CURRENT PRACTICECodeine is the second-most widely used narcotic analgesic after morphine worldwide.1 Its use for over 200 years,2 availability of this medicine as an over-the-counter remedy for cough, acute and chronic mild-to-moderate pain, its reputation as a weak opioid, and use in pediatrics has fueled a perception of safety. Its recommended use as an analgesic … Read more
GERMANY 2014 Oral Health was thrilled to be invited to Bensheim, Germany as Sirona Dental Systems unveiled their latest product offering, a new treatment centre called INTEGO. At this exciting event, attended by 18 other journalists from around the globe, as well as 400 dealers and the Sirona Executive Management Team, we were treated to the … Read more
There’s a new sheriff in town. And its name is the CBCT; (Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT)) the ultimate critical evaluator of quality endodontics. For the past 100 years, the objective of dentistry has always been and always should be to maintain the natural dentition wherever possible. The objective of endodontic treatment has never wavered … Read more
Endodontics has often been referred to as “a big issue over a little tissue.” But if you counted the number of new file systems, new file designs, new technologies, etc., the adjective “big” doesn’t come close to describing what is happening in the market place. Almost every manufacturer of endodontic files is constantly trying to … Read more
The primary goal of endodontic therapy is to create an environment that promotes and maintains the roots of a tooth in a healthy periodontium. This allows the tooth to be properly restored and returned to function. The goals of both biological health and mechanical function are paramount in evaluating the success of a tooth that … Read more
The restoration of teeth utilizing composites still presents a myriad of clinical challenges for the dental clinician. This is especially true for extensively broken down teeth and as well, those teeth which have been accessed endodontically. Fiber posts such as the quartz Macro-Lock PostTM Illusion X-RO (RTD St. Egreve France/CRD London, ON.) UniCore Fiber post … Read more
Should a tooth be saved or should it be extracted and an implant placed? Is basing a comparison between implant retention and RCT success on endodontic outcome measures reliable? The short answer is no. Strindberg’s criteria (1956) and the PAI index (Ørstavik et al., 1996) are widely accepted as measures of RCT success. Generally, RCT … Read more
INTRODUCTIONThe clinical presentation of invasive external cervical root resorption (IECR) varies considerably and usually involves painless destruction of tooth structure that can often go unnoticed by patients and clinicians alike. While some teeth with highly vascular granulation tissue within the resorptive lesion may produce a noticeable pink spot in the cervical region of the tooth,1 … Read more
Each day, clinicians all over the world treat a wide variety of root canal systems, with often-complex canal configurations. The primary objectives of endodontic treatment are the optimal removal of bacteria and their substrate while preserving the original shape of the root canal system and the original location of the apical foramen (Schilder, 1974). Achieving … Read more
I graduated from McGill dental school in May 1979. I had just turned twenty-five years old. Having finished what seemed like an eternity of higher education, attaining Bsc. and DDS degrees, I was eager to get started in the real world and jumped straight into dental practice purchasing an existing practice from which two dentists … Read more
Sometimes a particular case comes along that appears, at first glance, overwhelming. This case fits that description (Figs. 1–3). However, when Michael emailed my office and inquired regarding flying across the country to have me treat him, I had fortunately done many cases involving hundreds of teeth using the Bioclear matrix system to treat dentitions … Read more
In 1965, my primary school principal told my parents that they should be happy if I became a stock boy. That was grade three, and at my mother’s insistence, a year which I repeated. I am a December baby, which certainly did not help an easily distracted boy at this time. In 1975, my high … Read more
Implants have become the treatment of choice to replace missing teeth. It is highly predictable and the refinements of the techniques by surgeons throughout the world have shown minimal morbidity, long-term success and excellent esthetics. However, implants do have limitations in their attempt to replace lost natural anatomy. One of the biggest issues with implants … Read more
INTRODUCTION:The internet provides a vast amount of information for our patients. Dental websites and articles, showcasing the best work under ideal circumstances, have resulted in increased patient demands and expectations. Today’s practitioners must be able to provide high quality cosmetic dentistry in an efficient and predictable manner. BASIC PRINCIPLESThe theory behind this technique is very … Read more
Efficiency: to do a procedure in a quality manner while spending as little time and effort as possible. Nowhere is this more important than when placing composite restorations in the posterior. Posterior composites are the restorative backbone of many practices today, however there are clinical issues that must be dealt with including potential sensitivity, marginal … Read more
Over the past 20 years, the trend in dentistry has been in search of metal-free alternatives to replace many of the traditional restorative materials that have been used for decades in both direct and indirect applications. This trend has been the focus of manufacturers, researchers, and clinicians for many reasons. Obviously the initial primary goal … Read more
INTRODUCTIONWith advancing technologies in ceramics, computerized shade matching, and digital photography, matching a single maxillary central incisor with any restorative material is still one of the most difficult clinical challenges that most dentists face. Coupled with increased expectations in this “age of dental aesthetics” and also, with aid from external marketing through media and the … Read more
Patient demand for aesthetic dentistry with minimally invasive procedures has resulted in the extensive utilization of freehand bonding of composite resin to anterior teeth.1 The development of composite resins with natural fluorescence and polishability allows the clinician to mimic the natural dentition. Composite resins allow for conservative treatment and long lasting restorations. In order to … Read more
INTRODUCTION Restoring a single anterior tooth has always been the most difficult esthetic restorative procedure in dentistry. One needs to mimic the surrounding natural dentition in size, contour, value, chroma and finally mimicking the reflective and deflective areas by duplicating the primary and secondary anatomy.1 If this isn’t challenging enough, take away the tooth and … Read more
I consider myself somewhat of a techno-junkie when it comes to the way I practice dentistry. The more technology, the better! Whether its digital x-rays, hard and soft tissue lasers, or CAD/CAM digital impressions and milling, technology has truly made dentistry more exciting, more precise and more immediate. This article outlines the use of the … Read more