Dear Restoratives Insider,
Should you place all-resin-composite crowns? Few dentists are using this type of crown yet, but new studies -- including one that will be presented at the International Association for Dental Research annual meeting in July -- suggest they may actually be more durable than all-ceramic crowns.
We're excited to bring you this Insider Exclusive story in the first edition of the DrBicuspid.com Restoratives Insider newsletter. As a Restoratives Insider, you're getting this report not only in advance of the conference, but also several days ahead of other DrBicuspid.com members.
Approximately every six weeks, the Insider will give you a similar exclusive report on an important development in restorative dentistry. And it will summarize all the news we've published on restorations since the previous newsletter.
Also in this edition of the Restoratives Insider: Plasma jets may sound like something from science fiction, but researchers at three German institutes released a study last month suggesting this technology -- similar to a welder's arc -- may take the place of chemical disinfectants in tooth preparations. In some instances, it might even supersede the handpiece, they claim. To read our report, click here.
Meanwhile, the topic of disinfecting preparations has gotten quite a bit of attention lately. In a recent edition of the Gordon J. Christensen Clinicians Report, Dr. Rella Christensen argued that dentists who don't disinfect are putting their patients at risk. To have a look at her evidence -- and what another expert had to say -- click here.
And still wondering whether self-etch adhesives are as strong as etch-and-rinse? Read the latest research.
The Restoratives Community doesn't just focus on repairing teeth, however; it encompasses endodontics and implants as well. In recent weeks we've reported on a dentist who lost a $309,000 lawsuit after performing root canal therapy on all 28 of a tree trimmer's teeth. That story is here.
And just how unpleasant is a root canal? The American Association of Endodontists spoke out recently after President Barack Obama compared the bailout of U.S. banks to that procedure. Click here.
As for implants, a recent study found that immediate loading of implant-supported mandibular overdentures was more successful when the implants had oxidized surfaces.
Finally, we are happy to announce the results of the DrBicuspid Dental Excellence Award for Best New Material of 2009: eMax CAD/eMax Press by Ivoclar Vivadent. You can see the other nominees here, and the winners in the other categories here.
It's shaping up to be an interesting year.
