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Very Clinical New Dentist Spectacular episode 2: Class III Composites!

The Very Dental Podcast Network

Release Date: 07/19/2022

Very Clinical: Getting Ahead of It, part 1: Anesthesia and Occlusion show art 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 show art 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 show art 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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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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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 show art 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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Very Dental Classics: The Legacy of the Vedder Society show art Very Dental Classics: The Legacy of the Vedder Society

The Very Dental Podcast Network

In this throwback episode, the Dental Hacks (Alan and Jason) kick things off by breaking down the realities of practice build-outs, avoiding the dreaded “construction valley,” and weathering economic downturns before revisiting a milestone live recording from northern Michigan . Recorded on location at the 60th anniversary celebration of the Francis B. Vedder Society, Alan passes the microphone to longtime members, prosthodontic mentors, and dental technicians to reflect on six decades of clinical excellence . From legendary clinician encounters—including early lectures from Dr. Frank...

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The Very Dental Podcast Network

Fresh off his annual trip north for the Francis B. Vedder Society meeting, Alan dives into the notorious dental slump known as “Sucktember” and unpacks the clinical disconnect many general practitioners feel during high-end continuing education . While watching master-level prosthodontists and technicians showcase complex, full-arch All-on-X cases is inspiring, Alan argues that comparing everyday general dentistry to full-mouth reconstruction is like comparing hockey to the long jump—they are simply entirely different sports . From mountain biking through Glacial Hills to reflecting on...

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The Very Dental Podcast Network

Alan is joined by longtime friend and meditation teacher Dr. Dawn Grimes for a candid, reflective conversation on navigating change, managing career stress, and breaking the cycles of mental exhaustion. Moving from updates on moving houses, farm animals, and September financial anxiety into deep discussions on mindfulness, Alan and Dawn explore the teachings of renowned meditation instructor Sharon Salzberg and the core Buddhist concepts of impermanence, clinging, and suffering. Dawn breaks down why “regretful rumination” is the human brain’s default setting, the reality of balance as a...

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Very Clinical: Extractions, Sticky Bone, and Guided Implants show art Very Clinical: Extractions, Sticky Bone, and Guided Implants

The Very Dental Podcast Network

Zach and Kevin catch up on summer milestones before diving deep into hands-on surgical dentistry with guests and fellow course instructors Dr. Shane Wingler and Dr. Emily Wojtowicz. Ahead of their upcoming TRT course, the panel shares actionable, real-world clinical pearls across the three critical phases of implant therapy: atraumatic extractions, socket grafting, and guided implant placement. Listeners will learn why wide flap reflection and aggressive sectioning with a surgical handpiece eliminate extraction headaches, how sticky bone and PRF revolutionize graft handling and tissue healing,...

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More Episodes

This summer we're featuring "clinical basics" from the Zach and Kevin (and others) that will benefit new dentists and grizzled veterans alike!

Today's episode features their take on class III composites!

Highlights today include:

  • We all walk through doing a #7 MBL restoration,  how different can 3 people do it?
  • Everyday we're beveling.   Alan likes big bevels, and he cannot lie.
  • Is Mylar dead?   We all learned Mylar in school, but do any of the hacks still use it?
  • Alan describes the most expensive way possible to do a Class 3,  Zach 1/10th X's that, Kevin is our middle.

Products talked about in the episode today include:

Alan:

Bioclear Anterior

UltraEtch

Snow Plow Technique (squirt flowable, plow it in with paste... hot!)

Magic Mix

Minnow Polisher Hi-Gloss

 

Kevin:

Triodent Matrices

Sof-Lex Discs

Enhance Pogo Polisher

 

Zach:

330 Bur from DentalRee

Garrison Blue View Varistrip

12 Fluted Polishing Bur from DentalRee

One Step Composite Polisher

 

If you want to interact with us, head over to the Very Clinical Facebook Group!

Join the Very Dental Facebook group using the password "Timmerman," Hornbrook" or "McWethy."

If you'd like to support the Very Dental Podcast Network then you should support our sponsors! 

One of the unsung heroes of my practice is Cosmecore! Cosmedent’s dual cured core buildup material is amazingly versatile! It comes in three colors (A2, opaque white and blue!) and it comes in an 8 gram syringe or a 50 gram mixing gun. And speaking of the big cartridge…you can save $50 off of one using coupon code “CORE50” on the website! Go check out the best core material in all of dentistry at verydentalpodcast.com/cosmecore!

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Our friends at Spear Education want Very Dental people to know about a special event they’re having this summer! This new opportunity brings the leaders in dental education together to Educate, Elevate, and Empower you! Whether a current member or new to Spear, this event will reignite the spark in your practice. It’s a “Whitman’s Sampler” of all the amazing educators at Spear Education including Frank Spear, Gregg Kinzer, Jeff Rouse, Darin Dichter, Gary DeWood and Ricardo Mitrani! It’s clinical! It’s business! But most importantly, it’s all Spear! Spear live is happening on the east coast in Boston, MA on August 12th and 13th! Go check it out at verydentalpodcast.com/Spear!

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You know that our friends at Zirc are the organization people. With the Color Method and all the different storage and instrument sterilizations options, they’ll keep your processes streamlined and efficient! But they’re not JUST the organization people. Every dental office should check out the amazing products that Zirc has to offer for organization, isolation and visualization at verydentalpodcast.com/Zirc!

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Our friends at CAD-Ray want you to know that there has never been a better time to get into intraoral scanning! They sell and support all kinds of digital dentistry products from scanners, to printers and even cloud based software! For instance, the Medit i600 itraoral scanner is priced at just about $13,000! And if you didn’t know, CAD-Ray now distributes 3Shape scanners and the amazing Trios 4 wireless just had a $10,000 price cut! It comes in under $25,000. And all these options come with CAD-Ray’s unbeatable support! Go check it out at verydentalpodcast.com/cadray!

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If there is one thing that’s changed the way I look at teeth the most, it’s probably the headlight I use with my loupes. Our friends at Enova make amazing loupes and distribute Zumax dental microscopes, both the best you can buy. But the amazing, weightless and cordless Qubit, Quasar or Quantum headlights (all others are just toys) are the biggest game changer. But be careful…if you try one, you’re going to buy one! Why haven’t you checked out Enova Illumination yet? You can get a killer deal on all things Enova by using the Very Dental link you’ll find at verydentalpodcast.com/Enova!

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Have you been looking at your supply bill lately? Prices are REALLY going up on all the things you use every day in your office. Our friends at Crazy Dental understand and are here to help! Very Dental listeners can get 10% off their orders from Crazy Dental by using coupon code “VERYDENTAL10”! Go check out their amazing catalog and save yourself 10% off of their already amazing prices at verydentalpodcast.com/crazy!

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If you’re looking for a one stop dental marketing solution, then look no further than the Wonderist Agency. Wonderist can help you with branding and a killer website. They’ll design ad campaigns no matter how you want to get your name out there. But maybe most importantly, they’ll show you how your marketing plan is working! They have industry leading analytics that help you understand what works and what doesn’t in your area and they’ll help you spend your marketing dollar in the wisest way possible! Go check out the Wonderist Agency at verydentalpodcast.com/Wonderist.