Class II restorations are the bread and butter for many general practitioners, and Class II posterior restorations can make up roughly half of the cases performed by general dentists.

We recently had the opportunity to sit down with Dr. Richard B. Price to discuss curing lights. For those not familiar with Dr. Price and his work, he’s widely considered the dental industry’s premier expert on curing lights and research surrounding dental light curing. In fact, he’s been cited in more than 3,000 peer-reviewed, published research articles in over 140 publications throughout his career, and he shows no sign of slowing down. His innate curiosity for studying the reasons behind common issues that dentists in every field face unexpectedly led him to his chosen field of study. He now finds great satisfaction in mentoring and conducting research with the upcoming generation of dental students, dentists, and dental researchers at Tufts University School of Dentistry and at various dental schools in Canada, Brazil, and Europe.

By Leo Tjäderhane; DDS, PhD, professor of Cariology and Endodontics.

By Dr. Gary Findley

Photobiomodulation (PBM), or low level laser therapy, is a photo-chemical reaction where light energy of a certain wavelength, intensity, and duration is absorbed at a cellular level, improving local circulation, oxygenation, and enzyme activity. It has been clinically tested and shown to help improve tissue repair and reduce pain and inflammation.

The chemistries you use are different. Some are chemically activated and must be mixed immediately prior to placement. Others have varying viscosities. Some work in pits and fissures, some inside canals, and some on smooth surfaces. Each chemistry you use is designed for a specific purpose. Shouldn't the same be true for your applicator tips?

In the search of a more conservative, affordable and aesthetic approach, direct composite restorations are the most common choice. However, achieving success in a timely manner remains a challenge.

You’ve seen those awful tetracycline tooth stains before. Perhaps you’re the one struggling with them. Perhaps you thought there was no hope to get a white, stainless smile except extremely expensive veneers.

Dr. Sean Lee, the owner of Newtown Smile Dentistry in Newtown, Connecticut, believes in doing things right the first time. It’s this philosophy that guides how he treats his patients, performs the many dental procedures in his everyday work, and how he chooses products.

During a root canal procedure, it’s imperative that clinicians debride and cleanse canals thoroughly with endodontic irrigants—even where instruments can’t reach. However, this can prove tricky, as irrigants must reach where they are needed without expressing beyond the apex of the canal.