We go through life on many roads picking up information and details as we grow, mature and age. The journey of life is a journey of knowledge. How do we gain knowledge? How do we know what we know? The ancient Greeks created a branch of philosophy dedicated to this question called epistemology. A quick … Read more
Dr. Clare Whitney Co-owner of Downtown Dental, Calgary, Alberta How would you define or summarize your practice philosophy? I enjoy doing dentistry, but I really value forming meaningful connections and relationships with my patients. I aim to deliver clinical excellence while caring FOR my patients. I appreciate getting to know people, sharing conversation and a … Read more
Introduction Neutrophils (Polymorphonuclear neutrophils or PMNs) are a highly abundant white blood cell type, that are the first cells recruited to acute sites of infection. Through their essential role in immune surveillance and maintenance of organismal homeostasis, PMNs innately recognize tissue damage and infection, quickly home to relevant sites throughout the body and destroy invading … Read more
Introduction Dental plaque, what has been re-termed “oral biofilm”, has long been connected with periodontal problems and to a lesser extent caries related to the bacteria contained within it. Oral bacteria have long been ignored for any effects outside the oral cavity. Yet, research has been accumulating directly connecting a link between oral health and … Read more
Introduction Most restorative dental treatment is because of dental caries, the most-prevalent disease in humans. Unchecked dental caries infection causes dentinal spread (cavitation) and destruction of tooth surfaces. Although we have been well trained as dental clinicians to diagnose caries lesions as early as possible, identifying the presence of early caries lesions proves to be … Read more
Implant supported dentures provide many individuals with a better quality of life, but this is not without some challenges. Specifically, what is the recommended self-care for this type of prosthesis? There are two areas for discussion: removable dentures and fixed dentures. Research in the area of implant self-care is limited and often based on low-level … Read more
Statement of Problem It has been established that maintenance is of utmost importance in the delivery of comprehensive prosthodontic treatment. Therefore, consideration of the possible factors which impact the maintenance phase is essential to take into account during the treatment planning stage. Although, most clinicians recognize the importance of prosthesis maintenance, few of them are … Read more
The main objective in the treatment of periodontitis is removal and disruption of bacterial biofilm.1 This can be performed via non-surgical approach (scaling and root planning/SRP) or via surgical approach by employing open flap debridement (OFD) for deeper inaccessible periodontal pockets.2 Along with oral hygiene instructions for improved oral care at home, this can result … Read more
INTRODUCTION Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease that affects the hard and soft tissues that surround the teeth and is estimated to affect 10-15% of the world population.1 Following the 2017 world workshop on the classification of the disease, a system was created to encompass the staging and grading of the disease.2 There are four stages … Read more
In looking back at 2021, I wanted to leave you a “Last Word” of what I considered gamechangers that had an impact on this last year. COVID-19 Vaccines COVID-19 has changed the way we practice both physically and emotionally. Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson are the companies that created our vaccines in break-neck … Read more