It probably does not seem that long ago to the more seasoned doctors—those who graduated in the mid-1960s and 1970s—that the basic dental material choices available in their early days came down to several brands of composite resin, cast gold, gold foil, PFMs, feldspathic porcelain, and rubber base and dental compound impressions for various restorative and prosthodontic applications. Next to what doctors face these days, making a decision on which was the “best” product for any given situation was simple. This point jumps into perspective when one picks up this issue of Dentistry Today and reads (1) our brief Focus On by Dr. Dan Ward, centered around advanced restorative materials, or (2) our more in-depth, cover-featured interview with Dr. Howard Glazer, who talks about trends in dentistry and the innovations, materials, and techniques available to the practitioner.
With all the options presented to the present-day dental clinician, there comes a great responsibility to take post-graduate education very seriously in order to keep fully up to date. Dentistry has never been an easy profession, but many talented people, including researchers and manufacturers, are doing their level best to give us products that work predictably and efficiently and help us provide successful long-term results. It may be challenging, but that keeps it interesting and makes this one of the best of times to be in the dental profession.
All the articles presented herein are related to either recently developed concepts, materials, and techniques or implications for dentistry when the practice of modern medicine impacts the patient. We have Dr. Allan Deutsch, who compares reciprocal kinematics and rotary instrumentation in endodontics; Dr. Robert Ibsen, who presents a case report showcasing a minimally invasive veneer technique; Drs. Jaimée Morgan and Stan Presley, who share their take on a new, lab-fabricated aligner technique; Dr. Ross Nash, who uses modern restorative materials to restore aesthetics to a smile; Dr. Ara Nazarian, who methodically employs the steps and materials required to predictably deliver full-mouth reconstructions; Dr. Charles Schlesinger, who presents a case report that shows the impact of well-done dentistry for a patient; and, in our Viewpoint, Rick Williamson stresses the need for an ergonomics protocol for the prevention of work-related disabilities in the dental office. In our peer-reviewed CE selection, available for 2 FAGD/MAGD CEUs, Dr. Germana De Villa Camargos et al discuss the use of zygomatic implants in treating the atrophic maxilla.
Please enjoy this issue of Dentistry Today!
