By Jonathan F. Richards, D.D.S., M.S., Scott B. McClanahan, D.D.S., M.S., and Walter R. Bowles, D.D.S., M.S., Ph.D. From the January-February 2015 Issue of Northwest Dentistry Accurate identification and assessment of an inflamed or necrotic tooth is essential for endodontic treatment. The purpose of this research was to investigate possible sources of error associated with the use of […] Read More »

By Thomas D. Larson, D.D.S., M.S.D. From the January-February 2015 Issue of Northwest Dentistry There are many ways to bond to tooth structure, some micro-mechanical, some chemical, some a combination. Different dentin bonding materials have different bonding strengths to differently prepared surfaces, and because of differences in their nature, different areas of tooth structure present […] Read More »

By Nathan Pedersen, D.D.S. From the January-February 2015 Issue of Northwest Dentistry Late last year when Northwest Dentistry’s Editorial Advisory Board was brainstorming topics to pursue for 2015, one that came to the fore was given the working title “How Do You Recognize a Heroin Addict?”  Discussion produced the set of questions that is the foundation of the following article. Recognizing that […] Read More »

Computers and dentistry; pretty much a boon. Computers and dentists; maybe not so much – the jury is out, case by case. Computers and dental editors? Therein lies a tale, one that attends to a different kind of fracture. Read More »

The following article is based on the 2014 winning CaseCAT (Clinically Appraised Topic) poster presentation from the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry program to promote student understanding of evidence-based dentistry and make evidence-based decisions in their clinical practice. In partnership with faculty advisers, dental students ask a focused question based on one of their actual patient scenarios. They evaluate literature for the best evidence, and make clinical judgments and decisions based upon their evaluation. Read More »

For 10 years during his tenure as chair of the MDA’s Committee on Constitution,Bylaws and Ethics, Dr. Jack Churchill wrote a continuing feature report for Northwest Dentistry called “What’s a Dentist to Do?”, in the process becoming the de facto “ethics guru” for the dentists of Minnesota and beyond. It is the “beyond” that brings Jack back into our pages for this interview. Read More »

This article will describe the various elements of color and how color is perceived physically and psychologically. It will also describe the various methods used to communicate color matching to the laboratory (for porcelain), as well as the other physical compositions that affect color perception. The artistic components will be described, as well as the scientific methods by which color can be manipulated to obtain clinically acceptable matches, utilizing both composite resins and porcelains. The applications are broad across direct and indirect restorations and include all porcelain materials as well as various composite resin systems. By breaking color components into hue, value, chroma, and translucency (contrast ratio), a common sense approach to describing a desired color match will be rationalized. Read More »

The following article is based on a 2013 winning CaseCAT (Critically Appraised Topic) poster presentation from the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry program to promote student understanding of evidence-based dentistry and make evidence-based decisions in their clinical practice. Read More »

This paper comes from research into the science of color and from the teaching of color matching to 42 years of dental students and by application of these principles in formulating porcelain restorations. By understanding the science and artistry behind color matching, the dentist can more accurately inform a dental ceramist of what is required to match a color in language that is easily understood. Read More »

Let’s say a new family moves in down the street, and the neighborhood throws a barbeque so everyone can get acquainted. During the evening, the new neighbor says, “I need to find a really good dentist for my kids. Is there anyone you would recommend?” How many of the assembled throng do you suppose would not only remember your name, but be able to clearly talk about what makes your office so special? Read More »

Enamel craze lines are a common clinical finding, especially in older patients and in patients who brux. These craze lines frequently are discolored and may present as clear in color, grey, or brown. The clinical question is, when do enamel craze lines need restoration and when should we leave them untreated? Read More »

Venturing out to start your own dental practice can be very exciting — and overwhelming. It is important for any
dentist/owner to start developing a team of dental professionals from the very beginning to help navigate the
process. Understanding that all aspects of dentistry are specialized and that dental clinics are not typical projects, working with the proper team will save time, money, and headaches. Read More »

The aim of this study was to evaluate the patient’s perceived pain response to injection and anesthetic deposition for the greater palatine nerve block. This prospective, single-blind study evaluating three injection techniques to reduce posterior palatal injection pain to a control injection method showed no significant reduction in pain with any of the three techniques. Furthermore, 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane placed with pressure for 10 seconds appeared injurious to the oral mucosa. Read More »

It is interesting to observe the adoption of new technology in dentistry and orthodontics. Of particular interest is the use of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) as the imaging protocol of choice for comprehensive orthodontic treatment. A concise review of the diffusion of innovation in dentistry was published by Parashos and Messer, who concluded that the adoption of technology is affected by factors that “include a complex interplay of perceived benefits and advantages, and psychosocial and behavioral factors, in decision-making.” Read More »

Lyme disease is a multisystemic inflammatory disease caused by the tickborne spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi. The disease was first identified in the United States in 1975 during an outbreak around Lyme, Connecticut, of an inflammatory condition presumed to be juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. The classical pattern of Lyme disease is a characteristic macular skin rash (erythema migrans) that appears within a month after the tick (Ixodes dammini) bite. Several different manifestations, including neurologic, articular, and cardiac manifestations, may follow. Learn more about dental management for the patient with Lyme disease. Read More »

Northwest Dentistry recently sat down with Dr. Brent Larson, Director of the Orthodontics Division at the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry, to talk about the specialty as it exists today. The range of the discussion demonstrates how quickly and how significantly change has come to this area of dentistry in the classroom, in the clinic, and in the research. The interview was held May 1, 2014. Read More »

The idea for this article began with a somewhat sarcastic observation when, watching the local news, a report on an area school system providing free laptops to its students concluded with, “Every student should have this opportunity.”

“Yeah,” said Someone, “in a perfect world.”

But sarcasm will only take you so far. Then what?

This idea stuck, and it occurred to us to follow where it might lead. We decided to ask some well-recognized names from our state’s dental community to join us in creating a wish list for the profession. We gave each of them three wishes for their particular areas of expertise, as well as for the profession as a whole, as these things always take on a life of their own. Read More »

Mercury emissions are decreasing in Minnesota waters thanks in part to the stewardship of the Minnesota Dental Association (MDA) in its efforts supporting the collection and recycling of dental amalgam solids. This article is a brief history of that work and that commitment dating back to 1990. Read More »

The members of the Minnesota legislature have debated methods by which access to dental care and treatment of dental disease can be improved at a cost lower than that of present delivery systems. This review sheds light on some significant aspects of what the dental profession has learned over the last century that has proven significantly beneficial to the overall health of the American populace. Recommendations are made in the use of cost-effective dental public health interventions that could be used to provide better access and improved dental health at lower cost. Read More »

A new appreciation for the direct relationship of mouth health to systemic health is forcing re-evaluation of previous concepts of oral health strategies. Although a person shows adaptation to loss of some permanent teeth, it appears a threshold of 10 functional pairs or 20 teeth have linkage to a number of disabling diseases of aging. Read More »