If you ever traded in your baby teeth to the tooth fairy and got a mere 50 cents under your pillow – you got short-changed. The National Institute of Health recently discovered that mesenchymal stem cells derived from bone marrow have been found to exist in teeth. This discovery will transform Dentistry and the future … Read more
Our thanks to Oral Health for keeping the spousal exemption issue at the fore front for Ontario dentists and their spouses by publishing Dr. Randy Lang’s editorial ‘Ontario’s Dumb, Stupid “Zero Tolerance” Law; September 2012. (https://www.oralhealthgroup.com/news/ontarios-dumb-stupid-zero-tolerance-law/1001656652/) Recognition of the Coalition to Restore Spousal Rights and Freedoms by Oral Health Journal is appreciated and we should … Read more
Abuse and neglect are not limited by age. Child abuse awareness has been well documented in the dental literature. All states have mandatory reporting statutes for child abuse. This is not the case for elder abuse. It was not until 2009 with the passage of the Elder Abuse Victims Act that elder abuse received national … Read more
This past February, I returned to Jamaica to teach endodontics to the second-year class at UTech in Kingston. This will be the graduating class of 2016. It was great to temporarily escape this year’s harsh winter in Toronto and be back in Kingston, where I was greeted by both new and familiar faces. Here is … Read more
INTRODUCTIONFile separation via torsional and cyclic fatigue has created the biggest fear and risk for dentists using rotary nickel titanium (NiTi) files for root canal treatment 1-2) Increasing the resistance to file separation has been a focus for new NiTi rotary instrument design and manufacturing. Since 2008, the only way to improve performance and safety … Read more
“Traditional thinking that a post is only placed to retain a core and serves no other purpose may no longer be valid.”1 The preservation of dentin during access opening, shaping the canal, preparing the root for placement of a post, and during restoration with an onlay or full coverage preparation is critical to the clinical … Read more
The goal of quality endodontic therapy has remained the same since its inception. Appropriate removal of pulpal tissues with proper cleaning and shaping, followed by an obturation system and coronal seal, will satisfy both mechanical and biological objectives.1 As clinicians we need to appreciate each of these aspects and know that our therapy’s success is … Read more
The objective of dentistry is to retain the natural dentition as part of maintaining optimum oral health. With recent studies linking oral health to general systemic health, promoting oral health translates to improved quality of life. The discipline of Endodontics encompasses retaining the dentition in the face of diseased pulp and periapical tissues. As endodontics … Read more
ABSTRACTAs an oral and maxillofacial surgeon I am often asked by referring dentists what the protocol is for dealing with patients who are taking bisphosphonate medication. These drugs are associated with what has been termed Bisphosphonate-Related Osteonecrotic Jaw (BRONJ). It is important to note that there are now additional drugs that have been implicated in … Read more
INTRODUCTION AND REVIEW OF THE LITERATUREOrthodontic tooth movement is dependent on changes to the local environment, including vascular changes, recruitment of inflammatory mediators and alveolar socket remodelling.1 In most instances, orthodontic tooth movement occurs without significant damage to the teeth and surrounding periodontium. Rarely, pulpal side effects may occur, including altered pulpal respiration rate, internal … Read more
The principles of three dimensional cleaning, shaping and obturation of the root canal system which are the foundations for predictable endodontic success were outlined by Schilder over four decades ago and remain pertinent even with all the technological advances that have been made since the turn of the century1,2 The preparation of the root canal … Read more
Four handed dentistry has definitely led to some ease in practice and an increase in efficiency. However, it also has impacted the dental professional’s long-term health and well being. As a dental professional there is a requirement for precision, focus and unorthodox body positions. This combination may lead to prolonged sitting and standing positions in … Read more
As far back as 1967, Herb Schilder recognized that long-term endodontic success could approach 100%.1 For necrotic teeth, years of studies have demonstrated that success rates are usually lower.2 Cleaning and shaping a canal filled with bacteria would appear to pose a greater threat to success than simply having to remove inflamed tissue. So what … Read more
I am the quarterback. I call the plays and lead my team. I have learned from several great coaches and always appreciate my teammate’s input. However, I am the one that makes the final decision on how to play the game. After all, I am the one who is responsible for the final outcome. Over … Read more
I recently read a viewpoint by Marc Cooper, DDS, MSD (Dentistry Today, January 2013) in which he confirmed my fear and suspicion. The viewpoint was entitled “The Future of the Solo Private Practice”. After reading only a few sentences, and before reading his condensed bio, I immediately realized that Dr. Cooper had an excellent grasp … Read more
Dental implants allow the clinical dentist an additional tool in the armamentarium of treatment options to offer the patient for the replacement of a missing tooth or teeth. The conventional approach to treatment planning of dental implants includes a thorough clinical examination, review of intra-oral and panoramic radiographs, study models and a diagnostic wax-up. Additionally, … Read more
INTRODUCTIONNice smile, white teeth, youth and wellness: these are the main needs of people in society nowadays. The need for beauty has been studied for years and researchers found that there is a strong relation between beauty and self- confidence, ending with better life styles.1-3 This relation has been studied mainly in relation to cosmetic … Read more
Each case involving the restoration of one or two fractured or otherwise traumatized anterior teeth requires precise diagnosis and treatment planning procedures. Depending upon the patient’s age at the time of presentation, the initial findings and diagnosis could indicate the need for staged, interdisciplinary treatment that spans not merely months, but years. Likewise, the disciplines … Read more
INTRODUCTIONThe demand for tooth whitening continues to increase in the dental consumer marketplace. Whitening is available as an in-office treatment, as a take-home treatment utilizing custom fabricated trays, or with many over the counter products available via retail outlets. Cosmetic dental procedures, such as indirect veneers and direct bonding have been available to the patient … Read more
We are all restoring teeth today with a conscious effort to be minimally invasive. Our preparations are no longer extension for prevention. Everything is conservative. However, even with the decline in dental caries, and the decreased need for restorative treatment, we sometimes are still faced with complex treatment that becomes a bit of a restorative … Read more