the DPR Editorial Team

Articles

Dental companies and organizations are built on big ideas and thrive on the energy of people determined to turn those visions into reality. 

Dreamers and Doers

Showcasing the articles that garnered the most attention this year. 


The top 5 Digital Esthetics articles of 2018

	With 2019 quickly approaching, we decided to take a look back and showcase the articles that made a big impact this past year.

Trending article: 3 MAJOR challenges when creating dentures

	This year, you, our readers, were most interested in ways to get involved with digital dentures, the worst states to be a lab technician, materials that lab techs need to know about, and more. We’re excited to see what next year brings for the dental lab industry, and we’re looking forward to keeping you up to date with engaging content.

	Click through the slides to read the most popular Digital Esthetics articles of 2018.

	5 ways to get involved with digital dentures

	Digital design and manufacturing technologies have been slowly developing in our industry for over 30 years.

	The majority of crown and bridge restorations are now metal-free - a trend that has largely been influenced by the shift to CAD/CAM and the streamlined precision that it offers. CAD/CAM removables have been slower to develop, but recent advancements have generated enough buzz to help them go mainstream in the near future. With more than 36 million fully edentulous Americans, here’s a look at how labs can get their feet wet and prepare for the coming onslaught of digital denture technologies.

	The top 10 worst states to be a lab technician

	Americans take a lot of pride in the state they call home. Maybe your state is home to Abraham Lincoln (Illinois), maybe your state is home to the fi rst man who walked on the moon (Ohio), or maybe your state is home to the country’s largest pumpkin (Washington). For whatever reason, we embrace the best that our states have to offer.

	On the other hand, there are some states that aren’t ideal for everything. For example, dental lab technicians may have a tougher go at it in some states as opposed to others.

	We compiled data on areas such as employment, wage, healthcare, affordability and other statistics to identify which states were the toughest for dental lab technicians. Is your state on the list?

	6 materials lab techs need to know about

	There’s no dearth of materials at labs’ disposal. And with all of the different fabrication methods, a lab technician’s material options only broaden.

	Whether creating restorations through conventional methods, milling or even 3D printing, there are several material options that labs should keep in their arsenal. Here are the top six materials lab techs definitely need to know.

	5 things you need to know about 3D printing

	You’ve been hearing it for years by this point: “3D printing will revolutionize the industry,” “This technology is going to make this other product obsolete,” “Invest in 3D printing before it’s too late!”

	3D printers aren’t new, but they’re continually being made cheaper, better and more accessible than ever. This means that not only do you have to track the 3D printing revolution as it relates dental industry, but you also have to track the revolution being brought to 3D printers themselves. It’s a lot to take in, but we’re here to help.

	Here are five things you need to know about where 3D printing is now - what it’s being used for, how to best utilize it - and where 3D printing will be in the future. 3D printing shouldn’t be intimidating, so here’s how you can stay on top of the 3D printing revolution.

	As an expert on dental prostheses and restorations, you might take it for granted that you do excellent work.

	But there’s an entire corner of the internet that says, “I don’t need an expert for that; I can do it myself.” Here’s what happens when non-experts try to get into the dental game.

	You’ve spent years training to use the best materials and techniques to create the best product that’s esthetic, safe and (most importantly) functional. The following groups of people spent a few hours using household objects and YouTube guides to make or fix their dentures.

	After seeing some of the worst denture tips and “hacks” from across the internet, you’ll agree that the phrase “leave it to the experts” has never been truer.

	Not only will these tips not create something long-lasting or beautiful, they may just be the worst thing a patient could put in his or her mouth. They might be cheaper in the short run, but these could end up costing patients a lot more in wasted materials or health problems.

Dr. Flucke, chief dental editor and technology editor at DPR, breaks down the products that blew him away this year.

The top 5 product test drives of 2018

	In 2018, the dental industry saw major developments in research and technology that led to revelations about oral-systemic health, treatment practices, opioid trends and more.

Trending article: The WORST infection control breach stories

	While there were many important discoveries this year, these five stood out as the most influential, all of which are paving the way for what's sure to be an exceptional next year of dental advancements.

	Click through the slides to read about this year's top dental discoveries.

	Study finds link between oral bacteria and increased risk of esophageal cancer

	Oral bacteria has been linked to a wide range of serious medial conditions, including pancreatic cancer, stroke and lung cancer. New research shows that oral bacteria may also be linked to esophageal cancer.

	Esophageal cancer makes up about 1 percent of all cancers diagnosed in the United States. The American Cancer Society estimates that about 17,290 new esophageal cancer cases will be diagnosed in 2018.

	Have scientists finally solved tooth decay?

	The cause of tooth decay has long been known - two kinds of bacteria (

) create a biofilm and acid that damages teeth.

	Those two bacteria are often linked together by researchers in a group simply called mutans streptococci, since they both work together to form dental caries. However, much more is known about 

 is more prevalent than its caries-causing twin and is more stable, making it much easier to study.

	Can opioids prescribed for wisdom tooth extraction lead to long-term drug use?

	While more awareness is being spread about opioid abuse, the opioid epidemic remains a significant problem in the United States. Fortunately, the percentage of opioid prescriptions prescribed by dentists has fallen to 6.4 percent as of 2012, but the fact remains that dentists are typically one of the first medical professionals to prescribe opioids to teens and young adults for the treatment of acute pain, such as wisdom tooth removal. And according to new research, young people who fill an opioid prescription after wisdom tooth extraction may set themselves up for long-term opioid use.

	Study shows toothpaste alone doesn’t protect enamel or prevent erosion

	While toothpaste is critical in the fight against plaque buildup, the simple act of brushing your teeth can cause some enamel erosion. However, more toothpastes are coming on the market that claim to protect tooth enamel, decrease sensitivity and prevent erosion.

	Are these claims to be trusted? Maybe not, according to new research.

	Good nightly oral hygiene should include brushing (properly, of course), flossing and maybe a mouth rinse. And as a new study shows, adding wine to that list might be a good idea.

	Sure, wine can still stain teeth, but according to a new study published in ACS’ Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, it can also block off bacteria responsible for periodontal disease and caries.

Dental research came a long way this year, and these studies stood out among the rest. 

The top 5 dental discoveries of 2018

Dental research came a long way this year, and these studies stood out among the others. 

	It’s hard to believe, but 2019 is almost here!

All year at Dental Products Report, we've been bringing you the latest news from the dental industry on topics ranging from emerging research to finance to ergonomics. Whether you were looking for salary information, perusing the latest medical discoveries, or getting to know the latest product launches in the industry, we had you covered! As with every year, some topics were more popular than others with our readers.

	We've compiled a list of articles that you, our readers, enjoyed the most, based on interest generated on dentalproductsreport.com. Take a look and see if there were any you missed this year, so you can start 2019 on the right foot!

	Continue to the next page to find out the most popular articles.

	Everyone is partial to his or her particular hometown or state. Unfortunately, despite your loyalty to your locale, your state may not be the best one professionally for dentists. We compiled data from numerous sources to determine not which states are the best to practice dentistry, but which ones are the worst of the worst. Is your state on the list?

	The 5 most common infection control breaches

	Infection control breaches come in all shapes and sizes - some are subtle and might not be readily apparent, while others are glaringly obvious. Some of the most common breaches are also some of the easiest to avoid. Being aware of these common problems can save you, your staff and your patients from harm.

	OSHA violations you’re making - and don’t even realize

	For many employers, the mere mention of the name “OSHA” is met with Bogeyman-like fear. However, it’s important to remember that OSHA exists to protect employees. And while practices do their best, there are some common mistakes that practices may not even realize that they're making.

	7 horrifying procedures dentists used to perform

	If you’ve ever had a patient who’s scared to sit in your chair, just remind him or her that it could be a lot worse. You could be putting poison in his or her mouth or using dental tools with the unfortunate side effect of accidentally breaking entire jaws. The whine of the dental drill isn’t exactly a pleasant sound, but it’s certainly much easier to handle with copious amounts of anesthetic. To help celebrate just how far dentistry has come, from the earliest evidences of dentistry around 14,000 years ago to the hi-tech landscape of today, we rounded up some of the most horrifying things dentists have ever done.

	6 stories that prove the dental industry is the weirdest

	Dentistry seems like it should be a straightforward occupation: You spend time studying dutifully, learn to provide expert care, treat patients, perform procedures and feel satisfi ed at the end of the day. Except for those days where satisfaction turns to amazement, befuddlement or utter shock. Because sometimes, things get strange in the dental world. Real strange. “Stranger Things”-level strange, for which no amount of classroom studies or even years of practice could prepare you. We’ve compiled a list of our six favorite stories of the most bizarre, absurd and outlandish things the dental industry has faced in recent years.

	10 dental-themed Halloween costumes for the whole family

	We’re all familiar with couples costumes, but it’s time to take things up a notch and go for gold with family costumes. In a sea of pirate and witch costumes, you and your family are sure to be the talk of the town with these toothy oufits.

	6 cosmetic dentistry procedures every practice should offer

	Thanks to social media - particularly “Instagram models” - patients’ interest in dental procedures is rising. They’re no longer avoiding their regular dental appointments, instead trading dread with enthusiasm. They know that dentists can help them get that Instagram-worthy smile, and they’re all in. With more patients demanding cosmetic dentistry treatment, offering these six procedures could help boost your patients’ satisfaction and your practice’s bottom line.

	How Amazon Business is shaking up the dental industry

	Drive down the street and you’ll most likely see a box with an Amazon logo emblazoned on it sitting on one of your neighbor’s front steps. Serving more than 1 million customers in the U.S., Amazon Business is now changing the way dentists think about purchasing dental supplies. What could this mean for your dental practice?

	5 dos and don’ts of sterilization in the dental practice

	Naturally, instruments in the dental practice should be sterilized to prevent the spread of infection. To ensure that instruments are properly sterilized, there are some good dos and don’ts that every practice should be cognizant of. Here’s what you need to know to keep your dental practice safe and sterile.

	6 ways bulk fills are changing restorative dentistry

	For more than a century, amalgam was the go-to for fillings. It was easy to place and longlasting. However, amalgam’s downside was esthetics. Composite resins solved the esthetics problem, but they presented their own issues, especially when large voids had to be fi lled. In recent years, bulk fi ll composite resins have solved those problems, providing a number of benefi ts to the clinician. Here are six ways bulk fi lls have become game-changers for clinicians.

A look at the articles that resonated most with our readers this year. 


The top 10 most-read articles of 2018

	Here at Dental Products Report, clinical techniques and how-to articles are what we do best. They’re consistently the most-read articles among our readers - and it’s no surprise why. These articles showcase how various products can be used in actual real-life situations.

This year, our readers were interested in learning more about creating esthetic restorations, simplifying overdenture treatment, utilizing glass fiber post systems, using universal nano-hybrid composites and creating smooth acrylic surfaces for restoration longevity.

Trending article: 3 ways glass ionomers are changing restorative dentistry

	We hope these articles give you the knowledge you need to provide even better patient care in the new year. We’re looking forward to bringing you more techniques in 2019.

	Click through the slides to see the top five how-to articles of 2018.

	How to create more esthetic restorations

	Placing direct restoratives on patients is a very common procedure in most general dental practices. While esthetics are important when utilizing composite restoratives, practitioners are also concerned about post-op sensitivity and longevity of the restorations.

	How to simplify overdenture treatment for today’s patients

	As the population range from 50 to 70 (Baby Boomers) years of age increases, the number of edentulous and partially edentulous patients will increase, since tooth loss and age are related. There are several reasons for the necessity of needing extractions leading to full-mouth edentulation, including neglect, severe wear, rampant caries, medications and poor health.

	How to use a novel glass fiber post system for tricky restorations

	An endodontically-treated molar with extensive crown destruction is a quite common clinical condition that demands restoration.

	Depending on the situation, an endocrown or a post and core along with full-coronal restoration can be used to restore the tooth. The endocrown can be fabricated when the pulp chamber still remains,

 as it provides retention for the crown by itself.

	How to use a universal nano-hybrid composite to restore a reattached tooth fragment

	It is not uncommon for dentists to encounter young patients who present with Class IV anterior tooth fractures that result from a traumatic injury. In such instances, when the need for minimally invasive and conservative treatments are equally important to durability and esthetics, the use of direct restoratives and adhesive techniques can help to ensure success, rather than compromises.

	How to create smooth acrylic surfaces for restoration longevity

	When making chairside adjustments to provisionals and removable dental appliances, the surface smoothness of acrylic-resin denture material is an often overlooked or undervalued component of the procedure. The polished surface of the material directly affects the health of surrounding oral tissue; rough, unpolished appliance surfaces encourage colonization of bacteria as well as plaque accumulation, while smooth surfaces are easier to clean and subsequently demonstrate lower levels of bacterial adherence. Achieving a smooth surface is a prerequisite to ensuring a restoration’s longevity in the mouth, which further translates into decreased periodontal complications and caries susceptibility.

Here are the most popular how-to articles from this year. 
