Features

The modern era of esthetic dentistry incorporates techniques, materials and ceramics that have greatly impacted the approaches used by clinicians in the diagnosis, treatment planning, and case design of today’s compromised smile. Challenges in the early years of prosthetic dental reconstruction involved color, strength, tooth reduction, and periodontal health. In the early 1980s, the advent … Read more

ABSTRACT: In the search to idealize esthetic dental restorations, many authors have advocated using geometric or mathematical proportions to aid in establishing a mathematical model to improve dental esthetics in a predictable way. Analysis of beautiful smiles has revealed repeatable, objective principles that can be applied to evaluate and improve dental esthetics. Although controversial, the … Read more

Restoring the cervical area of teeth is a frequent encounter of the restorative dentist. The causes of these lesions may result from caries, erosion, abrasion, and abfractions. Modern composite resins offer high polishability, ease of handling, and optimal shade matching for ultimate esthetics. When combined with the new generation bonding agents, composite resins provide excellent … Read more

By Ron Goodlin, DDS, FAGD; Holly Gilchchrist, CDA, Level II and Lori Place, CDA, Level II The “tooth whitening” industry is a billion dollar a year bonanza for companies who are manufacturing and promoting bleaching products to the public as well as those dentists who are knowledgeable and willing to provide these services to their … Read more

Many patients today are requesting porcelain veneers for elective cosmetic improvement of their smiles. Because porcelain can be etched and bonded to tooth structure with an adhesive attachment that exceeds the strength of the material or the tooth itself, this modality is viable for many clinical situations. The lamination process that occurs between the tooth … Read more

We are living in a technological world! Dentists are benefiting from advancements in lasers, CAD/CAM, air abrasion and cosmetic imaging and many other tools to show their patients that they are state of the art and can deliver superior services. Dental imaging softwares have been designed and used to excite and elevate our patient’s awareness … Read more

Do you like surprises? You may ask–“What kind of surprises?” Well, imagine that you have booked the whole afternoon for one of your patients who came today for the final insertion of 10 maxillary restorations. The case just arrived from your laboratory and you did not have enough time to look at it and you … Read more

Many times an edentulous area in the anterior region appears to be underdeveloped to create an ovate pontic. There is no cervical bulge because there is no root (Figs. 1 & 2). When esthetics is a driving concern and we have a high lip line, I would like to discuss an optional way for the … Read more

The first realistic promise for bonding resins to tooth structure came about through the efforts of Buonocore almost 50 years ago.1 Although the mechanisms may be different, his concept of etching the subsurface was taken from the pages of surface chemistry where phosphoric acid has been used to enhance the adhesion of paints and acrylic … Read more

ABC news produces a timely information show called, “20/20.” The final segment each week, hosted by John Stossel, is entitled, “Give Me A Break.” In this portion of the program Stossel presents a situation that on first blush seems quite humorous and as such he presents the facts from his point of view. Consequently I … Read more

Dental caries, according to the United States Surgeon General report on Oral Health in America, is one of the most common chronic diseases among five to seventeen year olds.1 In their study, it was more common than asthma, hay fever or chronic bronchitis. Although we do not have this type of data available in Canada, … Read more

ABSTRACT: Attachment-retained RPD is not an outdated treatment modality. It is even more contemporary in today’s appearance-oriented society than when it was first introduced. There is significant number of patients who could benefit from this treatment option, both short and long term. However, lack of proper education, overwhelming number of attachments available on the market, … Read more

Excellence in cleaning and shaping in endodontics stems from adherence to sound principles, including: 1) pre-operative assessment of the tooth for canal numbers, location, length and curvatures at all levels calcification, anomalous anatomy, access difficulties, etc.; 2) adequate visualization, ideally with a surgical microscope; 3) creation of straight line access to canals; 4) crown down … Read more

The high-tech computer revolution is rapidly changing the entire world we live in, including our dental practices. Digital imaging in the form of photographs, x-rays and shades is improving our ability to diagnose, treat and communicate with our patients. Digital information can be many things including words, numbers, photos, colors, sounds, movies or x-rays. Once … Read more

ABSTRACT: Historically the traditional two-stage approach to implant success utilizing the Branmark protocol emphasizes a load-free healing period as a major requirement for predictable implant integration. A single stage surgery by placing a non-submerged implant has also been shown to be successful but may be unpredictable as far as aesthetics is concerned. Technological advances in … Read more