Post-pandemic Strategies for the Dental Practice

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To say that 2020 threw the world a giant curve ball would be one of the understatements of the decade. For some, it felt as though the earth had stopped revolving on its axis and it has never quite begun turning the same way. Government mandates closing offices, PPE requirement that increased costs and created … Read more

Treatment Decisions for Missing Maxillary Laterals Based on Case Types and Stages of Development

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Introduction Congenitally missing maxillary lateral incisors present a challenge for both the orthodontic and restorative treating dentists. Often, only two scenarios are discussed: canine substitution or replacing the missing lateral.1 The former is often considered an orthodontic solution while the latter is more restoratively driven. However, there are complexities in these cases that are dependent … Read more

Planning for the Unpredictable: A Case of Dental Trauma

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Introduction Predictability is a worthy goal for any practicing dentist. The study of evidence based models in dentistry has developed increasing predictability of the success of specific dental treatments and procedures in achieving optimum oral health.1 While dental treatments have continued to become more predictable, life, however, consistently presents unforseen situations. A traumatic dental injury … Read more

Aesthetic Dentistry and the Dunning-Kruger Effect

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Imagine you are 18 years old and all your life you have dreamed of a career in acting or modelling. Everyone that you talk to in your chosen field tells you the same thing. You have what it takes to make it, except for one thing. Your teeth are simply too unattractive. So you do … Read more

Integrating Digital Smile Design Into the Aesthetic Workflow

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Introduction Achieving a successful outcome in aesthetic dentistry can be a formidable challenge for all dental practitioners, regardless of their experience level. The patient describes their expectations for the case to the dentist, who then diligently works with provisional restorations to satisfy those aesthetic desires, only to have to rely on the dental technician (ceramist) … Read more

An Idiot’s Guide to Esthetics

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The next 9 posts will deal with different esthetic principles.  These can be used for smile design, esthetic soft tissue procedures, orthodontic evaluation, or even just restoring a single anterior tooth. One place to start with a smile design is the position of the maxillary central incisor.  The amount of incisor that should be displayed … Read more

What Motivates You?

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As I write this editorial I certainly feel how time has flown by. Sitting in front of my computer, I realized that my 30th anniversary of graduating from dental school is approaching in May. I thought to myself, “Wow that’s a lot of years!” I started wondering, what is it that motivates me to keep … Read more

Four Team Members, One Goal: A Transformation Story

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ABSTRACT Quite often patients have the desire to improve their oral care and appearance but don’t know where to start. Compounding the problem is that when the patient is seeking solutions, they are often turned away or trivialized because their practitioner does not have the knowledge or skill to treatment plan the patient’s needs or … Read more

A Multidisciplinary Case for Smile Enhancement

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A patient presented for orthodontic care with a chief complaint to straighten her front teeth, eliminate her overjet, and balance her lip eversion. Her dental history included annual dental cleanings and root canal therapy on #9. Due to the skeletal class 2 retrognathic profile, the severity of her mandibular asymmetry, the vertical discrepancies in the … Read more

Case Study: The Missing Canine – A Puzzle with Functional and Esthetic Pieces

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Introduction Few restorative situations provide more stress for a functionally driven esthetic dentist than one involving a missing canine. A missing cuspid creates not only an esthetic issue, but a functional complication, as well. While group function may be viewed as a viable alternative in the absence of a canine, anterior and cuspid guidance is … Read more

When is “Good Enough” Good Enough?

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“I always do the best for the patient”. That is noble, we’ve all said it and absolutely should practice that way. However, our ability to deliver on this is often limited by many factors including patient desires, ability to afford treatment, and practice limitations. It’s very rare that a patient comes into the office wanting … Read more

Selfie Culture Driving More Cosmetic Dentistry: A Case Report of Conservative, Responsible Veneers: Delivering the Smile

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Social media has arguably become a global obsession. For teenagers and young adults, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat have become the most common form of communication. Teens are increasingly posting photos of themselves and friends. Beauty standards have changed significantly over the past several decades. As our social media and “selfie culture” continues to grow, … Read more

Principles of Smile Design Treatment Planning

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Introduction When it comes to re-creating a patient’s smile, it is not as simple as placing veneers or crowns on teeth that are whiter and brighter than the patient’s existing dentition (Figs. 1 & 2). The smile is an important reflection of one’s self along with communicating a variety of emotions to those around us … Read more

The “Single Tooth” Dilemma

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When it comes to aesthetic dentistry, many clinicians would agree that the “Single Central” cases are the ones that can be the most difficult. Trying to restore a single central brings up many discussion points: Direct or Indirect? Full coverage or Partial? What materials should we use? Often, we reach out for the help of … Read more

The Power Of Aesthetics In Promoting Oral Health

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Disclaimer: I have no affiliation with any companies mentioned in this article, all products are used as illustrative examples. Sleek, pretty and efficient are not the typical terms that come to mind for the average person when thinking of dental products. In the past couple years, however, more and more dental products have been emphasizing … Read more

Gap Toothed Trend Has Led To An Increase In Reversed Dental Work

A gap toothed trend is well underway with celebrities from Georgia May Jagger to recent Love Island stars, Francesca Allen and Arabella Chi, leading the trend. The trend has been dubbed “the London look”, after it was made famous by Ms Jagger in an advert for Rimmel. Since then, there has been a rise in cosmetic procedures … Read more