I recently had a patient with recurrent decay at the margin of two lower molar crowns. We used Silver Diamine fluoride (Advantage Arrest) at the margins to arrest the decay. As predicted the tooth structure turned hard, but also black and the area stayed cavitated. I was then faced with the tough decision when replacing the crown of dropping the margin Read More
Daren Becker DMD
Implant Dentistry at 99?
A patient of mine who happens to be 99 years old and still has a full compliment of teeth just had #10 break off below the gum line. He wants an implant restoration. To further complicate the situation, his daughter-in-law called in to tell us to just make him a flipper. Should a 99 year old have an implant? Do we have any obligation to communicate Read More
Pearls Part I
We all have little pearls or tricks that we have either discovered or were introduced to by someone else that we use everyday. Most of the time, we either assume everyone knows about it or nobody else would want to know about it, so we keep it to our selves. Here I have discussed 3 simple pearls that make a huge difference in my practice everyday. If Read More
Digital Bite Splints
Many of us use bite splint therapy as a way to deprogram muscles, confirm a seated joint position, protect teeth and restorations from wear, treat TMD symptoms and engage patients. Most of us fabricate these ourselves in a conventional manner with alginate impressions, analog bite records and cold cure acrylic. Some utilize a lab to fabricate their splints Read More