Prosthodontics Archives - Dental Head Start

As a new grad, it’s almost the norm rather than the exception nowadays to have at least some form of digital dentistry within one’s practice. But it wasn’t always this way, and for many more seasoned dentists, the world of digital dentistry was something they had to slowly piece together over the years and learn to leverage.

In this months’ feature, we explore Dr Lingaiah Dronavalli’s journey in dentistry from his early years as a new grad with huge expectations but without the tools, resources and mindset to grow and how that overall affected his feeling of fulfillment, to where he is today – a self proclaimed dental peacock who takes pride in his work!

We talk about Dr Lingaiah’s discovery of digital dentistry and CEREC specifically, and how that’s not only shaped his growth as a clinician, but also how it’s taught him to leverage technology to maximise efficiencies and workflows within his practice and ultimately optimise the entire patient experience. We explore the concept of practice ownership and associateship and the importance of building mutually supportive environments within the practice.

TIP #111 – Is It Restorable? with Dr Michael Mandikos

February 2, 2023February 2, 2023Leave a Comment

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It’s one thing understanding textbook definitions of restorability and optimal outcomes, and a whole different scenario when there’s a patient sitting in front of you with the hopes of saving a very broken down tooth. In this episode, we dive into the dilemma we’ve all encountered – can we save this tooth?

Join us as we sit down with Dr Michael Mandikos to discuss assessing restorability, how far subgingival is too far subgingival, deep margin elevation and when posts should come into play. We talk about the importance of assessing and managing expectations, and how we go about our decision tree.

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 #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.

#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.

#28 – Dr Sravan Chunduru Shows Rem Pros is Engaging

February 17, 2020February 17, 2020Leave a Comment

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When we think instagram dentistry and prosthodontics, we tend to think veneers and full mouth rehab. Tired teeth restored back to their beautiful original state. Little space is left for dentures and rem pros.

Yet dentures and your first full mouth rehab. They are the path to a beautiful smile, effective function and increased self-confidence, which is so easily lost when a patient looses their smile.

This critical aspect of dentistry has been generally made engaging by Dr Sravan Chunduru, an Adelaide based Prosthodontist I had the pleasure of chatting with of this episode of the Dental Head Start Podcast.

#12 – Dr Tony Rotondo: Good Eyes Make Good Work

July 8, 2019July 8, 2019Leave 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.