The concept of a biologic width was first mentioned by Gargiulo, Wentz and Orban in a landmark paper in 1961.1 Understanding the biology of the dentogingival complex is still the key to creating and maintaining ideal esthetics. In Fig. 1,2 three significant measurements are demonstrated; a 1mm connective tissue attachment, a 1mm epithelial attachment and … Read more
Ceramic veneers that can be glazed on the outer surface and etched on the internal surfaces for micro-mechanical retention provide us with materials that are more durable, stain resistant and enamel-like in appearance than previous composite resin alternatives. They can be fabricate by a ceramist and bonded to place with composite resin by the dentist. … Read more
A 20-year-old male expressed displeasure with the color of his front tooth #21 (Fig. 1). The tooth was fractured in a skateboarding accident six years prior. There was a fracture of the incisal third of the tooth, into dentin with a near pulpal exposure. The treating dentist placed vitrebond on the dentin and restored the … Read more
Patient demand for aesthetic dentistry with minimally invasive procedures has resulted in the extensive use of freehand bonding of composite resin to anterior teeth.1 Preservation of remaining tooth structure and using as much enamel to bond to, has made the procedure very predictable. In order to achieve maximum esthetics, the dentist must be able to … Read more
The average practitioner takes approximately one crown or bridge impression per day, for a total of 20-30 per month. An impression is simply a process whereby the dentist can indirectly transfer information from the patient’s mouth to the lab technician’s bench. Ideally, if the transfer process is accurate the restoration will fit well, requiring little … Read more
You will never get a second chance to give someone a first impression of yourself!” In today’s society, presentation is critical. The media dictates our lifestyles: workout, hairstyles and fashion. When these alone are not enough, we look to plastic surgery to enhance and modify what nature has given us. In the last few years, … Read more
ABSTRACT The restoration of anterior teeth is a challenge in comprehensive dental restorative treatment when there is reduced vertical restorative dimension. In order to gain sufficient vertical dimension for restoration many specialized treatments are considered including: surgical, periodontal, orthodontic and restorative procedures. In this clinical case, an opportunity to provide the patient her desired dental … Read more
In reviewing the literature, I found an article that has important clinical relevance with regard to the determination of TWL and that is worthy of wider discussion (“Frequency of Over instrumentation with an Acceptable Radiographic Working Length” by El Ayouti, et al, JOE, Vol. 27, No.1, January 2001). The purpose of this study was to … Read more
Another issue of Oral Health devoted entirely to esthetic dentistry. The year’s largest issue of Oral Health featuring 12 original articles by an international group of clinicians. How could it be? A Canadian Journal! This would have been anyone’s thought just several years ago but to quote Bob Dylan, “The times they are a changing.” … Read more
It was with considerable interest that I read the Case Presentation in the December 2006 issue of Oral Health. Being a practicing orthodontist, one of the messages we are constantly trying to relay to our general dental colleagues is the benefit of a multidisciplinary team approach to handling complex restorative patients. It appeared on initial … Read more
The SLSA program is based on current, referenced literature and consists of 40 questions, answers, rationales and references. Answers appear in the following issue at the end of each quiz. Dentists who complete the 15 question quiz in the November, 2007 issue of Oral Health may be eligible to receive continuing education points. The names … Read more
A while back, I read an editorial, When Did the Line Blur? (Oral Health, Feb. ’06), that when done caused me to raise a “spockian” eyebrow. What seemed to resonate through the article was that “cosmetic dentists” are over zealous practioners with little regard for the patient’s well being. As a dentist who focuses on … Read more
The contemporary clinician faces many challenges in the routine practice of general dentistry. The required range of abilities and knowledge grows almost exponentially as dental science benefits from the effects of the digital transfer of data. Yet restoration of the maxillary anterior teeth remains one of the most difficult clinical challenges for both the dentist … Read more
When the University of Toronto assumed ownership of the historic Medical Arts Building in Toronto, the partners of Endodontic Specialists faced an inevitable relocation of their practice. After 10 years, they still enjoyed their penthouse office overlooking the downtown core, but recognized this as an opportunity to acquire premises that would better meet the needs … Read more
We have all seen the overnight changes made by the tax man not too long ago for income trusts. The change certainly hurt a few people, possibly including you. Could there be more nasty tax surprises coming our way? Unfortunately, we do not have a crystal ball to predict the future. Instead of just sitting … Read more
Children living with HIV/AIDS in Uganda have a chance to receive free comprehensive dental treatment, courtesy of a visiting 29-member pediatric dental team from the US. They treat clients of the centre from the surrounding community, orphanages, TASO chapters and other HIV-child-based centres. Dr Juliet Nabanja, head of the Mildmay dental clinic says dental hygiene … Read more
The British Dental Association is calling on newly-elected officials to seize the unique opportunity they have to address the poor state of the nation’s teeth and mouths. Northern Ireland currently suffers worse oral health than the Republic of Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales. The BDA Northern Ireland 2007 manifesto for dentistry stresses the possibility for … Read more
Dentistry, like medicine before it, has become a commodity, one not all can afford. I’m sure you know the story. It was all over the papers, television, radio and the Internet: a 12-year-old American boy, Deamonte Driver, died recently when bacteria from an abscessed tooth entered his brain. His mother was uninsured and his family … Read more
There has been an emphasis over the last decade in dentistry to make evidence-based treatment decisions, that is to use documented research rather than anecdotal evidence that a particular treatment is advantageous to a patient and that treatment is then customized to a patient’s particular needs and the conditions that they present. This philosophy seems … Read more
When was the last time a trip to the dentist was considered a pleasurable experience? It is unlikely that patients would associate such a visit with the relaxing sounds of waves lapping the shore, surrounded by cool breezes at their favourite sun destination. But what if on their next trip to the dental chair the … Read more