I think most dentists would agree there are some challenges when working with a rubber dam. For some of us the benefits outweigh these challenges so we have made it a standard part of our restorative toolkit. For others however, the challenges often mean we just work without them. But today, in addition to the isolation they offer to improve restorative Read More
Incisal Edges: More Than Just a Pretty Smile
The incisal edges of anterior teeth play a vital role in both the esthetics of a smile and the functional health of the system. In this webinar we are going to look at how we combine esthetic treatment planning of incisal edge position with optimizing forces to achieve functional success. The anatomy of incisal edges allow for reduced muscle activity and Read More
Using Botox for TMD Management
Over the last few years I have come to depend on Botox Therapeutic as an adjunct therapy for my TMD patients when appliance therapy is not the exclusive solution to resolving signs and symptoms. In this video I discuss how and where I use Botox with my TMD patients. Read More
Acute Versus Chronic Dental Pain
In dentistry we are accustomed to dealing with patients who have pain. The majority of the time it is acute odontogenic pain. In this video I will discuss the characteristic differences between acute and chronic dental pain. You will be able to listen to a patient describe their pain and know which is which. This is important information needed prior to Read More
StrengthsFinder as a Dental Team Tool
I love to use different tools with my dental team to explore how we are different and can work together more effectively. Once we learn about ourselves and get a glimpse into how unique everyone else is, we can better understand our teammates. StrengthsFinder is a fantastic tool that is fun and easy to work with and can help your dental team brainstorm how Read More
Photography for Dental Lab Communication
Achieving excellence in aesthetic dentistry is a complex process that depends on many parts. One of the more critical relationships is the partnership we have with our dental laboratory. Digital photography is an important way to help them see what we see, and to give them much needed information to create exquisite results. Laboratory communication photos Read More
Are You Prepared For Being Out Of Your Dental Practice?
Recently I had to be out of my practice unexpectedly for a day. It was a great chance to evaluate the systems I have in place for these types of events. It also got me wondering whether what I have in place is sufficient in case I had to be out for a longer period of time. In this video I will talk about some of the systems we can put in place to protect our Read More
Clinical Uses for LuxaCrown
LuxaCrown is a new material that was released by DMG America last year. It works like a more traditional bisacryl provisional materials, but it is not. LuxaCrown is a dual cure composite material that comes in a convenient chair-side cartridge. It is long lasting - up to several years in the mouth. It's stain resistant and will not change color and is much Read More
Determining Mallampati Scores for Airway Screening
In 2017 the American Dental Association adopted a policy encouraging dentists to screen patients for sleep-related breathing disorders (SRBD). This includes assessing a patient’s risk for SRBD as part of a comprehensive medical and dental history and referring affected patients to a physician as appropriate. When this happened I called my friend Dr. Steve Read More
Ever Wonder Why Occlusal Changes Work?
It is a common misconception that dental patients with a malocclusion are at higher risk of developing temporomandibular disorders (TMD). The risk factor for developing TMD or breaking teeth is not how the patient's teeth touch, but how much they touch. The confusion occurs because as a management treatment we change occlusal contacts. The relationship Read More