Strictly speaking, “ethics” is a plural noun that is supposed to relate to moral principles. Try as we might to define ethics and to follow them in our personal and professional behaviours, we sometimes fail. This is because while our professional codes of ethics may be objective, ethics themselves are not. Context shouldn’t affect morals … Read more
Dental professionals have become highly proficient in providing local anaesthesia. Local anaesthesia reduces pain by blocking sodium channels, however, many patients find the injection process anxiety-inducing.1 It is not only just pain that makes many patients uncomfortable. The plethora of instrument sounds and smells, the violation of personal space, and experiencing unusual sensations, can make … Read more
Blood pressure (BP) measurement can be a difficult and time-consuming task in the dental office. Many general practitioners avoid measuring their patients’ blood pressures, and some wonder, “Why should I even measure blood pressure in the office?” However, there are many reasons why dentists should be cognizant of their patients’ blood pressures. First and foremost, … Read more
It has been estimated that seventy-five percent of adults experience an element of dental anxiety, and that in ten percent of patients, such fear can prevent them from making a visit to the dental office in the early phase of their symptoms.1 These patients quite often delay treatment until their disease process has progressed significantly … Read more
INTRODUCTIONThe hypothesis that articaine, a local anesthetic with well-established effectiveness widely used in dentistry, might have neurotoxic effects is continuously under intense discussion. A number of reports claim to provide a basis for the opinion that articaine is related to a higher frequency of neurologic adverse events like paresthesia, demanding a change in the recommendations … Read more
In health care dentists are often referred to as the local anaesthesia experts as we provide localized anaesthesia as an integral part of what is performed daily. When thinking of going to the dentist, this is the one aspect that most patients dread and often what prevents patients from seeking treatment. Local anaesthesia as it … Read more
Just the other day in my office, I saw a 14-year-old patient for his recall exam. I have been seeing him since he was five years old. He is one of those few patients, who up until now, has been caries free and has had impeccable oral hygiene. I hadn’t seen him for a year … Read more
The phone rings late on a weekday evening at the end of summer. A 15-year-old boy has injured himself riding a skateboard. His face covered by a bloodied cloth, with others in the room looking grey and wondering if he can be fixed up. When he removes the cloth, it’s a mess of wire, teeth … Read more
rteriovenous malformations (AVMs) are rare vascular lesions, especially in the maxillary sinus. Congenital AVMs are generally asymptomatic and remain quiescent until puberty. They are thought to be the result of errors in vascular morphogenesis or the result of trauma. AVMs are complex vascular lesions that require a multidisciplinary approach. Clinical symptoms can include spontaneous bleeding, … Read more
The two main principal treatment-planning preferences for a single diseased tooth are endodontic treatment coupled with coronal restoration, and extraction with an implant. The issue of which approach to pursue in any given case is important for students, educators, clinicians, and most importantly, patients. When deciding on a treatment plan, numerous factors must be considered … Read more
The Second ComingAfter 30 years in relative obscurity, lingual orthodontics is finally coming into its own. New technologies have swept through the specialty, bringing changes to the way traditional orthodontics is practiced. Developments in CAD/CAM, rapid prototyping and robotics have created novel treatment modalities, such as clear aligners (InvisalignTM) and breathed new life into older … Read more
Oftentimes, dentists find themselves answering a long list of questions from parents regarding the treatment of their child’s primary teeth. The one question that seems to crop up frequently is “why should we treat primary teeth if they will fall out?” The reasons for treating caries in the primary dentition are to prevent the spread … Read more
We all love puzzles — jigsaws, crosswords, cryptograms, word searches, Sudoku, and other brain bashers and teasers. They are fun and they keep us sharp and engaged. We are wired to take great pleasure in pattern-finding. Neuroscientists have found that a large part of the human cortex is primed to spot patterns. Once we spot … Read more
ABSTRACT: Dental clinicians perform few procedures without acquiring diagnostic radiographs. Much of the structures of the teeth and the oral cavity are hidden from the treating dentist, and diagnostic radiographs aid in revealing hidden etiologies. Interpretation of the radiographs brings about fears of missing lesional characteristics. The most prevalent error is not missing the lesion … Read more
With the modern philosophy of caries management, the use of preventive therapies and remineralization as well as the scientific progress in dental adhesives and restorative materials, dental professionals have options to deliver conservative minimally invasive, functional esthetic treatments to patients. In order to provide patients with state-of-the-art caries management, the dentist needs to gain deeper … Read more
Enabling patients to achieve optimal periodontal health is a fundamental goal of the oral care provider. Periodontal disease is a complex multifactorial process with a bacterial etiology and an inflammatory progression. A large part of periodontal disease is the result of the host response causing breakdown of surrounding structures. Pathogenic bacteria initiate the inflammatory response … Read more
Periodontal disease is an inflammatory disease of the supporting tissues of the teeth, which is caused by specific microorganisms or groups of microorganisms living in a biofilm, on and around the teeth. Microorganisms initiate an immune response, and in some cases the result is progressive destruction of gingival tissues, the periodontal ligament and alveolar bone. … Read more
INTRODUCTION TO THE HUMAN MICROBIOMEHave you ever thought of yourself as a microbial safe-haven? According to new-age science, you should. Indeed, recent endeavors into defining the human microbiome have demonstrated that we play host to seemingly infinite number of microscopic tenants. It is this inter-kingdom relationship that has led to a reformation of what it is … Read more
Mrs. Jones and her husband presented to my Prosthodontic Specialty clinic for an additional opinion regarding her treatment options to improve her existing oral condition. After conducting an interview with Mrs. Jones and completing a comprehensive clinical examination, along with diagnostic records, I presented three potential treatment plans. The advantages and disadvantages, risks and benefits … Read more
There are many genetic conditions that may affect an individual and result in discoloured or malformed teeth. Gene changes that affect dentin and enamel formation are being defined scientifically and we now know more about these inherited disorders. Amelogenesis Imperfecta (AI) is one group of disorders that affects the formation of enamel covering the teeth. … Read more