Everything You've Ever Wanted to Know About Zirconia (DHP283)
The Very Dental Podcast Network
Release Date: 03/13/2020
Very Dental Classics: Sugar, Science and Dr. Rella Christensen
The Very Dental Podcast Network
This classic Dental Hacks episode features a long-form interview with Dr. Rella Christensen of TRAC Research (formerly CRA). The discussion covers the history of independent product evaluation, the challenges of maintaining objectivity in dental research, and significant findings regarding restorative materials and caries management. The original interview had really poor sound quality but a little help from an Adobe AI filter really cleared it up. This interview was worth another listen, I think! Key Interview Highlights 1. The Origins and Ethics of TRAC Research History: The organization...
info_outline
Very Clinical: New Year, New Gear with Dr. Gary Holtzclaw and Dr. Erin Elliott
The Very Dental Podcast Network
It’s New Year’s Eve Eve! Zach and Kevin return to close out the year with returning guests Dr. Gary Holtzclaw and Dr. Erin Elliott. In this final episode of 2025, the crew trades stories about their most memorable (and traumatic) New Year’s Eve experiences—including a high school snowball fight that went terribly wrong and an intense dental school dodgeball tournament. Later, the conversation shifts from parties to protocols as the group discusses the major clinical and business changes they implemented in their practices this year. From AI integration and staffing shake-ups to battles...
info_outline
AME: Hitting Pause and Rewind in 2026
The Very Dental Podcast Network
In this candid episode, Alan announces he is taking a hiatus from recording new content for the Very Dental Podcast Network. Feeling momentarily "tapped out" after nearly 12 years of podcasting, Alan reflects on the evolution of the medium and his desire to avoid becoming repetitive. Starting in January, the show will move to a weekly Friday release schedule featuring remastered "Greatest Hits" episodes, beginning with a classic 2015 interview with Dr. Rella Christensen. While he plans to step back from the microphone for a bit, he will continue to produce episodes for hosts Kevin and Zach and...
info_outline
Very Dental: Facially Generated Success, a conversation with Dr. Frank Spear and Dr. Gregg Kinzer
The Very Dental Podcast Network
In this throwback Dental Hacks episode, I am joined by Dr. Jason Lipscomb to welcome two absolute legends in dental education: Dr. Frank Spear and Dr. Gregg Kinzer. This interview was originally released back in 2018 and it marked the first time Jason, Frank, and Gregg sat down together on the podcast, delivering a conversation packed with history, philosophy, and actionable practice management advice. The conversation traces the evolution of dental continuing education, moving from Frank’s early days of disjointed lectures to the structured, curriculum-based approach of the Spear Center...
info_outline
A Very Clinical Christmas with Dr. Erin Elliott and Dr. Gary Holtzclaw
The Very Dental Podcast Network
Join hosts Zach and Kevin for the annual Very Clinical holiday wrap-up! This week, they welcome back the recurring year-end duo, Dr. Erin Elliott and Dr. Gary Holtzclaw. It is officially a tradition as Erin and Gary join the guys to break down how they are spending the holidays and what has changed in their lives over the last twelve months. In this festive episode, the group shares their unique Christmas traditions, ranging from Icelandic rice pudding games to seafood feasts and tongue-in-cheek "virgin sacrifices." Beyond the holiday cheer, they dive into significant life updates. Kevin...
info_outline
AME: Getting Your Head Straight for the Holidays
The Very Dental Podcast Network
In this holiday edition, Alan starts off feeling the weight of the Winter Solstice and a bit of "podcasting burnout," questioning whether an audio veteran needs to pivot to video to stay relevant. However, he refuses to stay in a funk. Alan shares his real-time strategy for getting his head straight for the holidays, including a change of recording venue, hacking his own social media algorithms to remove toxicity, and finally getting back to the gym. He also shares updates on his practice’s workflow, his renewed passion for Bioclear, and why you need to be in Arizona this January. Some...
info_outline
Very Dental Classics: It's the Airway, Stupid with Dr. Jeff Rouse
The Very Dental Podcast Network
This throwback Dental Hacks episode features one of Alan and Jason's classic airway discussions with Dr. Jeff Rouse. This was recorded at the 2018 DS World held in Orlando. Dr. Rouse elaborated on the Seattle Protocol and the essential approach to airway management in dentistry. Jeff broke down the differences between airway issues and sleep apnea, emphasizing the importance of nasal breathing and the role of night guards. He also addresses screening techniques using high-resolution pulse oximetry and cardiopulmonary coupling and the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration involving ENT...
info_outline
Very Clinical: Keep CADCAMing with Dr. Dhaval Patel
The Very Dental Podcast Network
Kevin and Alan are joined again by Dr. Dhaval Patel to discuss the significant shifts occurring in digital dentistry, moving beyond the traditional CEREC workflow. Dhaval explains that his highly popular online group, "Keep CERECing," was recently renamed "Keep CAD/CAMing" after he consulted with Dentsply Sirona's legal team regarding trademark usage, which prompted him to broaden the group's scope. This change has led to a natural expansion in technology focus, now encompassing the wider CAD/CAM landscape including 3D printing and 5-axis milling. Dhaval details how he uses 3D printing for...
info_outline
AME: 363 Days
The Very Dental Podcast Network
Alan explores the state of prevention in dentistry, inspired by his constant sense of smelling periodontitis everywhere. He argues that while the profession talks a good game about prevention, its core focus remains surgical intervention. Alan stresses that the success of dental health hinges on the 363 days of patient home care outside the office, yet dentists often fail to properly educate patients on effective techniques beyond generic instructions to "brush and floss." Drawing on insights from hygiene experts, he calls for a radical shift to front-load prevention—moving past a reliance...
info_outline
Very Dental: AI Skepticism with Dr. Gary Holtzclaw
The Very Dental Podcast Network
AI is in the conversation all the time these days. Most people are convinced that the productivity gains that AI promises are all to the good, but is that really true? Alan is joined again by Dr. Gary Holtzclaw for a conversation that needs to be had. The conversation includes the role of AI in dentistry, skepticism towards new technologies, the evolution of social media, and the impact of sports betting on the integrity of sports. They explore the benefits and potential threats of AI, the changing landscape of social media interactions, and the implications of gambling in sports. The...
info_outline
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 info@dentalhacks.com!
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
If you have any questions or comments for us please drop us an email at info@dentalhacks.com or find us (and like us!) at www.facebook.com/dentalhacks. Or, if you prefer…give us a call at (866) 223-5257 and leave us a message. You might be played in the show! If you like us, why not leave us a review on iTunes? It helps us get found by like minded people and might even help us get into “What’s Hot” in the iTunes store! Go to this link and let the world know about the Dental Hacks! Finally, if you aren’t an Apple person, consider reviewing us on Stitcher at: stitcher.com/podcast/the-dentalhacks-podcast!
If you would like to support the podcast you can check out our Patreon page! Although the show will always remain free to download, our Patreon supporters get access to special bonus content including (at least) one extra podcast episode every months! Also be sure to check out the Dental Hacks swag store where you can find t-shirts, stickers coffee mugs and all sorts of other things that let the world know you’re a part of the Hacks Nation.