Everything You've Ever Wanted to Know About Zirconia (DHP283)
The Very Dental Podcast Network
Release Date: 03/13/2020
AME: The Absurdist Dentist
The Very Dental Podcast Network
"Biology remains undefeated." Alan reflects on the stark contrast between social media’s flawless clinical highlight reels and the sobering reality of burnout and mental health struggles in the profession . Borrowing from the philosophy of absurdism and the myth of Sisyphus, he argues that because restorative work enters an aggressive biological environment destined for entropy, biology remains undefeated . Rather than viewing inevitable breakdowns as personal failures, dentists can free themselves by recognizing their true role: not performing permanent miracles, but buying dignified time...
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Very Dental: Dr. Taras Konanec on Bringing Modern Restorative Techniques to Dental School
The Very Dental Podcast Network
Live from the Bioclear Summit Alan sits down with Dr. Taras Konanec, Director of Operative Dentistry at McGill University . The two discuss the realities of modern dental education and the struggle to get clinic instructors on the same page . Taras details how McGill successfully integrated the Bioclear method and heated composites into its curriculum . They explore the clinical mindset shift toward minimally invasive care, avoiding aggressive crown preparations whenever possible . The conversation wraps up with a deep dive into selective caries removal and why a solid peripheral enamel seal...
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Very Clinical: Getting Ahead of It, part 2: Everyday Operative
The Very Dental Podcast Network
Kevin and Zach welcome back Alan to dive into the art of "getting ahead of it" in everyday operative dentistry to prevent patient complaints before they start . From anticipating shade discrepancies caused by tooth dehydration during anterior composite restorations to managing lingual thickness and opposing occlusal contacts, the conversation breaks down real-world restorative hurdles . The team discusses the critical value of clinical photography for documenting chipped incisal edges, strategies for placing rubber dams and anatomical wedges (or "separators") without startling patients,...
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Very Dental: The Art of Longevity with Dr. Marco Maiolino
The Very Dental Podcast Network
Alan is joined by Dr. Marco Maiolino live from the 2026 Bioclear Summit to challenge the profession's obsession with superficial aesthetics and make the definitive case for longevity dentistry. Drawing on over two decades of clinical experience in Sicily, Marco breaks down the psychological nuances of real informed consent and how clinicians must take clinical responsibility to remove doubt. He outlines his pragmatic, stepped protocol for treating worn dentition using Smile Cloud, aesthetic mock-ups, and reversible snap-on PMMA "rebalances" to open vertical dimension without irreversible prep...
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Very Clinical: Getting Ahead of It, part 1: Anesthesia and Occlusion
The Very Dental Podcast Network
In this episode of the "Getting Ahead of It" series, Zach, Kevin, and guest Dr. Alan Mead break down practical communication strategies to preempt patient complaints and callbacks before they happen. Starting with local anesthesia, the trio covers common chairside dilemmas: setting realistic expectations between upper and lower numbness, handling palatal pressure, navigating anatomical misses, managing epinephrine-induced jitters, and managing the dreaded numb-eyelid sensation. The discussion shifts to post-op occlusion, exploring why asking numb patients "how does your bite feel?" often...
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AME: Radical Consent and the Lost Art of Tooth Preservation
The Very Dental Podcast Network
Fresh from the 2026 Bioclear Alumni Summit, Alan reflects on the power of tooth preservation, the lost art of "herodontics," and why the default move to implant therapy might be selling patients short . Addressing recent listener feedback about network reruns and solo monologues, Alan dives into standout presentations from Dr. Rafael Bustamante and Dr. Marco Maiolino that challenged conventional treatment planning and reexamined the true meaning of radical informed consent . Rather than viewing heroic restorative efforts as subpar dentistry, this episode explores how well-engineered, minimally...
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Very Dental: A New Twist on Dental Instruments with Kyle Lim of Power Dental Group
The Very Dental Podcast Network
Alan welcomes Kyle Lim, the dynamic owner of Power Dental Group, to discuss how a second-generation family sharpening and retipping business evolved into a disruptive direct-to-dentist brand. Kyle pulls back the curtain on taking over his father’s blue-collar manufacturing roots, shifting away from declining trade shows, and leveraging engaging social media marketing to stand out in a historically sterile industry. Along the way, the two dive into practical problem-solving in the operator including patented innovations like the Power Crown Remover for tackling stubborn zirconia, the...
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Very Dental Classics: The Implant Pathway Story with Dr. Justin Moody
The Very Dental Podcast Network
In this throwback episode Dr. Justin Moody joins Alan to chronicle the remarkable evolution of Implant Pathway—from early hotel seminars to establishing a massive, purpose-built 32-operatory clinical training and nonprofit center in Scottsdale . Together, they break down the philosophy of the Fast Track program, emphasizing actionable clinical judgment, live-patient mentorship, and the importance of immediate chairside implementation . The conversation also covers the regulatory landscape of Arizona’s Good Samaritan temporary dental licenses, Dr. Moody’s newest venture into winemaking...
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AME: Is Podcasting Dead?
The Very Dental Podcast Network
Alan reflects on the stark contrast between social media reach and traditional audio podcast listenership after short Instagram clips featuring guest Dr. Brady Smith quickly garnered tens of thousands of views while overall podcast downloads remained steady . Looking back on the evolution of dental media since co-founding The Dental Hacks in 2014, he examines the rise of short-form video, shifts in podcast download metrics, the role of algorithmic distribution compared to RSS feeds, and whether traditional audio shows can still effectively connect with dental professionals . We're proud to be...
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Very Dental: 18 Board Complaints and Selling Out Comedy Clubs with Dr. Brady Smith
The Very Dental Podcast Network
What happens when you combine an aggressive 16-hour clinical shift, 18 frivolous state dental board investigations, and a completely fabricated, highly inappropriate anesthesia technique? You get Dr. Brady Smith’s return to the Very Dental Podcast. Alan sits down with Brady to unpack his transition from a dentist who merely likes attention to a full-blown social media juggernaut. Brady explains why he’d gladly accept a shout-out from anyone with a pulse, confesses to "bone smashing" exclusively during lower molar extractions, and recounts how an absurd viral bit called the "fireman's...
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Zirconia is widely used. Many love it, some hate it. But there aren't many people that know more about it than the one and only Dr. Mike DiTolla! Mike joins Jason and Alan to answer questions from the Dental Hacks Nation about all things zirconia! Some topics we cover:
- Mike's shoulder surgery experience and why you shouldn't feel too bad about missing a block again.
- How Mike invented zirconia (Al's word, not his)
- Is zirconia too strong?
- Can you bond zirconia? And how does that work?
- How does the lab approach zirconia (e.g.--die space, etc.)
- 30 micron margins! Crown margins = really narrow class V restoration
- Best ways to adjust zirconia (water on, very fine diamond)
- Mike and Josh Austin's AMAZING performances at VoD 2020!
- What is zirconia's Kryptonite and why do we have to clean zirconia before cementing/bonding?
- Best way to open an access/drill a hold into a zirconia crown and how to repair
- Blended zirconia materials
- Will zirconia eventually take over?
- Cementing vs. bonding
- The Lipscomb Scale of how much it sucks to remove zirconia crowns
- How to get some free polishing and cementing tools from Ivoclar-Vivadent
Some links from the show:
Glidewell Laboratory
Optragloss Universal polishers
The Dental Hacks Nation closed Facebook group has 28,000 members! Head over there to interact with other Dental Hacks listeners, guests and Brain Trust members every day, all day! Remember…if you don’t have anything “dental” on your FB page, we might decline your membership request. So IM the group or email us at [email protected]!
Organization is so important in all facets of your dental office. You have systems for your front desk. But what about systems for how you handle your clinical set ups? There are a ton of systems for organizing instruments, but our friends at Zirc make it easy for you to pick what’s exactly right for you! Zirc has a process that they call ZOBE. That stands for Zirc’s Organizational Box of Efficiency. They send a big box full of their different instrument organization options to YOUR OFFICE. You get to try it all out. Snap the tops on the tubs. Put cassettes in your own sterilizer. Try out YOUR instruments in whatever cassette you like! Plus, Zirc sets you up with your own organizational expert to help you determine what’s right for you. Also, if you do a ZOBE consultation by April 17, 2020...you’ll be in the running for a $300 Amazon gift card! Find out more at dentalhacks.com/ZOBE!
Happy St. Hacky's Day! YAPI is celebrating this grand holiday with an iPad giveaway! All you have to do is head over to the Dental Hacks Nation and "like" or comment on the thread featuring the adorable YAPI puppy in his St. Patrick's Day finest! Everyone knows that YAPI are the paperless people and they want to help you get paperless with this amazing iPad giveaway! Go check it out on the Dental Hacks Nation!
Go Hack Yourself
Jason: Mevo Start streaming camera
Alan: Woebot.io
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