Dentistry Today — October 2024

Inside this issue

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   American Innovation and Excellence Widely known for its industry-leading dental motor systems and comprehensive range of portable equipment, Aseptico Inc., based in Woodinville, Wash., provides an extensive selection of innovative dental products, all designed to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of dental teams worldwide. Excellence in Dental Motor Technology Aseptico first entered the field of dental motor systems in the late 1980s by pioneering rotary endodontic motor systems, thereby helping revolutionize the world of dentistry. The company continues to advance its comprehensive line of dental motors to meet the changing needs of dentistry, including creating motor systems that accurately and…

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   The Shadow of Your Smile Dr. Hugh Flax has been one of the top aesthetic dentists in the country for more than 30 years. He was one of the early recipients of American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry accreditation and served as its president in 2010. He has lectured on creating smiles worldwide and has been featured not only in dental magazines but also in many well-known consumer publications. I am thrilled that he is presenting an interesting case here, but more importantly, I can call him a good friend. This article shows his passion as he helps a woman through…

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   Comprehensive and Urgent Care Dentistry as a New Specialty Recently, the doors opened with regard to the American Dental Association recognizing 3 new dental specialties: dental anesthesia, oral medicine, and orofacial pain. It is our opinion that such emerging dental specialties as laser dentistry, implant dentistry, cosmetic dentistry, and comprehensive and urgent care dentistry will also eventually become recognized dental specialties. Medical and dental specialty status provides representation to patients that physicians and dentists who are specialists have successfully completed clinical residency programs that have been approved and evaluated by clinical specialty residency evaluation boards and/or commissions. Furthermore, the successful…

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   Improve Profitability and Achieve Predictable Results in a Shorter Amount of Time With SureSmile Clear Aligners Dr. Trent Smallwood discusses the benefits of clear aligner therapy and why SureSmile from Dentsply Sirona provides a better treatment experience. Trent Smallwood, DDS are very efficient. And the average cost is less than the aligners I recommended previously, which makes an enormous difference in profitability. The option to trim the aligners to the height of the gum is also a nice feature. Patients complain about discomfort far less with SureSmile. I also like the Complete Case option that includes more than just the…

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   Out-of-Network, Fee-for-Service Dentistry Open J. Patel, DDS, discusses the advantages of transitioning to a fee-for-service practice for both you and your patients. Q: Is there only one way to practice dentistry in 2024? A: There is no one way to practice dentistry, which explains why we have so many different models of practice. Some super business-minded dentists focus on multiple office locations and excel in operations and management. Others focus on joining every insurance plan offered to maximize patient acquisition but could spend much of their careers regretting what could have been due to insurance handcuffs. There are some who…

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   Ritter Dental Chair Features Seamless Electric Lift SAN ANTONIO—The Vanguard Dental Unit is a game-changer in dental equipment that combines cutting edge technology with exceptional value. It enables practices to elevate their operations with a unit designed to deliver performance and style. It stands out with its seamless electric lift, offering a sturdy build that supports more than 400 lbs. Its ambidextrous design, featuring a 30° swivel, ensures effortless patient access and greater flexibility for the dentist. This versatile unit comes with dedicated delivery systems for both the dentist and the assistant. The assistant's side boasts up to 4 instruments…

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   Systems Feature Advanced Image Processing LOS ANGELES–HDX WILL's cutting-edge CBCT series was designed for superior diagnostic performance and can help enhance one's practice. The Exo X3 is a 3-in-1 system featuring CBCT imaging (with a 3 x 3 cm to 16 x 9 cm field of view), panoramic radiography (standard, bite-wings, and TMJ), STL model scanning, and optional cephalometric x-rays. The Dentri Max, which is a more comprehensive 5-in-1 system, offers an expanded CBCT field of view (3 x 3 cm to 18 x 16.5 cm) and 3D cephalometric analysis in addition to the features the Exo X model provides.…

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   TECHNOLOGY 21 DEXIS Sensor Elevates Diagnostic Capabilities QUAKERTOWN, Pa.—Elevate your 2D imaging experience with the next generation of DEXIS sensors. The Ti2 sensor was designed to prioritize patient comfort and durability, elevating diagnostic capabilities with AI-powered software (dental findings available through a direct integration with DTX Studio Clinic) and real-time monitoring to ensure smooth operation in your practice. With over the durability of previous sensors, Ti2 was engineered to deliver long-lasting performance and the strength needed to capture high-quality images. Utilize AI features through DEXIS imaging suite software or DTX Studio Clinic to easily identify up to 6 dental findings,…

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   Dentsply Sirona Aligners Provide Outstanding Patient Value ENCINITAS, Calif.– Get a better treatment experience with SureSmile Clear Aligners. A recent 3-year retrospective analysis showed that 75% of all completed SureSmile cases required no refinements (data on file). Plus, treatment planning has never been so easy with support from the SureSmile Digital Lab and software that works with most common intraoral scanners, including PrimeScan. SureSmile Aligner Complete Case provides outstanding patient value by including the SureSmile Whitening Kit and the SureSmile Vtro High-Frequency Device. For more information, call (844) 848-0137 or visit the website dentsplyirona.com/suresmile. USE FREE info card, Bien-Air USA…

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    Engineering Endodontic Burs Help Refine Trough SANTA BARBARA, Calif.–Munce Discovery Burs are the world's first endodontic troughing burs, and the TruGrit Trough Refiner is a key element of the Munce Discovery Bur line. The unique, long, and stiff narrow shaft as well as the tapered diamond tip design make the TruGrit Trough Refiner the perfect companion to the Munce Discovery Burs and an important part of the answer to troughing challenges. Once the isthmus is identified under magnification and troughed with Munce Discovery Burs, the TruGrit Trough Refiner can do precisely what its name implies, refine the trough. And just…

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    Steri-Shield Sensor Holders Help Provide Dependable Image FERNANDINA BEACH, Fla.–WINGERS digital sensor holders were introduced in 1998 as the first dedicated sensor holders in dentistry. Since then, Steri-Shield has continued to expand the product line with versatile and innovative designs. The disposable sensor holders are made of a soft material for ultimate patient comfort and dependable image capture. They fit all popular sensor models and are easy to use. Steri-Shield is dedicated to producing products like the Wingers line to help dental clinics offer a high standard of care at an affordable price. For more information, visit steri-shield.com. USE FREE…

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    Dental Composite Provides Enhanced Strength THE VILLAGES, Fla.- Bright Temporary C&B is a self curing composite for temporary crowns, bridges, inlays, and onlays. It is a unique combination of nanosized particles and ideally sized glass filler that provides enhanced composite strength. Its elastic properties provide easy, failure-free placement with the added advantage of the company's Chameleon Effect that matches shade, opacity, and fluorescence for a natural look. It offers 2 significant benefits, including (1) a short trim time of 3 minutes, which eliminates the need for glazing and polishing, and (2) its convenience, which provides a 1:1 ratio that is…

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    New Technology Designed to Eliminate Third Molar Complications A high-precision, fully guided micro-ablation system has been developed to eliminate the postoperative problems normally associated with third molar formation. Leigh Colby, DDS Third molar removal is one of the most common surgeries performed in the United States and Europe. Unfortunately, the highly invasive nature of third molar surgery results in a predictable range of painful complications. Technologies have been developed an ablation technique specifically designed to eliminate these complications by preventing third molar formation. In recent editions of the Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, TriAgenics describes animal trials using a…

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    Electric Handpieces Aseptico The AEU-5000 is a versatile and cost-effective restorative motor that converts an air-driven system into a fully featured electric handpiece motor capable of restorative, operative, and endodontic applications. Just one of several motor offerings from Aseptico, the AEU-5000 is made in America and features (1) a compact and easy-clean console with large backlit display; (2) adjustable motor speed and ratio settings; (3) a 40,000-rpm brushless autoclavabie micromotot; and (4) rotary endodontic mode with torque control (8:1 handpiece required). For more information, call (425) 489-9347 or visit aseptico.com. VA handpiece is one of the most innovative handpieces. The…

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    Diamond Burs Microcopy Thirty years ago, Microcopy shook up the dental world with NeoDiamond, the original single-patient-use diamond that quickly set a new industry standard. Today, NeoDiamond remains one of the most trusted choices, powering advancements in dental care and transforming practices everywhere. For more information, call (800) 235-1863 or visit microcopydentalcom/sample. Discovery Burs are the world's first endodontic troughing burs and the TruGrit Trough Refiner is a key element of the Munce Discovery Bur line. The unique, long, and stiff narrow shaft as well as the tapered diamond tip design make the TruGrit Trough Refiner the perfect companion to…

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    Experience Revolutionary Dental Air Purification Technology The Unhealthy Reality Dental professionals, the unsung heroes of oral health, deserve a spotlight on the air they breathe. Shockingly, their work environment has earned the title of "most unhealthy" in North America. Brace yourself for some eye-opening statistics: 74% of North Americans suffer from indoor air quality anxiety (data on file), and 6 of 10 employees quit over poor indoor air quality in their places of business (data on file). But worry not; we're here to revolutionize their indoor air quality and transform their work environments, aligning with the latest guidelines advocating for…

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    Editors' Choice Awards The products selected for Dentistry Today's Second Annual Editors' Choice Awards were chosen based on their compelling features, which were determined by its editors. BIOLASE All-Tissue Laser Helps Improve Patient Outcomes and Satisfaction The Waterlase Plus is a powerful, versatile, all-tissue laser that revolutionizes dental practices by providing a broad range of minimally invasive procedures with enhanced precision and comfort. Designed for general practitioners, it allows one to perform treatments on hard and soft tissues with less reliance on traditional tools like drills, scalels, and anesthetics. By using patented Er:YSG laser technology, Waterlase Plus enables one to…

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    EDITORS' CHOICE AWARDS 2024 Dental Plus USA Material Offers Ideal Combination of Strength, Aesthetics, and Longevity for Patients G-Cam is a state-of-the-art dental material that has been gaining widespread recognition for its exceptional properties and versatility. It represents a significant leap-forward in the field of restorative dentistry. With its exceptional strength, natural aesthetics, biocompatibility, and versatility, it equips dental professionals with a powerful tool to deliver high-quality, long-lasting restorations. The unique properties of G-Cam not only enhance patient satisfaction but also redefine the possibilities of dental treatments. G-Cam's features are not just perfect for clinics and labs but also the…

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    44 . 1 EDITORS' CHOICE AWARDS 2024 Dentsply Sirona Retainer Helps Prevent Teeth Relapse, Maintain Patients' Smiles SureSmile provides clinicians with clear aligner solutions for a comprehensive treatment approach across the patient journey. SureSmile Retainers, as part of the SureSmile System, help prevent teeth relapse and maintain patients' beautiful smiles. They have the durability to withstand oral forces, including teeth grinding, without compromising effectiveness. SureSmile retainers are designed for 12-month wear and to maintain the alignment of teeth at the end of treatment. They can be prescribed for any patient, not just those treated with SureSmile. Ordering replacements is flexible…

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    EDITORS' CHOICE AWARDS 2024 GuruNanda Oil Pulling Rinse Blends Ancient Wisdom and Modern Science GuruNanda Oil Pulling Oral Rinse revolutionizes the oral care routine for patients. Embrace the future of dentistry with this innovative product, crafted to elevate patients' oral care hygiene routines. Experience the power of liquid fractions of coconut in a refreshing minty formula fortified with vitamins that goes beyond ordinary oral rinses. Clinical studies have demonstrated that with twice daily use, one can experience up to 24-hour breath freshness and teeth brightening of up to 3 shades in just 2 weeks. Built on Ayurvedic foundations, this rinse…

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    EDITORS' CHOICE AWARDS 2024 Kerr Universal Adhesive Features Countless Applications OptiBond Universal 360 is a single-component universal adhesive that simplifies the etching, priming, and bonding process, requiring only one bottle for all applications. Its unique formulation, powered by Kerr's patented GPDM technology and enriched with MDP, ensures exceptional bond strength even in total dark cure mode. The product's ternary Solvent System technology provides optimal penetration into dental tubules, enhancing bond strength and reducing microleakage and postoperative sensitivity. OptiBond Universal 360 is compatible with all etching techniques and can be used for direct and indirect restorations without the need for separate…

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    EDITORS' CHOICE AWARDS 2024 Philips Oral Healthcare Whitening Kit Efficiently Caters to Each Patient's Needs Philips Sonicare Teeth Whitening Kits provide a timeand cost-effective treatment option that's ideal for patients of all previous whitening experiences, as well as dental professionals looking to offer more efficiently to each patient's needs. Developed by dentists, the grab-and-go solution features semi-custom reusable trays for patients to easily mod to their own teeth prior to applying the enamel-safe whitening gel. For more information, call (800) 422-9448 or visit philipsoral healthcare.com. osite Offers Durability and Fracture Resistance ACTIVA BioACTIVE-RESTORATIVE is a highly aesthetic, bioactive composite that…

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    EDITORS' CHOICE AWARDS 2024 Aidite Restorative Material Combines Durability With Aesthetic Appeal 3D pro-zir is revolutionizing the dental restoration landscape, offering an innovative solution crafted from 100% TOSOH zirconia powder. Renowned for its purity and consistency, this advanced material sets the benchmark for quality in the dental industry. With a flexural strength of 1,050 MPa, 3D pro-zir combines durability with a high level of aesthetic appeal, meeting the rigorous demands of modern dentistry. One of its most notable features is its 57% translucency, allowing dental professionals to create restorations that function effectively and beautifully mimic the natural appearance of teeth.…

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    EDITORS' CHOICE AWARDS 2024 TruAbuttment Device Helps Reduce Scanning Margin Errors Available in 3 lengths (short, medium, and long), ioConnect caters to each patient's anatomy and various implant placements. The 2 biggest conveniences of this full-arch scan body are that you can use your current intraoral scanner (IOS) and that the user only needs to focus on scanning the hexagonal zone without having to scan all the scan bodies, which will help reduce scanning margin errors. This also helps dental assistants as well as patients because it significantly reduces the scanning speed. The scanned data of ioConnect then will be…

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    EDITORS' CHOICE AWARDS 2024 DentiLight Diode Laser Produces Improved Visual Clarity During Procedures The Ultrafast Wireless Dental Diode Laser is an amazing cordless laser with an ergonomic design and superior performance. It delivers 3 W continuously and 5 W of pulsed infrared power at 808 nm with its distributed cooling system aiming beam for improved visual clarity during procedures. The sleek, wireless design eliminates cords and setup time. Combined with its ease of use, metal keypad interface, and elimination of a foot pedal, the unique design significantly improves the device utilization rate and return on investment. The kit comes with…

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    EDITORS' CHOICE AWARDS 2024 Glidewell In-Office Solution Provides Easy, Intuitive Path to Digital Dentistry The glidewell.io In-Office Solution makes same-day dentistry simple and affordable to clinicians everywhere. An open-system design provides the flexibility to pair the CAD/CAM system with an intraoral scanner of your choice or with the fastscan.io featuring Medit i900 for a seamless connection to Glidewell's lab. Then upload the scan to the fastscan.io Software and Design Station, where the AI-powered software generates a crown proposal based on the Glidewell's database of millions of successful cases. The design process is so easy to use that virtually any staff…

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    EDITORS' CHOICE AWARDS 2024 Filhol Dental Posts Enable Easy Insertion Into Converging Canals FILPOST is the only prefabricated post system that can be customized to suit restorations for root post and core buildups. The posts can be bent and shortened to suit canals without risk of fracture, enabling easy insertion of multiple posts into converging canals. The posts are engineered to be easier to place, even in difficult cases, in a faster, safer manner. They are more preserving of healthy tooth structure and stronger in use via the unique, passive interlocking system. For more information, call toll-free at (800) 330-0890…

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    EDITORS' CHOICE AWARDS 2024 BrandMax Ultrasonic Cleaning System Features Superior Acoustic Pulse Generators Tri-Clean Ultrasonic Cleaners deliver the next generation of cleaning power. All BrandMax ultrasonic units include a free heating element and a stainless steel basket at no additional cost. Additional product features include superior acoustic pulse generators, digital timers, a 2-year warranty, and superior customer service. BrandMax also provides superior technical support, so there is no need to pay extra for those valuable options when BrandMax provides them for free. BrandMax offers 6 sizes of Tri-Clean tabletop units to handle all cleaning needs, ranging from 1 gal for…

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    EDITORS' CHOICE AWARDS 2024 CHROME GuidedSMILE Surgical/Restorative Guide Delivers Secure Site Drilling CHROME GuidedSMILE is the market-leading, patent-protected All-on-X surgical/restorative guide that has been adopted by doctors and specialists nationally and internationally. It delivers toothor tissue-anchored bite verification, metal-guided bone reduction, secure site drilling, and accurate provisionalization. It only takes 2 to 3 appointments to transfer restorative information for the final restorative conversion. The team provides full support through the records phase, expert tooth and implant placement replanning, live online implant planning and approval, and on-demand chairside services. For more information, call (800) 228-6663 or visit roedental lab.com/chrome. Innovative Surgical…

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    Proven Protocols for Successful Immediate Implant Placement Timothy F. Kosinski, DDS Dental implants are constantly improving our clinical results. Advances in materials and designs provide predictability, profitability, and positive long-term prognoses. Diagnosing for ideal surgical placement is aided by a thorough understanding of vital anatomy and bone morphology, which is aided by 3D images using CBCT planning. Implant positioning is visualized prior to any surgical intervention and the final emergence design being evaluated and accepted. Time seems to be an important factor in determining when dental implants can be successfully placed. Modern surgical techniques provide an opportunity to immediately engage…

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    Tapered Dental Implants With a Novel Design for Successful Immediate Procedures INTRODUCTION Immediate implant placement was first introduced in 1976 in Tübingen, Germany.¹ This treatment modality has a high success rate that has been corroborated by multiple long-term studies and systematic reviews. The advancement of implant body designs, surface treatments, and other factors that improve and accelerate osseointegration has resulted in successful survival rates for immediate implants, which have reached 97% to 95% in studies.²,³ There are multiple advantages of immediate implant placement: decreased healing time, fewer interventions, preservation of hard and soft tissues,⁶ and increased patient acceptance. Due to…

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    CASE 1. Figure 1. An intraoral photograph of the upper left second premolar showing fracture and recurrent decay. Figure 2. A periapical radiograph showing the PAH, at the apex and the position of the root relative to the maxillary sinus. Figure 3. The Hiossen CAS (Crestal Approach Sinus) drill with the flat end designed to prevent Schneiderian membrane damage. Figure 4. The same CAS drill with a 7-mm stopper shown during incremental osteotomy toward the sinus floor. Figure 5. Final periapical radiograph showing the positioning of the immediate implant and the healing abutment, as well as the faint outline of…

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    CASE 2. Figure 10. A periapical radiograph of the lower left first molar showing the fracture of the tooth and the available septal and native bone for immediate implantation. Figure 11. An intraoral photo showing the fracture and minimal surrounding soft structures left. Figure 12. A periapical radiograph showing the 2.2 x 10 mm buccal drill during the pre-extractive osteotomy. Figure 13. Periapical radiograph showing the ideal positioning of the final 5 x 10mm EK implant (Hossen) and the healing abutment. Figure 14. Final clinical photo showing the restoration on tooth No. 19, with the final occlusal orientation and the…

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    IMPLANTS placement is now a necessary tool in any actively practicing implantologist's arsenal. A CBCT scanner (Planmeca) was used in the treatment planning for both cases. To be able to provide immediate treatment, the clinician not only needs the expertise but also the proper tools. Digital tools such as CBCT, Intraoral scanners, and RFA devices can be used in the workflow from treatment planning to surgery and to final prosthetic rehabilitation. One of the most important tools in this process is the implant itself. The new EK Implant Digital tools also further elevate the quality of immediate implant treatment.... (Figure…

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    Rehabilitation of a Bulimic Smile With Regional Erosion and Wear INTRODUCTION Eating disorders are conditions characterized by restricted food intake or binge eating and often by self-induced vomiting. In addition to having the potential to impair both physical health and psychosocial functioning, these disorders could also have an impact on oral health. Among the oral complications is dental erosion, an irreversible loss of tooth substance as a consequence of exposure to acids that do not involve bacteria. Such acids may either the oral cavity from extrinsic (eg, acidic foodstuff) as well as intrinsic sources (gastric acid from bulimia or reflux).…

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    excited the patient, with some encouragement from her spouse, she was more accepting of this approach. Intruding teeth requires more torque than aligner therapy. Using a pre-bent wire in straight wire ortho provides more energy force to vertically move teeth. The Six Month Smiles technique (Six Months Smiles) with clear brackets made this easier for our patient to tolerate aesthetically. To help our patient visualize our goal of moving the gingival margins superiorly, we took a pretreatment photo of the desired levels using floss (Figure 5). After 10 weeks of orthodontics, the gingival margins had moved about 2 mm (Figure…

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    Revolutionizing Dental Care: 3D Printed Dentures for Maui Fire Victims INTRODUCTION The aftermath of the devastating fire on August 8, 2023, in Lahaina, Maui, Hawaii, left many locals with unmet basic needs. In addition to becoming homeless overnight, we recognized that some victims had an unexpected dental need. In the chaos of evacuation, many had left behind or lost their dentures. We all knew the logistics of the various appointments involved in traditional denture fabrication. For this group of patients struggling with the basics of food, shelter, and transportation, we knew we would have to enact a unique strategy. By…

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    Figure 1. Within 3 months, we fabricated 58 replacement arches. Figure 2. Intraoral (IO) scans obtained with 3Shape Trios. Figure 3. Printed monolithic dentures adjusted to correct VDO in CR with final wash impressions. Figure 4. A 360° IO scan of dentures after adjustment and wash impression. Figure 5. Rodin Denture Base and Rodin Sculpture (Pac Dent). Figure 6. Denture base and tooth .STL files 3D printed separately. Figure 7. Assembled final 3D printed denture. The resulting files and IO scans of the final prosthetic using this method (Figure 7). Additionally, the processing time was faster and less technique-sensitive. We…

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    Simplifying Dental Procedures With the Proper Use of Adhesive Dentistry INTRODUCTION From the time I became a dentist 3 decades ago to the present, dentistry has undergone dramatic changes in many ways. One of the most important ones is the development of advanced dental materials, including adhesives. Three decades ago, most restorations had to be retained by friction and mechanical retentive features. Dentists had to be very diligent and spend considerable cutting tooth preparations with the correct amount of taper, parallelism, or undercut to ensure the restorations would stay on the tooth. Geometric preparations require healthy tooth structure to be…

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    RESTORATIVE CASE 1. Figure 1. The crown fractured off almost at the gum level. Figure 2. Caries Indicator (Kuraray) was used to uncover highly demineralized dentin and enamel. Figure 3. Immediately after cementation of the supragingival restorations (notice the lack of bleeding). Simplifying Dental Procedures... continued from page 74 ultrasonic tools to create perfect bevels, excessive increments and inserts to fill a cavity, immediate dentin sealing, and other demanding and marginally useful procedures that the academics consider "indispensable" to achieve the "absolute best results" are unrealistic. "The absolute best" is an elusive, unnecessary, and often unattainable mission. Do we all…

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