In so many areas of dentistry, nothing seems to stay the same anymore. In my opinion, no one has witnessed this more than the practicing dentists who graduated from their respective dental schools 25- to 30-plus years ago!
The profession has been rapidly morphing over the past 3 decades via many different and powerfully influential factors—with innovations and new developments in technology and dental materials being probably 2 of the most notable arenas. Overall, the dramatic changes we have been witnessing are a good thing, but the continual evolution in the profession also presents certain challenges to the practicing dentist, regardless of age and experience.
How can new materials, fabrication, and delivery protocols be implemented successfully into the everyday practice? Can changes and improvements in the delivery of care be done with a positive return on investment that makes business sense and fits into the wide variety of different business models/practice philosophies? How do busy practicing dentists keep up with all the different treatment and material choices now available? It can be mind boggling!
CAD/CAM dental materials exemplify a topic that all dentists are currently aware of because they now play a major role in modern dental laboratories and have a growing in-office presence. Dr. Sameer Puri, featured on our cover this month, presents an excellent review and update on in-office CAD/CAM dental materials. He shares this information with the goal of providing an overall synopsis and basic categorization of the various CAD/CAM material options currently available. The article describes the different categories, types of blocks, and indications for use, and will assist the interested clinician in making appropriate dental material choices that will lead to long-term clinical success.
In our peer-reviewed CE article, available for 2 FAGD/MAGD CEUs, Dr. Lisa Germain talks about different types of endodontic lesions and their etiologies, covering important considerations that clinicians need to be mindful of as they make treatment decisions.
Please enjoy this exciting issue of Dentistry Today!
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