I. INTRODUCTION The prevalence of terminal dentitions and edentulism is undeniable. Predicted population studies and data have forecasted present findings.1 Edentulism (Fig. 1) is a recognized physical disability associated with multiple co-morbid health concerns including local, systemic, and psychological factors.2 The basic premise of prosthodontic rehabilitation of the edentulous patients has been and still is … Read more
PATIENT: M, Age: 62, ASA II (pharmacological management of hypertension and high cholesterol). CHIEF COMPLAINT: Patient presented for the fabrication of a mandibular implant supported fixed prosthesis, with implants having been placed 6 months ago. CLINICAL FINDINGS: Maxillary arch had a fixed implant supported prosthesis with implants in the 17, 16, 14, 13, 22, 23, … Read more
Surgical Background and Treatment The patient is a 31 year old healthy gentlemen who presented to the oral surgery office with a 3 month history of a left mandibular swelling. He was evaluated by his dentist and the thought at that time was a dental infection originating from tooth #36. Subsequently, he saw an endodontist … Read more
Introduction Implant therapy has been shown to be predictable, effective and reliable for the replacement of missing teeth in edentulous and partially edentulous patients. Clinical evidence has demonstrated long-term (>10 years) survival rates up to 95% (Moraschini et al., 2015). Despite the high success and survival rates of dental implants, failures can and do occur. … Read more
Maxillary implant prosthetic treatments may be considerably more difficult to accomplish when compared to the similar treatments for patients with edentulous mandibles due to many factors including bone quality, position of implants due to anatomical landmarks, need for grafting, prosthetic space needed, etc. It is very important to assess a patient’s dental and medical history … Read more
Replacing a full set of teeth with dental implants, especially in the mandible, has been well researched and is often a life-changing treatment for many patients. This treatment involves the extraction of failing teeth, immediate implant placement, immediate loading of the implants with a fixed provisional prosthesis, followed by the fabrication of a definitive prosthesis … Read more
Abstract Peri-implantitis can lead to implant failure. Strategies to reduce risks and treat peri-implantitis can manage implant failure and restore function. These strategies can be derived from information on peri-implantitis progression in patients, including prevalence, diagnostic and microbial findings, the impact of systemic diseases, and peri-implantitis therapies. These reports suggested that: 1) peri-implantitis is higher … Read more
INTRODUCTION A sizeable number of the human population have either one or more teeth missing. Many current options are available to restore missing teeth but dental implants have become one of the most popular “go-to” treatment options to replacing missing teeth over the last two decades. There are numerous objective parameters that have been published … Read more
Reading the description of X-Guide powered by DTX Studio reads like something from a sci-fi novel: “X-Guide is a dynamic 3D-navigation system that can become part of a streamlined workflow for same-day guided surgery. On the day of treatment, the clinician carries out the 3D (CB)CT scan, intraoral surface scans, creates the treatment plan in … Read more
With the colder weather approaching, I begin to think of the many times I’ve (quite literally) been on a slippery slope. Have you ever noticed that when we slip on ice, often the first thing we do is look around and hope nobody saw? When you think about it, wouldn’t it be better if people … Read more
Professional conflicts may arise when dental principals and dental associates disagree about processes in the dental clinic. These conflicts may have regulatory implications before the Royal College of Dental Surgeons of Ontario (RCDSO). In ideal circumstances, dental principals and dental associates will have excellent and mutually supportive relationships that benefit both parties. Associate dentists can … Read more
Recently my daughter had her wisdom teeth extracted. The day before she asked me to buy her pineapple juice. I replied, “Pineapple juice? Why do you want that? You don’t even like pineapples.” She said, “I saw on TikTok that drinking pineapple juice before getting your wisdom teeth out reduces pain and swelling.” Uggghh! Another … Read more
You’re no longer special just because you offer implants, cosmetics and orthodontics. Moderate-to-complex care dentistry is rapidly becoming less of a differentiator among dentists. The differentiator among dentists in this decade and following is when they make patients feel well-cared for. This differentiator exerts its greatest influence during the new patient experience and treatment presentation … Read more
The COVID-19 pandemic has affected an unbelievable percentage of the population since it caught fire in the first quarter of 2020. Being an essential service, you may believe the field of dentistry to be untouched by the pandemic, but that is far from true. The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the dental industry, just as … Read more
THE WHY: Clinicians’ story While the world was experiencing a global shutdown, many practicing dentists utilized the luxury of time to explore their entrepreneurial opportunities in dentistry. Due to the many well-understood influences of the pandemic on working associates, the idea of opening a new practice and naming it Confluence Dental came to light. Dr. … Read more
I remember going to Expo ‘67 in Montreal when I was 10 years old. In one of the pavilions, they showcased a push-button phone where you could see the person you were talking to on the other end. I thought, wow this is magical. It was just like watching “The Jetsons” or “Star Trek”. This … Read more
Up-and-coming social media platform TikTok has well over 1.29 billion active users who post and view short clips on a plethora of different topics, including dental and oral hygiene. Unfortunately, as trendy and popular as these videos are among Gen-Zers, they are all too often based on a poor understanding of dental science. This means … Read more
Dental practices nationwide are facing shortages in qualified staff, in large part because of the pandemic that’s resulted in more people having second thoughts about their careers. In fact, in a survey published in the Journal of Dental Hygiene, 8% of dental hygienists have left the industry since the onset of the pandemic. While there’s … Read more
Q: If a patient has lost one tooth to periodontitis and there are an additional four teeth treatment planned to be extracted due to periodontitis, do these extractions also count as being lost to periodontitis and potentially increase the patient’s stage? A: Yes. The AAP considered that when the worst affected tooth is lost, severity … Read more
It’s been over a year since we have been asked to lead our teams through the crisis and attempt to dismantle the disruption. Much progress has been made, but it’s never made alone and no one can forecast exactly how we will emerge. Based on the last major disruption of the world, the commercial advent … Read more