Patients today are demanding cosmetic restoration not only of their anterior teeth, but of their posterior teeth as well. We are moving from a “Disease Centred” approach in the dental profession i.e. fillings to a more “Health Centred” approach i.e. restorations. To restore anything is to “improve, repair or retouch so as to bring back … Read more
ABSTRACT Dentistry has existed in a paradigm or understanding of bacterially caused dental diseases. Recent efforts to link periodontal disease to diabetes and cardiovascular disease have not been able to determine if bacteria are causal or casual to the relationship. This article presents evidence that inflammation caused by oxidative stress is the common link. The … Read more
BACKGROUND Platelets are small anuclear granulated bodies that adhere, aggregate and form a platelet plug at sites of vascular injury to prevent blood loss. Platelet concentration in blood is approximately 300,000/ul, and they normally have a half-life of 4 days. They are formed from committed giant stem cells called megakaryocytes as they pinch off bits … Read more
The value of high magnification in clinical medicine (via a surgical microscope) has been well known for more than 50 years.1 The value of high magnification in dentistry (via a dental operating microscope) has been well known for 20 years in endodontics,2 for 14 years in periodontics3 and for over 10 years in restorative dentistry.4 … Read more
Class II (interproximal) decay and/or a failing restoration that involves a posterior proximal surface is still a common problem in daily practice. Many of these problems can be corrected utilizing directly placed restorative materials. The challenge with Class II restorations has always been to recreate contact to the adjacent tooth and at the same time, … Read more
A combination of modern medicine, increased patient awareness, and proven, evidence-based solutions has resulted in a population whose median age is older than ever before in history. This in turn has created a challenge for the dental profession. The dental needs of our patients are often complex and demanding, and dental practitioners need to be … Read more
In order for the caries process to begin, there must be a series of demineralization/remineralization events involving enamel and dentin. The process is initiated by the dissolution of tooth mineral (demineralization) by organic acids (lactic and acetic) produced by the action of plaque bacteria on dietary carbohydrates.1 If the demineralization process predominates, this carious lesion … Read more
The days of GV Black’s “extension for prevention” have long passed us by, and the watchword now is “Enamel is sacred”. Of course this has only become a possibility due to the development of modern techniques and materials. STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY The reduction of enamel from the surface of the tooth has been shown to weaken … Read more
Dr. G.V. Black would be pleased about today’s new techniques, as he would be in his place of honor at the National Museum of Dentistry. Faced with limited choices, he had to design cavity preparations in an era where carious lesions were more advanced than in today’s fluoridated world. He had to use materials invented … Read more
Everyone has some aspect of their life that tends to gather clutter and clearing up the clutter can be a first step towards improving one’s life. Clutter on a physical level is defined as “a crowded and untidy collection of things” according to the Oxford dictionary, but clutter therapists say that there are all kinds … Read more
Points to consider when purchasing an LED curing light
Jane Doe makes an appointment in your office as a new patient. She is a 51-year-old business professional. She has had the same dentist, Dr. Smith, since she was 28-years-old. She has had a pot-pouri of dentistry over the years: several PFM crowns, multiple large composites on her anterior teeth, several teeth have been endodontically … Read more
Whether you call them triple trays, check bite trays or dual arch trays, the use of these quadrant posterior trays to take definitive impressions are a vital element of a dentist’s armametarium. The advantages include ease of use, convenience, comfortable for the patient, use of less impression material, and time savings. Some of the challenges … Read more