Access Opening on Molar Teeth

You may have seen my post a couple days ago when I started access opening on anterior and premolar teeth. (if not, see here). I have continued this process with accessing molar teeth.

Real Human Teeth embedded in a plaster block

The tooth at the very right is actually a pre-molar

Molars accessed

If you look really closely, you may be able to see a couple canals

Filing and measuring

See access opening on anteriors and premolars here.

Here's a handy guideline on access cavity preps.

Fabrication of Removable Partial Dentures

You may recall my post some time ago about Removable Partial Denture Design. If not you can find it here. Now that the design is complete, it's time to fabricate the denture.

Here's the RPD Design

This, according to the Kennedy classification is a Class II modification II arch.

After an alginate impression is made of the arch from the dentoform, it is then poured up in plaster.
 Though not very visible, the design/outline of the RPD is made on the cast
Wax is placed to block out undercuts

A record base is then made of triad material following the outline that was made on the cast
It is then cured, which makes it hard

Wax is then added to the edentulous spaces until contact is made with the lower arch

Alu-wax is added to articulate the upper arch with the lower arch

upper cast with record base in place along with with alu-wax
to articulate the lower with the upper arch

Lower arch. You can see remnants of the alu-wax where articulation was made

Upper and Lower arches articulated

Front view

Lateral view

The saga continues next week. Stay tuned.

Endodontics: Access Opening

We start endodontics this semester. So far we've been learning how to open a tooth and access the root canal. We were also introduced to some of the basic instruments of the trade as well as the type of burs used to access the canal.

Our instrument cassette

All things sharp and pointy

Endo Access Kit

Burs used for accessing root canals

Here are some of the teeth that I've accessed so far. Some are missing since I turned them in for grading.

Open access on a canine

Open acess on pre-molar

Steps to follow for accessing the canal:

•  High speed hand piece with EAD4 bur to enter through enamel and dentin;
•  followed by the use of a slow speed hand piece with the EARC4 bur to access the root canal and plane the canal walls.
•  At this point a broach can be used to remove pulpal tissue. 
• Using high speed han piece again the EARC4 or even the XGATE can be used to shape the access opening with guidelines for the particular tooth you are working on, eg: triangular outline for a maxillary central incisor or Oval outline for a canine.

Sorry for the crappy photos.

Roller Coaster Ride

This week I started my second semester of my second year! Man, time is flying (though not fast enough). Of course, the further I matriculate into Dental School the more hectic my schedule gets. This semester I have a whopping 13, THIR-TEEN classes plus clinic rotations to keep me well occupied and on my toes. Classes this semester include:

• Oral Pathology
• Anesthesia & Minor Oral Surgery
• Pediatric Dentistry
• Removable Prosthodontics II
• Fixed Prosthodontics II
• Fixed Prosthodontics II Lab
• Periodontics
• Therapeutics
• Endodontics & Pulp Biology
• Endodontics Lab
• Oral & Maxillofacial Radiology
• Treatment Planning
• Dental Practice Readiness Course
• Clinic Rotations

Add studying and sitting the NBDE 1 to the mix as well as my campus organization leadership responsibilities, conferences, seminars and research and we've got ourselves one ca-raazy semester.

Join me on this journey. Buckle up!

ASDOH's The Dental Anomalies

I got introduced the other day to Dentistry's First Music Band: The Dental Anomalies.
The Dental Anomalies, Nima Afsari and Mark Anthony Williams II, are second year dental students at The Arizona School of Dentistry and Oral Health (ASDOH). They started blending their passion for dentistry and music when they first met and created a whole album which illustrates what it is like to be a dental student. The Dental Anomalies enjoy melodic sounds and try to incorporate many genres into their music, such as rock, rap, pop and jazz. With the release of their first album, the future of dentistry and music looks promising.

Here's a sneak peak of their album with the song: Through My Loupes.




Mark and Nima are some talented folks. Other productions of theirs include commercials, entrances and small movies which can all be found on ASDOH's ASDA website, and if you liked their first single go ahead and support them, our fellow Dental Students -their entire album can be purchased from their blog here. 
Definitely a fun way to take away the stress of dental school