Tag: dentistry
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ChatGPT and Dentistry
If you have not heard of ChatGPT and its features this may go completely over your head. But if you have some inclination as to how Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning works this may be very interesting for you. As a large language model trained by OpenAI, ChatGPT has the ability to generate human-like text…
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Busting Wives Tales: Crushed Aspirin for a Toothache
Aspirin is a Non-Steroirdal Anti-Inflammatory or NSAID, commonly used for everyday aches and pains. Some people are also prescribed this drug to manage the risk of heart attack. So besides taking this over-the-counter drug for cardiovascular reasons, it might make sense to take it for a toothache. For some reason the myth of crushing up…
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2022 Dental Assistant Recognition Week Interviews
In Honor of National Dental Assistant week, I decided to interview a couple of my awesome dental assistants. Without them, my job would be 1000% more harder and a lot less fun. This post contains good information on the not so obvious parts of Assisting! Preemptive thanks to @paige.westermann and @traylee1245 for a) being great…
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What The Dentist Sees in Your X-rays
A series of photos below will walk you through the progression of some cavities, and what we are looking out for after your most common X-rays. Now you know what to look for at your next cleaning and exam appointment with your dentist when they swing that monitor or film with your x-rays on them.…
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What Are These White Spots On My Child’s Teeth?
Those are white spot lesions! Let’s talk a bit about why they happen and what we can do about them. What Are White Spot Lesions (WSLs)? White spot lesions are simply areas of decalcification of our enamel. Before we have a true cavity (a cavity results from decay entering the inner layer of our tooth,…
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A Little Dental History: Ancient Egypt
Remember learning about all of the Pyramids and Pharaohs of ancient Egypt? Unsurprisingly Egyptians from ~3000b.c. to ~300bc also had teeth, and those teeth also had the same issues we deal today. You may have seen images similar to the bridgework completed above making note that Egyptians may have been skilled in dentistry. That is…
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Comparing Bulk Fill Composites With Conventional Composite Materials
What Is A Composite? Resin composites consist of four parts: An organic polymer matrix Inorganic filler particles A coupling agent An initiator-accelerator system. The organic polymer matrix usually consists of dimethacrylate. The inorganic filler particle can be finely ground quartz or glass, or other materials. These provide a number of characteristics, including reinforcing the matrix,…
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Pathology Post: Hypercementosis
Hypercementosis is a nonneoplastic deposition of excessive cementum that is continuous with the normal radicular cementum¹. What is Hypercementosis? Hypercementosis is a thickening or blunting of the root due to excess cementum, surrounded by an intact PDL space, as evidenced in the photo above. Hypercementosis was found to be most common in the mandibular molars,…
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Pathology Post: Angular Cheilitis
What is angular cheilitis? Angular cheilitis is a red ulcerated lesion found on the corners of the mouth that can cause soreness and itch. Many times, angular cheilitis is due to a reduced vertical dimension of occlusion seen in older individuals and those that do not have dentition (though a reduced vertical dimension of occlusion…
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Pathology Post: Ludwig’s Angina
Ludwig’s angina is a serious cellulitis (bacterial tissue infection) of the submandibular region. Although it shares a name with ‘angina,’ this disease has very little to do with chest pain – in fact, this disease gets its name due to another reason completely. Angina is derived from the latin word ‘angere,’ meaning ‘to strangle.’ Ludwig’s…
Teeth & Chiefs 