The primary factor that determines the prognosis of endodontically treated and restored teeth is the preservation of sound dentin. The potential of these teeth to fracture is directly related to the amount of dentin removed. 1 Removal of dentin at the radicular level 2,3 and/or removal of dentin at the coronal portion of the remaining … Read more
Endodontic retreatment of failed root canal therapy is primarily a specialist procedure. This fact notwithstanding, the clinical strategies used in retreatment have crossover value to the general practitioner in non-surgical orthograde root canal therapy. In addition, retreatment is one of the primary means for resolution of failed root canal procedures along with apical surgery. All … Read more
We often limit our awareness of a learning curve to simply that which must be accomplished to master a technique. However, the learning curve itself gives us insight into the intelligence built into the system we are about to learn. When I observe the learning curve for rotary NiTi instruments, I quickly realize that it … Read more
During root canal treatment using the Ni-Ti rotary files with an electronic torque control motor, a significant percentage of files are stressed nearly to their deformation limit with no visible signs of metal fatigue making them more vulnerable to separation (fracture) even during their first clinical use. The value of resin blocks and extracted teeth … Read more
Imagine Ozzy Osbourne in a dazed out confused stupor after a bad trip! “I don’t know where I am, I don’t know where I’ve been, I don’t know where I’m going,” he mumbles. Ozzy might be able to survive and succeed in a purple haze but can we? Dentistry is a really tough profession (at … Read more
Essayez d’imaginer Ozzy Osbourne, compltement perdu et ml, au terme d’un bad trip, en train de vous dire : Je ne sais pas o je suis, je ne sais pas o j’ai t pis je ne sais pas o je m’en vais. Ozzy est sans doute le seul pouvoir sur-vivre et russir en pareille situation. … Read more
I am amazed at the technological advances that are being made on a daily basis. Recently, I read an article about a new industry that is being spawned by software developers to create programs that are compatible with Apple’s new “iPhone.” The article went on to talk about how the developers create the software, sell … Read more
Introduced in the legislature on October 7, 2008, Bill 108, the proposed Apology Act, 2009, appears on its face to be aimed at changing the laws of evidence. In fact, it will likely have little effect on trials and much more effect on the communications between potential litigants before a statement of claim is even … Read more
The SLSA program is based on current, referenced literature and consists of 40 questions, answers, rationales and references. Answers appear in the following issue at the end of each quiz. Dentists who complete the 15 question quiz in the November, 2009 issue of Oral Health may be eligible to receive continuing education points. The names … Read more
The loss of a tooth in the anterior esthetic region due to periodontal disease, trauma, endodontic failure, or root resorption can be a traumatic experience for the patient to go through. Traditional implant therapy often required two to three months of alveolar ridge remodeling following tooth extraction and an additional six months of non-loaded healing … Read more
The Digital Camera as a Diagnostic Tool Communicating shade to the dental ceramist is still a visually sub jective process using shade guides that may or may not closely match the existing natural tooth. Shade taking devices, such as EasyShade (Vident), and others, use colorimetric information to convey shade information to the technician. The age … Read more
Every so often, a chance meeting for an individual turns into a life altering experience. Ella, a very pleasant 51 year old woman working part time and raising two sons, had such an encounter. Inside she felt alert, vivacious, and youthful but externally her appearance said droopy, and tired. In reviewing Ella’s concerns, she had … Read more
In most publications the excitement and interest seems to revolve around anterior aesthetics. Which anterior material and technique seems to look the best and last the longest? With so much focus on veneers and other anterior aesthetics, sometimes the posterior aspect of the mouth seems to be overlooked. In reality, posterior restorations are the “bread … Read more
Wake up, look at yourself in the mirror, smile and love what you see! Is there a better way to start your day? The perception of beauty starts in our eyes and goes to our soul with a process involving feelings, knowledge and experiences. The smile is responsible for 60 up to 70% of the … Read more
People in our society can expect to live longer than in any previous generation. Many choose to avoid loosing their teeth and refuse to use removable dental prostheses. They present with increasingly complex dental histories. For these reasons, dentists in the mainstream of dental care are increasingly practicing the skills of interdisciplinary treatment planning in … Read more
The single tooth replacement can be one of the most challenging situations in dentistry. This restoration can be made even more unpredictable if the existing tooth has bone loss, unique coloring and/or contour issues. High smile lines and thin periotypes can also make the tooth replacement very challenging. For years, single implants have been placed … Read more
Patient J. R., aged 19 years, attended the dental office with a chief complaint of a failing upper right central incisor. He was seeking a second opinion regarding his options for replacing the tooth. He was excited by the option of immediate implant placement and provisionalization because his appearance during the healing interval was a … Read more
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“Snap-on-Smile,” maker of a cosmetic device that snaps on over your teeth, says sales of its device rose 22.2 percent in the fourth quarter of ’08, compared to the third quarter. December sales were 62 percent higher than those in October. Recession be damned, people are still spending money on big ticket and small ticket … Read more
