The Benefits of Minimally Invasive Dentistry

By: Heather Voss, CDT Not happy with your smile? Are there a few things that you would like to change that make you feel self-conscious about smiling?  Gaps in your teeth, stained teeth, crooked or badly shaped teeth? Veneers, for example, are a great option for many dental patients. Custom-made shells crafted of tooth-colored materials are…

Three Ways to Incorporate Group Learning in 2017

By. Courtney Lavigne, DMD, FAGD In the age of technology we are increasingly a population of text-driven, email-laden, computer-savvy persons. Dentists are getting their continuing education online. A simple “YouTube” search can land you visual instructions on how to conduct a new procedure in private practice. We’re scanning and milling more than impressing and pressing. What…

Shade Taking

By. William R. Mrazek B.Sc., CDT The following information is designed to educate the technician, dentist, and dental assistant in the accuracy, predictability, and efficiency of the VITA 3D-Master Shade system.  I have included a list of recommendations for shade taking technique to help reduce the variables and increase the accuracy and predictability of the shade…

Use of the CDT codes In Your Dental Practice

Use of the CDT codes In Your Dental Practice By Dennis Lanier, CDT The codes that I am talking about are the Current Dental Terminology codes that dental practices use to document their services and lead to faster reimbursement from insurance companies. It is also important to use the most current CDT/CPT/ICD-10-CM code combinations, when…

Who Makes Your Crown?

Who Makes Your Crown? By Bennett Napier, CAE Over a hundred years ago, it was not uncommon to find a dentist in a barber shop. Over the course of time, processes, training and technology have vastly improved the delivery of dental services. During the evolution of dentistry, allied specialists emerged to perform certain functions, i.e.…

Materials Accountability Standards Matter

Materials Accountability Standards Matter By: Eric Thorn, Esq. Many clearly recognize the importance of requiring dental laboratories to disclose to the dentist the point-of-origin and the material content of materials used in dental restorations as the accuracy of this information is essential to protect the patient safety. What many don’t recognize is that most states…

Digital Impact in Dentistry

Digital Impact in Dentistry By: Steve Killian, CDT Change is Difficult It’s a brave new world with all of the digital changes we experience in our daily lives.  The changes seem to be coming at us at a geometric rate of growth.  It simply is overwhelming at times.  Oftentimes we look to our kids to…

Why did my Doctor ONLY Tell Me About CPAP?

Why did my Doctor ONLY Tell Me About CPAP?  By Laura Sheppard, CDT, TE This is a common question when patients realize there are also custom made oral appliances that can be equally effective. CPAP is the most common treatment for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) prescribed by medical physicians everywhere. Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy is…

Dental Laboratory Association Announces Campaign to Inform Dentists of Potential Lack of Regulation for Restorations

Dental Laboratory Association Announces Campaign to Inform Dentists of Potential Lack of Regulation for Restorations Laura Sheppard, CDT, TE With strong regulation in the manufacturing of sleep devices, the National Association of Dental Laboratories is informing dentists, through its “What’s In Your Mouth?” (WIYM) campaign, that this level of regulation is not prevalent in the…