It’s an often-overlooked piece of the dental operatory’s offerings, but Dr. Tom Giacobbi says the importance of the matrix band for any dentist can’t be understated. Learn more in the latest Just a Minute, Doc installment below. Video transcript “What do the words ‘separation,’ ‘adaptation,’ and ‘support’ have in common? They’re all things a parent thinks about when they send their kid off to college for the first time. “Actually,
Bread-and-butter restorative dentistry, for the most part, involves two things: fillings and crowns. There are about 75 composite fillings on the market today, all of which tout themselves as the best. Imagine, the chemical engineers in each of these various dental restorative companies concocting newer and more sophisticated ways to make their composites as superior as possible. Much of the same can be said of scanners, burs, cements, crown materials,
The Lumira LED curing light.Premier Dental. Premier Dental has launched the Lumira LED curing light, a lightweight, all-metal device designed for consistent, predictable performance across a broad range of procedures. The Lumira delivers a wavelength range of 440 to 490 nm and up to 3,000 mW/cm² irradiance for efficient curing, with a collimated beam that supports a reliable depth of cure in deep restorations. Seven clinical modes — normal, high,
For Anthony Herrera, a career in orthodontic assisting didn’t start as a career plan — it began as a way to pay for his own braces. At 16, he went to work for his orthodontist, and what began as a transaction turned into a 14-year chairside career driven by a genuine passion for the work and the patients it serves. In this episode of the Dental Assistant Nation podcast, Herrera
The Froggymouth myofunctional device.Henry Schein Inc. Henry Schein Orthodontics has added Froggymouth, a myofunctional device designed to support the management of orofacial dysfunctions, to its product portfolio. Manufactured by Biotech Dental Smilers and now available through Henry Schein Dental in the U.S., the device helps rehabilitate dysfunctional swallowing patterns without requiring active muscular exercises. Worn for 15 minutes a day, Froggymouth is designed to inhibit dysfunctional swallowing habits and promote
Dentsply Sirona launched two endodontic products: the Reciproc Minima file system and the X-Smart Go cordless endo motor. Reciproc Minima builds on the company’s one-file endodontic approach and is designed for narrow and challenging root canal anatomies. The file features a blue heat treatment for flexibility and fatigue resistance, a thinner wire with a maximum flute diameter of 0.77 mm, and a reduced shaft of 9.5 mm for improved accessibility.
Figure 2: CBCT, axial view (tooth #30). DrBicuspid publishes a new case study weekly. To test your dental knowledge, first, please log in. If you don’t have a login, create one. Each case comprises a history, quiz, and discussion section. An answer key is provided at the end of the case study. , Figure 2: CBCT, axial view (tooth #30). DrBicuspid publishes a new case study weekly. To
Dentistry is constantly evolving. New materials, digital technologies, clinical techniques, and patient expectations are reshaping what it means to deliver high-quality care. Continuing education (CE) is not just a requirement, it is one of the most valuable investments a dental professional can make. The most successful practices invest in their teams by making CE part of their culture. Ongoing learning and clinical excellence elevate the patient experience, improve efficiency, and
Sometimes it’s easy to forget just how far dental materials have come, but Dr. Tom Giacobbi is here today with a quick reminder of the advances that have been made in dentistry. Video transcript “Oh, boy. I remember when that ugly filling came through the door. “You know, the evolution of filling materials is really quite interesting. In the early days of dentistry, of course, we started with amalgam, which
Despite meaningful progress in reducing opioid prescribing, American dentists continue to give powerful painkillers to their patients at rates that far exceed those of other developed countries, according to a new study published in JAMA Network Open. The research, led by investigators from the University of Michigan Medical School and the University of New South Wales, analyzed dental opioid prescription trends across the U.S., Puerto Rico, Canada, France, Australia, Germany,
LightForce Orthodontics has launched LightBracket Metal, the first patient-specific 3D-printed metal bracket, expanding its generative braces system to the roughly 65% of orthodontic patients worldwide who choose metal. Each bracket is generated from the orthodontist’s digital treatment plan and individualized across six dimensions, including the bracket base, slot height, and slot prescription. According to LightForce, its bracket system has demonstrated up to 60% fewer appointments and 43% shorter treatment times
Searching online for most affordable dental implants near me often leads to a frustrating discovery: local prices can be extremely high, insurance coverage is limited, and waiting times are long. Many patients start with the intention of finding the most affordable dental implants near me within driving distance, but quickly realize that even “discounted” clinics may charge thousands of dollars per implant. This has led to a growing trend —