Clinical tip: How to take some of the frustration out of using a rubber dam in dentistry

This week, Dr. Diwakar Kinra returns with a clinical tip that can help alleviate some of the frustration around using a rubber dam in your dental procedures. Click below to watch Dr. Kinra’s advice, and make sure to learn more about CDOCS, including their hands-on workshops. Video transcript “Have you ever had a rubber dam that you’re trying to modify because you’re getting leakage out of it? Maybe you’re working

AFI to develop AI-driven amalgam replacement

The ADA Forsyth Institute (AFI) received a $6.2 million grant from the U.S. National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research (NIDCR) to develop artificial intelligence (AI)-powered smart materials for fillings. The new dental composite is designed to replace amalgam. It features self-healing, antimicrobial properties, and nanofillers that respond to biological signals, according to a press release dated September 30 from the ADA. “Incorporating artificial intelligence and virtual lab simulations into

Clinical tip: Using a leaf gauge to capture a bite for a splint

This week, as we continue our partnered series with CDOCS, Dr. Meena Barsoum returns with another valuable tip that can boost the digital dentistry side of your dental practice. Learn more about CDOCS’ memberships and CDOCS’ hands-on workshops. Video transcript “As you notice here on the screen, one of the important features I like to do when I’m capturing a bite is to utilize a leaf gauge. What a leaf gauge allows me

How one orthodontist tackles the sticky subject of Halloween candy

Take a look at the calendar and you know that Halloween will be here before we know it. Of course, with all of the Halloween celebrations and traditions comes candy. And while all of us partake in a sweet treat from time to time, it’s clear that the end of October and the beginning of November can be the perfect opportunity for sugary and sticky treats to cause dental issues.

Dental surgery for kids today, better oral care for life

Researchers from the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) and DePaul University will investigate whether surgeries for children with severe cavities serve as a key opportunity to improve long-term oral health, according to a DePaul press release. The trial will test a new intervention called Protect, which uses community health workers to help families adopt healthier oral care habits for their child after surgery, according to the press release dated September

Lab-fabricated crowns best chairside prosthetics

Lab-fabricated, implant-supported, all-ceramic crowns may have a significantly lower failure rate than prosthetics made by the chairside method, according to a study recently published in Dental Materials. Furthermore, lab-fabricated crowns had a failure rate 26 times lower than chairside ones, with high success rates observed for CAD-CAM implant-supported ceramic crowns, the authors wrote. “For CAD-CAM manufactured implant supported all-ceramic crowns, high success rates were found in up to 12-year evaluation,”

Music performance may be a risk factor for TMD

Musical performance, including playing a keyboard and upper string instruments, may be an occupational risk factor for temporomandibular joint disorders (TMDs). The study was published on September 30 in the Journal of Oral Rehabilitation. Early-stage identification and treatment of TMD pain may prevent it from negatively affecting musicians’ performance, as well as potential long-term complications, they wrote. “An improved understanding of the causes, the implementation of preventive measures, professional guidance

Opinion: It’s time for dentists to confront the truth about fluoride

For decades, fluoride has been lauded as a key ingredient in preventing tooth decay, leading to widespread water fluoridation across the U.S. However, emerging scientific evidence raises critical questions about the safety and efficacy of this practice, particularly concerning its potential impact on brain development in children. The recent federal court ruling challenged the status quo by recognizing the potential risks associated with fluoride exposure. The judge underscored a fundamental

How to talk to patients about dental hypersensitivity

Though patients may not discuss dental hypersensitivity because the condition may seem minor or unsolvable, clinicians should make time for these discussions. The study was recently published in the Journal of Dentistry. Using behavioral science tools can help change these perceptions, encouraging more routine dentine hypersensitivity (DH) discussions between patients and dental teams, the authors wrote. “As DH cannot be diagnosed by visual inspection of teeth, patients cannot be managed

How to Find the Best Dentist in Bangkok

Various nightmare scenarios can send people searching how to find the best dentist in Bangkok or whatever city they may be in. For example, maybe your teeth became more sensitive than usual, and toothpaste for sensitive teeth is not helping, and you start feeling a throbbing pain pulsating through your nerves so much that you couldn’t eat. It’s obviously time to see the dentist. However, what if you lack dental

Tonsil Stones: The Hidden Culprit Behind Persistent Bad Breath

Fresh-smelling breath. It’s one of the simplest yet most impactful ways to leave a good impression on people you just met. When combined with a confident smile, a pleasant breath can make all the difference when setting a welcoming tone for all your interactions. Yet, despite their best efforts—brushing, flossing, and mouthwash—some people grapple with persistent bad breath. At worst, this oral health issue can leave others self-conscious and hesitant

The Importance of Pediatric Root Canal Treatment: Safeguarding Your Child’s Dental Health

Most adults know about root canal treatment or RCT, but did you know that even kids can undergo this type of dental treatment? In case you need a refresher, RCT (which is also known as endodontic therapy) is a dental procedure that involves removing the infected or damaged pulp (nerve and blood vessel) inside a tooth. This dental procedure is often performed when a tooth’s infection or damage is severe