Letter to the editor I did enjoy reading Dr. Fritz and Ms. Rosenboom’s article titled: “Geographic tongue beyond the dorsum” published in the October edition. Thank you for the reminder that the geographic tongue can have multiple locations and presentations. It is indeed an interesting and unusual case. I could not but notice that the patient’s medical … Read more
Periodontal debridement, particularly scaling and root planing (SRP), remains the cornerstone of nonsurgical periodontal therapy. Its effectiveness in reducing probing depths and controlling inflammation has been well documented for decades.1-3 However, despite its central role, the procedure presents significant variability in complexity. Factors such as pocket depth, furcation involvement, root concavities, calculus tenacity, and patient-related challenges … Read more
Abstract The lymphatic system, though essential in fluid homeostasis, immunity, and fat absorption, has historically received minimal attention in medical and dental education. Complex Lymphatic Anomalies (CLAs) represent a rare but serious group of lymphatic disorders that carry significant morbidity and mortality. This article integrates a personal perspective with a clinical review to highlight the … Read more
In the patient’s pursuit of restoring both aesthetics and function, dental implants have become one of the most widely used treatment modalities for the rehabilitation of partially and completely edentulous cases. Despite their high long-term success rates, dental implants remain susceptible to biologic complications such as peri-implant mucositis and peri-implantitis. These peri-implant diseases are primarily … Read more
Geographic tongue (GT), also known as benign migratory glossitis, is a chronic, inflammatory oral condition of unknown etiology.1 It is characterized by erythematous lesions with irregular white borders, and is typically seen on the dorsal and lateral surfaces of the tongue in circinate2 or serpiginous patches.1 The lesions often alternate between periods of exacerbation and remission, and may … Read more
When a 45-year-old patient presents with Stage IV, Grade C periodontitis alongside unexplained cervical lymphadenopathy, the question is not just about pocket depths. It is about recognizing that you are looking at a biological network in distress, one where local inflammation has activated systemic pathways that extend far beyond the gingival margin. This scenario is not hypothetical. … Read more
Change for the Better: Are flawed processes holding your team back from experiencing better efficiency, healthier clients, happier employees, and continued practice growth? Challenge We’ve been noticing increasing inconsistency in care among our team members, especially since the release of the 2018 AAP Periodontal Classification. This issue seems to be exacerbated by the fact that some … Read more
The COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war have led to significant global economic disruptions, sharply increasing food prices. In January 2023, food inflation in Canada was at 10.4% – this was the highest level over the past 40 years.1 This surge affected all major food groups, including fresh produce, baked goods, dairy, and meats (Fig.1).1,2 Specifically, fruits and vegetables saw … Read more
Autoimmune diseases occur when the body’s immune system dysregulates and mistakenly targets and attacks its cells.1 While the exact etiology remains unclear, it generally involves a genetic predisposition combined with an environmental trigger, such as bacterial or viral infections, hormonal changes, environmental toxins, certain medications, smoking, obesity, and gut dysbiosis.2,3 Even sun exposure can trigger certain autoimmune … Read more
The field of periodontics stands on the brink of a technological revolution, with artificial intelligence (AI) poised to transform every aspect of patient care. As we look towards the next decade, AI promises to enhance diagnostic accuracy, personalize treatment plans, streamline clinical workflows, and improve long-term patient outcomes. This article explores five key areas where … Read more
Abstract Purpose: Fracture of dental implants, though uncommon, presents significant clinical consequences. The case reports presented explore the fracture of four dental implants in three patients. All were of the Astra Osseospeed® design with internal conical connections. All fractured at the level of the prosthetic connection, providing insight on potential contributing factors. Methods: Three patients all received … Read more
In the 15th century, Johannes Gutenberg’s printing press democratized access to knowledge, sparking revolutions in science, religion, and society. Today, artificial intelligence (AI) represents a similarly transformative force, poised to reshape (among everything) the landscape of periodontics and the broader dental field. As the precision of AI tools accelerates, we find ourselves at a crossroads … Read more
Face (and embrace) the facts! Whether you’re right out of dental school or you’ve been practising in the trenches for decades, there are some fundamental truths that all hygienists should embrace in our efforts to provide exceptional client care—and some of these facts may surprise you. Discover the keys to decoding your gums’ language for … Read more
FACE (and embrace) THE FACTS! Whether you’re right out of dental school or you’ve been practising in the trenches for decades, there are some fundamental truths that all hygienists should embrace in our efforts to provide exceptional client care – and some of these facts may surprise you. FACT 1: Periodontal disease prevalence is higher … Read more
Are flawed processes holding your team back from experiencing better efficiency, healthier clients, happier employees, and continued practice growth? The Challenge: I often find myself in disagreement with my fellow hygienists regarding the stage determination for our periodontitis clients. From my perspective, they may be overestimating the severity of the condition based on their assessments. … Read more
The 2017 World Workshop on the Classification of Periodontal and Peri-Implant Diseases and Conditions has recommended adopting the term “periodontal phenotype” instead of “gingival biotype” by the dental community.1 This term is based on both gingival phenotype (gingival thickness [GT] and keratinized tissue width [KTW]) and bone morphotype (thickness of the facial and/or buccal bone … Read more
The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) has ushered in an era of transformative technological advances that are rewriting the rules in almost every sphere, dentistry included. The real question for Canadian dentists is not whether to adopt but how to integrate these changes meaningfully into practice while being conscious of ethical and practical considerations. This edition … Read more
Canadian explorer Adam Shoalts, often called “Canada’s Indiana Jones,” has gone on remarkable expeditions through the wild Arctic and other remote areas. Shoalts often embark on canoe expeditions with minimal resources and may go months without seeing others. His adventures shed light on how challenging conditions and limited resources can affect oral health practices during … Read more
This article will explore the essential considerations for dentists when treating patients on clozapine therapy. Schizophrenia is a serious mental illness that affects approximately one percent of Canadians.1 Symptoms include hallucinations, delusions, disorganized thinking and behaviour. There are many antipsychotics available. However, about 30% of patients fail to respond to two or more of them … Read more
Dietary Protein, Canada’s Food Guide and Health We all know that dietary protein is integral for our health, keeping our muscles strong. But what about our oral health? Does dietary protein have a role in the health of our gums and teeth? Does the source of the protein matter? The question around protein source, plant … Read more