Digital Transformation and Rising Cyber Threats Twenty-five years ago, dental practices operated in a world where paper records were the norm, and digital technology was just beginning to make its mark. In the intervening years, the dental industry, like many others, has embraced digital transformation. Patient records have migrated from file cabinets to databases, film-based … Read more
Nightguards are commonly prescribed by dentists for clenching and grinding problems. Until recently, most nighttime appliances were fabricated solely for the upper arch, in a retruded jaw position, with a flat plane of occlusion and cuspid guidance. Recently, the airVata™ 3-in-1 oral device (New York, NY) was introduced to enhance the management of both daytime … Read more
Tooth whitening is an integral part of cosmetic dentistry affecting patient satisfaction and profoundly impacting the clinical and business success of the dental practice. There are a multitude of hydrogen peroxide (HP) and carbamide peroxide (CP) based home-care whitening products available that rely on radical oxygen species to alter the tooth color. Unfortunately, they are … Read more
The precise mapping of three-dimensional spatial interactions between the hard dental and facial structures and the soft facial tissues is essential to obtaining both functional and esthetic outcomes in dental diagnostics and restorative therapy. This is especially crucial for patients undergoing orthodontic and orthognathic treatment; in the former, it is necessary to anticipate the facial … Read more
Over the past four decades, millions of all-ceramic restorations, both veneers and crowns, have been cemented (or bonded) in place in order to satisfy the ever-growing demand for aesthetic smiles. Dentists have invested many hours of continuing education to enhance their diagnostic and clinical capabilities, while researchers and dental companies have made sustained efforts to … Read more
The Periodontal-Restorative Interface: Biologic and Aesthetic Considerations When designing the optimal aesthetic outcome for a patient during the smile rejuvenation process, the restorative dentist must seek to create a symmetrical and harmonious relationship between the lips, gingival architecture, and the positions of the natural teeth. This diagnostic methodology is facially generated treatment planning, where the … Read more
In the complex ecosystem of oral cavity, a microscopic battle unfolds daily, shaping the delicate balance between health and disease. At the forefront of this is the formation of dental plaque and bacterial biofilm, which plays a fundamental role in the development of one of the most prevalent oral conditions known as periodontitis.1 This multifaceted and … Read more
Artificial intelligence has transformed industries worldwide in recent years, and dentistry is no exception. The concept of machines being able to carry out human jobs is known as “artificial intelligence” (AI).1 By mimicking human intelligence, AI enhances rather than replaces human expertise.2 AI’s integration into dental practices has revolutionized patient care, from appointment scheduling to follow-up procedures, … Read more
The Oral Health Journal has been in the forefront of dental education and technology transfer throughout its 114-year history of continuous publication. It has introduced new concepts, innovative materials, and novel techniques, reviewed and substantiated (or repudiated) existing procedures, and provided an effective national forum for moving the dental profession forward, focusing on both the … Read more
An accurate endodontic diagnosis is based on a variety of clinical tests, including thermal and electric pulp testing, percussion, bite stick, periodontal probing, and palpation. However, each of these subjective tests is prone to both false positive and false negative responses that could result in the inability to get an accurate diagnosis or the treatment … Read more
The field of implant dentistry has seen rapid innovation since Per-Ingvar Brånemark1 placed the first screw-retained dental implant in 1965. Yet, the approach to osteotomy creation has remained largely unchanged. Even with the advent of guided implant surgery and drilling innovations,2 patients are still expected to wait anywhere from three to six months for delivery of the … Read more
Abstract The use of a pacifier in newborns is a common practice. Extended use of the pacifier can cause deviation of the craniofacial growth in children, as well to create oral dysfunctions such as mouth breathing and tongue thrusting. In this paper the authors present an appliance designed to stop the pacifier habit and to … Read more
3D printing in dentistry is HERE, and it is changing everything. Its auspicious beginning is reminiscent of cosmetic dentistry in the 1980s, veneers and bleaching in the 1990s, implants in the 2000s, and milled restorations in the 2010s. The needs are many, the technologies are numerous, the applications are almost unlimited, and the potential is … Read more
The first electric toothbrush was presented in Harper’s Weekly on February 13, 1886, but the true pioneer in home dental care is considered to be the Sonicare (Optiva Corporation) high-frequency sonic toothbrush introduced at the Chicago Midwinter Meeting in February 1993. While mechanical toothbrushes are the popular standard for home dental care, and electrical toothbrushes … Read more
AI powered toothbrushes, 3D printing, CAD/CAM, lasers, CBCT, and robotics are revolutionizing dentistry dramatically. Why has there been no appreciable decrease in dental disease over the last 20 years?1,2,4 Why do periodontal and dental diseases persist? Why are there so many recurrent interproximal caries and implant failures? Periodontal disease starts BETWEEN the teeth! Over 65 … Read more
Oral health is inextricably linked to overall health and wellness. That is why proper dental hygiene is critical to our ongoing welfare. This is particularly true for denture wearers, as they are at a higher risk for oral, respiratory, and digestive infections. Candida Albicans, Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, E. coli, and Actinomyces can colonize and accumulate on … Read more
Mirror-image twin is a unique phenomenon wherein the features on one identical (i.e., monozygotic) twin’s left side are mirrored on the other twin’s right side. For example, one twin may have a birthmark on their left cheek, while the other twin has a birthmark in the exact location but on the right cheek. Mirror twins … Read more
The first medical device to bring the advantages of oral mucosal fluorescence visualization (FV) to dentistry was the VELscope system (LED Dental, Vancouver BC), launched in 2006. In 2023, fluorescence is being increasingly used as part of comprehensive oral soft tissue evaluations in dentistry as an adjunctive aid in patient assessment. VELscope’s use as an … Read more
Recent years have seen an exponential growth in the collection and storage of computational data. The digital revolution since SARS-CoV-21,2 is transforming an increasing number of sectors impacting all spheres of life. Unfortunately, dentistry tends to lag in adopting innovative technologies that improve patient care and practice management. Current case management and collaboration standards continue … Read more
Voice-activated periodontal charting systems have been available for some time. The big question is: how can they benefit the practice? When the pandemic struck, it was clear that a voice-activated charting system would reduce the need for an additional charting person in the operatory and limit the number of contaminated surfaces when the hygienist was … Read more