The advantages of using a rubber dam are well-known when performing
operative and endodontic procedures. These benefits include the
following:
   * Isolation of the operating field to keep it dry and clean;

I've had two cracked molars so far, in my lower-left jaw. They *may*
be due to night-time clenching, or they could simply be because of the
very large occlusal fillings they had before they cracked. However, on
the off-chance that it may be due to clenching, I'm anxious to protect

Can anyone recommend a top-notch diagnostician in NYC?  Have had a lot of
discomfort with many teeth after major restoration, and to be honest, I
think the couple of dentists I've seen already are just winging it.  Anyone
you can recommend who has absolutely seen it all?  Thanks.

Over time (say 20-30 years) do most crowned molars eventually end up needing
root canals? Thanks.

Deteriorated into a spam trap, and full of mostly crap.
Wiill start a one man crusade to rid this group of the
china shoe, watch, and crap ads.
Invite all of those who frequent this group to join in this quest.

Went to the dentist with a tooth ache in #6, upper right canine tooth. Big
cavity there already, and the filling came out, months ago.
He sent me home with a scrip for pain pills, and schedule for a RCT on April
15.

Sometimes people get confused as to what are the differences between a
“fake Rolex” and a “replica Rolex”.  The differences between the two
types of watch are many, and we’d like to take the time to explain a
few of them.

I was wondering how effective using the ultrasonic cleaner would be for
root planing? Is this ever done?
I have a friend who has had problems with the tmj and I was thinking
that ultrasonic would eliminate the problem of so much pressure on the jaw.

The cover, "Orthodontic Therapy and it effect on Periodontal Health,"
is almost an advertisement for my book, "Insider's guide to gum
disease, orthodontics, and dentistry.  What is not taught in dental
school."

I had a good amount of restoration work done last year, and since then have
had intermittent discomfort in all my lower molars. Nothing shows up on any
x-rays. Short of opening up each tooth, is there any way to determine
which ones, if any, have pulp infections?  I don't want to do ...

I had braces as an adult to bring in two impacted canine teeth. Before
the orthodontia I had colds each year that sometimes led to sinus
problems but things always resolved within 2-3 weeks.
During the orthodontic work and as the upper canine was positioned--it

Once upon a time a dentist told me that whitening toothpaste can cause
cavities as it scrapes the enamel off teeth. Is there any truth to
this?

I went to NYU dental school to have them look at my teeth recently.
They found a cavity in a lower molar.  That tooth already had a
filling.  She did a heck of lot of drilling, I started wondering just
when she was going to stop.  This was in peparation for an inlay.  So

No, not stock trading, nor single malt scotch whisky.
Extraction forceps.
Have been using a #13 forcep for removing 1st, 2nd, and a few 3rds
for many years (upper or lower). Especially for those that won't give

For me, occlusal disease is like ergonomics of the oral cavity.   If
you don't use it, you don't have to worry.  Wear, tear, compensation.
Everything wears and wear shows up differently for different people.
Maybe the right phase should be occlusal ergonomics.