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Clinical

• These are a few of my favorite (dental) things December 19, 2018
  Dr. Simmons takes a humorous look back at her "favorite" patient conversations of 2018.
• Predictable esthetics using smile design and a balanced occlusion in centric relation December 19, 2018
  In this clinical case study, Dr. Brian Sang demonstrates the principles of comprehensive care, smile design, and balanced occlusion.
• Play it SMART: Silver diamine fluoride plus ITR for dental caries management in anxious pediatric patients November 13, 2018
  Managing dental caries in children requires clinicians to weigh risks and benefits unique to the pediatric population. Drs. Beau Meyer and Jennifer Crisp explain how a new algorithm makes working through the decision-making process to plan treatment easier. They present a case study of an anxious three-year-old male whom they treat successfully using the SMART […]
• Case study: Failing root canal and management of tooth with a perforation November 12, 2018
  A patient presents with an infected tooth and failing prior root canal therapy. A post perforation or root fracture is suspected. The tooth has a questionable prognosis, but the patient is determined to pursue all possible tooth-saving options. While this case is successful, other treatment options would also have been reasonable. Dr. Michael Zuroff illustrates […]
• Dentistry at its finest: high heels and dental crown lengthening using pig jaws from the land of sun November 12, 2018
  Dr. Stacey Simmons, editorial director of Breakthrough Clinical, took her entire dental staff to Hawaii for the ADA Annual Meeting to reset, learn, network, and relax. Her first item on the agenda: crown lengthening on pig jaws. Aren’t these the best kinds of patients? She knows that dentistry is the right profession for her as […]
• Why phasing restorative dental treatment can be helpful for both dentists and patients: A case study October 22, 2018
  Payment plans often become the topic of conversation when a patient's dental treatment plan involves a sizable amount of restorative dentistry. Cost can be one of the biggest factors preventing patients from accepting the dental treatment they need. Dr. Zachary Sisler presents a case study to illustrate the benefits that the underutilized concept of phasing […]
• Diagnosis for BC oral pathology case No. 38: Steps to evaluate leukoplakia and squamous cell carcinoma October 20, 2018
  Malignant lesions can be confusing to diagnose without a biopsy, because some—such as leukoplakia and squamous cell carcinoma—share etiologic factors. However, there are several steps to take when you encounter suspicious areas of tissue that will help you evaluate whether or not the lesion is cancerous. This is the complete oral pathology case of the […]
• Seizing teaching opportunities and improving dental clinical skills: 'I saw tadpoles on that patient's x-ray' October 20, 2018
  Tadpoles? Yes! Dr. Stacey Simmons explains how to seize the moments in your dental practice when you can teach staff members a lifetime of knowledge that will improve their clinical skills in one minute—without missing a beat. Teaching opportunities are endless. Dentists are teachers and students every day, and as the dental profession continues to […]
• The 101 on human papillomavirus (HPV): What health-care providers need to know about HPV and oral cancer September 21, 2018
  Human papillomavirus–related oropharyngeal cancer is now considered an epidemic. As health-care professionals with initial screening methods, we must make the first move to guide our patients with reliable information. Choosing not to proactively educate our patients about the dangers of HPV–OPC could cost the lives of many to a preventable infection. Dr. Susan Maples shares […]
• BC oral pathology case No. 38: The 'harmless-looking' white lip lesion that got ignored September 19, 2018
  In this oral pathology case, a healthy 65-year-old male patient of record presents for his recare/periodontal maintenance visit. He reports no concerns, but a clinical head and neck exam reveals a white, flat, 5 mm x 5 mm irregular-bordered lesion on the lower labial tissue. Based on the presentation and clinical exam, can you diagnose […]