Are bulk-fill resins effective for dental restorations?

Bulk-fill composite resins appear to be effective options for direct restorations compared with the conventional incremental layering technique, according to a review recently published in the Journal of Dentistry. However, the long-term success of restorations may depend more on the adhesive procedure than the material itself, the authors wrote. “Bulk-fill composite resins are predictable and effective materials for direct restorations, providing a simplified and reliable alternative to the traditional incremental

Why Some People Grind Their Teeth and What Long-Term Effects to Watch For

Teeth grinding, also known as bruxism, usually happens during sleep — and most people only realize it’s happening once the wear and symptoms start to show. Worn edges, morning jaw soreness, or increased tooth sensitivity are often the first clues. At Neaville Family Dentistry in Searcy, AR, Dr. Keith Neaville regularly evaluates patients for signs of grinding and clenching. While occasional clenching isn’t unusual, chronic bruxism can lead to significant

Why women excel at identifying celebrity smiles: What the science says

A curious pattern has emerged from facial recognition research: Women consistently are more accurate than men in correctly identifying celebrities based solely on their smiles. This discovery may offer valuable insights for dental professionals and shed light on how different patients approach cosmetic smile design. Research teams have conducted experiments in which participants viewed photographs cropped to show only the mouth and teeth of well-known figures. Across these studies, female

Why Do You Need a Crown After a Root Canal?

Being told that a crown is needed after a root canal often leads to questions. Once the pain is gone, it can feel as though the problem has already been solved. For many, it is not immediately clear why another step is recommended. A root canal is an important part of saving a tooth, but it is not the final step in restoring strength. Understanding why a crown is commonly

Is fluoride varnish worth it?

The cost-effectiveness of fluoride varnish applications from the standpoint of dental providers and payers may remain uncertain, casting a possible shadow over its value. The review was recently published in the Journal of Dentistry. More research may be needed to aid decision-making, especially with low- and upper-middle-income populations, to gain a more complete picture, the authors wrote. “The synthesized results from existing studies indicate that the cost-effectiveness of fluoride varnish

Doing this may affect gum disease treatment outcomes

Taking antibiotics may provide clinical benefits beyond those normally achieved with just scaling and root planing (SRP), but there may be even more to it, according to a study published recently in the Journal of Periodontology. The timing of the course of antibiotics — taking them sooner versus later — may be what really makes the difference, the authors wrote. “Starting antibiotics at the beginning of treatment may help to

Baby Teeth Problems That Can Affect Adult Teeth Later

Baby teeth might only be around for a few years, but they act as the essential blueprint for a child’s lifelong health. While National Children’s Dental Health Month in February is a great time to refresh brushing routines, it is also an opportunity to look at how these temporary teeth influence a child’s future. Far from being “disposable,” primary teeth are vital for guiding jaw development, supporting clear speech, and

Does dentistry need to change its methods for bite analysis?

Most dental bite problems are not caused by difficult patients or complex cases. They happen because the bite is rarely measured. Dr. Robert Kerstein. In this episode of the Dental Assistant Nation podcast, in conjunction with HuangshanDental.com, we explore how accurate bite measurement can completely change patient outcomes and day-to-day efficiency in the dental practice. DrBicuspid’s Editor-in-Chief Kevin Henry spoke with prosthodontist Dr. Robert Kerstein, who explained why traditional bite

This may be the new way to arrest tooth decay

Silver complex fluoride (SCF) may be an effective treatment for preventing caries while avoiding the staining associated with silver diamine fluoride (SDF), according to a study recently published in the Journal of Dentistry. Due to SCF’s antimicrobial effects, it may treat caries by limiting the growth of Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) biofilm and decreasing dentin demineralization, the authors wrote. “We recently developed a novel SCF formulation designed to preserve the

Sonendo to host 2nd Women in Endodontics summit

Sonendo, developer of the GentleWave root canal disinfection system, will host the second Women in Endodontics summit September 14-16. The summit will bring speakers and industry experts together to share experiences and ideas for practice growth, leadership within the specialty, and more. It will feature a diverse range of workshops, roundtable discussions, and development activities, all of which are tailored to address the unique challenges and opportunities faced by women

Neoss launches new multiunit abutment

Dental implant firm Neoss Group has launched a new multiunit abutment for its Neoss4+ treatment system for full-arch restorations. The abutment comes with features that make it possible for a 10-degree option with lower vertical height. The screw is fixed within the abutment to prevent it from being lost during placement, according to Neoss Group.

FDA OKs Perimetrics’ tooth-damage detector

The U.S. Food and Drug Association (FDA) granted clearance to a device from Perimetrics that uses artificial intelligence to help quantify tooth cracks, failing restorations, and dental implant mobility. The FDA cleared the InnerView device, which includes a wireless handpiece, a charging base station, and a disposable tip with embedded smart chips. The FDA also provided clearance for the device’s ability to measure the damping characteristic of the periodontium and