Let’s say you are to restore # 19 with an MO composite restoration so you have given a 2% Lidocaine 1:100k epinephrine inferior alveolar nerve block to the patient. After 10 minutes of waiting you start the prep on the … Read more
Recently I wrote about the importance of paying close attention to the pulpal spaces on radiographs. While the prognosis of the tooth discussed last time was hopeless, I would like to share another example from the same patient and fortunately … Read more
As I stated in part I of this series, the Nancy case study was used as part of a three-day ceramic enhancement workshop. Each dentist who signed up for the course was given the shade photographs, final impression, the go … Read more
In my previous articles, I’ve gone over the treatment planning and lab communication techniques regarding Nancy’s case. The case itself was used as part of a three-day ceramic enhancement workshop. Each dentist who signed up for the course was … Read more
Maybe neither! The choice of ingot depends on: • The esthetic quality of the prepared tooth. • If you are doing multiple preparations, do they all appear the same color and value or are there significant differences between the teeth. • Preparation design: How … Read more
In previous articles I’ve covered the topic of mounted models and their importance in treating clinical cases accurately and efficiently. Once you have completed the process of producing the patient’s centric relation bite records, it’s now time to use the … Read more
For a long time I used to naively reason that I don’t take clinical pictures as often as I should because I need to invest in product “X.” I thought when I have all the necessary armamentarium, I’ll be able … Read more
Do you see anything that catches your eye on the periapical radiograph (above left) taken recently in my office? Perhaps the title here gave it away but what caught my eye was the irregular pulpal space. My thought immediately went … Read more
I’ve done a lot of external coloring of my restorations throughout my career and I am frequently asked questions regarding the durability of external colorants. My personal belief is if you treat the restorations carefully then the colorant will be … Read more
The answer is: Yes! Most technicians and dentists rely on all-ceramic restorations to achieve the desired esthetic and functional outcome. If a metal-ceramic restoration or another highly opacified core or substrate is used, it doesn’t matter what the underlying tooth … Read more