Compendium of continuing education in dentistry (Jamesburg, N.J. : 1995)最新文献

When placing direct composite restorations using incremental layering, clinicians may face challenges manually achieving precise occlusal contact and contour complexities, which is essential to properly restoring the patient's preoperative occlusal anatomy and function. This article discusses the use of the "stamp" technique for restoring accurate occlusal topography in direct composite posterior restorations. This method involves fabricating an occlusal index to replicate preoperative tooth anatomy, which helps to ensure precise occlusion and minimize postoperative adjustments. The technique is demonstrated through a case report involving a patient with Class 1 occlusal caries. By transferring the preoperative occlusal anatomy onto the final composite layer, the stamp technique simplifies the restoration process, reducing chairside time and improving patient outcomes.

Case reports of multiple lip mucoceles are rare. This article presents a case report of a 9-year-old patient who presented with three mucoceles on the lower lip. Mucoceles, irritation fibromas, and other more ominous lesions require biopsy for differentiation and diagnosis. In this case, total excisional biopsy also became the definitive treatment. Concurrent with treatment of the lip lesions, the patient was also being treated for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which commonly involves depression and anxiety. It is not unusual for PTSD patients to exhibit body-focused repetitive behavior that, in turn, may involve persistent lip biting and other repeated behaviors. Thus, in this and similar cases of persistent lip biting, treatment not only involves surgical removal of the mucoceles but referral to an appropriate mental health professional for evaluation and treatment of PTSD.

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and augmented reality (AR) in dental education is transforming how students acquire and refine clinical skills. This article explores current applications and the future potential of AI and AR in dental training. AI, defined as the simulation of human cognitive functions by machines, enhances diagnostics, treatment planning, patient management, and educational tools through subfields like machine learning, artificial neural networks, computational vision, robotics, and speech processing. These technologies enable personalized learning, can improve diagnostic accuracy, and streamline administrative tasks. AR, which overlays digital information onto real-world components, provides immersive and interactive learning experiences. In dental education, AR-based simulations enable risk-free environments for skill development, allowing students to practice procedures on virtual patients with real-time feedback. Applications of AR include simulation and training, patient education, endodontics, implantology, and local anesthetic training. These tools help enhance spatial understanding, reduce learning curves, and facilitate standardized training across institutions. Despite challenges such as high implementation costs and the need for faculty training, the potential benefits of AI and AR in dental education are significant. As these technologies continue to evolve, they promise to transform dental curricula, improve educational outcomes, and, ultimately, enhance patient care.

This case report highlights the successful management of ridge defects resulting from early implant failures through ridge defect augmentation using a composite allograft/xenograft bone substitute following explantation. Subsequent implant placements achieved primary stability within 4 months post-augmentation, enabling the delivery of a prosthesis with a fixed partial denture by 5 months post-implant placement. The unique combination of the demineralized allograft fiber-form and xenograft leveraged the materials' distinct osteoinductive and osteoconductive attributes to facilitate a positive outcome in the ridge defect augmentation. As demonstrated in this case presentation, this composite graft provides both volume stability and structural support for implant-supported prostheses.

With edentulism becoming more prevalent in society, the placement of implants has likewise become more common. With implant placement, however, comes the risk of implant failure and infection, whether from mechanical or biological complications. Antibiotic use in dentistry is commonly prescribed; however, with respect to dental implants, debate has persisted about its efficacy, with some researchers and practitioners questioning if it serves any tangible purpose. Antibiotics have been shown to aid in durability of the implant and help with treatment of infection, also known as peri-implantitis, however the criteria regarding which antibiotics to prescribe for implant therapy and when, along with determining their efficacy prophylactically, remain largely unclear. This article discusses the evolution of implant therapy as well as complications that arise from implant placement and investigates the efficacy of antimicrobial use both prophylactically and postoperatively in the presence of infection.

Tonsillectomies traditionally have been used as the first line of treatment for children with sleep-disordered breathing. The purpose of the research presented in this article is to determine the effectiveness of this surgical procedure and compare it to children that have not had such surgery. A sample comprised 9,317 subjects, of which 537 had tonsillectomies and 8,780 did not have tonsillectomies. The study analyzed: (1) the effectiveness of the tonsillectomies regarding the elimination of swollen tissues; (2) six symptoms of sleep-disordered breathing that remained following surgery; (3) the estimation of post-surgery improvement achieved through the use of a preformed removable appliance; and (4) the total expected outcome for both surgery and use of the post-surgery appliance. The authors concluded that significant removal of lymphoidal tissue resulted from tonsillectomies. Significant improvement was observed in two of the six evaluated symptoms that remained after surgery-interrupted snoring and nighttime mouth breathing. Significant improvement resulted in all six symptoms when the tonsillectomies were combined with post-surgical use of a preformed removable sleep appliance.

This complex case involved a patient with lip hypermobility and a "gummy smile" who was self-conscious of her aging ceramic restorations. She also lacked a comfortable bite position and desired a restful position for her jaw. The patient was opposed to surgical correction of her lip and temporary botulism toxin injections to decrease the mobility. A treatment plan was produced utilizing a systematic treatment approach that accommodated the patient's treatment preferences and successfully reduced her gingival display, created a comfortable bite, and enhanced her smile, thus achieving all of the patient's goals.

Orthodontics has undergone a transformative shift over the past decade, with digital workflows, clear aligner technology, and sleep awareness redefining patient care. The integration of customized treatment modalities is accelerating improvements in efficiency, predictability, and patient comfort. As the field evolves, the focus remains on non-invasive solutions that enhance long-term outcomes. This article offers a comprehensive overview of the state of orthodontics, aligners, and sleep appliances, with a forward-looking perspective on future innovations.

Dental assistants (DAs) are essential to the success of any dental practice. They are the backbone of clinical operations, ensuring efficiency while enhancing patient care. From chairside assisting and infection control to administrative support and patient communication, DAs play a vital role in delivering high-quality care. Despite their contributions, the dental profession faces an ongoing workforce shortage that strains dental teams and can potentially limit patient access to timely care.

Peri-implantitis is a biofilm-mediated inflammatory condition associated with progressive loss of supporting tissue and poses a significant challenge to clinicians worldwide. Because limited efficacy is associated with nonsurgical therapy, surgical intervention is often required to manage this disease. This article focuses on operator factors when treating peri-implantitis and presents a stepwise approach to eight essential keys for successful regenerative/reparative treatment of peri-implantitis defects. These keys are aimed at optimizing clinical outcomes for diverse patient needs and defect anatomies. They include evaluating operator experience, risk assessment, and implant restorative design, as well as nonsurgical and surgical therapies such as the use of biologics and biologic derivatives, the postoperative protocol, and a patient-specific periodontal maintenance program. By adhering to these eight keys, clinicians can achieve successful long-term outcomes in the regenerative treatment of peri-implantitis defects.