Dr.Manoj Kumar.S BDS, MDS-Prosthodontics, FICOI, MICOI, Board Certified Dentist-Canada

Publication 7: Shade selection: spectrophotometer vs digital camera – a comparative in-vitro  study Abstract Shade determination  may be precisely  performed with  spectrophotometers, however this  technique is time  consuming and requires special devices. The aim of this study was to ascertain if digitally acquired images with an SLR camera can be used as an alternative to the VITA easyshade spectrophotometer for obtaining the shade of the teeth. Twenty extracted anterior tooth samples were analysed to determine the L*, a*, b* values with a spectrophotometer. The same samples were imaged with a digital camera, and same colour parameters were determined on  the digital images with a  software. Statistical analysis  was performed using pearson coefficient of correlation. It was observed that the L* and b* values obtained by both the methods were highly significant (r≥0.7, p≤0.05) with r = 0.798 (p=0), r = 0.858 (p=0) ...

Publication 6: Tooth-Implant Connection- A review this review throws insights on connecting an implant prosthesis to a tooth. The longevity and the benefits of such connections are reported as a viable option if done correctly. The link to my publication is as below https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/6786/2d0518d09afd23ace1c4a99c519b87096973.pdf

Soon after my first talk as a part of SMAK academy's smile design program, I was invited as a guest speaker to Bangalore during September 2017 by Dr.Fayaz Pasha to conduct a workshop on Virtual smile designing using Adobe photoshop. The co-ordinator was my mentor during my post graduation too. I have learned so many tips and tricks from him and it was time for some reciprocation when he called me in to conduct a workshop on smile designing. I was humbled to do so. Just few months before that, i had my publication approved on creating your own smile design templates using adobe photoshop. The link to that article is below: https://www.aegisdentalnetwork.com/cced/2018/03/ten-steps-to-create-virtual-smile-design-templates-with-adobe-photoshop-cs6 This was a One-Day program where I taught a group of 12 dentists about Smile designing using adobe photoshop and the principles of dental photography. Post lunch it was complete hands-on training on using photoshop to di...

Case 18: Two Implant supported manibular overdenture Sometimes, we come across patients who never accept a removable dentures and request for some form of fixed or semi-fixed( attachment supported) prosthesis. In this case the patient had adequate bone for a complete implant supported fixed rehabilitation but, economical constraints prevented him from getting it done. Instead he opted for two implant supported overdenture. After CBCT analysis, I decided to go ahead with the fabrication of complete dentures first, followed by placement of two Standard diameter platform Biohorizon Implants with OD Secure attachments immediately loaded and picked up on to the denture chair side. OD secure attachments are versatile and I personally love their different emergence heights and their sizes. The entire procedure was done under local anesthesia with a minimal flap exposure only to expose the site where the implants were planned. After the osteotomy completion. paralellism was check...

Case 17: Neutral zone complete denture The zone where the forces are neutralised intra orally between the tongue and the lips or cheeks is called the neutral zone. Ideally denture teeth in the lower arch should confine within this zone for a better stability. Its an old concept but still a viable concept in achieving success especially in atrophied ridges and ridges with resorption. The definitive impression in this case was carried out with Admix technique which includes the combination of low fusing green stick compound and impression compound in the ratio of 7:3. Once the master cast was fabricated the occlusal rim was fabricated using acrylic record base while the rim portion was fabricated with low fusing compound and green stick compound to record VD with swallowing threshold technique and as well to record the neutral zone with anthropoidal pouch technique.  The zone is then indexed with the use of dental plaster and the teeth arrangement is periodically checke...

Case 16: Smile Designing- Repeating esthetically failed veneers Laminate veneers are viable options in conservatively enhancing the smile of any individual. However, there are certain protocols to achieve success on a long run. Here is a case of esthetically failed veneers on 1.2, 1.1 and 2.1 teeth. It can be seen from the pre-op intra oral image that the existing veneers are not symmetrical, presence of fractured ceramic and stained margins. Sectioning and removal of existing veneers should be done carefully due to the fact that veneers are bonded to the tooth with a resin cement. This can inadvertently fracture the tooth if not removed properly. It was decided to redo the veneers and hence the existing veneers were removed. On removal of the veneers, the preparations are refined and smoothened. Photography plays a vital role in shade matching. In this case we used a white card to calibrate and correct the white-balance of the image and the stump shade is recorde...

Case 15: Smile Designing - An important tool in esthetic rehabilitation Sometimes, Prosthodontic priniciples are broken and rehabilitation are done just to satisfy the need for replacing posteriors with fixed teeth despite the lack of posterior retainer abutments. This case was one such example, where the previous clinician gave a 10 unit fpd with distal cantilevering for pontics from 1.4 to 1.6. For replacing such a long span, DeVan's dictum was broken and unnecessary retainer support was taken from 1.3 to 2.4. Not only the principles were compromised but also the esthetics and smile priniciples were hampered. After discussing with the patient, We decided to remove the existing unesthetic bridge and go ahead with smile designing and individual emax crowns for the prepared reatiners. Following a CBCT analysis, two implants were planned for site 1.4 and 1.6 followed by a 3 unit implant prosthesis. The initial phase involved, the restoration of smile curve and esthetics,...

SMAK academy was started in the year 2017 with the ideology of spreading knowledge by conducting programs intended to continue education in the field of dentistry. Dr.Mahadevan, Dr.Kamakshi, Dr.Shameem and I are like-minded Prosthodontists and we initiated this move. In June 2017, we conducted our first continuing education program on Dental photography and smile designing. I was one of the guest speaker for the workshop and my talk was on Principles of Dental Photography and its importance in Smile Designing. I ventured into photography a decade ago and inclined towards dental photography by 2014. Since then, documentation of all my cases were done using a DSLR camera and the importance of documenting can be seen in my blog with loads of clinical cases being portrayed. Our first program had a small group of 10 Candidates and the program was just a stepping stone towards our Continuing education venture.

Publication 5: A Simplified Dual Tray Impression Technique For Anterior Maxillary Flabby Ridge – A Clinical Report Scholars Academic Journal of Biosciences (SAJB) Sch. Acad. J. Biosci., 2015; 3(2B):202-206 Abstract: There are various impression techniques employed for recording a flabby tissue. One of the techniques is the dual tray impression technique. Forces exerted during the act of impression taking can result in distortion of the mobile tissue. Thus design of the custom tray should be such that, the flabby tissues are recorded without being distorted. This clinical report explains a simpler technique for recording an anterior flabby ridge of the maxillary arch with a dual tray design. Keywords: Impression, Flabby ridge, Dual tray. https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/7281/ea35f1cbfe03fcd9f6e82db209544bb5bf13.pdf

Case 14: Altered cast technique for Cast Partial Denture Cast partial dentures(CPD) are superior to any other forms of partial acrylic dentures. However, they are technique sensitive and are considered the best when done precisely. There are so many factors which play a role in obtaining the best fit and longevity of any cast partial denture. One major consideration is the type of support on which the CPD rests. In situations where the support is mainly from the edentulous ridges, the possibility for frequent relining is going to be a consideration on a long term. Likewise, special impression techniques are also a major consideration in Kennedy's class 1 situations with long span edentulousness. Altered cast technique is a method where a functional impression is made to record the edentulous site in such a way that the load transferred on to the residual ridge is kept to a minimum and the frequency of relining and the rate of resorption is controlled.  Here is a si...