July 1, 2020

What do dentists want to know about occlusion? Occlusion may appear complicated because of the multiple factors involved, such as teeth, muscles and the temporomandibular joints (TMJs). It can also be confusing, owing to imprecise terminology and philosophies of occlusion.

June 30, 2020

Computer-aided implantology (CAI) was introduced more than 25 years ago with the aim of facilitating implant planning and avoiding intra-operative complications such as mandibular nerve damage, sinus perforation, fenestration and dehiscence. Based on a computed tomography (CT) scan and a digitised tooth set-up, the prosthetically ideal implant positions can be planned virtually with the help of guided surgery software, allowing for 3D visualisation prior to implant surgery.

June 15, 2020

This was a challenging case with the combined issues of a failed root canal therapy and an iatrogenic perforation of the floor of the pulp chamber. Though initially the prognosis could not be evaluated effectively simply because of non-availability of peer-reviewed literature of similar cases for citation, but the case was taken on owing to the patient’s desire to salvage the natural tooth. The importance of magnification and the ergonomic use of the dental operating microscope cannot be more clearly demonstrated than in this case.

June 8, 2020

Maxillary second molars are always a challenge for root canal therapy. This difficulty is related to the location of the tooth, way back in the maxilla with limited access, and the variety of anatomical situations. In this article, we will focus on some of those anatomical variations and how to handle them.

June 2, 2020

Nature has always captivated us with its beauty. Whether it is a landscape, a sunset or the intricate details of a leaf, one marvels at natural aesthetics. The goal of an artist is to copy nature in every medium: painting, sculpture, music, photography. It is easy to see parallels in dentistry. The teeth and soft tissue display details on the macroscopic and microscopic scale that make up all their beauty. Even the smile has characteristics that define what is beautiful and what is not. Like an artist, the dentist and the dental technician use all their combined talents to create lifelike restorations. The secret to imitating nature is in the details of daily practice and hard work.

May 11, 2020

Immediate implant placement is a well-recognised and successful treatment option after tooth extraction. Success rates for both immediate and delayed implant techniques are comparable; however, the literature reports that one can expect buccal collapse of the original buccal volume and midfacial recession of at least 1mm after immediate implant placement, possibly worse in thin gingival biotypes.

April 17, 2020

Recent research shows that oral health is an essential prerequisite for people’s well-being and quality of life. In order to reach the global goals for oral health, the dental profession has a great responsibility to work with a preventive and health-promoting approach.

April 11, 2020

The lasting success of any root canal therapy is always only apparent after long-term observation. In this article, based on a case study, the author demonstrates how a strongly curved canal in the posterior maxilla was prepared using pre-bendable nickel-titanium (NiTi) files, ensuring that a bacteria-proof seal is created that can last for as long as six years after the procedure. Here, the use of a reduced file sequence is just as important as the advantages of a flowable obturation material.