Periodontal disease is an inflammatory disease of the supporting tissues of the teeth, which is caused by specific microorganisms or groups of microorganisms living in a biofilm, on and around the teeth. Microorganisms initiate an immune response, and in some cases the result is progressive destruction of gingival tissues, the periodontal ligament and alveolar bone. … Read more
INTRODUCTION TO THE HUMAN MICROBIOMEHave you ever thought of yourself as a microbial safe-haven? According to new-age science, you should. Indeed, recent endeavors into defining the human microbiome have demonstrated that we play host to seemingly infinite number of microscopic tenants. It is this inter-kingdom relationship that has led to a reformation of what it is … Read more
Mrs. Jones and her husband presented to my Prosthodontic Specialty clinic for an additional opinion regarding her treatment options to improve her existing oral condition. After conducting an interview with Mrs. Jones and completing a comprehensive clinical examination, along with diagnostic records, I presented three potential treatment plans. The advantages and disadvantages, risks and benefits … Read more
There are many genetic conditions that may affect an individual and result in discoloured or malformed teeth. Gene changes that affect dentin and enamel formation are being defined scientifically and we now know more about these inherited disorders. Amelogenesis Imperfecta (AI) is one group of disorders that affects the formation of enamel covering the teeth. … Read more
Advances in technology have created a society that has come to expect immediacy in all things including dentistry. This, combined with an ongoing aesthetic focus, is what has forced dentistry to continue refining the field of implantology, and propelling clinicians toward more immediate options. In 2003, Kan et al.1 published favourable results of a one-year … Read more
According to the World Health Organization in 2008, six to 10 percent of the world’s population is estimated to be edentulous.1 Close to 40 million people in the Western world, and 250 million people in Asia, are estimated to be fully edentulous. The Quality of Life studies in the scientific literature highlighted the compromises with … Read more
Crown and bridge impressions can either be described as an all-in-one impression or a two-step impression technique. The most commonly used impression technique, as seen in our dental laboratories, is the all-in-one, which utilizes a full or dual-arch impression tray, with a combination of heavy body tray material and a flowable wash (Fig. 1). A … Read more
One of the primary purposes of the human dental pulp is dentin formation. If the pulp undergoes pathological changes such as inflammation due to carious exposure, normal dentin and root growth can be disrupted. Traditional treatment for carious exposed pulps has been root canal treatment because direct pulp capping, partial or full pulpotomy in such … Read more
The other day a young Canadian training in the US wanted advice for his return to Toronto to establish practice in periodontics (Toronto, the centre of the universe as we natives think of it, as if there were no other places to go, live and work). I was happy to talk to him; after all, … Read more
INTRODUCTIONThe crown lengthening (CL) procedure has many applications in the periodontal sphere. It can take the form of a gingivectomy, full or partial thickness flap approach with or without osteoplasty, or even a flapless technique.1 These techniques allow for the manipulation of the tissues of the periodontium (soft and hard) to satisfy either aesthetic or … Read more
The 77th Annual Winter Clinic will take place on November 14, 2014 at an all-new venue, The Toronto Sheraton Centre in the heart of downtown Toronto. The Winter Clinic is the largest one-day dental convention in North America, where dental professionals come to learn from over 30 world-class speakers and network with colleagues in an … Read more
Dental implants and their associated restorations offer an effective and predictable treatment modality for replacing missing teeth.11,28,29,30 Reported success rates for dental implants are high, and are typically published within a range of 88.3 percent and 99 percent.43,53 However, there is still a scarcity of data in the published literature regarding follow-up of implants in … Read more
Sinus floor augmentation is widely utilized to augment the bone volume available for placing dental implants in the posterior maxilla. Dr. Hilt Tatum first introduced the procedure in 1974. Since then various modifications to the technique have been introduced and multiple grafting materials were utilized. In principle the procedure consists of creating a window through … Read more
USE OF SUPPLEMENTS CONTAINING FISH OIL OR OMEGA-3 FATTY ACIDSOther than vitamin and mineral supplements, fish oil and flaxseed oil, rich sources of omega-3 fatty acids, are the most commonly used natural health products.1 Supplements containing omega-3 fatty acids in combination with other fatty acids found in food, known as omega 3/6/9 supplements, are also … Read more
INTRODUCTIONEGD has been referred to as a “gummy smile”. The amount of gingiva showing in a normal full smile is 1-2mm. A display of 4mm or more of gingival exposure is considered unattractive. The incidence of EGD may approximate 14 percent in females and 7 percent in males.1 Hyperfunction of the lip elevator muscles often … Read more
PERIODONTAL DIAGNOSIS AND ORAL INFLAMMATORY LOADIn the process of diagnosis of periodontal disease, the primary goals are to establish the presence or absence of the disease, particularly active disease as well as its severity. An accurate diagnosis is also essential so as to allow the clinician to prognosticate on the risk of disease progression in … Read more
ABSTRACTAs a practicing endodontist over the last 25 years, you believe you’ve seen whatever can walk in the door case wise. We are taught to look at digital imaging, listen to the patient’s history and symptoms and then offer a qualified diagnosis. We then present that to the patient and once they are informed and … Read more
Over the past few years I have published a number of editorials in which I criticized Ontario’s “Zero Tolerance” law as it applied to dentists.1,2,3,4 According to this law, which is acknowledged as one of the most inflexible and toughest laws in Canada, if an Ontario dentist treated his or her spouse, even for a … Read more
“The good news is that evidence can matter. The bad news is that it often does not”1
Root canal therapy starts with the diagnosis and identification of the disease etiology. As originally determined in the classic study by Kakehashi et al.,1 bacteria must be present in order to develop apical periodontitis. Root canal therapy involves diagnosis, cleaning, shaping, irrigation, and obturation. The bacterial load must be eliminated or decreased sufficiently for the … Read more