Prosthodontics Archives - Dental Head Start

TIP #107 – The Cracked Tooth with Dr Michael Mandikos

October 20, 2022October 19, 2022Leave a Comment

Perhaps one of the most common findings we’ll come across charting, is discovering cracks in teeth. Now here comes the conundrum of how bad is that crack, should we fix it and how should we go about fixing it?

In this episode, we sit down with Dr Michael Mandikos, a specialist prosthodontist, to crack the code. We talk about diagnosing cracks, how to manage them and we tackle the age old debate of… do you chase the crack?

TIP #92 – Working Out The Prosthetic Side of Implants with Rob Dulieu

June 16, 2022June 15, 2022Leave a Comment

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If you’ve ever flipped through a product catalog for prosthetic implant components, you’ll know that there is a LOT there. Literally hundreds of components, connections, abutments, screws, copings, healing caps, analogs, channels and more. And that’s just for one brand.

So when we come to restoring implants, what do we ask our lab for? How do we make decisions around implant prosthetics? What are the common mistakes people make here?

Rob Dulieu is a master ceramist and lab technician with extensive experience in all types of implant restorations – everything from single implant crowns to complex multi-unit cases.

He has guided many young dentists through this steep learning curve and shares with us his top tips for restoring implants and the decision making process around the prosthetic side of implants.

TIP #90 – What Your Lab Technician is Really Thinking with Rob Dulieu

June 2, 2022May 29, 2022Leave a Comment

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What do lab technicians really wish for from their dentists? I asked Rob Duleiu, dental technician and master ceramist at RWD dental lab, to give it to us straight. And it’s about criticizing our preps.

In this podcast, Rob and I get into the top do’s and don’ts for dentists, but from the point of view of a ceramist or technician. He reveals some eye opening insights around what we can do as dentists to make life easier for our lab technicians, how to help them do better work for us and achieve a better outcome for our patients.

If you’ve ever blamed your lab for something less than ideal, listen to this episode. We talk preps, impressions, scanning, mode of communication, feedback, photography, videography and more. There’s so much in our control.

TIP #85 – Lasers in Dentistry with Dr Kurt Dean

May 5, 2022May 4, 2022Leave a Comment

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The application of lasers in dentistry is so versatile that it can be confusing to get your head around how it works and when to use it. But for those that do, they often remark on how much they love using it in daily practice.

In this episode, long-time laser dentist Dr Kurt Dean breaks it down for us. What dental lasers are, what they’re used for, the types of lalers on the market and the pro’s and cons of the technology.

TIP #76 – Vertical Crown Preparations with Dr Bez Shokouhi

February 24, 2022February 23, 2022Leave a Comment

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Ever heard of verti-preps? There was no mention of it in my dental school. But Dr Bez Shokouhi wishes he’d learned about it earlier in his career because it’s a game changer for the way he approaches some heavily damaged teeth.

Basically, it’s a type of crown preparation that has NO horizontal margin, meaning you can preserve a lot more tooth structure. This is possible thanks to properties of materials like zirconia that can perform well with a knife edge margin. Verti-preps allow for the creation of more subgingival ferrule and salvaging of teeth deemed otherwise unrestorable by traditional restorability standards.

TIP #59 – Starting Up with Implants with Dr Namita Gupta

September 16, 2021September 16, 2021Leave a Comment

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Whether you’re an owner or associate, introducing implant dentistry into your practice isn’t a small task. From stocking up on componentry to training your DA’s to figuring out costs and consent forms – there are multiple factors that need to be considered.

Dr Namita Gupta, experienced implant dentist, education and multi-practice owner breaks it down for us. We discuss everything from how to start and maintain your implant education, how to access crucial mentorship, how to train up staff and how to work out the business and administrative aspect of implant dentistry.

TIP #56 – Digital Smile Design in Practice with Dr Alistair Graham

August 26, 2021August 25, 2021Leave a Comment

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If you’re a dentist, you would have definitely heard of Digital Smile Design. But what is it? It’s not that clear because it’s more than one thing.

DSD is a concept, a workflow, an app, a lab, a brand and more – no wonder it’s confusing.

Dr Alistair Graham runs a DSD accredited practice where he and his team have adopted the DSD workflow and use it successfully to attract, communicate with and carry out treatment for patients using the DSD approach. In this podcast he explains the what and how.

TIP #54 – Understanding CEREC Basics with Dr Alistair Graham

August 5, 2021August 4, 2021Leave a Comment

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Dr Alistair Graham is a trainer for one of the most popular CEREC courses in Australia run by CEREC pro Dr Lawrence Lau.

In this podcast we discuss the basics of CEREC; how to get started, what to focus on and what common pitfalls to avoid as a beginner.

He also shares with us his appointment workflow and how it all comes together in his highly successful private practice.

#59 – [Re-Run] Good Eyes Make Good Work with Dr Tony Rotondo

May 24, 2021January 20, 2022Leave a Comment

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Many say Dr Tony Rotondo has good hands. And if you have seen his work, then you would certainly agree. But for Tony, it’s his eyes that allow him to achieve his clinical excellence. And perhaps, his passion and consistent drive to improve.

Dr Tony Rotondo is an internationally recognised prosthodontist with particular interest in aesthetics, composite and implant dentistry. Tony completed his undergraduate at UQ and his prosthodontic program at UCLA. Tony is also an educator and lectures locally and internationally.

#48 – A/Prof Max Guazzato – Prosthodontics, Oral Surgery and Education

November 23, 2020November 23, 2020Leave a Comment

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Your path to now has shaped who you are and the lens through which you see dentistry and the world. From working with his mother in Milan, becoming a dental technician, Dentistry, oral surgery, a PHD and now Prosthodontics. It is safe to say A/Prof Max Guazzato has had a path and a perspective few could claim to hold.

I was lucky enough to have a few lectures and practical sessions with A/Prof Guazzato and I can say his journey and passion inspired me and left a lasting influence on my fascination with morphology, colour and attention to detail. Even though the wax up I produced was not something I hope he remembers!

Enjoy this inspiring story and thoughtful advice – find more from A/Prof Max Guazzato at Highlands Professional Development and if you’re that way inclined – the post graduate Pros program at Sydney University.