September 1, 2022
Indirect restorations can be found on the vast majority of schedules for dental practices across the U.S. every day. These restorations have become one of the building blocks of the clinical business of the practice, yet are an ever-changing art and science, thanks to advances in materials and technology. Learn how to improve your indirect restoration prep with these top tips.
Read more »
August 26, 2022
While local anesthetics are common, they aren't without their complexities. Choosing the right agent for the job requires an understanding of their different pros and cons, as well as an awareness of the different patient conditions that could influence a practitioner's choice of drug and decisions around how to use it.
Going to the dentist is anxiety-inducing for many patients. A recent survey found that more than 60% of respondents experience dental fear: 24% say visiting the dentist is scarier than being in a room with a snake, and an astounding 4% have never visited a dentist. To help patients, clinicians need to contend with both the physiology and the psychology of pain.
August 8, 2022
The state of oral health in the U.S. is static, with rates of caries remaining the same for decades. Good oral hygiene, coupled with products that are effective and pleasant to use, will help patients begin and maintain good regimens that will prevent caries and gum disease down the road. Dental practitioners can help with risk assessments and the right, subtle kind of instruction.
May 31, 2022
Handpieces are perhaps the essential tool in dentistry, used in procedures ranging from basic teeth cleanings to complicated surgeries. Given that, it's important for any practice that they be in good working order. Caring for patients is a dentist's utmost priority, but optimal care can’t be achieved without also caring for the practice’s equipment.
March 8, 2022
A patient saw her dentist for a routine pulpotomy. A month later, she experienced a severe oral infection, requiring surgery on her jaw and removal of several teeth. The suspected cause: Bacteria growth in the dental unit waterline. Infections and mycobacterium abscesses like this are on the rise, and the majority of these cases require hospitalization. The good news is that these cases are 100% preventable.
January 6, 2022
As a dentist, completing restorations is a regular part of your practice. But restorations that maintain their longevity and strength over time can be difficult to create — and if you've invested time and expenses into restoring a patient's teeth, it's disheartening to watch those restorations crumble. In this article, we explore three crucial strategies to keep top of mind.
December 6, 2021
Few aspects of dentistry have remained unchanged from decades ago, and so it only makes sense that equipment would have evolved along with the practice. Cordless handpieces offer advances in a host of areas, ranging from infection control and portability, to speed and ergonomics. It's an innovative technology that is opening up new and better ways to practice.
October 22, 2021
Years ago, light polymerization wasn't much of a factor in restorations, because there wasn't a need for light activation. Today, there are many different adhesives and flowable composites that can be used as final restorations, each impacting how much polymerization is needed.
Bulk fillable composites can save you time. In this article, we explore what you need to know about using them — and the common myths that might have been holding you back.
October 14, 2021
Dentists need to make many judgment calls when performing Class II restorations: Is shade-matching necessary? Is isolation critical? What types of materials should be used for fillings and as a bonding agent? Fortunately, there are ways to help simplify Class II restorations.
October 12, 2021
Dentists today are confronted with patients who have high aesthetic demands at a low cost. To support patients’ needs, dental professionals need products that work fast and offer high bond strength, good marginal seal and tolerance against moisture and contamination.
Dental caries, or tooth decay, are one of the most common issues seen in practices today. In this article, we explore several different approaches for dealing with dental caries, each with its own benefits and risks.
February 22, 2021
Airborne contamination during dental procedures may come from a variety of sources. Dental handpieces, ultrasonic scalers, and the air-water syringes used in common dental practices can produce aerosols, usually a mix of air and water derived from these devices and the patient’s saliva.