As dentists, we are privileged with the daily opportunity to improve the oral health and — by extension — the quality of life of our patients. These opportunities take many shapes, from dental implants, to same-day crowns, to helping patients enjoy a restful night of sleep. The wide variety of skills and disciplines within general dentistry was certainly on display at the inaugural Glidewell Dental Symposium, held in November in Dallas. Featuring 11 dynamic speakers along with an exhibition area showing the latest technological advancements in dentistry, the symposium was a great learning experience for presenters and attendees alike. I was honored to deliver the keynote presentation at the event, and I highly recommend reading this issue’s article featuring some of the highlights. For those who attended, we enjoyed meeting so many dedicated, ambitious dentists eager to make the most of their practices. And for those who were unable to attend — keep an eye out for our announcement of the Glidewell Dental Symposium 2018!

As someone who has been placing implants for more than 45 years, I have seen the benefits of implant therapy improve the lives of thousands of patients, and I encourage all dentists to learn more about this life-changing mode of treatment. Dr. David Hochberg, the new president of the American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID), has spent much of his career leading efforts to educate and support implantologists. In our featured Q&A, Dr. Hochberg discusses the importance of case selection when first placing implants, the advantages of digital dentistry, and the benefits of joining the AAID.

Dr. Randolph Resnik’s latest article takes an in-depth look at the bone grafting materials available to clinicians, while other articles spotlight topics ranging from esthetic veneer materials, to patient communication strategies, to testing the strength of traditional PFMs vs. Obsidian^® Fused to Metal.

We are excited to bring you news of a new technology recently adopted at Glidewell that delivers a higher level of consistency and precision for dental restorations than ever before, as well as a faster turnaround time. Check out "Computed Tomography: Providing Consistency and Precision in Dental Restorations" to learn more.

With innovations continually improving the quality and efficiency of care, this is an especially exciting time to practice dentistry. As we strive to bring you the latest, we strongly value our readership and welcome any feedback.