Immediate implant placement following tooth extraction is a predictable treatment with a high success rate. However, when it is done in the anterior esthetic zone, bone and gingival recession can be expected following extraction of the natural tooth. It has even been shown that this soft and hard tissue remodeling takes place, irrespective of if an implant…
The final esthetic outcome and longevity of veneers depends on the tooth preparation. Excessive reduction can compromise bond strength (due to exposed dentin), cause sensitivity and limit possible treatment options for the patient in the future. The goal of veneer preparations is to be maintained within the enamel layer. Conservative tooth preparation can give high…
Amelogenesis Imperfecta (AI) disrupts the composition of enamel in teeth. The condition can be x–linked, autosomal recessive or dominant. AI can affect both permanent and primary teeth. Clinical presentations of AI can include sensitivity, surface roughness, and discoloration. Diffuse pitting or grooves are caused by defective matrix deposition, showing up as reduced enamel thickness. Most…
Patient Presentation A patient presents to the orthodontic office with a chief complaint of straightening her upper and lower front teeth. She is particularly concerned about the vertical height of the two upper central incisors, which also cause an unbalanced upper lip position at rest. Dental history Previous root canal treatment of upper left central…
Standard diameter implant have become the gold standard, particularly because of the high success rate of the procedure. However, in cases where atrophic alveolar bone is present, predictable success rates can only be achieved with bone remodeling and augmentation. Logically, this increases the treatment time for the patient and comes with possible surgical complications. Things…
The emergence of zirconia has advanced dentistry. A crystalline ceramic, zirconia can give great esthetic qualities to the patient. In addition, with its high metal oxide concentration, zirconia shows great mechanical strength. However, bonding to zirconia is known to be particularly troublesome. Sand blasting with alumina, silanization, glass infiltration and zirconia primers have all emerged…
With progress in dental materials manufacturing, the demand for esthetics is increasing – both with the patient and the practitioner. For decades, the gold standard for fixed prostheses was the metal-ceramic crown. However, zirconia crowns have ushered in greater demand within the past 10 years, due to their superior esthetic quality, especially in anterior restorations.…
Denture fabrication doesn’t come without its headaches. From reduced function, new sensations, new phonetics, and altered hygiene; getting comfortable with a new set of dentures is always tough for the patient. Adding denture stomatitis as an irritating factor makes it even tougher. Although the prevalence of denture stomatitis (the majority of which is asymptomatic) can…