Restoration of a single discolored maxillary central incisor to a near mirror image of the contralateral tooth, in all esthetic, functional, biological, and material dimensions, is a very formidable task at best and an exercise in utter frustration at worst. The reasons for this supreme challenge are both obvious and subtle: The maxillary central incisor … Read more
In recent years, significant improvements in composite resin technology have occurred. The development of these composite materials has provided clinicians with the ability to directly restore fractured, misshapen, mal-aligned teeth and to repair enamel defects easily. The availability of composite materials with improved physical and optical characteristics facilitates the development of enhanced aesthetics while maintaining … Read more
One of the greatest challenges in restorative dentistry is achieving natural aesthetics of the single anterior tooth. Matching the hue, chroma, and value, along with the proper contour takes artistic skill. Communicating the proper anatomy, color, opacity, translucency and polychromatic variations can be a frustrating experience for the dentist and laboratory technician. Chair side composite … Read more
The concept of osseointegration has evolved significantly since it was originally introduced by Branemark. The envelope has been continually expanded, such that now we are not only routinely performing successful single and multiple implant restorations, but both we, as professionals, and our patients expect aesthetic excellence. If proper care in treatment planning and execution of … Read more
Re: “The Perils of Ignoring Scientific Method” and its related articles, Oral Health, January 2003 Dr. Titley writes about the “dilemma confronting the clinician when ‘white fillings’ are requested by the patient or parent and the issues of informed consent for clinicians who practice in an amalgam-free environment”. There seems to be a lack of … Read more
Framing the teeth, within the confines of the gingival architecture, has a tremendous impact on the aesthetics of the smile. A gummy smile is as unaesthetic as a patient with severe recession. The impact on the beauty of a smile from an uneven gingival contour height can be dramatic and although the position of the … Read more
Our patients’ demands for beautiful smiles have created an aesthetic revolution in the dental materials industry today. Never before has the dental profession experienced such rapid development in dental materials; all related to the demand for aesthetic dentistry. New composites and porcelains have been developed which are virtually undetectable from the natural dentition. However, these … Read more
Single tooth replacement with an implant is challenging especially in a highly compromised site. If the final outcome of a single tooth implant is to resemble, aesthetically and functionally, a real tooth surrounded by natural looking soft tissues, there are three important factors to consider: i) the original tooth should be in place upon presentation; … Read more
Beautiful porcelains and strong bonding materials have made excellent cosmetic dentistry possible, but the true artistry is in the smile design and one of the most important elements of good smile design is the gingival contour. In order to achieve a beautiful smile design the contours of the teeth and gingiva must be harmonious with … Read more
Leonardo daVinci wrote that ‘most people see without looking, listen without hearing, and touch without feeling’.1 Dentists are as guilty of this as anyone else. We all have a practice full of large anterior composite restorations that if we were to look at them closely, we would see that they are far from invisible. We … Read more
Just shy of one year ago I abruptly found out that the most important piece of equipment in my office was not operating at peak performance. How could this be? I insist that the curing lights be checked on a regular basis, sterilization equipment be monitored weekly, test films be put through at the beginning … Read more
The SLSA program is based on current, referenced literature and consists of 40 questions, answers, rationales and references. Answers appear at the end of each quiz. Dentists who complete the 15 question quiz in the November, 2003 issue of Oral Health may be eligible to receive continuing education points. The names and license numbers of … Read more
As practitioners of general dentistry, restoring denture abutment teeth is a necessity. With the aging of the general population this type of procedure will be more and more common in our daily treatment schedule. The challenge of restoring a denture abutment tooth is the fit of the existing denture afterwards. Most patients can readily tell … Read more
I know this is a controversial editorial and one that may ruffle the feathers of many of my colleagues. It is not my intent to anger nor upset anyone. I hope this editorial will open some eyes and promote discussion and dialogue among ourselves and the governing bodies of dentistry so as to make our … Read more
Re: Endodontic Standard of Care, Oral Health, December 2002. Very well put, Dr. Ruddle. ‘Standard of Care’ is a legal term. It derives from settlement of an official court proceeding and is becoming less and less a regional variable. Nonetheless, it still equates with average rather than excellence. What is the best method of bringing … Read more
The SLSA program is based on current, referenced literature and consists of 40 questions, answers, rationales and references. Answers appear at the end of each quiz. Dentists who complete the 15 question quiz in the November, 2002 issue of Oral Health may be eligible to receive continuing education points. The names and license numbers of … Read more
These have been puzzling times for investors and economists alike. Opinions continue to diverge on where stock prices are going and whether current prices even represent fair value. As investors patiently await the return of reasonable growth in the markets, we must take care to ensure that the essential elements of successful investing remain intact. … Read more
