April 2025

Achieving aesthetic excellence: A fully digital approach to midline diastema closure with orthodontic and restorative integration

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Abstract Closing a midline diastema without addressing key smile components—such as tooth colour, shape, size, gingival positions, and alignment—can result in restorations that look out of place and disproportionate to the surrounding teeth. A more holistic, interdisciplinary approach using digital planning is essential for achieving optimal results. This method not only visualizes both orthodontic and … Read more

What’s in your toolbox? A look at two potentially useful adjunct devices in the delivery of cosmetic dentistry

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As anyone who has made any earnest foray into the delivery of cosmetic dental treatment has likely learned, there are some practitioners who are extremely talented and who are willing to share their expertise with those of us who wish to bring the best quality of care to our patients and communities. Those of us … Read more

Addressing challenges and enhancing skill development in dentistry through quantified and supervised training

Abstract: Dental education is undergoing a pivotal transformation, driven by the need to overcome systemic challenges in teaching and assessment. Traditional methods, while foundational, often suffer from inconsistencies in grading, variability in teaching standards, and limited opportunities for hands-on practice. These issues not only hinder student development but also place undue strain on faculty resources. … Read more

Has the “ideal” material for direct restoration of posterior teeth finally arrived?

It has long been a goal of dental clinical and material science to find a less technique sensitive approach to the posterior direct resin restorative process. Unlike amalgam, the technique “insensitive” patrician of direct restoratives, successful placement of composite resins requires many more steps and exacting technique to achieve clinically acceptable results. So…what does an … Read more

The importance of creating an illusion for malpositioned teeth

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When a tooth is out of place, it can affect both the aesthetics of a smile and the overall function of the bite. However, not all cases of misalignment require complex orthodontic treatment. In many instances, creating an illusion of a properly aligned smile can be just as effective in achieving the desired results. Through … Read more

A smile over time: Case study

Patients seek out cosmetic dentists with an expectation of improving their smile. Sometimes patients have well thought out and easily articulated expectations related to their treatment goals. More often, they have a vague, idealized vision of “perfection” that they cannot define. Communication becomes a major factor in the success or failure of a case. It … Read more

A new approach to anterior aesthetic prosthetics: Utilizing gray card, DSLR, and Miyo stain

Anterior aesthetic prosthetics play a vital role in restoring a patient’s appearance and confidence. Achieving a seamless blend between prosthetic restorations and natural dentition requires precise shade matching, a process that remains a significant challenge in clinical dentistry. Various visual and instrumental methods have been employed to assist clinicians in matching the color of synthetic … Read more

A technique to predict the shade of lithium disilicate veneers

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Full coverage crowns and ceramic veneers are used to treat patients with structural damage to anterior teeth caused by caries, previous restorations or trauma. Additionally, ceramic veneers can be used as an esthetic treatment to correct the shape and color of anterior teeth. Currently, ceramic materials have become the material of choice for anterior crowns, … Read more

How did we get to this place?

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Welcome to 2025. Wow how did that happen? Five years has lapsed since the legendary PDC COVID convention closed down all trade shows and continuing education in-person courses. Slowly but surely, we are once again enjoying our annual conventions, gatherings, tradeshows, and continuing education courses IN PERSON. Sure, we all took online CE courses like … Read more

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