Providing patients with proper oral hygiene instruction is recognized as an important part of dental hygiene appointments – but should we also be encouraging patients to exercise for oral health benefits? The Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines recommend adults accumulate at least 150 minutes of moderate to vigorous aerobic activity each week.1 You have likely heard … Read more
ERIODONTAL DISEASE AND A PLANT-BASED DIET What is a ‘plant-based diet’? Essentially, this is an umbrella term that describes a diet characterized by a focus on food sources from plants with a lower, although not necessarily eliminated, consumption of animal and animal-derived products. Canadians are hearing and reading about this topic more and more, especially … Read more
Abstract Background: The classification system for periodontal diseases and conditions was revised in 2017. Evidence-based criteria were developed, and extensive revisions made, to reflect advancements regarding the etiology and progression of periodontal diseases. Among the many updates made to the previous classification system, a novel definition for periodontal health was introduced, along with a staging … Read more
Cleaning excess cement after cementation of a crown is a tedious but important clinical procedure. Failure to remove excess cement can lead to plaque accumulation, gingival inflammation and possibly even bone loss.1 Removal of cement is even more difficult when using resin cement. A recent Practice Based Research Network study reported that almost 40 percent … Read more
Introduction This publication is a continuation of the case report published in 2020, on rehabilitation of both failing implants and remaining dentition with implant overdentures. Prosthetic treatment was delayed last year due to COVID-19. Prosthetic Treatment The patient’s provisional upper denture was under-extended to maximize support, retention, and stability in light of the horizontal prosthetic … Read more
Ared-stained smile, often observed in Asia-Pacific populations, is the hallmark of betel quid (BQ), a carcinogenic seed chewed by an estimated 600 million people globally (Ping-Ho et al., 2017). This practice is deeply rooted in Asia-Pacific culture; however, BQ is widely recognized to cause multisystem adverse health effects and oral cancer (Chu, 2001; Moe et … Read more
Approximately 20 percent of the general population have impacted teeth, the majority of which are third molars.1 Therefore, the removal of impacted teeth is one of the most common procedures to be performed in oral surgery practices.2 It is also a procedure that instills fear and anxiety in many patients. Third molar removal can range … Read more
If you’re depending on patients to call your practice to schedule an appointment, you’re missing out. More people than ever want to be able to book an appointment directly from your website, social media sites, and Google My Business page. Consider this: Millennials are now entering their 40s. They’re very comfortable with technology and enjoy … Read more
When lockdowns were first announced, the first question many dentists and business owners had was, “How will I pay the rent?” Unlike staff wages, your place of business could not be furloughed. Rent was due regardless of whether your business was open or closed. Long term lease agreements were still valid and legal. Some could … Read more
Now in its fourth year, the annual Leaders in Practice awards celebrate oral care professionals who are passionate about providing optimal patient care and making a difference in the lives of Canadians. This is an industry-wide program designed to recognize the contributions of individuals across all roles in the practice. 2021 winners will receive up … Read more
The world is advancing at lightning speed. Nowadays, we have self-driving and electric cars, virtual home assistants and mind-boggling technological advancements. We can pay in a flash, meet someone without even leaving our homes, shop for groceries from our couch, and track our fitness with sleek accessories. In a world where everything is becoming smarter, … Read more
Dental practice values are back up. Everyone’s hounding you to sell. Maybe you’re tired of the daily grind of running a dental practice – especially during COVID-19. You find yourself drifting off. You’re on a pristine beach, at your cottage or on a golf course. You see yourself spending more time with family and friends, … Read more
In today’s competitive economy, a good marketing strategy can make the difference between a thriving dental practice, and one that is struggling to stay afloat. And content marketing is a pillar of any good strategy. What is content marketing? Content marketing is generally defined as creating and distributing content that is not explicitly promotional. In … Read more
THE WHY: Clinicians’ story The journey to open Blueridge Oral Maxillofacial Surgery (OMS) began while Dr. Osama Soliman was still in dental school. During fourth year, he was encouraged by a mentor to explore his options for becoming a specialist. One day he found himself observing a surgical procedure being performed in a local hospital … Read more
Other than looking a little more youthful or sporty in your Facebook or Instagram profile picture, why else ought we get a little fitter? There are many reasons to get fit, live fit and stay fit. We wanted to focus on why versus how. You see most of us do hours of online reading and … Read more
If you’re like me, you’ve had your share of unsuccessful outcomes and can appreciate the negative feelings that come with them. Just the other week I ruminated over the need to leave posterior spaces on a case that was progressing well in the grand scheme of things. As dental practitioners we tend to be critical … Read more
Dr. Jordan Pettigrew Dr. Jordan Pettigrew and Associates, Ottawa, Ontario How would you summarize your practice philosophy? Our practice philosophy is quality over quantity, coupled with a family atmosphere. We strive to create an environment where patients and staff are happy. If you do great dentistry and treat patients and staff well, you will be … Read more
As we observe more vaccinations being completed and reopenings happening across the country, we can see the end of the COVID-19 pandemic is on the horizon. Now is the time to reflect on what the biggest takeaways have been from this life-altering, not to mention business-altering, experience. Earlier in the year, we discussed the opportunities … Read more
Last year, Dr. Tim Dumore added fully custom 3D-printed tooth moving tools from LightForce Orthodontics to his treatment options. LightForce, which is headquartered in Burlington, Massachusetts, has developed a cloud-based platform to create patient-specific 3D-printed ceramic brackets delivered in patient-specific indirect bonding (IBD) trays that are 3D printed from a proprietary material.1 Dr. Dumore digitally … Read more
The contemporary practice of orthodontics focuses not only on achieving ideal alignment and occlusion, but also on how the teeth relate to the soft tissues of the face. Smile arc is one of the most important factors when assessing and optimizing smile esthetics. In the pursuit of attaining a well-treated orthodontic case, the smile arc … Read more