Study tests imaging modalities’ accuracy on root canal anatomy

Correctly identifying the anatomy of a root canal is crucial for successful endodontic therapy. Researchers tested two imaging modalities to see if either was more accurate than a gold standard. Cone-beam CT (CBCT) performed better than periapical radiography in detecting the apical delta in more than 100 premolars, but both modalities fell short compared with the gold standard of microcomputed tomography (micro-CT), they reported in a study published in the

Second Opinion: 3 failures of dentistry

We dentists positively contribute to the health of our patients in many ways. However, I believe we as dentists and dentistry, as a whole, fails the public in several other critical areas. My intention is to bring to the forefront the weaknesses of our profession so that dental professionals and educators can improve the delivery of the oral and overall health of our patients. I believe we should help our

Can MRI compete with CBCT to identify tooth fractures?

While magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is often used for injuries of the knee and other body parts, researchers wanted to see if recent improvements in the modality meant it could be used to identify root cracks and fractures in teeth. They compared the results from two imaging modalities: MRI and cone-beam CT (CBCT). The group stopped short of endorsing the modality for this task (Journal of Endodontics, May 2, 2019).

Week in Review: New invisible aligners | Enamel mineralization | How do you bounce back?

Dear DrBicuspid Member, More general dentists are interested in invisible aligners and other orthodontic products than ever before. So what better place to bring you the most relevant coverage of new invisible aligners than from the just-concluded 2019 American Association of Orthodontists annual session. You can read about new products and industry developments, including news from Ormco, 3Shape, and more. You never know where scientific and patient-care breakthroughs will come

New products: KaVo Kerr debuts 2 endodontic products

KaVo Kerr has introduced a rotary glide path file and an endodontic motor. The Elements e-motion endodontic motor. Image courtesy of KaVo Kerr. The Traverse rotary glide path file is a nickel titanium file with a triangular cross-section for improved cutting efficiency. The file offers a maximum flute diameter of 1 mm and a noncutting tip to reduce the risk of perforating the canal, according to KaVo Kerr. The Elements

How a dental patient led to a scientific breakthrough

A patient with tooth enamel defects helped scientists discover a key aspect of enamel mineralization. The findings may one day help researchers better understand cell behavior and mitochondrial function. Rodrigo Lacruz, PhD. Image courtesy of New York University. In a research article, senior author Rodrigo Lacruz, PhD, and colleagues described a young male patient with severe caries and dental abscesses. This patient also had a genetic mutation affecting one of

Baby & Toddler Tooth Brushing Guide: Are You Ready?

How early should a child’s dental health be a priority? As soon as they get their first tooth! Even though baby teeth are not permanent, they actually form an important foundation for adult teeth. Taking care of your child’s teeth early on is important! It encourages oral health, prevents disease, and minimizes the risk of cavities later in life. How Young Should Kids Start Brushing? Baby teeth

Endodontics Insider: Study tests imaging modalities’ accuracy on root canal anatomy

Dear Endodontics Insider, Correctly identifying the anatomy of a root canal is crucial for successful endodontic therapy. Researchers tested cone-beam CT and periapical radiography to see if either was more accurate than a gold standard. Read about their findings in our Insider Exclusive. In other Endodontics Community articles, new research on pain control and management for patients was presented at the recent 2019 American Association of Endodontists annual meeting. The

New aligners, partnerships highlight AAO 2019 meeting

The 2019 American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) annual session concludes May 7. HuangshanDental.com brings you some of the most relevant new products and news for general practitioners from the meeting, including news from Ormco, 3Shape, and more. 3Shape partners with Ivoclar Vivadent 3Shape and Ivoclar Vivadent have announced a partnership to aid in aesthetic dental treatment. The agreement allows dentists, dental labs, and orthodontists to use Ivoclar Vivadent’s IvoSmile augmented

What influences cement choice for single-unit crowns?

When you are preparing a single-unit crown for a restoration, which clinical details matter? Researchers used data from more than 3,400 crowns to identify the factors that influence treatment decisions, and they found that three factors were associated significantly with the decision to bond single-unit crowns. “Excessive occlusal tooth preparation, anterior location of a crown, and the use of glass ceramic crowns were associated significantly with the decision to bond,”

Which type of implant-supported crown abutment is best?

Aluminum, titanium, zirconium, or gold: Which is the best for abutments for implant-supported single crowns? To find out, investigators analyzed previous research, examining survival rates and results for marginal bone loss and discoloration of peri-implant soft tissue for these abutment types. They searched various databases and included 23 randomized controlled trials, controlled clinical trials, and cohort studies in their network meta-analysis. While many of the findings were similar between the

Week in Review: Holding your team accountable | A-dec founder dies | Dental insurance changes

Dear DrBicuspid Member, People often think that accountability means holding people responsible. True accountability, Dr. Roger P. Levin writes, is giving people the tools to help them develop as professionals so that they can do their jobs. Unfortunately, most leaders don’t understand how to instill a sense of accountability in their teams. But if you desire to have a great team, accountability is key — starting with you. All of us