique opportunity to dramatically improve the quality of our patients’ lives. By restoring form and function to the stomatognathic system, we are able to improve a patient’s masticatory function, their appearance, and ultimately their self esteem. Various environmental and genetic factors can affect the airway, skeletal development, enamel formation, occlusion, … Read more
CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE The dentist can use several techniques to esthetically and conservatively restore anterior teeth using resin composite. It is up to the dentist to use a technique, or combination of techniques, to fully exploit the potential of resin composite to produce restorations that seamlessly blend into natural tooth structure. ABSTRACT Direct resin composites have … Read more
Although CAD/CAM technology is not new to our profession, its widespread use is increasingly becoming the norm rather than the exception among dental professionals. However, adopting a fully digital workflow in the dental practice can be quite challenging for those new to it. As with any learning experience, leaving behind the old ways and incorporating … Read more
The common answer is ‘It depends on the manufacturer’s instructions’. The resin manufacturer or the light manufacturer? What if they do not agree? Many aspects of restorative dentistry are based upon clinical learning or creativity. However, composite curing is not one of them. Hence, “how long to cure my composite” is a common dilemma. There … Read more
Clear aligners have come a long way in the orthodontic market with many patients now preferring this aesthetic treatment modality. Thanks to tremendous consumer demand.1 Aesthetic alignment attracts both young and adult patients who otherwise would not accept traditional metal braces. Clear aligners are a great option for those who want straight teeth and a … Read more
Dear Editor, Congratulations on another excellent Aesthetics issue. I do have concerns about one of the published articles however. ‘6 Reasons You Should Consider Getting Dental Veneers’ is presented as an ‘educational article’ for patients. (Chao S. 6 Reasons You Should Consider Getting Dental Veneers. Oral Health 113(4):68-69, Apr 2023.) It is not just the … Read more
Today’s dentistry allows us to perform conservative cosmetic treatment for smile enhancement. Together with laser soft tissue and bone treatment via a closed flap approach, Botox, and porcelain veneers, we can often achieve a patient’s esthetic goals while maintaining a maximum amount of natural tooth structure. Clinical Case This patient presented with good dental health … Read more
To quote a mentor, “the best dentistry is no dentistry”. However, when dentistry needs to be done, it’s best to be done as conservatively as possible. As materials and technologies develop, clinicians can offer more minimally invasive restorative options to patients. However, ensuring long lasting and predictable results requires two things: patience and commitment. In … Read more
One possible complication when performing esthetic dentistry is the staining of a tooth preparation underneath a ceramic crown. The discoloration of the tooth may appear through the ceramic restoration, leading to an unfavorable esthetic outcome. Two possible causes of tooth discoloration include discoloration of a tooth preparation following endodontic treatment or following contamination with ferric … Read more
In his 1862 monograph (Mécanisme de la physionomie humaine. ou, Analyse électro-physiologique de l’expression des passions des arts plastiques.), French neurologist Guillaume Duchenne de Boulogne postulated that facial expressions are directly related to the soul of man. His research led to the discovery that genuine smiles, or smiles resulting from true happiness (a Duchenne smile), … Read more
Porcelain veneers are a popular cosmetic dentistry procedure that involves bonding thin, custom-made shells of porcelain to the front surface of the teeth. These veneers are used to improve the appearance of the teeth and correct various cosmetic issues such as gaps, cracks, and chips. They are designed to mimic the look of natural teeth … Read more
What does the word “Botox” conjure up in your mind? A “frozen”, unnatural facial expression? Unnecessary treatment that caters to the vain and is provided by those seeking to line their own pockets? A “poison” that is dangerous and should not be used, especially by dentists? If these descriptives pop into your mind then a … Read more
Dentists today live during exciting times where advancements in materials, techniques, and diagnostics allow us to predictably improve the quality of our patients’ lives and their overall health. Digital treatment planning and workflow enables clinicians to accurately attain healthy form and function of the stomatognathic system even with the most complex of cases. Patients often … Read more
Wow… How time flies when you’re truly having fun! It’s so hard for me to believe that this is my 7th issue of the Aesthetics edition of Oral Health for so many reasons. By the time this issue hits the press, I will have just returned from my 3rd IDS show in Cologne, Germany. I … Read more
Abstract Orofacial granulomatosis (OFG) is a chronic inflammatory condition with unclear etiopathogenesis that presents with recurrent and/or persistent swelling in the orofacial region. This article describes a case of 14-year-old female with a chief complaint of recurrent swelling of the lips, hyperplastic maxillary anterior gingivae, angular cheilitis, and painful linear ulcerations. The lesion was biopsied, … Read more
Dental fluorosis is an enamel anomaly that adversely affects inorganic phase deposition and organization causing enamel hypomineralization.1 Despite the essential effect of fluoride in remineralization of dental hard layers when used topically, a direct relationship has been established between the frequency of fluoride ingestion and its quantity during tooth development and the severity of fluorosis … Read more
New technologies and modern concepts require close cooperation of the individual partners in dentistry, dental technology and also dental industry. Dr. Cary Brown and dental technician Frankie Acosta, both from California, USA, have worked together for seven years now and are a well-rehearsed team, who are enthusiastic practitioners of digital dentistry. They have integrated a … Read more
Doom and Gloom. That is all that we have been consistently living with for the last 2 years. It’s time for all of this to end. We cannot possibly live comfortably with all of this negativity around us. Is life really as bad as it has seemed during this unprecedented time in our lives? Probably … Read more
Cast Gold and Porcelain fused-to-metal crowns have a proven track record and are predictable.1,2 They are forgiving materials that can be used in less-than-ideal conditions such as uneven tooth reduction, sharp line angles and varying finish lines. Masking the underlying metal can result in high value opaque crowns. Gum recession may show an unaesthetic crown-tooth … Read more