Features

Transforming continuing education for dentists: A technological review of DenTeach and PrepScanner powered by AI and robotics

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Abstract The evolution of dental education must extend beyond undergraduate training to meet the continuous learning needs of practicing professionals. Challenges such as maintaining clinical proficiency, standardizing skill assessment, and integrating advanced techniques into practice necessitate innovative training solutions. This paper focuses on leveraging technological platforms to enhance continuing education (CE) courses for practicing dentists. … Read more

Unlocking the power of AI in dentistry: A user-friendly approach with the “Dental Magic Sheet”

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Overview of the tool The “Dental Magic Sheet” is a cutting-edge application of artificial intelligence (AI) in the extra clinical management of dental practices. This innovative tool, integrated into a simple and accessible Google Docs, allows dental professionals to interact effortlessly with generative AI through dozens of dedicated functions tailored to the dental industry. From … Read more

How Kathleen Bokrossy is empowering dental hygienists nationwide

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Hygiene Spotlight features an exceptional dental hygienist every month. This month, we are showcasing Kathleen Bokrossy, RDH, BSc, a passionate dental hygienist and educator, and member of Oral Hygiene’s Advisory Committee. She is the founder and president of rdhu, a dental hygiene education centre that provides inspiring, hands-on learning experiences for hygienists across Canada. Why did … Read more

Peri-implant disease: What your patient can do to prevent losing the implant; What you can do to prevent losing the patient

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Tremendous strides have been made in both the construction and the placement of modern dental implants compared to earlier iterations. Yet, the prevalence of peri-implant disease continues at an alarming rate. In a meta-analysis of 110 clinical studies examining the extent of peri-implant disease affecting more than 12,000 active dental implants, it was shown that … Read more

The parent-child interaction in the dental office

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Treating children, not teeth The assessment of the child-parent interaction is important in determining how to deal with the dental situation. First of all, I recommend the doctor does an initial exam and have the preventive aspect at a follow-up appointment. For young children, timing is important—a morning appointment is highly recommended. Children are more … Read more

Review of dentin hypersensitivity: Etiology, diagnosis, & non-invasive management

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Abstract Dentin hypersensitivity (DH) is a condition characterized by a short, sharp pain from exposed dentin in response to various stimuli which cannot be ascribed to any other dental conditions.1 The prevalence of DH varies widely, with estimates ranging from 1% to 92%.2 Most importantly, DH impacts patients’ quality of life by affecting daily activities such as … Read more

What dentists never admit to their spouses (or even to themselves)

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This report was inspired by the ideas and thinking of Bill Perkins—hedge fund manager, world-class poker player, asymmetric thinker, and entrepreneur worth hundreds of millions. Summary Most dentists will work themselves into the ground and have almost nothing to show for it—because they never fix the real problem. They play small, they move slow, and … Read more

The real question: Will AI-using dentists replace those who don’t?

"Let’s be clear: This isn’t about robots taking over your practice," writes Julia Michelin.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is fundamentally changing dentistry, moving from curiosity to clinical necessity. We’ve talked about digital workflows, imaging tech, and paperless systems for years. But what’s coming next is not incremental. It’s exponential. To fully grasp what this means, we need to revisit the foundations. AI, in its broadest sense, refers to the idea … Read more

Role of dentistry in treatment of obstructive sleep apnea

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Properly trained dentists and dental specialists can dramatically improve the impact of OSA and the burden of disease on patients and the Canadian healthcare systems. Obstructive sleep apnea is a global public health problem affecting nearly 1 billion people. The prevalence of OSA in individuals aged between 30-70 years has been estimated at 936 million … Read more

The evolving role of dentists in TMD management

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Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) are a group of musculoskeletal conditions (MSK) primarily affecting the jaw muscles, and the temporomandibular joint (TMJ). These disorders are increasingly prevalent, with a rising number of patients seeking treatment for associated pain and dysfunction. They affect approximately 1 in 12 adults and are now the second most commonly occurring musculoskeletal condition … Read more

Modern approaches to vital pulp therapy

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Endodontic therapy involves treating infected pulps to save a tooth that otherwise may need to be removed. This treatment can become significantly more challenging when dealing with the adolescent dentition and underdeveloped teeth. The primary goal as clinicians is to restore function to the dentition. In the adult fully developed dentition, when extraction is the … Read more

Root canal shaping in the age of minimally invasive endodontics (MIE)

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”You cannot clean a root canal with a larger file.” — LSB We are entering a new golden age of endodontics where instrumentation with root canal files is safer, easier, and more efficient. In 1980, when the senior author matriculated from his endo residency at Temple University, the most difficult art form in clinical endodontics was … Read more

The multi-phase heat-treated file: Safeguarding against breakage of endodontic rotary files

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Endodontic engine-driven (rotary files) have revolutionized modern root canal therapy by providing increased efficiency and precision. Despite these advancements, file breakage continues to pose a significant challenge, complicating treatment and potentially jeopardizing patient outcomes. To mitigate the risks associated with file separation, various methods and technologies have been introduced. This article explores the heat-treatment manufacturing … Read more

Management of second mesio-buccal canal in maxillary molars with one instrument used in reciprocation, without initial scouting and without glide path

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The management of MB2 canals in maxillary molars can be challenging1 considering the complexity of the canal anatomy and the presence of calcifications.2,3 The first step in the management of a calcified MB2 canal is the initial scouting with small stainless-steel (SS) hand instruments sizes 6 to 10, which is considered as the most challenging part … Read more

Reciproc blue: Is a one file endodontic procedure the new reality?

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The goal of endodontics is to remove a multispecies biofilm from the root canal system to treat apical periodontitis. Historically this was done with a series of hand files that were prone to procedural mishaps, inefficient, and potentially more problematic for patients.1,2 An obvious way to eliminate the potential for iatrogenic issues with hand files is … Read more

Endodontic-restorative continuum: Part 2

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Evaluating restorability before endodontic treatment: A critical step in treatment planning Before initiating endodontic treatment, assessing the restorability of a tooth is crucial to ensure long-term success. While root canal therapy can effectively resolve pulpal infections, it is only worthwhile if the tooth can be predictably restored and functionally maintained. Failing to evaluate restorability beforehand … Read more

Endodontic-restorative continuum: Part 1

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The endodontic restorative continuum Timely and effective restoration can mean the difference between success and failure of a previously root canal treated tooth. Even after the root canal treatment (RCT) is completed, and the patient is out of pain, the clock continues to tick. Tooth contamination can start from a few hours to a few … Read more