Category Archives: Tips & Tricks

Slam-Dunk Anesthesia for Lower Molars!

Posted on May 21, 2014 by The Dental Warrior

And, painless, too!  Promise! I’ve learned a lot of tricks over the years, and the internet has been my go-to source.  For at least 20 years, I’ve been an active participant in online forums.  The ability to access the minds … Continue reading →

Posted in Clinical Technique, Editor's Favorites, Tips & Tricks | Tagged , , | 151 Comments

Retrofitting a Crown to an Existing Partial Denture

Posted on April 25, 2014 by The Dental Warrior

I first posted this “article” on Dentaltown back in 2007.  A friend just reminded me about it, so I thought I’d re-post it here. We all know what a pain this can be – fitting a new crown to an … Continue reading →

Posted in Clinical Technique, Tips & Tricks | Tagged , , , | 7 Comments

Paging Dr. MacGyver – Herodontist

Posted on February 21, 2013 by The Dental Warrior

After nearly 25 years in Dentistry, I’ve learned that “herodontics” is often an exercise in futility.  But, one of the things I love about being a dentist is the creative problem-solving aspect.  My assistant has called me “McGyver” for many … Continue reading →

Posted in Case Presentation, Clinical Technique, Tips & Tricks, What Happened Today | Tagged , , , | 18 Comments

Optragate – So Many Uses

Posted on August 22, 2012 by The Dental Warrior

I’ve written about the Optragate before:  Optragate for Full Arch Prep & Impression The Optragate (by Ivoclar) is a nifty disposable item that effectively retracts lips and cheeks exposing both dental arches for easy access. I use it mostly when … Continue reading →

Posted in Clinical Technique, Dental Product Reviews, Tips & Tricks | Tagged | 6 Comments

Super-cool Intra-oral Photo Sharing With Patients

Posted on February 27, 2012 by The Dental Warrior

I’ve been meaning to get this set up in my office and then sharing the idea with you for quite some time.  FINALLY, I got around to doing it… the way I wanted to do it.  For most of my … Continue reading →

Posted in Case Presentation, Clinical Technique, Photography, Tips & Tricks | Tagged , , , , | 34 Comments

Seeing Teeth Better and Seeing the Light!

Posted on February 16, 2012 by The Dental Warrior

Designs for Vision – Dental Magnification Review I’m not sure when I started using magnification in dentistry, but I estimate it’s been about 17 years.  I started with some 2.5x telescopes from Orascoptic.  They are technically and properly termed telescopes, … Continue reading →

Posted in Dental Product Reviews, Tips & Tricks | Tagged , , , , | 26 Comments

Isolite saves my butt again.

Posted on January 27, 2012 by The Dental Warrior

This week, I had two particular patients that presented clinical challenges.  In both cases, treatment involved lower posterior teeth.  I’ve written about the Isolite in this blog twice before: Win the Isolation Battle with Isolite! (see video, too!) Isolite Saves … Continue reading →

Posted in Dental Product Reviews, Tips & Tricks, What Happened Today | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Implant Provisional – using the original tooth

Posted on November 9, 2011 by The Dental Warrior

Several months ago (April 2011), a long-time patient had tooth #8 blow up.   The patient is a 80 y.o. male.  It was a perio-endo lesion (with root resorption evident), and we decided extraction and replacement with an implant would be … Continue reading →

Posted in Case Presentation, Editor's Favorites, Tips & Tricks, What Happened Today | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Isolite Saves the Day

Posted on October 8, 2011 by The Dental Warrior

This is just a quick “what happened this week” post. Earlier this week, I had a patient who is in a wheelchair.  His neck had been broken in a chiropractor’s office.  Ironically, he is a retired chiropractor.  Really nice guy. … Continue reading →

Posted in Clinical Technique, Dental Product Reviews, Tips & Tricks, What Happened Today | Tagged , , | 4 Comments

V-Rings Mean Rock Solid Posterior Composite Contacts

Posted on May 5, 2011 by The Dental Warrior

As our profession has evolved from amalgam to composite for posterior direct restorations, one of the biggest clinical challenges has been creating consistently good proximal contacts.  A number of gizmos have come through the marketplace promising to solve this vexing … Continue reading →

Posted in Clinical Technique, Dental Product Reviews, Tips & Tricks | Tagged , , , , , | 10 Comments