Dentistry is finally back after a historical and unprecedented shutdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Transitions Group, whose mission was to remain open as an essential service to support dentistry through this pandemic, lived it for 100 days and nights building a live COVID-19 survival guide. We are proud of the camaraderie and collaboration that … Read more
The first new dental clinic build for Dr. Nathaniel Wong, Floss Dentistry, is an extension of his passion for his craft, the ongoing technological advances in dentistry fused with high design. Located in the new community of Chappelle in Southwest Edmonton, Floss Dentistry is 2,700 square feet and includes six generously sized private operatory rooms, … Read more
As the COVID-19 curve flattens, communities across North America are cautiously lifting restrictions, and health services are among the first to resume in most regions. Odds are, your dental practice recently reopened, or you are preparing to do so soon. However, the new normal does not look anything like the old normal. While your first … Read more
Everyone will go through trying times – often alone. For the first time in many of our lives, we are collectively going through the same trying time – together. It has been fascinating to watch reactions to the evolving COVID-19 situation. Some reactions were completely unexpected and seemingly out of character. Some pulled relationships apart. … Read more
COVID-19 (the SARS-CoV-2 virus originating in Wuhan, China) has devastated the world. By July 2020, more than 11 million cases worldwide resulted in over 500,00 deaths. Untold misery, families shattered, businesses shuttered. Canadian dentists have faced practice- and career-threatening disruptions that will continue for many months. Most Canadian dentists were totally shut down by government … Read more
Dental clinicians are primary oral care providers, focused on optimal health outcomes for their patients. The progression of oral disease is multifactorial and can present a downward spiral if left unchecked. This is not inevitable, however, if there is a conscious effort to proactively intervene, to slow or completely interrupt the process. All dental procedures … Read more
We are in the midst, or hopefully the tail end, of the worst pandemic most of us have experienced during our lifetimes. The common cold (and more severe respiratory diseases and disorders) are caused by certain respiratory viruses: Parainfluenza Viruses, Influenza Viruses, Human Rhinoviruses (HRV), Coronaviruses, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) and Human Enteroviruses (HEV).1 These … Read more
The severely worn dentition is one of the most challenging circumstances for oral rehabilitation. Due to severe dental abrasion, the vertical dimension of occlusion (VDO) is decreased, dentinal surfaces are exposed, and there is a lack of functional occlusion. Functional movements are missing or have been modified. Premature contacts and interferences due to missing teeth … Read more
Dental Caries as a Disease Oral diseases have negative consequences on the overall health and well-being of individuals. Concurrently, they form one of the major public health challenges globally.1 The Global Burden of Disease Study (2016) found dental caries in permanent teeth to be the most prevalent condition among the estimated 328 diseases affecting half … Read more
Successful dental implant surgery and subsequent prosthetic restoration require careful consideration and precise execution, whether replacing a single tooth or rehabilitating a full arch. Successful implants can function reliably for many years, effectively replacing natural teeth. Poorly positioned implants, on the other hand, will often fail and/or cause further functional complications as well as aesthetic … Read more
Introduction: Masterful Final Impressions The excellence and marginal fit of definitive laboratory restorations can only be as good as the master dies and impressions from which they are created. The precision of the master impression cannot be compromised. Marginal detail and tooth structure apical to the restorative margin are both necessary elements of an acceptable … Read more
Many dental patients lead active lifestyles and their participation in athletic activities of all types continues to rise. The driving factor seems to be a societal focus on wellness, nutrition, and health. One study found considerable consistency across both sport and age levels when examining the relative importance of the different enjoyment factors related to … Read more
Introduction Over the past 40 years, dental ceramics have evolved dramatically. Ceramics are defined as non-metallic, inorganic materials manufactured by heating crystals at high temperatures. They are widely used for dental prosthetic treatments because their high resistance to compression and abrasion allows them to mimic the function of the teeth, while resisting both wear and … Read more
Experts offer advice to navigate the ever-changing “best practices” in marketing to potential patients. When evaluating the latest cone beam unit, caries detection device or milling machine – these innovations come down to whether they are the right choice for each individual practice. However, when it comes to innovation in establishing the practice’s online presence, … Read more
Two studies were undertaken to evaluate the retention of tooth whiteness, both objective and subjective, and the perceived smoothness of the treated tooth surfaces with a single application of an innovative product that incorporates both a tooth whitening gel and a whitening sealant. Another objective was to determine the perceived (subjective) retention of whiteness retention … Read more
Introduction: December 31, 2019: Chinese medical authorities announced a cluster of pneumonia cases of unknown etiology. January 9, 2020: The Chinese Center for Disease Control reported that a novel coronavirus was the causative agent. February 10, 2020: The virus and the disease were named SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19. Since its origin, the disease has spread globally, … Read more
Various methods can be used to repair alveolar defects including autogenous, allogenic, xenogenic, and alloplastic graft materials, as well as guided bone regeneration.2 Among these, autogenous bone grafts are the gold standard for bone grafting. For this patient, a very large volume of grafted bone was required to develop a n adequate implant site. As … Read more
We have already seen how important the content on your website can be when patients are searching for a new dentist. As discussed in March, patients want to see online reviews, services provided and the number of years you’ve been practicing. However, another reason your website is so important is that it is the second … Read more
Routine and elective dentistry came to a screeching halt in March. Across the country, we sheltered in place, waiting for the storm to pass. Fortunately, Phase 1 of the COVID-19 pandemic is behind us. Now, it is time to get back to work, but dentistry has changed. Although this crisis began abruptly, public health experts … Read more
In the 1990s, I initiated a resident exchange between our program at the University of Toronto and the same Oral & Maxillofacial Surgical program at the University of Witswatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa (RSA). The registrar (resident) from their university (“Wits” for short) and I would switch posts for 3 months, performing the duties we … Read more