It was a pleasure to read your July 2013 Issue of Oral Health and Dr. Freedman is to be congratulated for editing the issue. Dr. Strassler in his excellent overview on “Successful Light Curing — Not As Easy As it Looks,” reinforces the fact that there are many variables affecting the polymerization and the resultant … Read more
Prophylactic antibiotic coverage has been a very controversial topic in the profession over the years. There seems to be little ‘scientific data’ to support the current protocols for antibiotic coverage — as it pertains to premedication for heart surgeries and valve replacements as well as implanted joints and prosthetic devices. We do have a so … Read more
Dentistry is a unique aspect of medicine, blending science and art form. Some aspects of the dental field emphasize the art form, as in dental esthetics, which deals with tooth color and shape to enhance a patient’s smile and overall appearance. In the partial or complete edentulous patient, the dental prosthesis is responsible for dental … Read more
Peri-implantitis has been defined as a localized lesion involving bone loss around an osseointegrated implant.1 Its prevalence has been widely reported4 depending on the chosen threshold and specific study, varying from as low as two percent2 to as high as 58 percent3 of implants. Although a well-accepted threshold and prevalence is currently unavailable, it would … Read more
INTRODUCTIONThe last three decades have seen an increase in the use of dental implants to replace missing teeth. The use of Titanium root form implants in the rehabilitation of the partially or completely edentulous patient has been rooted in the work of Dr. Branemark in the late 1970s and is based on the fact that … Read more
Abstract:Twenty-five years after federal regulation through the United Network for Organ Sharing established criteria governing utilization of scarce donated body parts and individual access to healthy and viable organs, safe almost routine organ transplantation is the norm. Authors explore clinical decision-making in medical management for dental implant placement in immunocompromised transplant survivors, and report the … Read more
AbstractThe design of an implant plays a key role in the success of a final restoration. The two basic designs which are available are the two-piece implant design, (the surgical implant and prosthetic abutment are two separate components) and the one-piece implant design (the surgical implant and prosthetic abutment are one integral piece). This one … Read more
There is no argument that recent innovations in the diagnosis and management of disease involve the application of technology. However, can some of the complementary technological advancements and gadgets that have become lifestyle necessities actually cause disease themselves? Blackberry thumb, iPad finger, and tech neck are becoming the common new ailments compromising our work, activities … Read more
The Nobel Biocare Global Symposium 2013 in New York saw more than 2,000 dental professionals from around the world come together to explore the latest developments in implant dentistry under the theme “Designing for Life: Today and in the future.” A varied and unique scientific program held over four days saw well over 100 leading … Read more
The management of dental decay, its detection, assessment and treatment, is one of the cornerstones of dental practice. The dentist and hygienist spend each workday dealing with the results of the caries process and yet, until recently, we have not had a scientific, accurate, reproducible and clinically significant way to detect the extent and severity … Read more
Dentists assume that activating a light-curing device reliably and predictably light cures restorative materials. There are many factors that must be considered when light-curing resin adhesives, resin-based composites, resin cements, etc., to ensure the quality and durability of the restorations being placed. Clinicians have choices in the light-curing devices they use. Despite appearances that all … Read more
When digital dental radiography was first introduced in the late 1980s, conventional X-rays had been used for almost a century. Over the years, the radiograph expanded the dentist’s investigative capacity in many ways; it was possible to confirm health, or to detect disease, in many previously invisible areas of concern to the profession including coronally, … Read more
Lighting technology has evolved dramatically over the past century. With the introduction of gas and incandescent lighting, dentists were finally able to shed some light on the teeth that they were treating. The illuminated visual access enhanced diagnosis and facilitated more precision in dental procedures. As the use of light-focusing bulbs and light-reflective surfaces matured, … Read more
The diagnosis and management of dental disease implies an effort by the practitioner and the dental team to identify and assess the problem as early as possible. This is consistent with the generally accepted principle that early treatment is likely the most conservative, least invasive, and most likely to achieve optimal results for the patient. … Read more
FOUNDATION OF ESTHETIC DENTISTRYCosmetic and esthetic dental outcomes are essential to meet patients’ high expectations and positively influence their self-esteem.1,2 Shape and color determine the aesthetics of both natural and restored teeth.3-6 Attractive restorative and prosthodontic outcomes begin with a consistent buccal shape and silhouette that reflect light.7 The perceived color of natural teeth depends … Read more
The simple answer is yes. But to truly understand why it can make a difference it is necessary to understand the problem. There has been a sharp rise in the past decade in the use and direct placement of composite resin restorations. Materials have become stronger, more aesthetic with a wide shade range, and able … Read more
This article follows a previous article titled “Design Principles for Composite Class II Preparations,” published in Oral Health December 2012. This article will further illustrate the clinical rendition of the five axioms guiding enamel preparation, and the five axioms guiding dentin preparation, to optimize Class II composite preparations (Figs. 1 & 2). CLASS II ISTHMUS … Read more
This past April, Doctors Timothy and Melissa Milligan had the privilege of joining forces with AYUDA to provide dental care to an underprivileged population of a town that’s an hour outside of Antigua, Guatemala. AYUDA is the Spanish translation for “help” and that is exactly what this organization strives to do. Founded 47 years ago … Read more
What makes a dentist a dentist? The technical dexterity to repair hard and soft oral structures in a hard to access, and hard to see, oral cavity? The acumen to run a small health-care business effectively and efficiently? The capability to generate sufficient community and online presence to keep existing patients motivated and new patients … Read more
